[Federal Register: September 8, 2010 (Volume 75, Number 173)]
[Notices]
[Page 54695-54696]
[DOCID:fr08se10-142]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

Noise Exposure Map Notice; Brownsville South Padre Island
International Airport, Brownsville, TX

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announces its
determination that the noise exposure maps submitted by the City of
Brownsville, Texas for Brownsville South Padre Island International
Airport under the provisions of 49 U.S.C. 47501 et seq. (Aviation
Safety and Noise Abatement Act) and 14 CFR part 150 are in compliance
with applicable requirements.

DATES: Effective Date: The effective date of the FAA's determination on
the noise exposure maps is August 30, 2010.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lance E. Key, Federal Aviation
Administration, 2601 Meacham Boulevard, Fort Worth, Texas 76137, (817)
222-5681.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This notice announces that the FAA finds
that the noise exposure maps submitted for Brownsville South Padre
Island International Airport are in compliance with applicable
requirements of part 150, effective August 30, 2010. Under 49 U.S.C.
section 47503 of 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
Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR) 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.
    The FAA has completed its review of the noise exposure maps and
accompanying documentation submitted by the City of Brownsville, Texas.
The documentation that constitutes the ``noise exposure maps'' as
defined in section 150.7 of part 150 includes: Tables 5.1 through 5.13
and Figures 5.1 through 5.5 for year 2009 existing conditions and
Tables 6.1 through 6.10 and Figures 6.1 through 6.5 for year 2015
future conditions at Brownsville South Padre Island International
Airport. The FAA has determined that these noise exposure maps and
accompanying documentation are in compliance with applicable
requirements. This determination is effective on August 30, 2010.
    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 A of FAR part 150. Such
determination does not constitute approval of the applicant's data,
information or plans, or 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.
    Copies of the full noise exposure map documentation and of the
FAA's evaluation of the maps are available for examination at the
following locations: Federal Aviation Administration, 2601 Meacham
Boulevard, Fort Worth, Texas, and with Mr. Larry A. Brown, Director of
Aviation, 700 South Minnesota Avenue, Brownsville, Texas 78521-5721.
Questions may be directed to the individual named above under the
heading FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, August 30, 2010.
D. Cameron Bryan,
Acting Manager, Airports Division.
[FR Doc. 2010-22240 Filed 9-7-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-M