[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 124 (Tuesday, June 28, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 42034-42035]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-15183]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration


Noise Compatibility Program Notice; San Antonio International 
Airport; San Antonio, Texas

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 San Antonio 
International Airport 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 December 29, 2014, the FAA determined that the 
noise exposure maps submitted by San Antonio International Airport 
under part 150 were in compliance with applicable requirements. On June 
2, 2015, the FAA approved the San Antonio International Airport noise 
compatibility program. Both of the recommendations of the program were 
approved.

DATES: The effective date of the FAA's approval of the San Antonio 
International Airport noise compatibility program is June 2, 2015.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: DOT/FAA Southwest Region, John 
MacFarlane, ASW652-B, 10101 Hillwood Parkway, Fort Worth, Texas 76177. 
Telephone (817) 222-5681.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This notice announces that the FAA has given 
its overall approval to the noise compatibility program for San Antonio 
International Airport, effective June 2, 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 compatibility program are delineated in FAR part 150, Sec.  
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.
    San Antonio International Airport submitted to the FAA on December 
17, 2014 the noise exposure maps, descriptions, and other documentation 
produced during the noise compatibility planning study conducted from 
May 14, 2014 through December 17, 2014. The San Antonio International 
Airport noise exposure maps were determined by FAA to be in compliance 
with applicable requirements on December 29, 2014. Notice of this 
determination was published in the Federal Register on January 22, 
2015.
    The San Antonio International Airport study contains a proposed 
noise compatibility program comprised of actions designed for phased 
implementation by airport management and adjacent jurisdictions from 
December 2014 to the year 2019. 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 
January 12, 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

[[Page 42035]]

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 June 2, 2015.
    Outright approval was granted for both of the specific program 
elements. San Antonio International Airport intends to continue 
acoustical treatment for noise-sensitive facilities, e.g., residences, 
schools and places of worship, that are located in areas exposed to 
aircraft noise of DNL 65 dB and higher based on the FAA-accepted and 
current noise exposure map on file with the FAA and not necessarily 
tied specifically to the 2014 Noise Exposure Map.
    These determinations are set forth in detail in a Record of 
Approval signed by the FAA Southwest Region Airports Division Manager 
on June 2, 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 San Antonio International Airport. The Record of Approval also will 
be available on-line at https://www.faa.gov/airports/environmental/airport_noise/part_150/states/tx/media/roa-texas-san-antonio-20150602.pdf.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, June 20, 2016.
Ignacio Flores,
Manager, Airports Division.
[FR Doc. 2016-15183 Filed 6-27-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P