Document ID: FAA-2020-0296-0003
Agency: faa
Document Type: Rule
Title: Amendment of Class E Airspace: Durango, CO
Posted Date: 2020-07-01T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 127 (Wednesday, July 1, 2020)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 39472-39473]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-14089]

[[Page 39472]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2020-0296; Airspace Docket No. 18-ANM-1]
RIN 2120-AA66

Amendment of Class E Airspace; Durango, CO

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action modifies Class E airspace, designated as a surface 
area, at Durango-La Plata County Airport, CO. This action also modifies 
the Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface. 
Additionally, this action revokes the Class E airspace extending upward 
from 1,200 feet above the surface. Further, this action removes the 
Durango VOR/DME from the airspace legal descriptions. Lastly, this 
action makes several administrative amendments to the airspace legal 
descriptions.

DATES: Effective 0901 UTC, September 10, 2020. The Director of the 
Federal Register approves this incorporation by reference action under 
Title 1 Code of Federal Regulations part 51, subject to the annual 
revision of FAA Order 7400.11 and publication of conforming amendments.

ADDRESSES: FAA Order 7400.11D, 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 Airspace Policy Group, Federal Aviation Administration, 
800 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20591; telephone: (202) 267-
8783. The Order is also available for inspection at the National 
Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the 
availability of FAA Order 7400.11D at NARA, email fedreg.legal@nara.gov 
or go to https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Matthew Van Der Wal, Federal Aviation 
Administration, Western Service Center, Operations Support Group, 2200 
S 216th Street, Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone (206) 231-3695.

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 
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 Class E airspace at Durango-La Plata County Airport, CO, 
to ensure the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) 
operations at the airport.

History

    The FAA published a notice of proposed rulemaking in the Federal 
Register (85 FR 20450; April 13, 2020) for Docket No. FAA-2020-0296 to 
amend Class E airspace at Durango-La Plata County Airport, CO. 
Interested parties were invited to participate in this rulemaking 
effort by submitting written comments on the proposal to the FAA. One 
comment was received, the comment was not germane to the proposed 
airspace modification.
    Class E2 and E5 airspace designations are published in paragraphs 
6002 and 6005, respectively, of FAA Order 7400.11D, dated August 8, 
2019, and effective September 15, 2019, which is incorporated by 
reference in 14 CFR 71.1. The Class E airspace designation listed in 
this document will be published subsequently in the Order.

Availability and Summary of Documents for Incorporation by Reference

    This document amends FAA Order 7400.11D, Airspace Designations and 
Reporting Points, dated August 8, 2019, and effective September 15, 
2019. FAA Order 7400.11D is publicly available as listed in the 
ADDRESSES section of this document. FAA Order 7400.11D lists Class A, 
B, C, D, and E airspace areas, air traffic service routes, and 
reporting points.

The Rule

    This amendment to Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) 
part 71 modifies the Class E airspace, designated as a surface area, at 
Durango-La Plata County Airport, CO. To properly contain arriving IFR 
aircraft descending below 1,000 feet above the surface, an extension 
has been added northeast of the airport. The extension southwest of the 
airport has been reduced. The airspace is described as follows: That 
airspace extending upward from the surface within a 4.3-mile radius of 
the airport, and within 1 mile each side of the 040[deg] bearing from 
the airport, extending from the 4.3-mile radius to 6.3 miles northeast 
of the airport, and within 1 mile each side of the 217[deg] bearing 
from the airport, extending from the 4.3-mile radius to 4.7 miles 
southwest of the Durango-La Plata County Airport. This Class E airspace 
area is effective during the specific dates and times established in 
advance by a Notice to Airmen. The effective date and time will 
thereafter be continuously published in the Chart Supplement.
    This action also modifies Class E airspace, extending upward from 
700 feet above the surface, to properly contain arriving IFR aircraft 
descending below 1,500 feet above the surface and departing IFR 
aircraft until reaching 1,200 feet above the surface. The area is 
described as follows: That airspace extending upward from 700 feet 
above the surface within a 6.1-mile radius of the airport, and within 
1.6 miles each side of the 044[deg] bearing from the airport, extending 
from the 6.1-mile radius to 12.4 miles northeast of the airport, and 
within 1 mile each side of the 217[deg] bearing from the airport, 
extending from the 6.1-mile radius to 6.7 miles southwest of Durango-La 
Plata County Airport.
    Additionally, this action revokes the Class E airspace extending 
upward from 1,200 feet above the surface, this airspace is wholly 
contained within the Denver en route airspace and duplication is not 
necessary.
    Further, this action removed the Durango VOR/DME and associated 
extensions from the airspace legal descriptions. The Navigational Aid 
is not required to define the airspace.
    Lastly, this action makes several administrative amendments to the 
airspace legal descriptions. The geographic coordinates are updated to 
lat. 37[deg]09'06'' N, long. 107[deg]45'14'' W. The term ``Airport/
Facility Directory'' in the Class E airspace, designated as a surface 
area, is outdated and has been replaced with ``Chart Supplement''.
    FAA Order 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, is 
non-controversial, and unlikely to result in adverse or negative

[[Page 39473]]

comments. 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 will only affect air traffic procedures and air navigation, it is 
certified that this rule, when promulgated, would 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 qualifies for categorical 
exclusion under the National Environmental Policy Act in accordance 
with FAA Order 1050.1F, ``Environmental Impacts: Policies and 
Procedures,'' paragraph 5-6.5a. 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

    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 7400.11D, 
Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 8, 2019, and 
effective September 15, 2019, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 6002 Class E Airspace Areas Designated as Surface Areas.

* * * * *

ANM CO E2 Durango, CO [Amended]

Durango-La Plata County Airport, CO
    (Lat. 37[deg]09'06'' N, long. 107[deg]45'14'' W)

    Within a 4.3-mile radius of the airport, and within 1 mile each 
side of the 040[deg] bearing from the airport, extending from the 
4.3-mile radius to 6.3 miles northeast of the airport, and within 1 
mile each side of the 217[deg] bearing from the airport, extending 
from the 4.3-mile radius to 4.7 miles southwest of the Durango-La 
Plata County Airport. This Class E airspace area is effective during 
the specific dates and times established in advance by a Notice to 
Airmen. The effective date and time will thereafter be continuously 
published in the Chart Supplement.

Paragraph 6005 Class E Airspace Areas Extending Upward From 700 
Feet or More Above the Surface of the Earth.

* * * * *

ANM CO E5 Durango, CO [Amended]

Durango-La Plata County Airport, CO
    (Lat. 37[deg]09'06'' N, long. 107[deg]45'14'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface 
within a 6.1-mile radius of the airport, and within 1.6 miles each 
side of the 044[deg] bearing from the airport, extending from the 
6.1-mile radius to 12.4 miles northeast of the airport, and within 1 
mile each side of the 217[deg] bearing from the airport, extending 
from the 6.1-mile radius to 6.7 miles southwest of the Durango-La 
Plata County Airport.

    Issued in Seattle, Washington, on June 25, 2020.
Shawn M. Kozica,
Group Manager, Western Service Center, Operations Support Group.
[FR Doc. 2020-14089 Filed 6-30-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P