[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 102 (Thursday, May 25, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 33868-33869]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-13181]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration


Noise Exposure Map Notice Receipt of Noise Compatibility Program 
and Request for Review Austin-Bergstrom International Airport Austin, 
Texas

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announces its 
determination that the noise exposure maps submitted by City of Austin 
for Austin-Bergstrom International Airport under the provisions of 
Title 49 USC, Chapter 475 (hereinafter referred to as ``Title 49'' and 
14 CFR Part 150 are in compliance with applicable requirements. The FAA 
also announces that it is reviewing a proposed noise compatibility 
program that was submitted for Austin-Bergstrom International Airport 
under Part 150 in conjunction with the noise exposure maps and that 
this program will be approved or disapproved on or before November 8, 
2000.

EFFECTIVE DATE: The effective date of the FAA's determination on the 
noise exposure maps and the start of its review of the associated noise 
compatibility program are May 9, 2000. The public comment period ends 
July 8, 2000.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Nan L. Terry, Department of 
Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration, Fort Worth, Texas, 
76193-0652, (817) 222-5607. Comments on the proposed noise 
compatibility program should also be submitted to the above office.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This notice announces that the FAA finds 
that the noise exposure map submitted for Austin-Bergstrom 
International Airport is in compliance with applicable requirements of 
Part 150, effective May 8, 2000. Further, FAA is reviewing a proposed 
noise compatibility program for that airport which will be approved or 
disapproved on or before November 8, 2000. This notice also announces 
the availability of this program for public review and comment.
    Under Title 49, an airport operator may submit to the FAA noise 
exposure maps which meet applicable regulations and which depict 
noncompatible 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. Title 49 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 the FAA to be in compliance with the requirements of Federal 
Aviation Regulations (FAR) Part 150, promulgated pursuant to Title 49, 
may submit a noise compatibility program for FAA approval which sets 
forth the measures the operator has taken or proposes for the reduction 
of existing noncompatible uses and for the prevention of the 
introduction of additional noncompatible uses.
    On April 20, 1999, FAA published its approval of noise exposure 
maps for the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in the Federal 
Register. On April 10, 2000, the City of Austin submitted a new 2004 
noise exposure map. The FAA has completed its review of the 2004 the 
noise exposure maps and related descriptions submitted by City of 
Austin. The specific map under consideration is 2004 Future Condition 
Noise Exposure Map, Figure 10-1 in the submission.
    In addition to the 2004 future condition noise exposure map, the 
City of Austin submitted to the FAA on April 10, 2000, descriptions and 
other documentation which were produced during Austin-Bergstrom 
International Airport, Austin, Texas, Part 150 Noise Compatibility 
Study. It was requested that the FAA review this material as the noise 
exposure map, as described in Title 49, and that the noise mitigation 
measures, to be implemented jointed by the airport and surrounding 
communities, be approved as a noise compatibility program under Title 
49.
    The FAA has determined that this map for Austin-Bergstrom 
International Airport is in compliance with applicable requirements. 
This determination is effective on May 8, 2000. FAA's determination on 
an airport operator's noise exposure map(s) is limited to a finding 
that the map(s) was developed in accordance with the procedures 
contained in Appendix A of FAR 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.

[[Page 33869]]

    If questions arise concerning the precise relationship of specific 
properties to noise exposure contours depicted on a noise exposure map 
submitted under section 103 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 
Title 49. 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 detailed overlaying of noise exposure contours onto the 
map depicting properties on the surface rests exclusively with the 
airport operator which submitted those maps, or with those public 
agencies and planning agencies with which consultation is required 
under Title 49. The FAA has relied on the certification by the airport 
operator, under Sec. 150.21 of FAR Part 150, that the statutorily 
required consultation has been accomplished.
    The FAA has formally received noise compatibility program for 
Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, also effective on May 8, 2000. 
Preliminary review of the submitted material indicates that it conforms 
to the requirements for the submittal of noise compatibility programs, 
but that further review will be necessary prior to approval or 
disapproval of the program. The formal review period, limited by law to 
a maximum of 180 days, will be completed on or before November 8, 2000.
    The FAA's detailed evaluation will be conducted under the 
provisions of 14 CFR Part 150, section 150.33. The primary 
considerations in the evaluation process are whether the proposed 
measures may reduce the level of aviation safety, create an undue 
burden on interstate or foreign commerce, or be reasonably consistent 
with obtaining the goal of reducing existing noncompatible land uses 
and preventing the introduction of additional noncompatible land uses.
    Interested persons are invited to comment on the proposed program 
with specific reference to these factors. All comments, other than 
those properly addressed to local land use authorities, will be 
considered by the FAA to the extent practicable. Copies of the noise 
exposure map, the FAA's evaluation of the map, and the proposed noise 
compatibility program are available for examination at the following 
locations:

Federal Aviation Administration, Airports Division, 2601 Meacham 
Boulevard, Fort Worth, Texas 76137
Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, City of Austin, Aviation 
Department, 3600 Presidential Blvd., Austin, Texas 78719

    Questions may be directed to the individual named above under the 
heading, FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, May 9, 2000.
Joseph G. Washington,
Acting Manager, Airports Division.
[FR Doc. 00-13181 Filed 5-24-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-M