[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 39 (Monday, February 28, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page ]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-4462]


[Federal Register: February 28, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration


Acceptance Noise Exposure Maps for Saipan International Airport, 
Saipan, MP

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announces its 
determination that the noise exposure maps submitted by the 
Commonwealth Ports Authority for Saipan International Airport under the 
provisions of title I of the Aviation Safety and Noise Abatement Act of 
1979 (Pub. L. 96-193) and 14 CFR part 150 are in compliance with 
applicable requirements.

EFFECTIVE DATE: The effective date of the FAA's determination on the 
noise exposure maps is February 14, 1994.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David J. Welhouse, Airport Engineer/
Planner, HNL-621, Federal Aviation Administration, Honolulu Airports 
District Office, P.O. Box 50244, Honolulu, Hawaii 96850-0001, Telephone 
(808) 541-1243.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This notice announces that the FAA finds 
that the noise exposure maps submitted for Saipan International Airport 
are in compliance with applicable requirements of part 150 effective 
February 14, 1994.
    Under section 103 of the Aviation Safety and Noise Abatement Act of 
1979 (hereinafter referred to as ``the Act''), an airport operator may 
submit to the FAA noise exposure maps which meet applicable regulations 
and which depict noncompatible land uses as of the date of submission 
of such maps, a description of projected aircraft operations, and the 
ways in which such operations will affect such maps. The Act requires 
such maps to be developed in consultation with interested and affected 
parties in the local community, government agencies, and persons using 
the airport.
    An airport operator who has submitted noise exposure maps that are 
found by FAA to be in compliance with the requirements of Federal 
Aviation Regulations (FAR) part 150, promulgated pursuant to title I of 
the Act, may submit a noise compatibility program for FAA approval 
which sets forth the measures the operator has taken or proposes for 
the reduction of existing noncompatible uses and for the prevention of 
the introduction of additional noncompatible uses.
    The FAA has completed its review of the noise exposure maps and 
related descriptions submitted by the Commonwealth Ports Authority. The 
specific maps under consideration are Figures 4-1 and 6-2 in the 
submission. The FAA has determined that these maps for Saipan 
International Airport are in compliance with applicable requirements. 
This determination is effective on February 14, 1994. FAA's 
determination on an airport operator's noise exposure maps is limited 
to a finding that the maps were developed in accordance with the 
procedures contained in appendix A of FAR part 150. Such determination 
does not constitute approval of the applicant's data, information or 
plans, or a commitment to approve a noise compatibility program or to 
fund the implementation of that program.
    If questions arise concerning the precise relationship of specific 
properties to noise exposure contours depicted on a noise exposure map 
submitted under section 103 of the Act, it should be noted that the FAA 
is not involved in any way in determining the relative locations of 
specific properties with regard to the depicted noise contours, or in 
interpreting the noise exposure maps to resolve questions concerning, 
for example, which properties should be covered by the provisions of 
section 107 of the Act. These functions are inseparable from the 
ultimate land use control and planning responsibilities of local 
government. These local responsibilities are not changed in any way 
under part 150 or through FAA's review of noise exposure maps. 
Therefore, the responsibility for the detailed overlaying of noise 
exposure contours onto the maps depicting properties on the surface 
rests exclusively with the airport operator which submitted those maps, 
or with those public agencies and planning agencies with which 
consultation is required under section 103 of the Act. FAA has relied 
on the certification by the airport operator, under Sec. 150.21 of FAR 
part 150, that the statutorily required consultation has been 
accomplished.
    Copies of the noise exposure maps and of the FAA's evaluation of 
the maps are available for examination at the following locations:

Federal Aviation Administration, 800 Independence Avenue, SW., room 
617, Washington, DC 20591
Federal Aviation Administration, Western-Pacific Region, Airports 
Division, room 3E24, 15000 Aviation Boulevard, Hawthorne, California 
90261
Federal Aviation Administration, Honolulu Airports District Office, 
300 Ala Moana Boulevard, room 7116, Honolulu, Hawaii 96813
Commonwealth Ports Authority, Saipan International Airport, Saipan, 
MP 96950

    Questions may be directed to the individual named above under the 
heading, FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.

    Issued in Hawthorne, California, on February 14, 1994.
Herman C. Bliss,
Manager, Airports Division, Western-Pacific Region.
[FR Doc. 94-4462 Filed 2-25-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-M