Amendment of Air Traffic Service (ATS) Routes; Northeast United States, 39958-39959 [2021-15778]

Agencies

• Federal Aviation Administration
• DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 140 (Monday, July 26, 2021)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 39958-39959]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-15778]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2021-0360; Airspace Docket No. 21-AEA-6]
RIN 2120-AA66


Amendment of Air Traffic Service (ATS) Routes; Northeast United 
States

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action amends VOR Federal airways V-39 and V-93 in 
support of the Northeast Corridor Atlantic Coast Route (NEC ACR), and 
the VOR Minimum Operational Network (VOR MON) Projects.

DATES: Effective date 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 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: Paul Gallant, 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 VOR Federal airway route structure in the 
northeastern United States to maintain the efficient flow of air 
traffic.

History

    The FAA published a notice of proposed rulemaking for Docket No. 
FAA-2021-0360 in the Federal Register (86 FR 27326; May 20, 2021), 
modifying VOR Federal airways V-39 and V-93. Interested parties were 
invited to participate in this rulemaking effort by

[[Page 39959]]

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 airways 
listed in this document will be subsequently published in the Order.

Availability and Summary of Documents for Incorporation by Reference

    This action 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 rule. FAA Order 7400.11E lists Class A, B, C, D, and E 
airspace areas, air traffic service routes, and reporting points.

The Rule

    This action amends 14 CFR part 71 by modifying VOR Federal airways 
V-39 and V-93 in the northeast United States. The route changes are 
described as follows:
    V-39: V-39 currently extends between Sandhills, NC, and Mont Joli, 
PQ, Canada. This action removes the airway segments between Chester, 
MA, and Augusta, ME. As amended, V-39 consists of two parts: From 
Sandhills, NC, to Chester, MA; followed by a gap in the route; then 
from Augusta, ME to Mont Joli, PQ, Canada.
    V-93: V-93 currently consists of two parts: From Patuxent River, 
MD, to the intersection of the Wilkes Barre, PA, 037[deg] and the 
Sparta, NJ, 300[deg] radials; and from the intersection of the Sparta, 
NJ, 018[deg] and the Kingston, NY, 270[deg] radials, to Bangor, ME. 
This action removes the segments between Chester, MA, and Bangor, ME. 
As amended, V-93 consists of two parts: From Patuxent River, MD, to the 
intersection of the Wilkes Barre, PA, 037[deg] and the Sparta, NJ, 
300[deg] radials; followed by a gap; then from the intersection of the 
Sparta, NJ, 018[deg] and the Kingston, NY, 270[deg] radials, to 
Chester, MA.
    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 action 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 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 action of amending VOR Federal 
airways V-39 and V-93, in the northeastern United States qualifies for 
categorical exclusion under the National Environmental Policy Act (42 
U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) 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 cause 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 Part 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-39 [Amended]

    From Sandhills, NC, South Boston, VA; Gordonsville, VA; INT 
Gordonsville 331[deg] and Martinsburg, WV, 216[deg] radials; 
Martinsburg; Lancaster, PA; East Texas, PA; Sparta, NJ; Carmel, NY; 
INT Carmel 045[deg] and Bridgeport, CT, 343[deg] radials; INT 
Bridgeport 343[deg] and Chester, MA, 223[deg] radials; to Chester, 
MA. From Augusta, ME; Millinocket, ME; Presque Isle, ME; to Mont 
Joli, PQ, Canada, excluding the portion within Canada.
* * * * *

V-93 [Amended]

    From Patuxent River, MD, INT Patuxent 013[deg] and Baltimore, 
MD, 122[deg] radials; Baltimore; INT Baltimore 004[deg] and 
Lancaster, PA, 214[deg] radials; Lancaster; Wilkes-Barre, PA; to INT 
Wilkes-Barre 037[deg] and Sparta, NJ 300[deg] radials. From INT 
Sparta 018[deg] and Kingston, NY, 270[deg] radials; Kingston; 
Pawling, NY; to Chester, MA.
* * * * *

    Issued in Washington, DC, on July 20, 2021.
George Gonzalez,
Acting Manager, Rules and Regulations Group.
[FR Doc. 2021-15778 Filed 7-23-21; 8:45 am]
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