[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 182 (Thursday, September 23, 2021)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 52822-52823]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-20578]


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

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2021-0414; Airspace Docket No. 21-AAL-25]
RIN 2120-AA66


Revocation of Colored Federal Airway Red-4 (R-4) in Central 
Alaska

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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

SUMMARY: This action revokes Colored Federal airway R-4 in central 
Alaska due to the scheduled decommissioning of the Bear Creek (BCC) 
Non-Directional Beacon (NDB) on December 2, 2021.

DATES: Effective date 0901 UTC, December 2, 2021. 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 JO 7400.11 
and publication of conforming amendments.

ADDRESSES: FAA Order JO 7400.11F, Airspace Designations and Reporting 
Points, and subsequent amendments can be viewed online at https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/. For further information, you can 
contact the Rules and Regulations Group, Federal Aviation 
Administration, 800

[[Page 52823]]

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 7400.11F at NARA, email: 
fr.inspection@nara.gov or go to https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Christopher McMullin, Rules and 
Regulations Group, Office of Policy, 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 
north central United States to maintain the efficient flow of air 
traffic.

History

    The FAA published a notice of proposed rulemaking for Docket No. 
FAA 2021-0414 in the Federal Register (86 FR 29531; June 2, 2021), 
revoking Colored Federal airway R-4 in central Alaska. Interested 
parties were invited to participate in this rulemaking effort by 
submitting written comments on the proposal. No comments were received.
    Colored Federal Airways are published in paragraph 6009(b) of FAA 
Order JO 7400.11F dated August 10, 2021, and effective September 15, 
2021, which is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1. The Colored 
Federal airway 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 JO 7400.11F, Airspace Designations 
and Reporting Points, dated August 10, 2021, and effective September 
15, 2021. FAA Order JO 7400.11F is publicly available as listed in the 
ADDRESSES section of this document. FAA Order JO 7400.11F lists Class 
A, B, C, D, and E airspace areas, air traffic service routes, and 
reporting points.

The Rule

    This action amends 14 CFR part 71 to revoke Colored Federal airway 
R-4, due to the decommissioning of BCC NDB. The change is outlined 
below.
    R-4: R-4 currently navigates between the Chena, AK, NDB and the 
Bear Creek, AK, NDB. This action removes the entire route.
    FAA Order JO 7400.11, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, 
is published yearly and effective on September 15.

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 airspace action of revoking 
Colored Federal airway R-4 in central Alaska qualifies for categorical 
exclusion under the National Environmental Policy Act (42 U.S.C. 4321 
et seq.) and its implementing regulations at 40 CFR part 1500, and in 
accordance with FAA Order 1050.1F, Environmental Impacts: Policies and 
Procedures, paragraph 5-6.5a, which categorically excludes from further 
environmental impact review rulemaking actions that designate or modify 
classes of airspace areas, airways, routes, and reporting points (see 
14 CFR part 71, Designation of Class A, B, C, D, and E Airspace Areas; 
Air Traffic Service Routes; and Reporting Points). As such, this action 
is not expected to result in any potentially significant environmental 
impacts. In accordance with FAA Order 1050.1F, paragraph 5-2 regarding 
Extraordinary Circumstances, the FAA has reviewed this action for 
factors and circumstances in which a normally categorically excluded 
action may have a significant environmental impact requiring further 
analysis. Accordingly, the FAA has determined that no extraordinary 
circumstances exist that warrant preparation of an environmental 
assessment or environmental impact study.

Lists 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 is amended 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 JO 
7400.11F, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 10, 
2021, and effective September 15, 2021, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 6009(b) Colored Federal Airways.

* * * * *

R-4 [Remove]

* * * * *

    Issued in Washington, DC.
Michael R. Beckles,
Acting Manager, Rules and Regulations Group.
[FR Doc. 2021-20578 Filed 9-22-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P


