[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 4 (Friday, January 6, 1995)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 2048-2049]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-367]



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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 73

[Airspace Docket No. 94-AWP-15]


Proposed Establishment of Restricted Area R-2311, Yuma Proving 
Ground, Yuma, AZ

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.

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SUMMARY: This proposed rule would establish Restricted Area R-2311, 
Yuma Proving Ground, Yuma, AZ, to replace the Controlled Firing Area 
(CFA) now in use near Yuma, AZ. The proposal is in support of the U.S. 
Army weapons and ammunition acceptance testing mission being relocated 
from Jefferson Proving Ground, IN.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before February 15, 1995.

ADDRESSES: Send comments on the proposal in triplicate to: Manager, Air 
Traffic Division, AWP-500, Docket No. 94-AWP-15, Federal Aviation 
Administration, P.O. Box 92007, Worldway Postal Center, Los Angeles, CA 
90009.
    The official docket may be examined in the Rules Docket, Office of 
the Chief Counsel, Room 916, 800 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, 
DC, weekdays, except Federal holidays, between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.
    An informal docket may also be examined during normal business 
hours at the office of the Regional Air Traffic Division.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
James R. Robinson, Military Operations Program Office (ATM-420), Office 
of Air Traffic System Management, Federal Aviation Administration, 800 
Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, D.C. 20591; telephone: (202) 493-
4050.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    Interested parties are invited to participate in this proposed 
rulemaking by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as they 
may desire. Comments that provide the factual basis supporting the 
views and suggestions presented are particularly helpful in developing 
reasoned regulatory decisions on the proposal. Comments are 
specifically invited on the overall regulatory, aeronautical, 
environmental, economic, and energy-related aspects of the proposal. 
Communications should identify the airspace docket number and be 
submitted in triplicate to the address listed above. Commenters wishing 
the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments on this notice must 
submit with those comments a self-addressed, stamped postcard on which 
the following statement is made: ``Comments to Airspace Docket No. 94-
AWP-15.'' The postcard will be date/time stamped and returned to the 
commenter. Send comments on environmental and land use aspects to: 
Commander, U.S. Army, Yuma Proving Ground, Attn: STEYP-ES, (Mr. Lance 
Vander Zyl), Yuma, AZ 85365-9107. All communications received on or 
before the specified closing date for comments will be considered 
before taking action on the proposed rule. The proposal contained in 
this notice may be changed in light of comments received. All comments 
submitted will be available for examination in the Rules Docket both 
before and after the closing date for comments. A report summarizing 
each substantive public contact with FAA personnel concerned with this 
rulemaking will be filed in the docket.

Availability of NPRM's

    Any person may obtain a copy of this Notice of Proposed Rulemaking 
(NPRM) by submitting a request to the Federal Aviation Administration, 
Office of Public Affairs, Attention: Public Inquiry Center, APA-220, 
800 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20591, or by calling (202) 
267-3485. Communications must identify the notice number of this NPRM. 
Persons interested in being placed on a mailing list for future NPRM's 
should also request a copy of Advisory Circular No. 11-2A, which 
describes the application procedure.

The Proposal

    The FAA is considering an amendment to part 73 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 73) to establish Restricted Area, R-
2311, Yuma Proving Ground, Yuma, AZ. The proposed new restricted area 
would be within the lateral boundaries of the existing KOFA South CFA 
and would extend from the surface to 3,500 feet mean sea level (MSL). 
The times of use would be identical to the existing KOFA South CFA, 
sunrise to sunset, Monday-Saturday; other times by NOTAM. The closure 
of Jefferson Proving Ground, IN, and the subsequent move of the 
munitions testing function to Yuma Proving Ground has created a need 
for uninterrupted use of this airspace to support the U.S. Army test 
and evaluation command mission. These activities can not be fully 
accommodated on existing ranges located at Yuma Proving Ground. The 
restrictions and limitations on CFA activity are not amenable to the 
type of activity required for munitions [[Page 2049]] production 
acceptance testing. The proposed restricted area would provide improved 
capabilities for the ammunition acceptance testing program and mine 
testing facility activities. The proposed restricted area would be 
joint use. When not being utilized by Yuma Proving Ground, it would be 
released to the controlling agency, Yuma Approach Control. The 
coordinates for this airspace docket are based on North American Datum 
83. Section 73.23 of part 73 of the Federal Aviation Regulations was 
republished in FAA Order 7400.8B dated March 9, 1994.
    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 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, will not have a significant 
economic impact on a substantial number of small entities under the 
criteria of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.

Environmental Review

    An environmental impact statement (EIS) concerning the proposal has 
been prepared by the U.S. Army. The FAA will review the EIS prior to an 
FAA final decision on the proposal. The results of the review will be 
addressed in any subsequent rulemaking action.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 73

    Airspace, Navigation (air).

The Proposed Amendment

    In consideration of the foregoing, the Federal Aviation 
Administration proposes to amend 14 CFR part 73 as follows:

PART 73--[AMENDED]

    1. The authority citation for part 73 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. app. 1348(a), 1354(a), 1510, 1522; E.O. 
10854, 24 FR 9565, 3 CFR, 1959-1963 Comp., p. 389; 49 U.S.C. 106(g); 
14 CFR 11.69.

    2. Section 73.23 is amended as follows:


Sec. 73.23  [Amended]

R-2311 Yuma Proving Ground, Yuma, AZ [New]

    Boundaries. Beginning at lat. 32 deg.46'48'' N., long. 
114 deg.19'16'' W.; to lat. 32 deg.51'20'' N., long. 114 deg.19'04'' 
W.; to lat. 32 deg.51'53'' N., long. 114 deg.03'40'' W.; to lat. 
32 deg.46'48'' N., long. 114 deg.03'51'' W.;
to the point of beginning.
    Altitudes. Surface to 3,500 feet MSL.
    Time of designation. Sunrise to sunset, Monday-Saturday; other 
times by NOTAM.
    Controlling Agency. Yuma Approach Control.
    Using Agency. U.S. Army, Commanding Officer, Yuma Proving 
Ground, Yuma, AZ.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on December 21, 1994.
Harold W. Becker,
Manager, Airspace-Rules and Aeronautical Information Division.
[FR Doc. 95-367 Filed 1-5-95, 8:45am]
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