[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 206 (Wednesday, October 26, 2022)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 64695-64697]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-22780]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2022-0248; Airspace Docket No. 22-AGL-4]
RIN 2120-AA66


Amendment of VOR Federal Airways V-24, V-78, V-181, and V-398; 
and Establishment of Area Navigation (RNAV) Route T-462; in the 
Vicinity of Watertown, SD

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action amends VHF Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal 
airways V-24, V-78, V-181, and V-398, and establishes RNAV route T-462 
in the vicinity of Watertown, SD. This action is necessary due to the 
planned decommissioning of the VOR portion of the Watertown, SD, VOR/
Tactical Air Navigation (VORTAC) which provides navigational guidance 
to portions of the affected VOR Federal airways. The Watertown VOR is 
being decommissioned as part of the FAA's VOR Minimum Operational 
Network (VOR MON) program.

DATES: Effective date 0901 UTC, December 29, 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 7400.11G, 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: Colby Abbott, Rules and Regulations 
Group, Office of Policy, Federal Aviation Administration, 800

[[Page 64696]]

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 modifies the route structure as necessary to preserve 
the safe and efficient flow of air traffic within the National Airspace 
System.

History

    The FAA published a notice of proposed rulemaking for Docket No. 
FAA-2022-0248 in the Federal Register (87 FR 17038; March 25, 2022), 
amending VOR Federal airways V-24, V-78, V-181, and V-398, and 
establishing RNAV route T-462. The proposed amendment and establishment 
actions were due to the planned decommissioning of the VOR portion of 
the Watertown, SD, VORTAC NAVAID. Interested parties were invited to 
participate in this rulemaking effort by submitting written comments on 
the proposal. No comments were received.
    VOR Federal airways are published in paragraph 6010(a) and United 
States Area Navigation Routes are published in paragraph 6011 of FAA 
Order JO 7400.11G, dated August 19, 2022, and effective September 15, 
2022, which is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1. The Air 
Traffic Service (ATS) routes 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 7400.11G, Airspace Designations 
and Reporting Points, dated August 19, 2022, and effective September 
15, 2022. FAA Order JO 7400.11G is publicly available as listed in the 
ADDRESSES section of this document. FAA Order JO 7400.11G 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 V-24, V-78, V-181, 
and V-398, and establishing T-462 due to the planned decommissioning of 
the VOR portion of the Watertown, SD, VORTAC NAVAID. The ATS route 
actions are described below.
    V-24: V-24 extends between the Aberdeen, SD, VOR/Distance Measuring 
Equipment (VOR/DME) and the Rochester, MN, VOR/DME; between the 
Janesville, WI, VOR/DME and the Northbrook, IL, VOR/DME; and between 
the Peotone, IL, VORTAC and the Brickyard, IN, VORTAC. The airway 
segment between the Aberdeen, SD, VOR/DME and the Redwood Falls, MN, 
VOR/DME is removed. This results in the first segment of the airway 
extending between the Redwood Falls, MN, VOR/DME and the Rochester, MN, 
VOR/DME. The second and third segments of the airway remain unchanged.
    V-78: V-78 extends between the Watertown, SD, VORTAC and the 
Escanaba, MI, VOR/DME; and between the Pellston, MI, VORTAC and the 
Saginaw, MI, VOR/DME. The airway segment between the Watertown, SD, 
VORTAC and the Darwin, MN, VORTAC is removed. This results in the first 
segment of the airway extending between the Darwin, MN, VORTAC and the 
Escanaba, MI, VOR/DME. The second segment of the airway remains 
unchanged.
    V-181: V-181 extends between the Kirksville, MO, VORTAC and the 
Grand Forks, ND, VOR/DME. The airway segment between the Sioux Falls, 
SD, VORTAC and the Fargo, ND, VOR/DME is removed. This results in the 
airway extending between the Kirksville, MO, VORTAC and the Sioux 
Falls, SD, VORTAC; and between the Fargo, ND, VOR/DME and the Grand 
Forks, ND, VOR/DME.
    V-398: V-398 extends between the Aberdeen, SD, VOR/DME and the 
Rochester, MN, VOR/DME. The airway segment between the Aberdeen, SD, 
VOR/DME and the Redwood Falls, MN, VOR/DME is removed. This results in 
the airway extending between the Redwood Falls, MN, VOR/DME and the 
Rochester, MN, VOR/DME.
    T-462: T-462 is a new RNAV route that extends between the Bismarck, 
ND, VOR/DME and the GENEO, MN, waypoint (WP) located near the Darwin, 
MN, VOR. T-462 is established to mitigate the removal of the V-24 
airway segment between the Aberdeen, SD, VOR/DME and the Watertown, SD, 
VORTAC and the removal of the V-78 airway segment between the 
Watertown, SD, VORTAC and the Darwin, MN, VORTAC. The new route also 
provides navigational options in areas of limited or no radar coverage 
to pilots whose aircraft are RNAV equipped. The full route description 
of T-462 is listed in the amendments to part 71 set forth below.
    All navigational aid radials listed in the VOR Federal airway 
descriptions below are unchanged and stated in True degrees.
    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 will only affect air traffic 
procedures and air navigation, it is certified that this rule, when 
promulgated, will 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 VOR Federal 
airways V-24, V-78, V-181, and V-398, and establishing RNAV route T-
462, due to the planned decommissioning of the Watertown, SD, VOR 
NAVAID, 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 5-6.5k, which 
categorically excludes from further environmental impact review the 
publication of existing air traffic control procedures that do not 
essentially change existing tracks, create

