[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 82 (Monday, May 1, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 20256-20257]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-08749]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2016-9151; Airspace Docket No. 16-ASW-15]


Revocation of Class E Airspace and Establishment of Class E 
Airspace; Ruston, LA

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action removes Class E airspace extending upward from 700 
feet above the surface at Ruston Municipal Airport, Ruston, LA, as the 
airport has closed and controlled airspace is no longer required, and 
establishes Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the 
surface at the new Ruston Regional Airport, Ruston, LA. This final rule 
is necessary to ensure the safety and management of instrument flight 
rules (IFR) operations at the new airport.

DATES: Effective 0901 UTC, August 17, 2017. 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 7400.11 and publication of conforming amendments.

ADDRESSES: FAA Order 7400.11A, Airspace Designations and Reporting 
Points, and subsequent amendments can be viewed online at http://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/. For further information, you can 
contact the Airspace Policy Group, Federal Aviation Administration, 800 
Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20591; 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 
FAA Order 7400.11A at NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal-regulations/ibr_locations.html.
    FAA Order 7400.11, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, is 
published yearly and effective on September 15.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jeffrey Claypool, Federal Aviation 
Administration, Operations Support Group, Central Service Center, 10101 
Hillwood Parkway, Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone (817) 222-5711.

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 modifies Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above 
the surface in the airspace near Ruston, LA, to accommodate IFR 
procedures at the new Ruston Regional Airport.

History

    On October 12, 2016, the FAA published in the Federal Register (81 
FR 70372) Docket No. FAA-2016-9151, a notice of proposed rulemaking 
(NPRM) to remove Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above 
the surface at Ruston Municipal Airport, Ruston, LA. The FAA also 
proposed to establish Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet 
above the surface within a 6.5 mile radius of the new Ruston Regional 
Airport, Ruston, LA. Interested parties were invited to participate in 
this rulemaking effort by submitting written comments on the proposal 
to the FAA. One comment was received stating, ``This would open up 
airspace because there would not be controlled airspace as the airport 
has shut down.'' While this comment is factually correct, the new 
airport and associated airspace has been established approximately 2.5 
NM from the location of the closed airport so the change in the 
airspace footprint is minimal.
    Class E airspace designations are published in paragraph 6005 of 
FAA Order 7400.11A, dated August 3, 2016, and effective September 15, 
2016, 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.

Availability and Summary of Documents for Incorporation by Reference

    This document amends FAA Order 7400.11A, Airspace Designations and 
Reporting Points, dated August 3, 2016, and effective September 15, 
2016. FAA Order 7400.11A is publicly available as listed in the 
ADDRESSES section of this document. FAA Order 7400.11A 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 removes Class E airspace at Ruston Municipal Airport, Ruston, 
LA, as the airport has closed; therefore, controlled airspace is no 
longer needed. Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above 
the surface within a 6.5-mile radius of the new Ruston Regional 
Airport, Ruston, LA is established for the safety and management of 
standard instrument approach procedures for IFR operations at the new 
airport.

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 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.a. This airspace action is not expected 
to cause any potentially significant environmental impacts, and

[[Page 20257]]

no extraordinary circumstances exist 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 7400.11A, 
Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 3, 2016, and 
effective September 15, 2016, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 6005 Class E Airspace Areas Extending Upward From 700 
Feet or More Above the Surface of the Earth.

* * * * *

ASW LA E5 Ruston, LA [Removed]

* * * * *

ASW LA E5 Ruston, LA [New]

Ruston Regional Airport, LA
    (Lat. 32[deg]30'53'' N., long. 92[deg]35'18'' W.)

    That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface 
within a 6.5-mile radius of the airport.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on April 24, 2017.
Walter Tweedy,
Acting Manager, Operations Support Group, ATO Central Service Center.
[FR Doc. 2017-08749 Filed 4-28-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P