[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 8 (Thursday, January 11, 2024)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 1795-1797]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-00150]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2023-1528; Airspace Docket No. 23-ASW-9]
RIN 2120-AA66


Amendment of VOR Federal Airways V-20, V-222, V-289, V-552, V-569 
and V-574, and Establishment of United States Area Navigation (RNAV) 
Routes T-483 and T-485 in the Vicinity of Beaumont, TX

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action amends Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Range 
(VOR) Federal airways V-20, V-222, V-289, V-552, V-569, and V-574, and 
establishes United States Area Navigation (RNAV) routes T-483 and T-
485. The FAA is taking this action due to the planned decommissioning 
of the VOR portion of the Beaumont, TX (BPT), VOR/Distance Measuring 
Equipment (VOR/DME) navigational aid (NAVAID). The Beaumont VOR is 
being decommissioned in support of the FAA's VOR Minimum Operational 
Network (MON) program.

DATES: Effective date 0901 UTC, March 21, 2024. 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 7400.11H, 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: 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 Air Traffic Service (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-2023-1528 in the Federal Register (88 FR 44744; July 13, 2023), 
proposing to amend VOR Federal airways V-20, V-222, V-289, V-552, V-
569, and V-574, and establish United States RNAV routes T-483 and T-485 
due to the planned decommissioning of the VOR portion of the Beaumont, 
TX, VOR/DME 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

    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 7400.11H, dated August 11, 2023, and effective September 15, 
2023. FAA Order JO 7400.11H 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 7400.11H 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 amending VOR Federal airways 
V-20, V-222, V-289, V-552, V-569, and V-574, and establishing RNAV 
routes T-483 and T-485. The ATS route amendments and establishments are 
due to the planned decommissioning of the VOR portion of the Beaumont, 
TX, VOR/DME. The ATS route actions are described below.
    V-20: Prior to this final rule, V-20 extended between the Mc Allen, 
TX, VOR/DME and the Palacios, TX, VOR/Tactical Air Navigation (VORTAC); 
between the Beaumont, TX, VOR/DME and the Montgomery, AL, VORTAC; and 
between the Athens, GA, VOR/DME and the Richmond, VA, VORTAC. The 
airspace on the main airway above 14,000 feet MSL from Mc Allen to 49 
miles northeast and the airspace within Mexico was excluded. The airway 
segment between the Beaumont VOR/DME and the Lake Charles, LA, VORTAC 
is removed. Additionally, the exclusion for the airspace on the main 
airway above 14,000 feet MSL from Mc Allen to 49 miles northeast is 
also removed as it has not been required since the V-20 south alternate 
airway was removed in 1994 and there is no operational requirement to 
retain it. Further, the exclusion for the airspace within Mexico is 
removed as the airway does not extend into Mexico's airspace. As 
amended, the airway now extends between the Mc Allen VOR/DME and the 
Palacios VORTAC, between the Lake Charles VORTAC and the Montgomery 
VORTAC, and between the Athens VOR/DME and the Richmond VORTAC.
    V-222: Prior to this final rule, V-222 extended between the El 
Paso, TX, VORTAC and the intersection of the LaGrange, GA, VORTAC 
048[deg] and Rome, GA, VORTAC 166[deg] radials (TIROE fix). The airway 
segment between the Humble, TX, VORTAC and

[[Page 1796]]

the Lake Charles, LA, VORTAC is removed. As amended, the airway now 
extends between the El Paso VORTAC and the Humble VORTAC and between 
the Lake Charles VORTAC and the intersection of the LaGrange VORTAC 
048[deg] and Rome VORTAC 166[deg] radials (TIROE fix).
    V-289: Prior to this final rule, V-289 extended between the 
Beaumont, TX, VOR/DME and the Vichy, MO, VOR/DME. The airway segment 
between the Beaumont VOR/DME and the Lufkin, TX, VORTAC is removed. As 
amended, the airway now extends between the Lufkin VORTAC and Vichy 
VOR/DME.
    V-552: Prior to this final rule, V-552 extended between the 
Beaumont, TX, VOR/DME and the Monroeville, AL, VORTAC. The airspace 
within restricted area R-4403F was excluded during its times of use. 
The airway segment between the Beaumont VOR/DME and the Lake Charles, 
LA, VORTAC is removed. As amended, the airway now extends between the 
Lake Charles VORTAC and the Monroeville VORTAC.
    V-569: Prior to this final rule, V-569 extended between the 
Beaumont, TX, VOR/DME and the Cedar Creek, TX, VORTAC. The airway 
segment between the Beaumont VOR/DME and the Lufkin, TX, VORTAC is 
removed. As amended, the airway now extends between the Lufkin VORTAC 
and the Cedar Creek VORTAC.
    V-574: Prior to this final rule, V-574 extended between the Centex, 
TX, VORTAC and the Lake Charles, LA, VORTAC. The airway segment between 
the Daisetta, TX, VORTAC and the Lake Charles VORTAC is removed. As 
amended, the airway now extends between the Centex VORTAC and the 
Daisetta VORTAC.
    T-483: T-483 is established as a RNAV route extending between the 
SHWNN, TX, waypoint (WP), located near the Beaumont, TX, VOR/DME and 
the Lufkin, TX, VORTAC. The new T-483 provides mitigation for the 
removal of the V-289 airway segment between the Beaumont VOR/DME and 
the Lufkin VORTAC. The full T-483 route description is listed in the 
amendments to part 71 as set forth below.
    T-485: T-485 is established as a RNAV route extending between the 
SHWNN, TX, WP, located near the Beaumont, TX, VOR/DME and the Lufkin, 
TX (LFK), VORTAC. The new T-485 provides mitigation for the removal of 
the V-569 airway segment between the Beaumont VOR/DME and the Lufkin 
VORTAC. The full T-485 route description is listed in the amendments to 
part 71 as set forth below.
    The 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 amending VOR Federal 
airways V-20, V-222, V-289, V-552, V-569, and V-574, and establishing 
RNAV routes T-483 and T-485, due to the planned decommissioning of the 
VOR portion of the Beaumont, TX, VOR/DME 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); and paragraph 5-6.5i, which categorically excludes from 
further environmental impact review the establishment of new or revised 
air traffic control procedures conducted at 3,000 feet or more above 
ground level (AGL); procedures conducted below 3,000 feet AGL that do 
not cause traffic to be routinely routed over noise sensitive areas; 
modifications to currently approved procedures conducted below 3,000 
feet AGL that do not significantly increase noise over noise sensitive 
areas; and increases in minimum altitudes and landing minima. 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 JO 
7400.11H, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 11, 
2023, and effective September 15, 2023, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 6010(a) Domestic VOR Federal Airways.

