[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 211 (Tuesday, November 2, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 59228-59229]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-28622]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
Approval of Noise Compatibility Program; Oakland County
International Airport; Pontiac, MI
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 Oakland County
International Airport, Pontiac, Michigan, 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 26, 1999, the FAA determined that
the noise exposure maps submitted by Oakland County International
Airport under Part 150 were in compliance with applicable requirements.
On August 25, 1999, the FAA approved the Oakland County International
Airport noise compatibility program. All of the recommendations of the
program were approved. A total of 11 measures were included in the
Oakland County International Airport recommended program. Of the 11
measures, four are listed as ``Noise Abatement Measures,'' four are
listed as ``Program Management Measures,'' and three are listed as
``Land Use Measures.''
EFFECTIVE DATE: The effective date of the FAA's approval of the Oakland
County International Airport noise compatibility program is August 25,
1999.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gary J. Migut, Federal Aviation
Administration, Detroit Airports District Office, Willow Run Airport,
East, 8820 Beck Road, Belleville, Michigan 48111, 734-487-7278.
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 Oakland
County International Airport, effective August 25, 1999.
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 the 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 a FAA implementing action. A request for
Federal action or approval to implement specific noise compatibility
measures may be required, and a 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 Detroit Airports District office in Belleville,
Michigan.
Oakland County International Airport submitted to the FAA on
February 24, 1999, noise exposure maps, descriptions, and other
documentation produced during the noise compatibility planning study
conducted from July 5, 1996, through February 23, 1999. The
[[Page 59229]]
Oakland County International Airport noise exposure maps were
determined by the FAA to be in compliance with applicable requirements
on February 26, 1999. Notice of this determination was published in the
Federal Register on March 8, 1999.
The Oakland County 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 February 23, 1999 to beyond the year 2002. 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 February 26, 1999, 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 would have been deemed to be an approval of such program.
The submitted program contained 11 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 Associate Administrator for Airports effective Airports effective
August 25, 1999.
Outright approval was granted for all of the specific program
elements. Issue One, a Land Use Measure, recommends that the Airport
purchase of all homes within the 70 DNL noise contour. Issue Two, a
Land use Measure, recommends that the Airport will sound attenuate, on
a voluntary basis, those single family homes within the 65 or grater
DNL noise contour which are economically feasible to attenuate. Issue
Three, a Program Management Measure, recommends that the Airport will
continue its Noise Concern/Citizen Liaison Program to record all noise
concerns received from citizens. Issue four, a Program Management
Measure, recommends that the Airport will update and monitor the FAR
Part 150 Study at five-year increments or when a significant change in
aircraft types or numbers of operations occurs. Issue Five, a Noise
Abatement Measure, recommends that the Airport will institute a Fly
Quiet Program in an effort to voluntarily reduce the noise levels
associated with aircraft operations at the airport. For reasons of
aviation safety, this approval does not extend to the use of monitoring
equipment for enforcement purposes by in-situ measurement of any preset
noise thresholds. Issue Six, a Noise Abatement Measure, recommends that
the Airport will construct a run-up enclosure to be used for all jet
run-up operations. Issue Seven, a Noise Abatement Measure, recommends
that the Airport will construct a noise wall along the north boundary
of the airport. Issue Eight, a Noise Abatement Measure, recommends that
the Airport will until the noise wall is built, amend its Rules and
Regulations to require the use of tugs in the northeast FBO area to
pull Stage II jet aircraft to the taxiway. The FAA recognizes that this
is a temporary measure whereby the nosier, Stage II aircraft will be
towed from the apron to the taxiway in preparation for takeoff. This
activity will crease upon completion of the noise wall. Issue Nine,
Land Use Measure, recommends that the Airport will amend the
Comprehensive Plan for both Waterford and White Lake Townships to
reflect compatible future land use development. Issue Ten, a Program
Management Measure, recommends that if the Airport determines the Fly
Quiet Program is not meeting the voluntary State II phase out goals,
then the Airport should initiate the request to fund an FAR Part 161
Study to evaluate the use of Stage II business jets at night, or other
measures as appropriate. After the Fly Quiet Program is in place for
five years, a determination will be made concerning the initiation of a
FAR Part 161 Study. The FAA emphasizes that this measure is recommended
for approval for study only, and includes language that does not commit
the FAA to any course of action as a result of that study. Issue
Eleven, a Program Management Measure, recommends that the Airport will
use and maintain the Advisory Committee organized for the Part 150
Study subsequent to the completion of the Part 150 Study and meet on a
semi-annual basis to discuss noise abatement issues and to evaluate the
progress of the Fly Quiet Program.
These determinations are set forth in detail in a Record of
Approval endorsed by the Associate Administrator for Airports on August
25, 1999. The Record of Approval, as well as other evaluation materials
and documents which comprised the submittal to the FAA, are available
for review at the following locations:
Federal Aviation Administration, 800 Independence Avenue, S.W., Room
617, Washington, DC 20591.
Federal Aviation Administration, Detroit Airports District Office,
Willow Run Airport, East, 8820 Beck Road, Belleville, Michigan 48111.
Mr. Karl Randall, Airport Manager, Oakland County International
Airport, 6500 Highland Road, Waterford, Michigan 48327-1649.
Questions may be directed to the individual named above under the
heading, FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.
Issued in Belleville, Michigan, September 24, 1999.
Dean C. Nitz,
Manager, Detroit Airports District Office, Great Lakes Region.
[FR Doc. 99-28622 Filed 11-1-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-M
