[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 123 (Tuesday, June 28, 2022)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 38271-38273]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-13583]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2021-1082; Airspace Docket No. 21-ASO-16]
RIN 2120-AA66


Amendment and Removal of Air Traffic Service (ATS) Routes; 
Eastern United States

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action amends jet routes J-22, and J-48; and removing jet 
routes J-39, J-118, J-145, and J-186 in the eastern United States. This 
action supports the VHF Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Minimum Operational 
Network (MON) program to improve the efficiency of the National 
Airspace System (NAS) and reduce dependency on ground-based 
navigational systems.

DATES: Effective date 0901 UTC, September 8, 2022. 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 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20591; 
telephone: (202) 267-8783.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Paul Gallant, 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,

[[Page 38272]]

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 
would modify the route structure as necessary to preserve the safe and 
efficient flow of air traffic within the NAS.

History

    The FAA published a notice of proposed rulemaking for Docket No. 
FAA-2021-1082 in the Federal Register (86 FR 70778; December 13, 2021), 
amending three jet routes and removing four jet routes in the eastern 
United States. Interested parties were invited to participate in this 
rulemaking effort by submitting written comments on the proposal. No 
comments were received.
    Jet routes are published in paragraph 2004 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 jet routes listed in this 
document would be subsequently amended in, or removed from, 
respectively, FAA Order JO 7400.11.

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.

Difference From the NPRM

    In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to amend jet route J-46. Subsequent 
to the publication of the NPRM, the FAA determined that additional 
coordination was needed to finalize the design of J-46. Consequently, 
J-46 is removed from this rule and will remain as currently shown on 
the IFR En Route chart. Any future modification of J-46 will be 
addressed in a separate rulemaking action. Routes J-22, J-48, J-39, J-
118, J-145, and J-186 will be amended or removed by this rule as 
proposed in the NPRM.

The Rule

    This action amends 14 CFR part 71 by amending jet routes J-22, and 
J-48; and removing jet routes J-39, J-118, J-145, and J-186 in the 
eastern United States. This action supports the VOR MON program by 
amending or removing certain jet route segments due to the planned 
decommissioning of ground-based navigation aids. Additionally, the jet 
route changes reduce aeronautical chart clutter by removing unneeded 
route segments.
    The route changes are as follows:
    J-22: J-22 currently extends from Nuevo Laredo, Mexico, to 
Montebello, VA. This action removes the route segments from Vulcan, AL, 
to Montebello, VA. As amended, the J-22 extends from Nuevo Laredo, 
Mexico to Meridian, MS. The portion within Mexico is excluded.
    J-39: J-39 currently extends from Montgomery, AL, to Rosewood, OH. 
The FAA is removing the entire route.
    J-48: J-48 currently extends from the intersection of the Solberg, 
NJ, 264[deg] and the Pottstown, PA, 050[deg] radials, to Foothills, SC. 
This action removes the segment between Montebello, VA, and Foothills, 
SC. As amended, J-48 extends from the intersection of the above Solberg 
and Pottstown radials to Montebello, VA.
    J-118: J-118 currently extends from Memphis, TN, to Spartanburg, 
SC. The FAA is removing the entire route.
    J-145: J-145 currently extends from Foothills, SC, to Charleston, 
WV. The FAA is removing the entire route.
    J-186: J-186 currently extends from Foothills, SC, to Appleton, OH. 
The FAA is removing the entire route.
    FAA Order 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 action of amending jet routes J-
22, and J-48; and removing jet routes J-39, J-118, J-145, and J-186 in 
the eastern United States 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); and paragraph 5-
6.5b, which categorically excludes from further environmental impact 
review ``Actions regarding establishment of jet routes and Federal 
airways (see 14 CFR 71.15, Designation of jet routes and VOR Federal 
airways) . . .''. 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. The FAA has determined 
no extraordinary circumstances exist that warrant preparation of an 
environmental assessment or environmental impact study.

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 14 CFR 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 JO 
7400.11F Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 10, 
2021, and

[[Page 38273]]

effective September 15, 2021, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 2004 Jet Routes.

* * * * *

J-22 [Amended]

    From Nuevo Laredo, Mexico, via Laredo, TX; Corpus Christi, TX; 
Palacios, TX; Lake Charles, LA; McComb, MS; to Meridian, MS. The 
airspace within Mexico is excluded.
* * * * *

J-39 [Removed]

* * * * *

J-48 [Amended]

    From INT Solberg, NJ, 264[deg] and Pottstown, PA, 050[deg] 
radials; Pottstown; Westminster, MD; Casanova, VA; to Montebello, 
VA.
* * * * *

J-118 [Removed]

* * * * *

J-145 [Removed]

* * * * *

J-186 [Removed]

* * * * *

    Issued in Washington, DC.
Scott M. Rosenbloom,
Manager, Airspace Rules and Regulations.
[FR Doc. 2022-13583 Filed 6-27-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P


