[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]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P