Amendment of Multiple Air Traffic Service (ATS) Routes in the Northcentral United States, 38785-38787 [2020-13818]

Agencies

• Federal Aviation Administration
• DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 125 (Monday, June 29, 2020)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 38785-38787]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-13818]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2019-1105; Airspace Docket No. 19-AGL-17]
RIN 2120-AA66


Amendment of Multiple Air Traffic Service (ATS) Routes in the 
Northcentral United States

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action amends VHF Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal 
airways V-13, V-55, and V-505, and Area Navigation (RNAV) route T-354 
in the Northcentral United States. The modifications are necessary due 
to the planned decommissioning of the VOR portion of the Siren, WI, 
VOR/Distance Measuring Equipment (VOR/DME) navigation aid (NAVAID) 
which provides navigation guidance for portions of the affected air 
traffic service (ATS) routes. The Siren VOR is being decommissioned as 
part of the FAA's VOR Minimum Operational Network (MON) program.
    The VOR Federal airway V-15, V-26, V-78, V-100, V-159, V-175, V-
219, and V-307, and Area Navigation (RNAV) route T-285 modifications 
proposed in the notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) require additional 
coordination and flight inspection activities. As such, those ATS route 
modifications are removed from this rule. Additionally, the V-55 and T-
354 modifications effected by the Park Rapids, MN, VOR/DME proposed in 
the NPRM also require additional coordination and flight inspection 
activities, and are removed from this rule, too.

DATES: Effective date 0901 UTC, September 10, 2020. The Director of the 
Federal Register approves this incorporation by reference action under 
Title 1 Code of Federal Regulations part 51, subject to the annual 
revision of FAA Order 7400.11 and publication of conforming amendments.

ADDRESSES: FAA Order 7400.11D, Airspace Designations and Reporting 
Points, and subsequent amendments can be viewed online at https://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. The Order is also available for inspection 
at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For 
information on the availability of FAA Order 7400.11D at NARA, email: 
[email protected] or go to https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Colby Abbott, 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 will modify 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 NPRM for Docket No. FAA-2019-1105 in the 
Federal Register (85 FR 3295; January 21, 2020), amending VOR Federal 
airways V-13, V-15, V-26, V-55, V-78, V-100, V-159, V-175, V-219, V-
307, and V-505, and RNAV routes T-285 and T-354 in the Northcentral 
United States. The proposed modifications were due to the planned 
decommissioning of the VOR portion of the Park Rapids, MN, VOR/DME; 
Siren, WI, VOR/DME; Sioux City, IA, VOR/Tactical Air Navigation 
(VORTAC); and Huron, SD, VORTAC NAVAIDs. Interested parties were 
invited to

[[Page 38786]]

participate in this rulemaking effort by submitting written comments on 
the proposal. No comments were received.
    Subsequent to the NPRM, the FAA determined the VOR Federal airway 
V-15, V-26, V-55, V-78, V-100, V-159, V-175, V-219, and V-307, and the 
RNAV route T-285 and T-354 modifications proposed in the NPRM, due to 
the planned decommissioning of the VOR portion of the Park Rapids, MN, 
VOR/DME; Sioux City, IA, VORTAC; and Huron, SD, VORTAC NAVAIDs, 
required additional coordination and flight inspection activities. As a 
result, those ATS route modifications are removed from this rule and 
will be reworked in a separate rulemaking action.
    VOR Federal airways are published in paragraph 6010(a) and RNAV T-
routes are published in paragraph 6011 of FAA Order 7400.11D dated 
August 8, 2019, and effective September 15, 2019, which is incorporated 
by reference in 14 CFR 71.1. The VOR Federal airways listed in this 
document would be subsequently published in the Order.

Availability and Summary of Documents for Incorporation by Reference

    This document amends FAA Order 7400.11D, Airspace Designations and 
Reporting Points, dated August 8, 2019, and effective September 15, 
2019. FAA Order 7400.11D is publicly available as listed in the 
ADDRESSES section of this document. FAA Order 7400.11D lists Class A, 
B, C, D, and E airspace areas, air traffic service routes, and 
reporting points.

Differences From the NPRM

    In the NPRM, the FAA proposed amendments to VOR Federal airways V-
15, V-26, V-55, V-78, V-100, V-159, V-175, V-219, and V-307, and RNAV 
routes T-285 and T-354 due to the planned decommissioning of the VOR 
portion of the Park Rapids, MN, VOR/DME; Sioux City, IA, VORTAC; and 
Huron, SD, VORTAC NAVAIDs. However, additional coordination and flight 
inspection activity are required to modify the route segments of these 
ATS routes that are effected by the Park Rapids VOR/DME, Sioux City 
VORTAC, and Huron VORTAC. Therefore, the ATS route amendments 
associated with those three NAVAIDs are not included in this final rule 
and will be reworked in a separate rulemaking action.

