[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 157 (Monday, August 14, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 49630-49631]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-20588]


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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, extend comment period.

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SUMMARY: This notice is announcing an extension to the comment period 
on a recent notice regarding the effects of nonmilitary helicopter 
noise that otherwise impacts individuals of densely populated areas in 
the continental United States. The recent notice was published in the 
Federal Register on June 23. This notice also announces the FAA plans 
to hold two public workshops regarding submitted comments on the 
nonmilitary helicopter noise issue.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before September 15, 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 p.m., weekdays, 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 Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20591; 
telephone (202) 493-4864; fax (202) 267-5594.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    On June 23, the FAA published a notice in the Federal Register (65 
FR 39220) requesting comments and information to specific issues that 
the FAA would consider in preparing its report to Congress on effects 
of nonmilitary helicopter noise on individuals in densely populated 
areas. Given the concerns expressed by several commenters regarding the 
public interest on helicopter noise, the FAA is extending the 
opportunity for public comment from July 24 to September 15 in order 
that interested persons can express their concerns and contribute to 
the study process. In addition, to expound on the information gathering 
process, the FAA plans to conduct two public workshops to allow for the 
submitted comments to be reviewed and discussed prior to being compiled 
for the report to Congress due in April 2001. Since this is a national 
study and program, the public workshops will be in Washington, DC. The 
two workshops are scheduled to be held on:

August 16, 2000 (Wednesday), Federal Aviation Administration, 800 
Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20591, 3rd floor in FAA 
Auditorium, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and
October 20, 2000 (Friday), Federal Aviation Administration, 800 
Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20591, 2nd Floor in Bessie 
Coleman Meeting Room, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
    All comments received at the public workshops concerning this 
notice will be filed in the docket. The docket is available for public 
inspection both before and after the closing date for comments.

Background

    Section 747 of the Federal Aviation Administration Authorization 
Act of 2000 is a congressional mandate that is on a fast track 1-year 
schedule with nominal funds. This mandate specifies 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 encourages public participation in this initiative. The 
data received will be considered in preparing the report to Congress. 
Comments responding to the questions stated in the June 23 Federal 
Register notice 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

[[Page 49631]]

date-stamped by the FAA and returned to the commenter.
    Look for more detailed information regarding this effort to be 
posted on: http://www.aee.faa.gov/

    Issued in Washington, DC, on August 9, 2000.
Paul R. Dykeman,
Deputy Director of Environment and Energy.
[FR Doc. 00-20588 Filed 8-11-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-M