[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 100 (Wednesday, May 25, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-12779]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: May 25, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration

 

Approval of Noise Compatibility Program for Hilo International 
Airport

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announces its 
findings on the noise compatibility program submitted by the State of 
Hawaii, Department of Transportation, under the provisions of title I 
of the Aviation Safety and Noise Abatement Act of 1979 (Public Law 96-
193) and 14 CFR part 150. These findings are made in recognition of the 
description of Federal and non-Federal responsibilities in Senate 
Report No. 96-52 (1980). On November 4, 1993, the FAA determined that 
the noise exposure maps submitted by the State of Hawaii, Department of 
Transportation, under part 150, were in compliance with applicable 
requirements. On May 3, 1994, the Administrator approved the Hilo 
International Airport noise compatibility program. Eight of the ten 
recommendations of the program were approved, one was approved in part, 
and one had no action.

EFFECTIVE DATE: The effective date of the FAA's approval of the Hilo 
International Airport noise compatibility program is May 3, 1994.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
David J. Welhouse, Airport Engineer/Planner, Honolulu Airports District 
Office, Federal Aviation Administration, P.O. Box 50244, Honolulu, 
Hawaii 96850, Telephone: 808) 541-1243. Street Address: 300 Ala Moana 
Blvd., room 7116. Documents reflecting this FAA action may be reviewed 
at this same location.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This notice announces that the FAA has given 
its overall approval to the noise compatibility program for the Hilo 
International Airport, effective May 3, 1994.
    Under section 104(a) of the Aviation Safety and Noise Abatement Act 
of 1979 (hereinafter referred to as ``the Act''), an airport operator 
who has previously submitted a noise exposure map may submit to the FAA 
a noise compatibility program which sets forth the measures taken or 
proposed by the airport operator for the reduction of existing 
incompatible land uses and prevention of additional incompatible land 
uses within the area covered by the noise exposure maps. The Act 
requires such programs to be developed in consultation with interested 
and affected parties including local communities, government agencies, 
airport users, and FAA personnel.
    Each airport noise compatibility program developed in accordance 
with Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR) part 150 is a local program, 
not a Federal program. The FAA does not substitute its judgment for 
that of the airport proprietor with respect to which measures should be 
recommended for action. The FAA's approval or disapproval of FAR part 
150 program recommendations is measured according to the standards 
expressed in part 150 and the Act and is limited to the following 
determinations:
    a. The noise compatibility program was developed in accordance with 
the provisions and procedures of FAR part 150;
    b. Program measures are reasonably consistent with achieving the 
goals of reducing existing incompatible land uses around the airport 
and preventing the introduction of additional incompatible land uses;
    c. Program measures would not create an undue burden on interstate 
or foreign commerce, unjustly discriminate against types or classes of 
aeronautical uses, violate the terms of airport grant agreements, or 
intrude into areas pre-empted by the Federal Government; and
    d. Program measures relating to the use of flight procedures can be 
implemented within the period covered by the program without derogating 
safety, adversely affecting the efficient use and management of the 
navigable airspace and air traffic control systems, or adversely 
affecting other powers and responsibilities of the Administrator 
prescribed by law.
    Specific limitations with respect to FAA's approval of an airport 
noise compatibility program are delineated in FAR Part 150, Sec. 150.5. 
Approval is not a determination concerning the acceptability of land 
uses under Federal, state, or local law. Approval does not by itself 
constitute an FAA implementing action. A request for Federal action or 
approval to implement specific noise compatibility measures may be 
required, and an FAA decision on the request may require an 
environmental assessment of the proposed action. Approval does not 
constitute a commitment by the FAA to financially assist in the 
implementation of the program nor a determination that all measures 
covered by the program are eligible for grant-in-aid funding from the 
FAA. Where federal funding is sought, requests for project grants must 
be submitted to the FAA Airports District Office in Honolulu, Hawaii.
    The State of Hawaii, Department of Transportation submitted to the 
FAA on December 28, 1992, the noise exposure maps, descriptions, and 
other documentation produced during the noise compatibility planning 
study conducted from January 1990 through December 1992. The Hilo 
International Airport noise exposure maps were determined by FAA to be 
in compliance with applicable requirements on November 4, 1993. Notice 
of this determination was published in the Federal Register on November 
23, 1993.
    The Hilo International Airport study contains a proposed noise 
compatibility program comprised of actions designed for phased 
implementation by airport management and adjacent jurisdictions from 
the date of study completion to the year 1996. It was requested that 
the FAA evaluate and approve this material as a noise compatibility 
program as described in section 104(b) of the Act. The FAA began its 
review of the program on November 4, 1993 and was required by a 
provision of the Act to approve or disapprove the program within 180 
days (other than the use of new flight procedures for noise control). 
Failure to approve or disapprove such program within the 180-day period 
shall be deemed to be an approval of such program.
    The submitted program contained ten (10) proposed actions for noise 
mitigation on and off the airport. The FAA completed its review and 
determined that the procedural and substantive requirements of the Act 
and FAR Part 150 have been satisfied. The overall program, therefore, 
was approved by the Assistant Administration for Airports effective May 
3, 1994.
    Outright approval was granted for eight (8) of the ten (10) of the 
specific program elements. Approved program measures include: Encourage 
relocation of military training operations; Displace Runway 8 landing 
threshold; Study sound attenuation barrier; Study possible land 
exchanges with Hawaiian Home Lands; Monitor development proposals in 
the Hilo International Airport environs; Annually monitor aircraft 
noise levels and operations at Hilo International Airport; Conduct 
annual public information meetings on the progress of the part 150 
program; Disclose airport noise impacts for all real estate transfers; 
and Provide sound attenuation for impacted residences and public use 
structures. One measure approved in part: Sound attenuation for public 
building approved and sound attenuation for residence was disapproved. 
No action was taken on the measure to implement an informal runway use 
program.
    These determinations are set forth in detail in a Record of 
Approval endorsed by the Administrator on May 3, 1994. The Record of 
Approval, as well as other evaluation materials and the documents 
comprising the submittal, are available for review at the FAA office 
listed above and at the administrative offices of the State of Hawaii.

    Issued in Hawthorne, California on May 13, 1994.
Herman C. Bliss,
Manager, Airports Division.
[FR Doc. 94-12779 Filed 5-24-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-M