[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 181 (Wednesday, September 22, 2021)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 52605-52606]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-20294]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 71
[Docket No. FAA-2021-0294; Airspace Docket No. 20-ASO-31]
RIN 2120-AA66
Amendment and Removal of Air Traffic Service (ATS) Routes;
Eastern United States
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This action amends two jet routes, and removes four jet
routes, in the eastern United States. This action is in support of the
Northeast Corridor Atlantic Coast Route Project to improve the
efficiency of the National Airspace System (NAS) and reduce dependency
on ground-based navigational systems.
DATES: Effective date 0901 UTC, December 2, 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 JO 7400.11F, 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 JO 7400.11F 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 would modify the route structure as necessary to
preserve the safe and efficient flow of air traffic within the NAS.
History
The FAA published a notice of proposed rulemaking for Docket No.
FAA-2021-0294 in the Federal Register (86 FR 24801; May 10, 2021),
amending three jet routes, and removing four jet routes in the United
States in support of the Northeast Corridor Atlantic Coast Route
Project. Interested parties were invited to participate in this
rulemaking effort by submitting written comments on the proposal. No
comments were received.
Jet routes are published in paragraph 2004 of FAA Order JO 7400.11F
dated August 10, 2021, and effective September 15, 2021, which is
incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1. The jet routes listed in this
document will be subsequently amended in, or removed, respectively,
from the Order.
Availability and Summary of Documents for Incorporation by Reference
This document amends FAA Order JO 7400.11F, Airspace Designations
and Reporting Points, dated August 10, 2021, and effective September
15, 2021. FAA Order JO 7400.11F is publicly available as listed in the
ADDRESSES section of this document. FAA Order JO 7400.11F lists Class
A, B, C, D, and E airspace areas, air traffic service routes, and
reporting points.
[[Page 52606]]
Difference From the NPRM
The NPRM proposed to amend jet route J-55 by removing the segments
between Sea Isle, NJ, and Presque Isle, ME. Design and coordination of
the proposed amendment is incomplete so the J-55 amendment is removed
from this final rule. The change will be deferred to a later date. J-55
will remain as currently depicted on aeronautical charts.
The Rule
This action amends 14 CFR part 71 by amending two jet routes and
removing four jet routes in the eastern United States. This action
supports the Northeast Corridor Atlantic Coast Route Project by
amending and removing certain jet route segments that are being
replaced by Area Navigation (RNAV) routing. Additionally, the jet route
changes will reduce aeronautical chart clutter by removing unneeded
route segments.
The jet route changes are as follows:
J-42: J-42 currently extends between the Delicias, Mexico, VOR/DME,
and the Boston, MA, VOR/DME. This action removes the segments between
Texarkana, AR, and Boston, MA. The amended route extends between
Delicias, Mexico and Texarkana, AR. The portion within Mexico is
excluded.
J-150: J-150 extends between the Gordonsville, VA, VOR/Tactical Air
Navigation (VORTAC) and the Marconi, MA, 082[deg] and the Boston, MA,
097[deg] radials (STOOL intersection). This action removes the entire
route.
J-191: J-191 currently extends between the Robbinsville, NJ,
VORTAC, and the Wilmington, NC, VORTAC. This action removes the
segments between Robbinsville, NJ, and Patuxent, MD. The amended route
extends between Hopewell, VA and Wilmington, NC.
J-193: J-193 currently extends between the Wilmington, NC, VORTAC,
and the intersection of the Harcum, VA, VORTAC 006[deg] and the
Hopewell, VA, VORTAC 030[deg] radials (HUBBS intersection). This action
removes the entire route.
J-222: J-222 currently extends between the Robbinsville, NJ,
VORTAC, and the Cambridge, NY, VHF Omnidirectional Range (VOR)/Distance
Measuring Equipment (DME). This action removes the entire route.
J-225: J-225 currently extends between the Cedar Lake, NJ, VOR/DME,
and the Providence, RI, VOR/DME. This action removes the entire route.
FAA Order JO 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 only affects air traffic procedures
and air navigation, it is certified that this proposed rule, when
promulgated, does 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 two jet routes,
removing four jet routes, in the eastern United States qualifies for
categorical exclusion under the National Environmental Policy Act (42
U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) 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 cause 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
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).
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 JO
7400.11F Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 10,
2021, and effective September 15, 2021, is amended as follows:
Paragraph 2004 Jet Routes.
* * * * *
J-42 [Amended]
From Delicias, Mexico, via Fort Stockton, TX; Abilene, TX;
Ranger, TX; Texarkana, AR; excluding the portion in Mexico.
* * * * *
J-150 [Removed]
* * * * *
J-191 [ Amended]
From Hopewell, VA; to Wilmington, NC
* * * * *
J-193 [Removed]
* * * * *
J-222 [Removed]
* * * * *
J-225 [Removed]
* * * * *
Issued in Washington, DC, on September 15, 2021.
Michael R. Beckles,
Manager, Rules and Regulations Group.
[FR Doc. 2021-20294 Filed 9-21-21; 8:45 am]
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