[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 97 (Monday, May 20, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 29428-29429]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-11931]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
Availability of Noise Compatibility Program for Chicago Midway
International Airport, Chicago, Illinois
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: The FAA announces its determination that the noise exposure
maps submitted by the City of Chicago Department of Aviation for
Chicago Midway International Airport under the provisions of 49 U.S.C.
47501 et. seq (formerly the Aviation Safety and Noise Abatement Act,
hereinafter referred to as ``the Act'') and 14 CFR Part 150
(hereinafter referred to as ``Part 150'') are in compliance with
applicable requirements. The FAA also announces that it is reviewing a
proposed noise compatibility program that was submitted for Chicago
Midway International Airport under Part 150 in
[[Page 29429]]
conjunction with the noise exposure map, and that this program will be
approved or disapproved on or before November 18, 2013.
DATES: This notice is effective May 20, 2013, and is applicable April
22, 2013. The public comment period ends June 19, 2013.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Amy Hanson, Environmental
Protection Specialist, CHI-603, Federal Aviation Administration,
Chicago Airport District Office, 2300 East Devon Avenue, Des Plaines,
IL 60018. Telephone number: 847-294-7354. Comments on the proposed
noise compatibility program should also be submitted to the above
office.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This notice announces that the FAA finds
that the noise exposure maps submitted for Chicago Midway International
Airport are in compliance with applicable requirements of Part 150,
effective May 20, 2013. Further, FAA is reviewing a proposed noise
compatibility program for that airport which will be approved or
disapproved on or before November 18, 2013. This notice also announces
the availability of this program for public review and comment.
Under 49 U.S.C., section 47503 (the Aviation Safety and Noise
Abatement Act, hereinafter referred to as ``the Act''), an airport
operator may submit to the FAA noise exposure maps which meet
applicable regulations and which depict non-compatible land uses as of
the date of submission of such maps, a description of projected
aircraft operations, and the ways in which such operations will affect
such maps. The Act requires such maps to be developed in consultation
with interested and affected parties in the local community, government
agencies, and persons using the airport.
An airport operator who has submitted noise exposure maps that are
found by FAA to be in compliance with the requirements of Part 150,
promulgated pursuant to the Act, may submit a noise compatibility
program for FAA approval which sets forth the measures the operator has
taken or proposes to take to reduce existing non-compatible uses and
prevent the introduction of additional non-compatible uses.
City of Chicago Department of Aviation submitted to the FAA on
April 22, 2013 noise exposure maps, descriptions and other
documentation that were produced during noise compatibility planning
study conducted from 2011 through 2013. It was requested that the FAA
review this material as the noise exposure maps, as described in
section 47503 of the Act, and that the noise mitigation measures, to be
implemented jointly by the airport and surrounding communities, be
approved as a noise compatibility program under section 47504 of the
Act.
The FAA has completed its review of the noise exposure maps and
related descriptions submitted by City of Chicago Department of
Aviation. The specific documentation determined to constitute the noise
exposure maps includes: Exhibit 3-1, Exhibit 3-2, and Chapter 3 of the
Part 150 study document. The FAA has determined that these maps for
Chicago Midway International Airport are in compliance with applicable
requirements. FAA's determination on an airport operator's noise
exposure maps is limited to a finding that the maps were developed in
accordance with the procedures contained in Appendix D of FAR Part 150.
Such determination does not constitute approval of the applicant's
data, information or plans, or constitute a commitment to approve a
noise compatibility program or to fund the implementation of that
program.
If questions arise concerning the precise relationship of specific
properties to noise exposure contours depicted on a noise exposure map
submitted under section 47503 of the Act, it should be noted that the
FAA is not involved in any way in determining the relative locations of
specific properties with regard to the depicted noise contours, or in
interpreting the noise exposure maps to resolve questions concerning,
for example, which properties should be covered by the provisions of
section 47506 of the Act. These functions are inseparable from the
ultimate land use control and planning responsibilities of local
government. These local responsibilities are not changed in any way
under Part 150 or through FAA's review of noise exposure maps.
Therefore, the responsibility for the detailed overlaying of noise
exposure contours onto the map depicting properties on the surface
rests exclusively with the airport operator that submitted those maps,
or with those public agencies and planning agencies with which
consultation is required under section 47503 of the Act. The FAA has
relied on the certification by the airport operator, under section
150.21 of FAR Part 150, that the statutorily required consultation has
been accomplished.
Preliminary review of the submitted noise compatibility program for
Chicago Midway International Airport indicates that it conforms to the
requirements for the submittal of noise compatibility programs, but
that further review will be necessary prior to approval or disapproval
of the program. The formal review period, limited by law to a maximum
of 180 days, will be completed on or before November 18, 2013. A public
hearing was held on March 21, 2013 at The Mayfield, 6072 S. Archer
Avenue, Chicago, Illinois.
The FAA's detailed evaluation will be conducted under the
provisions of 14 CFR Part 150, section 150.33. The primary
considerations in the evaluation process are whether the proposed
measures may reduce the level of aviation safety, create an undue
burden on interstate or foreign commerce, or be reasonably consistent
with obtaining the goal of reducing existing non-compatible land uses
and preventing the introduction of additional non-compatible land uses.
Interested persons are invited to comment on the proposed program with
specific reference to these factors. All comments, other than those
properly addressed to local land use authorities, will be considered by
the FAA to the extent practicable. Copies of the noise exposure maps,
the FAA's evaluation of the maps, and the proposed noise compatibility
program are available for examination at the following locations:
Federal Aviation Administration, Chicago Airport District Office, 2300
East Devon Avenue, Des Plaines, IL 60018.
CDA Environment Division, Chicago O'Hare International Airport, 10510
W. Zemke Road, Chicago, IL 60666.
Airport Maintenance Complex, Chicago Midway International Airport, 6201
S. Laramie Avenue, Chicago, IL 60638.
Questions may be directed to the individual named above under the
heading, FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.
Issued in Des Plaines, IL.
Dated: May 13, 2013.
James G. Keefer,
Manager, Chicago Airports District Office .
[FR Doc. 2013-11931 Filed 5-17-13; 8:45 am]
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