81 FR 6448 - Amendment of Class E Airspace for the Following Minnesota Towns: Rochester, MN; and St. Cloud, MN

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 25 (February 8, 2016)

This action amends the legal description of the Class E surface area airspace and Class E airspace designated as an extension, at Rochester International Airport, Rochester, MN, and St. Cloud Regional Airport, St. Cloud, MN, eliminating the Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) part-time status. This action also updates the geographic coordinates of Rochester International Airport to coincide with the FAA's aeronautical database.

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 25 (Monday, February 8, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 6448-6450]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-02283]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2015-7484; Airspace Docket No. 15-AGL-24]


Amendment of Class E Airspace for the Following Minnesota Towns: 
Rochester, MN; and St. Cloud, MN

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This action amends the legal description of the Class E 
surface area airspace and Class E airspace designated as an extension, 
at Rochester International Airport, Rochester, MN, and St. Cloud 
Regional Airport, St. Cloud, MN, eliminating the Notice to Airmen 
(NOTAM) part-time status. This action also updates the geographic 
coordinates of Rochester International Airport to coincide with the 
FAA's aeronautical database.

DATES: Effective 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, 29591; telephone: 202-267-
8783. The Order is

[[Page 6449]]

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: Jeffrey Claypool, Federal Aviation 
Administration, Operations Support Group, Central Service Center, 10101 
Hillwood Parkway, Fort Worth, TX 76177; telephone (817) 222-5711.

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 
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 amends controlled airspace at Rochester International Airport, 
Rochester, MN and St. Cloud Regional Airport, St. Cloud, MN.

History

    In a review of the airspace, the FAA found the Class E surface 
airspace and Class E airspace designated as an extension, for Rochester 
International Airport, Rochester, MN, and St. Cloud Regional Airport, 
St. Cloud, MN, as published in FAA Order 7400.9Z, Airspace Designations 
and Reporting Points, does not require part time status. This is an 
administrative change removing the part time NOTAM information from the 
legal descriptions for the above airports.
    Class E airspace designations are published in paragraph 6002 and 
6004 of FAA Order 7400.9Z dated August 6, 2015, and effective September 
15, 2015, which is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR part 71.1. The 
Class E airspace designations listed in this document will be published 
subsequently 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

    This action amends Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) 
part 71 by eliminating the NOTAM information that reads, ``This Class E 
airspace is effective during the specific dates and times established 
in advance by a Notice to Airmen. The effective date and time will 
thereafter be continuously published in the Airport/Facility 
Directory.'' from the regulatory text of Class E surface area airspace 
and Class E airspace designated as an extension to Class D, at 
Rochester International Airport, Rochester, MN, and St. Cloud Regional 
Airport, St. Cloud, MN. Additionally, the geographic coordinates of the 
Rochester International Airport are being updated to coincide with the 
FAA's aeronautical database.
    This is an administrative change amending the description for the 
above Minnesota airports to be in concert with the FAA's aeronautical 
database, and does not affect the boundaries, or operating requirements 
of the airspace; therefore, 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, is 
non-controversial and unlikely to result in adverse or negative 
comments. 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 qualifies for categorical 
exclusion under the National Environmental Policy Act in accordance 
with FAA Order 1050.1F, ``Environmental Impacts: Policies and 
Procedures,'' paragraph 5-6.5.a. 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.

Lists of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 71

    Airspace, Incorporation by reference, Navigation (air).

Adoption of 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, 
effective September 15, 2015, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 6002 Class E Airspace Designated as Surface Areas.

* * * * *

AGL MN E2 Rochester, MN (Amended)

Rochester International Airport, MN
    (Lat. 43[deg]54'30'' N., long. 92[deg]30'00'' W.)
Rochester VOR/DME
    (Lat. 43[deg]46'58'' N., long. 92[deg]35'49'' W.)

    Within a 4.3-mile radius of Rochester International Airport, and 
within 3.1 miles each side of the Rochester VOR/DME 028[deg] radial, 
extending from the 4.3-mile radius to 7 miles southwest of the 
airport.

AGL MN E2 St. Cloud, MN (Amended)

St. Cloud Regional Airport, MN
    (Lat. 45[deg]32'48'' N., long. 94[deg]03'36'' W.)
St. Cloud VOR/DME
    (Lat. 45[deg]32'58'' N., long. 94[deg]03'31'' W.)

    Within a 4.1-mile radius of St. Cloud Regional Airport and 
within 2.4 miles each side of the St. Cloud VOR/DME 143[deg] radial, 
extending from the 4.1-mile radius to 7.2 miles southeast of the 
airport.
* * * * *

[[Page 6450]]

Paragraph 6004 Class E Airspace Areas Designated as an Extension to 
a Class D or Class E Surface Area.

* * * * *

AGL MN E4 Rochester, MN (Amended)

Rochester International Airport, MN
    (Lat. 43[deg]54'30'' N., long. 92[deg]30'00'' W.)
Rochester VOR/DME
    (Lat. 43[deg]46'58'' N., long. 92[deg]35'49'' W.)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface within 3.1 miles 
each side of Rochester VOR/DME 028[deg] radial, extending from the 
4.3-mile radius to 7 miles southwest of the airport.

AGL MN E4 St. Cloud, MN (Amended)

St. Cloud Regional Airport, MN
    (Lat. 45[deg]32'48'' N., long. 94[deg]03'36'' W.)
St. Cloud VOR/DME
    (Lat. 45[deg]32'58'' N., long. 94[deg]03'31'' W.)

    That airspace extending upward from the surface within 2.4 miles 
each side of St. Cloud VOR/DME 143[deg] radial extending from the 
4.1-mile radius of St. Cloud Regional Airport to 7.2 miles southeast 
of the airport.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on January 27, 2016.
Robert W. Beck,
Manager, Operations Support Group, ATO Central Service Center.
[FR Doc. 2016-02283 Filed 2-5-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P