[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 172 (Wednesday, September 6, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 46328-46329]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-22070]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
FAA Approval of Noise Compatibility Program; Fort Worth Spinks
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 noise compatibility program submitted by the city of
Fort Worth 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 13, 1995, 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 August 11, 1995, the Administrator
approved the Fort Worth Spinks Airport noise compatibility program. All
of the recommendations of the program were approved. No program
elements relating to mandatory new or revised flight procedures for
noise abatement were proposed by the city of Fort Worth.
EFFECTIVE DATE: The effective date of the FAA's approval of the Fort
Worth Spinks Airport noise compatibility program is August 11, 1995.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Mike Nicely, DOT/FAA, Texas Airport Development Office, 2601 Meacham
Boulevard, Fort Worth, Texas 76193-0653, (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 noise compatibility program for Fort Worth
Spinks Airport, effective August 11, 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 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
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 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 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
[[Page 46329]]
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 Federal Aviation Administration, Texas Airport
Development Office, 2601 Meacham Boulevard, Fort Worth, Texas 76193-
0650.
The city of Fort Worth submitted to the FAA on February 3, 1994,
the noise exposure maps, descriptions, and other documentation produced
during the noise compatibility planning study conducted from November
1991 through January 1995. The Fort Worth Spinks Airport noise exposure
maps were determined by FAA to be in compliance with applicable
requirements on February 13, 1995. Notice of this determination was
published in the Federal Register on March 6, 1995.
The Fort Worth Spinks 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 beyond the year 1998. 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 13, 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 seven 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 August 11, 1995.
Outright approval was granted for all of the specific program
elements. The following is a listing of the approved actions on and off
the airport:
a. Modify arrival and departure flight tracks (approved as
voluntary);
b. Voluntary use of noise abatement departure and arrival
procedures for aircraft weighing over 12,500 Pounds (approved as
voluntary);
c. Maintain current zoning ordinance;
d. Amend and expand the land use plan for noise compatibility;
e. Assign a noise abatement officer for noise program management
for all three city of Fort Worth airports;
f. Continue public involvement program;
g. Conduct noise review and update as required.
These determinations are set forth in detail in a Record of
Approval endorsed by the Administrator on August 11, 1995. 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 Fort Worth Department of Aviation Offices.
Issued in Fort Worth, Texas on August 22, 1995.
Otis T. Welch,
Manager, Texas Airport Development Office.
[FR Doc. 95-22070 Filed 9-5-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-M
