[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 110 (Friday, June 8, 2007)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 31714-31716]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-11061]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2006-25852; Airspace Docket No. 06-AAL-29]
RIN 2120-AA66


Modification to the Norton Sound Low, Woody Island Low, Control 
1234L and Control 1487L Offshore Airspace Areas; Alaska

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action amends the following four Offshore Airspace Areas 
in Alaska: Norton Sound Low, Woody Island Low, Control 1234L and 
Control 1487L. This action describes the airspace west of 160[deg] W. 
longitude as it is currently depicted on aeronautical charts. Some of 
the existing controlled airspace is described as domestic Class E5 
airspace around Kodiak, AK. This airspace instead will be listed within 
the Woody Island Low Offshore Airspace Area. The FAA is taking this 
action to provide additional controlled airspace for aircraft 
instrument flight rules (IFR) operations, and to correctly describe the 
existing offshore airspace areas in FAA Order 7400.9P, Airspace 
Designations and Reporting Points, dated September 1, 2006, and 
effective September 15, 2006.

EFFECTIVE DATE: 0901 UTC, August 30, 2007. The Director of Federal 
Register approves this incorporation by reference action under 1 CFR 
part 51, subject to the annual revision of FAA Order 7400.9 and 
publication of conforming amendments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ken McElroy, Airspace and Rules, 
Office of System Operations Airspace and AIM, Federal Aviation 
Administration, 800 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20591; 
telephone: (202) 267-8783.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

History

    On Tuesday, March 13, 2007, the FAA published in the Federal 
Register a notice of proposed rulemaking to modify four Alaskan 
Offshore Airspace Areas: Norton Sound Low, Woody Island Low, Control 
1234L and Control 1487L (72 FR 11305). Interested parties were invited 
to participate in this rulemaking effort by submitting written comments 
on the proposal. No comments were received.
    These airspace areas are published in paragraph 6007 of FAA Order 
7400.9P, dated September 1, 2006, and effective September 15, 2006, 
which is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1. The Offshore 
Airspace Areas listed in this document will be published subsequently 
in the Order.

The Rule

    This action amends Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) 
part 71 to modify the Norton Sound Low, Woody Island Low, and Control 
1487L Offshore Airspace Areas, AK, by lowering the floor to 1,200 feet 
mean sea level (MSL) within a 45-mile radius of Hooper Bay Airport, 
within an 81.2-mile radius of Perryville Airport, within a 73-mile 
radius of Homer Airport, and within a 73-mile radius of St. Michael 
Airport. This action also modifies Control 1234L Offshore Airspace 
Area, AK, by lowering the floor to 1,200 feet above the surface within 
an 81.2-mile radius of Perryville Airport, AK. Additionally, this 
action establishes controlled airspace to support IFR operations at the 
Hooper Bay, Perryville, Homer and St. Michael Airports, AK. 
Additionally, controlled airspace extending upward from the surface, 
from 700 feet above the surface, and from 1,200 feet above the surface, 
is established in Control 1234L Offshore Airspace Area. The following 
will correct an error in the Control 1234L Offshore Airspace 
description in FAAO 7400.9N. The Offshore Airspace Area Control 1234L 
begins at and extends west of 160[deg]00'00'' W. longitude. This 
airspace covers all the land west of this longitude including the 
Aleutian Island chain and the Pribilof Islands. Control 1234L Offshore 
Airspace around or near the Alaskan airports of Adak, Atka, Cold Bay, 
Dutch Harbor (Unalaska), Nelson Lagoon, Sand Point, Eareckson Air 
Station, St. George, Port Heiden, Homer, and Chignik, is being lowered 
from the current 2,000 feet AGL floor to incorporate Class E domestic 
airspace. This action is concurrent with Airspace Docket No. 06-AAL-34, 
revoking the domestic airspace descriptions for these airports. 
Additionally, the airspace description in FAA Order 7400.9P for Control 
1234L referring to altitudes the airspace associated with Chignik 
Airport, AK, is amended to describe it from 1200 feet ``above the 
surface.'' Additionally, some of the current Class E5 controlled 
airspace around Kodiak Airport, AK, will be listed within Woody Island 
Offshore Airspace in order to be correctly described.
    Offshore Airspace Areas are published in paragraph 6007 of FAA 
Order 7400.9P, dated September 1, 2006, and effective September 15, 
2006, which is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1. The Offshore 
Airspace Areas listed in this document will be published subsequently 
in the Order.
    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 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

[[Page 31715]]

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.

