Proposed Rule2025-03574
Revocation of Jet Route J-534 and Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal Airway V-349, Amendment of VOR Federal Airways V-23 and V-165 and Establishment of Canadian Area Navigation (RNAV) Route T-645 in Northwestern United States
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
March 6, 2025
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
This action proposes to revoke Jet Route J-534 and Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal Airway V-349, amend VOR Federal Airways V-23 and V-165, and establish Canadian Area Navigation (RNAV) Route T-645 in the Northwestern United States. The FAA is proposing this action due to the pending decommissioning of the VOR portion of the Whatcom, WA, VOR/Tactical Air Navigation (VORTAC) navigational aid (NAVAID). The VOR portion of the Whatcom VORTAC is being decommissioned in support of the FAA's VOR Minimum Operational Network (MON) program. There are two airways that use the naming convention of V-23. One is located in the state of Hawaii and the other is located in the state of California. This action proposes to affect the V-23 in the state of California and does not propose any changes to the V-23 in the state of Hawaii.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 90 Issue 43 (Thursday, March 6, 2025)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 43 (Thursday, March 6, 2025)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 11392-11394]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2025-03574]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 71
[Docket No. FAA-2025-0371 Airspace Docket No. 25-ANM-128]
RIN 2120-AA66
Revocation of Jet Route J-534 and Very High Frequency
Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal Airway V-349, Amendment of VOR
Federal Airways V-23 and V-165 and Establishment of Canadian Area
Navigation (RNAV) Route T-645 in Northwestern United States
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: This action proposes to revoke Jet Route J-534 and Very High
Frequency Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal Airway V-349, amend VOR
Federal Airways V-23 and V-165, and establish Canadian Area Navigation
(RNAV) Route T-645 in the Northwestern United States. The FAA is
proposing this action due to the pending decommissioning of the VOR
portion of the Whatcom, WA, VOR/Tactical Air Navigation (VORTAC)
navigational aid (NAVAID). The VOR portion of the Whatcom VORTAC is
being decommissioned in support of the FAA's VOR Minimum Operational
Network (MON) program. There are two airways that use the naming
convention of V-23. One is located in the state of Hawaii and the other
is located in the state of California. This action proposes to affect
the V-23 in the state of California and does not propose any changes to
the V-23 in the state of Hawaii.
DATES: Comments must be received on or before April 21, 2025.
ADDRESSES: Send comments identified by FAA Docket No. FAA-2025-0371 and
Airspace Docket No. 25-ANM-128 using any of the following methods:
* Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">www.regulations.gov</a> and follow
the online instructions for sending your comments electronically.
* Mail: Send comments to Docket Operations, M-30; U.S. Department
of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Room W12-140, West
Building Ground Floor, Washington, DC 20590-0001.
* Hand Delivery or Courier: Take comments to Docket Operations in
Room W12-140 of the West Building Ground Floor at 1200 New Jersey
Avenue SE, Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through
Friday, except Federal holidays.
* Fax: Fax comments to Docket Operations at (202) 493-2251.
Docket: Background documents or comments received may be read at
<a href="http://www.regulations.gov">www.regulations.gov</a> at any time. Follow the online instructions for
accessing the docket or go to the Docket Operations in Room W12-140 of
the West Building Ground Floor at 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE,
Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday,
except Federal holidays.
FAA Order JO 7400.11J, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points,
and subsequent amendments can be viewed online at <a href="http://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/">www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/</a>. You may also contact the Rules and
Regulations Group, Policy Directorate, Federal Aviation Administration,
600 Independence Avenue SW, Washington DC, 20597; telephone: (202) 267-
8783.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steven Roff, Rules and Regulations
Group, Policy Directorate, Federal Aviation Administration, 600
Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20597; 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 would amend the airway structure as necessary to
preserve the safe and efficient flow of air traffic within the National
Airspace System.
Comments Invited
The FAA invites interested persons to participate in this
rulemaking by submitting written comments, data, or views. Comments are
specifically invited on the overall regulatory, aeronautical, economic,
environmental, and energy-related aspects of the proposal. The most
helpful comments reference a specific portion of the proposal, explain
the reason for any recommended change, and include supporting data. To
ensure the docket does not contain duplicate comments, commenters
should submit only one time if comments are filed electronically, or
commenters should send only one copy of written comments if comments
are filed in writing.
The FAA will file in the docket all comments it receives, as well
as a report summarizing each substantive public contact with FAA
personnel concerning this proposed rulemaking. Before acting on this
proposal, the FAA will consider all comments it receives on or before
the closing date for comments. The FAA will consider comments filed
after the comment period has closed if it is possible to do so without
incurring expense or delay. The FAA may change this proposal in light
of the comments it receives.
Privacy: In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 553(c), DOT solicits comments
from the public to better inform its rulemaking process. DOT posts
these comments, without edit, including any personal information the
commenter provides, to <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">www.regulations.gov</a>, as described in the system
of records notice (DOT/ALL-14 FDMS), which can be reviewed at
<a href="http://www.dot.gov/privacy">www.dot.gov/privacy</a>.
