[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 125 (Monday, June 29, 2020)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 38785-38787]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-13818]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 71
[Docket No. FAA-2019-1105; Airspace Docket No. 19-AGL-17]
RIN 2120-AA66
Amendment of Multiple Air Traffic Service (ATS) Routes in the
Northcentral United States
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This action amends VHF Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal
airways V-13, V-55, and V-505, and Area Navigation (RNAV) route T-354
in the Northcentral United States. The modifications are necessary due
to the planned decommissioning of the VOR portion of the Siren, WI,
VOR/Distance Measuring Equipment (VOR/DME) navigation aid (NAVAID)
which provides navigation guidance for portions of the affected air
traffic service (ATS) routes. The Siren VOR is being decommissioned as
part of the FAA's VOR Minimum Operational Network (MON) program.
The VOR Federal airway V-15, V-26, V-78, V-100, V-159, V-175, V-
219, and V-307, and Area Navigation (RNAV) route T-285 modifications
proposed in the notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) require additional
coordination and flight inspection activities. As such, those ATS route
modifications are removed from this rule. Additionally, the V-55 and T-
354 modifications effected by the Park Rapids, MN, VOR/DME proposed in
the NPRM also require additional coordination and flight inspection
activities, and are removed from this rule, too.
DATES: Effective date 0901 UTC, September 10, 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 will modify the route structure as necessary to
preserve the safe and efficient flow of air traffic within the National
Airspace System.
History
The FAA published a NPRM for Docket No. FAA-2019-1105 in the
Federal Register (85 FR 3295; January 21, 2020), amending VOR Federal
airways V-13, V-15, V-26, V-55, V-78, V-100, V-159, V-175, V-219, V-
307, and V-505, and RNAV routes T-285 and T-354 in the Northcentral
United States. The proposed modifications were due to the planned
decommissioning of the VOR portion of the Park Rapids, MN, VOR/DME;
Siren, WI, VOR/DME; Sioux City, IA, VOR/Tactical Air Navigation
(VORTAC); and Huron, SD, VORTAC NAVAIDs. Interested parties were
invited to
[[Page 38786]]
participate in this rulemaking effort by submitting written comments on
the proposal. No comments were received.
Subsequent to the NPRM, the FAA determined the VOR Federal airway
V-15, V-26, V-55, V-78, V-100, V-159, V-175, V-219, and V-307, and the
RNAV route T-285 and T-354 modifications proposed in the NPRM, due to
the planned decommissioning of the VOR portion of the Park Rapids, MN,
VOR/DME; Sioux City, IA, VORTAC; and Huron, SD, VORTAC NAVAIDs,
required additional coordination and flight inspection activities. As a
result, those ATS route modifications are removed from this rule and
will be reworked in a separate rulemaking action.
VOR Federal airways are published in paragraph 6010(a) and RNAV T-
routes are published in paragraph 6011 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 airways listed in this
document would be subsequently published in the Order.
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.
Differences From the NPRM
In the NPRM, the FAA proposed amendments to VOR Federal airways V-
15, V-26, V-55, V-78, V-100, V-159, V-175, V-219, and V-307, and RNAV
routes T-285 and T-354 due to the planned decommissioning of the VOR
portion of the Park Rapids, MN, VOR/DME; Sioux City, IA, VORTAC; and
Huron, SD, VORTAC NAVAIDs. However, additional coordination and flight
inspection activity are required to modify the route segments of these
ATS routes that are effected by the Park Rapids VOR/DME, Sioux City
VORTAC, and Huron VORTAC. Therefore, the ATS route amendments
associated with those three NAVAIDs are not included in this final rule
and will be reworked in a separate rulemaking action.
The Rule
The FAA is amending Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR)
part 71 by modifying VOR Federal airways V-13, V-55, and V-505, and
RNAV route T-354. The planned decommissioning of the VOR portion of the
Siren, WI, VOR/DME NAVAID has made this action necessary. The VOR
Federal airway changes are outlined below.
V-13: V-13 extends between the McAllen, TX, VOR/DME and the Thunder
Bay, ON, Canada, VOR/DME. The airspace outside the United States is
excluded. The airway segment overlying the Siren, WI, VOR/DME between
the Farmington, MN, VORTAC and the Duluth, MN, VORTAC is removed. The
airspace outside the United States continues to be excluded. The
unaffected portions of the existing airway remain as charted.