ICAO Considerations

    As part of this action relates to navigable airspace outside the 
United States, this notice is submitted in accordance with the 
International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) International 
Standards and Recommended Practices.
    The application of International Standards and Recommended 
Practices by the FAA, Office of System Operations Airspace and AIM, 
Airspace & Rules, in areas outside the United States domestic airspace, 
is governed by the Convention on International Civil Aviation. 
Specifically, the FAA is governed by Article 12 and Annex 11, which 
pertain to the establishment of necessary air navigational facilities 
and services to promote the safe, orderly, and expeditious flow of 
civil air traffic. The purpose of Article 12 and Annex 11 is to ensure 
that civil aircraft operations on international air routes are 
performed under uniform conditions.
    The International Standards and Recommended Practices in Annex 11 
apply to airspace under the jurisdiction of a contracting state, 
derived from ICAO. Annex 11 provisions apply when air traffic services 
are provided and a contracting state accepts the responsibility of 
providing air traffic services over high seas or in airspace of 
undetermined sovereignty.
    A contracting state accepting this responsibility may apply the 
International Standards and Recommended Practices that are consistent 
with standards and practices utilized in its domestic jurisdiction.
    In accordance with Article 3 of the Convention, state-owned 
aircraft are exempt from the Standards and Recommended Practices of 
Annex 11. The United States is a contracting state to the Convention. 
Article 3(d) of the Convention provides that participating state 
aircraft will be operated in international airspace with due regard for 
the safety of civil aircraft. Since this action involves, in part, the 
designation of navigable airspace outside the United States, the 
Administrator has consulted with the Secretary of State and the 
Secretary of Defense in accordance with the provisions of Executive 
Order 10854.

Environmental Review

    The FAA has determined that this action qualifies for categorical 
exclusion under the National Environmental Policy Act in accordance 
with FAA Order 1050.1E, paragraph 311(a), and paragraph 311(p), 
``Policies and Procedures for Considering Environmental Impacts.'' This 
airspace action is not expected to cause any potentially significant 
environmental impacts, and no extraordinary circumstances exist that 
warrant preparation of an environmental assessment.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 71

    Airspace, Incorporation by reference, Navigation (air).

Adoption of the Amendment

0
In consideration of the foregoing, the Federal Aviation Administration 
amends 14 CFR part 71 as follows:

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

0
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]

0
2. The incorporation by reference in 14 CFR 71.1 of Federal Aviation 
Administration Order 7400.9P, Airspace Designations and Reporting 
Points, dated September 1, 2006, and effective September 15, 2006, is 
amended as follows:

Paragraph 6007 Offshore Airspace Areas.

    The Class E airspace areas listed below extend upward from a 
specified altitude to, but not including 18,000 feet MSL and are 
designated as offshore airspace areas. These areas typically provide 
controlled airspace beyond 12 miles from the coast of the United 
States in those areas where there is a requirement to provide IFR en 
route ATC services and within which the United States is applying 
domestic ATC procedures. In Alaska, Control 1234L also covers the 
land masses of the Aleutian Island chain, west of 160[deg] W. 
longitude, and the Pribilof Islands.
* * * * *

Norton Sound Low, AK [Amended]

