[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 172 (Thursday, September 6, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 51291-51292]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 07-4322]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration


FAA Approval of Noise Compatibility Program; Rickenbacker 
International Airport, Columbus, OH

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 Columbus 
Regional 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 January 25, 
2007, the FAA determined that the noise exposure maps submitted by 
Columbus Regional Airport Authority under Part 150 were in compliance 
with applicable requirements. On July 9, 2007, the FAA approved the 
Rickenbacker International Airport noise compatibility program. All of 
the recommendations of the program were approved.

EFFECTIVE DATE: The effective date of the FAA's approval of the 
Rickenbacker International Airport noise compatibility program is July 
9, 2007.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Katherine S. Jones, Community 
Planner, Detroit Airports District Office, Metro Airport Center, 11677 
South Wayne Road, Suite 107, Romulus, Michigan, Phone (734) 229-2900. 
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 
Rickenbacker International Airport, effective July 9, 2007.
    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 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 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;
    b. Program measures are reasonably consistent with achieving the 
goals of reducing existing non-compatible land uses around the airport 
and preventing

[[Page 51292]]

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 
acton 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 Detroit Airports District Office in Romulus, 
Michigan.
    Columbus Regional Airport Authority submitted to the FAA on 
December 21, 2006 the noise exposure maps, descriptions, and other 
documentation produced during the noise compatibility planning study 
conducted from 2005 through 2006. The Rickenbacker International 
Airport noise exposure maps were determined by FAA to be in compliance 
with applicable requirements on January 25, 2007. Notice of this 
determination was published in the Federal Register on February 6, 2007 
(FR Doc. 07-507 Filed 2-5-07; 8:45 am).
    The Rickenbacker International Airport study contains a proposed 
noise compatibility program comprised of actions designed for phased 
implementation by airport management and adjacent jurisdictions 
starting in 2007. It was requested that the FAA evaluate and approve 
this material as a noise compatibility program as described in section 
47504 of the Act. The FAA began its review of the program on January 
25, 2007 and was required by a provision 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 thirteen (13) proposed actions for 
noise mitigation on and/or 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, 
therefore, was approved by the FAA effective July 9, 2007.
    Outright approval was granted for all of the specific program 
elements. These elements were: Straight out departures of itinerant 
aircraft from Runway 23L/R until reaching 3,000 feet mean sea level 
before turning on course; Formalize civil noise abatement procedures 
which include: right turns to a 070-degree heading after departing to 
the northeast; and observing a preferential reverse flow runway use for 
civil jet aircraft; Formalize military noise abatement procedures, 
which include: right turns to a 070-degree heading after departing to 
the northeast; preferential southwest flow for touch-and-go operations; 
and observing preferential reverse flow use; Develop an Airport Land 
Use Management District (ALUMD) based on the most recent Future 60 Day-
Night Average Sound Level (DNL) Noise Exposure Map/Noise Compatibility 
Program (NEM/NCP) noise contour, natural geographic and jurisdictional 
boundaries; Implement land use controls to discourage residential 
development and encourage airport compatible development within the 
ALUMD; Offer acquisition to eligible undeveloped properties within the 
65-DNL noise contour of the Future (2011) NEM/NCP; For those 
undeveloped properties that are offered but unwilling to be acquired 
through LU-20, offer avigation easements to restrict the development of 
incompatible land uses within the 65-DNL noise contour of the Future 
(2011) NEM/NCP: Seek cooperation from the Board of Realtors to 
participate in a voluntary fair disclosure program for the property 
located within the ALUMD; Establish a Noise Abatement Committee; 
Establish/continue a noise complaint response program; Periodic review 
and update of the NEM and NCP; Develop a public information program to 
communicate information about the NCP; and Provide for updates/
enhancement of the CRAA Airport Noise & Flight Track Monitoring System.
    These determinations are set forth in detail in a Record of 
Approval signed by the Great Lakes Region Airports Division Manager on 
July 9, 2007. 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 at the administrative offices of 
the Rickenbacker International Airport, 7161 Second Street, Columbus, 
Ohio 43217 and Columbus Regional Airport Authority, Port Columbus 
International Airport, 4600 International Gateway, Columbus, Ohio. The 
Record of Approval also will be available on-line at http://www.faa.govairports_airtraffic/airports/environmental/airport_noise.

    Issued in Romulus, Michigan, July 20, 2007.
Irene R. Porter,
Acting Manager, Detroit Airports District Office, Great Lakes Region.
[FR Doc. 07-4322 Filed 9-5-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-M