[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 229 (Thursday, November 29, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 67620-67621]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 07-5873]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration


Noise Compatibility Program Notice Baton Rouge Metropolitan 
Airport, Ryan Field, Baton Rouge, LA

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 the Greater 
Baton Rouge Airport District 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 July 30, 2007, 
the FAA determined that the noise exposure maps submitted by the 
Greater Baton Rouge Airport District under part 150 were in compliance 
with applicable requirements. On November 13, 2007, the FAA approved 
the Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport, Ryan Field noise compatibility 
program. Most of the recommendations 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 
Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport, Ryan Field noise compatibility 
program is November 13, 2007.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lance E. Key (ASW 615), 2601 Meacham 
Boulevard, Fort Worth, Texas 76137-4298. 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 Baton Rouge 
Metropolitan Airport, Ryan Field, effective November 13, 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 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

[[Page 67621]]

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 Regional 
Office in Fort Worth, Texas.
    The Greater Baton Rouge Airport District submitted to the FAA on 
May 14, 2007 the noise exposure maps, descriptions, and other 
documentation produced during the noise compatibility planning study 
conducted from May 2005 through May 2007. The Baton Route Metropolitan 
Airport, Ryan Field noise exposure maps were determined by FAA to be in 
compliance with applicable requirements on July 30, 2007. Notice of 
this determination was published in the Federal Register on August 7, 
2007.
    The Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport, Ryan Field Part 150 study 
contains a proposed noise compatibility program comprised of actions 
designed for phased implementation by airport management and adjacent 
jurisdictions from November 2007 to the year 2011. 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 August 7, 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 ten proposed actions for noise 
mitigation located 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 November 13, 2007.
    Outright approval was granted for nine of the specific program 
elements. Only one program element, Land Use Element 3a, was 
``Disapproved Pending Submittal of Additional Information to the FAA''. 
Under this program element, the Airport District asked the FAA to 
approve the voluntary land acquisition of one hundred eight (108) acres 
of undeveloped land that was zoned to allow incompatible development 
within the 2011 65 DNL around Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport, Ryan 
Field. The acreage in question amounted to 13 separate parcels in 
various locations northwest, northeast, east and southeast of the 
airport. In disapproving this program element, the FAA found the land 
in question to be zoned commercial or industrial (a compatible use 
under Part 150 guidelines), however the involved local zoning districts 
all permit a variety of noise-sensitive land uses; to include 
libraries, nursing homes, assisted living residences and hospitals 
(noncompatible use) within the areas described. In addition, it was 
determined that undeveloped, residential-zoned land (noncompatible use) 
northwest, northeast, and east of the Airport is inside the 65 DNL. The 
FAA therefore determined that supporting documentation would need to be 
provided showing that (1) the Airport is in compliance with its Grant 
Assurance 31, (2) appropriate existing and proposed new local land use 
controls are inadequate to prevent noncompatible development, and (3) 
noncompatible development of the parcel(s) is highly likely.
    The nine program elements approved by the FAA included: Five Land 
Use Elements that addressed City/Parish compatible use planning around 
the airport; the development of an airport noise information program; 
the acquisition of seven (7) homes at various locations around the 
airport (within the 65 DNL); the offer to sound insulate ninety-two 
(92) homes located with the 65 DNL contour; and the offer to purchase 
noise servitudes from those owners who do not wish to participate in 
the sound insulation program or who's house cannot accommodate the 
sound insulation process.
    Four Program Management Elements were approved that established a 
system for logging and tracking noise complaints; developing and 
maintaining a log for recording engine maintenance run-ups on the 
airport; periodically reviewing the Part 150 Study to determine if 
changing airport conditions warrant further review; and preparing a 
plan to deal with the disposal or development of noise lands acquired 
by the airport under previous noise mitigation actions.
    These determinations are set forth in detail in a Record of 
Approval signed by the Airports Division Manager on November 13, 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 and at the administrative offices of the Baton 
Rouge Metropolitan Airport, Ryan Field. The Record of Approval also 
will be available on-line at http://www.faa.gov/apr/environmental/14cfr150/index14.cfm.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, November 21, 2007.
Kelvin L. Solco,
Manager, Airports Division.
[FR Doc. 07-5873 Filed 11-28-07; 8:45 am]
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