[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 66 (Thursday, April 6, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 20603-20604]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-07171]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration


Noise Compatibility Program for Lihue Airport, Lihue, Kauai, 
Hawaii

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, Department of Transportation 
(DOT).

ACTION: Notice of acceptance of noise exposure maps.

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SUMMARY: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announces its 
determination that the noise exposure maps submitted by the Hawaii 
Department of Transportation for Lihue Airport are in compliance with 
applicable statutory and regulatory requirements.

DATES: The effective date of the FAA's determination on the noise 
exposure maps is March 31, 2023.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kevin Nishimura, Environmental 
Protection Specialist, 300 Ala Moana Boulevard, Honolulu, Hawaii 96850, 
Telephone: 808-312-6038.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In accordance with title 49, United States 
Code (U.S.C.) section 47503 of the Aviation Safety and Noise Abatement 
Act, an airport operator may submit to the FAA, noise exposure maps 
(NEMs) depicting non-compatible uses and other information as of the 
date the map was submitted. 49 U.S.C. 47503 also requires such maps to 
be developed in consultation with interested and affected parties in 
the local community, government agencies, and persons using the 
airport. In accordance with 49 U.S.C. 47504, an airport operator that 
submits an NEM that the FAA determined complied with statutory and 
regulatory requirements, may submit for FAA approval, a noise 
compatibility program (NCP) identifying measures the airport operator 
has taken or proposes to take to reduce existing non-compatible land 
uses and prevents the introduction of additional non-compatible uses.
    On February 10, 2023, Hawaii Department of Transportation submitted 
NEMs, descriptions and other supporting documentation for Lihue Airport 
for FAA's review and acceptance. An NEM must include a description of 
estimated aircraft

[[Page 20604]]

operations during a forecast period that is at least five years in the 
future and how those operations will affect the map and other 
information. The specific documentation determined to constitute the 
NEMs includes Exhibit NEM-1, ``2019 Existing Condition Noise Exposure 
Map'' and Exhibit NEM-2 and ``2027 Forecast Noise Exposure Map'', which 
addressed the current and forecast NEM graphics requirements and all 
other narrative, graphic or tabular representations of the data 
required by appendix A in 14 CFR part 150 and 49 U.S.C. 47503 and 
47506.
    The FAA completed its review of the NEMs and supporting 
documentation and determined the NEMs comply with the applicable 
statutory and regulatory requirements. This determination is effective 
on March 31, 2023. FAA's determinations for this NEM submitted by 
Hawaii Department of Transportation is limited to a finding that the 
maps were developed in accordance with 49 U.S.C. 47503 and the 
procedures in appendix A of 14 CFR part 150. FAA's determination does 
not constitute approval of the Hawaii Department of Transportation 
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 an NEM it 
should be noted 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 NEMs to resolve questions 
concerning, for example, which properties should be covered by the 
provisions of 49 U.S.C. 47506. These functions are inseparable from the 
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 FAA's review of NEMs. Therefore, the responsibility 
for the detailed overlaying of noise exposure contours onto the map 
depicting properties on the surface rests exclusively with the Hawaii 
Department of Transportation data that submitted the NEMs or with those 
public agencies and planning agencies with which consultation is 
required. The FAA relied on the certification by the Hawaii Department 
of Transportation this required consultation has been accomplished per 
14 CFR 150.21 and 49 U.S.C. 47503.
    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, Honolulu Airports District Office, 
300 Ala Moana Boulevard, Room 7-128, Honolulu, Hawaii, 96850.
    The Hawaii Department of Transportation has also made a hard copy 
of the document available for review at:

Mr. Herman Tuiolosega, Planner, Hawaii Department of Transportation--
Airports Engineering Branch, 400 Rodgers Boulevard, 7th Floor, 
Honolulu, Hawaii 96819
Mr. Craig Davis, Airport Manager, Lihue Airport, 3901 Mokulele Loop, 
Lihue, Hawaii 96766

    Questions may be directed to the individual named above under the 
heading FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.

    Issued in El Segundo, California, on March 31, 2023.
Mark A. McClardy,
Director, Airports Division, Western-Pacific Region, AWP-600.
[FR Doc. 2023-07171 Filed 4-5-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P


