[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 153 (Thursday, August 8, 2013)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 48292-48293]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-18714]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 71
[Docket No. FAA-2013-0261; Airspace Docket No. 13-AGL-14]
Amendment of Class D Airspace; Grand Forks AFB, ND
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This action amends Class D airspace at Grand Forks Air Force
Base (AFB), ND. Changes to the airspace description are necessary due
to changes in air traffic control tower operating hours. The FAA is
taking this action to enhance the safety and management of Instrument
Flight Rule (IFR) operations at the airport.
DATES: Effective date: 0901 UTC, October 17, 2013. 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.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Scott Enander, Central Service Center,
Operations Support Group, Federal Aviation Administration, Southwest
Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, TX 76137; telephone 817-321-
7716.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
History
On June 3, 2013, the FAA published in the Federal Register a notice
of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend Class D airspace for Grand Forks
AFB, ND (78 FR 33016) Docket No. FAA-2013-0261. Interested parties were
[[Page 48293]]
invited to participate in this rulemaking effort by submitting written
comments on the proposal to the FAA. No comments were received. Class D
airspace designations are published in paragraph 5000 of FAA Order
7400.9W dated August 8, 2012, and effective September 15, 2012, which
is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1. The Class D airspace
designations listed in this document will be published subsequently in
the Order.
The Rule
This action amends Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR)
Part 71 by amending Class D airspace at Grand Forks AFB, ND, amending
the operating hours to reflect removal of the specific effective dates
and times established by a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) for Grand Forks
AFB, Grand Forks, ND. Operating hours are now continuous, 24 hours at
Grand Forks AFB. Controlled airspace is needed for the safety and
management of IFR operations at the airport.
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.
Therefore, this regulation: (1) Is not a ``significant regulatory
action'' under Executive Order 12866; (2) is not a ``significant rule''
under 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.
The FAA's authority to issue rules regarding aviation safety is
found in Title 49 of the U.S. Code. Subtitle 1, 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
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 amends controlled airspace at Grand Forks AFB, Grand Forks, ND.
Environmental Review
The FAA has determined that this action qualifies for categorical
exclusion under the National Environmental Policy Act in accordance
with FAA Order 1050.1E, ``Environmental Impacts: Policies and
Procedures,'' paragraph 311a. 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 14 CFR part 71 continues to read as
follows:
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 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 the Federal
Aviation Administration Order 7400.9W, Airspace Designations and
Reporting Points, dated August 8, 2012, and effective September 15,
2012, is amended as follows:
Paragraph 5000 Class D airspace.
* * * * *
AGL ND D Grand Forks AFB, ND [Amended]
Grand Forks AFB, ND
(Lat. 47[deg]57'41'' N., long. 97[deg]24'03'' W.)
That airspace extending upward from the surface to and including
3,400 feet MSL within a 4.9-mile radius of Grand Forks AFB, and
within 2.3 miles each side of the 174[deg] bearing from the airport
extending from the 4.9-mile radius to 5.6 nm south of the airport,
excluding that airspace within the Grand Forks, ND, Class D airspace
area.
Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on July 25, 2013.
David P. Medina,
Manager, Operations Support Group, ATO Central Service Center.
[FR Doc. 2013-18714 Filed 8-7-13; 8:45 am]
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