[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 45 (Friday, March 6, 2020)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 12999-13001]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-04418]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2019-0431; Airspace Docket No. 19-ASO-9]
RIN 2120-AA66


Amendment of VOR Federal Airway V-159 in the Vicinity of 
Hamilton, AL

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action modifies VHF Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal 
airway V-159 due to the planned decommissioning of the Hamilton, AL, 
VORTAC navigation aid which provides navigation guidance segments of 
the route. The Hamilton VORTAC is being

[[Page 13000]]

decommissioned as part of the FAA's VOR Minimum Operational Network 
(MON) program.

DATES: Effective date 0901 UTC, May 21, 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: Paul Gallant, 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 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-2019-0431 in the Federal Register (84 FR 28434; June 19, 2019), 
amending VOR Federal airway V-159 due to the planned decommissioning of 
the Hamilton, AL, VORTAC. 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 Class A, 
B, C, D, and E airspace areas, air traffic service routes, and 
reporting points.

The Rule

    V-159 currently extends between the Virginia Key, FL, VOR/DME and 
the Huron, SD, VORTAC. This rule removes the segments of V-159 between 
the Vulcan, AL, VORTAC, and the Holly Springs, MS, VORTAC. This is due 
to the planned decommissioning of the Hamilton, AL, VORTAC which 
provides navigation guidance for the route between Vulcan and Holly 
Springs. As amended, V-159 consists of two sections. The first section 
extends between Virginia Key, FL, and Vulcan, AL, as currently charted. 
This is followed by a gap in the route between Vulcan, AL, and Holly 
Springs, MS. The second section extends between Holly Springs, MS, and 
Huron, SD, as currently charted.
    To mitigate the removal of V-159 between Vulcan, AL, and Holly 
Springs, MS, a low altitude area navigation (RNAV) route, designated T-
239, was established effective January 30, 2020 (84 FR 28434; June 19, 
2019). T-239 extends between the Pecan, GA, VOR/DME, and the GOINS, MS, 
waypoint (near the Holly Springs, MS, VORTAC). T-239 replaces V-159 
between Vulcan, AL and Holly Springs, MS, and also overlies those parts 
of V-159 between Pecan, GA, and Vulcan, AL. Alternative routing for VOR 
navigation between Vulcan, AL, and Holly Springs, MS, is available via 
existing airway V-7 between Vulcan, AL, and the Muscle Shoals, AL, 
VORTAC; then airway V-54 between Muscle Shoals and Holly Springs.

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. 
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, 
will 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 of modifying VOR Federal 
airway V-159 near Hamilton, AL, qualifies for categorical exclusion 
under the National Environmental Policy Act and its implementing 
regulations at 40 CFR part 1500, 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). As such, this action is not 
expected to result in any potentially significant environmental 
impacts. 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 that 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).

[[Page 13001]]

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-159 [Amended]

    From Virginia Key, FL: INT Virginia Key 344[deg] and Treasure, 
FL, 178[deg] radials; Treasure; INT Treasure 318[deg] and Orlando, 
FL, 140[deg] radials; Orlando; Ocala, FL; Cross City, FL; 
Greenville, FL; Pecan, GA; Eufaula, AL; Tuskegee, AL; to Vulcan, AL. 
From Holly Springs, MS; Gilmore, AR; Walnut Ridge, AR; Dogwood, MO; 
Springfield, MO; Napoleon, MO; INT Napoleon 005[deg] and St. Joseph, 
MO, 122[deg] radials; St. Joseph; Omaha, IA; Sioux City, IA; 
Yankton, SD; Mitchell, SD; to Huron, SD.
* * * * *

    Issued in Washington, DC, on February 25, 2020.
Scott M. Rosenbloom,
Acting Manager, Rules and Regulations Group.
[FR Doc. 2020-04418 Filed 3-5-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P