[[Page 11393]]
Availability of Rulemaking Documents
An electronic copy of this document may be downloaded through the
internet at <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">www.regulations.gov</a>. Recently published rulemaking
documents can also be accessed through the FAA's web page at
<a href="http://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/airspace_amendments/">www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/airspace_amendments/</a>.
You may review the public docket containing the proposal, any
comments received and any final disposition in person in the Dockets
Operations office (see ADDRESSES section for address, phone number, and
hours of operations). An informal docket may also be examined during
normal business hours at the office of the Western Service Center,
Federal Aviation Administration, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA
98198.
Incorporation by Reference
Jet Routes are published in paragraph 2004, VOR Federal Airways are
published in paragraph 6010, and Canadian Navigation Routes are
published in paragraph 6013 of FAA Order JO 7400.11, Airspace
Designations and Reporting Points, which is incorporated by reference
in 14 CFR 71.1 on an annual basis. This document proposes to amend the
current version of that order, FAA Order JO 7400.11J, dated July 31,
2024, and effective September 15, 2024. These updates would be
published in the next update to FAA Order JO 7400.11. That order is
publicly available as listed in the ADDRESSES section of this document.
FAA Order JO 7400.11J lists Class A, B, C, D, and E airspace areas,
air traffic service routes, and reporting points.
Background
The FAA is planning to decommission the VOR portion of the Whatcom,
WA, VORTAC. The Whatcom VOR is one of the candidate VORs identified for
discontinuance by the FAA's VOR MON program and listed in the Final
policy statement notice, ``Provision of Navigation Services for the
Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen) Transition to
Performance-Based Navigation (PBN) (Plan for Establishing a VOR Minimum
Operational Network),'' published in the Federal Register on July 26,
2016 (81 FR 48694), Docket No. FAA-2011-1082.
Although the VOR portion of the Whatcom VORTAC is planned for
decommissioning, the co-located Tactical Air Navigation (TACAN) portion
of the navigational aid is being retained. The TACAN would continue to
provide navigational service for military operations and Distance
Measuring Equipment (DME) service supporting current and future NextGen
PBN flight procedure requirements.
The Air Traffic Service routes affected by the planned
decommissioning of the Whatcom VOR are J-534, V-349, V-23, and V-165.
There are two airways that use the naming convention of V-23. One is
located in the state of Hawaii and the other is located in the state of
California. This action proposes to affect the V-23 in the state of
California and does not propose any changes to the V-23 in the state of
Hawaii. The FAA is proposing to revoke J-534 and V-349 in their
entirety. The FAA is also proposing to amend V-23 and V-165 and to
establish RNAV Route T-645. To mitigate the loss of Jet Route J-534,
aircraft can use nearby J-52 or RNAV Route Q-140. VOR Federal Airway V-
349 currently extends three nautical miles (NM) within United States
airspace and provides routing to the United States and Canadian border.
Aircraft can utilize nearby RNAV Route T-355 to navigate from the
Whatcom area to the United States and Canadian border. Portions of V-23
and V-165 will become unusable due to the decommissioning of the
Whatcom VOR. The FAA is proposing to amend V-23 by revoking the segment
that extends between the Paine, WA, VOR/DME and the Whatcom VORTAC. To
mitigate the loss of this segment, the FAA is establishing a new route
point, SAWVY, WA, waypoint (WP) to be located at the intersection of
RNAV Routes T-487 and T-355. The addition of this route point will
enable aircraft to transition between these two airways. The FAA is
proposing to amend V-165 by revoking the segment that extends between
the Penn Cove, WA, VOR/DME and the Whatcom VORTAC. T-355 serves as a
mitigation to the loss of this route segment. The FAA is also proposing
to establish Canadian RNAV Route T-645 within United States airspace.
This route would extend between the new EPSOP, WA, WP, located on the
United States and Canadian border, approximately three NM southwest of
the TECUV, WA, Fix and the new IKLIT, WA, WP, located on the United
States and Canadian border, approximately 15 NM northeast of the
Whatcom, WA, TACAN. NAV CANADA will establish this route within their
airspace and will connect their portion to the aforementioned points on
the United States and Canadian border.
The Proposal
The FAA is proposing an amendment to 14 CFR part 71 to revoke Jet
Route J-534 and VOR Federal Airway V-349, amend VOR Federal Airways V-
23 and V-165, and establish Canadian Area Navigation Route T-645 in
Northwestern United States. There are two airways that use the naming
convention of V-23. One is located in the state of Hawaii and the other
is located in the state of California. This action proposes to affect
the V-23 in the state of California and does not propose any changes to
the V-23 in the state of Hawaii. The FAA is proposing these actions due
to the pending decommissioning of the VOR portion of the Whatcom, WA,
VORTAC. The VOR portion of the Whatcom VORTAC is being decommissioned
in support of the FAA's VOR MON program.
J-534: J-534 currently extends between the intersection of the
Seattle, WA, VORTAC 033[deg] and the Whatcom, WA, VORTAC, 090[deg]
radials and Williams Lake, BC, Canada, VORTAC, excluding the airspace
within Canada. The FAA is proposing to revoke J-534 in its entirety.
