[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 165 (Tuesday, August 26, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 51319-51320]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-21771]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration


Receipt of Update to Noise Compatibility Program and Request for 
Review; Austin-Bergstrom International Airport Austin, TX

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announces that it is 
reviewing a proposed update to the existing noise compatibility program 
that was submitted for Austin-Bergstrom International Airport under the 
provisions of title 49, U.S.C. Chapter 475 (hereinafter referred to as 
``Title 49'') and 14 CFR Part 150 by City of Austin, Texas. This 
program was submitted subsequent to a determination by FAA that 
associated noise exposure maps submitted under 14 CFR part 150 for 
Austin-Bergstrom International Airport were in compliance with 
applicable requirements effective on April 29, 2000. The original noise 
compatibility program was approved on November 7, 2000. The proposed 
update to the noise compatibility program will be approved or 
disapproved on or before February 11, 2004.

EFFECTIVE DATE: The effective date of the start of FAA's review of the 
noise compatibility program is August 15, 2003. The public comment 
period ends October 13, 2003.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Nan L. Terry, Department of 
Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration, Fort Worth, Texas, 
76193-0652, (817) 222-5607. Comments on the proposed update to the 
noise compatibility program should also be submitted to the above 
office.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This notice announces that the FAA is 
reviewing a proposed update to the existing noise compatibility program 
for Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, which will be approved or 
disapproved on or before February 11, 2004. 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 way sin 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 14 CFR 
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.
    On April 20, 1999, FAA published its approval noise exposure maps 
for the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in the Federal Register. 
On May 25, 2000, the FAA published its approval of a final 2004 noise 
exposure map for the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in the 
Federal Register. The FAA approved the original noise compatibility 
program on November 7, 2000 produced during Austin-Bergstrom 
International Airport, Austin, Texas Part 150 Noise Compatibility 
Study.
    The FAA has formally received an update to the noise compatibility 
program for Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. 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 February 11, 2004.
    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 update to 
the existing 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 map, the FAA 's evaluation of the map, and 
the proposed noise compatibility program are available for examination 
at the following locations:


[[Page 51320]]


Federal Aviation Administration, Airports Division, 2601 Meacham 
Boulevard, Fort Worth, Texas 76137.
Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, City of Austin, Aviation 
Department, 3600 Presidential Blvd., Austin, Texas 78719.

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

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, August 15, 2003.
Naomi L. Saunders,
Manager, Airports Division.
[FR Doc. 03-21771 Filed 8-25-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-M