[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 35 (Wednesday, February 24, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 11376-11377]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-02763]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration


Noise Compatibility Program for San Carlos Airport, San Mateo 
County, California

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of approval.

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SUMMARY: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announces its 
findings on the San Carlos Airport noise compatibility program 
submitted by San Mateo County, San Mateo County, California. These 
findings are made in recognition of the description of Federal and 
nonfederal responsibilities in a Senate Report. On April 23, 2019, the 
FAA determined that the noise exposure maps submitted by San Mateo 
County were in compliance with applicable requirements. On December 15, 
2020 the FAA approved the San Carlos Airport Noise Compatibility 
Program (NCP). The 5 (five) program elements recommended in the NCP 
were approved. No program elements relating to new or revised flight 
procedures for noise abatement were proposed by the airport sponsor.

DATES: The effective date of the FAA's approval of the San Carlos 
Airport noise compatibility program is December 15, 2020.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Camille Garibaldi, Environmental 
Protection Specialist, Federal Aviation Administration, San Francisco 
Airports District Office, 1000 Marina Boulevard,

[[Page 11377]]

Suite 220, Brisbane, California 94005-7600. Telephone: 650-827-7613. 
Documents reflecting this FAA action may be obtained from the same 
individual. The Noise Compatibility Plan and supporting documentation 
can also be found at http://sancarlosnoise.airportstudy.com.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This notice announces that the FAA has given 
its overall approval to the noise compatibility program for San Carlos 
Airport, effective December 15, 2020.
    Under section 47504 of title 49 United States Code (U.S.C.) (the 
Aviation Safety and Noise Abatement Act, hereinafter referred to as 
``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 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) part 150 (hereinafter 
referred to as ``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 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 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. 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 San Mateo County submitted their noise compatibility program to 
the FAA on May 29, 2020, including the noise exposure maps, 
descriptions and other documentation produced during the noise 
compatibility planning study conducted from April 20, 2017 through May 
29, 2020. The San Carlos Airport noise exposure maps were determined by 
FAA to be in compliance with applicable requirements on April 23, 2019. 
Notice of this determination was published in the Federal Register (84 
FR 21893) on May 15, 2019.
    The noise exposure maps are based on operational data that is now 
over five years old. FAA received certification, in accordance with 
Sec.  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 31, 2018. Due to the aircraft operational and fleet 
mix changes since 2019, at the airport, FAA recommends that San Mateo 
County review, revise, and update, as appropriate the future noise 
exposure maps under Sec.  150.21 at the earliest opportunity.
    The San Carlos Airport noise compatibility planning study contains 
a proposed noise compatibility program comprised of actions designed 
for phased implementation by San Mateo County through the year 2027. 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 July 30, 2020, 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 5 (five) proposed program elements 
for land use management 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 December 15, 2020.
    Outright approval was granted for the 5 (five) program elements. 
The approved elements include: Land Use Management Elements (1) 
Encourage Redwood City to incorporate project review guidelines into 
their development review process, and (2) Encourage the San Mateo 
County Airport Land Use Commission to incorporate 2022 noise exposure 
contours into San Carlos Airport's Airport Land Use Compatibility Plan 
(ALUCP) until an updated 20-year forecast can be implemented; and 
Program Management Elements (3) Continue use of the Airport's noise 
complaint handling system, (4) Update Noise Exposure Maps and Noise 
Compatibility Program, and (5) Monitor implementation of the part 150 
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 December 15, 2020. The Record of Approval, as well as other 
evaluation materials and the documents comprising the submittal, are 
available for review at the FAA website at: http://www.faa.gov/airports/environmental/airport_noise/part_150/states/ and San Mateo 
County website at: http://sancarlosnoise.airportstudy.com/noise-study-documents/.

    Issued in El Segundo, California on February 1, 2021.
Robin K. Hunt,
Acting Director, Office of Airports, Western-Pacific Region.
[FR Doc. 2021-02763 Filed 2-23-21; 8:45 am]
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