[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 20 (Thursday, January 30, 2020)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 5320-5321]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-01569]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2019-0476; Airspace Docket No. 19-AGL-7]
RIN 2120-AA66


Amendment of VOR Federal Airways V-148, V-177, and V-345 in the 
Vicinity of Ely, MN, and Hayward, WI

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action amends VHF Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal 
airways V-148 and V-345 in the vicinity of Hayward, WI, and removes V-
177 in the vicinity of Ely, MN, and Hayward, WI. The VOR Federal 
airways modifications and removal are necessary due to the planned 
decommissioning of the Ely, MN, and Hayward, WI, VOR navigation aids 
(NAVAIDs), which provide navigation guidance for portions of the 
affected air traffic service (ATS) routes. The Ely and Hayward VORs are 
being decommissioned as part of the FAA's VOR Minimum Operational 
Network (MON) program.

DATES: Effective date 0901 UTC, March 26, 2020. 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 7400.11D, Airspace Designations and Reporting 
Points, and subsequent amendments can be viewed online at https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/. For further information, you can 
contact the Rules and Regulations 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 7400.11D at NARA, email 
[email protected] or go to https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Colby Abbott, Rules and Regulations 
Group, Office of Policy, Federal Aviation Administration, 800 
Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20591; telephone: (202) 267-
8783.

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 
the 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 the air traffic service route structure in the 
National Airspace System as necessary to preserve the safe and 
efficient flow of air traffic.

History

    The FAA published a notice of proposed rulemaking for Docket No. 
FAA-2019-0476 in the Federal Register (84 FR 34078; July 17, 2019) 
amending VOR Federal airways V-148 and V-345, and removing V-177. 
Interested parties were invited to participate in this rulemaking 
effort by submitting written comments on the proposal. No comments were 
received.
    VOR Federal airways are published in paragraph 6010(a) of FAA Order 
7400.11D dated August 8, 2019, and effective September 15, 2019, which 
is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1. The VOR Federal airway 
listed in this document will be subsequently published in the Order.
    FAA Order 7400.11, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, is 
published yearly and effective on September 15.

Availability and Summary of Documents for Incorporation by Reference

    This document amends FAA Order 7400.11D, Airspace Designations and 
Reporting Points, dated August 8, 2019, and effective September 15, 
2019. FAA Order 7400.11D is publicly available as listed in the 
ADDRESSES section of this document. FAA Order 7400.11D lists

[[Page 5321]]

Class A, B, C, D, and E airspace areas, air traffic service routes, and 
reporting points.

The Rule

    The FAA is amending Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) 
part 71 by modifying VOR Federal airways V-148 and V-345, and removing 
VOR Federal airway V-177. The planned decommissioning of the Ely, MN, 
and Hayward, WI, VORs has made these actions necessary. The VOR Federal 
airway changes are outlined below.
    V-148: V-148 extends between the Falcon, CO, VORTAC and the 
Houghton, MI, VOR/DME. The airway segment between the Gopher, MN, 
VORTAC and the Ironwood, MI, VOR/DME is removed. The unaffected 
portions of the existing airway would remain as charted.
    V-177: V-177 extends between the Joliet, IL, VOR/DME and the Ely, 
MN, VORTAC. The airway is removed in its entirety.
    V-345: V-345 extends between the Dells, WI, VORTAC and the Hayward, 
WI, VOR/DME. The airway segment between the Eau Claire, WI, VORTAC and 
the Hayward, WI, VOR/DME is removed. The unaffected portions of the 
existing airway would remain as charted.
    All radials in the route descriptions below are unchanged and 
stated in True degrees.

Regulatory Notices and Analyses

    The FAA has determined that this proposed regulation only involves 
an established body of technical regulations for which frequent and 
routine amendments are necessary to keep them operationally current. 
It, therefore: (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 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 airspace action of modifying VOR 
Federal airways V-148 and V-345, and removing VOR Federal airway V-177 
has no potential to cause any significant environmental impacts, and no 
extraordinary circumstances exist that warrant preparation of an 
environmental assessment. Therefore, this airspace action has been 
categorically excluded from further environmental impact review in 
accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and its 
implementing regulations at 40 CFR parts 1500-1508, and in accordance 
with FAA Order 1050.1F, Environmental Impacts: Policies and Procedures, 
paragraph 5-6.5a, which categorically excludes from further 
environmental impact review rulemaking actions that designate or modify 
classes of airspace areas, airways, routes, and reporting points (see 
14 CFR part 71, Designation of Class A, B, C, D, and E Airspace Areas; 
Air Traffic Service Routes; and Reporting Points). In accordance with 
FAA Order 1050.1F, paragraph 5-2 regarding Extraordinary Circumstances, 
the FAA has reviewed this action for factors and circumstances in which 
a normally categorically excluded action may have a significant 
environmental impact requiring further analysis. The FAA has determined 
no extraordinary circumstances exist that warrant preparation of an 
environmental assessment or environmental impact study.

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 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 7400.11D, 
Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 8, 2019, and 
effective September 15, 2019, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 6010(a) Domestic VOR Federal Airways.

* * * * *

V-148 [Amended]

    From Falcon, CO; Thurman, CO; 65 MSL INT Thurman 067[deg] and 
Hayes Center, NE, 246[deg] radials; Hayes Center; North Platte, NE; 
O'Neill, NE; Sioux Falls, SD; Redwood Falls, MN; to Gopher, MN. From 
Ironwood, MI; to Houghton, MI.
* * * * *

V-177 [Removed]

* * * * *

V-345 [Amended]

    From Dells, WI; INT Dells 321[deg] and Eau Claire, WI, 134[deg] 
radials; to Eau Claire.
* * * * *

    Issued in Washington, DC, on January 23, 2020.
Rodger A. Dean, Jr.,
Manager, Rules and Regulations Group.
[FR Doc. 2020-01569 Filed 1-29-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P