    That airspace extending upward from 14,500 feet MSL within an 
area bounded by a line beginning at lat. 56[deg]42'59'' N., long. 
160[deg]00'00'' W., thence east and north by a line 12 miles from 
and parallel to the shoreline to the intersection with a point 12 
miles from the U.S. coastline and lat. 68[deg]00'00'' N., to lat. 
68[deg]00'00'' N., long. 168[deg]58'23'' W., to lat. 65[deg]00'00'' 
N., long. 168[deg]58'23'' W., to lat. 62[deg]35'00'' N., long. 
175[deg]00'00'' W., to lat. 59[deg]59'57'' N., long. 168[deg]00'08'' 
W., to lat. 57[deg]45'57'' N., long. 161[deg]46'08'' W., to lat. 
58[deg]06'57'' N., long. 160[deg]00'00'' W., to the point of 
beginning; and that airspace extending upward from 1,200 feet MSL 
within 13 miles west and 4 miles east of the Port Heiden NDB, AK, 
339[deg] bearing extending from the Port Heiden NDB, AK, to 25 miles 
northwest of the Port Heiden NDB, AK, and within 9 miles north of 
the Port Heiden NDB, AK, 248[deg] bearing extending from the Port 
Heiden NDB, AK, to 24 miles west of the Port Heiden NDB, AK, and 
north of the Alaska Peninsula and east of 160[deg] W. longitude 
within an 81.2-mile radius of Perryville Airport, AK, and north of 
the Alaska Peninsula and east of 160[deg] W. longitude within a 
72.8-mile radius of Chignik Airport, AK, and within a 35-mile radius 
of lat. 60[deg]21'17'' N., long. 165[deg]04'01'' W., and within a 
45-mile radius of Hooper Bay Airport, AK, and within a 73-mile 
radius of St. Michael Airport, AK, and within a 77.4-mile radius of 
the Nome VORTAC, AK, and within a 30-mile radius of lat. 
66[deg]09'58'' N., long. 166[deg]30'03'' W., and within a 30-mile 
radius of lat. 66[deg]19'55'' N., long. 165[deg]40'32'' W., and 
within a 45-mile radius of Deering Airport, AK; and that airspace 
extending upward from 700 feet MSL within 8 miles west and 4 miles 
east of the 339[deg] bearing from the Port Heiden NDB, AK, extending 
from the Port Heiden NDB, AK, to 20 miles northwest of the Port 
Heiden NDB, AK, and within a 25-mile radius of Nome Airport, AK.
* * * * *

Woody Island Low, AK [Amended]

    That airspace extending upward from 14,500 feet MSL within the 
area bounded by a line beginning at lat. 53[deg]30'00'' N., long. 
160[deg]00'00'' W., to lat. 56[deg]00'00'' N., long. 153[deg]00'00'' 
W., to lat. 56[deg]45'42'' N., long. 151[deg]45'00'' W., to lat. 
58[deg]19'58'' N., long. 148[deg]55'07'' W., to lat. 59[deg]08'34'' 
N., long. 147[deg]16'06'' W., then clockwise via the 149.5-mile 
radius from the Anchorage, VOR/DME, AK, to the intersection with a 
point 12 miles from and parallel to the U.S. coastline, then 
southwest by a line 12 miles from and parallel to the U.S. coastline 
to the intersection with long. 160[deg]00'00'' W., to the point of 
beginning; and that airspace extending upward from 700 feet above 
the surface within 5 miles south and 9 miles north of the 070[deg] 
radial of the Kodiak VORTAC, AK, extending to 17 miles northeast of 
the Kodiak VORTAC, AK, and within 8 miles north and 4 miles south of 
the Kodiak, AK, localizer front course extending to 20.3 miles east 
of Kodiak Airport, AK; and that airspace extending upward from 1,200 
feet MSL, within 27 miles of the Kodiak VORTAC, AK, extending from 
the 023[deg] radial clockwise to the 088[deg] radial and within 8 
miles north and 5 miles south of the Kodiak localizer front course 
extending to 32 miles east of Kodiak Airport, AK, and that airspace 
extending south and east of the Alaska Peninsula within a 72.8-mile 
radius of Chignik Airport, AK, and outside (south) of the 149.5-mile 
radius of the Anchorage VOR/DME, AK, within a 73-mile radius of 
Homer Airport, AK, and south and east of the Alaska Peninsula within 
an 81.2-mile radius of Perryville Airport, AK.
* * * * *

