80 FR 79680 - Removal of Jet Route J-477; Northwestern United States

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 246 (December 23, 2015)

This action removes jet route J-477 in the northwest United States. The FAA is taking this action to reflect and accommodate the decommissioning of the Medicine Hat VHF omnidirectional range (VOR) in Alberta, Canada.

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 246 (Wednesday, December 23, 2015)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 79680-79681]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-31992]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2015-6002; Airspace Docket No. 15-ANM-26]
RIN 2120-AA66


Removal of Jet Route J-477; Northwestern United States

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action removes jet route J-477 in the northwest United 
States. The FAA is taking this action to reflect and accommodate the 
decommissioning of the Medicine Hat VHF omnidirectional range (VOR) in 
Alberta, Canada.

DATES: Effective date 0901 UTC, March 31, 2016. 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 7400.9 and publication of conforming amendments.

ADDRESSES: FAA Order 7400.9Z, Airspace Designations and Reporting 
Points, and subsequent amendments can be viewed online at http://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/. For further information, you can 
contact the Airspace Policy Group, Federal Aviation Administration, 800 
Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20591; telephone: (202) 267-
8783. The Order is also available for inspection at the National 
Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the 
availability of FAA Order 7400.9Z 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 CONTACT: Jason Stahl, Airspace Policy Group, 
Office of Airspace Services, 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

[[Page 79681]]

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 route structure in the northwest 
United States to maintain the efficient flow of air traffic.

History

    In 1990, the FAA published in the Federal Register a rule that 
established J-576 in 14 CFR 75, from the Glasgow, MT, VOR navigation 
aid (NAVAID) to the Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada, VOR NAVAID (55 FR 
42364, October 19, 1990, FR Doc. 90-24786). This was corrected to J-477 
(55 FR 46940, November 8, 1990, FR Doc. 90-26388) and finally, in 1991, 
part 75 was transferred to subpart M of 14 CFR 71 (56 FR 65638, 
December 17, 1991, FR Doc. 91-29869). The route, extending through a 
small portion of airspace over the northwestern United States, was 
established in response to a request from the Canadian Department of 
Transportation to support airway changes in the Canadian airspace 
structure.
    On September 30, 2015, the FAA was notified that Canada was 
decommissioning the Medicine Hat VOR and removing the portion of J-477 
within Canada. Since the basis for which J-477 was originally 
established no longer exists, the FAA is removing the route.
    Jet routes are published in paragraph 2004 of FAA Order 7400.9Z 
dated August 6, 2015, and effective September 15, 2015, which is 
incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1. The jet route listed in this 
document will be subsequently removed in the Order.

Availability and Summary of Documents for Incorporation by Reference

    This document amends FAA Order 7400.9Z, Airspace Designations and 
Reporting Points, dated August 6, 2015, and effective September 15, 
2015. FAA Order 7400.9Z is publicly available as listed in the 
ADDRESSES section of this document. FAA Order 7400.9Z lists Class A, B, 
C, D, and E airspace areas, air traffic service routes, and reporting 
points.

The Rule

    The FAA is amending Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 
CFR) part 71 by removing jet route J-477. This action reflects and 
accommodates the route changes made in Canadian airspace due to the 
decommissioning of the Medicine Hat VOR. Therefore, notice and public 
procedures 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 
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 qualifies for categorical 
exclusion under the National Environmental Policy Act in accordance 
with FAA Order 1050.1F, Environmental Impacts: Policies and Procedures, 
paragraph 5-6.5a. This airspace action is not expected to cause any 
potentially significant environmental impacts, and no extraordinary 
circumstances exists that warrant preparation of an environmental 
assessment.

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 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 7400.9Z, 
Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 6, 2015 and 
effective September 15, 2015, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 2004 Jet Routes

* * * * *

J-477 [Removed]

    Issued in Washington, DC, on December 10, 2015.
Gary A. Norek,
Manager, Airspace Policy Group.
[FR Doc. 2015-31992 Filed 12-22-15; 8:45 am]
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