Establishment and Modification of Class E Airspace; Williston Basin, ND, 37234-37235 [2021-15017]

Agencies

• Federal Aviation Administration
• DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 133 (Thursday, July 15, 2021)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 37234-37235]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-15017]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2021-0292; Airspace Docket No. 21-AGL-22]
RIN 2120-AA66


Establishment and Modification of Class E Airspace; Williston 
Basin, ND

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action establishes a Class E airspace area, designated as 
an extension to a Class D or Class E surface area, at Williston Basin 
International Airport, Williston, ND. This action also modifies the 
Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface. The 
airspace modifications support the establishment of new instrument 
procedures for runways 04 and 22. This action also updates the 
geographic coordinates in the Class E2 and Class E5 text headers. The 
airspace supports instrument flight rules (IFR) operations at the 
airport.

DATES: Effective 0901 UTC, October 7, 2021. 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 7400.11 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 Airspace Policy 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: Matthew Van Der Wal, Federal Aviation 
Administration, Western Service Center, Operations Support Group, 2200 
S 216th Street, Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone (206) 231-3695.

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 
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 Class E and modifies Class E airspace at Williston 
Basin International Airport, Williston, ND, to ensure the safety and 
management of IFR operations at the airport.

History

    The FAA published a notice of proposed rulemaking in the Federal 
Register (86 FR 21672; April 23, 2021) for Docket No. FAA-2021-0292 to 
modify the Class E airspace at Williston Basin International Airport, 
Williston, ND. Interested parties were invited to participate in this 
rulemaking effort by submitting written comments on the proposal to the 
FAA. No comments were received.
    After the publication of the NPRM, the FAA determined that Class E4 
airspace should be established versus modifying the Class E2 airspace. 
This action corrects the NPRM by establishing Class E4 airspace. This 
airspace area is designed to contain IFR aircraft descending below 
1,000 feet above the surface on the VOR RWY 22 approach. The new Class 
E4 area is identical to the Class E2 modification that was proposed in 
the NPRM. The airspace is described as ``That airspace extending upward 
from the surface within 2.4 miles each side of the 045[deg] bearing 
from the airport, extending from the Class E2's 4.2-mile radius to 6.8 
miles northeast of the airport.''
    Class E2, E4, and E5 airspace designations are published in 
paragraphs 6002, 6004, and 6005 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 Class E airspace designation listed in 
this document will be published subsequently 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

    This amendment to 14 CFR part 71 establishes a Class E airspace 
area, designated as an extension to a Class D or Class E surface area, 
at Williston Basin International Airport, Williston, ND. This airspace 
area is established northeast of the airport and is designed to contain 
arriving IFR aircraft descending below 1,000 feet above the surface on 
the VOR RWY 22 approach.
    Additionally, this action modifies the Class E airspace extending 
upward from 700 feet above the surface. This airspace is designed to 
contain arriving IFR aircraft descending below 1,500 feet above the 
surface and departing IFR aircraft until reaching 1,200 feet above the 
surface. An area northeast and

[[Page 37235]]

another southwest of the airport are added to contain IFR aircraft 
arriving and departing the airport.
    Lastly, the action updates the geographic coordinates in the Class 
E2 and Class E5 text headers. The coordinates are updated to ``lat. 
48[deg]15'35'' N, long. 103[deg]45'02'' W,'' to match the FAA database.
    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, is 
non-controversial, and unlikely to result in adverse or negative 
comments. 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 will only affect air traffic procedures and air navigation, it is 
certified that this rule, when promulgated, would 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.

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(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 6002 Class E Airspace Designated as a Surface Area.

* * * * *

AGL ND E2 Williston, ND [Amended]

Williston Basin International Airport, ND
    (Lat. 48[deg]15'35'' N, long. 103[deg]45'02'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface within a 4.2-
mile radius of the airport, and within 1.3 miles each side of the 
135[deg] bearing from the airport extending from the 4.2-mile radius 
to 4.7 miles southeast of the airport, and within 1.3 miles each 
side of the 339[deg] bearing from the airport extending from the 
4.2-mile radius to 4.7 miles north of the airport.

Paragraph 6004 Class E Airspace Areas Designated as an Extension to 
a Class D or Class E Surface Area.

* * * * *

AGL ND E4 Williston, ND [New]

Williston Basin International Airport, ND
    (Lat. 48[deg]15'35'' N, long. 103[deg]45'02'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface within 2.4 miles 
each side of the 045[deg] bearing from the airport extending from 
the Class E2's 4.2-mile radius to 6.8 miles northeast of the 
airport.

Paragraph 6005 Class E Airspace Areas Extending Upward From 700 
Feet or More Above the Surface of the Earth.

* * * * *

AGL ND E5 Williston, ND [Amended]

Williston Basin International Airport, ND
    (Lat. 48[deg]15'35'' N, long. 103[deg]45'02'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface 
within a 6.7-mile radius of the airport, and within 4.4 miles each 
side of the 044[deg] bearing from the airport extending from the 
6.7-mile radius to 9.8 miles northeast of the airport, and within 2 
miles each side of the 053[deg] bearing from the airport extending 
from the 6.7-mile radius to 12.4 miles northeast of the airport and 
within 3.3 miles each side of the 133[deg] bearing from the airport 
extending from the 6.7-mile radius to 11.3 miles southeast of the 
airport, and within 2.1 miles each side of the 232[deg] bearing from 
the airport extending from the 6.7-mile radius to 11.8 miles 
southwest of the airport, and within 3.8 miles each side of the 
340[deg] bearing from the airport extending from the 6.7-mile radius 
to 11 miles north of the airport; and that airspace extending upward 
from 1,200 feet above the surface within a 41-mile radius of the 
airport.

    Issued in Des Moines, Washington, on July 9, 2021.
B.G. Chew,
Acting Group Manager, Operations Support Group, Western Service Center.
[FR Doc. 2021-15017 Filed 7-14-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P