[[Page 31716]]

Control 1234L [Amended]

    That airspace extending upward from 2,000 feet above the surface 
within an area bounded by a line beginning at lat. 58[deg]06'57'' 
N., long. 160[deg]00'00'' W., then south along long. 160[deg]00'00'' 
W. until it intersects the Anchorage Air Route Traffic Control 
Center (ARTCC) boundary; then southwest, northwest, north, and 
northeast along the Anchorage ARTCC boundary to lat. 62[deg]35'00'' 
N., long. 175[deg]00'00'' W., to lat. 59[deg]59'57'' N., long. 
168[deg]00'08'' W., to lat. 57[deg]45'57'' N., long. 161[deg]46'08'' 
W., to the point of beginning; and that airspace extending upward 
from the surface within a 4.6-mile radius of Cold Bay Airport, AK, 
and within 1.7 miles each side of the 150[deg] bearing from Cold Bay 
Airport, AK, extending from the 4.6-mile radius to 7.7 miles 
southeast of Cold Bay Airport, AK, and within 3 miles west and 4 
miles east of the 335[deg] bearing from Cold Bay Airport, AK, 
extending from the 4.6-mile radius to 12.2 miles northwest of Cold 
Bay Airport, AK and that airspace extending upward from 700 feet 
above the surface within a 6.9-mile radius of Eareckson Air Station, 
AK, and within a 7-mile radius of Adak Airport, AK, and within 5.2 
miles northwest and 4.2 miles southeast of the 061[deg] bearing from 
the Mount Moffett NDB, AK, extending from the 7-mile radius of Adak 
Airport, AK, to 11.5 miles northeast of Adak Airport, AK and within 
a 6.5-mile radius of King Cove Airport, and that airspace extending 
1.2 miles either side of the 103[deg] bearing from King Cove Airport 
from the 6.5-mile radius out to 8.8 miles; and within a 6.4-mile 
radius of the Atka Airport, AK, and within a 6.9-mile radius of 
Eareckson Air Station, AK, and within a 6.3-mile radius of Nelson 
Lagoon Airport, AK and within a 6.4-mile radius of Sand Point 
Airport, AK, and within 3 miles each side of the 172[deg] bearing 
from the Borland NDB/DME, AK, extending from the 6.4-mile radius of 
Sand Point Airport, AK, to 13.9 miles south of Sand Point Airport, 
AK, and within 5 miles either side of the 318[deg] bearing from the 
Borland NDB/DME, AK, extending from the 6.4-mile radius of Sand 
Point Airport, AK, to 17 miles northwest of Sand Point Airport, AK, 
and within 5 miles either side of the 324[deg] bearing from the 
Borland NDB/DME, AK, and within a 6.6-mile radius of St. George 
Airport, AK, and within an 8-mile radius of St. Paul Island Airport, 
AK, and 8 miles west and 6 miles east of the 360[deg] bearing from 
St. Paul Island Airport, AK, to 14 miles north of St. Paul Island 
Airport, AK, and within 6 miles west and 8 miles east of the 
172[deg] bearing from St. Paul Island Airport, AK to 15 miles south 
of Paul Island Airport, AK, and within a 6.4-mile radius of Unalaska 
Airport, AK, and within 2.9 miles each side of the 360[deg] bearing 
from the Dutch Harbor NDB, AK, extending from the 6.4-mile radius of 
Unalaska Airport, AK, to 9.5 miles north of Unalaska Airport, AK; 
and that airspace extending upward from 1,200 feet above the surface 
within a 26.2-mile radius of Eareckson Air Station, AK, within an 
11-mile radius of Adak Airport, AK, and within 16 miles of Adak 
Airport, AK, extending clockwise from the 033[deg] bearing to the 
081[deg] bearing from the Mount Moffett NDB, AK, and within a 10-
mile radius of Atka Airport, AK, and within a 10.6-mile radius from 
Cold Bay Airport, AK, and within 9 miles east and 4.3 miles west of 
the 321[deg] bearing from Cold Bay Airport, AK, extending from the 
10.6-mile radius to 20 miles northwest of Cold Bay Airport, AK, and 
4 miles each side of the 070[deg] bearing from Cold Bay Airport, AK, 
extending from the 10.6-mile radius to 13.6 miles northeast of Cold 
Bay Airport, AK, and within a 26.2-mile radius of Eareckson Air 
Station, AK, and west of 160[deg] west longitude within an 81.2-mile 
radius of Perryville Airport, AK, and within a 10-mile radius of St. 
George Airport, AK, and within a 73-mile radius of St. Paul Island 
Airport, AK, and within a 20-mile radius of Unalaska Airport, AK, 
extending clockwise from the 305[deg] bearing from the Dutch Harbor 
NDB, AK, to the 075[deg] bearing from the Dutch Harbor NDB, AK, and 
west of 160[deg] longitude within a 25-mile radius of the Borland 
NDB/DME, AK, and west of 160[deg]W. longitude within a 72.8-mile 
radius of Chignik Airport, AK.
* * * * *

