Revocation, Amendment, and Establishment of Air Traffic Service (ATS) Routes Due to the Decommissioning of the Greene County, MS, VOR, 46685-46687 [2023-15312]

Agencies

• Federal Aviation Administration
• DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 138 (Thursday, July 20, 2023)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 46685-46687]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-15312]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2023-0328; Airspace Docket No. 22-ASO-37]
RIN 2120-AA66


Revocation, Amendment, and Establishment of Air Traffic Service 
(ATS) Routes Due to the Decommissioning of the Greene County, MS, VOR

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action removes Jet Route J-590, amends Very High 
Frequency (VHF) Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal airways V-11 and V-
70, and establishes United States Area Navigation (RNAV) route T-365. 
The FAA is taking this action due to the planned decommissioning of the 
VOR portion of the Greene County, MS (GCV), VOR/Tactical Air Navigation 
(VORTAC) navigational aid (NAVAID). The Greene County VOR is being 
decommissioned in support of the FAA's VOR Minimum Operational Network 
(MON) program.

DATES: Effective date 0901 UTC, October 5, 2023. 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 JO 7400.11 
and publication of conforming amendments.

ADDRESSES: A copy of the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM), all 
comments received, this final rule, and all background material may be 
viewed online at www.regulations.gov using the FAA Docket number. 
Electronic retrieval help and guidelines are available on the website. 
It is available 24 hours each day, 365 days each year.
    FAA Order JO 7400.11G, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, 
and subsequent amendments can be viewed online at www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/. You may also contact the Rules and 
Regulations Group, Office of Policy, Federal Aviation Administration, 
800 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20591; telephone: (202) 267-
8783.

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 ATS 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 for Docket No. 
FAA-2023-0328 in the Federal Register (88 FR 13737; March 6, 2023), 
proposing

[[Page 46686]]

to remove Jet Route J-590, amend VOR Federal airways V-11 and V-70, and 
establish RNAV route T-365 due to the planned decommissioning of the 
VOR portion of the Greene County, MS, VORTAC NAVAID. Interested parties 
were invited to participate in this rulemaking effort by submitting 
written comments on the proposal. No comments were received.

Incorporation by Reference

    Jet Routes are published in paragraph 2004, VOR Federal airways are 
published in paragraph 6010(a), and United States Area Navigation 
Routes (T-routes) are published in paragraph 6011 of FAA Order JO 
7400.11, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, which is 
incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1 on an annual basis. This 
document amends the current version of that order, FAA Order JO 
7400.11G, dated August 19, 2022, and effective September 15, 2022. FAA 
Order JO 7400.11G is publicly available as listed in the ADDRESSES 
section of this document. These amendments will be published in the 
next update to FAA Order JO 7400.11.
    FAA Order JO 7400.11G 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 removing Jet Route J-590, 
amending VOR Federal airways V-11 and V-70, and establishing RNAV route 
T-365 due to the planned decommissioning of the VOR portion of the 
Greene County, MS, VORTAC. The ATS route actions are described below.
    J-590: J-590 is removed in its entirety.
    V-11: V-11 extends between the Brookley, AL, VORTAC and the 
Magnolia, MS, VORTAC; and between the Cunningham, KY, VOR/Distance 
Measuring Equipment (VOR/DME) and the intersection of the Fort Wayne, 
IN, VORTAC 038[deg] and Flag City, OH, VORTAC 308[deg] radials (EDGEE 
fix). The airway segment overlying the Greene County VORTAC between the 
Brookley VORTAC and the Magnolia VORTAC is removed. As amended, the 
airway extends between the Cunningham VOR/DME and the intersection of 
the Fort Wayne VORTAC 038[deg] and Flag City VORTAC 308[deg] radials 
(EDGEE fix).
    V-70: V-70 extends between the Monterrey, Mexico, VOR/DME and the 
Allendale, SC, VOR; and between the Grand Strand, SC, VORTAC and the 
Cofield, NC, VORTAC. The airspace within Mexico is excluded. The airway 
segment overlying the Greene County VORTAC between the Picayune, MS, 
VOR/DME and the Monroeville, AL, VORTAC is removed. As amended, the 
airway extends between the Monterrey, Mexico, VOR/DME and the Picayune 
VOR/DME, between the Monroeville VORTAC and the Allendale VOR, and 
between the Grand Strand VORTAC and the Cofield VORTAC.
    T-365: T-365 is a new RNAV route that extends between the Brookley, 
AL, VORTAC and the Magnolia, MS, VORTAC. This T-route mitigates the 
loss of the V-11 airway segment removed and provides RNAV routing 
capability between the Mobile, AL, area northwestward to the Jackson, 
MS, area.
    All NAVAID radials listed in the VOR Federal airway descriptions in 
the Amendment section below are unchanged and stated in degrees True 
north.

