[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 109 (Monday, June 9, 2025)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 24223-24224]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2025-10349]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 71
[Docket No. FAA-2025-1171; Airspace Docket No. 25-ANE-6]
RIN 2120-AA66
Amendment of Class D Airspace; Bedford, MA
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This action updates an airspace legal description by
correcting the airport name at Laurence G. Hanscom Field, Bedford, MA.
This action also replaces the reference to ``Airport/Facility
Directory'' within the legal description with ``Chart Supplement''.
This action does not change the airspace boundaries or operating
requirements.
DATES: Effective date 0901 UTC, October 2, 2025. 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: A copy of this final rule and all background material may be
viewed online at www.regulations.gov using the FAA Docket number.
Electronic retrieval help and guidelines are available on the website.
It is available 24 hours each day, 365 days each year. An electronic
copy of this document may also be downloaded from the Office of the
Federal Register's website at www.federalregister.gov.
FAA Order JO 7400.11J, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points,
and subsequent amendments can be viewed online at www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/. You may also contact the Rules and
Regulations Group, Policy Directorate, Federal Aviation Administration,
600 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20597; Telephone: (202) 267-
8783.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Marc Ellerbee, Operations Support
Group, Eastern Service Center, Federal Aviation Administration, 1701
Columbia Avenue, College Park, GA 30337; Telephone: (404) 305-5589.
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 amends the legal description for Class D airspace
extending upward from the surface at Laurence G. Hanscom Field,
Bedford, MA.
Incorporation by Reference
Class D airspace is published in paragraph 5000 of FAA Order JO
7400.11, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, which is
incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1 on an annual basis. This
document amends the current version of that order, FAA Order JO
7400.11J, dated July 31, 2024, and effective September 15, 2024. These
amendments will be published in the next update to FAA Order JO
7400.11. FAA Order JO 7400.11J, which lists Class A, B, C, D, and E
airspace areas, air traffic service routes, and reporting points, is
publicly available as listed in the ADDRESSES section of this document.
The Rule
An airspace review revealed that updates were needed for both the
airport name and the FAA publication referenced in the Class D airspace
legal description at Laurence G. Hanscom Field, Bedford, MA.
Accordingly, this action amends 14 CFR part 71 by correcting the
airport name and replacing ``Airport/Facility Directory'' with ``Chart
Supplement'' to comply with current FAA policy.
[[Page 24224]]
Good Cause for Bypassing Notice and Comment
The Administrative Procedure Act (APA) authorizes agencies to
dispense with ordinary notice and comment requirements for rules when
the agency for ``good cause'' finds that those procedures are
``impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary to the public interest.'' 5
U.S.C. 553(b)(B). Under this section, an agency, upon finding good
cause, may issue a final rule without first publishing a proposed rule.
This rule constitutes an administrative change that constitutes ``a
routine determination, insignificant in nature and impact, and
inconsequential to the industry and to the public.'' Mack Trucks, Inc.
v. EPA, 682 F.3d 87, 94 (D.C. Cir. 2012) (quoting Util. Solid Waste
Activities Grp. v. EPA, 236 F.3d 749, 755 (D.C. Cir. 2001)); see also
Attorney General's Manual on the Administrative Procedure Act (1947),
at 31; U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Order 2100.6B, paragraph
11.j(1)(b) (saying proposed rules are not required for ``[r]ules for
which notice and comment is unnecessary to inform the rulemaking, such
as rules correcting de minimis technical or clerical errors or rules
addressing other minor and insubstantial matters, provided the reasons
to forgo public comment are explained in the preamble to the final
rule.''). This amendment will not impose any additional substantive
restrictions or requirements on the persons affected by these
regulations, as it does not affect the airspace boundaries or operating
requirements. Accordingly, the FAA finds good cause that notice and
public comment under 5 U.S.C. 553(b) are unnecessary.
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 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 qualifies for categorical
exclusion under the National Environmental Policy Act in accordance
with FAA Order 1050.1F, ``Environmental Impacts: Policies and
Procedures,'' paragraph 5-6.5a. This airspace action is not expected to
cause any potentially significant environmental impacts, and no
extraordinary circumstances exist that warrant the preparation of an
environmental assessment.
Lists 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 Federal Aviation
Administration Order JO 7400.11J, Airspace Designations and Reporting
Points, dated July 31, 2024, and effective September 15, 2024, is
amended as follows:
Paragraph 5000 Class D Airspace.
* * * * *
ANE MA D Bedford, MA [Amended]
Laurence G. Hanscom Field, MA
(Lat. 42[deg]28'12'' N, long. 71[deg]17'20'' W)
That airspace extending upward from the surface to and including
2,600 feet MSL within a 4.7-mile radius of Laurence G. Hanscom
Field, excluding that airspace within the Boston, MA, Class B
airspace area. This Class D airspace area is effective during the
specific dates and times established in advance by a Notice to
Airmen. The effective date and time will thereafter be continuously
published in the Chart Supplement.
* * * * *
Issued in College Park, Georgia, on June 3, 2025.
Patrick Young,
Manager, Airspace & Procedures Team North, Eastern Service Center, Air
Traffic Organization.
[FR Doc. 2025-10349 Filed 6-6-25; 8:45 am]
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