V-55: V-55 extends between the Dayton, OH, VOR/DME and the
intersection of the Green Bay, WI, VORTAC 270[deg] and Oshkosh, WI,
VORTAC 339[deg] radials; between the Eau Claire, WI, VORTAC and the
Siren, WI, VOR/DME; and between the Park Rapids, MN, VOR/DME and the
Bismarck, ND, VOR/DME. The airway segment overlying the Siren, WI, VOR/
DME between the Eau Claire, WI, VORTAC and the Siren, WI, VOR/DME is
removed. The unaffected portions of the existing airway remain as
charted.
V-505: V-505 extends between the Des Moines, IA, VORTAC and the
International Falls, MN, VOR/DME. The airway segment overlying the
Siren, WI, VOR/DME between the Gopher, MN, VORTAC and the Duluth, MN,
VORTAC is removed. Additionally, an editorial correction changes the
state abbreviation for the Duluth VORTAC listed in the description from
``MI'' to ``MN''. The unaffected portions of the existing airway remain
as charted.
The RNAV route change is outlined below.
T-354: T-354 extends between the Park Rapids, MN, VOR/DME and the
Siren, WI, VOR/DME. The Siren, WI (RZN), route point listed as ``VOR/
DME'' is changed to ``DME''. The unaffected portions of the existing
RNAV route remain as charted.
All radials listed in the route descriptions below are unchanged
and stated in True degrees.
FAA Order 7400.11, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, is
published yearly and effective on September 15.
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 will only affect 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 amending VOR Federal
airways V-13, V-55, and V-505, and RNAV route T-354, due to the planned
decommissioning of the VOR portion of the Siren, WI, VOR/DME NAVAID,
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).
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:
[[Page 38787]]
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-13 [Amended]
From McAllen, TX; INT McAllen 060[deg] radial and Corpus
Christi, TX, 178[deg] radials; Corpus Christi; INT Corpus Christi
039[deg] and Palacios, TX, 241[deg] radials; Palacios; Humble, TX;
Lufkin, TX; Belcher, LA; Texarkana, AR; Rich Mountain, OK; Fort
Smith, AR; INT Fort Smith 006[deg] and Razorback, AR, 190[deg]
radials; Razorback; Neosho, MO; Butler, MO; Napoleon, MO; Lamoni,
IA; Des Moines, IA; Mason City, IA; to Farmington, MN. From Duluth,
MN; to Thunder Bay, ON, Canada. The airspace outside the United
States is excluded.
* * * * *
V-55 [Amended]
From Dayton, OH; Fort Wayne, IN; Goshen, IN; Gipper, MI; Keeler,
MI; Pullman, MI; Muskegon, MI; INT Muskegon 327[deg] and Green Bay,
WI, 116[deg] radials; Green Bay; to INT Green Bay 270[deg] and
Oshkosh, WI, 339[deg] radials. From Park Rapids, MN; Grand Forks,
ND; INT Grand Forks 239[deg] and Bismarck, ND, 067[deg] radials; to
Bismarck.
* * * * *
V-505 [Amended]
From Des Moines, IA; Fort Dodge, IA, excluding the airspace at
and above 11,000 feet MSL between 27 miles and 64 miles northwest of
Des Moines VOR during the time that the Boone MOA is activated;
Mason City, IA; INT Mason City 349[deg] and Gopher, MN, 188[deg]
radials; to Gopher. From Duluth, MN; INT Duluth 331[deg] and
Hibbing, MN, 120[deg] radials; Hibbing; INT Hibbing 319[deg] and
International Falls, MN, 182[deg] radials; to International Falls.
* * * * *
6011 United States Area Navigation Routes
* * * * *
T-354 Park Rapids, MN (PKD) to Siren, WI (RZN) [Amended]
Park Rapids, MN (PKD) VOR/DME (Lat. 46[deg]53'53.34'' N, long. 095[deg]04'15.21'' W)
BRNRD, MN WP (Lat. 46[deg]20'53.81'' N, long. 094[deg]01'33.54'' W)
Siren, WI (RZN) DME (Lat. 45[deg]49'13.60'' N, long. 092[deg]22'28.26'' W)
* * * * *
Issued in Washington, DC, on June 22, 2020.
Scott M. Rosenbloom,
Acting Manager, Rules and Regulations Group.
[FR Doc. 2020-13818 Filed 6-26-20; 8:45 am]
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