[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 101 (Friday, May 24, 2013)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 31396-31397]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-12314]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2012-1142; Airspace Docket No. 12-ANM-25]


Amendment of Class D and Class E Airspace; Portland-Hillsboro, OR

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action modifies Class E airspace at Portland-Hillsboro 
Airport, Portland-Hillsboro, OR, to accommodate aircraft departing and 
arriving under Instrument Flight Rule (IFR) operations at the airport. 
Also, the geographic coordinates are updated for the airport. This 
action, initiated by the biennial review of the Portland-Hillsboro 
airspace area, improves the safety and management of IFR operations at 
the airport.

DATES: Effective date, 0901 UTC, August 22, 2013. 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: Richard Roberts, Federal Aviation 
Administration, Operations Support Group, Western Service Center, 1601 
Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057; telephone (425) 203-4517.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

History

    On December 21, 2012, the FAA published in the Federal Register a 
notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend controlled airspace at 
Portland-Hillsboro, OR (77 FR 75593). This action was initiated by a 
biennial review of the airspace. Interested parties were invited to 
participate in this rulemaking effort by submitting written comments on 
the proposal to the FAA. No comments were received.
    Class E airspace designations are published in paragraphs 5000, 
6002 and 6004, respectively, of FAA Order 7400.9W dated August 8, 2012, 
and effective September 15, 2012, which is incorporated by reference in 
14 CFR 71.1. The Class E airspace designations listed in this document 
will be published subsequently in that Order.

The Rule

    This action amends Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) 
Part 71 by modifying Class E airspace designated as an extension to 
Class D surface area. The size of the Class E airspace to the northwest 
has been reduced, the Class E airspace to the south removed, and 
additional Class E airspace created south southeast of the Portland-
Hillsboro Airport. The geographic coordinates of the airport also are 
updated to coincide with the FAA's aeronautical database. This action 
enhances the safety and management of IFR operations.
    The FAA has determined 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 
only affects air traffic procedures and air navigation, it is certified 
this rule, when promulgated, does 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 U.S. Code. 
Subtitle 1, Section 106 discusses 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 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 modifies 
controlled airspace at Portland-Hillsboro Airport, Portland-Hillsboro, 
OR.

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: Policies and 
Procedures,''

[[Page 31397]]

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)

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, B, C, D AND E AIRSPACE AREAS; AIR 
TRAFFIC SERVICE ROUTES; AND REPORTING POINTS

0
1. The authority citation for 14 CFR 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 the Federal 
Aviation Administration Order 7400.9W, Airspace Designations and 
Reporting Points, dated August 8, 2012, and effective September 15, 
2012 is amended as follows:

Paragraph 5000 Class D airspace.

* * * * *

ANM OR D Portland-Hillsboro, OR [Modified]

Portland-Hillsboro Airport, OR
    (Lat. 45[deg]32'26'' N., long. 122[deg]57'01'' W.)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface to and including 
2,700 feet MSL within a 4.2-mile radius of Portland-Hillsboro 
Airport. This Class D airspace area is effective during the specific 
dates and times established in advance by a Notice to Airmen. The 
effective date and time will thereafter be continuously published in 
the Airport/Facility Directory.

Paragraph 6002 Class E airspace designated as surface areas.

* * * * *

ANM OR E2 Portland-Hillsboro, OR [Modified]

Portland-Hillsboro Airport, OR
    (Lat. 45[deg]32'26'' N., long. 122[deg]57'01'' W.)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface within a 4.2-
mile radius of Portland-Hillsboro Airport. This Class E airspace 
area is effective during the specific dates and times established in 
advance by a Notice to Airmen. The effective date and time will 
thereafter be continuously published in the Airport/Facility 
Directory.

Paragraph 6004 Class E airspace areas designated as an extension to 
Class D surface area.

* * * * *

ANM OR E4 Portland-Hillsboro, OR [Modified]

Portland-Hillsboro Airport, OR
    (Lat. 45[deg]32'26'' N., long. 122[deg]57'01'' W.)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface within 1 mile 
each side of the 144[deg] bearing of the airport extending from the 
4.2-mile radius to 5.5 miles southeast of the airport and within 1.5 
miles each side of the 323[deg] bearing of the airport extending 
from the 4.2-mile radius of the airport to 7 miles northwest of the 
airport.

    Issued in Seattle, Washington, on May 12, 2013.
Clark Desing,
Manager, Operations Support Group, Western Service Center.
[FR Doc. 2013-12314 Filed 5-23-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P