[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 162 (Thursday, August 21, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 44509]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-22103]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration


Receipt of Amendment to Approved Noise Compatibility Program and 
Request for Review for Greater Pittsburgh International Airport, 
Pittsburgh, PA

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announces that it is 
reviewing a proposed amendment to the approved noise compatibility 
program that was submitted for Greater Pittsburgh International Airport 
under the provisions of Title I of the Aviation Safety and Noise 
Abatement Act of 1979 (Pub. L. 96-193) (hereinafter referred to as 
``the Act'') and 14 CFR Part 150 by the Allegheny County Department of 
Aviation (ACDA). This program was submitted subsequent to a 
determination by the FAA that the associated noise exposure maps 
submitted under CFR Part 150 for Greater Pittsburgh International 
Airport were in compliance with applicable requirements effective 
December 10, 1992. The Noise Compatibility Program for Greater 
Pittsburgh International Airport was approved by the FAA on June 8, 
1993. The proposed amendment to the approved noise compatibility 
program will be approved or disapproved on or before February 13, 1998.

EFFECTIVE DATE: The effective date of the start of FAA's review of the 
noise compatibility program is August 13, 1997. The public comment 
periods ends September 13, 1997.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Frank Squeglia, Environmental Protection Specialist, AEA-610, Planning 
and Programming Branch, Eastern Region, Federal Aviation 
Administration, Federal Building, JFK International Airport, Jamaica, 
New York 11430. Telephone 718 553-3325. Comments on the proposed noise 
compatibility program should also be submitted to the above office.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This notice announces that the FAA is 
reviewing a proposed amendment to the approved noise compatibility 
program for Greater Pittsburgh International Airport which will be 
approved or disapproved on or before February 13, 1998. This notice 
also announces the availability of this program for public review and 
comment. The proposed amendment to the sole remedial land use measure 
included in the approved noise compatibility program (a voluntary sound 
insulation program) is to allow persons willing to convey an aerial 
easement to the County to elect either to participate in the sound 
insulation program or receive cash compensation. The amendment also 
will eliminate the requirement that participants in the program be non-
litigants. Litigants will then be permitted to participate in the 
program and receive sound insulation or cash compensation and related 
fees in exchange for the conveyance of an aerial easement.

    An airport operator who has submitted noise exposure maps that are 
found by FAA to be in compliance with the requirements of Federal 
Aviation Regulations (FAR) Part 150, promulgated pursuant to Title I of 
the Act, 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.
    The FAA has formally received the proposed amendment to the 
approved noise compatibility program for Greater Pittsburgh 
International Airport, effective on August 13, 1997. It was requested 
that the FAA review this material and that the noise mitigation 
measures to be implemented jointly by the airport and surrounding 
communities, be approved as a noise compatibility program under section 
104(b) of the Act. 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 February 13, 1998.
    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 proposed 
amendment, the FAA's evaluation of the data presented, and its effect 
on the approved noise compatibility program are available for 
examination at the following locations:

Federal Aviation Administration, National Headquarters, 800 
Independence Avenue SW., Room 617, Washington, DC 20591
Federal Aviation Administration, Eastern Region Office, AEA-610 Federal 
Building, JFK International Airport, Jamaica, NY 11430
Mr. Gary L. Bishop, Director, Allegheny County Department of Aviation, 
Pittsburgh International Airport, Pittsburgh, PA 15231-0370

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

    Issued in Jamaica, New York, on August 13, 1997.
Harvey DeGraw,
Acting Manager, Airports Division, Eastern Region, AEA-600.
[FR Doc. 97-22103 Filed 8-20-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-M