[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 159 (Friday, August 16, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 53637-53638]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-20900]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration


Approval of Noise Compatibility Program: Lake Charles Regional 
Airport, Lake Charles, LA

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 Airport 
Authority Board of Calcasieu Parish (AABCP) under the provisions of 
Title 49, U.S.C., Chapter 475 and 14 CFR part 150. These findings are 
made in

[[Page 53638]]

recognition of the description of Federal and nonfederal 
responsibilities in Senate Report No. 96-52 (1980). On February 5, 
2002, the FAA determined that the noise exposure maps submitted by the 
AABCP under Part 150 were in compliance with applicable requirements. 
On August 2, 2002, the Administrator approved the noise compatibility 
program. All of the recommendations of the program were approved.

EFFECTIVE DATES: The effective date of the FAA's approval of the Lake 
Charles Regional Airport noise compatibility program is August 2, 2002.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mike Saupp, Department of 
Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration, 2601 Meacham 
Boulevard, Fort Worth, Texas, 76137, (817) 222-5645. 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 Lake 
Charles Regional Airport, effective August 2, 2002.
    Under Title 49 U.S.C., section 47504 (hereinafter referred to as 
``Title 49''), 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 within the area 
covered by the noise exposure maps. Title 49 requires such programs to 
be developed in consultation with interested and affected parties 
including 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 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 or disapproval of FAR part 
150 program recommendations is measured according to the standards 
expressed in part 150 and Title 49 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, Sec. 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 nor 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 Division Office in Fort Worth, Texas.
    The AABCP submitted to the FAA on September 10, 2001, the noise 
exposure maps, descriptions, and other determination produced during 
the noise compatibility planning study conducted from August 17, 1999 
through September 10, 2001. The Lake Charles Regional Airport noise 
exposure maps were determined by FAA to be in compliance with 
applicable requirements on February 5, 2002. Notice of this 
determination was published in the Federal Register on March 5, 2002.
    The Lake Charles Regional Airport study contains a proposed noise 
compatibility program comprised of actions designed for implementation 
by airport management and adjacent jurisdictions from the date of study 
completion to the year 2006. It was requested that the FAA evaluate and 
approve this material as a noise compatibility program as described in 
Title 49. The FAA began its review of the program on February 5, 2002 
and was required by a provision of the Act 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 six proposed actions for noise 
mitigation on and off the airport. The FAA completed its review and 
determined that the procedural and substantive requirements of Title 49 
and FAR part 150 have been satisfied. The overall program, therefore, 
was approved by the Administrator effective August 2, 2002.
    Outright approval was granted for all of the specific program 
elements. Approved elements development of a voluntary runway use 
procedure, continuation of noise abatement flight procedures, and 
zoning actions and requirements.
    These determinations are set forth in detail in a Record of 
Approval endorsed by the Administrator on August 2, 2002. The Record of 
Approval, as well as other evaluation materials and the documents 
comprising the submittal, are available at the FAA office listed above 
and at the administrative offices of the AABCP.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, August 6, 2002.
Naomi L. Saunders,
Manager, Airports Division.
[FR Doc. 02-20900 Filed 8-15-02; 8:45 am]
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