[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 173 (Thursday, September 8, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 55074-55075]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-19364]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration


Noise Exposure Map Notice: San Diego County Regional Airport 
Authority for San Diego International Airport

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of acceptance of a noise exposure map and review of a 
noise compatibility program.

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SUMMARY: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announces its 
determination that the noise exposure maps submitted by the San Diego 
County Regional Airport Authority for San Diego International Airport 
complies with applicable statutory and regulatory requirements, refer 
to the supplementary information for details. Further, in conjunction 
with the noise exposure maps, FAA is reviewing the proposed noise 
compatibility program for the San Diego International Airport, which 
the FAA will approve or disapprove on or before February 28, 2023. This 
notice also announces the availability of this noise compatibility 
program for public review and comment.

DATES: The effective date of the FAA's determination on the noise 
exposure maps and of the start of its review of the associated noise 
compatibility program is September 1, 2022. The public comment period 
ends October 31, 2022.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David B. Kessler, AICP, Regional 
Environmental Protection Specialist, 777 South Aviation Boulevard, El 
Segundo, California 90045. Telephone 424-405-7315. 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 (NEMs) submitted by the San Diego County 
Regional Airport Authority for San Diego International Airport complies 
with the applicable requirements of title 14, Code of Federal 
Regulations (CFR) part 150 (14 CFR part 150), effective September 1, 
2022. Further, the FAA is reviewing a proposed noise compatibility 
program (NCP) for San Diego International Airport that will be approved 
or disapproved on or before February 28, 2023. This notice also 
announces the availability of this program for public review and 
comment.
    Per United States Code (U.S.C.) section 47503 (49 U.S.C. 47503) an

[[Page 55075]]

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. 49 U.S.C. 47503 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 submitted noise exposure maps that the FAA 
determined complies with the requirements of 14 CFR part 150, may 
submit a noise compatibility program, 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, for FAA approval.
    San Diego County Regional Airport Authority submitted to the FAA on 
May 6, 2022, noise exposure maps, descriptions and other documentation 
that were produced during the San Diego International Airport 14 CFR 
part 150 Update Final Report, dated May 2022. It was requested that the 
FAA review this material as the noise exposure maps, as described in 49 
U.S.C. 47503, and that the noise mitigation measures, to be implemented 
jointly by the airport and surrounding communities, be approved as a 
noise compatibility program under 49 U.S.C. 47503.
    The FAA has completed its review of the noise exposure maps and 
related descriptions submitted by the San Diego County Regional Airport 
Authority. The specific documentation determined to constitute the 
noise exposure maps includes: ``Figure NEM-1 Existing 2018 Noise 
Exposure Map (NEM);'' ``Figure NEM-2 Future Noise Exposure Map (NEM) 
2026.'' The Noise Exposure Maps contain current and forecast 
information including the depiction of the airport and its boundaries, 
the runway configuration, land uses such as residential, open space, 
commercial/office, community facilities, libraries, churches, 
infrastructure, and those areas within the Community Noise Equivalent 
Level (CNEL) 65, 70, and 75 decibel (dB) noise contours. Estimates for 
the number of people within these contours for the year 2018 are shown 
on Figure NEM-1 Existing 2018 Noise Exposure Map. Figures 3.9 and 3.10 
show the location of noise monitoring sites. Flight tracks for the 
existing and the forecast Noise Exposure Maps are found in Figures 4.1, 
4.2, and 4.3. The type and frequency of aircraft operations (including 
nighttime operations) are found in Tables 4.3 and 4.4. The FAA 
determined that these noise exposure maps for San Diego International 
Airport are in compliance with applicable statuary and regulatory 
requirements. This determination is effective on September 1, 2022. The 
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 14 CFR 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 49 U.S.C. 47503, 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 49 
U.S.C. 47503. 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 14 CFR part 150 
or through the 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 49 U.S.C. 47503. The FAA has relied on 
the certification by the airport operator, 14 CFR 150.21, that the 
statutorily required consultation has been accomplished.
    The FAA has formally received the noise compatibility program for 
San Diego International Airport, also effective on September 1, 2022. 
Preliminary review of the submitted material 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 February 28, 
2023.
    The FAA's detailed evaluation will be conducted under the 
provisions of 14 CFR 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, Los Angeles Airports District 
Office, 777 South Aviation Boulevard, Suite 150, El Segundo, California 
90045.
    Sjohnna Knack, Program Manager, Airport Planning & Environmental 
Affairs, San Diego County Regional Airport Authority, 3270 Admiral 
Boland Way, San Diego, California 92101
    Questions may be directed to the individual named above under the 
heading, FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.

    Issued in El Segundo, California on September 1, 2022.
Mark A. McClardy,
Director, Airports Division, AWP-600, Western-Pacific Region.
[FR Doc. 2022-19364 Filed 9-7-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P


