[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 123 (Tuesday, June 28, 2022)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 38271-38273]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-13583]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 71
[Docket No. FAA-2021-1082; Airspace Docket No. 21-ASO-16]
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 jet routes J-22, and J-48; and removing jet
routes J-39, J-118, J-145, and J-186 in the eastern United States. This
action supports the VHF Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Minimum Operational
Network (MON) program 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,
[[Page 38272]]
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-2021-1082 in the Federal Register (86 FR 70778; December 13, 2021),
amending three jet routes and removing four jet routes 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 from,
respectively, 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.
Difference From the NPRM
In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to amend jet route J-46. Subsequent
to the publication of the NPRM, the FAA determined that additional
coordination was needed to finalize the design of J-46. Consequently,
J-46 is removed from this rule and will remain as currently shown on
the IFR En Route chart. Any future modification of J-46 will be
addressed in a separate rulemaking action. Routes J-22, J-48, J-39, J-
118, J-145, and J-186 will be amended or removed by this rule as
proposed in the NPRM.
The Rule
This action amends 14 CFR part 71 by amending jet routes J-22, and
J-48; and removing jet routes J-39, J-118, J-145, and J-186 in the
eastern United States. This action supports the VOR MON program by
amending or removing certain jet route segments due to the planned
decommissioning of ground-based navigation aids. Additionally, the jet
route changes reduce aeronautical chart clutter by removing unneeded
route segments.
The route changes are as follows:
J-22: J-22 currently extends from Nuevo Laredo, Mexico, to
Montebello, VA. This action removes the route segments from Vulcan, AL,
to Montebello, VA. As amended, the J-22 extends from Nuevo Laredo,
Mexico to Meridian, MS. The portion within Mexico is excluded.
J-39: J-39 currently extends from Montgomery, AL, to Rosewood, OH.
The FAA is removing the entire route.
J-48: J-48 currently extends from the intersection of the Solberg,
NJ, 264[deg] and the Pottstown, PA, 050[deg] radials, to Foothills, SC.
This action removes the segment between Montebello, VA, and Foothills,
SC. As amended, J-48 extends from the intersection of the above Solberg
and Pottstown radials to Montebello, VA.
J-118: J-118 currently extends from Memphis, TN, to Spartanburg,
SC. The FAA is removing the entire route.
J-145: J-145 currently extends from Foothills, SC, to Charleston,
WV. The FAA is removing the entire route.
J-186: J-186 currently extends from Foothills, SC, to Appleton, OH.
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 number of
small entities under the criteria of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.
Environmental Review
The FAA has determined that this action of amending jet routes J-
22, and J-48; and removing jet routes J-39, J-118, J-145, and J-186 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
[[Page 38273]]
effective September 15, 2021, is amended as follows:
Paragraph 2004 Jet Routes.
* * * * *
J-22 [Amended]
From Nuevo Laredo, Mexico, via Laredo, TX; Corpus Christi, TX;
Palacios, TX; Lake Charles, LA; McComb, MS; to Meridian, MS. The
airspace within Mexico is excluded.
* * * * *
J-39 [Removed]
* * * * *
J-48 [Amended]
From INT Solberg, NJ, 264[deg] and Pottstown, PA, 050[deg]
radials; Pottstown; Westminster, MD; Casanova, VA; to Montebello,
VA.
* * * * *
J-118 [Removed]
* * * * *
J-145 [Removed]
* * * * *
J-186 [Removed]
* * * * *
Issued in Washington, DC.
Scott M. Rosenbloom,
Manager, Airspace Rules and Regulations.
[FR Doc. 2022-13583 Filed 6-27-22; 8:45 am]
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