[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 77 (Thursday, April 22, 1999)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 19728-19729]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-10091]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Airspace Docket No. 99-ANM-03]


Proposed removal of Class E airspace; Oak Harbor, WA

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This proposal would remove the Class E surface airspace at Oak 
Harbor Air Park, Oak Harbor, WA. The airport is no longer eligible to 
retain a Class E surface area because of a lack of weather reporting.


[[Page 19729]]


DATES: Comments must be received on or before June 7, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Send comments on the proposal in triplicate to: Manager, 
Airspace Branch, ANM-520, Federal Aviation Administration, Docket No. 
99-ANM-03, 1601 Lind Avenue SW, Renton, Washington, 98055-4056.
    The Official docket may be examined in the office of the Assistant 
Chief Counsel for the Northwest Mountain Region at the same address.
    An informal docket may also be examined during normal business 
hours in the office of the Manager, Air Traffic Division, Airspace 
Branch, at the address listed above.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dennis Ripley, ANM-520.6, Federal 
Aviation Administration, Docket No. 99-ANM-03, 1601 Lind Avenue SW, 
Renton, Washington, 98055-4056; telephone number: (425) 227-2527.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Comments Invited

    Interested parties are invited to participate in this proposed 
rulemaking by submitting such written data views, or arguments, as they 
may desire. Comments that provide the factual basis supporting the 
views and suggestions presented are particularly helpful in developing 
reasoned regulatory decisions on the proposal. Comments are 
specifically invited on the overall regulatory, aeronautical, economic, 
environmental, and energy related aspects of this proposal. 
Communications should identify the airspace docket number and be 
submitted in triplicate to the address listed above. Commenters wishing 
the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments on this notice must 
submit with those comments a self-addressed, stamped postcard on which 
the following statement is made: ``Comments to Airspace Docket No. 99-
ANM-03.'' The postcard will be date/time stamped and returned to the 
commenter. All communications received on or before the specified 
closing date for comments will be considered before taking action on 
the proposed rule. The proposal contained in this notice may be changed 
in the light of comments received. All comments submitted will be 
available for examination at the address listed above both before and 
after the closing date for comments. A report summarizing each 
substantive public contact with FAA personnel concerned with this 
rulemaking will be filed in the docket.

Availability of NPRM's

    Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request 
to the Federal Aviation Administration, Airspace Branch, ANM-520, 1601 
Lind Avenue SW, Renton, Washington, 98055-4056. Communications must 
identify the notice number of this NPRM. Persons interested in being 
placed on a mailing list for future NPRM's should also request a copy 
of Advisory Circular No. 11-2A, which describes the application 
procedure.

The Proposal

    The FAA is considering an amendment to Title 14 Code of Federal 
Regulations, part 71 (14 CFR part 71) to remove Class E airspace at Oak 
Harbor, WA. This amendment would revoke airspace no longer meeting the 
requirements of a Class E surface area. The weather reporting 
requirements for a surface area dictate that weather observations must 
be taken by a Federally Certified Weather Observer and/or a Federally 
Commissioned Weather Observing System during the times and dates the 
surface area is designated. These weather observations routinely are 
not being met as required at the Oak Harbor Air Park. Attempts to have 
interested personnel fix the reporting problem were unsuccessful. The 
intended effect of this proposal is designed to provide efficient and 
safe use of the navigable airspace.
    The coordinates for this airspace docket are based on North 
American Datum 83. Class E airspace areas extending upward from the 
surface of the earth, are published in Paragraph 6002 of FAA Order 
7400.9F dated September 10, 1998, and effective September 16, 1998, 
which is incorporated by reference in14 CFR 71.1. The Class E airspace 
designation listed in this document would be published subsequently in 
the Order.
    The FAA has determined that this proposed regulation only involve 
an established body of technical regulations for which frequent and 
routine amendments are necessary to keep them operationally current. 
It, therefore, (1) is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under 
Executive Order 12866; (2) is not a ``significant rule'' under DOT 
Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034; February 26, 1979); 
and (3) does not warrant preparation of a Regulatory Evaluation as the 
anticipated impact is so minimal. Since this is a routine matter that 
will only affect air traffic procedures and air navigation, it is 
certified that this rule, when promulgated, will not have a significant 
economic impact on a substantial number of small entities under the 
criteria of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 71

    Airspace, Incorporation by reference, Navigation (air).

The Proposed Amendment

    In consideration of the foregoing, the Federal Aviation 
Administration proposes to amend 14 CFR part 71 as follows:

PART 71--DESIGNATION OF CLASS A, CLASS B, CLASS C, CLASS D, AND 
CLASS E AIRSPACE AREAS; AIRWAYS; ROUTES; AND REPORTING POINTS

    1. The authority citation for 14 CFR part 71 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40103, 40113, 40120; E.O. 10854, 24 
FR 9565, 3 CFR, 1959-1963 Comp., p. 389.


Sec. 71.1  [Amended]

    2. The incorporation by reference in 14 CFR 71.1 of the Federal 
Aviation Administration Order 7400.9F, Airspace Designations and 
Reporting Points, dated September 10, 1998, effective September 16, 
1998, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 6002  Class E airspace designated as a surface area for 
an airport.

* * * * *

ANM WA E2  Oak Harbor, WA [Remove]

* * * * *
    Issued in Seattle, Washington, on April 9, 1999.
Daniel A. Boyle,
Assistant Manager, Air Traffic Division, Northwest Mountain Region.
[FR Doc. 99-10091 Filed 4-21-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-M