Amendment of Multiple Air Traffic Service (ATS) Routes in the Northcentral United States, 79422-79425 [2020-26919]

Agencies

• Federal Aviation Administration
• DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 238 (Thursday, December 10, 2020)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 79422-79425]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-26919]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2020-0667; Airspace Docket No. 20-AGL-24]
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-15, V-26, V-55, V-78, V-100, V-159, V-175, V-219, and V-307, 
and Area Navigation (RNAV) routes T-285 and T-354 in the Northcentral 
United States. The modifications are necessary due to the planned 
decommissioning of the VOR portion of the Park Rapids, MN, VOR/Distance 
Measuring Equipment (VOR/DME); Sioux City, IA, VOR/Tactical Air 
Navigation (VORTAC); and Huron, SD, VORTAC navigation aids (NAVAIDs). 
The NAVAIDs provide navigation guidance for segments of the affected 
air traffic service (ATS) routes. The VORs are being decommissioned as 
part of the FAA's VOR Minimum Operational Network (MON) program.

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: 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 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 (NPRM) for Docket 
No. FAA-2020-0667 in the Federal Register (85 FR 47317; August 5, 
2020), amending 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 in the 
Northcentral United States. The proposed amendment actions were 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. 
Interested parties were invited to participate in this rulemaking 
effort by submitting written comments on the proposal. No comments were 
received.
    Subsequent to the NPRM, the FAA published a rule for Docket No. 
FAA-2020-0189 in the Federal Register (85 FR 50777; August 18, 2020), 
amending VOR Federal airway V-55 by removing the airway segment between 
the Pullman, MI, VOR/DME and the intersection of the Green Bay, WI, 
VORTAC 270[deg] and Oshkosh, WI, VORTAC 339[deg] radials (BIPID fix). 
That airway amendment, effective November 5, 2020, is included in this 
rule.
    Additionally, subsequent to the NPRM, the FAA published a rule for 
Docket No. FAA-2020-0294 in the Federal Register (85 FR 51324; August 
20, 2020), amending RNAV route T-354 by replacing the Siren DME route 
point with the SSKYY, WI, waypoint and extending the route 
southeastward from the SSKYY, WI, waypoint to the Cunningham, KY, VOR/
DME. Those route amendments, effective November 5, 2020, are also 
included in this rule.
    VOR Federal airways are published in paragraph 6010(a) and RNAV T-
routes are published in paragraph 6011 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 airways 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 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. The 
planned decommissioning of the VOR portion of the Park Rapids, MN, VOR/
DME; Sioux City, IA, VORTAC; and Huron, SD, VORTAC NAVAIDs has made 
this action necessary. The VOR Federal airway changes are outlined 
below.
    V-15: V-15 extends between the Navasota, TX, VOR/DME and the 
Bonham, TX, VORTAC; between the Okmulgee, OK, VOR/DME and the Neosho, 
MO, VOR/DME; and between the Sioux City, IA, VORTAC and the

[[Page 79423]]