* * * * *

V-20 [Amended]

    From Mc Allen, TX; INT Mc Allen 038[deg] and Corpus Christi, TX, 
178[deg] radials; 10 miles 8 miles wide, 37 miles 7 miles wide (3 
miles E and 4 miles W of centerline), Corpus Christi; INT Corpus 
Christi 054[deg] and Palacios, TX, 226[deg] radials; to Palacios. 
From Lake Charles, LA; Lafayette, LA; Reserve, LA; INT Reserve 
084[deg] and Gulfport, MS, 247[deg] radials; Gulfport; Semmes, AL; 
INT Semmes 048[deg] and Monroeville, AL, 231[deg] radials; 
Monroeville; to Montgomery, AL. From Athens, GA; Electric City, SC; 
Sugarloaf Mountain, NC; Barretts Mountain, NC; South Boston, VA; to 
Richmond, VA.
* * * * *

V-222 [Amended]

    From El Paso, TX; Salt Flat, TX; Fort Stockton, TX; 20 miles, 
116 miles, 55 MSL, Junction, TX; Stonewall, TX; INT Stonewall 
113[deg] and Industry, TX, 267[deg] radials; Industry; INT Industry 
101[deg] and Humble, TX, 259[deg] radials; to Humble. From Lake 
Charles, LA; McComb, MS; Eaton, MS; Monroeville, AL;

[[Page 1797]]

Montgomery, AL; LaGrange, GA; to INT LaGrange 048[deg] and Rome, GA, 
166[deg] radials.
* * * * *

V-289 [Amended]

    From Lufkin, TX; Gregg County, TX; Texarkana, AR; Fort Smith, 
AR; Harrison, AR; Dogwood, MO; INT Dogwood 058[deg] and Vichy, MO, 
204[deg] radials; to Vichy.
* * * * *

V-552 [Amended]

    From Lake Charles, LA; INT Lake Charles 064[deg] and Lafayette, 
LA, 281[deg] radials; Lafayette; Tibby, LA; Harvey, LA; Picayune, 
MS; Semmes, AL; INT Semmes 063[deg] and Monroeville, AL, 216[deg] 
radials; to Monroeville. The airspace within restricted area R-4403F 
is excluded during its times of use.
* * * * *

V-569 [Amended]

    From Lufkin, TX; Frankston, TX; to Cedar Creek, TX.
* * * * *

V-574 [Amended]

    From Centex, TX; INT Centex 116[deg] and Navasota, TX, 258[deg] 
radials; Navasota; Humble, TX; to Daisetta, TX.
* * * * *

Paragraph 6011 United States Area Navigation Routes.

* * * * *

T-483 SHWNN, TX to Lufkin, TX (LFK) [New]
 
SHWNN, TX                                       WP                             (Lat. 29[deg]56'45.94'' N, long. 094[deg]00'57.73'' W)
HONEE, TX                                       FIX                            (Lat. 30[deg]24'21.96'' N, long. 094[deg]24'59.99'' W)
Lufkin, TX (LFK)                                VORTAC                         (Lat. 31[deg]09'44.79'' N, long. 094[deg]43'00.60'' W)
 

* * * * *

T-485 SHWNN, TX to Lufkin, TX (LFK) [New]
 
SHWNN, TX                                       WP                             (Lat. 29[deg]56'45.94'' N, long. 094[deg]00'57.73'' W)
ROMER, TX                                       FIX                            (Lat. 30[deg]44'47.33'' N, long. 094[deg]23'33.01'' W)
Lufkin, TX (LFK)                                VORTAC                         (Lat. 31[deg]09'44.79'' N, long. 094[deg]43'00.60'' W)
 

* * * * *

    Issued in Washington, DC, on January 2, 2024.
Frank Lias,
Manager, Rules and Regulations Group.
[FR Doc. 2024-00150 Filed 1-10-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P