V-349: V-349 currently extends between the Whatcom, WA, VORTAC and
Williams Lake, BC, Canada, VORTAC, excluding the airspace within
Canada. The FAA is proposing to revoke V-349 in its entirety.
V-23: V-23 in the state of California, currently extends between
the Mission Bay, CA, VORTAC and the United States and Canadian border
via the Whatcom, WA, VORTAC 290[deg] radial. The FAA is proposing to
amend V-23 by revoking the segment that extends between the Paine, WA,
VOR/DME and the Whatcom VORTAC. As amended, V-23 in the state of
California would extend between the Mission Bay VORTAC and the Paine
VOR/DME.
V-165: V-165 currently extends between the Mission Bay, CA, VORTAC
and the Whatcom, WA, VORTAC. The FAA is proposing to amend V-165 by
revoking the segment that extends between the Penn Cove, WA, VOR/DME
and the Whatcom VORTAC. As amended, V-165 would extend between the
Mission Bay VORTAC and the Penn Cove VOR/DME.
T-645: T-645 is being proposed as a new RNAV route to serve as an
additional mitigation to the aforementioned proposed airspace actions.
T-645 would extend between the EPSOP, WA, WP and the IKLIT, WA, WP.
Regulatory Notices and Analyses
The FAA has determined that this proposed 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
[[Page 11394]]
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 will only affect air traffic procedures
and air navigation, it is certified that this proposed 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
This proposal will be subject to an environmental analysis in
accordance with FAA Order 1050.1F, ``Environmental Impacts: Policies
and Procedures'' prior to any FAA final regulatory action.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 71
Airspace, Incorporation by reference, Navigation (air).
The Proposed Amendment
In consideration of the foregoing, the Federal Aviation
Administration proposes to amend 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); 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
7400.11J, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated July 31,
2024, and effective September 15, 2024, is amended as follows:
Paragraph 2004 Jet Routes.
* * * * *
J-534 [Removed]
* * * * *
Paragraph 6010(a) Domestic VOR Federal Airways.
* * * * *
V-349 [Removed]
* * * * *
V-23 [Amended]
From Mission Bay, CA; Oceanside, CA; 24 miles, six miles wide,
Seal Beach, CA; six miles wide, INT Seal Beach 287[deg] and Los
Angeles, 138[deg] radials; Los Angeles; Gorman, CA; Shafter, CA; to
INT Shafter 338[deg] and Panoche 096[deg] radials. From INT Panoche
035[deg] and Linden 141[deg] radials; Linden, CA; Sacramento, CA;
INT Sacramento 346[deg] and Red Bluff, CA, 158[deg] radials; Red
Bluff; 58 miles, 95 MSL, Fort Jones, CA; Rogue Valley, OR; Eugene,
OR; Battle Ground, WA; INT Battle Ground 350[deg] and Seattle, WA,
197[deg] radials; 21 miles, 45 MSL, Seattle; Paine, WA.
* * * * *
V-165 [Amended]
From Mission Bay, CA; INT Mission Bay 270[deg] and Oceanside,
CA, 177[deg] radials; Oceanside; 24 miles, 6 miles wide, Seal Beach,
CA; 6 miles wide, INT Seal Beach 287[deg] and Los Angeles, CA,
138[deg] radials; Los Angeles; INT Los Angeles 357[deg] and Lake
Hughes, CA, 154[deg] radials; Lake Hughes; INT Lake Hughes 344[deg]
and Shafter, CA, 137[deg] radials; Shafter; Tule, CA; INT Tule
339[deg] and Avenal, CA, 042[deg] radials. From INT Squaw Valley, CA
133[deg] and Mustang, NV, 183[deg] radials; 72 miles, 50 miles, 131
MSL, Mustang, NV; 40 miles, 12 AGL, 7 miles, 115 MSL, 54 miles, 135
MSL, 81 miles, 12 AGL, Lakeview, OR; 5 miles, 72 miles, 90 MSL,
Deschutes, OR; 16 miles, 19 miles, 95 MSL, 24 miles, 75 MSL, 12
miles, 65 MSL, Newberg, OR; 32 miles, 45 MSL, INT Newberg 355[deg]
and Olympia, WA, 195[deg] radials; Olympia; Penn Cove, WA.
* * * * *
Paragraph 6013 Canadian Area Navigation Routes.
* * * * *
T-645 EPSOP, WA to IKLIT, WA [New]
EPSOP, WA WP (Lat. 48[deg]49'55.86'' N, long. 123[deg]00'36.81'' W)
ITGIL, WA WP (Lat. 48[deg]55'50.99'' N, long. 122[deg]25'36.90'' W)
VOGAD, WA WP (Lat. 48[deg]57'21.70'' N, long. 122[deg]16'28.81'' W)
IKLIT, WA WP (Lat. 49[deg]00'08.80'' N, long. 122[deg]12'49.06'' W)
* * * * *
Issued in Washington, DC, on February 28, 2025.
Brian Eric Konie,
Manager (A), Rules and Regulations Group.
[FR Doc. 2025-03574 Filed 3-5-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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