[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 96 (Thursday, May 18, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 28904-28905]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-4621]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration


Noise Exposure Map Notice: Receipt of Noise Compatibility Program 
and Request for Review

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 Mobile Airport 
Authority for Mobile Regional Airport under the provisions of 49 U.S.C. 
47501 et seq. (Aviation Safety and Noise Abatement Act) and 14 CFR part 
150 are in compliance with applicable requirements. The FAA also 
announces that it is reviewing a proposed noise compatibility program 
update that was submitted for Mobile Regional Airport under part 150 in 
conjunction with the noise exposure map, and that this program will be 
approved or disapproved on or before October 27, 2006.

DATES: Effective Date: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 May 1, 2006. The public 
comment period ends June 29, 2006.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kristi Ashley, 100 West Cross Street, 
Suite B, Jackson, MS 39208, (601) 664-9891. Comments on the proposed 
noise compatibility program update should also be submitted to the 
above office.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This notice announces that the FAA finds 
that the noise exposure maps submitted for Mobile Regional Airport are 
in compliance with applicable requirements of part 150, effective May 
1, 2006. Further, FAA is reviewing a proposed noise compatibility 
program update for that airport which will be approved or disapproved 
on or before October 27, 2006. This notice also announces the 
availability of this program for public review and comment.
    Under 49 U.S.C. 47503 (the Aviation Safety and Noise Abatement Act, 
hereinafter referred to as ``the Act''), an airport operator may submit 
to the FAA noise exposure maps which meet applicable regulations and 
which depict non-compatible 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 the Act, 
may submit a noise compatibility program for FAA approval which sets 
forth the measures the operator has taken or proposes to take to reduce 
existing non-compatible uses and prevent the introduction of additional 
non-compatible uses.
    Mobile Airport Authority submitted to the FAA on December 30, 2005 
noise exposure maps, descriptions and other documentation that were 
produced during the Mobile Regional Airport Noise Compatibility Study 
Update. It was requested that the FAA review this material as the noise 
exposure maps, as described in section 47503 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 47504 of the Act.
    The FAA has completed its review of the noise exposure maps and 
related descriptions submitted by Mobile Airport Authority. The 
specific documentation determined to constitute the noise exposure maps 
includes current and forecast NEM graphics, plus all other narrative, 
graphic, or tabular representations of the data required by section 
A150.101 of part 150, and sections 47503 and 47506 of the Act, more 
specifically considered by FAA to be Chapter 6 of the Airport Noise 
Compatibility Study Update submitted to FAa on December 30, 2005. The 
FAA has determined that these maps for Mobile Regional Airport are in 
compliance with applicable requirements. This determination is 
effective on May 1, 2006. 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 constitute 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 47503 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 
section 47506 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

[[Page 28905]]

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 operators that 
submitted those maps, or with those public agencies and planning 
agencies with which consultation is required under section 47503 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 
Mobile Regional Airport, also effective on May 1, 2006. 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 format review period, limited by law to a maximum 
of 180 days, will be completed on or before October 27, 2006.
    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 non-compatible land uses 
and preventing the introduction of additional non-compatible 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, Jackson Airports District Office, 
100 West Cross Street, Suite B, Jackson, MS 39208, Mobile Regional 
Airport, Mobile Airport Authority, 8400 Airport Blvd., Mobile, AL 
36608.
    Questions may be directed to the individual named above under the 
heading, FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.

    Issued in Jackson, MS, May 1, 2006.
Rans Black,
Manager, Jackson Airports District Office.
[FR Doc. 06-4621 Filed 5-17-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-M