[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 36 (Friday, February 23, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8250-8251]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 07-806]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration


Noise Exposure Map Notice; Austin-Bergstrom International 
Airport, Austin, TX

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 the city of 
Austin, Texas for Austin-Bergstrom 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: Effective Date: The effective date of the FAA's determination on 
the noise exposure maps is February 15, 2007.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Paul Blackford, Federal Aviation 
Administration, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137-0650, (817) 
222-5607.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This notice announces that the FAA finds 
that the noise exposure maps submitted for Austin-Bergstrom 
International Airport are in compliance with applicable requirements of 
Part 150, effective February 15, 2007. Under 49 U.S.C. section 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 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 non-
compatible uses.
    The FAA has completed its review of the noise exposure maps and 
accompanying documentation

[[Page 8251]]

submitted by the city of Austin. The documentation that constitutes the 
``noise exposure maps'' as defined in section 150.7 of Part 150 
includes Tables 6.2 and 6.3, and map sets A and B (scale: 1 inch = 
2,000 feet). Map set A includes four maps: the 2007 Noise Exposure Map 
and the 2007 North Flow, South Flow and Touch and Go Flight Track maps. 
Map set B also includes four maps: the 2012 Noise Exposure Map and the 
2012 North Flow, South Flow and Touch and Go Flight Track maps. The FAA 
has determined that these noise exposure maps and accompanying 
documentation are in compliance with applicable requirements. This 
determination is effective on February 15, 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 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 
invoved 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 or 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: Federal Aviation Administration, 2601 Meacham 
Boulevard, Fort Worth, Texas; Mr. Jim Smith, Executive Director, City 
of Austin/Department of Aviation, 3600 Presidential Blvd., Suite 411, 
Austin, Texas 78719. Questions may be directed to the individual named 
above under the heading FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, February 15, 2007.
Cameron Bryan,
Acting Manager, Airports Division.
[FR Doc. 07-806 Filed 2-22-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-M