65834 Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 185 / Tuesday, September 26, 2023 / Proposed Rules 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 71 

[Docket No. FAA–2023–2006; Airspace 

Docket No. 23–AAL–18 

RIN 2120–AA66 

Amendment of Alaskan Very High 

Frequency Omnidirectional Range 

Federal Airway V–508 in the Vicinity of 

Aniak, AK 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking 

(NPRM). 

SUMMARY: This action proposes to 

amend Alaskan Very High Frequency 

Omnidirectional Range Federal Airway 

(VOR) V–508 in the vicinity of Aniak, 

AK. The FAA is taking this action due 

to the pending decommissioning of the 

Aniak, AK, Nondirectional Radio 

Beacon (NDB). 

DATES: Comments must be received on 

or before November 13, 2023. 

ADDRESSES: Send comments identified 

by FAA Docket No. FAA–2023–2006 

and Airspace Docket No. 23–AAL–18 

using any of the following methods: 

* Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to 

www.regulations.gov and follow the 

online instructions for sending your 

comments electronically. 

* Mail: Send comments to Docket 

Operations, M–30; U.S. Department of 

Transportation, 1200 New Jersey 

Avenue SE, Room W12–140, West 

Building Ground Floor, Washington, DC 

20590–0001. 

* Hand Delivery or Courier: Take 

comments to Docket Operations in 

Room W12–140 of the West Building 

Ground Floor at 1200 New Jersey 

Avenue SE, Washington, DC, between 9 

a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through 

Friday, except Federal holidays. 

* Fax: Fax comments to Docket 

Operations at (202) 493–2251. 

Docket: Background documents or 

comments received may be read at 

www.regulations.gov at any time. 

Follow the online instructions for 

accessing the docket or go to the Docket 

Operations in Room W12–140 of the 

West Building Ground Floor at 1200 

New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, 

DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday 

through Friday, except Federal holidays. 

FAA Order JO 7400.11H, 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: 

Steven Roff, 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 would 

modify the airway structure as 

necessary to preserve the safe and 

efficient flow of air traffic within the 

National Airspace System. 

Comments Invited 

The FAA invites interested persons to 

participate in this rulemaking by 

submitting written comments, data, or 

views. Comments are specifically 

invited on the overall regulatory, 

aeronautical, economic, environmental, 

and energy-related aspects of the 

proposal. The most helpful comments 

reference a specific portion of the 

proposal, explain the reason for any 

recommended change, and include 

supporting data. To ensure the docket 

does not contain duplicate comments, 

commenters should submit only one 

time if comments are filed 

electronically, or commenters should 

send only one copy of written 

comments if comments are filed in 

writing. 

The FAA will file in the docket all 

comments it receives, as well as a report 

summarizing each substantive public 

contact with FAA personnel concerning 

this proposed rulemaking. Before acting 

on this proposal, the FAA will consider 

all comments it receives on or before the 

closing date for comments. The FAA 

will consider comments filed after the 

comment period has closed if it is 

possible to do so without incurring 

expense or delay. The FAA may change 

this proposal in light of the comments 

it receives. 

Privacy: In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 

553(c), DOT solicits comments from the 

public to better inform its rulemaking 

process. DOT posts these comments, 

without edit, including any personal 

information the commenter provides, to 

www.regulations.gov, as described in 

the system of records notice (DOT/ALL– 

14 FDMS), which can be reviewed at 

www.dot.gov/privacy. 

Availability of Rulemaking Documents 

An electronic copy of this document 

may be downloaded through the 

internet at www.regulations.gov. 

Recently published rulemaking 

documents can also be accessed through 

the FAA’s web page at www.faa.gov/air_

traffic/publications/airspace_

amendments/. 

You may review the public docket 

containing the proposal, any comments 

received and any final disposition in 

person in the Dockets Operations office 

(see ADDRESSES section for address, 

phone number, and hours of 

operations). An informal docket may 

also be examined during normal 

business hours at the office of the 

Western Service Center, Federal 

Aviation 2200 South 216th St., Des 

Moines, WA 98198. 

Incorporation by Reference 

Alaskan VOR Federal airways are 

published in paragraph 6010(b) 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 proposes to amend the 

current version of that order, FAA Order 

JO 7400.11H, dated August 11, 2023, 

and effective September 15, 2023. These 

updates would be published in the next 

update to FAA Order JO 7400.11. That 

order is publicly available as listed in 

the ADDRESSES section of this document. 

FAA Order JO 7400.11H lists Class A, 

B, C, D, and E airspace areas, air traffic 

service routes, and reporting points. 

Background 

In 2003, Congress enacted the Vision 

100-Century of Aviation 

Reauthorization Act (Pub. L. 108–176), 

which established a joint planning and 

development office in the FAA to 

manage the work related to the Next 

Generation Air Transportation System 

(NextGen). Today, NextGen is an 

ongoing FAA-led modernization of the 

nation’s air transportation system to 

make flying safer, more efficient, and 

more predictable. 

