[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]
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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.
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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]
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