[[Page 64697]]

new tracks, change altitude, or change concentration of aircraft on 
these tracks. 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 
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 
7400.11G, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 19, 
2022, and effective September 15, 2022, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 6010(a) Domestic VOR Federal airways.

* * * * *

V-24 [Amended]

    From Redwood Falls, MN; to Rochester, MN. From Janesville, WI; 
INT Janesville 112[deg] and Northbrook, IL, 291[deg] radials; to 
Northbrook. From Peotone, IL; INT Peotone 152[deg] and Brickyard, 
IN, 312[deg] radials; to Brickyard.
* * * * *

V-78 [Amended]

    From Darwin, MN; Gopher, MN; INT Gopher 091[deg] and Eau Claire, 
WI, 290[deg] radials; Eau Claire; Rhinelander, WI; Iron Mountain, 
MI; to Escanaba, MI. From Pellston, MI; Alpena, MI; INT Alpena 
232[deg] and Saginaw, MI, 353[deg] radials; to Saginaw.
* * * * *

V-181 [Amended]

    From Kirksville, MO; Lamoni, IA; Omaha, IA; Norfolk, NE; 
Yankton, SD; to Sioux Falls, SD. From Fargo, ND; to Grand Forks, ND.
* * * * *

V-398 [Amended]

    From Redwood Falls, MN; to Rochester, MN.
* * * * *

Paragraph 6011 United States Area Navigation Routes.

* * * * *

T-462 Bismarck, ND (BIS) to GENEO, MN [New]
Bismarck, ND (BIS)            VOR/DME             (Lat. 46[deg]45'42.34'' N, long. 100[deg]39'55.47'' W)
Aberdeen, SD (ABR)            VOR/DME             (Lat. 45[deg]25'02.48'' N, long. 098[deg]22'07.39'' W)
FFORT, SD                     WP                  (Lat. 44[deg]58'47.45'' N, long. 097[deg]08'30.36'' W)
GENEO, MN                     WP                  (Lat. 45[deg]05'15.37'' N, long. 094[deg]27'14.30'' W)
 


    Issued in Washington, DC, on October 17, 2022.
Scott M. Rosenbloom,
Manager, Airspace Rules and Regulations Group.
[FR Doc. 2022-22780 Filed 10-25-22; 8:45 am]
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