[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 171 (Tuesday, September 4, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 46303-46304]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-22155]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration


Approval of Noise Compatibility Program; Colorado Springs 
Airport; Colorado Springs, CO

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 Director 
of Aviation for Colorado Springs Airport under the provisions of 49 
U.S.C. 47504(b) and 14 CFR part 150. These findings are made in 
recognition of the description of Federal and non-Federal 
responsibilities in Senate Report No. 96-52 (1980). On February 8, 
2001, the FAA determined that the noise exposure maps submitted by the 
Director of Aviation under part 150 were in compliance with applicable 
requirements. On August 7, 2001, the Associate Administrator for 
Airports approved the Colorado Springs Airport noise compatibility 
program. All of the program elements were approved.

EFFECTIVE DATE: The effective date of the FAA's approval of the 
Colorado Springs Airport noise compatibility program is August 7, 2001.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dennis G. Ossenkop; Federal Aviation 
Administration; Northwest Mountain Region; Airports Division, ANM-611; 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington, 98055-4056. 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 Colorado 
Springs Airport, effective August 7, 2001. Under 49 U.S.C. 47504(a) 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. 49 U.S.C. 47503(a)(1) requires such a program to be developed in 
consultation with interested and affected parties including the state, 
local communities, government agencies, airport users, and FAA 
personnel.
    Each airport noise compatibility program developed in accordance 
with Federal Aviation Regulation (FAR) part

[[Page 46304]]

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 
of 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 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 an 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 Denver, Colorado.
    The Director of Aviation for Colorado Springs Airport submitted to 
the FAA the noise exposure maps, descriptions, and other documentation 
produced during the noise compatibility planning study conducted at 
Colorado Springs Airport. The Colorado Springs noise exposure maps were 
determined by FAA to be in compliance with applicable requirements of 
February 8, 2001. Notice of this determination was published in the 
Federal Register on February 20, 2001.
    The Colorado Springs Airport noise compatibility program contains a 
proposed noise compatibility program comprised of actions designed for 
phased implementation by airport management and adjacent jurisdictions 
from the date of study completion to the year 2002. It was requested 
that the FAA evaluate and approve this material as a noise 
compatibility program as described in 49 U.S.C. 47504(a). The FAA began 
its review of the program on February 8, 2001, and was required by a 
provision of 49 U.S.C. 47504(b) 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 seven proposed actions for noise 
mitigation on and off the airport. The FAA completed its review and 
determined that the procedural and substantive requirements of 49 
U.S.C. 47504(b) and FAR 150 have been satisfied. The overall program, 
therefore, was approved by the the Associated Administrator for 
Airports effective August 7, 2001. These determinations are set forth 
in detail in a Record of Approval endorsed by the Associate 
Administrator for Airports on August 7, 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 Colorado Springs Airport.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on August 20, 2001.
Lowell H. Johnson,
Manager, Airports Division, Northwest Mountain Region.
[FR Doc. 01-22155 Filed 8-31-01; 8:45 am]
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