[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 223 (Tuesday, November 18, 2008)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 68317-68318]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-26933]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2008-0716; Airspace Docket No. 08-ASW-9]


Establishment of Low Altitude Area Navigation Route T-254; 
Houston, TX

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action establishes a low altitude Global Positioning 
System (GPS)/Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) area navigation 
route, designated T-254, in the vicinity of the Houston, TX, terminal 
area. This route allows for more efficient utilization of airspace and 
enhances the management of aircraft operations in the vicinity of 
Houston, TX.

DATES: Effective Date: 0901 UTC, January 15, 2009. The Director of the 
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: Colby Abbott, Airspace and Rules 
Group, Office of System Operations

[[Page 68318]]

Airspace and AIM, Federal Aviation Administration, 800 Independence 
Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20591; telephone: (202) 267-8783.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

History

    On July 2, 2008, the FAA published in the Federal Register a notice 
of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to establish T-254 in the vicinity of 
Houston, TX (73 FR 37905). The purpose of the route is to provide a 
more efficient use of navigable airspace for westbound and eastbound en 
route Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations navigating around the 
Houston Class B terminal airspace area. Interested parties were invited 
to participate in this rulemaking effort by submitting written comments 
on the proposal. No comments were received.
    Area navigation routes are published in paragraph 6011 of FAA Order 
7400.9S, signed October 3, 2008, and effective October 31, 2008, which 
is incorporated by reference in Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations 
(14 CFR) part 71.1. The area navigation route listed in this document 
will be published subsequently in the Order.

The Rule

    This action amends 14 CFR part 71 by establishing area navigation 
route T-254 in the vicinity of Houston, TX. The new route extends 
between the Centex, TX, very high frequency omnidirectional range/
tactical air navigation (VORTAC) aid and the Lake Charles, LA, VORTAC. 
T-254 enhances aviation safety, facilitates more efficient use of the 
navigable airspace for en route IFR operations flying westbound and 
eastbound in the vicinity of Houston, TX, and establishes a published 
route to assist aircraft navigating around the Houston Class B terminal 
airspace area.
    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 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.
    The FAA's authority to issue rules regarding aviation safety is 
found in Title 49 of the United States Code. Subtitle I, Section 106 
describes the authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII, 
Aviation Programs, describes in more detail the scope of the agency's 
authority.
    This rulemaking is promulgated under the authority described in 
Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart I, Section 40103. Under that section, the 
FAA is charged with prescribing regulations to assign the use of the 
airspace necessary to ensure the safety of aircraft and the efficient 
use of airspace. This regulation is within the scope of that authority 
as it establishes area navigation route T-254 in the vicinity of 
Houston, TX.

Environmental Review

    The FAA has determined that this action is categorically excluded 
from further environmental documentation according to FAA Order 
1050.1E, Environmental Impacts: Policies and Procedures, in accordance 
with paragraph 311a. Additionally, the implementation of this action 
will not result in any extraordinary circumstances in accordance with 
FAA Order 1050.1E paragraph 304.

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 FAA Order 7400.9S, 
Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, signed October 3, 2008, and 
effective October 31, 2008, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 6011 United States Area Navigation Routes.

* * * * *

T-254 Centex, TX to Lake Charles, LA [New]

Centex, TX (CWK)............  VORTAC..............  (Lat. 30[deg]22'43'' N., long. 97[deg]31'47'' W.)
College Station, TX (CLL)...  VORTAC..............  (Lat. 30[deg]36'18'' N., long. 96[deg]25'14'' W.)
EAKES, TX...................  WP..................  (Lat. 30[deg]33'18'' N., long. 95[deg]18'29'' W.)
CREPO, TX...................  WP..................  (Lat. 30[deg]16'54'' N., long. 94[deg]14'43'' W.)
Lake Charles, LA (LCH)......  VORTAC..............  (Lat. 30[deg]08'28'' N., long. 93[deg]06'18'' W.)
 

* * * * *

    Issued in Washington, DC, on November 5, 2008.
Edith V. Parish,
Manager, Airspace and Rules Group.
[FR Doc. E8-26933 Filed 11-17-08; 8:45 am]
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