[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 113 (Thursday, June 12, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 33798-33799]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-13684]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION


FAA Approval of Noise Compatibility Program; Seattle-Tacoma 
International Airport, Seattle, Washington

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 Seattle-
Tacoma International Airport under the provisions of the Aviation 
Safety and Noise Abatement Act, hereinafter referred to as ``the Act'' 
and FAA regulations. These findings are made in recognition of the 
description of Federal and nonfederal responsibilities in Senate Report 
No. 96-52 (1980). On December 13, 2013, the FAA determined that the 
noise exposure maps submitted by the Seattle-Tacoma International 
Airport were in compliance with applicable requirements. On May 29, 
2014, the FAA approved the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport noise 
compatibility program. Nineteen of the Twenty-two recommendations of 
the program were approved. One recommendation was disapproved, one 
withdrawn and one approved in part and disapproved in part.

[[Page 33799]]


DATES: The effective date of the FAA's approval of the Seattle-Tacoma 
International Airport noise compatibility program is May 29, 2014.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Cayla Morgan, Federal Aviation 
Administration, Seattle Airports District Office, 1601 Lind Ave. SW., 
Renton, WA 98057-3356, telephone 425 227 2653. 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 Seattle-
Tacoma International Airport, effective May 29, 2014.
    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 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 Seattle Airports District Office in Seattle, 
Washington. Seattle-Tacoma International Airport submitted to the FAA 
on October 24, 2013, the noise exposure maps, descriptions, and other 
documentation produced during the noise compatibility planning study 
conducted from 2009 through 2013. The Seattle-Tacoma International 
Airport noise exposure maps were determined by FAA to be in compliance 
with applicable requirements on December 13, 2014. Notice of this 
determination was published in the Federal Register on December 23, 
2013 (78 FR 77548-77549).
    The Seattle-Tacoma International Airport study contains a proposed 
noise compatibility program comprised of actions designed for phased 
implementation by airport management and adjacent jurisdictions. 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 December 13, 2014, 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 9 noise abatement measures, 10 
noise mitigation/land use compatibility measures, and 3 administrative 
recommendations. 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 on May 29, 2014.
    Approval was granted for 19 measures. One measure was withdrawn so 
no action was required. Measure A-10 to address maintenance run-ups was 
previously disapproved in the 2002 NCP and continues to be disapproved. 
Measure M-2B for sound insulation of schools was approved as a 
continuation of a previously approved program but the sound insulation 
of the Highline Community College was disapproved for Airport 
Improvement Program funding as it is outside the newly revised noise 
remedy boundary.
    These determinations are set forth in detail in a Record of 
Approval signed by the Airports Division Manager, Northwest Mountain 
Region on May 29, 2014. 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 Airport 
Noise Office of the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. The Record of 
Approval also will be available on-line at http://www.faa.gov/airports/environmental/airport_noise/part_150/states/.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 3, 2014.
Sarah P. Dalton,
Manager, Airports Division, Northwest Mountain Region.
[FR Doc. 2014-13684 Filed 6-11-14; 8:45 am]
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