[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 123 (Tuesday, June 28, 2022)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 38267-38269]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-13579]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2021-1079; Airspace Docket No. 21-ASO-15]
RIN 2120-AA66


Amendment and Removal of Air Traffic Service (ATS) Routes; 
Eastern United States

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action amends one jet route, and removes one jet route 
and one high altitude area navigation (RNAV) route in the eastern 
United States. These actions are in support of the VHF Omnidirectional 
Range (VOR) Minimum Operational Network (MON) to improve the efficiency 
of the National Airspace System (NAS) and reduce dependency on ground-
based navigational systems.

DATES: Effective date 0901 UTC, September 8, 2022. 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: FAA Order JO 7400.11F, Airspace Designations and Reporting 
Points, and subsequent amendments can be viewed online at https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/. For further information, you can 
contact the Rules and Regulations Group, Federal Aviation 
Administration, 800 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20591; 
telephone: (202) 267-8783.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Paul Gallant, 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

[[Page 38268]]

safety of aircraft and the efficient use of airspace. This regulation 
is within the scope of that authority as it would modify the route 
structure as necessary to preserve the safe and efficient flow of air 
traffic within the NAS.

History

    The FAA published a notice of proposed rulemaking for Docket No. 
FAA-2021-1079 in the Federal Register (86 FR 70771; December 13, 2021), 
amending four jet routes, and removing one jet route and one high 
altitude area navigation (RNAV) route in the eastern United States. The 
description of jet route J-73 was inadvertently omitted from the NPRM. 
Therefore, the FAA published a supplemental notice of proposed 
rulemaking in the Federal Register (87 FR 10997; February 28, 2022) 
amending J-73. Interested parties were invited to participate in this 
rulemaking effort by submitting written comments on both NPRMs. No 
comments were received.
    Jet routes are published in paragraph 2004, and United States area 
navigation routes (Q routes) are published in paragraph 2006, 
respectively, of FAA Order JO 7400.11F dated August 10, 2021, and 
effective September 15, 2021, which is incorporated by reference in 14 
CFR 71.1. The jet routes and Q route listed in this document would be 
subsequently amended in, or removed from, FAA Order JO 7400.11

Availability and Summary of Documents for Incorporation by Reference

    This document amends FAA Order JO 7400.11F, Airspace Designations 
and Reporting Points, dated August 10, 2021, and effective September 
15, 2021. FAA Order JO 7400.11F is publicly available as listed in the 
ADDRESSES section of this document. FAA Order JO 7400.11F lists Class 
A, B, C, D, and E airspace areas, air traffic service routes, and 
reporting points.

Differences From the NPRM

    The NPRM included the proposed amendment of jet routes J-20, J-41, 
and J-73. Subsequent to publication of the NPRM, the FAA determined 
that additional coordination was needed to develop the modifications to 
these routes. Therefore, J-20, J-41, and J-73 are removed from this 
rule. Any action on those routes is delayed to a later date. Routes J-
31, J-69, and Q-63 will be amended or removed as published in the NPRM.

The Rule

    The FAA is proposing an amendment to 14 CFR part 71 to amend jet 
route J-31, and to remove J-69, and high altitude RNAV route Q-63, in 
the eastern United States. This action supports the VOR MON program.
    The proposed route changes are as follows:
    J-31: J-31 currently extends from Leeville, LA, to Vulcan, AL. This 
action removes the segment from Meridian, MS, to Vulcan, AL. As 
amended, J-31 extends from Leeville, LA, to Meridian, MS.
    J-69: J-69 currently extends from Semmes, AL to Vulcan, AL. The 
route is not required for air traffic control purposes. This action 
removes the entire route.
    Q-63: Q-63 currently extends between the DOOGE, VA, waypoint (WP) 
and the HEVAN, IN, WP. The FAA is removing Q-63 because it was replaced 
by an extension of Q-93 (Docket No. 2021-0913; 87 FR 14396; March 15, 
2022), effective on May 19, 2022.
    FAA Order JO 7400.11, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, 
is published yearly and effective on September 15.

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 
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 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 jet route J-31, 
and removing J-69 and Q-63, in the eastern United States 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 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 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 
7400.11F Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 10, 
2021, and effective September 15, 2021, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 2004 Jet Routes.

* * * * *

J-31 [Amended]

    From Leeville, LA; Harvey, LA; to Meridian, MS.
* * * * *

J-69 [Removed]

* * * * *

Paragraph 2006 United States Area Navigation Routes.

* * * * *

[[Page 38269]]

Q-63 [Removed]

* * * * *

    Issued in Washington, DC, on June 21, 2022.
Scott M. Rosenbloom,
Manager, Airspace Rules and Regulations.
[FR Doc. 2022-13579 Filed 6-27-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P