[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 111 (Friday, June 10, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-14144]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: June 10, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
 

Approval of Noise Compatibility Program; Seattle-Tacoma 
International Airport; Seattle, WA

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 Director 
of Aviation Planning for Seattle-Tocoma 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. These findings are made in 
recognition of the description of Federal and non-Federal 
responsibilities in Senate Report No. 96-52 (1980).
    On April 15, 1993, the FAA determined that the noise exposure maps 
submitted by the Director of Aviation Planning under Part 150 were in 
compliance with applicable requirements. On May 18, 1994, the Assistant 
Administrator for Airports approved the Seattle-Tacoma International 
Airport noise compatibility program. All of the program elements were 
approved.

EFFECTIVE DATE: The effective date of the FAA's approval of the 
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport noise compatibility program is May 
18, 1994.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Dennis G. Ossenkop; Federal Aviation Administration; Northwest Mountain 
Region; Airports Division, ANM-611; 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
Washington, 98055-4056. 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 Seattle-
Tacoma International Airport, effective May 18, 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 noncompatibility 
land uses and prevention of additional noncompatibile land uses within 
the area covered by the noise exposure maps. The Act requires such a 
program to be developed in consultation with interested and affected 
parties including the state, local communities, government agencies, 
airport users, and FAA personnel.
    Each airport noise compatibility program developed in accordance 
with Federal Aviation Regulation (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 noncompatible land uses around the airport 
and preventing the introduction of additional noncompatible land uses;
    c. Program measures would not create an undue burden on interstate 
or foreign commerce, unjustly discriminate against types of classes of 
aeronautical uses, violate the terms of airport grant agreements, or 
intrude into areas preempted 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 Seattle, 
Washington.
    The Port of Seattle submitted to the FAA the noise exposure maps, 
descriptions, and other documentation produced during the noise 
compatibility planning study conducted at Seattle-Tacoma International 
Airport. The Seattle-Tacoma International Airport noise exposure maps 
were determined by FAA to be in compliance with applicable requirements 
on April 15, 1993. Notice of this determination was published in the 
Federal Register on April 27, 1993.
    The Seattle-Tacoma International Airport noise compatibility 
program 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 19, 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 10 proposed actions for noise 
mitigation on and off the airport. The FAA completed its review and 
determination that the procedural and substantive requirements of the 
Act and FAR 150 have been satisfied. The overall program, therefore, 
was approved by the Assistant Administrator for Airports effective May 
18, 1994.
    These determinations are set forth in detail in a Record of 
Approval endorsed by the Assistant Administrator for Airports on May 
18, 1994. The Record of Approval, as well as other evaluation materials 
and the documents comprising that submittal, are available for review 
at the FAA office listed above and at the administrative offices of the 
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on May 25, 1994.
David Field,
Acting Manager, Airports Division, Northwest Mountain Region.
[FR Doc. 94-14144 Filed 6-9-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-M