[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 197 (Tuesday, October 13, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 54742-54743]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-27034]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration


Approval of Amendment to Noise Compatibility Program; Fort Worth 
Meacham Airport; Fort Worth, TX

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announces its 
findings on the amendment to the noise compatibility program submitted 
by the city of Fort Worth under the provisions of Title 49, USC, 
Chapter 475 and 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 11, 1994, the FAA determined that 
the noise exposure maps submitted by the city of Fort Worth under Part 
150 were in compliance with applicable requirements. On February 7, 
1995, the Administrator approved the noise compatibility program. On 
September 18, 1998, the Administrator approved an amendment to the 
noise compatibility program. All of the amendment recommendations of 
the program were approved.

EFFECTIVE DATE: The effective date of the FAA's approval of the 
amendment to Fort Worth Meacham airport noise compatibility program is 
September 18, 1998.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Mike Nicely, Department of Transportation, Federal Aviation 
Administration, 2601 Meacham Boulevard, Fort Worth, Texas, 76137, (817) 
222-5606. 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 amendment to the noise compatibility 
program for Fort Worth Meacham Airport, effective September 18, 1998.
    Under Title 49 U.S.C., Section 47504 (hereinafter referred to as 
``Title 49''), 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 within the area 
covered by the noise exposure maps. Title 49 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 Title 49 and is limited to the following 
determinations:
    a. The amendment to 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 he 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

[[Page 54743]]

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 Division Office in Fort 
Worth, Texas.
    The city of Fort Worth submitted to the FAA on August 4, 1994, the 
noise exposure maps, descriptions, and other documentation produced 
during the noise compatibility planning study conducted from November, 
1991 through July, 1994. The Fort Worth Meacham Airport noise exposure 
maps were determined by FAA to be in compliance with applicable 
requirements on August 11, 1994. Notice of this determination was 
published in the Federal Register on August 18, 1994.
    The amendment to the Fort Worth Meacham 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. It was requested that the FAA evaluate 
and approve this material as an amendment to the noise compatibility 
program as described in Title 49. The FAA began its review of the 
program on April 9, 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 two proposed actions for noise 
mitigation off the airport. The FAA completed its review and determined 
that the procedural and substantive requirements of Title 49 and FAR 
Part 150 have been satisfied. The overall program, therefore, was 
approved by the Administrator effective September 18, 1998.
    Outright approval was granted for all of the specific program 
elements included in the requested amendment. The following program 
elements of the airport were fully approved:
    a. Purchase noise sensitive sites--fee simple.
    b. Obtain avigation easements.
    These determinations are set forth in detail in a Record of 
Approval endorsed by the Administrator on September 18, 1998. The 
Record of Approval, as well as other evaluation materials and the 
documents comprising the submittal, are available at the FAA office 
listed above and at the Fort Worth Department of Aviation offices.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on September 22, 1998.
Naomi L. Saunders,
Manager, Airports Division.
[FR Doc. 98-27034 Filed 10-9-98; 8:45 am]
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