[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 67 (Friday, April 6, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 18348-18349]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-8441]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration


FAA Approval of Noise Compatibility Program, Port Columbus 
International Airport, Columbus, OH

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announces its 
findings on the noise compatibility program submitted by the Columbus 
Municipal Airport Authority under the provisions of Title I of the 
Aviation Safety and Noise Abatement Act of 1979 (Public Law 96-193) and 
14 CFR Part 150. These findings are made in recognition of the 
description of Federal and nonfederal responsibilities in Senate Report 
No. 96-52 (1980). On January 3, 2000, the FAA determined that the noise 
exposure maps submitted by the Columbus Municipal Airport Authority 
under Part 150 were in compliance with applicable requirements. On 
January 10, 2001, the FAA approved the Port Columbus International 
Airport noise compatibility program. All of the recommendations of the 
program were approved. A total of twenty-two (22) measures were 
included in the Columbus Municipal Airport Authority recommended 
program. Of the twenty-two measures, five (5) are listed as ``Noise 
abatement Plan Measures'', eleven (11) are listed as ``Land Use 
Management Plan'', and six (6) are listed as ``Program Management 
Measures.'' The FAA has approved all twenty-two (22) measures.

EFFECTIVE DATE: The effective date of the FAA's approval of the Port 
Columbus International Airport noise compatibility program is January 
10, 2001.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mary Jagiello, Federal Aviation 
Administration, Great Lakes Region, Detroit Airports District Office, 
DET ADO-670.1, Willow Run Airport, East, 8820 Beck Road, Belleville, 
Michigan 48111, (734) 487-7296. Documents reflecting this FAA action 
may be reviewed at this same location.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This notice announces that the FAA has given 
its overall approval to the noise compatibility program for Port 
Columbus International Airport, effective January 10, 2001.
    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 non-
compatible land uses and prevention of additional non-compatible 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 Federal Aviation Regulations (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 Part 150 and the Act, 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 non-compatible land uses around the airport 
and preventing the introduction of additional non-compatible 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 the FAA's approval of an 
airport noise compatibility 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 an FAA implementing action. A request for Federal 
action or approval to implement specific noise compatibility measures 
may be required, and an FAA decision on the request may require an 
environmental

[[Page 18349]]

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 Detroit Airports Districts Office in Belleville, 
Michigan.
    The Columbus Municipal Airport Authority submitted to the FAA on 
June 14, 1999, noise exposure maps, descriptions, and other 
documentation produced during the noise compatibility planning study 
conducted from January 1, 1997 through December 31, 1997. The Port 
Columbus International Airport noise exposure maps were determined by 
the FAA to be in compliance with applicable requirements on January 3, 
2000. Notice of this determination was published in the Federal 
Register on February 4, 2000.
    The Port Columbus International Airport study contains a proposed 
noise compatibility program comprised of actions designed for phased 
implementation by airport management and adjacent jurisdictions from 
June 14, 1999 to the year 2003. It was requested that the FAA evaluate 
and approve this material as a noise compatibility program as described 
in section 104(b) of the Act. The FAA began its review of the program 
on July 14, 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 twenty-two (22) proposed actions 
for noise mitigation on and/or off the airport, as applicable. The FAA 
completed its review and determined that the procedural and substantive 
requirements of the Act and FAR Part 150 have been satisfied. The 
overall program therefore, was approved by the FAA effective January 
10, 2001.
    Outright approval was granted for all twenty-two (22) of the 
specific program elements. Five (5) of the twenty-two (22) measures 
submitted are listed as ``Noise Abatement Plan Measures.'' These 
include an amendment to the Night Time Aircraft Maintenance Runup 
Policy to designate an additional run-up location at the north 
airfield; the construction of a new run-up barrier at the north 
airfield; continue use of the informal Nighttime Preferential Runway 
Use program in effect at CMH with an amendment to increase nighttime 
use of Runway 10L/28R; amend FAA Tower Order CMH ATCT 7110.1 and 
publish an informal preferential runway use system in the Airport 
Facilities Directory to maximize east flow; and amend the language in 
the FAA Tower Order CMH ATCT 7110.1 and FAA Notice CMH ATCT N7110.22 to 
comply with FAA requirements. Eleven (11) of the twenty-two (22) 
measures are listed as ``Land Use Measures.'' These include noise 
insulation of noncompatible structures, residences, and churches within 
the DNL 65+ dB contour of the Year 2003; seek cooperation from the City 
of Columbus and Franklin County to amend their Land Use Compatibility 
Standards and the boundaries of the Airport Environs Overlay (AEO) 
District; encourage Franklin County to amend their County Zoning 
Resolutions; encourage Jefferson Township and the City of Gahanna to 
adopt the AEO-Airport Environs Overlay District as part of their zoning 
regulations; encourage Franklin County, Jefferson Township, Mifflin 
Township, and the City of Gahanna to adopt subdivision codes and 
building codes applicable to the AEO district; encourage the Board of 
Realtors to participate in voluntary fair disclosure program for 
property located within the AEO District; periodically place 
advertisements in the real estate sections of local newspapers 
delineating the boundaries of the AEO District; purchase the Buckles 
property. Six (6) of the twenty-two (22) measures are listed as 
``Program Management Measures.'' These include maintaining the noise 
abatement measure of the FAA ATCT Tower Order; maintaining the Noise 
Management Office, public involvement program, and the noise and flight 
track monitoring system; routinely update the noise contours and 
periodically update the noise program; and establish a land use 
compatibility task force.
    These determinations are set forth in detail in a Record of 
Approval signed by the Associate Administrator on January 10, 2001. 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 Columbus 
Municipal Airport Authority.

    Issued in Belleville, Michigan, March 8, 2001.
Irene Porter,
Manager, Detroit Airports District Office, Great Lakes Region.
[FR Doc. 01-8441 Filed 4-5-01; 8:45 am]
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