[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 122 (Friday, June 23, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Page 39220]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-15951]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

[Docket No. 30086]


Report to Congress on Effects of Nonmilitary Helicopter Noise on 
Individuals in Densely Populated Areas in the Continental United States

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice, request for comments.

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SUMMARY: This notice requests comments and information to help fulfill 
a requirement for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to conduct 
a study in identifying recommendations for reduction of the effects of 
nonmilitary helicopter noise that otherwise impacts individuals of 
densely populated areas in the continental United States. This notice 
solicits information and comment on specific issues; the FAA will 
consider all responses in preparing its report to Congress on effects 
of nonmilitary helicopter noise on individuals in densely populated 
areas.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before July 24, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Comments on this notice should be mailed, in triplicate to 
the Federal Aviation Administration, Office of Chief Counsel, Attn: 
Rules Docket, Docket No. 30086, 800 Independence Avenue, SW., Room 
915H, Washington, DC 20591. Comments may be inspected in Room 915G 
between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., weekpdays, except Federal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Sandy R. Liu, Noise Division (AEE-
100), Office of Environment and Energy, Federal Aviation 
Administration, 800 Independence Ave, SW., Washington, DC 20591; 
telephone (202) 493-4864; fax (202) 267-5594.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Section 747 of the Federal Aviation Administration Authorization 
Act of 2000 requires the FAA to conduct a noise study on the effects of 
nonmilitary helicopter noise on individuals in densely populated areas 
in the continental United States and report associated noise reduction 
recommendations to Congress. This study shall focus on air traffic 
control procedures to address the helicopter noise problems and take 
into account the needs of law enforcement. The major goal of the study 
is to identify the type of helicopter operations (either law 
enforcement, electronic news gathering (ENG), sightseeing tour, 
emergency medical services (EMS), or corporate executive commute) that 
elicit negative response by individuals for typical densely populated 
areas and understand whether air traffic control procedures are 
applicable to addressing helicopter noise reduction in ways which are 
not unduly restrictive on operations.
    The FAA has developed a plan for conducting the required study and 
completing the report to Congress. The plan's primary elements include: 
(1) a nonmilitary helicopter operations assessment for a densely 
populated area (i.e., New York City), (2) a public call for information 
from people concerned with nonmiliary helicopter noise, (3) a call for 
input from the helicopter industry, (4) a publicly held focus workshop 
to review inputs and findings with interest groups, and (5) helicopter 
noise impact analysis. Recommendations shall be prepared and provided 
in the report to Congress.
    Participation of Federal agencies is encouraged through the Federal 
Interagency Committee on Aviation (FICAN).

Request for Information

    In supplementing the study findings, the FAA is seeking comment and 
information regarding the following four questions. A discussion of 
each will be incorporated into the FAA report to Congress. Additional 
comments regarding any of the issues raised by Congress under Section 
747 of the Authorization Act are also invited. The FAA will review and 
consider all responses in preparing its report to Congress.
    1. What are the types of helicopter operations (law enforcement, 
electronic news gathering, sightseeing tours, etc.) that elicit the 
negative response by individuals in densely populated areas?
    2. What air traffic control procedures are applicable in addressing 
helicopter noise reduction? Why?
    3. What impacts could restrictive air traffic control procedures 
have on operations of:
    Law enforcement helicopters?
    Electronic news gathering (ENG) helicopters?
    Sightseeing tour helicopters?
    Emergency medical services (EMS) helicopters?
    Corporate executive helicopters?
    4. What are the recommended solutions for reduction of the effects 
of nonmilitary helicopter noise?
    The FAA encourages public participation in this initiative. The 
data received will be considered in preparing the report to Congress. 
Comments responding to these questions should be mailed to the office 
designated in the ADDRESSES heading and include the docket number. 
Commenters who wish the FAA to acknowledge the receipt of their 
comments must submit with their comments a pre-addressed, stamped 
postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments to Docket 
No. 30086.'' The postcard will be date-stamped by the FAA and returned 
to the commenter.

    Issued in Washington DC on June 16, 2000.
James D. Erickson,
Director of Environment and Energy.
[FR Doc. 00-15951 Filed 6-22-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-M