[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 31 (Wednesday, February 17, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 7973-7974]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-03067]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2015-3084; Airspace Docket No. 15-AGL-13]


Establishment of Class E Airspace; International Falls, MN

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action establishes Class E airspace in the International 
Falls, MN, area to facilitate vectoring of Instrument Flight Rules 
(IFR) aircraft under control of Minneapolis Air Route Traffic Control 
Center (ARTCC). This action enhances the safety and efficiency of 
aircraft operations within the National Airspace System (NAS).

DATES: Effective 0901 UTC, May 26, 2016. The Director of the Federal 
Register approves this incorporation by reference action under title 1, 
Code of Federal Regulations, part 51, subject to the annual revision of 
FAA Order 7400.9 and publication of conforming amendments.

ADDRESSES: FAA Order 7400.9Z, Airspace Designations and Reporting 
Points, and subsequent amendments can be viewed on line at http://www.faa.gov/airtraffic/publications/. For further information, you can 
contact the Airspace Policy Group, Federal Aviation Administration, 800 
Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 29591; telephone: 202-267-8783. 
The Order is also available for inspection at the National Archives and 
Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of 
this material at NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal-regulations/ibr_locations.html.
    FAA Order 7400.9, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, is 
published yearly and effective on September 15.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Raul Garza, Jr., Central Service 
Center, Operations Support Group, Federal Aviation Administration, 
Southwest Region, 10101 Hillwood Parkway, Fort Worth, TX 76177; 
telephone: (817) 222-5874.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Authority for This Rulemaking

    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 
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 controlled airspace in the International Falls, MN, 
area.

History

    On August 27, 2015, the FAA published in the Federal Register a 
notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to establish Class E en Route 
Domestic Airspace in the International Falls, MN area. (80 FR 51972) 
FAA-2015-3084. On September 25, 2015, the FAA published in the Federal 
Register a correction to the aforementioned NPRM to include 
exclusionary reference to Canadian airspace (80 FR 57755) FAA-2015-
3084. Interested parties were invited to participate in this rulemaking 
effort by submitting written comments on the proposal to the FAA. One 
positive comment was received.
    Class E airspace designations are published in paragraph 6006 of 
FAA Order 7400.9Z dated August 6, 2015, and effective September 15, 
2015, which is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR part 71.1. The Class 
E airspace designations listed in this document will be published 
subsequently in the Order.

Availability and Summary of Documents for Incorporation by Reference

    This document amends FAA Order 7400.9Z, airspace Designations and 
Reporting Points, dated August 6, 2015, and effective September 15, 
2015. FAA Order 7400.9Z is publicly available as listed in the 
ADDRESSES section of this document. FAA Order 7400.9Z lists Class A, B, 
C, D, and E airspace areas, air traffic service routes, and reporting 
points.

The Rule

    This amendment to Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) 
part 71 establishes Class E Domestic en Route airspace extending upward 
from 1,200 feet above the surface in the International Falls, MN area, 
to contain aircraft while in IFR conditions under control of 
Minneapolis ARTCC by safely vectoring aircraft from en route airspace 
to terminal areas. Controlled airspace is needed for the safety and 
management of IFR operations within the confines of Minneapolis ARTCC 
airspace.
    Class E airspace designations are published in Paragraph 6006 of 
FAA Order 7400.9Z, dated August 6, 2015, and effective September 15, 
2015, which is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1. The Class E 
airspace designations listed in this document will be published 
subsequently in the Order.

Regulatory Notices and Analyses

    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, is 
non-controversial and unlikely to result in adverse or negative 
comments. It, therefore: (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

[[Page 7974]]

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 1050.1F, ``Environmental Impacts: Policies and 
Procedures,'' paragraph 5-6.5. This airspace action is not expected to 
cause any potentially significant environmental impacts, and no 
extraordinary circumstances exists that warrant preparation of an 
environmental assessment.

Lists 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 Part 71 continues to read as follows:

    Authority:  49 U.S.C. 106(f), 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 7400.9Z, 
Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 6, 2015, 
effective September 15, 2015, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 6006 Enroute Domestic Airspace Areas.

* * * * *

AGL MN E6 International Falls, MN [New]

    That airspace extending upward from 1,200 feet above the surface 
within an area bounded by lat. 49[deg]00'00'' N., long. 
095[deg]00'00'' W.; to lat. 49[deg]00'00'' N., long. 093[deg]30'00'' 
W.; to lat. 48[deg]06'30'' N., long. 090[deg]06'00'' W.; to lat. 
47[deg]53'00'' N., long. 090[deg]55'00'' W.; to lat. 48[deg]34'00'' 
N., long. 094[deg]00'00'' W.; to lat. 48[deg]40'00'' N., long. 
095[deg]00'00'' W., thence to the point of beginning, excluding that 
airspace within Federal airways and within Canadian airspace.

    Issued in Fort Worth, TX, on February 4, 2016.
Robert W. Beck,
Manager, Operations Support Group, ATO Central Service Center.
[FR Doc. 2016-03067 Filed 2-16-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P