[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 238 (Thursday, December 10, 2020)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 79422-79425]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-26919]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 71
[Docket No. FAA-2020-0667; Airspace Docket No. 20-AGL-24]
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-15, V-26, V-55, V-78, V-100, V-159, V-175, V-219, and V-307,
and Area Navigation (RNAV) routes T-285 and T-354 in the Northcentral
United States. The modifications are necessary due to the planned
decommissioning of the VOR portion of the Park Rapids, MN, VOR/Distance
Measuring Equipment (VOR/DME); Sioux City, IA, VOR/Tactical Air
Navigation (VORTAC); and Huron, SD, VORTAC navigation aids (NAVAIDs).
The NAVAIDs provide navigation guidance for segments of the affected
air traffic service (ATS) routes. The VORs are being decommissioned as
part of the FAA's VOR Minimum Operational Network (MON) program.
DATES: Effective date 0901 UTC, February 25, 2021. 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 7400.11E, 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 7400.11E 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 route structure as necessary to preserve
the safe and efficient flow of air traffic within the National Airspace
System.
History
The FAA published a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) for Docket
No. FAA-2020-0667 in the Federal Register (85 FR 47317; August 5,
2020), amending 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 in the
Northcentral United States. The proposed amendment actions were 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.
Interested parties were invited to participate in this rulemaking
effort by submitting written comments on the proposal. No comments were
received.
Subsequent to the NPRM, the FAA published a rule for Docket No.
FAA-2020-0189 in the Federal Register (85 FR 50777; August 18, 2020),
amending VOR Federal airway V-55 by removing the airway segment between
the Pullman, MI, VOR/DME and the intersection of the Green Bay, WI,
VORTAC 270[deg] and Oshkosh, WI, VORTAC 339[deg] radials (BIPID fix).
That airway amendment, effective November 5, 2020, is included in this
rule.
Additionally, subsequent to the NPRM, the FAA published a rule for
Docket No. FAA-2020-0294 in the Federal Register (85 FR 51324; August
20, 2020), amending RNAV route T-354 by replacing the Siren DME route
point with the SSKYY, WI, waypoint and extending the route
southeastward from the SSKYY, WI, waypoint to the Cunningham, KY, VOR/
DME. Those route amendments, effective November 5, 2020, are also
included in this rule.
VOR Federal airways are published in paragraph 6010(a) and RNAV T-
routes are published in paragraph 6011 of FAA Order 7400.11E dated July
21, 2020, and effective September 15, 2020, which is incorporated by
reference in 14 CFR 71.1. The VOR Federal airways listed in this
document will be subsequently published in the Order.
Availability and Summary of Documents for Incorporation by Reference
This document amends FAA Order 7400.11E, Airspace Designations and
Reporting Points, dated July 21, 2020, and effective September 15,
2020. FAA Order 7400.11E is publicly available as listed in the
ADDRESSES section of this document. FAA Order 7400.11E lists 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-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. The
planned decommissioning of the VOR portion of the Park Rapids, MN, VOR/
DME; Sioux City, IA, VORTAC; and Huron, SD, VORTAC NAVAIDs has made
this action necessary. The VOR Federal airway changes are outlined
below.
V-15: V-15 extends between the Navasota, TX, VOR/DME and the
Bonham, TX, VORTAC; between the Okmulgee, OK, VOR/DME and the Neosho,
MO, VOR/DME; and between the Sioux City, IA, VORTAC and the
[[Page 79423]]
Minot, ND, VOR/DME. The airway segment overlying the Sioux City, IA,
and Huron, SD, VORTACs between the Sioux City, IA, VORTAC and the
Aberdeen, SD, VOR/DME is removed. The unaffected portions of the
existing airway remain as charted.
V-26: V-26 extends between the Blue Mesa, CO, VOR/DME and the White
Cloud, MI, VOR/DME. The airway segment overlying the Huron, SD, VORTAC
between the Pierre, SD, VORTAC and the Redwood Falls, MN, VOR/DME is
removed. The unaffected portions of the existing airway remain as
charted.
V-55: V-55 currently extends between the Dayton, OH, VOR/DME and
the Pullman, MI, VOR/DME; and between the Park Rapids, MN, VOR/DME and
the Bismarck, ND, VOR/DME. The airway segment overlying the Park
Rapids, MN, VOR/DME between the Park Rapids, MN, VOR/DME and the Grand
Forks, ND, VOR/DME is removed. The unaffected portions of the existing
airway remain as charted.
