[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 209 (Monday, October 31, 2022)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 65521-65523]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-22165]


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

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2022-0243; Airspace Docket No. 22-AGL-5]
RIN 2120-AA66


Amendment of VOR Federal Airways V-26 and V-63; Establishment of 
Area Navigation (RNAV) Route T-464; and Revocation of the Wausau, WI, 
Low Altitude Reporting Point; in the Vicinity of Wausau, WI

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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

SUMMARY: This action amends VHF Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal 
airways V-26 and V-63; establishes Area Navigation (RNAV) route T-464; 
and revokes the Wausau, WI, Low Altitude Reporting Point in the 
vicinity of Wausau, WI. This action is necessary due to the planned 
decommissioning of the VOR portion of the Wausau, WI, VOR/Distance 
Measuring Equipment (VOR/DME) navigational aid (NAVAID). The Wausau VOR 
is being decommissioned as part of the FAA's

[[Page 65522]]

VOR Minimum Operational Network (VOR MON) program.

DATES: Effective date 0901 UTC, December 29, 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 7400.11G, 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 
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 modifies the Air Traffic Service (ATS) route structure 
as necessary to preserve the safe and efficient flow of air traffic 
within the National Airspace System.

History

    The FAA published a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) for Docket 
No. FAA-2022-0243 in the Federal Register (87 FR 17040; March 25, 
2022), amending VOR Federal airways V-26 and V-63; establishing RNAV 
route T-464; and revoking the Wausau, WI, Low Altitude Reporting Point 
due to the planned decommissioning of the VOR portion of the Wausau, 
WI, VOR/DME NAVAID. Interested parties were invited to participate in 
this rulemaking effort by submitting written comments on the proposal. 
No comments were received.
    Subsequent to the NPRM, the FAA published a rule for Docket No. 
FAA-2021-0972 in the Federal Register (87 FR 38913; June 30, 2022), 
amending VOR Federal airway V-26 by removing the airway segment between 
the Green Bay, WI, VOR/Tactical Air Navigation (VORTAC) and the White 
Cloud, MI, VOR/DME NAVAIDs. That airway amendment was effective 
September 8, 2022, and is included in this rule.
    VOR Federal airways are published in paragraph 6010(a), RNAV routes 
are published in paragraph 6011, and Domestic Low Altitude Reporting 
Points are published in paragraph 7001 of FAA Order JO 7400.11G, dated 
August 19, 2022, and effective September 15, 2022, which is 
incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1. The ATS route and Domestic 
Low Altitude Reporting Point actions listed in this document will be 
published subsequently in FAA Order JO 7400.11.

