[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 244 (Thursday, December 20, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 72438-72439]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 07-6109]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration


Noise Exposure Map Notice: Receipt of Noise Compatibility Program 
and Request For Review

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 Columbus 
Regional Airport Authority for Port Columbus 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. The FAA also announces that it is reviewing a 
proposed noise compatibility program that was submitted for Port 
Columbus International Airport under Part 150 in conjunction with the 
noise exposure maps, and that this program will be approved or 
disapproved on or before June 1, 2008.

DATES: Effective Date: The effective date of the FAA's determination on 
the noise exposure maps and of the start of its review of the 
associated noise compatibility program is December 5, 2007. The public 
comment period ends February 2, 2008.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Katherine S. Jones, Federal 
Aviation Administration, Detroit Airports District Office, 11677 South 
Wayne Road, Suite 107, Romulus, Michigan, phone number (734) 229-2958. 
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 maps submitted for Port Columbus International 
Airport are in compliance with applicable requirements of Part 150, 
effective December 5, 2007. Further, FAA is reviewing a proposed noise 
compatibility program for that airport which will be approved or 
disapproved on or before June 1, 2008. This notice also announces the 
availability of this program for public review and comment.
    Under 49 U.S.C. 47501, et seq. (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 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.
    Columbus Regional Airport Authority submitted to the FAA on 
November 27, 2007 noise exposure maps, descriptions and other 
documentation that were produced during the Port Columbus International 
Airport Part 150 Noise Compatibility Program Update, November 2007. It 
was requested that the FAA review this material as the noise exposure 
maps, as described in section 47503 of the Act, 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 47504 of the Act.
    The FAA has completed its review of the noise exposure maps and 
related descriptions submitted by Columbus Regional Airport Authority. 
The specific documentation determined to constitute the noise exposure 
maps includes: Existing (2006) Noise Exposure Map (NEM-1) and Future 
(2012) NEM with Noise Compatibility Program (NCP) (NEM-2). The Part 150 
Noise Compatibility Program Update contains the required information 
for section 47503 of the Act and section A150.101 including the 
following specific references: current and forecast operations in 
Appendix J, Table 10; fleet mix and nighttime operations in Appendix C-
Table C-1, C-2, C-3, C-4; flight patterns in Appendix C--Exhibits C-6, 
C-7, C-8, C-9, C-10, C-11, C-12, C-13, C-14, C-15, C-16, C-17, C-18, 
and land use in Exhibit 2-3. The FAA has determined that these maps for 
Port Columbus International Airport are in compliance with applicable 
requirements. This determination is effective on December 5, 2007. 
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 constitute 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 14 CFR 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 14 CFR 
150.21 of FAR part 150, that the statutorily required consultation has 
been accomplished.
    The FAA has formally received the noise compatibility program for 
Port Columbus International Airport, also

[[Page 72439]]

effective on December 5, 2007. Preliminary review of the submitted 
material indicates 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 June 1, 2008.
    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 non-compatible land uses 
and preventing the introduction of additional non-compatible 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 maps, the FAA's evaluation of the maps, and the proposed noise 
compatibility program are available for examination at the following 
locations:

Federal Aviation Administration Detroit Airports District Office, 11677 
South Wayne Road, Suite 107, Romulus, Michigan 48174.
Columbus Regional Airport Authority, Port Columbus International 
Airport, 4600 International Gateway, Columbus, Ohio 43219.
    Questions may be directed to the individual named above under the 
heading, FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.

    Dated: December 5, 2007.

    Issued in Romulus, Michigan.
Matthew J. Thys,
Manager, Detroit Airports District Office, Great Lakes Region.
[FR Doc. 07-6109 Filed 12-19-07; 8:45 am]
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