V-78: V-78 extends between the Huron, SD, VORTAC and the Escanaba,
MI, VOR/DME; and between the Pellston, MI, VORTAC and the Saginaw, MI,
VOR/DME. The airway segment overlying the Huron, SD, VORTAC between the
Huron, SD, VORTAC and the Watertown, SD, VORTAC is removed. The
unaffected portions of the existing airway remain as charted.
V-100: V-100 extends between the Medicine Bow, WY, VOR/DME and the
Litchfield, MI, VOR/DME. The airway segment overlying the Sioux City,
IA, VORTAC between the O'Neill, NE, VORTAC and the Fort Dodge, IA,
VORTAC is removed. The unaffected portions of the existing airway
remain as charted.
V-159: V-159 extends between the Virginia Key, FL, VOR/DME and the
Vulcan, AL, VORTAC; and between the Holly Springs, MS, VORTAC and the
Huron, SD, VORTAC. The airway segment overlying the Sioux City, IA, and
Huron, SD, VORTACs between the Omaha, IA, VORTAC and the Huron, SD,
VORTAC is removed. The unaffected portions of the existing airway
remain as charted.
V-175: V-175 currently extends between the Malden, MO, VORTAC and
the Winnipeg, MB, Canada, VORTAC. The airspace within Canada is
excluded. The airway segment overlying the Sioux City, IA, VORTAC
between the Des Moines, IA, VORTAC and the Worthington, MN, VOR/DME is
removed; and the airway segment overlying the Park Rapids, MN, VOR/DME
between the Alexandria, MN, VOR/DME and the Winnipeg, MB, Canada,
VORTAC is removed. The exclusion statement for the airspace within
Canada is also removed. The unaffected portions of the existing airway
remain as charted.
V-219: V-219 extends between the Hayes Center, NE, VORTAC and the
Sioux City, IA, VORTAC. The airway segment overlying the Sioux City,
IA, VORTAC between the Norfolk, NE, VOR/DME and the Sioux City, IA,
VORTAC is removed. The unaffected portions of the existing airway
remain as charted.
V-307: V-307 extends between the Harrison, AR, VOR/DME and the
Sioux City, IA, VORTAC. The airway segment overlying the Sioux City,
IA, VORTAC between the Omaha, IA, VORTAC and the Sioux City, IA, VORTAC
is removed. The unaffected portions of the existing airway remain as
charted.
The RNAV route changes are outlined below.
T-285: T-285 extends between the North Platte, NE, VOR/DME and the
Huron, SD, VORTAC. The Huron, SD (HON), route point is changed from
being listed as ``VORTAC'' to ``DME.'' The existing RNAV route remains
as charted.
T-354: T-354 extends between the Park Rapids, MN, VOR/DME and the
Cunningham, KY, VOR/DME. The Park Rapids, MN (PKD), route point is
changed from being listed as ``VOR/DME'' to ``DME'' and a route segment
extending northwestward from the Park Rapids, MN, DME to the BYZIN, ND,
waypoint is added. The existing RNAV route remains as charted with the
addition of the route segment between the BYZIN, ND, waypoint and the
Park Rapids, MN, DME.
All NAVAID radials listed in the VOR Federal airway 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-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, 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:
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.
[[Page 79424]]
Sec. 71.1 [Amended]
0
2. The incorporation by reference in 14 CFR 71.1 of FAA Order 7400.11E,
Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated July 21, 2020, and
effective September 15, 2020, is amended as follows:
Paragraph 6010(a) Domestic VOR Federal Airways.
* * * * *
V-15 [Amended]
From Navasota, TX; College Station, TX; Waco, TX; Cedar Creek,
TX; to Bonham, TX. From Okmulgee, OK; to Neosho, MO. From Aberdeen,
SD; Bismarck, ND; to Minot, ND.
* * * * *
V-26 [Amended]
From Blue Mesa, CO; Montrose, CO; 13 miles 112 MSL, 131 MSL,
Grand Junction, CO; Meeker, CO; Cherokee, WY; Muddy Mountain, WY; 14
miles, 37 miles 75 MSL, 84 miles 90 MSL, Rapid City, SD; Philip, SD;
to Pierre, SD. From Redwood Falls, MN; Farmington, MN; Eau Claire,
WI; Wausau, WI; Green Bay, WI; INT Green Bay 116[deg] and White
Cloud, MI, 302[deg] radials; to White Cloud.
* * * * *
V-55 [Amended]
From Dayton, OH; Fort Wayne, IN; Goshen, IN; Gipper, MI; Keeler,
MI; to Pullman, MI. From Grand Forks, ND; INT Grand Forks 239[deg]
and Bismarck, ND, 067[deg] radials; to Bismarck.
