2010-11495. Amendment of Jet Route J-120; Alaska

AGENCY:

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION:

Final rule.

SUMMARY:

This action amends Jet Route J-120, in Alaska. The FAA is taking this action in preparation of the eventual decommissioning of the Barter Island (BTI) Non-directional Beacon (NDB) at the Village of Kaktovik, Alaska. This action ensures the safe and efficient use of the airspace within the National Airspace System (NAS).

DATES:

Effective date 0901 UTC, July 29, 2010. 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 7400.9 and publication of conforming amendments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Ken McElroy, Airspace and Rules Group, Office of System Operations Airspace and AIM, Federal Aviation Administration, 800 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20591; telephone: [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

History

On February 9, 2010, the FAA published in the Federal Register a notice of proposed rulemaking to amend Jet Route J-120, in Alaska (75 FR 6320). The Barter Island NDB is scheduled for decommissioning, and will make the northern end (from Fort Yukon VORTAC to BTI) of this route unusable. Two Area Navigation T Routes (T-228, T-273) have been added to the NAS to service the Barter Island area. Interested parties were invited to participate in this rulemaking proceeding by submitting written comments on the proposal. No comments were received. The amendment is adopted as proposed.

The Rule

This action amends Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 71 by amending Jet Route J-120, Alaska. The segment from the Fort Yukon VORTAC to the BTI NDB will be removed due to decommissioning of the BTI NDB.

Jet routes are published in paragraph 2004 of FAA Order 7400.9T signed August 27, 2009, and effective September 15, 2009, which is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1. The Jet route listed in this document will be published subsequently in the Order.

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. Therefore, this regulation: (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.

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 amends a Jet Route in Alaska.

Environmental Review

The FAA has determined that this action qualifies for categorical exclusion under the National Environmental Policy Act in accordance with FAA Order 1050.1E, Environmental Impacts: Polices and Procedures, paragraph 311a. 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

1. The authority citation for part 71 continues to read as follows:

Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40103, 40113, 40120; E.O. 10854, 24 FR 9565, 3 CFR, 1959-1963 Comp., p. 389.

§ 71.1

[Amended]

2. The incorporation by reference in 14 CFR 71.1 of FAA Order 7400.9T, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, signed August 27, 2009, and effective September 15, 2009, is to be amended as follows:

Paragraph 2004—Jet Routes

* * * * *

J-120 [Revised]

From Mt. Moffett, AK, NDB, via St. Paul Island, AK, NDB; Bethel, AK; McGrath, AK; Fairbanks, AK; to Fort Yukon, AK.

Issued in Washington, DC, on May 6, 2010.

Edith V. Parish,

Manager, Airspace and Rules Group.