2020-27337. Amendment and Revocation of Air Traffic Service (ATS) Routes in the Vicinity of Lebanon, NH

AGENCY:

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION:

Final rule.

SUMMARY:

This action amends VHF Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal airways V-141, and V-542, and revokes airways V-151 and V-496, due to the planned decommissioning of the Lebanon, NH, VOR/DME navigation aid which provides navigation guidance for segments of the routes. The Lebanon VOR/DME is planned for decommissioning as part of the FAA's VOR Minimum Operational Network (VOR MON) program.

DATES:

Effective date 0901 UTC, February 25, 2021. 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 7400.11E, 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: [phone]. The Order is also available for inspection at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of FAA Order 7400.11E at NARA, email: [e-mail] or go to https://www.archives.gov/​federal-register/​cfr/​ibr-locations.html.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Paul Gallant, Rules and Regulations Group, Office of Policy, Federal Aviation Administration, 800 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20591; telephone: [phone].

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 route 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 for Docket No. FAA-2020-0735 in the Federal Register (85 FR 49327; August 13, 2020), amending VOR Federal airways V-141, and V-542, and removing VOR Federal airways V-151 and V-496 in the vicinity of Lebanon, NH. The proposed amendment and revocation actions were due to the planned decommissioning of the Lebanon, NH, VOR/DME. Interested parties were invited to participate in this rulemaking effort by submitting written comments on the proposal. No comments were received.

VOR Federal airways are published in paragraph 6010(a) of FAA Order 7400.11E dated July 21, 2020, and effective September 15, 2020, which is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1. The VOR Federal airways listed in this document will be subsequently published in the Order.

Availability and Summary of Documents for Incorporation by Reference

This document amends FAA Order 7400.11E, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated July 21, 2020, and effective September 15, 2020. FAA Order 7400.11E is publicly available as listed in the ADDRESSES section of this document. FAA Order 7400.11E lists Class A, B, C, D, and E airspace areas, air traffic service routes, and reporting points.

The Rule

This action amends Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 71 by amending VOR Federal airways V-141 and V-542, and removing airways V-151 and V-496, due to the planned decommissioning of the Lebanon, NH VOR/DME. An Area Navigation (RNAV) waypoint (WP) is being developed to be charted in the vicinity of the Lebanon VOR/DME location. The changes are described below.

V-141: V-141 currently consists of two parts: first, extending between the Nantucket, MA, VOR/DME and the Boston, MA, VOR/DME; and second, extending between the Manchester, NH, VOR/DME and the Massena, NY, VORTAC. This action removes the part between Manchester, NH, and Massena, NY. As amended, V-141 extends between Nantucket, MA, and Boston, MA.

V-151: V-151 currently extends between the intersection of the Nantucket, MA, VOR/DME 334°, and the Providence, RI, VOR/DME 079° radials, and the Burlington, VT, VOR/DME. This action removes the entire route. A low altitude RNAV route is being developed to replace V-151.

V-496: V-496 currently extends between the Lebanon, NH, VOR/DME, and the Kennebunk, ME, VOR/DME. This action removes the entire route.

V-542: V-542 currently extends between the Elmira, NY, VOR/DME, and the Lebanon, NH, VOR/DME. This action removes the route segments of V-542 that extend between the Rockdale, NY, VOR/DME, and the Lebanon, NH, VOR/DME. As amended, V-542 extends between Elmira, NY, and Rockdale, NY.

The NAVAID radials in the description of V-141, below, are unchanged and 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 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 VOR Federal airways V-141, and V-542, and revoking airways V-151 and V-496, due to the planned decommissioning of the Lebanon, NH, VOR/DME navigation aid, qualifies for categorical exclusion under the National Environmental Policy Act 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 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.

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(f), 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 7400.11E, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated July 21, 2020, and effective September 15, 2020, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 6010(a) Domestic VOR Federal Airways.

* * * * *

V-141 [Amended]

From Nantucket, MA; INT Nantucket 334° and Boston, MA, 138° radials; to Boston.

* * * * *

V-151 [Removed]

* * * * *

V-496 [Removed]

* * * * *

V-542 [Amended]

From Elmira, NY; Binghamton, NY; to Rockdale, NY.

* * * * *

Issued in Washington, DC, on December 8, 2020.

George Gonzalez,

Acting Manager, Rules and Regulations Group.