[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 197 (Tuesday, October 13, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 54742-54743]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-27034]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
Approval of Amendment to Noise Compatibility Program; Fort Worth
Meacham Airport; Fort Worth, TX
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announces its
findings on the amendment to the noise compatibility program submitted
by the city of Fort Worth under the provisions of Title 49, USC,
Chapter 475 and 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 August 11, 1994, the FAA determined that
the noise exposure maps submitted by the city of Fort Worth under Part
150 were in compliance with applicable requirements. On February 7,
1995, the Administrator approved the noise compatibility program. On
September 18, 1998, the Administrator approved an amendment to the
noise compatibility program. All of the amendment recommendations of
the program were approved.
EFFECTIVE DATE: The effective date of the FAA's approval of the
amendment to Fort Worth Meacham airport noise compatibility program is
September 18, 1998.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Mike Nicely, Department of Transportation, Federal Aviation
Administration, 2601 Meacham Boulevard, Fort Worth, Texas, 76137, (817)
222-5606. 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 amendment to the noise compatibility
program for Fort Worth Meacham Airport, effective September 18, 1998.
Under Title 49 U.S.C., Section 47504 (hereinafter referred to as
``Title 49''), 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 noncompatible land uses within the area
covered by the noise exposure maps. Title 49 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
expressed in Part 150 and Title 49 and is limited to the following
determinations:
a. The amendment to 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 of reducing existing noncompatible land uses around the airport
and preventing the introduction of additional noncompatible 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 flight 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 he 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
[[Page 54743]]
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 Airports Division Office in Fort
Worth, Texas.
The city of Fort Worth submitted to the FAA on August 4, 1994, the
noise exposure maps, descriptions, and other documentation produced
during the noise compatibility planning study conducted from November,
1991 through July, 1994. The Fort Worth Meacham Airport noise exposure
maps were determined by FAA to be in compliance with applicable
requirements on August 11, 1994. Notice of this determination was
published in the Federal Register on August 18, 1994.
The amendment to the Fort Worth Meacham study contains a proposed
noise compatibility program comprised of actions designed for phased
implementation by airport management and adjacent jurisdictions from
the date of study completion. It was requested that the FAA evaluate
and approve this material as an amendment to the noise compatibility
program as described in Title 49. The FAA began its review of the
program on April 9, 1998 and was required by a provision of the Act to
approve or disapprove the program within 180 days (other than the use
of new 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 off the airport. The FAA completed its review and determined
that the procedural and substantive requirements of Title 49 and FAR
Part 150 have been satisfied. The overall program, therefore, was
approved by the Administrator effective September 18, 1998.
Outright approval was granted for all of the specific program
elements included in the requested amendment. The following program
elements of the airport were fully approved:
a. Purchase noise sensitive sites--fee simple.
b. Obtain avigation easements.
These determinations are set forth in detail in a Record of
Approval endorsed by the Administrator on September 18, 1998. The
Record of Approval, as well as other evaluation materials and the
documents comprising the submittal, are available at the FAA office
listed above and at the Fort Worth Department of Aviation offices.
Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on September 22, 1998.
Naomi L. Saunders,
Manager, Airports Division.
[FR Doc. 98-27034 Filed 10-9-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-M
