[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 64 (Tuesday, April 2, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14591-14593]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-7936]



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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Savannah International Airport Savannah, GA; FAA Approval of 
Noise Compatibility Program and Determination on Revised Noise Exposure 
Maps

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 Savannah 
Airport Commission 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 nonfederal responsibilities in Senate Report No. 96-52 
(1980). On August 23, 1993, the FAA determined that the noise exposure 
maps submitted by the Savannah Airport Commission under Part 150 were 
in compliance with applicable requirements. On February 23, 1996, the 
Administrator approved the Savannah International Airport noise 
compatibility program. Most of the recommendations of the program were 
approved. The Savannah Airport Commission has also requested under FAR 
Part 150, Section 150.35(f), that FAA determine that the revised noise 
exposure map submitted with the noise compatibility program and showing 
noise contours as a result of the implementation of the noise 
compatibility program is in compliance with applicable requirements of 
FAR Part 150. The FAA announces its determination that the revised 
noise exposure map for Savannah International Airport for the year 
1997, submitted with the noise compatibility

[[Page 14592]]
program, is in compliance with applicable requirements of FAR Part 150 
effective April 2, 1996.

EFFECTIVE DATE: The effective date of the FAA's approval of the 
Savannah International Airport noise compatibility program is February 
23, 1996. The effective date of the FAA's determination on the revised 
noise exposure maps is April 2, 1996.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Catherine M. Nelmes; 1701 Columbia 
Avenue, Suite 2-260, College Park, Georgia, 30337-2745; (404) 305-7148. 
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 Savannah 
International Airport, effective February 23, 1996, and that the 
revised noise exposure map for 1997 for this same airport has been 
determined to be in compliance with applicable requirements of FAR Part 
150.
    A. 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 
noncompatible land uses and prevention of additional noncompatible 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 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:
    1. The noise compatibility program was developed in accordance with 
the provisions and procures of FAR Part 150;
    2. 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;
    3. 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
    4. 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.
    The Savannah Airport Commission submitted to the FAA on May 8, 
1995, the noise exposure maps, descriptions, and other documentation 
produced during the noise compatibility planning study conducted from 
July 1, 1992, through May 8, 1995. The Savannah International Airport 
noise exposure maps were determined by FAA to be in compliance with 
applicable requirements on August 23, 1993. Notice of this 
determination was published in the Federal Register in September of 
1993.
    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 May 8, 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 program contained five 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 Administrator effective February 23, 1996.
    Outright approval was granted for the two land use (zoning) program 
elements. The runway use program was approved as voluntary. Modifying 
flight tracks was approved in part. This measure was not approved when 
restricted area R-3005 is active. Restricting engine run-ups was 
approved as a voluntary measure. These determinations are set forth in 
detail in a Record of Approval endorsed by the Administrator on 
February 23, 1996.
    B. The FAA also has completed its review of the revised noise 
exposure map and related descriptions submitted by the Savannah Airport 
Commission. The specific map under consideration is Exhibit 12-1 in the 
submission. The FAA has determined that this map for Savannah 
International Airport is in compliance with applicable requirements. 
This determination is effective on April 2, 1996. 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
    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 map depicting properties on the surface 
rests exclusively with the airport operator which submitted those

[[Page 14593]]
maps, or with those public agencies and planning agencies with which 
consultation is required under Section 103 of the Act. The FAA has 
relied on the certification by the airport operator, under Section 
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 and copies of the record of approval and other evaluation 
materials and documents, which comprised the submittal to the FAA, are 
available for examination at the following locations:

Atlanta Airports District Office, Federal Aviation Administration, 
Campus Building, 1701 Columbia Avenue, Suite 2-260, College Park, 
Georgia 30337-2745.
Savannah Airport Commission, 400 Airways Avenue, Savannah, Georgia 
31408.

    Questions on either of these FAA determinations may be directed to 
the individual named above under the heading FOR FURTHER INFORMATION 
CONTACT.

    Issued in Atlanta, Georgia, on March 18, 1996.
Dell T. Jernigan,
Manager, Atlanta Airports District Office.
[FR Doc. 96-7936 Filed 4-1-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-M