Document ID: FAA-2020-0496-0002
Agency: faa
Document Type: Rule
Title: Airspace Designations and Reporting Points: Vicinity of Buffalo, NY
Posted Date: 2021-11-12T05:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 216 (Friday, November 12, 2021)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 62721-62723]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-24559]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2020-0496; Airspace Docket No. 20-AEA-1]
RIN 2120-AA66

Amendment of VOR Federal Airways V-31, V-36, V-84, V-252, and V-
510 in the Vicinity of Buffalo, NY

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule

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SUMMARY: This action amends VHF Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal 
airways V-31, V-36, V-84, V-252, and V-510. This action is necessary 
due to the planned decommissioning of the VOR portion of the Buffalo, 
NY, VOR/Distance Measuring Equipment (VOR/DME) navigational aid, which 
provides navigational guidance for these airways. The Buffalo VOR is 
being decommissioned as part of the FAA's VOR Minimum Operational 
Network (MON) program.
    The VOR Federal airways V-2, V-14, V-33, and V-164 modifications 
proposed in the notice of proposed rulemaking have been accomplished by 
separate rules subsequently published.

[[Page 62722]]

As a result, the V-2, V-14, V-33 and V-164 modifications are removed 
from this rule.

DATES: Effective date 0901 UTC, January 27, 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 7400.11 and 
publication of conforming amendments.

ADDRESSES: FAA JO Order 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. FAA JO Order 7400.00F is also available for 
inspection at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). 
For information on the availability of FAA JO Order 7400.11F at NARA, 
email: [email protected] or go to https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jesse Acevedo, 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 airway structure as necessary to preserve 
the safe and efficient flow of air traffic within the National Airspace 
System.

History

    The FAA published a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) for Docket 
No. FAA-2020-0496, in the Federal Register (85 FR 34144; June 3, 2020), 
amending V-2, V-14, V-31, V-33, V-36, V-84, V-164, V-252, and V-510. 
The proposed amendment actions were due to the planned decommissioning 
of the VOR portion of the Buffalo VOR/DME navigational aid. Interested 
parties were invited to participate in this rulemaking effort by 
submitting written comments on the proposal. No comments were received.
    Subsequent to the NPRM, the FAA published a rule for Docket No. 
FAA-2020-0049 in the Federal Register (85 FR 41184; July 9, 2020), 
amending V-33 by removing the airway segment overlying the Bradford, 
PA, VOR/DME between the Keating, PA, VORTAC and the Buffalo, NY, VOR/
DME; and amending V-164 by removing the airway segment overlying the 
Wellsville, NY, VORTAC between the Buffalo, NY, VOR/DME and the 
Stonyfork, PA, VOR/DME. The airway amendments were effective September 
10, 2020. As a result, the V-33 and V-164 amendments in this rule are 
no longer necessary and removed.
    Additionally, subsequent to the NPRM, the FAA published a rule for 
Docket No. FAA-2020-1146 in the Federal Register (86 FR 19129; April 
13, 2021), amending V-2 by removing the airway segment overlying the 
Rochester, NY, VOR/DME between the Buffalo, NY, VOR/DME and the 
Gardner, MA, VOR/DME; and amending V-14 by removing the airway segment 
overlying the Geneseo, NY, VOR/DME between the Buffalo, NY, VOR/DME and 
the Norwich, CT, VOR/DME. The airways amendments were effective June 
17, 2021. As a result, the V-2 and V-14 amendments in this rule are no 
longer necessary and removed.
    VOR Federal airways are published in paragraph 6010(a) of FAA JO 
Order 7400.11F dated August 10, 2021, and effective September 15, 2020, 
which is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1. The airways listed 
in this document will be published subsequently in FAA JO Order 
7400.11.

