[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 42 (Thursday, March 3, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 11346-11347]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-04763]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration


Noise Compatibility Program Notice, Lafayette Regional Airport, 
Lafayette, Louisiana

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 Lafayette 
Airport Commission 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 April 4, 2012, the FAA determined that the noise 
exposure maps submitted by Lafayette Airport Commission under Part 150 
were in compliance with applicable requirements. On November 23, 2015, 
the FAA approved the Lafayette Regional Airport noise compatibility 
program. Both of the recommendations of the program were approved.

DATES: The effective date of the FAA's approval of the Lafayette 
Regional Airport noise compatibility program is November 23, 2015.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  DOT/FAA Southwest Region, Tim Tandy, 
Environmental Protection Specialist, ASW-640D, 10101 Hillwood Parkway, 
Fort Worth, Texas 76177. Telephone (817) 222-5644.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:  This notice announces that the FAA has 
given its overall approval to the noise compatibility program for 
Lafayette Regional Airport, effective November 23, 2015.
    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

[[Page 11347]]

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 Regional Office in Fort 
Worth, Texas.
    The Lafayette Airport Commission submitted to the FAA on November 
29, 2011 the noise exposure maps, descriptions, and other documentation 
produced during the noise compatibility planning study conducted from 
August 14, 2013 through August 6, 2014. The Lafayette Regional Airport 
noise exposure maps were determined by FAA to be in compliance with 
applicable requirements on April 4, 2012. Notice of this determination 
was published in the Federal Register on April 13, 2012.
    The Lafayette Regional Airport study contains a proposed noise 
compatibility program comprised of actions designed for phased 
implementation by airport management and adjacent jurisdictions from 
August 6, 2014 to the year 2017. 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 
May 25, 2015 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 two proposed actions for noise 
mitigation 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 23, 2015.
    Outright approval was granted for both of the specific program 
elements. A preventive land use mitigation measure would offer owners 
of vacant residential parcels located within the existing DNL 65 
contour the opportunity to participate in the Avigation Easement 
Acquisition Program. A remedial measure would offer owners of 
residential properties located within the DNL 65 contour the 
opportunity to participate in the Avigation Easement Acquisition 
Program.
    These determinations are set forth in detail in a Record of 
Approval signed by the FAA Southwest Region Airports Division Manager 
on November 23, 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 offices of the Lafayette Airport Commission. The Record 
of Approval also will be available on-line at http://www.faa.gov/arp/environmental/14cfr150/index14.cfm.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, February 4, 2016.
Ignacio Flores,
Manager, Airports Division.
[FR Doc. 2016-04763 Filed 3-2-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P