[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 127 (Monday, July 6, 2009)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 31849-31850]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-15694]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2008-0940; Airspace Docket No. 08-AAL-25]
RIN 2120-AA66


Removal and Modification of VOR Federal Airways; Alaska

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action removes Federal Airway V-328, and modifies three 
Federal Airways, V-319, V-333 and V-480, in Alaska. This action revises 
the Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) airway and route structure in Alaska 
to account for the pending decommissioning from the National Airspace 
System (NAS) of the Kipnuk Very High Omni-directional Range (VOR), at 
Kipnuk, AK. The FAA is taking this action to enhance safety and improve 
the management of air traffic operations in the State of Alaska.

DATES: Effective Date: 0901 UTC, August 27, 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: Ken McElroy, Airspace and Rules Group, 
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 December 10, 2008, the FAA published in the Federal Register a 
notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to remove V-328 and modify V-319, 
V-333 and V-480 (73 FR 75013). Interested parties were invited to 
participate in this rulemaking effort by submitting written comments on 
this proposal. No comments were received in response to the NPRM.
    VOR Federal Airways are published in paragraph 6010(b) of FAA Order 
7400.9S, signed October 3, 2008, and effective October 31, 2008, which 
is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1. The VOR Federal Airways 
listed in this document will be published subsequently in the Order.

The Rule

    The FAA is amending Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR 
part 71) by revoking one Federal Airway V-328, and modifying three 
Federal Airways, V-319, V-333, and V-480 in Alaska. The FAA is taking 
this action to remove all airways off the Kipnuk, Very High Omni-
directional Range (VOR), Kipnuk, AK, in preparation for the VOR's 
eventual decommissioning from the National Airspace System (NAS). The 
Kipnuk VOR decommissioning proposal was publicly advertised in non-
rulemaking notice numbers 02-AAL-31NR and 06-AAL-32NR. After reviewing 
public comment, the FAA decided that keeping or moving the Kipnuk VOR 
was not feasible and should be decommissioned. 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.

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, ``Environmental Impacts: Polices and 
Procedures,'' paragraph 311a. 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).

[[Page 31850]]

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 6010(b) Alaskan VOR Federal Airways.

* * * * *

V-319 [Revised]

    From Yakutat, AK, via Johnstone Point, AK, INT Johnstone Point 
286[deg] and Anchorage, AK, 117[deg] radials; Anchorage, AK; 
Sparrevohn, AK; Bethel, AK; Hooper Bay, AK; to Nanwak, AK NDB.
* * * * *

V-333 [Revised]

    From Hooper Bay, AK; Nome, AK; to Shishmaref, AK.
* * * * *

V-328 [Removed]

* * * * *

V-480 [Revised]

    From Mt. Moffett, AK, NDB, 20 AGL via St. Paul Island, AK, NDB, 
20 AGL; Bethel, AK; McGrath, AK; Nenana, AK; to Fairbanks, AK.
* * * * *

    Issued in Washington, DC, on June 26, 2009.
Edith V. Parish,
Manager, Airspace and Rules Group.
[FR Doc. E9-15694 Filed 7-2-09; 8:45 am]
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