[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 34 (Tuesday, February 20, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 10932-10933]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-4155]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration


Noise Exposure Map Notice and Receipt of Noise Computability 
Program and Request for Review

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 Colorado 
Springs Airport under the provisions of 49 U.S.C. 47503(a) and 14 CFR 
part 150 are in compliance with applicable requirements. The FAA also 
announces that it is reviewing the proposed noise compatibility program 
that was submitted for Colorado Springs Airport under part 150 in 
conjunction with the noise exposure maps, and that this program will be 
approved or disapproved on or before August 7, 2001.

EFFECTIVE DATE: The effective date of the FAA's determination on the 
Colorado Springs Airport noise exposure maps and the start of its 
review of the associated noise compatibility program is February 8, 
2001. The public comment period ends March 23, 2001.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dennis Ossenkop, FAA, Airports 
Division, ANM-611, 1601 Lind Avenue, S.W., Renton, Washington, 98055-
4056.
    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 for Colorado Springs Airport are in 
compliance with applicable requirements of part 150, effective February 
1, 2001. Further, FAA is reviewing a proposed noise compatibility 
program for that airport which will be approved or disapproved on or 
before August 7, 2001. This notice also announces the availability of 
this program for public review and comment.
    Under 49 U.S.C. 47503(a), an airport operator may submit to the FAA 
a noise exposure map which meets applicable regulations and which 
depicts noncompatible land uses as of the date of submission of such 
map, description of projected aircraft operations, and the ways in 
which such operations will affect such map. 49 U.S.C. 47503(a)(1) 
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 a noise exposure map that has 
been found by FAA to be in compliance with the requirements of Federal 
Aviation Regulation (FAR) part 150, promulgated pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 
47503(a) 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 Director of Aviation for Colorado Springs Airport submitted to 
the FAA noise exposure maps, descriptions and other documentation which 
were produced during an airport Noise Compatibility Study. It was 
requested that the FAA review the noise exposure maps, as described in 
49 U.S.C. 47503. It was also requested that the noise mitigation 
measures be approved as a noise compatibility program under 49 U.S.C. 
47504.

[[Page 10933]]

    The FAA has completed its review of the noise exposure maps and 
related descriptions submitted by Colorado Springs Airport. The 
specific maps under consideration are Figures C19 and G1 in the 
submission. The FAA has determined that these maps for Colorado Springs 
Airport are in compliance with applicable requirements. This 
determination is effective on February 8, 2001. FAA's determination on 
an airport operator's noise exposure maps is limited to the 
determination 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 noise exposure maps 
submitted under 49 U.S.C 47503, 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 49 
U.S.C. 47507. 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 maps 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 49 U.S.C. 47503 (a)(1). The FAA has relied on the 
certification by the airport operator, under section 150.21 of the FAR 
part 150, that the statutorily required consultation has been 
accomplished.
    The FAA has formally received the noise compatibility program for 
Colorado Springs Airport, also effective on February 8, 2001. 
Preliminary review of the submitted material indicates that it conforms 
to the requirements for the submittal of noise compatibility programs, 
but that further review 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 August 8, 2001.
    The FAA's detailed evaluation will be conducted under the 
provisions of 14 CFR 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 noncompatible land uses and preventing the 
introduction of additional noncompatible 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 the local land use authorities, will be 
considered by the FAA to the extent practicable. Copies of the noise 
exposure maps, the FAA's evaluation of the maps, and the proposed noise 
compatibility program are available for examination at the following 
locations:

Federal Aviation Administration, 800 Independence Avenue, SW, room 
615, Washington, DC
Federal Aviation Administration, Airports Division, 1601 Lind 
Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington
Federal Aviation Administration, Denver Airports District Office, 
26805 E. 68th Ave. Suite 224, Denver, Colorado
Colorado Springs Airport, Colorado Springs, CO.

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

    Issued in Renton, Washington, February 8, 2001.
Matthew J. Cavanaugh,
Acting Manager, Airports Division, ANM-600, Northwest Mountain Region.
[FR Doc. 01-4155 Filed 2-16-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-M