[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 18 (Tuesday, January 28, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 4528-4529]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-01560]



[[Page 4528]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration


Availability of Noise Compatibility Program for Willow Run 
Airport, Ypsilanti, Michigan

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The FAA announces its determination that the noise exposure 
maps submitted by the Wayne County Airport Authority, Michigan for 
Willow Run Airport under the provisions of 49 U.S.C. 47501 et. seq 
(Aviation Safety and Noise Abatement Act, herein after referred to as 
``the Act'') and 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) part 150 
(hereinafter referred to as ``part 150'') is in compliance with 
applicable requirements. The FAA also announces that it is reviewing a 
proposed noise compatibility program that was submitted for Willow Run 
Airport under Part 150 in conjunction with the noise exposure map, and 
that this program will be approved or disapproved on or before July 15, 
2014.

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 January 15, 2014. The public 
comment period ends March 16, 2014.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ernest P. Gubry, 11677 S. Wayne Road, 
Suite 107, Romulus, MI 48174, Email: [email protected]. Phone: 734-
229-2900. Comments on the proposed noise compatibility program should 
also be submitted to the above office.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This notice announces the FAA finds that the 
noise exposure maps submitted for Willow Run Airport are in compliance 
with applicable requirements of Part 150, effective January 15, 2014. 
Further, FAA is reviewing a proposed noise compatibility program for 
that airport which will be approved or disapproved on or before July 
14, 2014. This notice also announces the availability of this program 
for public review and comment.
    Under 49 U.S.C. 47503 of 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 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.
    The Wayne County Airport Authority submitted to the FAA on December 
12, 2013, noise exposure maps, and other documentation that were 
produced during the Willow Run Airport 14 CFR part 150 Noise 
Compatibility Study. 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 the Wayne County Airport Authority. 
The specific documentation determined to constitute the noise exposure 
maps includes: Figure S1 (Existing 2012 Noise Exposure Map); Figure S2 
(Future 2018 Noise Exposure Map), Information pertinent to the aircraft 
operations, fleet mix, runway utilization, and nighttime use are 
located in Chapter D, updated in Chapter I and Chapter S. This is 
inclusive of all tables. Information about noise monitoring sites is 
located in Figure C11 (Noise Measurement Sites). The FAA has determined 
that these maps for Willow Run Airport are in compliance with 
applicable requirements. This determination is effective on January 15, 
2014. 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 14 CFR 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 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 operator 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 part 150, that the statutorily required consultation has been 
accomplished.
    The FAA has formally received the noise compatibility program for 
Willow Run Airport, also effective on January 15, 2014. 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 July 14, 2014. A public 
hearing was held on November 6, 2013 at 5:30 p.m.
    The FAA's detailed evaluation will be conducted under the 
provisions of section 150.33 of part 150. 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 should be sent 
to Ernest P. Gubry at the address under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION 
CONTACT. All relevant 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 upon prior appointment during normal business hours, at 
the following location:


[[Page 4529]]


Federal Aviation Administration,
Detroit Airports District Office,
11677 S. Wayne Road, Ste. 107,
Romulus, MI 48174;

Willow Run Airport,
Mr. Sean Brosnan,
801 Willow Run Airport,
Ypsilanti, MI 48198.

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

    Issued in Romulus, Michigan: January 15, 2014.
John L. Mayfield, Jr.,
Manager, Detroit Airports District Office.
[FR Doc. 2014-01560 Filed 1-27-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P