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 Department of Transportation Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Part 71
[Docket No. FAA-2023-1830; Airspace Docket No. 23-ASW-06]
RIN 2120-AA66
 AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
 ACTION: Final rule.
 SUMMARY: This action amends United States Area Navigation (RNAV) Routes Q-33 and Q-66 in the eastern United States. The FAA is taking this action to support the Little Rock, AR (LIT), Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Range/Tactical Air Navigation (VORTAC) Relocation Project and continued Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen) efforts providing a modern RNAV route structure to improve the efficiency of the National Airspace System (NAS).
 DATES: Effective date 0901 UTC, May 16, 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: Brian Vidis, 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 NAS. History The FAA published a NPRM for Docket No. FAA-2023-1830 in the 
                    **Federal Register**
                     (88 FR 68514; October 4, 2023), proposing to amend RNAV Routes Q-33 and Q-66 due to the planned Little Rock, AR (LIT), VORTAC Relocation Project and the FAA's continued NextGen efforts to provide a modern RNAV route structure. Interested parties were invited to participate in this rulemaking effort by submitting written comments on the proposal. No comments were received. Incorporation by Reference United States Area Navigation routes (Q-routes) are published in paragraph 2006 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 RNAV Routes Q-33 and Q-66 to support the Little Rock, AR (LIT), VORTAC Relocation Project and the NextGen program efforts. The RNAV route actions are described below. *Q-33:*
                     Prior to this final rule, Q-33 extended between the DHART, AR, Fix and the PROWL, MO, waypoint (WP). The route is extended southward to the Humble, TX (IAH), VORTAC and overlays Jet Route J-180 between the DHART Fix and the Humble VORTAC. Additionally, the Little Rock, AR (LIT), VORTAC route point is replaced with the LITTR, AR, WP and the DHART Fix route point is removed from the route description since it is no longer a route endpoint and does not reflect a turn point of one degree or more in the extended route. As amended, the route is changed to now extend between the Humble VORTAC and the PROWL WP. *Q-66:*
                     Prior to this final rule, Q-66 extended between the Little Rock, AR (LIT), VORTAC and the ALEAN, VA, WP. The Little Rock VORTAC route point is replaced with the LITTR, AR, WP and the CIVKI, AR, WP; RICKX, AR, WP; TROVE, TN, WP; BAZOO, TN, WP; and MXEEN, TN, WP are removed from the route description since they do not reflect a turn point of one degree or more in the route. As amended, the route is changed to now extend between the LITTR WP and the ALEAN WP. 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 United States RNAV Routes Q-33 and Q-66, due to the Little Rock, AR (LIT), VORTAC Relocation Project and NextGen program efforts, 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 5-6.5b, which categorically excludes from further environmental impact review actions regarding establishment of jet routes and Federal airways (see 14 CFR 71.15, Designation of jet routes and VOR Federal airways) . . .”. As such, this airspace 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. Accordingly, 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
 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
 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 2006 United States Area Navigation Routes. 
 **Q-33 Humble, TX (IAH) to PROWL, MO [Amended]**Humble, TX (IAH)
VORTAC
(Lat. 29°57′24.90′′ N, long. 095°20′44.59′′ W)Daisetta, TX (DAS)
VORTAC
(Lat. 30°11′22.96′′ N, long. 094°38′41.94′′ W)Sawmill, LA (SWB)
VOR/DME
(Lat. 31°58′23.50′′ N, long. 092°40′37.52′′ W)LITTR, AR
WP
(Lat. 34°40′39.90′′ N, long. 092°10′49.26′′ W)PROWL, MO
WP
(Lat. 37°02′00.00′′ N, long. 091°15′00.00′′ W)
 
 **Q-66 LITTR, AR to ALEAN, VA [Amended]**LITTR, AR
WP
(Lat. 34°40′39.90′′ N, long. 092°10′49.26′′ W)METWO, TN
WP
(Lat. 36°04′22.44′′ N, long. 085°18′38.04′′ W)ALEAN, VA
WP
(Lat. 36°43′54.67′′ N, long. 081°37′26.18′′ W)
 
 Issued in Washington, DC, on February 28, 2024. Frank Lias, Manager, Rules and Regulations Group.


[FR Doc. 2024-04470 Filed 3-1-24; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-P