[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 73 (Monday, April 19, 2021)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 20270-20271]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-07961]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2020-1098; Airspace Docket No. 20-ANM-25]
RIN 2120-AA66


Amendment of Class E Airspace; Meeker, CO

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action modifies the Class E airspace extending upward 
from 700 feet above the surface at Meeker Coulter Field Airport, 
Meeker, CO, by reducing the dimensions of the airspace area. 
Additionally, this action implements an administrative update to the 
airport's name.

DATES: Effective 0901 UTC, June 17, 2021. The Director of the Federal 
Register approves this incorporation by reference action under 1 CFR 
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 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 7400.11E 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, 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 modifies Class E airspace at Meeker Coulter Field Airport, 
Meeker, CO, to ensure the safety and management of IFR operations at 
the airport.

History

    The FAA published a notice of proposed rulemaking in the Federal 
Register (85 FR 85564; December 29, 2020) for Docket No. FAA-2020-1098 
to modify the Class E airspace at Meeker Coulter Field Airport, Meeker, 
CO. Interested parties were invited to participate in this rulemaking 
effort by submitting written comments on the proposal to the FAA. No 
comments were received.
    Subsequent to the publication of the NPRM, the FAA determined that 
the proposed description of the airspace created a small gap between 
the circular radius of the airport and the airspace on either side of 
the 220[deg] bearing from the airport. The final rule removes the small 
gap by adjusting the 220[deg] bearing to the 221[deg] bearing from the 
airport, and changes the distance on either side of the 221[deg] 
bearing from 1.0 mile to 1.1 miles. This adjustment will not impact

[[Page 20271]]

the external boundaries of the airspace. Further, the final rule 
removes excess verbiage from the airspace's description. The corrected 
airspace description reads: That airspace extending upward from 700 
feet above the surface within a 3.5-mile radius of the airport, and 
within 1.1 miles each side of the 221[deg] bearing from the airport, 
extending from the 3.5-mile radius to 9 mile southwest of the airport, 
and within 4 miles north and 8 miles south of the 292[deg] bearing from 
the airport, extending from 2.1 miles west of the airport to 18.1 miles 
west of Meeker Coulter Field Airport.
    Class E5 airspace designations are published in paragraph 6005 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 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 7400.11E, 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

    This amendment to 14 CFR part 71 modifies the Class E airspace 
extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at Meeker Coulter 
Field Airport, Meeker, CO. This airspace is designed to contain IFR 
departures to 1,200 feet above the surface and IFR arrivals descending 
below 1,500 feet above the surface. The airspace area was larger than 
required and has been reduced to properly contain IFR aircraft 
departing and arriving at the airport.
    Additionally, this action implements an administrative update to 
the airport's name. To match the FAA database, the airport name is 
updated to Meeker Coulter Field Airport.
    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 the 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: 9 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 7400.11E, 
Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated July 21, 2020, and 
effective September 15, 2020, is amended as follows:

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

* * * * *

ANM CO E5 Meeker, CO [Amended]

Meeker Coulter Field Airport, CO
    (Lat. 40[deg]02'56'' N, long. 107[deg]53'09'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface 
within a 3.5-mile radius of the airport, and within 1.1 miles each 
side of the 221[deg] bearing from the airport, extending from the 
3.5-mile radius to 9 mile southwest of the airport, and within 4 
miles north and 8 miles south of the 292[deg] bearing from the 
airport, extending from 2.1 miles west of the airport to 18.1 miles 
west of Meeker Coulter Field Airport.

    Issued in Seattle, Washington, on April 9, 2021.
B.G. Chew,
Acting Group Manager, Operations Support Group, Western Service Center.
[FR Doc. 2021-07961 Filed 4-16-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P