81 FR 7971 - Amendment of Air Traffic Service (ATS) Routes; Northeast United States

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 31 (February 17, 2016)

This action modifies jet routes J-6, J-97, and J-222, and VOR Federal airways V-196, and V-489, in the northeastern United States due to the planned decommissioning of the Plattsburgh, NY, VORTAC facility. These route changes enhance the safety and management of airspace within the National Airspace System.

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 31 (Wednesday, February 17, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 7971-7973]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-03060]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2015-3361; Airspace Docket No. 15-AEA-4]
RIN 2120-AA66


Amendment of Air Traffic Service (ATS) Routes; Northeast United 
States

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action modifies jet routes J-6, J-97, and J-222, and VOR 
Federal airways V-196, and V-489, in the northeastern United States due 
to the planned decommissioning of the Plattsburgh, NY, VORTAC facility. 
These route changes enhance the safety and management of airspace 
within the National Airspace System.

DATES: Effective date 0901 UTC, March 31, 2016. 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.

ADDRESSES: FAA Order 7400.9Z, Airspace Designations and Reporting

[[Page 7972]]

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 JO 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: Paul Gallant, 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 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 
northeast United States to maintain the efficient flow of air traffic.

History

    On September 14, 2015, the FAA published in the Federal Register a 
notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend jet routes J-6, J-97 and 
J-222; and VOR Federal airways V-196 and V-489 in the northeastern 
United States (80 FR 55049, FR. Doc. 2015-22876). Interested parties 
were invited to participate in this rulemaking effort by submitting 
written comments on the proposal. Two comments were received.

Discussion of Comments

    Both commenters agreed with the proposal; however, one individual 
wrote that the V-196 and V-489 modifications should be delayed for one 
year after the relocation of the jet routes to provide pilots with 
backup. The FAA finds it is not possible to delay the modifications to 
V-196 and V-489 because the cancelled segments of those airways are 
based on the Plattsburgh VORTAC, which is being commissioned.
    Jet routes are published in paragraph 2004 and VOR Federal airways 
are published in paragraph 6010(a) respectively, 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 routes and VOR 
Federal airways listed in this document will be subsequently published 
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 modifying the descriptions of jet routes J-6, J-97 and J-
222; and VOR Federal airways V-196 and V-489, due to the planned 
decommissioning of the Plattsburgh VORTAC in New York. The jet routes 
and VOR Federal airways are being modified as follows:

    J-6 Jet route J-6 is terminated on the east end at Albany, NY. 
The segment between Albany and Plattsburgh, NY is removed.
    J-97 Jet route J-97 is terminated at Boston, MA, removing the 
segment between Boston and Plattsburgh.
    J-222 Jet route J-222 is terminated at Cambridge, NY, removing 
the segment between Cambridge and Plattsburgh.
    V-196 Federal airway V-196 is terminated at the intersection of 
the Saranac Lake, NY, 058[deg](T) and the Burlington, VT 296[deg](T) 
radials, removing the segment between that intersection and 
Plattsburgh.
    V-489 Federal airway V-489 is terminated at Glens Falls, NY, 
removing the segment between Glens Falls and Plattsburgh.

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 because 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 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.

List 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 and 
effective September 15, 2015, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 2004 Jet Routes.

* * * * *

J-6 [Amended]

    From Salinas, CA, via INT Salinas 145[deg] and Avenal, CA, 
292[deg] radials; Avenal; INT Avenal 119[deg] and Palmdale, CA, 
310[deg] radials; Palmdale; Hector, CA; Needles, CA; Drake, AZ; 
Zuni, AZ; Albuquerque, NM; Tucumcari, NM; Panhandle, TX; Will 
Rogers, OK; Little Rock, AR; Bowling Green, KY; Charleston, WV; INT 
Charleston 076[deg] and Martinsburg,

[[Page 7973]]

WV, 243[deg] radials; Martinsburg; Lancaster, PA; Broadway, NJ; 
Sparta, NJ; to Albany, NY.
* * * * *

J-97 [Amended]

    From lat. 39[deg]07'00'' N., long. 67[deg]00'00'' W. via 
Nantucket, MA; to Boston, MA.
* * * * *

J-222 [Amended]

    From Robbinsville, NJ; INT Robbinsville 039[deg] and Kennedy, 
NY, 253[deg] radials; Kennedy; INT Kennedy 022[deg] and Cambridge, 
NY, 179[deg] radials; to Cambridge.
* * * * *

Paragraph 6010(a) Domestic VOR Federal Airways.

V-196 [Amended]

    From Utica, NY, Saranac Lake, NY; to INT Saranac Lake 058[deg] 
and Burlington, VT 296[deg] radials.
* * * * *

V-489 [Amended]

    From INT Sparta, NJ, 300[deg] and Huguenot, NY, 196[deg] 
radials; Huguenot; INT Huguenot 008[deg] and Albany, NY, 209[deg] 
radials; Albany; to Glens Falls, NY.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on February 8, 2016.
Leslie M. Swann,
Acting Manager, Airspace Policy Group.
[FR Doc. 2016-03060 Filed 2-16-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P