[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 158 (Wednesday, August 17, 2022)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 50565-50566]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-17512]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2021-1097; Airspace Docket No. 19-AAL-64]
RIN 2120-AA66


Amendment of United States Area Navigation (RNAV) Route T-233; 
Kotzebue, AK

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action amends United States Area Navigation (RNAV) route 
T-233 in the vicinity of Kotzebue, AK, in support of a large and 
comprehensive T-route modernization project for the state of Alaska.

DATES: Effective date 0901 UTC, November 3, 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 www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/. For further information, you can contact 
the Rules and ReguLat.ons Group, Federal Aviation Administration, 800 
Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20591; telephone: (202) 267-
8783.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Colby Abbott, Rules and ReguLat.ons 
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 reguLat.ons to assign the use of 
the airspace necessary to ensure the safety of aircraft and the 
efficient use of airspace. This reguLat.on is within the scope of that 
authority as it expands the availability of RNAV routes in the state of 
Alaska and improve the efficient flow of air traffic within the 
National Airspace System by lessening the dependency on ground based 
navigation.

History

    The FAA published a notice of proposed rulemaking for Docket No. 
FAA-2021-1097 in the Federal Register (86 FR 70785; December 13, 2021), 
amending RNAV route T-233 in the vicinity of Kotzebue, AK, in support 
of a large and comprehensive T-route modernization project for the 
state of Alaska. Interested parties were invited to participate in this 
rulemaking effort by submitting comments on the proposal. No comments 
were received.
    United States Area Navigation Routes are published in paragraph 
6011 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 RNAV route listed in this document will be published subsequently 
in 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 actions amends 14 CFR part 71 by amending RNAV route T-233 in 
the vicinity of Kotzebue, AK, in support of a large and comprehensive 
T-route modernization project for the state of Alaska. The route 
amendment is described below.
    T-233: T-233 is amended by replacing the Evansville, AK (EAV), Non-
Directional Beacon (NDB) with the Bettles, AK (BTT), VHF 
Omnidirectional

[[Page 50566]]

Range/Distance Measuring Equipment (VOR/DME); replacing the Ambler, AK 
(AMF), NDB with the new TOMPY, AK, waypoint (WP); removing the KORKY, 
AK, WP as it is no longer a turn point; extending the route westward 
from the TOMPY WP to the Kotzebue, AK (OTZ), VOR/DME; and adding the 
new CIBDU, AK, WP between the TOMPY WP and the Kotzebue, AK, VOR/DME to 
enable a lower minimum enroute altitude between the two route points. 
Lastly, the route is described in a West to East orientation.
    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 reguLat.on only involves an 
established body of technical reguLat.ons for which frequent and 
routine amendments are necessary to keep them operationally current. 
It, therefore: (1) Is not a ``significant reguLat.ry action'' under 
Executive Order 12866; (2) is not a ``significant rule'' under 
Department of Transportation (DOT) ReguLat.ry Policies and Procedures 
(44 FR 11034; February 26, 1979); and (3) does not warrant preparation 
of a reguLat.ry 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 ReguLat.ry Flexibility Act.

Environmental Review

    The FAA has determined that this airspace action of amending RNAV 
route T-233 in the vicinity of Kotzebue, AK, qualifies for categorical 
exclusion under the National Environmental Policy Act (42 U.S.C. 4321 
et seq.) and its implementing reguLat.ons 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-
6.5i, which categorically excludes from further environmental review 
the establishment of new or revised air traffic control procedures 
conducted at 3,000 feet or more above ground level (AGL); procedures 
conducted below 3,000 feet AGL that do not cause traffic to be 
routinely routed over noise sensitive areas; modifications to currently 
approved procedures conducted below 3,000 feet AGL that do not 
significantly increase noise over noise sensitive areas; and increases 
in minimum altitudes and landing minima. 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. Accordingly, the FAA has determined that 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 6011 United States Area Navigation Routes.

* * * * *

T-233 Kotzebue, AK (OTZ) to Bettles, AK (BTT) [Amended]
Kotzebue, AK (OTZ)                              VOR/DME                        (Lat. 66[deg]53'08.46'' N, long. 162[deg]32'23.77'' W)
CIBDU, AK                                       WP                             (Lat. 66[deg]52'57.45'' N, long. 161[deg]03'44.52'' W)
TOMPY, AK                                       WP                             (Lat. 67[deg]06'18.81'' N, long. 157[deg]51'52.03'' W)
ENCOR, AK                                       WP                             (Lat. 66[deg]55'58.35'' N, long. 152[deg]19'54.35'' W)
Bettles, AK (BTT)                               VOR/DME                        (Lat. 66[deg]54'18.03'' N, long. 151[deg]32'09.18'' W)
 

* * * * *

    Issued in Washington, DC, on August 10, 2022.
Scott M. Rosenbloom,
Manager, Airspace Rules and ReguLat.ons.
[FR Doc. 2022-17512 Filed 8-16-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P