Federal Register: July 6, 2009 (Volume 74, Number 127)

DOCID: fr06jy09-7 FR Doc E9-15694

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

CFR Citation: 14 CFR Part 71

Docket ID: [Docket No. FAA-2008-0940; Airspace Docket No. 08-AAL-25]

RIN ID: RIN 2120-AA66

NOTICE: RULES

DOCID: fr06jy09-7

ACTION: Amendment of Class E Airspace:

DOCUMENT ACTION: Final rule.

SUBJECT CATEGORY:

Removal and Modification of VOR Federal Airways; Alaska

DATES: Effective Date: 0901 UTC, August 27, 2009. 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.

DOCUMENT SUMMARY:

This action removes Federal Airway V-328, and modifies three Federal Airways, V319, V333 and V480, in Alaska. This action revises the Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) airway and route structure in Alaska to account for the pending decommissioning from the National Airspace System (NAS) of the Kipnuk Very High Omnidirectional Range (VOR), at Kipnuk, AK. The FAA is taking this action to enhance safety and improve the management of air traffic operations in the State of Alaska.

SUMMARY:

Removal and Modification of VOR Federal Airways; AK

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

History

On December 10, 2008, the FAA published in the Federal Register a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to remove V328 and modify V319, V333 and V480 (73 FR 75013). Interested parties were invited to participate in this rulemaking effort by submitting written comments on this proposal. No comments were received in response to the NPRM.

VOR Federal Airways are published in paragraph 6010(b) of FAA Order 7400.9S, signed October 3, 2008, and effective October 31, 2008, which is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1. The VOR Federal Airways listed in this document will be published subsequently in the Order. The Rule

The FAA is amending Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR part 71) by revoking one Federal Airway V328, and modifying three Federal Airways, V319, V333, and V480 in Alaska. The FAA is taking this action to remove all airways off the Kipnuk, Very High Omni directional Range (VOR), Kipnuk, AK, in preparation for the VOR's eventual decommissioning from the National Airspace System (NAS). The Kipnuk VOR decommissioning proposal was publicly advertised in non rulemaking notice numbers 02AAL31NR and 06AAL32NR. After reviewing public comment, the FAA decided that keeping or moving the Kipnuk VOR was not feasible and should be decommissioned. 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.

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). [[Page 31850]]
Adoption of the Amendment
In consideration of the foregoing, the Federal Aviation Administration amends 14 CFR part 71 as follows:
PART 71DESIGNATION 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, 19591963 Comp., p. 389.
Sec. 71.1 [Amended]
2. The incorporation by reference in 14 CFR 71.1 of FAA Order 7400.9S, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, signed October 3, 2008, and effective October 31, 2008, is amended as follows:
Paragraph 6010(b) Alaskan VOR Federal Airways.
* * * * *

V319 [Revised]

From Yakutat, AK, via Johnstone Point, AK, INT Johnstone Point 286[deg] and Anchorage, AK, 117[deg] radials; Anchorage, AK; Sparrevohn, AK; Bethel, AK; Hooper Bay, AK; to Nanwak, AK NDB. * * * * *

V333 [Revised]

From Hooper Bay, AK; Nome, AK; to Shishmaref, AK. * * * * *
V328 [Removed]
* * * * *

V480 [Revised]

From Mt. Moffett, AK, NDB, 20 AGL via St. Paul Island, AK, NDB, 20 AGL; Bethel, AK; McGrath, AK; Nenana, AK; to Fairbanks, AK. * * * * *

Issued in Washington, DC, on June 26, 2009.
Edith V. Parish,
Manager, Airspace and Rules Group.
[FR Doc. E915694 Filed 7209; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 491013P

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: (202) 2678783.