2017-14522. FAA Approval of Noise Compatibility Program; Westfield-Barnes Regional Airport, Westfield, Massachusetts

AGENCY:

Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announces its findings on the Noise Compatibility Program submitted by the City of Westfield under the provisions of Title I of the Aviation Safety and Noise Abatement Act of 1979. On June 14, 2017 the New England Region Airports Division Manager approved the Noise Compatibility Program under Part 150. On December 22, 2015, the FAA had determined the noise exposure maps submitted by the City of Westfield were in compliance with applicable requirements of Part 150.

DATES:

The effective date of the FAA's approval of the Westfield-Barnes Regional Airport noise compatibility program is June 14, 2017.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Richard Doucette, Federal Aviation Administration, New England Region, Airports Division, ANE-600, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803, telephone [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Authority: 49 U.S.C. 47501-47510; 14 CFR part 150.

This notice announces that the FAA has given its overall approval to Westfield-Barnes Regional Airport noise compatibility program, effective June 14, 2017.

Under Section 104(a) of the Aviation Safety and Noise Abatement Act of 1979 (hereinafter 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 Regulation (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 airspace and air traffic control systems, or adversely affecting other powers and responsibilities of the Administrator as 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 a 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 under the Airport and Airway Improvement Act of 1982. Where Federal funding is sought, requests for project grants must be submitted to the FAA Regional Office in Burlington, Massachusetts.

The City of Westfield previously submitted to the FAA noise exposure maps and associated documentation produced during the noise compatibility planning study. The Westfield-Barnes Regional Airport noise exposure maps were determined by FAA to be in compliance with applicable requirements on December 22, 2015. Notice of this determination was published in the Federal Register on January 11, 2016.

The Westfield-Barnes Regional Airport study contains a proposed noise compatibility program comprised of actions designed for implementation by airport. The City of Westfield 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 13, 2017, 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 a program within the 180-day period shall be deemed to be an approval of such a program.

The submitted program contained several changes to noise mitigation measures in the Noise Compatibility Program. Four measures were not recommended for approval and the FAA concurred. Three measures were recommended but the FAA disapproved those measures. One substantive change was recommended and approved by the FAA. This change allows for voluntary acquisition of residential properties located in the 65DNL noise contour. The FAA completed its review and determined that the procedural and substantive requirements of the Act and FAR Part 150 have been satisfied. The New England Region Airports Division Manager therefore approved the overall program on June 14, 2017. 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 Westfield-Barnes Regional Airport.

Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on June 14, 2017.

Mary T. Walsh,

Manager, Airports Division, FAA New England Region.