[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 191 (Friday, October 2, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 53118-53119]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-26444]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration


Approval of Noise Compatibility Program, Terre Haute 
International Airport-Hulman Field, Terre Haute, IN

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 Terre 
Haute International Airport Authority 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 February 20, 1998, the FAA determined that the 
noise exposure maps submitted by the Terre Haute International Airport 
Authority under Part 150 were in

[[Page 53119]]

compliance with applicable requirements. On August 14, 1998, the 
Associate Administrator for Airports approved the Terre Haute 
International Airport-Hulman Field noise compatibility program. Twenty-
four of thirty of the recommendations of the program were wholly or 
partially approved, and six were disapproved. The latter were 
disapproved pending submittal of additional information regarding a 
firm commitment for establishment of a second nighttime air cargo hub.

EFFECTIVE DATE: The effective date of the FAA's approval of the Terre 
Haute International Airport-Hulman Field noise compatibility program is 
August 14, 1998.

INFORMATION CONTACT: Prescott C. Snyder, Airport Environmental Program 
Manager, 2300 East Devon Avenue, Des Plaines, Illinois 60018. Telephone 
Number (847) 294-7538/FAX Number (847) 294-7046. 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 Terre Haute 
International Airport-Hulman Field, effective August 14, 1998.
    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 Regulations (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:
    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 a FAA implementing action. A request for Federal 
action or approval to implement specific noise compatibility measures 
may be required, and a 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 Chicago Airports District 
Office in Des Planes, Illinois.
    Terre Haute International Airport Authority submitted to the FAA on 
November 14, 1997 the noise exposure maps, descriptions, and other 
documentation produced during the noise compatibility planning study 
conducted from November 1996 through November 1997. The Terre Haute 
International Airport-Hulman Field noise exposure maps were determined 
by FAA to be in compliance with applicable requirements on February 20, 
1998. Notice of this determination was published in the Federal 
Register on March 12, 1998.
    The Terre Haute International Airport-Hulman Field study 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 2002. 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 February 20, 1998 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 thirty proposed measures for noise 
mitigation. 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 Associate Administrator for Airports effective August 14, 1998.
    Outright or partial approval was granted for twenty-four of thirty 
specific program measures. Eight of twelve of the noise abatement 
measures, twelve of fourteen land use measures and all four of the 
program management measures were wholly or partially approved. The 
measures that were disapproved involved items associated with the 
establishment of a second night time air cargo hub. Pending submittal 
of additional information regarding a firm commitment for establishment 
of such a hub.
    These determinations are set forth in detail in a Record of 
Approval endorsed by the Associate Administrator for Airports on August 
14, 1998. 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 
Terre Haute International Airport Authority.

    Issued in Des Plaines, Illinois on September 23, 1998.
Pene A Beversdorf,
Assistant Manager, Chicago Airports District Office, FAA, Great Lakes 
Region.
[FR Doc. 98-26444 Filed 10-1-98; 8:45 am]
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