* * * * *
V-78 [Amended]
From Watertown, SD; Darwin, MN; Gopher, MN; INT Gopher 091[deg]
and Eau Claire, WI, 290[deg] radials; Eau Claire; Rhinelander, WI;
Iron Mountain, MI; to Escanaba, MI. From Pellston, MI; Alpena, MI;
INT Alpena 232[deg] and Saginaw, MI, 353[deg] radials; to Saginaw.
* * * * *
V-100 [Amended]
From Medicine Bow, WY; Scottsbluff, NE; Alliance, NE; Ainsworth,
NE; to O'Neill, NE. From Fort Dodge, IA; Waterloo, IA; Dubuque, IA;
Rockford, IL; INT Rockford 074[deg] and Janesville, WI, 112[deg]
radials; INT Janesville 112[deg] and Northbrook, IL, 291[deg]
radials; Northbrook; INT Northbrook 095[deg] and Keeler, MI,
271[deg] radials; Keeler; to Litchfield, MI.
* * * * *
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; to Omaha, IA.
* * * * *
V-175 [Amended]
From Malden, MO; Vichy, MO; Hallsville, MO; Macon, MO;
Kirksville, MO; to Des Moines, IA. From Worthington, MN; Redwood
Falls, MN; to Alexandria, MN.
* * * * *
V-219 [Amended]
From Hayes Center, NE; INT Hayes Center 059[deg] and Wolbach,
NE, 251[deg] radials; Wolbach; to Norfolk, NE.
* * * * *
V-307 [Amended]
From Harrison, AR; Neosho, MO; Oswego, KS; Chanute, KS; Emporia,
KS; INT Emporia 336[deg] and Pawnee City, NE, 194[deg] radials;
Pawnee City; to Omaha, IA.
* * * * *
6011 United States Area Navigation Routes.
* * * * *
T-285 North Platte, NE (LBF) to Huron, SD (HON) [Amended]
North Platte, NE (LBF) VOR/DME (Lat. 41[deg]02'55.34'' N, long. 100[deg]44'49.55'' W)
Thedford, NE (TDD) VOR/DM (Lat. 41[deg]58'53.99'' N, long. 100[deg]43'08.55'' W)
MARSS, NE Fix (Lat. 42[deg]27'48.92'' N, long. 100[deg]36'15.32'' W)
Valentine, NE (VTN) NDB (Lat. 42[deg]51'41.85'' N, long. 100[deg]32'58.73'' W)
LKOTA, SD WP (Lat. 43[deg]15'28.00'' N, long. 100[deg]03'14.00'' W)
LESNR, SD WP (Lat. 43[deg]29'16.06'' N, long. 099[deg]45'41.55'' W)
Huron, SD (HON) DME (Lat. 44[deg]26'24.30'' N, long. 098[deg]18'39.89'' W)
* * * * * * *
T-354 BYZIN, MN to Cunningham, KY (CNG) [Amended]
BYZIN, MN WP (lat. 47[deg]29'03.97'' N, long. 096[deg]13'28.09'' W)
Park Rapids, MN (PKD) 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)
SSKYY, WI WP (Lat. 45[deg]49'13.60'' N, long. 092[deg]22'28.26'' W)
TONOC, WI FIX (Lat. 45[deg]03'47.56'' N, long. 091[deg]38'11.87'' W)
KOETZ, WI WP (Lat. 44[deg]13'15.00'' N, long. 091[deg]28'14.00'' W)
HRMNN, WI WP (Lat. 43[deg]55'32.51'' N, long. 090[deg]58'04.07'' W)
FOMAG, WI WP (Lat. 43[deg]29'38.44'' N, long. 089[deg]46'09.53'' W)
MAYSE, WI WP (Lat. 43[deg]10'14.18'' N, long. 089[deg]42'46.52'' W)
HOMRC, IL WP (Lat. 41[deg]34'04.67'' N, long. 089[deg]30'20.55'' W)
CPTON, IL WP (Lat. 41[deg]06'51.57'' N, long. 089[deg]11'58.93'' W)
BLLUE, IL WP (Lat. 40[deg]07'09.20'' N, long. 088[deg]32'45.48'' W)
BOSTN, IL WP (Lat. 39[deg]53'46.57'' N, long. 088[deg]26'18.96'' W)
Bible Grove, IL (BIB) VORTAC (Lat. 38[deg]55'13.24'' N, long. 088[deg]28'54.50'' W)
Cunningham, KY (CNG) VOR/DME (Lat. 37[deg]00'30.99'' N, long. 088[deg]50'12.89'' W)
[[Page 79425]]
* * * * *
Issued in Washington, DC, on December 3, 2020.
George Gonzalez,
Acting Manager, Rules and Regulations Group.
[FR Doc. 2020-26919 Filed 12-9-20; 8:45 am]
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