[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 116 (Tuesday, June 17, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 32854-32855]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-15859]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration


Approval of Noise Compatibility Program; Portland International 
Airport; Portland, OR

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 of Portland International Airport under the provisions of 
49 U.S.C. Sec. 47504 (b) 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 October 22, 1996, the FAA determined that the noise exposure 
maps submitted by the Director of Aviation under Part 150 were in 
compliance with applicable requirements. On April 18, 1997, the 
Associate Administrator for Airports approved the Portland 
International Airport noise compatibility program. Nineteen of the 25 
proposed action elements in the Noise Compatibility Program were 
approved. Action elements A5, B1, B2, B3, B5, and B8 were disapproved.

EFFECTIVE DATE: The effective date of the FAA's approval of the 
Portland International Airport noise compatibility program is April 18, 
1997.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dennis G. Ossenkop; Federal Aviation 
Administration; Northwest Mountain Region; Airports Division, ANM-611; 
1601 Lind Avenue, S.W., 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 Portland 
International Airport, effective April 18, 1997. Under 49 U.S.C. Sec. 
47504 (a) 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 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 measures 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 Seattle, 
Washington.
    The Port of Portland submitted to the FAA the noise exposure maps, 
descriptions, and other documentation produced during the noise 
compatibility planning study conducted at Portland International 
Airport. The Portland International Airport noise exposure maps were 
determined by FAA to be in compliance with applicable requirements on 
October 22, 1996. Notice of this determination was published in the 
Federal Register on November 1, 1996.
    The Portland 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 2000. It 
was requested that the FAA evaluate and approve this material as a 
noise compatibility program as described in 49 U.S.C. Sec. 47504(a). 
The FAA began its review of the program on October 22, 1996, and was 
required by a provision of 49 U.S.C. Sec. 47504(b) 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 25 proposed actions for noise 
mitigation on and off the airport. The FAA completed its review and 
determined that the procedural and substantive requirements of 49 
U.S.C. Sec. 47504(b) and FAR 150 have been satisfied. The overall 
program, therefore, was approved by the Associate Administrator for 
Airports effective April 18, 1997. Nineteen of the 25 proposed action 
elements in the Noise Compatibility Program were approved. Action 
elements A5, B1, B2, B3, B5, and B8 were disapproved. These 
determinations are set forth in detail in a Record of Approval endorsed 
by the Associate Administrator for Airports on April 18, 1997. 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

[[Page 32855]]

administrative offices of the Portland International Airport.

    Issued in Renton, Washington on June 9, 1997.
David A. Field,
Acting Manager, Airports Division, Northwest Mountain Region.
[FR Doc. 97-15859 Filed 6-16-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-M