[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 206 (Thursday, October 24, 2024)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 84810-84811]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-24591]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2024-0020; Airspace Docket No. 23-AAL-19]
RIN 2120-AA66


Revocation of Jet Route J-179 and Amendment of United States Area 
Navigation Route Q-10 in the Vicinity of Emmonak, AK

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action revokes Jet Route J-179 in its entirety and amends 
United States Area Navigation Route (RNAV) Q-10 in the vicinity of 
Emmonak, AK. The FAA is taking this action due to the pending 
decommissioning of the Aniak, AK, Nondirectional Radio Beacon (NDB) and 
the St Marys, AK, NDB.

DATES: Effective date 0901 UTC, December 26, 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 7400.11J, 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, 
600 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20597; telephone: (202) 267-
8783.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steven Roff, Rules and Regulations 
Group, Office of Policy, Federal Aviation Administration, 600 
Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20597; 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 NPRM for Docket No. FAA 2024-0020 in the 
Federal Register (89 FR 3900; January 22, 2024), proposing to revoke J-
179 and amend Q-10 in Alaska. Interested parties were invited to 
participate in this rulemaking effort by submitting written comments on 
the proposal to the FAA. One comment was received and was in favor of 
this action.

Incorporation by Reference

    Jet Routes are published in paragraph 2004 and United States Area 
Navigation 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 
7400.11J, dated July 31, 2024, and effective September 15, 2024. FAA 
Order JO 7400.11J 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 7400.11J lists Class A, B, C, D, and E airspace areas, 
air traffic service routes, and reporting points.

[[Page 84811]]

The Rule

    The FAA is amending 14 CFR part 71 to revoke Jet Route J-179 in its 
entirety and amend United States Area Navigation Route Q-10 in the 
vicinity of Emmonak, AK.
    J-179: This action revokes J-179 in its entirety.
    Q-10: As amended, Q-10 extends between the Kukuliak, AK, Very High 
Frequency Omnidirectional Range/Distance Measuring Equipment (VOR/DME) 
and the Middleton Island, AK, VOR/DME.

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 airspace action of revoking J-179 
and amending Q-10 in Alaska 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-
6.5k, which categorically excludes from further environmental review 
the publication of existing air traffic control procedures that do not 
essentially change existing tracks, create new tracks, change altitude, 
or change concentration of aircraft on these tracks. 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. 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

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 
7400.11J, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated July 31, 
2024, and effective September 15, 2024, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 2004 Jet Routes.

* * * * *

J-179 [Removed]

* * * * *

Paragraph 2006 United States Area Navigation Routes.

* * * * *

Q-10 Kukuliak, AK (ULL) to Middleton Island, AK (MDO) [Amended]
 
Kukuliak, AK (ULL)                             VOR/DME                       (Lat. 63[deg]41'32.39'' N, long. 170[deg]28'11.65'' W)
Emmonak, AK (ENM)                              VOR/DME                       (Lat. 62[deg]47'04.52'' N, long. 164[deg]29'15.12'' W)
ANIAK, AK                                      FIX                           (Lat. 61[deg]37'02.22'' N, long. 159[deg]37'52.61'' W)
Sparrevohn, AK (SQA)                           VOR/DME                       (Lat. 61[deg]05'54.89'' N, long. 155[deg]38'04.49'' W)
Kenai, AK (ENA)                                VOR/DME                       (Lat. 60[deg]36'52.93'' N, long. 151[deg]11'42.87'' W)
Middleton Island, AK (MDO)                     VOR/DME                       (Lat. 59[deg]25'18.50'' N, long. 146[deg]21'00.05'' W)
 

* * * * *

    Issued in Washington, DC, on October 18, 2024.
Frank Lias,
Manager, Rules and Regulations Group.
[FR Doc. 2024-24591 Filed 10-23-24; 8:45 am]
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