[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 203 (Friday, October 20, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 62033-62034]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-8789]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration


Approval of Noise Compatibility Program; Orlando Sanford 
International Airport, Sanford, FL

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 modification submitted by 
the Sanford Airport Authority under the provisions of 49 U.S.C. (the 
Aviation Safety and Noise Abatement Act, hereinafter referred to as 
``the Act'') and 14 CFR part 150. These findings are made in 
recognition of the description of Federal and nonfederal 
responsibilities in Senate Report No. 96-52 (1980). On June 22, 2005, 
the FAA determined that the noise exposure maps submitted by the 
Sanford Airport Authority under part 150 were in compliance with 
applicable requirements. On August 23, 2006, the FAA approved the 
Orlando Sanford International Airport modification to the noise 
compatibility program. All of the recommended modifications of the 
program were approved. No program elements relating to new or revised 
flight procedures for noise abatement were proposed by the airport 
operator.

DATES: Effective Date: The effective date of the FAA's approval of the 
Orlando Sanford International Airport modification to the noise 
compatibility program is August 23, 2006.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Lindy McDowell, Federal Aviation 
Administration, Orlando Airports District Office, 5950 Hazeltine 
National Dr., Suite 400, Orlando, Florida 32822, (407) 812-6331, 
Extension 130. 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 of a modification to the noise compatibility 
program for Orlando Sanford International Airport, effective August 23, 
2006.
    Under Section 47504 of the Act, 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 non-compatible 
land uses and prevention of additional non-compatible land uses within 
the area covered by the noise exposure maps. The Act 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 measure 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 the Act, and is limited to the following 
determinations:
    a. the noise compatibility program was developed in accordance with 
the provisions and procedures of FAR part 150;

[[Page 62034]]

    b. Program measures are reasonably consistent with achieving the 
goals of reducing existing non-compatible land uses around the airport 
and preventing the introduction of additional non-compatible 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, 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 nor 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 FAA Airports District Office in Orlando, Florida.
    Sanford Airport Authority submitted to the FAA on January 6, 2006, 
the noise exposure maps, descriptions, and other documentation produced 
during the noise compatibility modification study conducted from March 
8, 2004, through January 6, 2006. The Orlando Sanford International 
Airport noise exposure maps, submitted to the FAA on June 9, 2005, were 
determined by FAA to be in compliance with applicable requirements on 
June 22, 2005. Notice of this determination was published in the 
Federal Register on June 22, 2005.
    The Orlando Sanford International Airport study contains a proposed 
modification to the noise compatibility program comprised of actions 
designed for phased implementation by airport management and adjacent 
jurisdictions from 2004 to the year 2009. It was requested that FAA 
evaluate and approve this material as a noise compatibility program 
modification as described in section 47504 of the Act. The FAA began 
its review of the program modification on March 3, 2006, and was 
required by a provisions of the Act to approve or disapprove the 
program within 180 days (other than the use of new or modified 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 one (1) proposed action for noise 
mitigation off the airport. The FAA completed its review and determined 
that the procedural and substantive requirements of the Act and FAR 
Part 150 have been satisfied. The overall program modification, 
therefore, was approved by the FAA effective August 23, 2006.
    Outright approval was granted for all of the specific program 
elements. Approved actions include a modification to Land Use Measure H 
in which the airport proposes additional acquisition for noise 
abatement purposes those areas that are identified as non-compatible 
land uses and located in the 65 DNL noise contour in the updated NEM 
(2004).
    These determinations are set forth in detail in a Record of 
Approval signed by the FAA on August 23, 2006. 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 office of the Sanford Airport Authority. The 
Record of Approval also will be available on-line at http://www.faa.gov/arp/environmental/14cfr150/index14.cfm.

    Issued in Orlando, Florida on September 28, 2006.
W. Dean Stringer,
Manager, Orlando Airports District Office.
[FR Doc. 06-8789 Filed 10-19-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-M