[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 230 (Tuesday, December 1, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 66223-66224]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-31942]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration


Approval of Noise Compatibility Program, Amarillo International 
Airport, Amarillo, TX

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 City of 
Amarillo, Texas, for Amarillo International Airport, 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 April 
30, 1998, the FAA determined that the noise exposure maps submitted by 
the City of Amarillo under Part 150 were in compliance with applicable 
requirements. On October 26, 1998, the Administrator approved the noise 
compatibility program. All of the recommendations of the programs were 
approved.

EFFECTIVE DATE: The effective date of the FAA's approval of the 
Amarillo International Airport noise compatibility program is October 
26, 1998.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Linda Stoltz, Department of Transportation, Federal Aviation 
Administration, 2601 Meacham Boulevard, Fort Worth, Texas 76137, (817) 
222-5608. 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 Amarillo 
International Airport effective October 26, 1998.
    Under Title 49 USC, 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 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

[[Page 66224]]

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 Division Office in Fort Worth, Texas.
    The City of Amarillo submitted to the FAA on December 16, 1997, the 
noise exposure maps, descriptions, and other documentation produced 
during the noise compatibility planning study conducted from June 4, 
1996, through October 26, 1998. The Amarillo International Airport 
noise exposure maps were determined by FAA to be in compliance with 
applicable requirements on April 30, 1998. Notice of this determination 
was published in the Federal Register on May 13, 1998.
    The Amarillo International Airport Part 150 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 2003. It was requested 
that the FAA evaluate and approve this material as a noise 
compatibility program as described in Title 49. The FAA began its 
review of the program on April 30, 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 four proposed actions for noise 
mitigation (on and/or 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 October 26, 
1998.
    Outright approval was granted for all of the four specific program 
elements. The approved elements constitute a continuation of noise 
compatibility programs and the implementation of a new, voluntary 
flight procedure for military and other training operations which would 
reduce the numbers of people exposed to overflights within the DNL 65dB 
noise contour.
    These determinations are set forth in detail in a Record of 
Approval endorsed by the Administrator on October 26, 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 administrative offices of the Amarillo International 
Airport, 10801 Airport Boulevard, Amarillo, TX 79111-1211.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, November 16, 1998.
Naomi L. Saunders,
Manager, Airports Division.
[FR Doc. 98-31942 Filed 11-30-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-M