[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 153 (Thursday, August 8, 2013)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 48292-48293]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-18714]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2013-0261; Airspace Docket No. 13-AGL-14]


Amendment of Class D Airspace; Grand Forks AFB, ND

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action amends Class D airspace at Grand Forks Air Force 
Base (AFB), ND. Changes to the airspace description are necessary due 
to changes in air traffic control tower operating hours. The FAA is 
taking this action to enhance the safety and management of Instrument 
Flight Rule (IFR) operations at the airport.

DATES: Effective date: 0901 UTC, October 17, 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: Scott Enander, Central Service Center, 
Operations Support Group, Federal Aviation Administration, Southwest 
Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, TX 76137; telephone 817-321-
7716.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

History

    On June 3, 2013, the FAA published in the Federal Register a notice 
of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend Class D airspace for Grand Forks 
AFB, ND (78 FR 33016) Docket No. FAA-2013-0261. Interested parties were

[[Page 48293]]

invited to participate in this rulemaking effort by submitting written 
comments on the proposal to the FAA. No comments were received. Class D 
airspace designations are published in paragraph 5000 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 D airspace 
designations 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 by amending Class D airspace at Grand Forks AFB, ND, amending 
the operating hours to reflect removal of the specific effective dates 
and times established by a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) for Grand Forks 
AFB, Grand Forks, ND. Operating hours are now continuous, 24 hours at 
Grand Forks AFB. Controlled airspace is needed for the safety and 
management of IFR operations at the airport.
    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 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 that 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, 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 
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 amends controlled airspace at Grand Forks AFB, Grand Forks, ND.

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,'' 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.

* * * * *

AGL ND D Grand Forks AFB, ND [Amended]

Grand Forks AFB, ND
    (Lat. 47[deg]57'41'' N., long. 97[deg]24'03'' W.)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface to and including 
3,400 feet MSL within a 4.9-mile radius of Grand Forks AFB, and 
within 2.3 miles each side of the 174[deg] bearing from the airport 
extending from the 4.9-mile radius to 5.6 nm south of the airport, 
excluding that airspace within the Grand Forks, ND, Class D airspace 
area.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on July 25, 2013.
David P. Medina,
Manager, Operations Support Group, ATO Central Service Center.
[FR Doc. 2013-18714 Filed 8-7-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P