Amendment of Air Traffic Service (ATS) Route V-187 Due to the Decommissioning of the McChord, WA, VOR, 67442-67443 [2020-23083]

Agencies

• Federal Aviation Administration
• DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 206 (Friday, October 23, 2020)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 67442-67443]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-23083]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2020-0135; Airspace Docket No. 19-ANM-17]
RIN 2120-AA66


Amendment of Air Traffic Service (ATS) Route V-187 Due to the 
Decommissioning of the McChord, WA, VOR

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This action amends the domestic VHF Omnidirectional Range 
(VOR) Federal airway V-187 in the western United States. The FAA is 
taking this action due to the decommissioning of the McChord, WA, VOR 
portion of the VOR/Tactical Air Navigation (VORTAC) navigation aid 
(NAVAID), which provides navigation guidance for portions of the 
affected Air Traffic Service (ATS) route. The McChord, WA, VOR is being 
decommissioned due to ongoing maintenance problems.

DATES: Effective date 0901 UTC, February 25, 2021. 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 7400.11E, 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 7400.11E at NARA, email: 
[email protected] or go to https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Christopher McMullin, 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 modifies the air traffic service route structure in the 
National Airspace System as necessary to preserve the safe and 
efficient flow of air traffic.

History

    The FAA published a notice of proposed rulemaking for Docket No. 
FAA-2020-0135 in the Federal Register (85 FR 13079; March 6, 2020) 
amending VOR Federal airway V-187. 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) of FAA Order 
7400.11E dated July 21, 2020, and effective September 15, 2020, which 
is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1. The VOR Federal airway 
listed in this document will be subsequently published in the Order.

Availability and Summary of Documents for Incorporation by Reference

    This document amends FAA Order 7400.11E, Airspace Designations and 
Reporting Points, dated July 21, 2020, and effective September 15, 
2020. FAA Order 7400.11E is publicly available as listed in the 
ADDRESSES section of this document. FAA Order 7400.11E lists Class A, 
B, C, D, and E airspace areas, air traffic service routes, and 
reporting points.

The Rule

    The FAA is amending Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) 
part 71 by modifying VOR Federal airway V-187. The ATS route action is 
described below.
    V-187: V-187 extends between the Socorrow, NM, VORTAC, to the 
Astoria, OR, VOR. V-187 is amended on the segment between the 
intersection of Yakima 331[deg] and Ellensburg 274[deg] radials and the 
Olympia, WA, VOR. The amendment will stop at THICK intersection (INT 
Yakima, WA, 331[deg] and Ellensburg, WA, 274[deg] radials) and then 
resume at the Olympia, WA, VOR. The unaffected portion of the existing 
route will remain as charted. 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 proposed 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

[[Page 67443]]

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 airspace action of amending VOR 
Federal airway V-187 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).

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:

    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 7400.11E, 
Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated July 21, 2020, and 
effective September 15, 2020, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 6010(a) Domestic VOR Federal Airways.

* * * * *

V-187 [Amended]

    From Socorrow, NM; via INT Socorrow 015[deg] and Albuquerque, 
NM, 160[deg] radials: Albuquerque, Rattlesnake, NM; 50 miles, 62 
miles, 115 MSL, Grand Junction, CO; 75 miles, 50 miles, 112 MSL, 
Rock Springs, WY; 20 miles, 37 miles, 95 MSL, INT Rock Springs 
026[deg] and Riverton, WY, 180[deg] radials; Riverton; Boysen 
Reservoir, WY; 9 miles, 78 miles, 105 MSL, Billings, MT; INT 
Billings 317[deg] and Great Falls, MT, 122[deg] radials; Great 
Falls; Missoula, MT; Nez Perce, ID; Pasco, WA; INT Pasco 321[deg] 
and Ellensburg, WA, 107[deg] radials; Ellensburg; INT Yakima 
331[deg] and Ellensburg 274[deg] radials. From Olympia; to Astoria, 
OR.
* * * * *

    Issued in Washington, DC, on October 14, 2020.
Scott M. Rosenbloom,
Acting Manager, Rules and Regulations Group.
[FR Doc. 2020-23083 Filed 10-22-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P