[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 129 (Friday, July 5, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 44923-44924]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-16895]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration


Approval of Noise Compatibility Program; Seattle-Tacoma 
International Airport, Seattle, WA

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 manager 
of the airfield line of business for Seattle-Tacoma International 
Airport, under the provisions of 49 U.S.C., Sec. 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 December 3, 2001, the FAA determined that the noise exposure 
maps submitted, under part 150, by the manager of the airfield line of 
business for Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, were in compliance 
with applicable requirements. On June 3, 2002, the Associate 
Administrator for Airports approved the Seattle-Tacoma International 
Airport noise compatibility program. Program measures 1, 9, 12, 13, 14, 
15, 16, 17, 18, and 19 received outright approval. Measures 5 and 6 
were approved as voluntary. Measures 3, 4 and 10 were disapproved, 
pending submission of additional information. Measures 7 and

[[Page 44924]]

11 were disapproved outright, 2 was disapproved, in part, pending 
submission of additional information. Measure 8 required no FAA action.

EFFECTIVE DATE: The effective date of the FAA's approval of the 
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport noise compatibility program is 
June 3, 2002.

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 Seattle-
Tacoma International Airport, effective June 3, 2002. Under 49 U.S.C., 
Sec. 27504(a), an airport operator, who has previously submitted a 
noise exposure map, may submit to the FAA a noise compatibile program 
that sets forth the measures taken or proposed by the airport operator 
for the reduction of existing noncompatibility land uses, and 
prevention of additional noncompatible land uses within the area 
covered by the noise exposure maps. The 49 U.S.C., Sec. 27503(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 Regulations (FAR), part 150, is a local, not 
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 the FAR, 
part 150, program recommendations is measured according to the 
standards expressed in part 150 and the Aviation Safety and Noise 
Abatement Act of 1979, and it 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.
    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 airport traffic control systems, or adversely 
affecting other powers and responsibilities of the Administrator, as 
prescribed by law.
    Specific limitations with respect to the 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 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 assessment of the proposed action. Approval 
does not constitute a commitment by the FAA to financially assist in 
the implementation of the program, or 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 Seattle Airports District Office.
    The manager of the airfield line of business for Seattle-Tacoma 
International Airport submitted to the FAA the noise exposure maps, 
descriptions, and other documentation produced during the noise 
compatibility planning study contacted at Seattle-Tacoma International 
Airport. The Seattle-Tacoma International Airport noise exposure maps 
were determined by the FAA, on December 3, 2001, to be in compliance 
with applicable requirements. Notice of this determination was 
published in the Federal Register on December 10, 2001.
    The proposed Seattle-Tacoma International Airport noise 
compatibility program is comprised of actions designed for phased 
implementation by airport management and adjacent jurisdictions, from 
the date of study completion to the year 2004. It was requested that 
the FAA evaluate and approve this material as a noise compatibility 
program, as described in 49 U.S.C., Sec. 47504(a). The FAA began its 
review of the program on December 3, 2001, and was required by a 
provision of 49 U.S.C., Sec. 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 FAA completed its review and determined that the 
procedural and substantive requirements of 49 U.S.C., Sec. 47504(b), 
and FAR 150 have been satisfied. The overall program, therefore, was 
approved by the Associate Administrator for Airports, effective June 3, 
2002.
    These determinations are set forth in detail in a Record of 
Approval, endorsed by the Associate Administrator for Airports on June 
3, 2002. 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 
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 12, 2002.
Lowell H. Johnson,
Manager, Airports Division, Northwest Mountain Region.
[FR Doc. 02-16895 Filed 7-3-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-M