Minot, ND, VOR/DME. The airway segment overlying the Sioux City, IA, 
and Huron, SD, VORTACs between the Sioux City, IA, VORTAC and the 
Aberdeen, SD, VOR/DME is removed. The unaffected portions of the 
existing airway remain as charted.
    V-26: V-26 extends between the Blue Mesa, CO, VOR/DME and the White 
Cloud, MI, VOR/DME. The airway segment overlying the Huron, SD, VORTAC 
between the Pierre, SD, VORTAC and the Redwood Falls, MN, VOR/DME is 
removed. The unaffected portions of the existing airway remain as 
charted.
    V-55: V-55 currently extends between the Dayton, OH, VOR/DME and 
the Pullman, MI, VOR/DME; and between the Park Rapids, MN, VOR/DME and 
the Bismarck, ND, VOR/DME. The airway segment overlying the Park 
Rapids, MN, VOR/DME between the Park Rapids, MN, VOR/DME and the Grand 
Forks, ND, VOR/DME is removed. The unaffected portions of the existing 
airway remain as charted.
    V-78: V-78 extends between the Huron, SD, VORTAC and the Escanaba, 
MI, VOR/DME; and between the Pellston, MI, VORTAC and the Saginaw, MI, 
VOR/DME. The airway segment overlying the Huron, SD, VORTAC between the 
Huron, SD, VORTAC and the Watertown, SD, VORTAC is removed. The 
unaffected portions of the existing airway remain as charted.
    V-100: V-100 extends between the Medicine Bow, WY, VOR/DME and the 
Litchfield, MI, VOR/DME. The airway segment overlying the Sioux City, 
IA, VORTAC between the O'Neill, NE, VORTAC and the Fort Dodge, IA, 
VORTAC is removed. The unaffected portions of the existing airway 
remain as charted.
    V-159: V-159 extends between the Virginia Key, FL, VOR/DME and the 
Vulcan, AL, VORTAC; and between the Holly Springs, MS, VORTAC and the 
Huron, SD, VORTAC. The airway segment overlying the Sioux City, IA, and 
Huron, SD, VORTACs between the Omaha, IA, VORTAC and the Huron, SD, 
VORTAC is removed. The unaffected portions of the existing airway 
remain as charted.
    V-175: V-175 currently extends between the Malden, MO, VORTAC and 
the Winnipeg, MB, Canada, VORTAC. The airspace within Canada is 
excluded. The airway segment overlying the Sioux City, IA, VORTAC 
between the Des Moines, IA, VORTAC and the Worthington, MN, VOR/DME is 
removed; and the airway segment overlying the Park Rapids, MN, VOR/DME 
between the Alexandria, MN, VOR/DME and the Winnipeg, MB, Canada, 
VORTAC is removed. The exclusion statement for the airspace within 
Canada is also removed. The unaffected portions of the existing airway 
remain as charted.
    V-219: V-219 extends between the Hayes Center, NE, VORTAC and the 
Sioux City, IA, VORTAC. The airway segment overlying the Sioux City, 
IA, VORTAC between the Norfolk, NE, VOR/DME and the Sioux City, IA, 
VORTAC is removed. The unaffected portions of the existing airway 
remain as charted.
    V-307: V-307 extends between the Harrison, AR, VOR/DME and the 
Sioux City, IA, VORTAC. The airway segment overlying the Sioux City, 
IA, VORTAC between the Omaha, IA, VORTAC and the Sioux City, IA, VORTAC 
is removed. The unaffected portions of the existing airway remain as 
charted.
    The RNAV route changes are outlined below.
    T-285: T-285 extends between the North Platte, NE, VOR/DME and the 
Huron, SD, VORTAC. The Huron, SD (HON), route point is changed from 
being listed as ``VORTAC'' to ``DME.'' The existing RNAV route remains 
as charted.
    T-354: T-354 extends between the Park Rapids, MN, VOR/DME and the 
Cunningham, KY, VOR/DME. The Park Rapids, MN (PKD), route point is 
changed from being listed as ``VOR/DME'' to ``DME'' and a route segment 
extending northwestward from the Park Rapids, MN, DME to the BYZIN, ND, 
waypoint is added. The existing RNAV route remains as charted with the 
addition of the route segment between the BYZIN, ND, waypoint and the 
Park Rapids, MN, DME.
    All NAVAID radials listed in the VOR Federal airway 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-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, 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:

    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.

[[Page 79424]]

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-15 [Amended]

    From Navasota, TX; College Station, TX; Waco, TX; Cedar Creek, 
TX; to Bonham, TX. From Okmulgee, OK; to Neosho, MO. From Aberdeen, 
SD; Bismarck, ND; to Minot, ND.
* * * * *

V-26 [Amended]

    From Blue Mesa, CO; Montrose, CO; 13 miles 112 MSL, 131 MSL, 
Grand Junction, CO; Meeker, CO; Cherokee, WY; Muddy Mountain, WY; 14 
miles, 37 miles 75 MSL, 84 miles 90 MSL, Rapid City, SD; Philip, SD; 
to Pierre, SD. From Redwood Falls, MN; Farmington, MN; Eau Claire, 
WI; Wausau, WI; Green Bay, WI; INT Green Bay 116[deg] and White 
Cloud, MI, 302[deg] radials; to White Cloud.
* * * * *

V-55 [Amended]

    From Dayton, OH; Fort Wayne, IN; Goshen, IN; Gipper, MI; Keeler, 
MI; to Pullman, MI. From Grand Forks, ND; INT Grand Forks 239[deg] 
and Bismarck, ND, 067[deg] radials; to Bismarck.
* * * * *

V-78 [Amended]

    From Watertown, SD; 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-100 [Amended]

    From Medicine Bow, WY; Scottsbluff, NE; Alliance, NE; Ainsworth, 
NE; to O'Neill, NE. From Fort Dodge, IA; Waterloo, IA; Dubuque, IA; 
Rockford, IL; INT Rockford 074[deg] and Janesville, WI, 112[deg] 
radials; INT Janesville 112[deg] and Northbrook, IL, 291[deg] 
radials; Northbrook; INT Northbrook 095[deg] and Keeler, MI, 
271[deg] radials; Keeler; to Litchfield, MI.
* * * * *

V-159 [Amended]