Availability and Summary of Documents for Incorporation by Reference

    This document amends FAA Order JO 7400.11G, Airspace Designations 
and Reporting Points, dated August 19, 2022, and effective September 
15, 2022. FAA Order JO 7400.11G is publicly available as listed in the 
ADDRESSES section of this document. FAA Order JO 7400.11G 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 VOR Federal airways 
V-26 and V-63; establishing RNAV route T-464; and revoking the Wausau, 
WI, Low Altitude Reporting Point. The ATS route and Reporting Point 
actions are described below.
    V-26: V-26 extends between the Blue Mesa, CO, VOR/DME and the 
Pierre, SD, VORTAC; and between the Redwood Falls, MN, VOR/DME and the 
Green Bay, WI, VORTAC. The airway segment between the Eau Claire, WI, 
VOR/DME and the Green Bay, WI, VORTAC is removed. As amended, the 
airway is changed to extend between the Blue Mesa, CO, VOR/DME and the 
Pierre, SD, VORTAC; and between the Redwood Falls, MN, VOR/DME and the 
Eau Claire, WI, VOR/DME.
    V-63: V-63 extends between the Razorback, AR, VORTAC and the 
Davenport, IA, VORTAC; between the Janesville, WI, VOR/DME and the 
Oshkosh, WI, VORTAC; and between the Wausau, WI, VOR/DME and the 
Houghton, MI, VOR/DME. The airspace at and above 10,000 feet MSL from 5 
NM north to 46 NM north of Quincy, IL, when the Howard West MOA is 
active, is excluded. The airway segment between the Wausau, WI, VOR/DME 
and the Rhinelander, WI, VOR/DME is removed. As amended, the airway is 
changed to extend between the Razorback, AR, VORTAC and the Davenport, 
IA, VORTAC; between the Janesville, WI, VOR/DME and the Oshkosh, WI, 
VORTAC; and between the Rhinelander, WI, VOR/DME and the Houghton, MI, 
VOR/DME, and the excluded airspace remains unchanged.
    T-464: T-464 is a new RNAV route that extends between the CUSAY, 
WI, waypoint (WP) located northwest of Eau Claire, WI, and the CHURP, 
WI, Fix located near Clintonville, WI. The new route provides 
navigational options in areas of limited or no radar coverage to pilots 
whose aircraft are RNAV equipped as well as supports the FAA's efforts 
to transition the NAS from ground-based to satellite-based navigation. 
The full route description of T-464 is listed in the amendments to part 
71 as set forth below.
    Wausau, WI: The Wausau, WI, Domestic Low Altitude Reporting Point 
is revoked.
    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 action of amending VOR Federal 
airways V-26 and V-63; establishing RNAV route T-464; and revoking the 
Wausau, WI, Low Altitude Reporting Point, due to the planned 
decommissioning of the VOR portion of the Wausau, WI, VOR/DME NAVAID, 
qualifies for categorical exclusion under the National Environmental 
Policy Act (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) and its

[[Page 65523]]

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 5-6.5k, 
which categorically excludes from further environmental impact review 
the publication of existing air traffic control procedures that do not 
essentially change existing tracks, create new tracks, change altitude, 
or change concentration of aircraft on these tracks. 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 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.


Sec.  71.1   [Amended]

0
2. The incorporation by reference in 14 CFR 71.1 of FAA Order JO 
7400.11G, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 19, 
2022, and effective September 15, 2022, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 6010(a) Domestic VOR Federal Airways.

* * * * *

V-26 [Amended]

    From Blue Mesa, CO; Montrose, CO; 13 miles 112 MSL, 131 MSL, 
Grand Junction, CO; Meeker, CO; Cherokee, WY; Muddy Mountain, WY; 14 
miles, 37 miles 75 MSL, 84 miles 90 MSL, Rapid City, SD; Philip, SD; 
to Pierre, SD. From Redwood Falls, MN; Farmington, MN; to Eau 
Claire, WI.
* * * * *

V-63 [Amended]

    From Razorback, AR; Springfield, MO; Hallsville, MO; Quincy, IL; 
Burlington, IA; Moline, IL; to Davenport, IA. From Janesville, WI; 
Badger, WI; to Oshkosh, WI. From Rhinelander, WI; to Houghton, MI. 
Excluding that airspace at and above 10,000 feet MSL from 5 NM north 
to 46 NM north of Quincy, IL, when the Howard West MOA is active.
* * * * *

Paragraph 6011 United States Area Navigation Routes.

* * * * *

T-464 CUSAY, WI to CHURP, WI [New]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CUSAY, WI                                       WP                             (Lat. 46[deg]01'07.84'' N, long. 091[deg]26'47.14'' W)
TONOC, WI                                       WP                             (Lat. 45[deg]03'47.56'' N, long. 091[deg]38'11.87'' W)
EDGRR, WI                                       WP                             (Lat. 44[deg]51'31.83'' N, long. 089[deg]56'43.06'' W)
HEVAV, WI                                       WP                             (Lat. 44[deg]50'48.43'' N, long. 089[deg]35'12.51'' W)
CHURP, WI                                       FIX                            (Lat. 44[deg]42'54.82'' N, long. 088[deg]56'48.69'' W)
 

* * * * *

Paragraph 7001 Domestic Low Altitude Report Points.

* * * * *
    Wausau, WI [Removed]
* * * * *

    Issued in Washington, DC, on October 5, 2022.
Scott M. Rosenbloom,
Manager, Airspace Rules and Regulations.
[FR Doc. 2022-22165 Filed 10-28-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P


