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[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 107 (Monday, June 4, 2012)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 32895-32896]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-13370]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2011-0363; Airspace Docket No. 11-ANM-8]

Modification of Class D and Class E Airspace and Revocation of 
Class E Airspace; Bellingham, WA

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action modifies Class D and Class E airspace at 
Bellingham, WA, to accommodate aircraft departing and arriving under 
Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) at Bellingham International Airport. This 
action, initiated by the biennial review of the Bellingham airspace 
area, enhances the safety and management of aircraft operations at the 
airport.

DATES: Effective date, 0901 UTC, September 20, 2012. 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 7400.9 
and publication of conforming amendments.

[[Page 32896]]

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Eldon Taylor, Federal Aviation 
Administration, Operations Support Group, Western Service Center, 1601 
Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057; telephone (425) 203-4537.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

History

    On March 26, 2012, the FAA published in the Federal Register a 
notice of proposed rulemaking to modify controlled airspace at 
Bellingham, WA (77 FR 17362). Interested parties were invited to 
participate in this rulemaking effort by submitting written comments on 
the proposal to the FAA. No comments were received.
    Class D and Class E airspace designations are published in 
paragraph 5000, 6002 and 6004, respectively, of FAA Order 7400.9V dated 
August 9, 2011, and effective September 15, 2011, which is incorporated 
by reference in 14 CFR Part 71.1. The Class D and Class E airspace 
designations listed in this document will be published subsequently in 
that Order.

The Rule

    This action amends Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) 
Part 71 by modifying Class D airspace and Class E airspace designated 
as surface area to meet current standards for IFR departures and 
arrivals at Bellingham International Airport, Bellingham, WA. Also, 
this modification removes the Class E airspace area designated as an 
extension to a Class D or E surface area. This action is necessary for 
the safety and management of aircraft departing and arriving under IFR 
operations at the airport.
    The FAA has determined this regulation only involves an established 
body of technical regulations for which frequent and routine amendments 
are necessary to keep them operationally current. Therefore, this 
regulation: (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 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. The FAA's authority to 
issue rules regarding aviation safety is found in Title 49 of the U.S. 
Code. Subtitle 1, Section 106 discusses 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 modifies 
controlled airspace at Bellingham International Airport, Bellingham, 
WA.

Environmental Review

    The FAA has determined that this action qualifies for categorical 
exclusion under the National Environmental Policy Act in accordance 
with FAA Order 1050.1E, ``Environmental Impacts: Policies and 
Procedures,'' paragraph 311a. This airspace action is not expected to 
cause any potentially significant environmental impacts, and no 
extraordinary circumstances exist that warrant 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(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 the Federal 
Aviation Administration Order 7400.9V, Airspace Designations and 
Reporting Points, dated August 9, 2011, and effective September 15, 
2011 is amended as follows:

Paragraph 5000 Class D airspace.

* * * * *

ANM WA D Bellingham, WA [Modified]

Bellingham International Airport, WA
    (Lat. 48[deg]47'34'' N., long. 122[deg]32'15'' W.)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface to and including 
2,700 feet MSL within a 4.1-mile radius of Bellingham International 
Airport. This Class D airspace is effective during the dates and 
times established in advance by a Notice to Airmen. The effective 
date and time will thereafter be continuously published in the 
Airport/Facility Directory.

Paragraph 6002 Class E airspace designated as surface areas.

* * * * *

ANM WA E2 Bellingham, WA [Modified]

Bellingham International Airport, WA
    (Lat. 48[deg]47'34'' N., long. 122[deg]32'15'' W.)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface within a 4.1-
mile radius of Bellingham International Airport. This Class E 
airspace is effective during the dates and times established in 
advance by a Notice to Airmen. The effective date and time will 
thereafter be continuously published in the Airport/Facility 
Directory.

Paragraph 6004 Class E airspace areas designated as an extension to 
Class D or Class E surface area.

* * * * *

ANM WA E4 Bellingham, WA [Removed]

    Issued in Seattle, Washington, on May 24, 2012.
John Warner,
Manager, Operations Support Group, Western Service Center.
[FR Doc. 2012-13370 Filed 6-1-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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