[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 57 (Friday, March 22, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 11933-11934]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-6999]



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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Approval of the Noise Compatibility Program Revision; Charlotte/
Douglas International Airport; Charlotte, NC

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announces its 
finding on the revision to the noise compatibility program that was 
submitted for Charlotte/Douglas International Airport under the 
provisions of Title I of the Aviation Safety and Noise Act of 1979 
(Pub. L. 96-193) (hereinafter referred to as ``the Act'') and 14 CFR 
Part 150 by the City of Charlotte. This revised program was submitted 
subsequent to a determination by the FAA that associated noise exposure 
maps submitted under 14 CFR Part 150 for Charlotte/Douglas 
International Airport were in compliance with applicable requirements 
effective July 11, 1989.
    Upon acceptance of the Noise Exposure Maps, the FAA received the 
initial noise compatibility program on November 20, 1989. It was 
approved May 18, 1990.

EFFECTIVE DATE: The effective date of FAA's approval of the Charlotte/
Douglas

[[Page 11934]]
International Airport revision to the noise compatibility program is 
February 16, 1996.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Thomas M. Roberts, Program Manager, Atlanta Airports District Office, 
Campus Building, 1701 Columbia Avenue, Suite 2-260, College Park, 
Georgia 30337-2747, Telephone (404) 305-7153. Documents reflecting this 
FAA action may be reviewed at this location.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This notice announces that the FAA has given 
its overall approval to the noise compatibility program revision for 
Charlotte/Douglas International Airport effective February 16, 1996.
    The revision adds Churches within the definitions of ``public 
buildings'' under the approved noise compatibility program Land-Use 
Corrective Measure No. 2 paragraph entitles ``Soundproofing of Public 
Buildings.''
    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 judgement 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 or 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, section 
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 Atlanta, Georgia.
    Charlotte/Douglas International Airport submitted the noise 
exposure maps to the FAA on June 9, 1989. The Charlotte/Douglas 
International Airport noise exposure maps were determined by FAA to be 
in compliance with applicable requirements on July 11, 1989. Notice of 
this determination was published in the Federal Register on August 1, 
1989.
    The Charlotte/Douglas International Airport study contains a 
revised noise compatibility program comprised of actions designed for 
phased implementation by airport management. It was requested that the 
FAA evaluate and approve this material as revision to the noise 
compatibility as described in section 104(b) of the Act. The FAA began 
its review of the program on August 23, 1995, 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 revised program contained one proposed action for 
noise mitigation 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 revised program, therefore, 
was approved by the Administrator effective February 16, 1996.
    The determination is set forth in detail in a Record of Approval 
endorsed by the Administrator on February 16, 1996. 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 Charlotte/Douglas 
International Airport.

    Issued in Southern Region, Atlanta, Georgia, March 4, 1996.
Dell T. Jernigan,
Manager, Atlanta Airports District Office.
[FR Doc. 96-6999 Filed 3-21-96; 8:45 am]
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