[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 33 (Wednesday, February 19, 2003)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 7949-7951]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-3965]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA 2003-14368; Airspace Docket No. ASD 02-ASW-4]
RIN 2120-AA66


Proposed Revision of Jet Route; Baton Rouge, LA

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.

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SUMMARY: This action proposes to revise segments of Jet Route 2 (J-2), 
J-138, and J-590 by realigning the routes to the north over the Baton 
Rouge, LA, Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Range/Tactical Air 
Navigation (VORTAC). The FAA is proposing this action to enhance the 
management of the aircraft operations over the Baton Rouge, LA, area.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before April 17, 2003.

ADDRESSES: Send comments on this proposal to the Docket Management 
System, U.S. Department of Transportation, Room Plaza 401, 400 Seventh 
Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590-0001. You must identify the docket 
number FAA-2003-14368/Airspace Docket No. 02-ASW-4, at the beginning of 
your comments.

[[Page 7950]]

    You may also submit comments on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov. 
You may review the public docket containing the proposal, any comments 
received, and any final disposition in person in the Dockets Office 
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. The Docket Office (telephone 1-800-647-5527) is on the plaza 
level of the Department of Transportation NASSIF Building at the above 
address.
    An informal docket may also be examined during normal business 
hours at the office of the Regional Air Traffic Division, Federal 
Aviation Administration, 2601 Meacham Blvd.; Fort Worth, TX 76193-0500.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steve Rohring, 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:

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 the proposal. 
Communications should identify both docket numbers 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 Docket No. FAA 2003-14368/
Airspace Docket No. 02-ASW-4.'' 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 light of comments received. All comments 
submitted will be available for examination in the public docket 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

    An electronic copy of this document may be downloaded through the 
Internet at http://dms.dot.gov. Recently published rulemaking documents 
can also be accessed through the FAA's Web page at http://www.faa.gov 
or the Superintendent of Document's Web page at http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara.
    Additionally, any person may obtain a copy of this notice by 
submitting a request to the Federal Aviation Administration, Office of 
Air Traffic Airspace Management, 800 Independence Avenue, SW., 
Washington, DC 20591, or by calling (202) 267-8783. Communications must 
identify both docket numbers for this notice. Persons interested in 
being placed on a mailing list for future NPRM's should call the FAA's 
Office of Rulemaking, (202) 267-9677, for a copy of Advisory Circular 
No. 11-2A, Notice of Proposed Rulemaking Distribution System, which 
describes the application procedure.

Background

    The FAA is conducting a comprehensive revision of the Houston 
terminal airspace area. As part of this effort, the FAA plans to revise 
certain segments of J-2, J-138, and J-590 over the new Baton Rouge, LA, 
VORTAC to promote the expeditious movement of aircraft through the 
Baton Rouge, LA, airspace area. The FAA believes that this action would 
enhance the management of air traffic operations in the area.

The Proposal

    The FAA is proposing to amend Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations 
(14 CFR) part 71 (part 71) to revise segments of J-2 and J-138 between 
the Lake Charles, LA, VORTAC and the Semmes, AL, VORTAC; and J-590 
between the Lake Charles, LA, VORTAC and the Greene County, MS, VORTAC, 
by realigning the routes to the north over the Baton Rouge, LA, VORTAC. 
This action is necessary to support the planned revision of the Houston 
terminal airspace area.
    Jet routes are published in paragraph 2004 of FAA Order 7400.9K 
dated August 30, 2002, and effective September 16, 2002, which is 
incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1. The jet route listed in this 
document would be published subsequently in the order.
    The FAA has determined that this proposed regulation only involves 
an established body of technical regulations for which frequent and 
routine amendments are necessary to keep them operationally current. 
Therefore, this proposed regulation: (1) Is not a ``significant 
regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866; (2) is not a 
``significant rule'' under Department of Transportation (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 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 FAA Order 
7400.9K, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 30, 
2002, and effective September 16, 2002, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 2004--Jet Routes

* * * * *

J-2 [Revised]

    From Mission Bay, CA, via Imperial, CA; Bard, AZ; INT of the 
Bard 089[deg] and Gila Bend, AZ, 261[deg] radials; Gila Bend; 
Cochise, AZ; El Paso, TX; Fort Stockton, TX; Junction, TX; San 
Antonio, TX; Humble, TX; Lake Charles, LA; Baton Rouge, LA; Semmes, 
AL; Crestview, FL; INT of the Crestview 091[deg] and the Seminole, 
FL, 290[deg] radials; Seminole to Taylor, FL.
* * * * *

J-138 [Revised]

    From Fort Stockton, TX, via Center Point, TX; San Antonio, TX; 
Hobby, TX; Lake Charles, LA; Baton Rouge, LA; to Semmes, AL.
* * * * *

[[Page 7951]]

J-590 [Revised]

    From Lake Charles, LA, via Baton Rouge, LA; Greene County, MS; 
to Montgomery, AL.
* * * * *

    Issued in Washington, DC, on February 12, 2003.
Reginald C. Matthews,
Manager, Airspace and Rules Division.
[FR Doc. 03-3965 Filed 2-18-03; 8:45 am]
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