[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 48 (Friday, March 10, 2000)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 12918-12919]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-5950]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Airspace Docket No. 00-ANM-04]
RIN 2120-AA66


Modification of Three Jet Routes, Bellingham, WA

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action amends the legal descriptions of three Jet routes 
that use the Bellingham, WA, Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Range/
Tactical Air Navigation (VORTAC) in their route structures. Currently, 
the VORTAC and the International Airport share the ``Bellingham'' name. 
However,

[[Page 12919]]

the navigational aid is approximately nine nautical miles (NM) north of 
airport. This has caused confusion among users. To eliminate this 
confusion, the Bellingham VORTAC will be renamed the ``Whatcom 
VORTAC,'' and all the jet routes with ``Bellingham VORTAC'' included in 
their legal descriptions will be amended to reflect the navigational 
aid name change.

EFFECTIVE DATE: 0901 UTC, April 20, 2000.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ken McElroy, Airspace and Rules 
Division, ATA-400, Office of Air Traffic Airspace Management, Federal 
Aviation Administration, 800 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 
20591; telephone: (202) 267-8783.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The Rule

    This action amends 14 CFR part 71 by changing the legal 
descriptions of three Jet Routes that have ``Bellingham VORTAC'' 
included as part of their route structure. Currently, the VORTAC and 
the International Airport share the ``Bellingham'' name but are 
approximately nine NM apart. This has led to confusion among users. To 
eliminate this confusion, the Bellingham VORTAC will be renamed the 
``Whatcom VORTAC,'' and all the routes with ``Bellingham VORTAC'' 
included in their legal descriptions will be amended to reflect the 
VORTAC's name change. The name change of the VORTAC will coincide with 
the effective date of this rulemaking action.
    Since this action merely involves editorial changes to the legal 
descriptions of the four Federal airways, and does not involve a change 
in the dimensions or operating requirements of the airways, notice and 
public procedure under 5 U.S.C. 553(b) are unnecessary.
    The FAA has determined that this regulation only involves an 
established body of technical regulations for which frequent and 
routine amendments are necessary to keep them operationally current. 
Therefore, this regulation: (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 will not have a significant economic impact on 
a substantial number of small entities under the criteria of the 
Regulatory Flexibility Act.
    Jet routes are published in paragraph 2004 of FAA Order 7400.9G, 
dated September 1, 1999, and effective September 16, 1999, which is 
incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1. The jet routes listed in this 
document will be published subsequently in the Order.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 71

    Airspace, Incorporation by reference, Navigation (air).

Adoption of the Amendment

    In consideration of the foregoing, the Federal Aviation 
Administration amends 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 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 7400.9G, Airspace Designations and 
Reporting Points, dated September 1, 1999, and effective September 16, 
1999, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 2004--Jet Routes

* * * * *

J-528 [Revised]

    From Whatcom, WA, to Williams Lake, BC, Canada. The airspace 
within Canada is excluded.
* * * * *

J-534 [Revised]

    From INT Seattle, WA, 033 deg. and Whatcom, WA, 090 deg. 
radials; Whatcom; to Williams Lake, BC, Canada, excluding the 
airspace within Canada.

J-591 [Revised]

    From Whatcom, WA; to Kelowna, BC, Canada. The segment within 
Canada is excluded.
* * * * *


    Issued in Washington, DC, on March 2, 2000.
Reginald C. Matthews,
 Manager, Airspace and Rules Division.
[FR Doc. 00-5950 Filed 3-9-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U