[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 158 (Wednesday, August 17, 2022)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 50566-50568]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-17513]


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

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2021-1083; Airspace Docket No. 19-AAL-62]
RIN 2120-AA66


Amendment of United States Area Navigation (RNAV) Route T-229; 
Point Hope, AK

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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

SUMMARY: This action amends United States Area Navigation (RNAV) route 
T-229 in the vicinity of Point Hope, AK, in support of a large and 
comprehensive T-route modernization project for the state of Alaska.

DATES: Effective date 0901 UTC, November 3, 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 www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/. For further information, you can contact the 
Rules and Regulations Group, Federal Aviation Administration, 800

[[Page 50567]]

Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20591; telephone: (202) 267-
8783.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Colby Abbott, 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 expands the availability of RNAV in Alaska and improves 
the efficient flow of air traffic within the National Airspace System 
by lessening the dependency on ground-based navigation.

History

    The FAA published a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) for Docket 
No. FAA-2021-1083 in the Federal Register (86 FR 70783; December 13, 
2021), amending RNAV route T-229 in the vicinity of Point Hope, AK, in 
support of a large and comprehensive T-route modernization project for 
the state of Alaska. Interested parties were invited to participate in 
this rulemaking effort by submitting comments on the proposal. No 
comments were received.
    United States Area Navigation Routes are published in paragraph 
6011 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 RNAV route listed in this document will be published subsequently 
in FAA Order JO 7400.11.

Differences From the NPRM

    In ``The Proposal'' section of the NPRM, the SURGE waypoint (WP) 
name identified in the T-229 proposed action was incorrect. The correct 
WP name is SUGRE WP. This action corrects the WP name to the SUGRE, AK, 
WP in The Rule section of the preamble. The WP name correction is 
editorial only and the latitude/longitude coordinates remain the same 
so there is no change to the alignment of T-229.

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 by amending RNAV route T-229 in 
the vicinity of Point Hope, AK, in support of a large and comprehensive 
T-route modernization project for the state of Alaska. The route 
amendment is described below.
    T-229: T-229 extends between the Fairbanks, AK, VOR/Tactical Air 
Navigation (VORTAC) and the Point Hope, AK, Non-Directional Beacon 
(NDB). The Point Hope NDB is replaced by the new VANTY, AK, waypoint 
(WP) to provide a lowered Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) 
Minimum Enroute Altitude (MEA), from 4,000 feet Mean Sea Level (MSL) to 
3,000 feet MSL, between the SUGRE, AK, WP and the new VANTY WP. The 
unaffected segments of the route remain unchanged.
    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 will only affect air traffic 
procedures and air navigation, it is certified that this rule, when 
promulgated, will 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 amending RNAV 
route T-229 in the vicinity of Point Hope, AK, 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 5-6.5i, which categorically excludes from 
further environmental review the establishment of new or revised air 
traffic control procedures conducted at 3,000 feet or more above ground 
level (AGL); procedures conducted below 3,000 feet AGL that do not 
cause traffic to be routinely routed over noise sensitive areas; 
modifications to currently approved procedures conducted below 3,000 
feet AGL that do not significantly increase noise over noise sensitive 
areas; and increases in minimum altitudes and landing minima. 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.

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.

[[Page 50568]]

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 6011 United States Area Navigation Routes.

* * * * *

T-229 Fairbanks, AK (FAI) to VANTY, AK [Amended]
 
Fairbanks, AK (FAI)                             VORTAC                         (Lat. 64[deg]48'00.25'' N, long. 148[deg]00'43.11'' W)
Tanana, AK (TAL)                                VOR/DME                        (Lat. 65[deg]10'37.65'' N, long. 152[deg]10'39.18'' W)
Huslia, AK (HSL)                                VOR/DME                        (Lat. 65[deg]42'28.35'' N, long. 156[deg]21'47.11'' W)
Selawik, AK (WLK)                               VOR/DME                        (Lat. 66[deg]35'58.11'' N, long. 159[deg]59'26.98'' W)
Kotzebue, AK (OTZ)                              VOR/DME                        (Lat. 66[deg]53'08.46'' N, long. 162[deg]32'23.77'' W)
VANTY, AK                                       WP                             (Lat. 68[deg]20'40.68'' N, long. 166[deg]47'53.61'' W)
 

* * * * *

    Issued in Washington, DC, on August 10, 2022.
Scott M. Rosenbloom,
Manager, Airspace Rules and Regulations.
[FR Doc. 2022-17513 Filed 8-16-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P


