[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 123 (Tuesday, June 28, 2022)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 38267-38269]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-13579]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 71
[Docket No. FAA-2021-1079; Airspace Docket No. 21-ASO-15]
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 one jet route, and removes one jet route
and one high altitude area navigation (RNAV) route in the eastern
United States. These actions are 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, September 8, 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
[[Page 38268]]
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-2021-1079 in the Federal Register (86 FR 70771; December 13, 2021),
amending four jet routes, and removing one jet route and one high
altitude area navigation (RNAV) route in the eastern United States. The
description of jet route J-73 was inadvertently omitted from the NPRM.
Therefore, the FAA published a supplemental notice of proposed
rulemaking in the Federal Register (87 FR 10997; February 28, 2022)
amending J-73. Interested parties were invited to participate in this
rulemaking effort by submitting written comments on both NPRMs. No
comments were received.
Jet routes are published in paragraph 2004, and United States area
navigation routes (Q routes) are published in paragraph 2006,
respectively, 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 and Q route listed in this document would be
subsequently amended in, or removed 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.
Differences From the NPRM
The NPRM included the proposed amendment of jet routes J-20, J-41,
and J-73. Subsequent to publication of the NPRM, the FAA determined
that additional coordination was needed to develop the modifications to
these routes. Therefore, J-20, J-41, and J-73 are removed from this
rule. Any action on those routes is delayed to a later date. Routes J-
31, J-69, and Q-63 will be amended or removed as published in the NPRM.
The Rule
The FAA is proposing an amendment to 14 CFR part 71 to amend jet
route J-31, and to remove J-69, and high altitude RNAV route Q-63, in
the eastern United States. This action supports the VOR MON program.
The proposed route changes are as follows:
J-31: J-31 currently extends from Leeville, LA, to Vulcan, AL. This
action removes the segment from Meridian, MS, to Vulcan, AL. As
amended, J-31 extends from Leeville, LA, to Meridian, MS.
J-69: J-69 currently extends from Semmes, AL to Vulcan, AL. The
route is not required for air traffic control purposes. This action
removes the entire route.
Q-63: Q-63 currently extends between the DOOGE, VA, waypoint (WP)
and the HEVAN, IN, WP. The FAA is removing Q-63 because it was replaced
by an extension of Q-93 (Docket No. 2021-0913; 87 FR 14396; March 15,
2022), effective on May 19, 2022.
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 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 jet route J-31,
and removing J-69 and Q-63, 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 result in 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-31 [Amended]
From Leeville, LA; Harvey, LA; to Meridian, MS.
* * * * *
J-69 [Removed]
* * * * *
Paragraph 2006 United States Area Navigation Routes.
* * * * *
[[Page 38269]]
Q-63 [Removed]
* * * * *
Issued in Washington, DC, on June 21, 2022.
Scott M. Rosenbloom,
Manager, Airspace Rules and Regulations.
[FR Doc. 2022-13579 Filed 6-27-22; 8:45 am]
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