[Federal Register: January 13, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 9)]
[Notices]
[Page 2451-2452]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr13ja05-113]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
Noise Exposure Map Notice: Receipt of Noise Compatibility Program
and Request for Review for Missoula International Airport, Missoula, MT
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announces its
determination that the noise exposure maps (NEM) submitted by the
airport director for Missoula 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 Missoula
International Airport under part 150 in conjunction with the noise
exposure map, and that this program will be approved or disapproved on
or before July 2, 2005.
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 January 3, 2005. The public comment
period ends March 4, 2005.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dennis Ossenkop, Federal Aviation
Administration, Airports Division, 1601 Lind Ave. SW., Renton, WA,
98055-4056, telephone 425-227-2611. 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 Missoula International
Airport are in
[[Page 2452]]
compliance with applicable requirements of part 150, effective January
3, 2005. Further, the FAA is reviewing a proposed noise compatibility
program for that airport which will be approved or disapproved on or
before July 2, 2005. This notice also announces the availability of
this program for public review and comment.
Under 49 U.S.C., 47503 (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 the 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 Acting Director of the Missoula International Airport submitted
to the FAA on January 4, 2005, noise exposure maps, descriptions and
other documentation that were January 4, 2005, noise exposure maps,
descriptions and other documentation that were produced during the
Missoula International Airport FAR part 150 Study dated May 2004 and a
Supplemental Report dated June 2004. 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 the director of the Missoula
International Airport. The specific documentation determined to
constitute the noise exposure maps includes the following from the
Missoula International Airport FAR Part 150 Study of May 2004 and
Supplemental Report of June 2004:
Figure S1 at page S.4, Existing Noise Exposure Map, 2003;
Figure S2 at page S.7, Future Noise Exposure Map, 2009;
Figures C9 and C10 noise monitoring locations;
Figure C11 at page C.35 Departure Flight Tracks;
Figure C12 at page C.36 Arrival Flight Tracks;
Table S1 at page S.2 Revised Summary of Aviation Forecasts
2003-2023 and additional aviation activity data;
Table S3 at page S.5 Existing Land Use Within Existing
Noise Contours 2003 presents estimates of the number of persons
residing with the DNL 55, 60, and 65 noise contours;
Table S4 at page S.6 Future Noise Exposure Map with
Existing Land Use, 2009, presents estimates of the number of persons
residing with the DNL 55, 60, and 65 noise contours;
Appendix H in the Revised Report volume and starting at
page S.32 in the Supplemental Report Consultation actions.
There are no properties on or eligible for inclusion in
the National Register of Historic Places with the DNL 65 noise contour.
The FAA has determined that these maps for Missoula International
Airport are in compliance with applicable requirements. This
determination is effective on January 3, 2005. The 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 part 150 or through the 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.
The FAA has formally received the noise compatibility program for
Missoula International Airport, also effective on January 2, 2005.
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 July 2, 2005.
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. The FAA will consider all
comments, other than those properly addressed to local land use
authorities, 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, Airports Division, 1601
Lind Avenue, SW., Suite 315, Renton, Washington. Helena Airports
District Office, FAA Building, Suite 2, Helena, Montana. Missoula
International Airport, 5225 Highway 10 West, Missoula, Montana.
Questions may be directed to the individual named above under the
heading, FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.
Issued in Renton, Washington, January 3, 2005.
David A. Field,
Acting Manager, Airports Division, Northwest Mountain Region.
[FR Doc. 05-668 Filed 1-12-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-M