[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 81 (Wednesday, April 27, 2022)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 24865-24866]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-08893]


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

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2021-1021; Airspace Docket No. 21-ASO-9]
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 three jet routes and removes one jet route 
in the eastern United States. This action is associated with the 
decommissioning of the Atlanta VHF Omnidirectional Range and Tactical 
Air Navigation (VORTAC) system in support of the VHF Omnidirectional 
Range (VOR) Minimum Operational Network (MON) to improve the efficiency 
of the National Airspace System (NAS) and reduce dependency on ground-
based navigational systems.

DATES: Effective date 0901 UTC, July 14, 2022. 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 JO 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.

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-2021-1021 in the Federal Register (86 FR 73205; December 27, 2021), 
amending three jet routes and removing one jet route in the eastern 
United States. 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 would be subsequently amended in, or removed, respectively, 
from FAA Order JO 7400.11.

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.

The Rule

    This action amends 14 CFR part 71 by amending J-4, J-45 and J-89 
and removing J-239 in the eastern United States. This action is 
associated with the planned decommissioning of the Atlanta VORTAC and 
the VOR MON program by amending and removing certain jet route segments 
that are being replaced by area navigation routing. Additionally, the 
jet route changes reduce aeronautical chart clutter by removing 
unneeded route segments.
    The route changes are as follows:
    J-4: J-4 currently extends between the Los Angeles, CA, (LAX) 
VORTAC, and the Colliers, SC, (IRQ) VORTAC. The FAA is removing the 
latter segment of the route from the Meridian, MS, (MEI) VORTAC to the 
Colliers VORTAC. The amended route extends between the Los Angeles, CA, 
(LAX) VORTAC and the Magnolia, MS, (MHZ) VORTAC.
    J-45: J-45 currently extends between the Atlanta, GA, VORTAC, and 
the Aberdeen, SD, (ABR) VOR/Distance Measuring Equipment (VOR/DME). 
This action removes the Atlanta, GA, (ATL) VORTAC from the initial 
segment. The amended route extends between the Nashville, TN, (BNA) 
VORTAC, and the Aberdeen, SD, (ABR) VOR/DME.
    J-89: J-89 currently extends between the Atlanta, GA, VORTAC, and 
the Winnipeg, MB, Canada, (YWG) VORTAC. This action removes the 
Atlanta, GA, (ATL) VORTAC in the initial segment. As amended, the route 
extends between the Louisville, KY, (IIU) VORTAC, and the Winnipeg, MB, 
Canada, (YWG) VORTAC. The portion within Canada is excluded.
    J-239: J-239 currently extends between the Atlanta, GA, (ATL) 
VORTAC and the Meridian, MS, (MEI) VORTAC. The FAA is removing the 
entire route.
    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 only affects air traffic procedures 
and air navigation, it is certified that this rule, when promulgated, 
does not have a significant economic impact on a substantial

[[Page 24866]]

number of small entities under the criteria of the Regulatory 
Flexibility Act.

Environmental Review

    The FAA has determined that this action of amending three jet 
routes, removing one jet route, 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); and paragraph 5-6.5b, which categorically excludes from 
further environmental impact review ``Actions regarding establishment 
of jet routes and Federal airways (see 14 CFR 71.15, Designation of jet 
routes and VOR Federal airways) . . .''. 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 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 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-4 [Amended]

    From Los Angeles, CA, via INT Los Angeles 083[deg] and 
Twentynine Palms, CA, 269[deg] radials; Twentynine Palms; Parker, 
CA; Buckeye, AZ; San Simon, AZ; Newman, TX; Wink, TX; Abilene, TX; 
Ranger, TX; Belcher, LA; to Magnolia, MS.
* * * * *

J-45 [Amended]

    From Nashville, TN; St Louis, MO; Kirksville, MO; Des Moines, 
IA; Sioux Falls, SD; to Aberdeen, SD.
* * * * *

J-89 [Amended]

    From Louisville, KY; Boiler, IN; Northbrook, IL; Badger, WI; 
Duluth, MN; to Winnipeg, MB, Canada. The portion within Canada is 
excluded.
* * * * *

J-239 [Removed]

* * * * *

    Issued in Washington, DC, on April 20, 2022.
Scott M. Rosenbloom,
Manager, Airspace Rules and Regulations.
[FR Doc. 2022-08893 Filed 4-26-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P