[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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