In support of NextGen, this proposal 

is part of an ongoing, large, and 

comprehensive T-route modernization 

project in the state of Alaska. The 


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Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 185 / Tuesday, September 26, 2023 / Proposed Rules 65835 

project mission statement states: ‘‘To 

modernize Alaska’s Air Traffic Service 

route structure using satellite-based 

navigation development of new T-routes 

and optimization of existing T-routes 

will enhance safety, increase efficiency 

and access, and will provide en route 

continuity that is not subject to the 

restrictions associated with groundbased airway navigation.’’ 

As part of this initiative, the Aniak 

NDB is scheduled to be 

decommissioned. As a result, a portion 

of Alaskan V–508 will become 

unusable. This airspace action proposes 

to amend the Alaskan V–508 by 

revoking the portion of the airway that 

relies on the Aniak NDB. The FAA 

published a final rule for Docket No. 

FAA–2022–0245 in the Federal Register 

(88 FR 50018; August 1, 2023) effective 

October 5, 2023, establishing Area 

Navigation (RNAV) T-route, T–380. This 

RNAV route was established, in part, to 

provide alternative to VOR Federal 

Airway V–508. The portion of Alaskan 

V–508 that is proposed to be revoked is 

paralleled by T–380. 

The Proposal 

The FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR 

part 71 by amending Alaskan VOR 

Federal airway V–508. The proposed 

airspace actions are described below. 

V–508: The Alaskan Federal Airway 

V–508 extends between the Middleton 

Island, AK, VOR/DME, Kenai, AK, VOR/ 

DME, Sparrevohn, AK, VOR/DME and 

the Aniak, AK, NDB. The FAA proposes 

to revoke the portion of the Alaskan 

Federal Airway V–508 that extends 

between the Sparrevohn, AK, VOR/DME 

and the Aniak, AK, NDB. As amended, 

Alaskan Federal Airway V–508 would 

extend between the Middleton Island, 

AK, VOR/DME; Kenai, AK, VOR/DME; 

to Sparrevohn, AK, VOR/DME. 

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 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 

proposed 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 

This proposal will be subject to an 

environmental analysis in accordance 

with FAA Order 1050.1F, 

‘‘Environmental Impacts: Policies and 

Procedures’’ prior to any FAA final 

regulatory action. 

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 71 

Airspace, Incorporation by reference, 

Navigation (air). 

The Proposed Amendment 

In consideration of the foregoing, the 

Federal Aviation Administration 

proposes to amend 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 

■ 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. 

§ 71.1 [Amended] 

■ 2. The incorporation by reference in 

14 CFR 71.1 of FAA Order JO 7400.11H, 

Airspace Designations and Reporting 

Points, dated August 11, 2023, and 

effective September 15, 2023, is 

amended as follows: 

Paragraph 6010(b); Alaskan VOR Federal 

Airways. 

* * * * * 

V–508 [Amended] 

From Middleton Island, AK; Kenai, AK; to 

Sparrevohn, AK. 

* * * * * 

Issued in Washington, DC, on September 

20, 2023. 

Karen L. Chiodini, 

Acting Manager, Rules and Regulations 

Group. 

[FR Doc. 2023–20732 Filed 9–25–23; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Parts 401, 404, 415, 417, 431, 

435, 437, 450, and 453 

[Docket No.: FAA–2023–1858; Notice No. 

23–13] 

RIN 2120–AK81 

Mitigation Methods for Launch Vehicle 

Upper Stages on the Creation of 

Orbital Debris 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), Department of 

Transportation (DOT). 

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking 

(NPRM). 

SUMMARY: To limit the growth of orbital 

debris, the FAA proposes to require that 

upper stages of commercial launch 

vehicles and other components resulting 

from launch or reentry be removed from 

orbit within 25 years after launch, either 

through atmospheric disposal or 

maneuver to an acceptable disposal 

orbit. Any artificial object left in orbit 

around the Earth which no longer serves 

a useful purpose can become a debris 

hazard in space. Orbital debris is all 

such human-generated debris in Earth 

orbit that is greater than 5 millimeters 

(mm) in any dimension. Collisions 

between and with orbital debris are a 

growing concern because prior to the 

establishment of the Inter-Agency Space 

Debris Coordination Committee (IADC) 

practices allowed these objects to 

accumulate in Earth orbit. Additionally, 

an increasing number of launch 

operators are launching assets into 

space at greater rates. If left unchecked, 

this accumulation can clutter useful 

orbits and present a hazard to 

operations on-orbit. This proposed rule 

would reduce the amount of additional 

debris created, as well as limit potential 

collisions with functional spacecraft 

and other debris already on-orbit. 

DATES: Send comments on or before 

December 26, 2023. 

ADDRESSES: Send comments identified 

by docket number FAA–2023–1858 

using any of the following methods: 

• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to 

www.regulations.gov and follow the 

online instructions for sending your 

comments electronically. 

• Mail: Send comments to Docket 

Operations, M–30; U.S. Department of 

Transportation, 1200 New Jersey 

Avenue SE, Room W12–140, West 

Building Ground Floor, Washington, DC 

20590–0001. 

• Hand Delivery or Courier: Take 

comments to Docket Operations in 


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