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 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 removing Jet Route J-
590, amending VOR Federal airways V-11 and V-70, and establishing RNAV 
route T-365, due to the planned decommissioning of the VOR portion of 
the Greene County, MS, VORTAC NAVAID, 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); paragraph 5-6.5j, 
which categorically excludes from further environmental impact review 
implementation of procedures to respond to emergency air or ground 
safety needs, accidents, or natural events with no reasonably 
foreseeable long-term adverse impacts; and paragraph 5-6.5k, which 
categorically excludes from further environmental impact review 
publication of existing air traffic control procedures that do not 
essentially change existing tracks, create new tracks, change altitude, 
or change concentration of aircraft on these tracks. 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 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 7400.11G, 
Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 19, 2022, and 
effective September 15, 2022, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 2004 Jet Routes.

* * * * *

J-590 [Removed]

* * * * *

Paragraph 6010(a) Domestic VOR Federal Airways.

* * * * *

V-11 [Amended]

    From Cunningham, KY; Pocket City, IN; Brickyard, IN; Marion, IN; 
Fort Wayne, IN; to

[[Page 46687]]

INT Fort Wayne 038[deg] and Flag City, OH, 308[deg] radials.
* * * * *

V-70 [Amended]

    From Monterrey, Mexico; Brownsville, TX; INT Brownsville 
338[deg] and Corpus Christi, TX, 193[deg] radials; 34 miles standard 
width, 37 miles 7 miles wide (4 miles E and 3 miles W of 
centerline), Corpus Christi; INT Corpus Christi 054[deg] and 
Palacios, TX, 226[deg] radials; Palacios; Scholes, TX; Sabine Pass, 
TX; Lake Charles, LA; Lafayette, LA; Fighting Tiger, LA; to 
Picayune, MS. From Monroeville, AL; INT Monroeville 073[deg] and 
Eufaula, AL, 258[deg] radials; Eufaula; Vienna, GA; to Allendale, 
SC. From Grand Strand, SC; Wilmington, NC; Kinston, NC; INT Kinston 
050[deg] and Cofield, NC, 186[deg] radials; to Cofield. The airspace 
within Mexico is excluded.
* * * * *

Paragraph 6011 United States Area Navigation Routes.

* * * * *

T-365 Brookley, AL (BFM) to Magnolia, MS (MHZ) [New]
 
Brookley, AL (BFM)                              VORTAC                         (Lat. 30[deg]36'45.80'' N, long. 088[deg]03'19.78'' W)
GARTS, MS                                       WP                             (Lat. 31[deg]05'52.39'' N, long. 088[deg]29'10.68'' W)
Magnolia, MS (MHZ)                              VORTAC                         (Lat. 32[deg]26'02.65'' N, long. 090[deg]05'59.18'' W)
 

* * * * *

    Issued in Washington, DC, on July 13, 2023.
Karen L. Chiodini,
Acting Manager, Airspace Rules and Regulations.
[FR Doc. 2023-15312 Filed 7-19-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P