Notice2023-28148
Approval of Noise Compatibility Program Update; Westfield-Barnes Regional Airport (BAF), Westfield, Massachusetts
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
December 21, 2023
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announces its findings on the Noise Compatibility Program (NCP) Update submitted by the City of Westfield, Massachusetts, through its Aviation Department, for Westfield-Barnes Regional Airport. The Final Noise Compatibility Program (NCP) was submitted to FAA for review and approval on May 26, 2023. The NCP was found to be sufficient for consideration by the FAA, and a Federal Register noticed appeared on July 11, 2023. The required 60-day public comment period expired on September 9, 2023. The NEM was previously determined to be in compliance on June 13, 2019, and is still valid. The NCP contained 10 noise abatement measures, nine land use measures, and four program management measures. Of the 23 measures proposed, 12 were approved, 9 were approved as voluntary, one requires no action at this time, and one was disapproved for purposes of part 150.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 88 Issue 244 (Thursday, December 21, 2023)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 244 (Thursday, December 21, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 88483-88485]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2023-28148]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
Approval of Noise Compatibility Program Update; Westfield-Barnes
Regional Airport (BAF), Westfield, Massachusetts
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 (NCP) Update submitted by
the City of Westfield, Massachusetts, through its Aviation Department,
for Westfield-Barnes Regional Airport. The Final Noise Compatibility
Program (NCP) was submitted to FAA for review and approval on May 26,
2023. The NCP was found to be sufficient for consideration by the FAA,
and a Federal Register noticed appeared on July 11, 2023. The required
60-day public comment period expired on September 9, 2023. The NEM was
previously determined to be in compliance on June 13, 2019, and is
still valid. The NCP contained 10 noise abatement measures, nine land
use measures, and four program management measures. Of the 23 measures
proposed, 12 were approved, 9 were approved as voluntary, one requires
no action at this time, and one was disapproved for purposes of part
150.
DATES: The applicable start date of the FAA's approval is December 14,
2023.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Cheryl Quaine, Federal Aviation
Administration, New England Regional Office Environmental Protection
Specialist, Airports Division, Federal Aviation Administration, 1200
District Avenue, Burlington, Massachusetts 01803. Phone number: 781-
238-7613.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This notice announces that the FAA's
approval of the NCP Update for the Westfield-Barnes Regional Airport.
Per United States Code section 47504 (49 U.S.C. 47504) and Title 14,
Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) part 150, an airport sponsor who
previously
[[Page 88484]]
submitted a noise exposure map (NEM) may submit to the FAA a noise
compatibility program which sets forth the measures taken or proposed
by the airport sponsor for the reduction of existing non-compatible
land uses and prevention of additional non-compatible land uses within
the area covered by the NEMs. As required by 49 U.S.C. 47504, such
programs must be developed in consultation with interested and affected
parties including local communities, government agencies, airport
users, and the FAA. The FAA does not substitute its judgment for that
of the airport sponsor with respect to which measures should be
recommended for action. The FAA approval or disapproval of an airport
sponsor's recommendations in their noise compatibility program are made
in accordance with the requirements and standards pursuant to 49 U.S.C.
47504 and 14 CFR part 150, which is limited to the following
determinations:
a. The noise compatibility program was developed in accordance with
the provisions and procedures of 14 CFR 150.23;
b. Program measures are reasonably consistent with achieving the
goals of reducing existing non-compatible 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 or 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 of FAA's approval of NCPs are delineated in 14
CFR 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 noise compatibility program nor a determination
that all measures covered by the NCP are eligible for grant-in-aid
funding from the FAA. Where federal funding is sought, requests must be
submitted to the FAA New England Regional Office at 1200 District Ave.,
Burlington, MA 01803.
