[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 96 (Friday, May 17, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 22551-22552]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-09956]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration


Approval of Noise Compatibility Program for San Francisco 
International Airport, San Mateo County, California

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 City and 
County of San Francisco, Airport Commission (Airport Commission), San 
Mateo County, California under the provisions of 49, United States Code 
(U.S.C.) (the Aviation Safety and Noise Abatement Act, hereinafter 
referred to as ``the Act'') and 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 
Part 150 (hereinafter referred to as ``Part 150''). These findings are 
made in recognition of the description of Federal and nonfederal 
responsibilities in Senate Report No. 96-52 (1990). On January 29, 
2016, the FAA determined that the noise exposure map updates submitted 
by the Airport Commission under Part 150 were in compliance with 
applicable requirements. On April 1, 2019, the FAA approved the San 
Francisco International Airport, Airport Noise Compatibility Program 
(NCP) Update. The 3 (three) measures recommended in the NCP Update were 
approved. No program elements relating to new or revised flight 
procedures for noise abatement were proposed by the airport operator.

DATES: The effective date of the FAA's approval of the San Francisco 
International Airport noise compatibility program is April 1, 2019.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Camille Garibaldi, Environmental 
Protection Specialist, Federal Aviation Administration, San Francisco 
Airports District Office, 1000 Marina Boulevard, Suite 220, Brisbane, 
California 94005-7600. Telephone: 650-827-7613. 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 San 
Francisco International Airport, effective April 1, 2019.
    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 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

[[Page 22552]]

action. The FAA's approval or disapproval of 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 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 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. Prior to an FAA decision on a request to implement the 
action, an environmental review of the proposed action may be required. 
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 San Francisco Airports 
District Office in the Western-Pacific Region.
    The Airport Commission submitted their noise compatibility program 
to the FAA on July 17, 2018, including the noise exposure maps, 
descriptions and other documentation produced during the noise 
compatibility planning study conducted from March 3, 2014 through 
October 18, 2018. The San Francisco International Airport noise 
exposure maps were determined by FAA to be in compliance with 
applicable requirements on January 29, 2016. Notice of this 
determination was published in the Federal Register (81 FR 7186) on 
February 10, 2016.
    The noise exposure maps are based on operational data that is now 
over five years old. FAA received certification, in accordance with 14 
CFR 150.21, that the noise exposure maps are representative of 
conditions at the airport for the existing and forecast timeframe as of 
the date of August 2015. Due to the aircraft operational and fleet mix 
changes since 2015, at the airport, FAA recommends the Airport 
Commission review, revise, and update, as appropriate the future noise 
exposure maps under 14 CFR 150.21 at the earliest opportunity.
    The San Francisco International Airport study contains a proposed 
noise compatibility program update comprised of actions designed for 
phased implementation by the Airport Commission through 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 October 26, 2018, 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 3 (three) proposed measures for 
noise abatement, noise mitigation, and program management. The FAA 
completed its review and determined that the procedural and substantive 
requirements of the Act and Part 150 have been satisfied. The overall 
program was approved by the FAA, effective April 1, 2019.
    Outright approval was granted for the 3 (three) program measures. 
The approved measures include: Noise Abatement Measure #1--Install 
Permanent or Portable Aircraft Noise and Operations Monitoring 
Equipment; Noise Mitigation Measure #1--Acoustical Treatment Program; 
and Program Management Measure--Review and Revision of the Noise 
Compatibility Program.
    These determinations are set forth in detail in a Record of 
Approval signed by the Director, Office of Airports, Western-Pacific 
Region on April 1, 2019. 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 Airport Commission.
    The Record of Approval also will be available on-line at: http://www.faa.gov/airports/environmental/airport_noise/part_150/states/.

    Issued in El Segundo, California on May 6, 2019.
Arlene B. Draper,
Acting Director, Office of Airports, Western-Pacific Region.
[FR Doc. 2019-09956 Filed 5-16-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P