95-26989. Approval of Noise Compatibility Program for Saipan International Airport  

  • [Federal Register Volume 60, Number 211 (Wednesday, November 1, 1995)]
    [Notices]
    [Pages 55643-55644]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 95-26989]
    
    
    
    =======================================================================
    -----------------------------------------------------------------------
    
    DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
    
    Federal Aviation Administration
    
    
    Approval of Noise Compatibility Program for Saipan International 
    Airport
    
    AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
    
    ACTION: Notice.
    
    -----------------------------------------------------------------------
    
    SUMMARY: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announces its 
    findings on the Noise Compatibility Program submitted by the 
    Commonwealth Ports Authority under the provisions of Title I of the 
    Aviation Safety and Noise Abatement Act of 1979 (Public Law 96-193) 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 February 14, 1994 the FAA determined that the 
    Noise Exposure Maps submitted by the Commonwealth Ports Authority under 
    Part 150 were in compliance with applicable requirements. On September 
    25, 1995, the Deputy Associate Administrator for Airports approved the 
    Saipan International Airport, Obyan, Northern Mariana Islands, Noise 
    Compatibility Program. Ten of the eleven recommendations of the program 
    were approved and one had no action.
    
    EFFECTIVE DATE: The effective date of the FAA's approval of the Saipan 
    International Airport Noise Compatibility Program is September 25, 
    1995.
    
    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
    David J. Welhouse, Airport Planner, Honolulu Airports District Office, 
    Federal Aviation Administration, P.O. Box 50244, Honolulu, Hawaii 
    96850, Telephone: (808) 541-1243. Street Address: 300 Ala Moana Blvd, 
    Room 7116. Documents reflecting this FAA action may be reviewed at the 
    same location.
    
    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This notice announces that the FAA has given 
    its overall approval to the Noise Compatibility Program for the Saipan 
    International Airport, effective September 25, 1995.
        Under Section 104(a) of the Aviation Safety and Noise Abatement Act 
    of 1979 (hereinafter referred to as ``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 
    noncompatible land uses aNd prevention of additional noncompatible 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 
    expressed 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 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 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 
    
    [[Page 55644]]
    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 Airports District Office in Honolulu, Hawaii.
        The Commonwealth Ports Authority submitted to the FAA on November 
    15, 1993, the Noise Exposure Maps, descriptions, and other 
    documentation produced during the noise compatibility planning study 
    conducted from August 1993 through August 1994. The Saipan 
    International Airport Noise Exposure Maps were determined by FAA to be 
    in compliance with applicable requirements on February 14, 1994. Notice 
    of this determination was published in the Federal Register on February 
    28, 1994.
        The Saipan International Airport 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 to the year 1999. It was requested that 
    the FAA evaluate and approve this material as a Noise Compatibility 
    Program as described in Section 104(b) of the Act. The FAA began its 
    review of the program on March 29, 1995 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 eleven (11) proposed actions for 
    noise mitigation on and off the airport. 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 Administrator effective September 25, 
    1995.
        Outright approval was granted for ten (10) of the eleven (11) of 
    the specific program elements. Approval program measures include: Early 
    power cutbacks in accordance with Advisory Circular 91-53A (approved as 
    a voluntary measure only); Study possible land exchanges for private 
    lands; Provide sound attenuation for impacted residences; Monitor 
    development proposals in the Saipan International Airport environs; 
    Monitor aircraft noise levels and operations at Saipan International 
    Airport and conduct annual public information meetings on the progress 
    of the Part 150 program; and Disclose airport noise impacts for all 
    real estate transfers. No action was taken on the measure to implement 
    an informal runway use program.
        These determinations are set forth in detail in a Record of 
    Approval endorsed by the Administrator on September 25, 1995. The 
    Record of Approval, as well as other evaluation materials and the 
    documents comprising the submittal, are available for review in the FAA 
    office listed above and at the administrative offices of the 
    Commonwealth Ports Authority.
    
        Issued in Hawthorne, California on October 16, 1995.
    Robert C. Bloom,
    Acting Manager, Airports Division.
    [FR Doc. 95-26989 Filed 10-31-95; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 4910-13-M
    
    

Document Information

Effective Date:
9/25/1995
Published:
11/01/1995
Department:
Federal Aviation Administration
Entry Type:
Notice
Action:
Notice.
Document Number:
95-26989
Dates:
The effective date of the FAA's approval of the Saipan International Airport Noise Compatibility Program is September 25, 1995.
Pages:
55643-55644 (2 pages)
PDF File:
95-26989.pdf