Approval of Noise Compatibility Program; Seattle-Tacoma International Airport; Seattle, WA

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Approval of Noise Compatibility Program; Seattle-Tacoma

International Airport; Seattle, WA

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 Director

of Aviation Planning for Seattle-Tocoma International Airport under the

provisions of Title I of the Aviation Safety and Noise Abatement Act of

1979 (Pub. L. 96-193) 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 April 15, 1993, the FAA determined that the noise exposure maps

submitted by the Director of Aviation Planning under Part 150 were in

compliance with applicable requirements. On May 18, 1994, the Assistant

Administrator for Airports approved the Seattle-Tacoma International

Airport noise compatibility program. All of the program elements were

approved.

EFFECTIVE DATE: The effective date of the FAA's approval of the

Seattle-Tacoma International Airport noise compatibility program is May

18, 1994.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Dennis G. Ossenkop; Federal Aviation Administration; Northwest Mountain

Region; Airports Division, ANM-611; 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,

Washington, 98055-4056. 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 Seattle-

Tacoma International Airport, effective May 18, 1994. 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 noncompatibility

land uses and prevention of additional noncompatibile land uses within

the area covered by the noise exposure maps. The Act requires such a

program to be developed in consultation with interested and affected

parties including the state, 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 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 of 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, Sec. 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 FAA Airports District Office in Seattle,

Washington.

The Port of Seattle submitted to the FAA the noise exposure maps,

descriptions, and other documentation produced during the noise

compatibility planning study conducted at Seattle-Tacoma International

Airport. The Seattle-Tacoma International Airport noise exposure maps

were determined by FAA to be in compliance with applicable requirements

on April 15, 1993. Notice of this determination was published in the

Federal Register on April 27, 1993.

The Seattle-Tacoma International Airport noise compatibility

program 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

1996. 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 November 19, 1993 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 10 proposed actions for noise

mitigation on and off the airport. The FAA completed its review and

determination that the procedural and substantive requirements of the

Act and FAR 150 have been satisfied. The overall program, therefore,

was approved by the Assistant Administrator for Airports effective May

18, 1994.

These determinations are set forth in detail in a Record of

Approval endorsed by the Assistant Administrator for Airports on May

18, 1994. The Record of Approval, as well as other evaluation materials

and the documents comprising that submittal, are available for review

at the FAA office listed above and at the administrative offices of the

Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.

Issued in Renton, Washington, on May 25, 1994.

David Field,

Acting Manager, Airports Division, Northwest Mountain Region.

[FR Doc. 94-14144 Filed 6-9-94; 8:45 am]

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