[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 237 (Monday, December 10, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 63738-63739]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-30483]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration


Noise Exposure Map Notice and Receipt of Noise Compatibility 
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 Seattle-Tacoma 
Internation 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 its is reviewing the proposed noise compatibility 
program that was submitted for Seattle-Tacoma International Airport 
under Part 150 in conjunction with the noise exposure maps, and that 
this program will be approved or disapproved on or before June 3, 2002.

EFFECTIVE DATE: The effective date of the FAA's determination on the 
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport noise exposure maps and the start 
of its review of the associated noise compatibility program is December 
3, 2001. The public comment period ends January 31, 2002.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dennis Ossenkop, FAA, Airports 
Division, ANM-611, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington, 98055-
4056. Comments on the proposed noise compatibility program should also 
be submitted to the above office.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The notice announces that the FAA finds that 
the noise exposure maps for Seattle-Tacoma International Airport are in 
compliance with applicable requirements of Part 150, effective December 
3, 2001. Further, FAA is reviewing a proposed noise compatibility 
program for that airport which will be approved or disapproved on or 
before June 3, 2002. This notice also announces the availability of 
this program for public review and comment.
    Under 49 U.S.C. 47503(a), and 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, a 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 Manager of the Airfield Line of Business of Seattle-Tacoma 
International 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 mitigation measures be approved as a noise compatibility 
program under 49 U.S.C. 47504.
    The FAA has completed its review of the noise exposure maps and 
related descriptions submitted by Seattle-Tacoma Internation Airport. 
The specific maps under consideration are Figures C40 and F1 in the 
submission. The FAA has determined that these maps for Seattle-Tacoma 
International Airport are in compliance with applicable requirements. 
This determination is effective on December 3, 2001. FAA's 
determination on an airport operator's noise exposure maps is limited 
to the determination that the mans 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 a noise compatibility program 
or to fund 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 
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 
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, also effective on December 3, 
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 June 3, 2002.
    The FAA's detailed evaluation will be conducted under the 
provisions of 14 CFR part 150, paragraph 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

[[Page 63739]]

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 
621, Washington, DC.
Federation Aviation Administration, Airports Division, Suite 315, 1601 
Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington.
Federal Aviation Administration, Seattle Airports District Office, 1601 
Lind Ave. SW., Suite 250, Renton, Washington.
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, Noise Abatement Office, Main 
Terminal, Room 6619, Mezzanine Level, Seattle, Washington.

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

    Issued in Renton, Washington, December 3, 2001.
Lowell H. Johnson,
Manager, Airports Division, ANM-600, Northwest Mountain Region.
[FR Doc. 01-30483 Filed 12-7-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-M