[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 173 (Thursday, September 8, 2022)] [Rules and Regulations] [Pages 54882-54883] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 2022-19289] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Part 71 [Docket No. FAA-2022-0823; Airspace Docket No. 21-AEA-23] RIN 2120-AA66 Removal of VOR Federal Airways in the Eastern United States AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. ACTION: Final rule. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: This action removes VHF Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal Airways V-31, V-447, and V-475 in support of the FAA's VOR Minimum Operation Network (MON) Program. 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 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 National Airspace System (NAS). History The FAA published a notice of proposed rulemaking for Docket No. FAA-2022-0823 in the Federal Register (87 FR 41635; July 13, 2022), removing four VOR Federal airways 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. Domestic VOR Federal airways are published in paragraph 6010(a) 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 VOR Federal airways listed in this document will be removed subsequently from FAA Order JO 7400.11. Difference From the NPRM The NPRM also proposed to remove VOR Federal airway V-146. Subsequently, it was decided to retain airway V-146 to conduct additional coordination. Further action on airway V-146 is delayed to a later date. 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 removing VOR Federal Airways V-31, V-447, and V-475. The routes are removed in conjunction with VORs being decommissioned under the VOR MON Program. This program aims to improve the efficiency of the NAS by transitioning from ground based navigation systems to satellite based navigation. The FAA is removing each of these routes as described below. V-31: V-31 extends from Patuxent River, MD, to the intersection of the Rochester, NY, 279[deg] and the Buffalo, NY 023[deg] radials. The FAA is removing the route in its entirety. A planned Area [[Page 54883]] Navigation (RNAV) route, T-445, will overlay segments of airway V-31. V-447: V-447 extends from Cambridge, NY, to Sherbrooke, PQ, Canada. NavCanada has previously decommissioned the Sherbrook, PQ, VOR which was the end point of the route. The FAA is removing the route in its entirety. V-475: V-475 extends from LaGuardia, NY, to Providence, RI. This route is no longer being utilized. Therefore, no RNAV overlay is planned and the FAA is removing the route in its entirety. 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 removing three VOR Federal airways 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 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 6010(a) Domestic VOR Federal Airways. * * * * * V-31 [Removed] * * * * * V-447 [Removed] * * * * * V-475 [Removed] * * * * * Issued in Washington, DC, on September 1, 2022. Scott M. Rosenbloom, Manager, Airspace Rules and Regulations. [FR Doc. 2022-19289 Filed 9-7-22; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-P