Establishment of Class E Airspace; Coaldale, NV, 68067-68068 [2012-27666]

Agencies

• Federal Aviation Administration
• DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 221 (Thursday, November 15, 2012)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 68067-68068]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-27666]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2012-0705; Airspace Docket No. 12-AWP-4]


Establishment of Class E Airspace; Coaldale, NV

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action establishes Class E airspace at Coaldale VHF Omni-
Directional Radio Range Tactical Air Navigational Aid (VORTAC), 
Coaldale, NV to facilitate vectoring of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) 
aircraft under control of Oakland Air Route Traffic Control Center 
(ARTCC). This action enhances the safety and management of IFR 
operations within the National Airspace System.

DATES: Effective date, 0901 UTC, January 10, 2013. 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 7400.9 and 
publication of conforming amendments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Eldon Taylor, Federal Aviation 
Administration, Operations Support Group, Western Service Center, 1601 
Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057; telephone (425) 203-4537.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

History

    On July 24, 2012, the FAA published in the Federal Register a 
notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to establish controlled airspace 
at Coaldale, NV (77 FR 43181). Interested parties were invited to 
participate in this rulemaking effort by submitting written comments on 
the proposal to the FAA. The FAA received one comment from the National 
Business Aviation Association (NBAA).
    The NBAA felt the reasons put forth in the NPRM for lowering the 
Class E airspace down to 1,200 feet above the surface was vague and did 
not name the terminal areas specifically that would benefit from 
lowering the Class E airspace. The commenter also recommended that the 
FAA lower the Class E airspace in a much larger area pushing the 
airspace north to the boundaries of Oakland ARTCC and Seattle ARTCC 
airspace, and east to the boundaries of Oakland ARTCC and Salt Lake 
City ARTCC airspace.
    The FAA is creating this airspace at the request of the Oakland 
ARTCC to aid with the navigation of aircraft within the ARTCC's 
airspace area by assisting aircraft arriving and departing numerous 
terminal areas. The FAA feels that making the area larger is not needed 
at this time and is outside the scope of this rulemaking. Further 
widening of the airspace would not serve the immediate purpose of 
establishing the Class E-6 en route airspace area to assist Oakland 
ARTCC.
    Class E airspace designations are published in paragraph 6006, of 
FAA Order 7400.9W dated August 8, 2012, and effective September 15, 
2012, which is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR Part 71.1. The Class 
E airspace designations listed in this document will be published 
subsequently in that Order.

The Rule

    This action amends Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) 
Part 71 by establishing Class E airspace extending upward from 1,200 
feet above the surface, in the vicinity of the Coaldale VORTAC 
navigation aid, Coaldale, NV, to accommodate IFR aircraft under control 
of the Oakland ARTCC by vectoring aircraft from en route airspace to 
terminal areas. This action is necessary for the safety and management 
of IFR operations.
    The FAA has determined this regulation only involves an established 
body of technical regulations for which frequent and routine amendments 
are necessary to keep them operationally current. Therefore, this 
regulation: (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 
will only affect air traffic procedures and air navigation, it is 
certified 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. The FAA's authority to 
issue rules regarding aviation safety is found in Title 49 of the U.S. 
Code. Subtitle 1, Section 106 discusses 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 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 establishes 
controlled airspace at the Coaldale VORTAC, Coaldale, NV.

Environmental Review

    The FAA has determined that this action qualifies for categorical 
exclusion under the National Environmental Policy Act in accordance 
with FAA Order 1050.1E, ``Environmental Impacts: Policies and 
Procedures,'' paragraph 311a. This airspace action is not expected to 
cause any potentially significant environmental impacts, and no 
extraordinary circumstances exist that warrant preparation of an 
environmental assessment.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 71

    Airspace, Incorporation by reference, Navigation (air).

Adoption of 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(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 part 71.1 of the Federal 
Aviation Administration Order 7400.9W, Airspace Designations and 
Reporting Points, dated August 8, 2012, and effective September 15, 
2012 is amended as follows:

Paragraph 6006 En Route Domestic Airspace Areas.

* * * * *

AWP NV E6 Coaldale, NV [New]

Coaldale VORTAC
    (Lat. 38[deg]00'12'' N., long. 117[deg]46'14'' W.)

    That airspace extending upward from 1,200 feet above the surface 
bounded by a line beginning at lat. 38[deg]55'20'' N., long. 
119[deg]22'42'' W.; to lat. 38[deg]57'46'' N., long. 119[deg]14'44'' 
W.; to lat. 38[deg]41'13'' N., long. 118[deg]53'31'' W.; to lat. 
38[deg]44'27'' N., long.

[[Page 68068]]

118[deg]48'52'' W.; to lat. 38[deg]37'03'' N., long. 118[deg]40'45'' 
W.; to lat. 38[deg]23'17'' N., long. 118[deg]20'35'' W.; to lat. 
38[deg]16'55'' N., long. 118[deg]13'39'' W.; to lat. 38[deg]02'23'' 
N., long. 117[deg]56'00'' W.; to lat. 37[deg]45'08'' N., long. 
117[deg]41'19'' W.; to lat. 37[deg]45'58'' N., long. 117[deg]39'55'' 
W.; to lat. 37[deg]29'37'' N., long. 117[deg]25'57'' W.; to lat. 
37[deg]15'12'' N., long. 117[deg]13'46'' W.; to lat. 37[deg]12'00'' 
N., long. 117[deg]20'00'' W.; to lat. 37[deg]12'02'' N., long. 
117[deg]38'40'' W.; to lat. 37[deg]19'09'' N., long. 117[deg]58'15'' 
W.; to lat. 37[deg]28'23'' N., long. 117[deg]54'28'' W.; to lat. 
37[deg]55'00'' N., long. 118[deg]10'30'' W.; to lat. 38[deg]04'06'' 
N., long. 119[deg]15'00'' W.; thence to the point of origin.

    Issued in Seattle, Washington, on October 23, 2012.
Vered Lovett,
Acting Manager, Operations Support Group, Western Service Center.
[FR Doc. 2012-27666 Filed 11-14-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P