80 FR 26496 - Proposed Revocation of Class D and E Airspace; Independence, KS

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 89 (May 8, 2015)

This supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking proposes to remove Class D airspace and Class E surface area airspace at Independence Municipal Airport, Independence, KS. In an NPRM published in the Federal Register September 25, 2014, the FAA proposed to remove Class D airspace at Independence Municipal Airport, Independence, KS. The FAA has reassessed the proposal to include the removal of the associated Class E surface area airspace. The closure of the airport's air traffic control tower has necessitated the need for this proposal.

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 89 (Friday, May 8, 2015)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 26496-26497]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-10515]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2014-0565; Airspace Docket No. 14-ACE-7]


Proposed Revocation of Class D and E Airspace; Independence, KS

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (SNPRM).

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SUMMARY: This supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking proposes to 
remove Class D airspace and Class E surface area airspace at 
Independence Municipal Airport, Independence, KS. In an NPRM published 
in the Federal Register September 25, 2014, the FAA proposed to remove 
Class D airspace at Independence Municipal Airport, Independence, KS. 
The FAA has reassessed the proposal to include the removal of the 
associated Class E surface area airspace. The closure of the airport's 
air traffic control tower has necessitated the need for this proposal.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before June 22, 2015.

ADDRESSES: Send comments on this proposal to the U.S. Department of 
Transportation, Docket Operations, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., West 
Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, Washington, DC 20590-0001. You 
must identify the docket number FAA-2014-0565/Airspace Docket No. 14-
ACE-7, at the beginning of your comments. You may also submit comments 
through the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov. You may review the 
public docket containing the proposal, any comments received, and any 
final disposition in person in the Dockets Office between 9:00 a.m. and 
5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The Docket 
Office (telephone 1-800-647-5527) is on the ground floor of the 
building at the above address.
    FAA Order 7400.9Y, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, and 
subsequent amendments can be viewed online at http://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/. The Order is also available for inspection 
at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For 
information on the availability of this proposed incorporation by 
reference material at NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal-regulations/ibr_locations.html.
    FAA Order 7400.9, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, is 
published yearly and effective on September 15. For further 
information, you can contact the Airspace Policy and Regulations Group, 
Federal Aviation Administration, 800 Independence Avenue SW., 
Washington, DC 20591; telephone: 202-267-8783.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Raul Garza, Jr., Central Service 
Center, Operations Support Group, Federal Aviation Administration, 
Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, TX 76137; telephone: 
817-321-7654.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

History

    On September 25, 2014, the FAA published a NPRM to remove Class D 
airspace at Independence Municipal Airport, Independence, KS, as the 
air traffic control tower has closed (79 FR 57483). The comment period 
closed November 10, 2014. No comments were received. Subsequent to 
publication, the FAA reassessed the proposal to include the removal of 
the associated Class E surface area airspace at Independence Municipal 
Airport, Independence, KS. Also, the title section is amended to 
include Class E airspace. The FAA seeks comments on this SNPRM.

Comments Invited

    Interested parties are invited to participate in this proposed 
rulemaking by submitting such written data, views, or arguments, as 
they may desire. Comments that provide the factual basis supporting the 
views and suggestions presented are particularly helpful in developing 
reasoned regulatory decisions on the proposal. Comments are 
specifically invited on the overall regulatory, aeronautical, economic, 
environmental, and energy-related aspects of the proposal. 
Communications should identify both docket numbers and be submitted in 
triplicate to the address listed above. Commenters wishing the FAA to 
acknowledge receipt of their comments on this notice must submit with 
those comments a self-addressed, stamped postcard on which the 
following statement is made: ``Comments to Docket No. FAA-2014-0565/
Airspace Docket No. 14-ACE-7.'' The postcard will be date/time stamped 
and returned to the commenter.

Availability of SNPRMs

    An electronic copy of this document may be downloaded through the 
Internet at http://www.regulations.gov. Recently published rulemaking 
documents can also be accessed through the FAA's Web page at http://www.faa.gov/airports_airtraffic/air_traffic/publications/airspace_amendments/.
    You may review the public docket containing the proposal, any 
comments received and any final disposition in person in the Dockets 
Office (see ADDRESSES section for address and phone number) between 
9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. An informal docket may also be examined during normal 
business hours at the office of the Central Service Center, 2601 
Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, TX 76137.
    Persons interested in being placed on a mailing list for future 
NPRMs should contact the FAA's Office of Rulemaking (202) 267-9677, to 
request a copy of Advisory Circular No. 11-2A, Notice of Proposed 
Rulemaking Distribution System, which describes the application 
procedure.

Availability and Summary of Documents Proposed for Incorporation by 
Reference

    This document proposes to amend FAA Order 7400.9Y, Airspace 
Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 6, 2014, and effective 
September 15, 2014. FAA Order 7400.9Y is publicly available as listed 
in the ADDRESSES section of this proposed rule. FAA Order 7400.9Y lists 
Class A, B, C, D, and E airspace areas, air traffic service routes, and 
reporting points.

The Supplemental Proposal

    This supplemental proposal proposes to amend Title 14, Code of 
Federal Regulations (14 CFR), Part 71 by removing Class D airspace and 
the associated Class E surface area airspace at Independence Municipal 
Airport, Independence, KS. The closing of the airport's air traffic 
control tower has made this action necessary. Also, the Title section 
is amended to read ``Proposed Revocation of Class D and E Airspace; 
Independence, KS''.
    Class D and E airspace areas are published in Paragraph 5000 and 
6002, respectively, of FAA Order 7400.9Y, dated August 6, 2014, and 
effective September 15, 2014, which is incorporated by reference in 14 
CFR 71.1. The Class D and E airspace designations listed in this 
document will be published subsequently in the Order.

[[Page 26497]]

    The FAA has determined that this proposed 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 
will only affect air traffic procedures and air navigation, it is 
certified that this rule, when promulgated, would 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 U.S. Code. Subtitle 1, 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 
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 amend controlled airspace at Independence Municipal 
Airport, KS.

Environmental Review

    This proposal will be subject to an environmental analysis in 
accordance with FAA Order 1050.1E, ``Environmental Impacts: Policies 
and Procedures'' prior to any FAA final regulatory action.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 71

    Airspace, Incorporation by reference, Navigation (Air).

The Proposed Amendment

    In consideration of the foregoing, the Federal Aviation 
Administration proposes to amend 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 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 7400.9Y, 
Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 6, 2014, and 
effective September 15, 2014 is amended as follows:

Paragraph 5000 Class D Airspace

* * * * *

ACE KS D Independence, KS [Removed]

Paragraph 6002 Class E Airspace Designated as Surface Areas

* * * * *

ACE KS E2 Independence, KS [Removed]

    Issued in Fort Worth, TX, on April 28, 2015.
Humberto D. Melendez,
Acting Manager, Operations Support Group, ATO Central Service Center.
[FR Doc. 2015-10515 Filed 5-7-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-14-P