[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 226 (Tuesday, November 24, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 73266-73267]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-29916]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration


Approval of Noise Compatibility Program, Ted Stevens Anchorage 
International Airport and Lake Hood Seaplane Base, Anchorage, AK

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 Alaska 
Department of Transportation & Public Facilities (ADOT&PF) 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 
27, 2015, the FAA determined that the noise exposure maps (NEM) 
submitted by the ADOT&PF under Part 150 were in compliance with 
applicable requirements. On November 17, 2015, the FAA approved the Ted 
Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC) and Lake Hood Seaplane 
Base (LHD) noise compatibility program (NCP). Most of the 
recommendations of the program were approved.

DATES: Effective Date: The effective date of the FAA's approval of the 
ANC and LHD NCP is November 17, 2015.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Leslie Grey, Federal Aviation 
Administration, Alaskan Region Airports Division, 222 W. 7th Avenue, 
Annex Building, Rm. A36, Anchorage, Alaska 99513, phone number: 907-
271-5453. Documents reflecting this FAA action may be reviewed at this 
same location by appointment with the above contact.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This notice announces that the FAA has given 
its overall approval to the NCP for ANC and LHD effective November 17, 
2015.
    Under Section 47504 of the Act, an airport operator who has 
previously submitted a NEM may submit to the FAA a NCP 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 NEM. 
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 NCP developed in accordance with Title 14 Code of 
Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 150 is a local program, not a Federal 
Program. The FAA does not substitute its judgment for that of the 
airport operator with respect to which measures should be recommended 
for action. The FAA's approval or disapproval of each specific measure 
proposed by an airport sponsor in an Record of Approval (ROA) is 
determined by applying approval criteria prescribed in 14 CFR 
150.35(b):
    The Administrator approves programs under this part, if--
    (1) It is found that the program measures to be implemented would 
not create an undue burden on interstate or foreign commerce (including 
any unjust discrimination) and are reasonably consistent with achieving 
the goals of reducing existing noncompatible land uses around the 
airport and of preventing the introduction of additional noncompatible 
land uses;
    (2) The program provides for revision if made necessary by the 
revision of the noise map; and
    (3) Those aspects of programs relating to the use of flight 
procedures for noise control can be implemented within the period 
covered by the program and without--
    (i) Reducing the level of aviation safety provided;
    (ii) Derogating the requisite level of protection for aircraft, 
their occupants and persons and property on the ground;
    (iii) Adversely affecting the efficient use and management of the 
Navigable

[[Page 73267]]

Airspace and Air Traffic Control Systems; or
    (iv) Adversely affecting any other powers and responsibilities of 
the Administrator prescribed by law or any other program, standard, or 
requirement established in accordance with law.
    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 Anchorage, AK.
    ADOT&PF submitted to the FAA on December 19, 2014, the NEM, 
descriptions, and other documentation produced during the NCP planning 
study conducted from November 17, 2011 through December 19, 2014. The 
ANC and LHD NEMs were determined by FAA to be in compliance with 
applicable requirements on July 27, 2015. Notice of this determination 
was published in the Federal Register on July 31, 2015.
    The ANC and LHD study contains a proposed NCP comprised of actions 
designed for phased implementation by airport management and adjacent 
jurisdictions from November 17, 2015 to the year 2020. It was requested 
that FAA evaluate and approve this material as a NCP as described in 
Section 47504 of the Act. The FAA began its review of the NCP on July 
27, 2015, and was required by 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 fifteen (15) proposed actions for 
noise mitigation on and off the airport. The FAA completed its review 
and determined that the procedural and substantive requirements of the 
Act and 14 CFR Part 150 have been satisfied. The overall program, 
therefore, was approved by the FAA effective November 17, 2015.
    Outright approval was granted for twelve (12) proposed actions on 
and/or off the airport. Two of the proposed measures in the NCP were 
disapproved for purposes of 14 CFR Part 150 because the measures 
benefit land uses with noise levels below the 65 DNL. Another measure 
was disapproved because it is eligible for funding as a terminal 
improvement per the AIP Handbook. However, these measures could be 
implemented by the Airport Sponsor on a voluntary basis.
    These determinations are set forth in detail in a Record of 
Approval (ROA) signed by the FAA on November 17, 2015. 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 ADOT&PF. The 
Record of Approval also will be available on-line at: http://www.faa.gov/airports/environmental/airport_noise/part_150/states/ak/.

    Issued in Anchorage, Alaska on November 17, 2015.
Kristi A. Warden,
Acting Division Manager, Alaskan Region Airports Division.
[FR Doc. 2015-29916 Filed 11-23-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P