[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 142 (Thursday, July 23, 2020)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 44467-44469]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-15930]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2020-0350; Airspace Docket No. 18-AAL-2]
RIN 2120-AA66


Amendment of Class E Airspace; Kotzebue, AK

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action modifies Class E airspace, designated as a surface 
area, at Ralph Wein Memorial Airport. This action also modifies the 
Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface. 
Additionally, this action modifies the Class E airspace extending 
upward from 1,200 feet above the surface. Further, this action removes 
the Kotzebue VOR/DME from the airspace legal descriptions. Lastly, this 
action implements several administrative corrections to the airspace 
legal descriptions.

DATES: Effective 0901 UTC, November 5, 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 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 7400.11D at NARA, email [email protected] 
or go to https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Matthew Van Der Wal, Federal Aviation 
Administration, Western Service Center,

[[Page 44468]]

Operations Support Group, 2200 S 216th Street, Des Moines, WA 98198; 
telephone (206) 231-3695.

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 amends Class E airspace at Ralph Wein Memorial Airport, Kotzebue, 
AK, to ensure the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rules 
(IFR) operations at the airport.

History

    The FAA published a notice of proposed rulemaking in the Federal 
Register (85 FR 27178; May 7, 2020) for Docket No. FAA-2020-0350 to 
amend Class E airspace at Ralph Wein Memorial Airport, Kotzebue, AK. 
Interested parties were invited to participate in this rulemaking 
effort by submitting written comments on the proposal to the FAA. One 
comment was received, the comment was not germane to the proposed 
airspace modification.
    During the NPRM comment period, the FAA determined that a small 
portion of the Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above 
the surface extends beyond 12 miles from the coast. The Final Rule 
includes exclusionary language to keep the airspace within 12 miles of 
the coast.
    Class E2 and E5 airspace designations are published in paragraphs 
6002 and 6005, respectively, 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 Class E airspace designation 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 7400.11D, 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

    This amendment to Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) 
part 71 modifies Class E airspace, designated as a surface area, at 
Ralph Wein Memorial Airport, Kotzebue, AK. This area is described as 
follows: That airspace extending upward from the surface within a 4.3-
mile radius of the Ralph Wien Memorial Airport.
    This action also modifies Class E airspace, extending upward from 
700 feet above the surface. This area is described as follows: That 
airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface within a 6.8-
mile radius of the airport, and within 8 miles north and 4 miles south 
of the 088[deg] bearing from the airport, extending from 1.4 miles east 
of the airport to 17.4 miles east of the airport, and within 4 miles 
north and 8 miles south of a 276[deg] bearing from the airport, 
extending from the airport to 14.7 miles west of Ralph Wein Memorial 
Airport, excluding that airspace beyond 12 miles from the coast.
    Additionally, this action modifies Class E airspace extending 
upward from 1,200 feet above the surface. The area is described as 
follows: That airspace extending upward from 1,200 feet above the 
surface within a 45-mile radius of the Ralph Wien Memorial Airport, 
excluding that airspace beyond 12 miles from the coast.
    Further, this action removes the Kotzebue VOR/DME Navigational Aid 
from the airspace legal descriptions. The Navigational Aid is not 
required to define the airspace and by removing it from the legal 
description, the airspace can be described from a single reference 
point.
    Lastly, this action implements several administrative corrections 
to the airspace legal descriptions. The airport name on the second line 
of the text header is updated to Ralph Wien Memorial Airport, AK. The 
airport's geographic coordinates are updated to lat. 66[deg]53'05'' N, 
long. 162[deg]35'53'' W. The following two sentences are removed from 
the Class E surface area description ``This Class E airspace area is 
effective during specific dates and times established in advance by a 
Notice to Airmen. The effective date and time will thereafter be 
continuously published in the Airport/Facility Directory.''
    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, 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 will only affect air traffic procedures and air navigation, it is 
certified that this rule, when promulgated, would 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 5-6.5a. This airspace action is not expected to 
cause any potentially significant environmental impacts, and no 
extraordinary circumstances exist that warrant preparation of an 
environmental assessment.

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 14 CFR 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:

[[Page 44469]]

Paragraph 6002 Class E Airspace Areas Designated as Surface Areas.

* * * * *

AAL AK E2 Kotzebue, AK [Amended]

Ralph Wien Memorial Airport, AK
    (Lat. 66[deg]53'05'' N, long. 162[deg]35'53'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface within a 4.3-
mile radius of the Ralph Wien Memorial Airport.

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

* * * * *

AAL AK E5 Kotzebue, AK [Amended]

Ralph Wien Memorial Airport, AK
    (Lat. 66[deg]53'05'' N, long. 162[deg]35'53'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface 
within a 6.8-mile radius of the airport, and within 8 miles north 
and 4 miles south of the 088[deg] bearing from the airport, 
extending from 1.4 miles east of the airport to 17.4 miles east of 
the airport, and within 4 miles north and 8 miles south of a 
276[deg] bearing from the airport, extending from the airport to 
14.7 miles west of the airport, excluding that airspace extending 
beyond 12 miles from the coast; and that airspace extending upward 
from 1,200 feet above the surface within a 45-mile radius of the 
Ralph Wien Memorial Airport, excluding that airspace extending 
beyond 12 miles from the coast.

    Issued in Seattle, Washington, on July 17, 2020.
B.G. Chew,
Acting Group Manager, Western Service Center, Operations Support Group.
[FR Doc. 2020-15930 Filed 7-22-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P