|
Appendix 9. Noise Policy for
Management of Airspace Over
Federally Managed Lands
NOISE POLICY
FOR MANAGEMENT OF AIRSPACE
OVER FEDERALLY
MANAGED LANDS
The FAA shares
the national concern for the
preservation of the natural
environment. A critical objective in
the FAA Strategic Plan is to provide
leadership in mitigating the
environmental impact of aviation. It
is the policy of the FAA in its
management of the navigable airspace
over locations in national parks and
other federally managed areas with
unique noise-sensitive values to
exercise leadership in achieving an
appropriate balance between
efficiency, technological
practicability, and environmental
concerns, while maintaining the
highest level of safety. This policy
envisions joint efforts between the
FAA and the Federal agencies
managing these locations to enhance
the compatibility between management
of the airspace and the management
goals of these agencies.
The National Park
System and other natural resource
management areas under Federal
jurisdiction include many locations
with unique values which merit
special environmental protection.
Some areas provide opportunities for
solitude and natural quiet and allow
visitors to experience nature
unaffected by civilization. Some
provide opportunities for people to
visit historically authentic
settings, as they existed before the
introduction of mechanized power.
Others contain designated
wilderness, critical habitat for
endangered species, or solemnity of
purpose, which would be diminished
by the intrusion of noise. While
aircraft noise is not the only noise
or environmental impact that may be
incompatible with areas having such
unique values, this is the area of
FAA's special expertise and
jurisdiction.
In order to carry
out the policy effectively, FAA
staff and management will-
-
Promote public
participation to increase
understanding and gain the
cooperation of concerned parties
when assessing noise impacts on
designated locations in federally
managed areas. An appropriate public
process will be designated for each
assessment to identify the
stakeholders and provide for their
effective participation.
-
Communicate
this policy to all stakeholders
clearly. Educational information
will be developed and disseminated
to airspace users and other
stakeholders, and appropriate
advisories will be issued to
minimize overflight activity and
noise over particularly sensitive
locations. A measured and balanced
approach to the need for protective
measures over specific unique
locations will be taken in
consultation with Federal agencies
administering these areas.
-
Consult
actively with other Federal agencies
to identify and mitigate
appropriately aircraft noise levels
that are not compatible with
designated locations in federally
managed areas. Such consultation
will ensure that any resulting
mitigation strategies will not
transfer impacts to other
noise-sensitive locations within or
beyond the federally managed area.
The FAA will evaluate appropriate
airspace management options in
consultation with the Federal
agencies administering these
resources to identify particular
locations of concern on a priority
basis. Such evaluation of
alternatives will ensure that safety
is not derogated and that
technological and economic factors
are weighed consistent with the
FAA's responsibilities under 49 USC
§§40101-46507 (former Federal
Aviation Act).
-
Develop or
refine on a continuing basis methods
and criteria to assess aircraft
noise on designated locations in
federally managed areas, in
conjunction with the Federal
Interagency Committee on Aviation
Noise (FICAN). Recognizing the lack
of complete information and
agreement on noise methodology,
metrics, noise effects on animals,
and appropriate land use
compatibility criteria for uniquely
quiet areas, the FAA in conjunction
with the FICAN will continue to
develop, refine, and reach more
effectively aircraft noise impacts
on unique national land and water
resources.
-
Train FAA
airspace management personnel on
effective airspace design techniques
for mitigation of adverse aviation
impacts on designated locations in
federally managed areas.
This policy
statement and the underlying actions
are consistent with the goals of
environmental responsibility and
communication in the FAA's Strategic
Plan, which state that FAA will:
-
Provide strong
leadership regarding the
environmental impacts of aviation
and commercial space transportation.
-
Establish and
maintain lines of communication with
the public and with employees to
promote understanding, awareness,
and cooperation and to serve the
interests of the traveling public.
Signed by
David Hinson
Administrator
Dated November 8,
1996 |
