[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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