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[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 14 (Wednesday, January 22, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 3661-3662]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-01060]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

Availability of Noise Compatibility Program for Chicago Rockford 
International Airport, Rockford, Illinois

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), 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 
Greater Rockford Airport Authority for the Chicago Rockford 
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: This notice is effective January 22, 2014, and applicable 
January 13, 2014. The public comment period ends February 14, 2014.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Amy Hanson, Environmental 
Protection Specialist, CHI-603, Federal Aviation Administration, 
Chicago Airport District Office, 2300 East Devon Avenue, Des Plaines, 
IL 60018. Telephone number: 847-294-7354.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This notice announces that the FAA finds 
that the updated noise exposure maps submitted for Chicago Rockford 
International Airport are in compliance with applicable requirements of 
Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) part 150. Under 49 U.S.C. 
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 14 CFR 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 updated noise exposure maps 
and accompanying documentation submitted by Greater Rockford Airport 
Authority. The documentation that constitutes the ``noise exposure 
maps'' as defined in Sec.  150.7 includes: Exhibit NEM-1, Existing 
(2013) Noise Exposure Map; Exhibit NEM-2, Future (2018) Noise Exposure 
Map; Table 2, Distribution of Average Daily Operations by Aircraft Type 
Existing (2013) Conditions; Exhibit 2, INM Jet Departure Flight Tracks; 
Exhibit 3, INM Jet Arrival Flight Tracks; Exhibit 4, INM Prop Departure 
Flight Tracks; Exhibit 5, INM Prop Departure Flight Tracks; Exhibit 6, 
INM Touch-and-Go Flight Tracks; Exhibit 8, Existing (2013) Noise 
Exposure Contour Compared to (Previous) Future 2008 NEM/NCP (from 2003 
Study); Exhibit 11, Existing (2013) Noise Exposure Contour compared to 
Future (2018) Noise Exposure Contour; Table 14, Population, Housing, 
and Noise-Sensitive Facilities Exposed to Various Noise Levels 2018 
Noise Exposure; Table 15, Supplemental Grid Analysis Report-Existing 
(2013) NEM Compared to Future (2018) NEM, and; Exhibit F-1, Existing 
Noise-Sensitive Facilities and Historic Properties.
    The FAA has determined that these updated noise exposure maps and 
accompanying documentation are in compliance with applicable 
requirements. This determination is effective on January 13, 2014. 
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 14 CFR 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

[[Page 3662]]

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 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 Sec.  150.21 that the statutorily required consultation has been 
accomplished.
    Copies of the full updated noise exposure map documentation and of 
the FAA's evaluation of the maps are available for examination, upon 
prior appointment during normal business hours, at the following 
locations:
    Chicago Rockford International Airport, Greater Rockford Airport 
Authority, 60 Airport Drive, Rockford, Illinois 61109.
    Federal Aviation Administration, Chicago Airports District Office, 
2300 E. Devon, Suite 320, Des Plaines, IL 60018.
    Questions may be directed to the individual named above under the 
heading FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.

    Issued in Des Plaines, IL, January 13, 2014.
James G. Keefer,
Manager, Chicago Airports District Office, FAA Great Lakes Region.
[FR Doc. 2014-01060 Filed 1-21-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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