[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 239 (Thursday, December 12, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 76434-76435]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-31345]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration


Noise Exposure Map Notice; Receipt of Noise Compatibility Program 
and Request for Review Philadelphia International Airport, 
Philadelphia, PA

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 
Philadelphia for Philadelphia International Airport under the 
provisions of Title I of the Aviation Safety and Noise Abatement Act of 
1979 (Pub. L. 96-193) 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 
Philadelphia International Airport under part 150 in conjunction with 
the noise exposure maps, and that this program will be approved or 
disapproved on or before May 20, 2003.

DATES: The effective date of the FAA's determination on the noise 
exposure maps and of the start of its review of the associated noise 
compatibility program is November 21, 2002. The public comment period 
ends January 30, 2003.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: James Byers, Federal Aviation 
Administration, Harrisburg Airports District Office, 3905 Hartzdale 
Drive, Camp Hill, PA 17011. Telephone 717-730-2833. 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 Philadelphia International 
Airport are in compliance with applicable requirements of part 150, 
effective November 21, 2002. Further, FAA is reviewing a proposed noise 
compatibility program for that airport which will be approved or 
disapproved on or before May 20, 2003. This notice also announces the 
availability of this program for public review and comment.
    Under section 103 of Title I of the Aviation Safety and Noise 
Abatement Act of 1979 (hereinafter referred to as ``the Act''), 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. The Act 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 FAA to be in compliance with the requirements of Federal 
Aviation Regulations (FAR) part 150, promulgated pursuant to Title I of 
the Act, 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 Philadelphia submitted to the FAA on June 28, 2001 and 
November 20, 2002, noise exposures maps, descriptions and other 
documentation which were produced during the Philadelphia International 
Airport part 150 Noise Compatibility Study Update conducted between 
August 2000 and June 2002. It was requested that the FAA review this 
material as the noise exposure maps, as described in section 103(a)(1) 
of the Act, and that the noise mitigation measures, to be implemented 
jointly by the airport and surrounding communities, be approved as a 
noise compatibility program under section 104(b) of the Act.
    The FAA has completed its review of the noise exposure maps and 
related descriptions submitted by the City of Philadelphia. The 
specific maps under consideration are ``2001 Noise Exposure Map'' 
(NEM1) and ``2006 Noise Exposure Map''(NEM2) with ``Recommended Noise 
Compatibility Program'' (NCP) in the submission. The documentation that 
constitutes the ``Noise Exposure Maps'' as defined in section 150.7 of 
Part 150 includes: NEM1 and NEM2 contain current and forecast condition 
graphics such as depiction of the airport and its boundaries and runway 
configurations; land uses such as hospitals, libraries, churches, 
historical points, schools, nursing homes, commercial and industrial 
areas, community service areas, and residential areas; and the areas 
within the DNL 65, 70 and 75. Estimates of the number of people 
residing within the DNL 65, 70 and 75 are found in Table 3-2. The 
locations of noise monitoring sites are found in Exhibit B-1. Flight 
tracks for the existing condition and the five-year forecasted 
timeframes are found in Exhibits C-6 and C-7. The type and frequency of 
aircraft operations (including nighttime operations) are found in 
Tables C-2, C-3, C-4, and C-5.
    Comparability of Conditions: Federal Part 150 regulations require 
the preparation of noise exposure contours based on forecast aircraft 
operations at the airport for five years from the date of submission 
and that reasonable assumptions concerning fleet mix, flight patterns, 
and planned airport developments be incorporated. The initial schedule 
of the Philadelphia International Airport's Part 150 Study indicated 
that the Noise Exposure Maps would be submitted near the end of 2001. 
Therefore, 2006 operating levels were used for the Future NEM/NCP. The 
Part 150 Study was not submitted until 2002, due in part to the events 
of September 11. A comparison of the 2006 and 2007 forecasts was 
completed and found that there would be less than 1 percent difference 
between the two conditions (2006 = 556,625 and 2007 = 560,140). In 
addition, there is nothing to indicate that there would be significant 
changes in flight patterns, runway use, or fleet mix between 2006 and 
2007. Therefore, the 2006 Future NEM/NCP noise contours are 
representative of 2007 conditions as well. The FAA has determined that 
these maps for Philadelphia International Airport are in

[[Page 76435]]

compliance with applicable requirements. This determination is 
effective on November 21, 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 an 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 
section 107 of the Act. 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 
exposures 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 section 103 of the Act. 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 
Philadelphia International Airport, also effective on November 21, 
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 May 20, 2003.
    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, created 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 examinations at the following 
locations: Philadelphia International Airport Terminal E, Philadelphia, 
Pennsylvania, 19153 and Federal Aviation Administration, Harrisburg 
Airports District Office, 3905 Hartzdale Drive, Camp Hill, PA 17011.
    Questions may be directed to the individual named above under the 
heading, FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.

    Issued in Camp Hill, Pennsylvania, November 21, 2002.
Sharon A. Daboin,
Manager, Harrisburg Airports District Office.
[FR Doc. 02-31345 Filed 12-11-02; 8:45 am]
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