[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 41 (Friday, March 1, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 9495-9496]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-4958]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration


Noise Exposure Map Notice; Receipt of Noise Compatibility Program 
and Request for Review; Four Corners Regional Airport, Farmington, NM

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 the City of 
Farmington, New Mexico, for Four Corners Regional Airport, under the 
provisions of Title 49 USC, Chapter 475 (hereinafter referred to as 
``Title 49'')

[[Page 9496]]

and 14 CFR part 150 are in compliance with applicable requirements. The 
FAA also announces that it is reviewing a proposed noise compatibility 
program that was submitted for Four Corners Regional Airport, under 
Part 150 in conjunction with the noise exposure maps and that this 
program will be approved or disapproved on or before July 9, 2002.

EFFECTIVE DATE: The effective date of the FAA's determination on the 
noise exposure maps and the start of its review of the associated noise 
compatibility program is January 9, 2002. The public comment period 
ends March 11, 2002.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joyce M. Porter, Department of 
Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration, Fort Worth, Texas, 
76193-0640, (817) 222-5640. 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 submitted for Four Corners Regional 
Airport are in compliance with applicable requirements of Part 150, 
effective January 9, 2002. Further, FAA is reviewing a proposed noise 
compatibility program for that airport which will be approved or 
disapproved on or before July 9, 2002. This notice also announces the 
availability of this program for public review and comment.
    Under Title 49, an airport operator may submit to the FAA noise 
exposure maps, which meet applicable regulations, and which depict 
noncompatible land uses as of the date of submission of such maps, a 
description of projected aircraft operations, and the ways in which 
such operations will affect such maps. Title 49 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 noise exposure maps that are 
found by the FAA to be in compliance with the requirements of Federal 
Aviation Regulations (FAR) Part 150, promulgated pursuant to Title 49, 
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 City of Farmington, New Mexico submitted to the FAA on December 
27, 2001, noise exposure maps, descriptions and other documentation, 
which were produced during preparation of the Four Corners Regional 
Airport Part 150 Study from August 16, 1999 through December 27, 2001. 
It was requested that the FAA review this material as the noise 
exposure maps, as described in Title 49, and that the noise mitigation 
measures, to be implemented jointly by the airport and surrounding 
communities, be approved as a noise compatibility program under Title 
49.
    The FAA has completed its review of the noise exposure maps and 
related descriptions submitted by the City of Farmington, New Mexico. 
The specific maps under consideration are Figure 5.1, 2001 Existing 
Condition Noise Exposure Map; Figure 5.2, 2006 Future Condition Noise 
Exposure Map Without Program Implementation; and Figure 6.6, 2006 
Future Condition Noise Exposure Map With Program Implementation, in the 
submission.
    The FAA has determined that these maps for Four Corners Regional 
Airport are in compliance with applicable requirements. This 
determination is effective on January 9, 2002. FAA's determination on 
an airport operator's noise exposure maps is limited to a finding 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 a noise exposure map 
submitted under section 103 of the Act, 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 
Title 49. 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 map 
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 Title 49. 
The FAA has relied on the certification by the airport operator, under 
section 150.21 of FAR Part 150, that the statutorily required 
consultation has been accomplished.
    The FAA has formally received the noise compatibility program for 
Four Corners Regional Airport, also effective on January 9, 2002. 
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 July 9, 2002.
    The FAA's detailed evaluation will be conducted under the 
provisions of 14 CFR part 150, section 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 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, Airports Division, 2601 Meacham 
Boulevard, Fort Worth, Texas 76137-4298.
City of Farmington, 800 Municipal Drive, Farmington, New Mexico 87401-
2663.

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

    Dated: Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, January 9, 2002.
Edward N. Agnew,
Acting Manager, Airports Division.
[FR Doc. 02-4958 Filed 2-28-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-M