The Rule

    The FAA is amending Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) 
part 71 by modifying VOR Federal airways V-13, V-55, and V-505, and 
RNAV route T-354. The planned decommissioning of the VOR portion of the 
Siren, WI, VOR/DME NAVAID has made this action necessary. The VOR 
Federal airway changes are outlined below.
    V-13: V-13 extends between the McAllen, TX, VOR/DME and the Thunder 
Bay, ON, Canada, VOR/DME. The airspace outside the United States is 
excluded. The airway segment overlying the Siren, WI, VOR/DME between 
the Farmington, MN, VORTAC and the Duluth, MN, VORTAC is removed. The 
airspace outside the United States continues to be excluded. The 
unaffected portions of the existing airway remain as charted.
    V-55: V-55 extends between the Dayton, OH, VOR/DME and the 
intersection of the Green Bay, WI, VORTAC 270[deg] and Oshkosh, WI, 
VORTAC 339[deg] radials; between the Eau Claire, WI, VORTAC and the 
Siren, WI, VOR/DME; and between the Park Rapids, MN, VOR/DME and the 
Bismarck, ND, VOR/DME. The airway segment overlying the Siren, WI, VOR/
DME between the Eau Claire, WI, VORTAC and the Siren, WI, VOR/DME is 
removed. The unaffected portions of the existing airway remain as 
charted.
    V-505: V-505 extends between the Des Moines, IA, VORTAC and the 
International Falls, MN, VOR/DME. The airway segment overlying the 
Siren, WI, VOR/DME between the Gopher, MN, VORTAC and the Duluth, MN, 
VORTAC is removed. Additionally, an editorial correction changes the 
state abbreviation for the Duluth VORTAC listed in the description from 
``MI'' to ``MN''. The unaffected portions of the existing airway remain 
as charted.
    The RNAV route change is outlined below.
    T-354: T-354 extends between the Park Rapids, MN, VOR/DME and the 
Siren, WI, VOR/DME. The Siren, WI (RZN), route point listed as ``VOR/
DME'' is changed to ``DME''. The unaffected portions of the existing 
RNAV route remain as charted.
    All radials listed in the route descriptions below are unchanged 
and stated in True degrees.
    FAA Order 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-13, V-55, and V-505, and RNAV route T-354, due to the planned 
decommissioning of the VOR portion of the Siren, WI, VOR/DME NAVAID, 
qualifies for categorical exclusion under the National Environmental 
Policy Act 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). 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).

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 part 71 continues to read as follows:


[[Page 38787]]


    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 7400.11D, 
Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 8, 2019 and 
effective September 15, 2019, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 6010(a) Domestic VOR Federal Airways.

* * * * *

V-13 [Amended]

    From McAllen, TX; INT McAllen 060[deg] radial and Corpus 
Christi, TX, 178[deg] radials; Corpus Christi; INT Corpus Christi 
039[deg] and Palacios, TX, 241[deg] radials; Palacios; Humble, TX; 
Lufkin, TX; Belcher, LA; Texarkana, AR; Rich Mountain, OK; Fort 
Smith, AR; INT Fort Smith 006[deg] and Razorback, AR, 190[deg] 
radials; Razorback; Neosho, MO; Butler, MO; Napoleon, MO; Lamoni, 
IA; Des Moines, IA; Mason City, IA; to Farmington, MN. From Duluth, 
MN; to Thunder Bay, ON, Canada. The airspace outside the United 
States is excluded.
* * * * *

V-55 [Amended]

    From Dayton, OH; Fort Wayne, IN; Goshen, IN; Gipper, MI; Keeler, 
MI; Pullman, MI; Muskegon, MI; INT Muskegon 327[deg] and Green Bay, 
WI, 116[deg] radials; Green Bay; to INT Green Bay 270[deg] and 
Oshkosh, WI, 339[deg] radials. From Park Rapids, MN; Grand Forks, 
ND; INT Grand Forks 239[deg] and Bismarck, ND, 067[deg] radials; to 
Bismarck.
* * * * *

V-505 [Amended]

    From Des Moines, IA; Fort Dodge, IA, excluding the airspace at 
and above 11,000 feet MSL between 27 miles and 64 miles northwest of 
Des Moines VOR during the time that the Boone MOA is activated; 
Mason City, IA; INT Mason City 349[deg] and Gopher, MN, 188[deg] 
radials; to Gopher. From Duluth, MN; INT Duluth 331[deg] and 
Hibbing, MN, 120[deg] radials; Hibbing; INT Hibbing 319[deg] and 
International Falls, MN, 182[deg] radials; to International Falls.
* * * * *

6011 United States Area Navigation Routes

* * * * *

T-354 Park Rapids, MN (PKD) to Siren, WI (RZN) [Amended]
Park Rapids, MN (PKD)             VOR/DME           (Lat. 46[deg]53'53.34'' N, long. 095[deg]04'15.21'' W)
BRNRD, MN                         WP                (Lat. 46[deg]20'53.81'' N, long. 094[deg]01'33.54'' W)
Siren, WI (RZN)                   DME               (Lat. 45[deg]49'13.60'' N, long. 092[deg]22'28.26'' W)
 

* * * * *

    Issued in Washington, DC, on June 22, 2020.
Scott M. Rosenbloom,
Acting Manager, Rules and Regulations Group.
[FR Doc. 2020-13818 Filed 6-26-20; 8:45 am]
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