[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 75 (Tuesday, April 20, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 19401-19402]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-9797]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration


Noise Exposure Map Notice; Austin-Bergstrom International 
Airport; Austin, TX

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 City of 
Austin, Texas, for Austin-Bergstrom International Airport under the 
provisions of Title 49, U.S.C. Chapter 475 (hereinafter referred to as 
``Title 49'') and 14 CFR part 150 are in compliance with applicable 
requirements.

EFFECTIVE DATE: The effective date of the FAA's determination on the 
noise exposure maps is April 5, 1999.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mike Nicely, Department of 
Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration, 2601 Meacham 
Boulevard, Fort Worth, Texas, 76137, (817) 222-5606.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This notice announces that the FAA finds 
that the noise exposure maps submitted for Austin-Bergstrom 
International Airport are in compliance with applicable requirements of 
part 150, effective April 5, 1999. Under Title 49, 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. Title 49 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 49, may submit a noise 
compatibility program for FAA approval which sets forth the

[[Page 19402]]

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.
    The City of Austin, Texas, submitted to the FAA on March 22, 1999, 
noise exposure maps, descriptions and other documentation which were 
produced during August 1998 and March 1999. It was requested that the 
FAA review this material as the noise exposure maps, as described in 
Title 49.
    The FAA has completed its review of the noise exposure maps and 
related descriptions submitted by the City of Austin, Texas. The 
specific maps under consideration are 1999 Opening Day Existing 
Condition Noise Exposure Map, Figure 3.7 and 2004 Future Condition 
Noise Exposure Map, Figure 4.6 in the submission. The FAA has 
determined that these maps for Austin-Bergstrom International Airport 
are in compliance with applicable requirements. This determination is 
effective on April 5, 1999. 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 Title 49, 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 
Title 49. 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 detailed 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 Title 49. 
The FAA has relied on the certification by the airport operator, under 
Sec. 150.21 of FAR part 150, that the statutorily required consultation 
has been accomplished.
    Copies of the noise exposure maps and the FAA's evaluation of the 
maps are available for examination at the following locations:

Federal Aviation Administration, Airports Division, 2601 Meacham 
Boulevard, Fort Worth, Texas 76137.
City of Austin, Department of Aviation, 2716 Spirit of Texas Drive, 
Austin, Texas 78719.

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

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, April 5, 1999.
Naomi L. Saunders,
Manager, Airports Division.
[FR Doc. 99-9797 Filed 4-19-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-M