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[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 190 (Friday, September 30, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 60962-60963]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-25154]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

Noise Exposure Map Update for Buffalo Niagara International 
Airport, Buffalo, NY

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announces its 
determination that the updated noise exposure maps submitted by the 
Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority (NFTA), for Buffalo Niagara 
International Airport, under the provisions of 49 U.S.C. 47501 et seq. 
(Aviation Safety and Noise Abatement Act) and 14 CFR Part 150 are in 
compliance with applicable requirements.

DATES: Effective Date: The effective date of the FAA's determination on 
the noise exposure maps is September 20, 2011.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Suki Gill, Environmental 
Protection Specialist, Federal Aviation Administration, New York 
Airports District Office, 600 Old Country Road, Suite 446, Garden City, 
NY 11530, Telephone (516) 227-3815.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This notice announces that the FAA finds 
that the updated noise exposure maps submitted for Buffalo Niagara 
International Airport are in compliance with applicable requirements of 
14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) part 150 (hereinafter referred to 
as ``part 150''), effective September 20, 2011. Under 49 U.S.C. section 
47503 of the Aviation Safety and Noise Abatement Act (hereinafter 
referred to as ``the Act''), an airport operator may submit to the FAA 
noise exposure maps which meet applicable regulations and which depict 
non-compatible land uses as of the date of submission of such maps, a 
description of projected aircraft operations, and the ways in which 
such operations will affect such maps. The Act requires such maps to be 
developed in consultation with interested and affected parties in the 
local community, government agencies, and persons using the airport. An 
airport operator who has submitted noise exposure maps that are found 
by FAA to be in compliance with the requirements of part 150, 
promulgated pursuant to the Act, may submit a noise compatibility 
program for FAA approval which sets forth the measures the operator has 
taken or proposes to take to reduce existing non-compatible uses and 
prevent the introduction of additional non-compatible uses.
    The FAA has completed its review of the noise exposure maps and 
accompanying documentation submitted by the NFTA. The documentation 
that constitutes the ``Noise Exposure Maps'' as defined in section 
150.7 of part 150 includes: Figure 6 ``2008 Noise Exposure Map with 
Land Use'' and Figure 9 ``2013 Noise Exposure Map & Affected Land 
Uses.'' The FAA has determined that these noise exposure maps and 
accompanying documentation are in compliance with applicable 
requirements. This determination is effective on September 20, 2011.
    FAA's determination on an airport operator's noise exposure maps is 
limited to a finding that the maps were developed in accordance with 
the procedures contained in Appendix A of part 150. Such determination 
does not constitute approval of the applicant's data, information or 
plans, or a commitment to approve a noise compatibility program or to 
fund the implementation of that program. If questions arise concerning 
the precise relationship of specific properties to noise exposure 
contours depicted on a noise exposure map submitted under section 47503 
of the Act, it should be noted that the FAA is not involved in any way 
in determining the relative locations of specific properties with 
regard to the depicted noise contours, or in interpreting the noise 
exposure maps to resolve questions concerning, for example, which 
properties should be covered by the provisions of section 47506 of the 
Act. These functions are inseparable from the ultimate land use control 
and planning responsibilities of local government. These local 
responsibilities are not changed in any way under part 150 or through 
FAA's review of noise exposure maps. Therefore, the responsibility for 
the detailed overlaying of noise exposure contours onto the map 
depicting properties on the surface rests exclusively with the airport 
operator that submitted those maps, or with

[[Page 60963]]

those public agencies and planning agencies with which consultation is 
required under section 47503 of the Act. The FAA has relied on the 
certification by the airport operator, under section 150.21 of Part 
150, that the statutorily required consultation has been accomplished.
    Copies of the full noise exposure map documentation and of the 
FAA's evaluation of the maps are available for examination at the 
following locations:

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Federal Aviation Administration, New     BNIA Noise Demonstration Home,
 York Airports District Office, 600 Old   68 Cayuga Road, Buffalo, NY
 Country Road, Suite 446, Garden City,    14225. Monday-Friday--9 a.m.-4
 NY 11530. Monday-Friday--9 a.m.-4 p.m.   p.m. (716) 632-3506.
Niagara Frontier Transportation
 Authority, Buffalo Niagara
 International Airport, 4200 Genesee
 Street, Buffalo, NY 14225, (716) 630-
 6000, Available upon request http://www.nfta.com.
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    Questions may be directed to the individual named above under the 
heading FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.

    Issued in Jamaica, New York, on September 21, 2011.
Tom Felix,
Manager, Planning & Programming, AEA-610, Eastern Region.
[FR Doc. 2011-25154 Filed 9-29-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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