    From Virginia Key, FL; INT Virginia Key 344[deg] and Treasure, 
FL, 178[deg] radials; Treasure; INT Treasure 318[deg] and Orlando, 
FL, 140[deg] radials; Orlando; Ocala, FL; Cross City, FL; 
Greenville, FL; Pecan, GA; Eufaula, AL; Tuskegee, AL; to Vulcan, AL. 
From Holly Springs, MS; Gilmore, AR; Walnut Ridge, AR; Dogwood, MO; 
Springfield, MO; Napoleon, MO; INT Napoleon 005[deg] and St. Joseph, 
MO, 122[deg] radials; St. Joseph; to Omaha, IA.
* * * * *

V-175 [Amended]

    From Malden, MO; Vichy, MO; Hallsville, MO; Macon, MO; 
Kirksville, MO; to Des Moines, IA. From Worthington, MN; Redwood 
Falls, MN; to Alexandria, MN.
* * * * *

V-219 [Amended]

    From Hayes Center, NE; INT Hayes Center 059[deg] and Wolbach, 
NE, 251[deg] radials; Wolbach; to Norfolk, NE.
* * * * *

V-307 [Amended]

    From Harrison, AR; Neosho, MO; Oswego, KS; Chanute, KS; Emporia, 
KS; INT Emporia 336[deg] and Pawnee City, NE, 194[deg] radials; 
Pawnee City; to Omaha, IA.
* * * * *

6011 United States Area Navigation Routes.

* * * * *

T-285 North Platte, NE (LBF) to Huron, SD (HON) [Amended]
 
North Platte, NE (LBF)                            VOR/DME                       (Lat. 41[deg]02'55.34'' N, long. 100[deg]44'49.55'' W)
Thedford, NE (TDD)                                VOR/DM                        (Lat. 41[deg]58'53.99'' N, long. 100[deg]43'08.55'' W)
MARSS, NE                                         Fix                           (Lat. 42[deg]27'48.92'' N, long. 100[deg]36'15.32'' W)
Valentine, NE (VTN)                               NDB                           (Lat. 42[deg]51'41.85'' N, long. 100[deg]32'58.73'' W)
LKOTA, SD                                         WP                            (Lat. 43[deg]15'28.00'' N, long. 100[deg]03'14.00'' W)
LESNR, SD                                         WP                            (Lat. 43[deg]29'16.06'' N, long. 099[deg]45'41.55'' W)
Huron, SD (HON)                                   DME                           (Lat. 44[deg]26'24.30'' N, long. 098[deg]18'39.89'' W)
 
 
                                                                      * * * * * * *
T-354 BYZIN, MN to Cunningham, KY (CNG) [Amended]
BYZIN, MN                                         WP                            (lat. 47[deg]29'03.97'' N, long. 096[deg]13'28.09'' W)
Park Rapids, MN (PKD)                             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)
SSKYY, WI                                         WP                            (Lat. 45[deg]49'13.60'' N, long. 092[deg]22'28.26'' W)
TONOC, WI                                         FIX                           (Lat. 45[deg]03'47.56'' N, long. 091[deg]38'11.87'' W)
KOETZ, WI                                         WP                            (Lat. 44[deg]13'15.00'' N, long. 091[deg]28'14.00'' W)
HRMNN, WI                                         WP                            (Lat. 43[deg]55'32.51'' N, long. 090[deg]58'04.07'' W)
FOMAG, WI                                         WP                            (Lat. 43[deg]29'38.44'' N, long. 089[deg]46'09.53'' W)
MAYSE, WI                                         WP                            (Lat. 43[deg]10'14.18'' N, long. 089[deg]42'46.52'' W)
HOMRC, IL                                         WP                            (Lat. 41[deg]34'04.67'' N, long. 089[deg]30'20.55'' W)
CPTON, IL                                         WP                            (Lat. 41[deg]06'51.57'' N, long. 089[deg]11'58.93'' W)
BLLUE, IL                                         WP                            (Lat. 40[deg]07'09.20'' N, long. 088[deg]32'45.48'' W)
BOSTN, IL                                         WP                            (Lat. 39[deg]53'46.57'' N, long. 088[deg]26'18.96'' W)
Bible Grove, IL (BIB)                             VORTAC                        (Lat. 38[deg]55'13.24'' N, long. 088[deg]28'54.50'' W)
Cunningham, KY (CNG)                              VOR/DME                       (Lat. 37[deg]00'30.99'' N, long. 088[deg]50'12.89'' W)
 


[[Page 79425]]

* * * * *

    Issued in Washington, DC, on December 3, 2020.
George Gonzalez,
Acting Manager, Rules and Regulations Group.
[FR Doc. 2020-26919 Filed 12-9-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P