[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 8 (Thursday, January 11, 2024)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 1797-1798]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-00072]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2023-2365; Airspace Docket No. 23-ACE-7]
RIN 2120-AA66


Amendment of United States RNAV Route T-251 in the Vicinity of 
Bowling Green, MO

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action amends the United States (U.S.) Area Navigation 
(RNAV) route T-251 Part 71 description. The FAA is changing the type of 
point for the RIVRS, IL, route point from being listed as a ``Fix'' to 
a ``Waypoint (WP)'' to match the FAA National Airspace System Resource 
(NASR) database information. This is an editorial amendment only and 
does not alter the alignment, dimensions, or operating requirements of 
T-251.

DATES: Effective date 0901 UTC, March 21, 2024. 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 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 7400.11H, 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: Colby Abbott, 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 Air Traffic Service (ATS) route structure 
as necessary to preserve the safe and efficient flow of air traffic 
within the National Airspace System.

History

    On June 15, 2023, the FAA decommissioned the Quincy, IL, Very High 
Frequency Omnidirectional Range (VOR) as part of the VOR Minimum 
Operational Network (MON) Program. As a result of the Quincy VOR being 
decommissioned, the RIVRS, IL, Fix was changed in the FAA NASR database 
to a WP and on all associated Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) enroute, 
Visual Flight Rules (VFR) sectional, and controller charts. The Part 71 
editorial amendment of the T-251 description was overlooked at that 
time and the RIVRS, IL, route point is still reflected as a Fix. The 
correct type of point for the RIVRS, IL, route point is WP. This rule 
corrects that difference by changing the type of point for the RIVRS, 
IL, route point listed in the T-251 route description from ``Fix'' to 
``WP.''

Incorporation by Reference

    United States Area Navigation Routes (T-routes) are published in 
paragraph 6011 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 7400.11H, dated August 11, 2023, and effective

[[Page 1798]]

September 15, 2023. FAA Order JO 7400.11H 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 7400.11H 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 U.S. RNAV route T-251 
to change the type of point of the RIVRS, IL, route point from ``Fix'' 
to ``WP.'' This change to the T-251 description will match the FAA NASR 
database information and charted depiction of the point.
    Since this action merely involves an editorial amendment in the 
Part 71 description of U.S. RNAV route T-251, and does not involve a 
change in the alignment, dimensions, or operating requirements of that 
route, notice and public procedure under 5 U.S.C. 553(b) are 
unnecessary.

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 editorial amendment action of U.S. 
RNAV route T-251, to reflect the RIVRS, IL, route point as a WP and 
match the FAA NASR database information and charts, 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 full environmental impact review rulemaking actions that designate 
or modify classes of airspace areas, airways, routes, and reporting 
points; and paragraph 5-6.5k, which categorically excludes from further 
environmental impact review publication of existing air traffic control 
procedures that do not essentially change existing tracks, create new 
tracks, change altitudes, or change concentration of aircraft on these 
tracks. 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. 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 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 
7400.11H, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 11, 
2023, and effective September 15, 2023, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 6011 United States Area Navigation Routes.

* * * * *

T-251 FRNIA, MO to KOETZ, WI [Amended]
 
FRNIA, MO                                       WP                             (Lat. 36[deg]33'18.69'' N, long. 089[deg]54'40.47'' W)
Farmington, MO (FAM)                            VORTAC                         (Lat. 37[deg]40'24.46'' N, long. 090[deg]14'02.62'' W)
Foristell, MO (FTZ)                             VORTAC                         (Lat. 38[deg]41'39.60'' N, long. 090[deg]58'16.57'' W)
RIVRS, IL                                       WP                             (Lat. 39[deg]25'21.41'' N, long. 090[deg]55'56.70'' W)
KAYUU, MO                                       WP                             (Lat. 40[deg]19'05.81'' N, long. 091[deg]41'36.59'' W)
MERKR, IA                                       WP                             (Lat. 40[deg]49'16.02'' N, long. 092[deg]08'26.88'' W)
AGENS, IA                                       FIX                            (Lat. 41[deg]01'43.78'' N, long. 092[deg]20'50.25'' W)
PICRA, IA                                       WP                             (Lat. 41[deg]35'00.72'' N, long. 092[deg]32'34.29'' W)
HAVOS, IA                                       WP                             (Lat. 42[deg]04'16.32'' N, long. 092[deg]28'29.38'' W)
Waterloo, IA (ALO)                              VOR/DME                        (Lat. 42[deg]33'23.39'' N, long. 092[deg]23'56.13'' W)
ZEZDU, IA                                       FIX                            (Lat. 42[deg]49'29.02'' N, long. 092[deg]04'58.05'' W)
FALAR, MN                                       FIX                            (Lat. 43[deg]34'26.04'' N, long. 091[deg]30'18.32'' W)
KOETZ, WI                                       WP                             (Lat. 44[deg]13'15.00'' N, long. 091[deg]28'14.00'' W)
 

* * * * *

    Issued in Washington, DC, on January 2, 2024.
Frank Lias,
Manager, Rules and Regulations Group.
[FR Doc. 2024-00072 Filed 1-10-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P