[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 145 (Thursday, July 31, 2025)]
[Notices]
[Pages 36090-36091]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2025-14482]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
Approval of Noise Compatibility Program Update, Laredo
International Airport (LRD), Laredo, 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 (NCP) Update submitted by
the Laredo International Airport (LRD) for the Laredo International
Airport (the Airport or LRD). On August 25, 2022, the FAA determined
that Noise Exposure Maps (NEMs) submitted by the Airport were in
compliance with applicable requirements. The NCP Update was submitted
to the FAA for review on March 14, 2025. After completing initial
reviews, the FAA accepted the Noise Compatibility Program and initiated
the review process on April 3, 2025. On July 28, 2025, the FAA approved
the Laredo International Airport NCP Update. The NCP contains four land
use measures and four administrative measures for which the Airport
seeks approval under 14 CFR part 150. The FAA approved the eight
measures.
DATES: The effective date of the FAA's approval of the Laredo
International Airport NCP Update is July 28, 2025.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John MacFarlane, Federal Aviation
Administration, FAA Southwest Region, Office of Airports (ASW-610),
10101 Hillwood Parkway, Fort Worth, TX, (817) 222-5681.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This notice announces the FAA's approval of
the Noise Compatibility Program Update for the Laredo International
Airport (the Airport), effective on July 28, 2025. Per United States
Code section 49 U.S.C. 47504 and Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations
(CFR) Part 150, an airport sponsor who previously submitted a noise
exposure map (NEM) may submit to the FAA a noise compatibility program
which sets forth the measures taken or proposed by the airport sponsor
for the reduction of existing non-compatible land uses and prevention
of additional non-compatible land uses within the area covered by the
NEMs. As required by 49 U.S.C. 47504, such programs must be developed
in consultation with interested and affected parties including local
communities, government agencies, airport users, and the FAA. The FAA
does not substitute its judgment for that of the airport sponsor with
respect to which measures should be recommended for action. The FAA
approval or disapproval of an airport sponsor's recommendations in its
noise compatibility program are made in accordance with the
requirements and standards pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 47504 and 14 CFR part
150, which is limited to the following determinations:
a. The noise compatibility program was developed in accordance with
the provisions and procedures of 14 CFR 150.23;
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 of the FAA's approval of NCPs are delineated
in 14 CFR 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 review of the proposed action. Approval does
not constitute commitment by the FAA to assist financially in the
implementation of the noise compatibility program nor a determination
that all measures covered by the NCP are eligible for grant-in-aid
funding from the FAA. Where Federal funding is sought, requests must be
submitted to the FAA Texas Airports District Office at 10101 Hillwood
Parkway, Fort Worth, Texas 76177.
The Laredo International Airport submitted the noise exposure maps,
descriptions, and other documentation produced during the noise
compatibility planning study to the FAA, and the FAA determined that
the NEMs for the Airport were in compliance with applicable
requirements under 14 CFR part 150. The NEMs became effective August
25, 2022 (Noise Exposure Map Notice for Laredo International Airport,
Laredo, Texas, 87, FR 55075 (September 8, 2022)). The Airport provided
the FAA with the NCP, based on the accepted NEMs, on March 14, 2025.
The Airport requested that the FAA review the submitted materials and
that the land use and administrative measures to be implemented jointly
by the airport and the City of Laredo, be approved as a NCP. The FAA
initiated the formal review period, limited by law to a maximum of 180
days, on April 3, 2025 and published a Notice of Intent to review the
NCP in the Federal Register on April 3, 2025 (Notice of receipt and
request for review of noise compatibility program, 90 FR 14680 (April
3, 2025)). The Federal Register Notice also announced the start of the
60-day public review period for the NCP and its documentation. The FAA
received no comments during the public review period.
The Airport requested that the FAA evaluate and approve this
material as a noise compatibility program as described in 49 U.S.C.
47504. The FAA began its review of the program on April 3, 2025, and
was required by a provision of 49 U.S.C. 47504 to approve or disapprove
the program within 180 days. The FAA's failure to approve or disapprove
such program within the 180-day period is deemed an approval of such
program.
The submitted program contains eight proposed measures to address
aviation noise and noncompatible land uses. The FAA completed its
review and determined that the procedural and substantive requirements
of 49 U.S.C. 47504 and 14 CFR part 150 were satisfied. A Record of
Approval for the overall program was issued by the FAA effective July
28, 2025.
The specific program elements and their individual determinations
are as follows:
Land Use Measure 1: Modify Overlay Zone--Approved.
Land Use Measure 2: Building Codes--Approved.
Land Use Measure 3: Sound Insulation and Eligibility--Approved.
[[Page 36091]]
Land Use Measure 4: Modify Noise Mitigation Program Area--Approved.
Administrative Measure 1: Noise Management Process--Approved.
Administrative Measure 2: Aircraft Operations and Flight Tracking
System--Approved.
Administrative Measure 3: Update Noise Exposure Maps--Approved.
Administrative Measure 4: Update Noise Compatibility Program--
Approved.
These determinations are set forth in detail in the Record of
Approval signed by the FAA Deputy Division Director, Airports Division,
Southwest Region on July 28, 2025. 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. The Record of
Approval is also available on the City of Laredo's website at https://flylaredotexas.com/business/development-plans-and-projects/.
Issued in Fort Worth, TX, on July 29, 2025.
D. Cameron Bryan,
Deputy Director, Airports Division, Southwest Regional Office.
[FR Doc. 2025-14482 Filed 7-30-25; 8:45 am]
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