[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 217 (Monday, November 10, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 60548-60549]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-29572]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration


Noise Exposure Map Notice; Receipt of Noise Compatibility Program 
and Request for Review, Akron-Canton Regional Airport, Akron, OH

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 submitted by the Akron-
Canton Regional Airport Authority for Akron-Canton Regional 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. The FAA also announces that it 
is reviewing a proposed noise compatibility program that was submitted 
for Akron-Canton Regional Airport under Part 150 in conjunction with 
the noise exposure map, and that this program will be approved or 
disapproved on or before April 14, 1998.

EFFECTIVE DATE: The effective date of the FAA's determination on the 
noise exposure maps and of the start of its review of the associated 
noise compatibility program is October 16, 1997. The public comment 
period ends December 15, 1997.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Lawrence C. King, Program Manager, Federal Aviation Administration, 
Detroit Airports District Office, Willow Run Airport, East, 8820 Beck 
Road, Belleville, Michigan 48111. Comments on the proposed noise 
compatibility program should also be submitted to the above office.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This notice announces that the FAA finds 
that the noise exposure maps submitted for Akron-Canton Regional 
Airport are in compliance with applicable requirements of Part 150, 
effective October 16, 1997. Further, FAA is reviewing a proposed noise 
compatibility program for that airport which will be approved or 
disapproved on or before April 14, 1998. This notice also announces the 
availability of this program for public review and comment.
    Under section 103 of Title I of the Aviation Safety and Noise 
Abatement Act of 1979 (hereinafter 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 the 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.
    Akron-Canton Regional Airport Authority submitted to the FAA on 
September 22, 1997, noise exposure maps, descriptions and other 
documentation which were produced during the Akron-Canton Regional 
Airport Noise Compatibility Study update dated 1997. It was requested 
that the FAA review this material as the noise exposure maps, as 
described in section 103(a)(1) of the Act, and that the

[[Page 60549]]

noise mitigation measures, to be implemented jointly by the airport and 
surrounding communities, be approved as a noise compatibility program 
under section 104(b) of the Act.
    The FAA has completed its review of the noise exposure maps and 
related descriptions submitted by Akron-Canton Regional Airport 
Authority. The specific maps under consideration are Figure 8.2, Pages 
107-108 of the NEM, and Figure 4.1, Pages 43-44 of the NCP, in the 
submission. The FAA has determined that these maps for Akron-Canton 
Regional Airport are in compliance with applicable requirements. This 
determination is effective October 16, 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 detail 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 of by the airport operator, under section 
150.21 of FAR Part 150, that the statutorily required consultation has 
been accomplished.
    The FAA has formally received the noise compatibility program for 
Akron-Can Regional Airport, also effective on October 16, 1997. 
Preliminary review of the submitted material indicates that it conforms 
to the requirements for the submittal of noise compatibility programs, 
but that further review will be necessary prior to approval or 
disapproval of the program. The formal review period, limited by law to 
a maximum of 180 days, will be completed on or before April 14, 1998.
    The FAA's detailed evaluation will be conducted under the 
provisions of 14 CFR Part 150, section 150.33. The primary 
considerations in the evaluation process are whether the proposed 
measures may reduce the level of aviation safety, create an undue 
burden on interstate or foreign commerce, or be reasonably consistent 
with obtaining the goal of reducing existing noncompatible land uses 
and preventing the introduction of additional noncompatible land uses.
    Interested persons are invited to comment on the proposed program 
with specific reference to these factors. All comments, other than 
those properly addressed to local land use authorities, will be 
considered by the FAA to the extent practicable. Copies of the noise 
exposure maps, the FAA's evaluation of the maps, and the proposed noise 
compatibility program are available for examination at the following 
locations:

Federal Aviation Administration, Detroit Airports District Office, 
Willow Run Airport, East, 8820 Beck Road, Belleville, Michigan 48111
Mr. Frederick J. Krum, Director of Aviation, Akron-Canton Regional 
Airport, 5400 Lauby Road, N.W., P.O. Box 9, North Canton, OH 44720-1598

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

    Issued in Belleville, Michigan, on October 16, 1997.
Lawrence C. King,
Acting Assistant Manager, Detroit Airports District Office FAA Great 
Lakes Region.
[FR Doc. 97-29572 Filed 11-7-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-M