Document ID: FAA-2022-0429-0002
Agency: faa
Document Type: Rule
Title: Airspace Designations and Reporting Points: Vicinity of Sitka, AK
Posted Date: 2023-07-27T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 143 (Thursday, July 27, 2023)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 48359-48361]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-15781]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2022-0429; Airspace Docket No. 21-AAL-40]
RIN 2120-AA66

Establishment of Area Navigation (RNAV) Route T-719 in the 
Vicinity of Sitka, AK

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action establishes Canadian Area Navigation (RNAV) route 
T-719, in the vicinity of Sitka, AK. This action is in support of a 
large and comprehensive RNAV T-route modernization project for the 
state of Alaska.

DATES: Effective date 0901 UTC, October 5, 2023. 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 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 7400.11G, 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: Steven Roff, 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

[[Page 48360]]

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 would modify the route structure as necessary to 
preserve the safe and efficient flow of air traffic within the National 
Airspace System (NAS).

History

    The FAA published a notice of proposed rulemaking for Docket No. 
FAA 2022-0429 in the Federal Register (87 FR 24481; April 26, 2022), 
proposing the establishment of Canadian RNAV route T-719. Interested 
parties were invited to participate in this rulemaking effort by 
submitting written comments on the proposal. No comments were received.

Differences From the NPRM

    The NPRM published in the Federal Register (87 FR 24481 on April 
26, 2022), contained a typographical error in the proposed legal 
description, incorrectly listing EEVER as a waypoint. This action 
corrects that error by listing EEVER as a Fix.

Incorporation by Reference

    Canadian Area Navigation Routes are published in paragraph 6013 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 
7400.11G, dated August 19, 2022, and effective September 15, 2022. FAA 
Order JO 7400.11G 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 7400.11G 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 establishing RNAV route, T-
719, in the vicinity of Sitka, AK, in support of a large and 
comprehensive T-Route modernization project in the state of Alaska. 
This action extends Canadian RNAV route T-719 into United States 
airspace. The RNAV T-route action is described below.
    T-719: T-719 extends between the EEVER, AK, Fix, and the Biorka 
Island, AK, (BKA) Very High Frequency (VHF) Omnidirectional Range 
(VOR)/Tactical Air Navigation Aid (VORTAC).
    The EEVER, AK, Fix replaces the CFQBR computer navigation fix 
located along the Sandspit, Canada (YZP), VOR/distance measuring 
equipment (DME) 312[deg] radial and the United States (U.S.)/Canada 
border.

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 establishing Canadian 
RNAV route T-719, near Sitka, AK whereby T-719 extends between the 
EEVER, AK, Fix, and the Biorka Island, AK, (BKA) VORTAC and replaces 
the CFQBR computer navigation fix located along the Sandspit, Canada 
(YZP), VOR/DME 312[deg] radial and the U.S./Canada border, 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 5-6.5.a, 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 cause 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.

Lists 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 
7400.11G, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 19, 
2022, and effective September 15, 2022, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 6013 Canadian Area Navigation Routes.

* * * * *

T-719 EEVER, AK to Biorka Island, AK (BKA) [Amended]
 
EEVER, AK                                       FIX                            (Lat. 54[deg]35'01.79'' N, long. 133[deg]05'54.23'' W)
Biorka Island, AK (BKA)                         VORTAC                         (Lat. 56[deg]51'33.87'' N, long. 135[deg]33'04.72'' W)
 

[[Page 48361]]

* * * * *

    Issued in Washington, DC, on July 20, 2023.
Karen L. Chiodini,
Acting Manager, Airspace Rules and Regulations Group.
[FR Doc. 2023-15781 Filed 7-26-23; 8:45 am]
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