[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 61 (Monday, March 31, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 15216]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-8110]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration


Noise Exposure Map Notice, Duluth International Airport, Duluth, 
MN

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 (NEM) submitted by Duluth 
Airport Authority for Duluth International Airport 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 are in compliance with 
applicable requirements.

EFFECTIVE DATE: The effective date of the FAA's determination on the 
noise exposure maps is February 26, 1997.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Daniel J. Millenacker, Project Manager, Federal Aviation 
Administration, Airports District Office, 6020 28th Ave. So., Room No. 
102, Minneapolis, MN 55450-2706, (612) 713-4350.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This notice announces that the FAA finds 
that the noise exposure maps submitted for Duluth International Airport 
are in compliance with applicable requirements of Part 150, effective 
February 26, 1997.
    Under Section 103 of the Aviation Safety and Noise Abatement Act of 
1979 (hereafter 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 Duluth Airport Authority. The 
specific maps under consideration are Figure 10a.--1996 Revised 
Existing Noise Contours, and Figure 10c.--2001 Revised Future Cast 
Contours in the NEM submittal dated December 18, 1996. The FAA has 
determined that these maps for Duluth International Airport are in 
compliance with applicable requirements. This determination is 
effective on February 26, 1997. 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 map 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. The FAA has 
relied on the certification by the airport operator, under section 
150.21 of FAR Part 150, that the statutory-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, Airports District Office, 6020 28th 
Avenue South, Room 102, Minneapolis, MN 55450-2706;
Duluth Airport Authority, 4701 Airport Drive, Duluth International 
Airport, Duluth, MN 55811

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

    Issued in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on February 26, 1997.
Franklin D. Benson,
Manager, Minneapolis Airports District Office, FAA Great Lakes Region.
[FR Doc. 97-8110 Filed 3-28-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-M