[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 42 (Friday, March 1, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 15254-15255]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-04334]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration


Noise Exposure Maps; Martha's Vineyard Airport

ACTION: Notice of acceptance of a noise exposure map.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announces its 
determination that the noise exposure maps submitted by Martha's 
Vineyard Airport Commission for Martha's Vineyard Airport under the 
provisions of the Aviation Safety and Noise Abatement Act are in 
compliance with applicable requirements.

DATES: The FAA's determination on the noise exposure maps is effective 
February 26, 2024.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Cheryl Quaine, Federal Aviation 
Administration, New England Regional Office Environmental Protection 
Specialist, Airports Division, Federal Aviation Administration, 1200 
District Avenue, Burlington, Massachusetts 01803. Phone number: 781-
238-7613.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This notice announces that the FAA finds 
that the noise exposure maps submitted for Martha's Vineyard Airport 
are in compliance with applicable requirements of 14 CFR part 150, 
effective (Note 1). Under the Aviation Safety and Noise Abatement Act 
(hereinafter referred to as ``the Act'') (49 U.S.C. 47503), 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 Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR) 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 noncompatible uses.
    The FAA has completed its review of the noise exposure maps and 
accompanying documentation submitted by Martha's Vineyard Airport 
Commission. The specific maps under consideration were ``Figure 6-1 
Existing Conditions (2023) NEM page 6-3 and Figure 6-2 Forecast 
Conditions (2028) NEM page 6-5 in the submission. The FAA has 
determined that these noise exposure maps and accompanying 
documentation are in compliance with applicable requirements. This 
determination is effective on February 26, 2024.
    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 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. 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 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 FAR 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:


[[Page 15255]]


Martha's Vineyard Airport, 71 Airport Rd., West Tisbury, MA 02575
Federal Aviation Administration, New England Region, Airports Division, 
1200 District Avenue, Burlington, Massachusetts 01803

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

    Issued in New England Regional Office, Burlington, MA, on 
February 26, 2024.
Julie Seltsam-Wilps,
Deputy Director, ANE-600.
[FR Doc. 2024-04334 Filed 2-29-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE P