[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 246 (Thursday, December 21, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 80478-80479]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-32524]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration


Approval of Noise Compatibility Program, Lanai Airport, Lanai, HI

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announces its 
findings on the Noise Compatibility Program submitted by the state of 
Hawaii, Honolulu, Hawaii, under the provisions of Title I of the 
Aviation Safety and Noise Abatement act of 1979 (Pub. L. 96-193) and 
Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 150 (FAR Part 150). These 
findings are made in recognition of the description of Federal and 
nonfederal responsibilities in Senate Report No. 96-52 (1980). On 
December 23, 1999, the FAA determined that the noise exposure maps 
submitted by the state of Hawaii under FAR Part 150 were in compliance 
with applicable requirements. On November 27, 2000, the Acting 
Associate Administrator for Airports approved the Lanai Airport Noise 
Compatibility Program. All three of the recommended program measures 
have been approved. One measure was approved as a voluntary measure and 
two measures were approved outright.

EFFECTIVE DATE: The effective date of the FAA's approval of the Lanai 
Airport Noise Compatibility Program is November 27, 2000.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David Welhouse, Airport Planner, 
Federal Aviation Administration, Honolulu Airports District Office, 
HNL-621. Telephone: (808) 541-1243. Mailing address: P.O. Box 50244, 
Honolulu, Hawaii 96850-0001. Street address: 300 Ala Moana Blvd., Room 
7-128, Honolulu, HI 96813. Documents reflecting this FAA action may be 
reviewed at this location.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This notice announces that the FAA has given 
its overall approval to the Noise Compatibility Program for the Lanai 
Airport, effective November 27, 2000. Under section 104(a) of the 
Aviation Safety and Noise Abatement Act of 1979 (hereinafter referred 
to as ``the Act''), 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 and 
prevention of additional noncompatible land uses within the area 
covered by the Noise Exposure Maps. The Act 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 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 FAR Part 150 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 a FAA implementing action. A request for Federal 
action or approval to implement specific noise compatibility measures 
may be required, and a 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 District Office in Honolulu, Hawaii.
    The state of Hawaii submitted the Noise Exposure Maps, 
descriptions, and other documentation produced during the noise 
compatibility planning study conducted from March 1998 through December 
1999 to the FAA on August 27, 1999. The Lanai Airport Noise Exposure 
Maps were determined by FAA to be in compliance with applicable 
requirements on December 23, 1999. Notice of this determination was 
published in the Federal Register on January 6, 2000.
    The Lanai Airport study contains a proposed Noise Compatibility 
Program comprised of actions designed for implementation by airport 
management and adjacent jurisdictions. It was requested that the FAA 
evaluate and approve this material as a Noise Compatibility Program as 
described in

[[Page 80479]]

Section 104(b) of the Act. The FAA began its review of the program on 
May 31, 2000, 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 three proposed actions for noise 
mitigation on and off the airport. The FAA completed its review and 
determined that the procedural and substantive requirements of the Act 
and FAR Part 150 have been satisfied. The Acting Associate 
Administrator for Airports approved the overall program effective 
November 27, 2000.
    All three of the program measures have been approved. The following 
measure was approved as a voluntary measure: Publication and 
implementation of an informal runway use program. The following two 
measures were approved outright: Continue monitoring of development 
proposals in Lanai Airport environs, disclosing airport Noise Exposure 
Maps to the community; annually monitor aircraft noise levels and 
operations at Lanai Airport and conduct public informational meetings 
on the progress of the Part 150 Program.
    These determinations are set forth in detail in a Record of 
Approval endorsed by the Acting Associate Administrator for Airports on 
November 27, 2000. The Record of Approval, as well as other evaluation 
materials and the documents comprising the submittal are available for 
review at the FAA office listed above and at the administrative offices 
of the state of Hawaii, Honolulu, Hawaii.

    Issued in Hawthorne, California, on December 5, 2000.
Herman C. Bliss,
Manager, Airports Division, AWP-600, Western-Pacific Region.
[FR Doc. 00-32524 Filed 12-20-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-M