Availability and Summary of Documents for Incorporation by Reference

    This document amends FAA JO Order 7400.11F, Airspace Designations 
and Reporting Points, dated August 10, 2021, and effective September 
15, 2021. FAA JO Order 7400.11F is publicly available as listed in the 
ADDRESSES section of this document. FAA JO Order 7400.11F 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 VOR Federal airways 
V-31, V-36, V-84, V-252, and V-510. The planned decommissioning of the 
VOR portion of the Buffalo, NY, VOR/DME has made this action necessary.
    The VOR Federal airway amendment actions are described below.
    V-31: V-31 extends between the Patuxent, MD, VORTAC and the 
Nottingham, MD, VORTAC; and between the Baltimore, MD, VORTAC and the 
intersection of the Rochester, NY, VOR/DME 279[deg] and Buffalo, NY, 
VOR/DME 023[deg] radials (AIRCO fix). This action amends the AIRCO fix 
in the airway description to describe it as the intersection of the 
existing Rochester VOR/DME 279[deg] radial and the Jamestown, NY, VOR/
DME 024[deg] radial. Additionally, the Patuxent, MD, VORTAC airway 
point references are corrected from ``Patuxent River'' to ``Patuxent.'' 
The unaffected portions of the existing airway remain as charted.
    V-36: V-36 extends between the Thunder Bay, ON, Canada, VOR/DME and 
the intersection of the Wiarton, ON, Canada, VOR/DME 150[deg] and 
Toronto, ON, Canada, VOR/DME 304[deg] radials; and between the Buffalo, 
NY, VOR/DME and the intersection of the LaGuardia, NY, VOR/DME 310[deg] 
and Stillwater, NJ, VOR/DME 043[deg] radials. The airspace within 
Canada is excluded. This action removes the airway segment between the 
Buffalo, NY, VOR/DME and the Elmira, NY, VOR/DME. The unaffected 
portions of the existing airway remain as charted.
    V-84: V-84 extends between the Northbrook, IL, VOR/DME and the 
Pullman, MI, VOR/DME; and between the Buffalo, NY, VOR/DME and the 
Syracuse, NY, VORTAC. This action removes the airway segment between 
the Buffalo, NY, VOR/DME and the Geneseo, NY, VOR/DME. The unaffected 
portions of the existing airway remain as charted.
    V-252: V-252 extends between the intersection of the Buffalo, NY, 
VOR/DME 023[deg] and Geneseo, NY, VOR/DME 305[deg] radials (AIRCO fix) 
and the Dupont, DE, VORTAC. This action amends the AIRCO fix in the 
airway description to describe it as the intersection of the Jamestown, 
NY, VOR/DME 024[deg] radial and the existing Geneseo, NY, VOR/DME 
305[deg] radial. The unaffected portions of the existing airway remain 
as charted.
    V-510: V-510 extends between the Dickinson, ND, VORTAC and the 
Dells, WI, VORTAC; and between the Buffalo, NY, VOR/DME and the 
Rochester, NY, VOR/DME. This action removes the airway segment between 
the Buffalo, NY, VOR/DME and the Rochester, NY, VOR/DME. The unaffected 
portions of the existing airway remain as charted.

[[Page 62723]]

    All radials contained in the VOR Federal airway descriptions listed 
below are stated in True degrees.
    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. 
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 will only affect air traffic 
procedures and air navigation, it is certified that this rule, when 
promulgated, will 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 VOR Federal 
airways V-31, V-36, V-84, V-252, and V-510, due to the planned 
decommissioning of the VOR portion of the Buffalo VOR/DME navigational 
aid, 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). 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 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 JO Order 
7400.11F, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 10, 
2021, and effective September 15, 2021, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 6010(a) Domestic VOR Federal Airways.

* * * * *

V-31 [Amended]

    From Patuxent, MD; INT Patuxent 338[deg] and Nottingham, MD, 
128[deg] radials; to Nottingham. From Baltimore, MD; INT Baltimore 
004[deg] and Harrisburg, PA, 147[deg] radials; Harrisburg; 
Selinsgrove, PA; Williamsport, PA; Elmira, NY; INT Elmira 002[deg] 
and Rochester, NY, 120[deg] radials; Rochester; to INT Rochester 
279[deg] and Jamestown, NY, 024[deg] radials.
* * * * *

V-36 [Amended]

    From Thunder Bay, ON, Canada; Wawa, ON, Canada; Sault Ste Marie, 
MI; Elliot Lake, ON, Canada; Wiarton, ON, Canada; to INT Wiarton 
150[deg] and Toronto, ON, Canada, 304[deg] radials. From Elmira, NY; 
INT Elmira 110[deg] and LaGuardia, NY, 310[deg] radials; to INT 
LaGuardia 310[deg] and Stillwater, NJ, 043[deg] radials. The 
airspace within Canada is excluded.
* * * * *

V-84 [Amended]

    From Northbrook, IL; to Pullman, MI. From Geneseo, NY; INT 
Geneseo 091[deg] and Syracuse, NY, 240[deg] radials; to Syracuse.
* * * * *

V-252 [Amended]

    From INT Jamestown, NY, 024[deg] and Geneseo, NY, 305[deg] 
radials; Geneseo; Binghamton, NY; Huguenot, NY; INT Huguenot 
196[deg] and Robbinsville, NJ, 351[deg] radials; Robbinsville; to 
Dupont, DE.
* * * * *

V-510 [Amended]

    From Dickinson, ND; INT Dickinson 078[deg] and Bismarck, ND, 
290[deg] radials; 28 miles 38 MSL, Bismarck; INT Bismarck 067[deg] 
and Jamestown, ND, 279[deg] radials; 14 miles, 65 miles 34 MSL, 
Jamestown; Fargo, ND; INT Fargo 110[deg] and Alexandria, MN, 
321[deg] radials; Alexandria; INT Alexandria 110[deg] and Gopher, 
MN, 321[deg] radials; Gopher; INT Gopher 109[deg] and Nodine, MN, 
328[deg] radials; Nodine; to Dells, WI.
* * * * *

    Issued in Washington, DC, on November 3, 2021.
Michael R. Beckles,
Acting Manager, Rules and Regulations Group.
[FR Doc. 2021-24559 Filed 11-10-21; 8:45 am]
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