[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 68 (Wednesday, April 9, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 17277-17278]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-9140]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
Approval of Revision No. 1 to the Approved Noise Compatibility
Program for Palm Springs Regional Airport, Palm Springs, CA
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announces its
findings on Revision No. 1 to the Approved Noise Compatibility Program
for the Palm Springs Regional Airport, submitted by the city of Palm
Springs, California, under the provisions of Title I of the Aviation
Safety and Noise Abatement Act of 1979 (Pub. L. 96-193) (hereinafter
referred to as ``the Act'') and 14 CFR part 150. These findings are
made in recognition of the description of Federal and non federal
responsibilities in Senate Report No. 96-52 (1980). On November 28,
1994, the FAA determined that the Noise Exposure Maps, submitted by the
city of Palm Springs, California under 14 CFR part 150, were in
compliance with applicable requirements. On July 25, 1995, the
Associate Administrator for Airports approved the Noise Compatibility
Program for Palm Springs Regional Airport. On March 19, 1997, the
Associate Administrator for Airports approved Revision Number 1 to the
Approved Noise Compatibility Program for Palm Springs Regional Airport.
One (1) additional measure to the approved program was approved.
EFFECTIVE DATE: The effective date of the FAA's approval of the Noise
Compatibility Program for Palm Springs Regional Airport is March 19,
1997.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David B. Kessler, AICP, Environmental
Protection Specialist, AWP-611.2, Planning Section, Western-Pacific
Region, Federal Aviation Administration, PO Box 92007, Worldway Postal
Center, Los Angeles, California 90009-2007, Telephone 310/725-3615,
Street Address: 15000 Aviation Boulevard, Room 3012, Hawthorne,
California 90261. 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 Revision No. 1 to the Approved Noise
Compatibility Program for Palm Springs Regional Airport, effective
March 19, 1997. Under section 104(a) of the Aviation Safety and Noise
Abatement Act of 1979 (herein after 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 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 sponsor 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 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 flight procedures can
be implemented within the period covered by the program without
derogating safety, adversely affecting the efficient use and
management of navigable airspace and air traffic control
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 implementation 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 under the Airport and Airway Improvement Act of 1982, as amended.
Where Federal funding is sought, requests for project grants must be
submitted to the FAA Airports Division Office in Hawthorne, California.
The city of Palm Springs, California submitted to the FAA on March
3, 1994, the Noise Exposure Maps, descriptions, and other documentation
produced during the Noise Compatibility Planning study conducted from
September 23, 1993 through July 18, 1995. The Palm Springs Regional
Airport Noise Exposure Maps were determined by FAA to be in compliance
with applicable requirements on November 28, 1994. Notice of this
determination
[[Page 17278]]
was published in the Federal Register on December 16, 1994.
The Palm Springs Regional Airport study contained 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 or beyond, the year 1999. It was
requested that the FAA evaluated 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 January 26, 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). The Noise Compatibility Program was approved by the FAA on
July 26, 1995. On September 27, 1996 the FAA began its review of
Revision No. 1 to the approved program 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 an approval of such program.
The submitted revision to the approved program contained one (1)
proposed action for establishing a permanent noise and flight track
monitoring system. The FAA completed its review and determined that the
procedural and substantive requirements of the Act and FAA part 150
have been satisfied. Revision Number 1 to the Approved Noise
Compatibility Program, was therefore approved by the Associate
Administrator for Airports effective March 19, 1997.
Outright approval was granted for the one (1) new Continuing
Program Measure for provision of establishment of a permanent noise and
flight track monitoring system.
This determination is set forth in detail in a Record of Approval
endorsed by the Associate Administrator for Airports on March 19, 1997.
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 Palm
Springs Regional Airport.
Issued in Hawthorne, Calif. on March 28, 1997.
Robert C. Bloom,
Acting Manger, Airports Division, AWP-600, Western-Pacific Region.
[FR Doc. 97-9140 Filed 4-8-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-M
