[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 3 (Friday, January 4, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 625-626]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-260]


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

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.

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

SUMMARY: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announces its 
determination that the noise exposure maps submitted by Seattle-Tacoma 
International Airport under the provisions of 49 U.S.C. Sec. 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 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 April 26, 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 October 
29, 2001. The public comment period ends December 27, 2001.

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: This notice announces that the FAA finds 
that the noise exposure maps for Seattle-Tacoma International Airport 
are in compliance with applicable requirements for part 150, effective 
October 29, 2001. Further, FAA is reviewing a proposed noise 
compatibility program for that airport which will be approved or 
disapproved on or before April 26, 2002. 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, 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 for 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 exposure 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 International 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 October 29, 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 
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, also effective on October 29, 
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 April 26, 
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 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.

[[Page 626]]

Federal Aviation Administration, Airports Division, Suite 315, 1601 
Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington.
Federal Aviation Administration, Seattle Airports District Office, 1601 
Lind Avenue, 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, October 29, 2001.
Lowell H. Johnson,
Manager, Airports Division, ANM-600, Northwest Mountain Region.
[FR Doc. 02-260 Filed 1-3-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-M