[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 125 (Wednesday, June 30, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 35238-35239]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-16661]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration


Noise Exposure Map Notice; Receipt of Noise Compatibility Program 
and Request for Review, Tulsa International Airport, Tulsa, OK

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced its 
determination that the noise exposure maps submitted by the Tulsa 
Airports Improvement Trust for Tulsa 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. The FAA also announces that it is reviewing a proposed 
noise compatibility program that was submitted for Tulsa International 
Airport under Part 150 in conjunction with the noise exposure maps and 
that this program will be approved or disapproved on or before December 
13, 1999.

EFFECTIVE DATES: The effective date of the FAA's determination on the 
noise exposure maps and the start of its review of the associated noise 
compatibility program is June 16, 1999. The public comment period ends 
August 16, 1999.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Tim Tandy, Department of Transportation, Federal Aviation 
Administration, Fort Worth, Texas 76193-0630, (817) 222-5635. 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 Tulsa International Airport 
are in compliance with applicable requirements of Part 150, effective 
June 16, 1999. Further, FAA is reviewing a proposed noise compatibility 
program for that airport which will be approved or disapproved on or 
before December 13, 1999. This notice also announces the availability 
of this program for public review and comment.
    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 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 Tulsa Airports Improvement Trust submitted to the FAA on May 
26, 1999 noise exposure maps, descriptions and other documentation 
which were produced during Tulsa International Airport FAR Part 150 
Study, May 26, 1999. It was requested that the FAA review this material 
as the noise exposure maps, as described in Title 49, and that the 
noise mitigation measures, to be implemented jointly by the airport and 
surrounding communities, be approved as a noise compatibility program 
under Title 49.
    The FAA has completed its review of the noise exposure maps and 
related descriptions submitted by the Tulsa Airports Improvement Trust. 
The specific maps under consideration are Figure G1, Future Noise 
Exposure Map, 2002 with Existing Land Use, Page G.5 and Figure G2, 
Existing Noise Exposure Map, 1995 with Existing Land Use, Page G.6 in 
the submission.
    The FAA has determined that these maps for Tulsa International 
Airport are in compliance with applicable requirements. This 
determination is effective on June 16, 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 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 
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 
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 
Tulsa International Airport, also effective on June 16, 1999. 
Preliminary review of the submitted material indicates that it conforms 
to the requirements for the submittal of noise compatibility programs, 
but that further view 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 December 13, 
1999.
    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 non compatible land uses 
and preventing the introduction of additional non compatible 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

[[Page 35239]]

extent practicable. Copies of the noise exposure maps, the FAA's 
evaluation of the maps, and the proposed noise capability program are 
available for examination at the following locations:

Federal Aviation Administration, Airports Division, 2601 Meacham 
Boulevard, Fort Worth, Texas 76137
Tulsa Airport Authority Tulsa International Airport Terminal, 7777 E. 
Apache, Room A-217; Tulsa, Oklahoma 74158.

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

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, June 16, 1999.
Naomi L. Saunders,
Manager, Airports Division.
[FR Doc. 99-16661 Filed 6-29-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-M