Rules and Regulations. Direct final rule; request for comments

Agency: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT
Action: Direct final rule; request for comments
Citation: FR Doc. 00-7347 · Airspace Docket No. 2000-ASW-10 · 14 CFR 71

Summary

This amendment revises the Class D Airspace at Alexandria England Air Force Base (AFB), LA; revokes the Class D Airspace at Alexandria Esler Regional Airport, LA; and revises the Class E Airspace at Alexandria, LA. The closure of England AFB and subsequent name change to Alexandria International Airport and closure of the air traffic control tower at Esler Regional Airport have made this rule necessary. The intended effect of this proposal is to provide adequate controlled airspace for aircraft operating in the vicinity of Alexandria International and Esler Regional Airports.

Dates

Effective 0901 UTC, August 10, 2000. Comments must be received on or before May 8, 2000.

Supplementary Information

This amendment to 14 CFR part 71 revises the Class D Airspace at Alexandria England AFB, LA; revokes the Class D Airspace at Alexandria Esler Regional Airport, LA; and revises the Class E Airspace at Alexandria, LA. The closure of England AFB and subsequent name change to Alexandria International Airport and closure of the air traffic control tower at Esler Regional Airport have made this rule necessary. The intended effect of this proposal is to provide adequate controlled airspace for aircraft operating in the vicinity of Alexandria International and Esler Regional Airports. Class D and E airspace designations are published in Paragraphs 5000 and 6005 respectively, of FAA Order 7400.9G, dated September 1, 1999, and effective September 16, 1999, which is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR § 71.1. The Class D and E airspace designations listed in this document will be published subsequently in the order. The Direct Final Rule Procedure The FAA anticipates that this regulation will not result in adverse or negative comment and therefore is issuing it as a direct final rule. A substantial number of previous opportunities provided to the public to comment on substantially identical actions have resulted in negligible adverse comments or objections. Unless a written adverse or negative comment, or a written notice of intent to submit an adverse or negative comment is received within the comment period, the regulation will become effective on the date specified above. After the close of the comment period, the FAA will publish a document in the Federal Register indicating that no adverse or negative comments were received and confirming the date on which the final rule will become effective. If the FAA does receive, within the comment period, an adverse or negative comment, or written notice of intent to submit such a comment, a document withdrawing the direct final rule will be published in the Federal Register , and a notice of proposed rulemaking may be published with a new comment period. Comments Invited Although this action is in the form of a final rule and was not preceded by a notice of proposed rulemaking, comments are invited on this rule. Interested persons are invited to comment on this rule by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as they may desire. Communications should identify the Rule Docket number and be submitted in triplicate to the address specified under the caption ADDRESSES. All communications received on or before the closing date for comments will be considered, and this rule may be amended or withdrawn in light of the comments received. Factual information that supports the commenter's ideas and suggestions is extremely helpful in evaluating the effectiveness of this action and determining whether additional rulemaking action is needed. Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might suggest a need to modify the rule. All comments submitted will be available, both before and after the closing date for comments, in the Rules Docket for examination by interested persons. A report that summarizes each FAA-public contact concern with the substance of this action will be filed in the Rules Docket. Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments submitted in response to this rule must submit a self-addressed, stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: “Comments to Docket No. 2000-ASW-10.” The postcard will be date stamped and returned to the commenter. Agency Findings The regulations adopted herein will not have substantial direct effects on the States, on the relationship between the national government and the States, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government. Therefore, it is determined that this final rule will not have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132. Further, the FAA has determined that this regulation is noncontroversial and unlikely to result in adverse or negative comments and only involves an established body of technical regulations that require frequent and routine amendments to keep them operationally current. Therefore, I certify that 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) if promulgated, will not have a significant economic impact, positive or negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria of the Regulatory Flexibility Act. Since this rule involves routine matters that will only affect air traffic procedures and air navigation, it does not warrant preparation of a Regulatory Flexibility Analysis because the anticipated impact is so minimal. List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 71 Airspace, Incorporation by reference, Navigation (air). Adoption of the Amendment Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me, the Federal Aviation Administration amends 14 CFR part 71 as follows: PART 71—DESIGNATION OF CLASS A, CLASS B, CLASS C, CLASS D, AND CLASS E AIRSPACE AREAS; AIRWAYS; ROUTES; AND REPORTING POINTS 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. § 71.1 [Amended] 2. The incorporation by reference in 14 CFR 71.1 of the Federal Aviation Administration Order 7400.9G, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated September 1, 1999, and effective September 16, 1999, is amended as follows: Paragraph 5000 Class D airspace areas. ASW LA D Alexandria, LA [Revised] Alexandria International Airport, LA (Lat. 31°19′55″ N., long. 92°32′55″ W.) That airspace extending upward from the surface to and including 2,600 feet MSL within a 4.7-mile radius of Alexandria International Airport. ASW LA D Alexandria Esler Regional Airport, LA [Revoked] Paragraph 6005: Class E airspace areas extending upward from 700 feet or more above the surface of the earth. ASW LA E5 Alexandria, LA [Revised] Alexandria International Airport, LA (Lat. 31°19′39″ N., long. 92°32′55″ W.) Alexandria Esler Regional Airport, LA (Lat. 31°23′42″ N., long. 92°17′45″ W.) Esler VORTAC (Lat. 31°26′51″ N., long. 92°19′19″ W.) That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface within a 14-mile radius of Alexandria International Airport and within a 7.7-mile radius of Esler Regional Airport and within 1.7 miles each side of the 154° radial of the Esler VORTAC extending from the 7.7-mile radius to 10.6 miles southeast of the airport. Issued in Fort Worth, TX, on March 16, 2000. JoEllen Casilio, Assistant Manager, Air Traffic Division, Southwest Region. [FR Doc. 00-7347 Filed 3-23-00; 8:45 am]