Control 1487L [Amended]

    That airspace extending upward from 8,000 feet MSL within 149.5 
miles of the Anchorage VOR/DME clockwise from the 090[deg] radial to 
the 185[deg] radial of the Anchorage VOR/DME, AK; and that airspace 
extending upward from 5,500 feet MSL within the area bounded by a 
line beginning at lat. 58[deg]19'58'' N., long. 148[deg]55'07'' W.; 
to lat. 59[deg]08'35'' N., long. 147[deg]16'04'' W.; thence 
counterclockwise via the 149.5-mile radius of the Anchorage VOR/DME, 
AK, to the intersection with a point 12 miles from and parallel to 
the U.S. coastline; thence southeast 12 miles from and parallel to 
the U.S. coastline to a point 12 miles offshore on the Vancouver FIR 
boundary; to lat. 54[deg]32'57'' N., long. 133[deg]11'29'' W.; to 
lat. 54[deg]00'00'' N., long. 136[deg]00'00'' W.; to lat. 
52[deg]43'00'' N., long. 135[deg]00'00'' W.; to lat. 56[deg]45'42'' 
N., long. 151[deg]45'00'' W.; to the point of beginning; and that 
airspace extending upward from 1,200 feet MSL within the area 
bounded by a line beginning at lat. 59[deg]33'25'' N., long. 
141[deg]03'22'' W.; thence southeast 12 miles from and parallel to 
the U.S. coastline to lat. 58[deg]56'18'' N., long. 138[deg]45'19'' 
W.; to lat. 58[deg]40'00'' N., long. 139[deg]30'00'' W.; to lat. 
59[deg]00'00'' N., long. 141[deg]10'00'' W.; to the point of 
beginning, and within an 85-mile radius of the Biorka Island VORTAC, 
AK, and within a 42-mile radius of the Middleton Island VOR/DME, AK, 
and within a 30-mile radius of the Glacier River NDB, AK; and within 
a 149.5-mile radius of the Anchorage VOR/DME, AK, within the 73-mile 
radius of Homer Airport, AK; and that airspace extending upward from 
700 feet MSL within 14 miles of the Biorka Island VORTAC, AK, and 
within 4 miles west and 8 miles east of the Biorka Island VORTAC 
209[deg] radial extending to 16 miles southwest of the Biorka Island 
VORTAC, AK.
* * * * *

    Issued in Washington, DC, on May 29, 2007.
Paul Gallant,
Acting Manager, Airspace and Rules Group.
 [FR Doc. E7-11061 Filed 6-7-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P