[Federal Register: January 3, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 1)]
[Notices]
[Page 162-163]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr03ja06-108]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
Noise Compatibility Program Notice; Northwest Arkansas Regional
Airport, Highfill, AR
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announces its
findings on the noise compatibility program submitted by Northwest
Arkansas Regional Airport under the provisions of 49 U.S.C. (the
Aviation Safety and Noise Abatement Act, hereinafter referred to as
``the Act'' and 14 CFR Part 150. These findings are made in recognition
of the description of Federal and nonfederal responsibilities in Senate
Report No. 96-52 (1980). On June 7, 2005, the FAA determined that the
noise exposure maps submitted by Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport
Authority under Part 150 were in compliance with applicable
requirements. On December 2, 2005, the FAA approved the Northwest
Arkansas Regional Airport noise compatibility program. Both of the
recommendations of the program were approved. No program elements
relating to new or revised flight procedures for noise abatement were
proposed by the airport sponsor.
Effective Date: The effective date of the FAA's approval of the
Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport noise compatibility program is
December 2, 2005.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Tim Tandy, Federal Aviation
Administration, ASW-630, Fort Worth, TX 76193-0630; telephone (817)
222-5635. Documents reflecting this FAA action may be reviewed at this
same location.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This notice announces that the FAA has given
its overall approval to the noise compatibility program for Northwest
Arkansas Regional Airport, effective December 2, 2005.
Under Section 47504 of the Act, an airport operator who has
previously submitted a noise exposure map may submit to the FAA a noise
compatibility program which sets forth the measures taken or proposed
by the airport operator for the reduction of existing non-compatible
land uses and prevention of additional non-compatible land uses within
the area covered by the noise exposure maps. The Act requires such
programs to be developed in consultation with interested and affected
parties including local communities, government agencies, airport
users, and FAA personnel.
Each airport noise compatibility program developed in accordance
with Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR) Part 150 is a local program,
not a Federal program. The FAA does not substitute its judgment for
that of the airport proprietor with respect to which measures should be
recommended for action. The FAA's approval or disapproval of FAR Part
150 program recommendations is measured according to the standards
expresses in Part 150 and the Act and is limited to the following
determinations:
a. The noise compatibility program was developed in accordance with
the provisions and procedures of FAR Part 150;
b. Program measures are reasonably consistent with achieving the
goals or reducing existing non-compatible land uses around the airport
and preventing the introduction of additional non-compatible land uses;
c. Program measures would not create an undue burden on interstate
or foreign commerce, unjustly discriminate against types or classes of
aeronautical uses, violate the terms of airport grant agreements, or
intrude into areas preempted by the Federal Government; and
d. Program measures relating to the use of fight procedures can be
implemented within the period covered by the program without derogating
safety, adversely affecting the efficient use and management of the
navigable airspace and air traffic control systems, or adversely
affecting other powers and responsibilities of the Administrator
prescribed by law.
Specific limitations with respect to FAA's approval of an airport
noise compatibility program are delineated in FAR Part 150, Section
150.5. Approval is not a determination concerning the acceptability of
land uses under Federal, state, or local law. Approval does not by
itself constitute an FAA implementing action. A request for Federal
action or approval to implement specific noise compatibility measures
may be required, and an FAA decision on the request may require an
environmental assessment of the proposed action.
Approval does not constitute a commitment by the FAA to financially
assist in the implementation of the program nor a determination that
all measures covered by the program are eligible for grant-in-aid
funding from the FAA. Where federal funding is sought, requests for
project grants must be submitted to the FAA Regional Office in Fort
Worth, Texas.
The Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport Authority submitted to the
FAA on May 25, 2005, the noise exposure maps, descriptions, and other
documentation produced during the noise compatibility planning study
conducted from August 4, 2000 through May 25, 2005. The Northwest
Arkansas Regional Airport Authority noise exposure maps were determined
by FAA to be in compliance with applicable requirements on June 7,
2005. Notice of this determination was published in the Federal
Register on June 22, 2005.
The Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport requested that the FAA
evaluate and approve its submitted material as a noise compatibility
program as described in Section 47504 of the Act. The FAA began its
review of the program on June 2, 2005 and was required by a provision
of the Act to approve or disapprove the program within 180 days (other
than the use of new or modified flight procedures for noise control).
Failure to approve or disapprove such program within the 180-day period
shall be deemed to be an approval of such program.
The submitted program contained two proposed actions for noise
mitigation. The FAA completed its review and determined that the
procedural and substantive requirements of the Act and FAR Part 150
have been satisfied. The overall program, therefore, was approved by
the FAA effective December 2, 2005.
Outright approval was granted for both of the specific program
elements. The sponsor proposes to reevaluate the FAR Part 150 Study at
the end of five years. In addition, if there is a significant change in
either aircraft types or numbers of operations, or significant new
facilities, the sponsor proposes to update the study prior to the end
of the five-year timeframe. The sponsor also proposes to develop a
Planners Forum type committee to review proposed land use changes in
the Airport Influence Area. The committee could be composed of planners
representing the various jurisdictions, regional planners, airport
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staff and FAA Air Traffic Control representatives.
These determinations are set forth in detail in a Record of
Approval signed by the FAA Associate Administrator for Airports on
December 2, 2005. The Record of Approval, as well as other evaluation
materials and the documents comprising the submittal, are available for
review at the FAA office listed above and at the administrative offices
of the Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport Authority. The Record of
Approval also will be available on-line at http://www.faa.gov/arp/environmental/14cfr150/index14.cfm
.
Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, December 23, 2005.
Kelvin L. Solco,
Manager, Airports Division.
[FR Doc. 05-24698 Filed 12-30-05; 8:45 am]
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