Amendment of Class E Airspace; Meeker, CO

AGENCY:

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION:

Final rule.

SUMMARY:

This action modifies the Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at Meeker Coulter Field Airport, Meeker, CO, by reducing the dimensions of the airspace area. Additionally, this action implements an administrative update to the airport's name.

DATES:

Effective 0901 UTC, June 17, 2021. 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 7400.11 and publication of conforming amendments.

ADDRESSES:

FAA Order 7400.11E, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, and subsequent amendments can be viewed online at https://www.faa.gov//air_traffic/publications/ . For further information, you can contact the Airspace Policy Group, Federal Aviation Administration, 800 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20591; telephone: (202) 267-8783. The Order is also available for inspection at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of FAA Order 7400.11E at NARA, email fedreg.legal@nara.gov or go to https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html .

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Matthew Van Der Wal, Federal Aviation Administration, Western Service Center, Operations Support Group, 2200 S 216th Street, Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone (206) 231-3695.

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 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 Class E airspace at Meeker Coulter Field Airport, Meeker, CO, to ensure the safety and management of IFR operations at the airport.

History

The FAA published a notice of proposed rulemaking in the Federal Register (85 FR 85564; December 29, 2020) for Docket No. FAA-2020-1098 to modify the Class E airspace at Meeker Coulter Field Airport, Meeker, CO. Interested parties were invited to participate in this rulemaking effort by submitting written comments on the proposal to the FAA. No comments were received.

Subsequent to the publication of the NPRM, the FAA determined that the proposed description of the airspace created a small gap between the circular radius of the airport and the airspace on either side of the 220° bearing from the airport. The final rule removes the small gap by adjusting the 220° bearing to the 221° bearing from the airport, and changes the distance on either side of the 221° bearing from 1.0 mile to 1.1 miles. This adjustment will not impact the external boundaries of the airspace. Further, the final rule removes excess verbiage from the airspace's description. The corrected airspace description reads: That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface within a 3.5-mile radius of the airport, and within 1.1 miles each side of the 221° bearing from the airport, extending from the 3.5-mile radius to 9 mile southwest of the airport, and within 4 miles north and 8 miles south of the 292° bearing from the airport, extending from 2.1 miles west of the airport to 18.1 miles west of Meeker Coulter Field Airport.

Class E5 airspace designations are published in paragraph 6005 of FAA Order 7400.11E, dated July 21, 2020, and effective September 15, 2020, which is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1. The Class E airspace designation listed in this document will be published subsequently in the Order.

Availability and Summary of Documents for Incorporation by Reference

This document amends FAA Order 7400.11E, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated July 21, 2020, and effective September 15, 2020. FAA Order 7400.11E is publicly available as listed in the ADDRESSES section of this document. FAA Order 7400.11E lists Class A, B, C, D, and E airspace areas, air traffic service routes, and reporting points.

The Rule

This amendment to 14 CFR part 71 modifies the Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at Meeker Coulter Field Airport, Meeker, CO. This airspace is designed to contain IFR departures to 1,200 feet above the surface and IFR arrivals descending below 1,500 feet above the surface. The airspace area was larger than required and has been reduced to properly contain IFR aircraft departing and arriving at the airport.

Additionally, this action implements an administrative update to the airport's name. To match the FAA database, the airport name is updated to Meeker Coulter Field Airport.

FAA Order 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, is non-controversial, and unlikely to result in adverse or negative comments. It, therefore: (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 will only affect air traffic procedures and air navigation, it is certified that this rule, when promulgated, would 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 qualifies for categorical exclusion under the National Environmental Policy Act in accordance with FAA Order 1050.1F, “Environmental Impacts: Policies and Procedures,” paragraph 5-6.5a. This airspace action is not expected to cause any potentially significant environmental impacts, and no extraordinary circumstances exist that warrant the 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

1. The authority citation for 14 CFR part 71 continues to read as follows:

Authority: 9 U.S.C. 106(f), 106(g), 40103, 40113, 40120; E.O. 10854, 24 FR 9565, 3 CFR, 1959-1963 Comp., p. 389.

2. The incorporation by reference in 14 CFR 71.1 of FAA Order 7400.11E, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated July 21, 2020, and effective September 15, 2020, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 6005 Class E Airspace Areas Extending Upward From 700 Feet or More Above the Surface of the Earth.

ANM CO E5 Meeker, CO [Amended]

Meeker Coulter Field Airport, CO

(Lat. 40°02′56″ N, long. 107°53′09″ W)

That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface within a 3.5-mile radius of the airport, and within 1.1 miles each side of the 221° bearing from the airport, extending from the 3.5-mile radius to 9 mile southwest of the airport, and within 4 miles north and 8 miles south of the 292° bearing from the airport, extending from 2.1 miles west of the airport to 18.1 miles west of Meeker Coulter Field Airport.