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[Federal Register: April 9, 2010 (Volume 75, Number 68)]
[Rules and Regulations]               
[Page 18047-18048]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr09ap10-2]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2010-0015; Airspace Docket No. 09-ASW-18]
RIN 2120-AA66

 
Amendment of Low Altitude Area Navigation Route T-254; Houston, 
TX

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action amends low altitude Area Navigation (RNAV) route 
T-254 in the Houston, TX, terminal area by eliminating the segment 
between the Centex, TX, VHF Omnidirectional Range/Tactical Air 
Navigation (VORTAC) and the College Station, TX, VORTAC. The FAA is 
taking this action to eliminate a portion of T-254 that is no longer 
needed; thus, enhancing safety and the efficient use of the navigable 
airspace in the Houston, TX, terminal area.

DATES: Effective Dates: 0901 UTC, June 3, 2010. 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Colby Abbott, Airspace and Rules 
Group, Office of System Operations Airspace and AIM, Federal Aviation 
Administration, 800 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20591; 
telephone: (202) 267-8783.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

History

    On Tuesday, February 9, 2010, the FAA published in the Federal 
Register a notice of proposed rulemaking to amend low altitude Area 
Navigation (RNAV) route T-254 in the Houston, TX, terminal area (75 FR 
6319). Interested parties were invited to participate in this 
rulemaking effort by submitting written comments on the proposal to the 
FAA. No comments were received.

The Rule

    This action amends Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) 
part 71 by amending area navigation route T-254

[[Page 18048]]

in the Houston, TX, terminal area. Specifically, the FAA is eliminating 
the route segment of T-254 between the Centex, TX, VORTAC and College 
Station, TX, VORTAC. This action eliminates unnecessary duplication 
with an existing route segment of Federal Airway V-565 to enhance 
safety and facilitate the efficient use of the navigable airspace for 
en route instrument flight rules operations transitioning around the 
Houston Class B terminal airspace area.
    Low altitude RNAV routes are published in paragraph 6011 of FAA 
Order 7400.9T, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, signed 
August 27, 2009, and effective September 15, 2009, which is 
incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1. The low altitude RNAV route 
listed in this document will be published subsequently in the Order.
    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. 
Therefore, this regulation: (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 will only affect air 
traffic procedures and air navigation, it is certified that 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 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 amends a low altitude Area Navigation route (T-254) in the 
Houston, TX, terminal area.

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,'' paragraphs 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

0
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(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 the Federal 
Aviation Administration Order 7400.9T, Airspace Designations and 
Reporting Points, signed August 27, 2009, and effective September 15, 
2009, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 6011 Area Navigation Routes

* * * * *

T-254 College Station, TX to Lake Charles, LA [Amended]

College Station, TX (CLL) VORTAC
    (Lat. 30[deg]36'18'' N., long. 96[deg]25'14'' W.)
EAKES, TX WP
    (Lat. 30[deg]33'18'' N., long. 95[deg]18'29'' W.)
CREPO, TX WP
    (Lat. 30[deg]16'54'' N., long. 94[deg]14'43'' W.)
Lake Charles, LA (LCH) VORTAC
    (Lat. 30[deg]08'29'' N., long. 93[deg]06'20'' W.)

    Issued in Washington, DC, on April 1, 2010.
Ellen Crum,
Acting Manager, Airspace and Rules Group.
[FR Doc. 2010-8015 Filed 4-8-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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