The City of Westfield submitted the noise exposure maps,
descriptions, and other documentation produced during the noise
compatibility planning study to the FAA and the FAA determined that the
NEMs for BAF were in compliance with applicable requirements under 14
CFR 150, effective June 3, 2019 (Noise Exposure Map Notice; Westfield-
Barnes Regional Airport, Westfield, Massachusetts, volume 84, Federal
Register, pages 35177-8, July 22, 2019). The airport operator requested
that the FAA review the submitted material and that the noise
mitigation measures, to be implemented jointly by the airport and
surrounding communities, be approved as an NCP. The formal review
period, limited by law to a maximum of 180 days, was initiated on May
26, 2023. Notice of the intent to review the NCP was published in the
Federal Register on July 11, 2023 (Notice of Receipt of Noise
Compatibility Program Update and Request for Review, volume 88, Federal
Register, pages 44182-3, July 11, 2023). The Federal Register Notice
also announced the start of a 60- day period of public review for the
NCP documentation. The FAA received no comments during the public
review.
It was requested that the FAA evaluate and approve this material as
a noise compatibility program as described in 49 U.S.C. 47504. The FAA
began its review and was required by a provision of 49 U.S.C. 47504 to
approve or disapprove the program within 180 days, other than the use
of new or modified flight procedures for noise control. The submitted
program contained 23 proposed measures to minimize impacts of aviation
noise on and off the airport. The FAA completed its review and
determined that the procedural and substantive requirements of the 49
U.S.C. 47504 and 14 CFR part 150 were satisfied. A Record of Approval
for the overall program was issued by the FAA effective December 14,
2023.
The specific program elements and their individual determinations
are as follows:
NA-1--Maintain Runway Heading to East Mountain Ridge after
Departing Runway 15. Approved as voluntary.
NA-2--Prohibit the Use of Intersection Departures on Runway 33.
Approved as voluntary.
NA-3--Turn to 360-degrees Heading after Departing Runway 02. No
action at this time.
NA-4--Barnes ANG Preferential Runway Use Program. Approved as
voluntary.
NA-5: Barnes ANG Fighter Aircraft ``High Initial'' Approach
Procedures. Disapproved for Purposes of Part 150.
NA-6: Barnes ANG Noise Abatement Departure Procedures. Approved as
voluntary.
NA-7: Helicopter Noise Abatement Approach Procedures to Runway 02.
Approved as voluntary.
NA-8: Helicopter Noise Abatement Departure Procedures from Runway
02. Approved as voluntary.
NA-9: Helicopter Noise Abatement Approach Procedures to Runways 15
and 33. Approved as voluntary.
NA-10: Helicopter Noise Abatement Departure Procedures to Runways
15 and 33. Approved as voluntary.
LU-1: Sound Insulate Noise-Sensitive Structures. Approved.
LU-2: Acquire Non-Compatible Residential Property. Approved.
LU-3: Acquire Avigation Easements. Approved.
LU-4: Modify Local Land Use Zoning. Approved.
LU-5: Modify Local Subdivision Regulations. Approved.
LU-6: Review Proposed Land Use Development within the 65 dB DNL
Contour and Higher Contours. Approved.
LU-7: Voluntary Acquisition of Undeveloped Land. Approved.
LU-8: Real Estate Disclosure. Approved.
LU-9: Acquire the Arbor Mobile Home Park. Approved.
PM-1: Re-establish and Maintain a Noise Mitigation Advisory
Committee. Approved.
PM-2: Continue the Community Awareness Program. Approved.
PM-3: Expand the Fly Quiet Program. Approved as Voluntary.
PM-4: Periodically Evaluate Noise Exposure. Approved.
These determinations are set forth in detail in the Record of
Approval signed by the FAA Airports New England Deputy Director on
December 14, 2023. The Record of Approval, as well as other evaluation
materials and the documents comprising the submittal, are available for
review at the FAA office listed above. The Record of Approval will also
be available on the internet on the FAA's website at <a href="http://www.faa.gov/airports/environmental/airport_noise/part_150/states/">http://www.faa.gov/airports/environmental/airport_noise/part_150/states/</a> and
the City of Westfield Airport's website at <a href="http://www.barnesairport.com">www.barnesairport.com</a>.
[[Page 88485]]
Issued in New England Regional Office, Burlington, MA, on
December 14, 2023.
Julie Seltsam-Wilps,
Deputy Director, ANE-600.
[FR Doc. 2023-28148 Filed 12-20-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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</html>Indexed from Federal Register on December 21, 2023.
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