[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 115 (Thursday, June 15, 1995)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 31425-31426]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-14653]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 73
[Airspace Docket No. 93-AWP-8]
Proposed Modification of Restricted Areas R-2303A and R-2303B,
and Establishment of R-2303C, Fort Huachuca, AZ
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (SNPRM).
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SUMMARY: This supplemental notice proposes to amend special use
airspace at Fort Huachuca, AZ, as proposed in a prior notice of
proposed rulemaking (NPRM). In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to amend
Restricted Area R-2303A to exclude the Fort Huachuca/Libby AAF/Sierra
Vista Municipal Airport from the restricted area and provide airspace
for visual flight rules (VFR) access to the airport when R-2303A is in
use. Based upon comments received in response to the NPRM the FAA is
considering increasing the airport exclusion and VFR access to the
airport by increasing the ceiling from 1,500 feet above ground level
(AGL) to 7,000 feet mean sea level (MSL) (2,284 AGL). These changes are
proposed to accommodate increased training requirements and to return
unneeded special use airspace to the National Airspace System (NAS).
DATES: Comments must be received on or before June 30, 1995.
ADDRESSES: Send comments on the proposal in triplicate to: Manager, Air
Traffic Division, AWP-500, Docket No. 93-AWP-8, 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, 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. 93-AWP-8.'' 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
Garrison, Attn: Mr. John Murray ATZS-EHB, Fort Huachuca, AZ 85613-6000.
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 Supplemental Notice of
Proposed Rulemaking (SNPRM) 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 SNPRM. 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.
Background
The FAA previously published an NPRM proposing to amend R-2303B by
relocating the northern boundary 3 miles south of its existing
position. This would better accommodate hang gliding activity that
takes place just outside of the northwest corner of existing R-2303B.
R-2303B would also be subdivided to designate the southeastern section
as a separate restricted area, R-2303C. This NPRM also proposed to
lower the floor of R-2303B from 15,000 feet MSL to 8,000 feet MSL,
excluding that airspace within R-2303A when activated, in order to
accommodate unmanned aerial vehicle training profiles. This amendment
of R-2303B prevents the airspace between 8,000 and 15,000 feet within
the lateral confines of R-2303A from simultaneously being reflected in
both restricted areas, R-2303A and R-2303B. The ceiling of R-2303B
would be lowered from FL 450 to FL 300. The U.S. Army has determined
that there is no longer a requirement for restricted airspace above FL
300, therefore, that airspace would be returned to the NAS. Lastly, the
times of designation for R-2303A and R-2303B would be reduced from
``Monday-Saturday, 0700-1600 local time; other times by NOTAM at least
24 hours in advance,'' to ``Monday-Friday, 0700-1600 local time; other
times by NOTAM at least 24 hours in advance.''
Activation of R-2303C would be intermittent by NOTAM at least 24
hours in advance. Designation of R-2303C is proposed to accommodate
hang gliding activities that occur just outside of the southeastern
corner of existing R-2303B. [[Page 31426]]
The Proposal
The FAA is considering an amendment to part 73 of the Federal
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 73) to amend R-2303A, R-2303B, and
establish R-2303C at Fort Huachuca, AZ. The FAA published an earlier
NPRM concerning these restricted areas on July 21, 1994 (59 FR 37188).
As a result of comments received in response to the NPRM, the FAA is
considering increasing the ceiling of the airport exclusion and VFR
access corridor at the Libby AAF/Sierra Vista Municipal Airport. R-
2303A would be amended to exclude from the restricted area the airspace
from the surface to 7,000 feet MSL, within a 3-nautical-mile radius of
the Fort Huachuca/Libby AAF/Sierra Vista Municipal Airport. The
airspace from the surface to 7,000 feet MSL within 1-nautical-mile
either side of U.S. Highway 90 would also be excluded. This would
provide VFR access to the airport when R-2303A is in use. Comments
received in response to the NPRM and this SNPRM will be addressed in
the final disposition of the rule. 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 review of the proposal will be conducted by the
U.S. Army and the FAA 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 proposed in the
Federal Register on July 21, 1994, (59 FR 37188; July 21, 1994) as
follows:
PART 73--[AMENDED]
1. The authority citation for part 73 is revised to read as
follows:
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 40103, 40113, 40120; 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-2303A Fort Huachuca, AZ [Revised]
Boundaries. Beginning at lat. 31 deg.40'40'' N., long.
110 deg.11'02'' W.; to lat. 31 deg.34'00'' N., long. 110 deg.08'32''
W.; to lat. 31 deg.34'00'' N., long. 110 deg.22'02'' W.; to lat.
31 deg.33'00'' N., long. 110 deg.23'02'' W.; to lat. 31 deg.29'00''
N., long. 110 deg.23'02'' W.; to lat. 31 deg.29'00'' N., long.
110 deg.41'32'' W.; to lat. 31 deg.34'00'' N., long. 110 deg.43'32''
W.; to lat. 31 deg.38'30'' N., long. 110 deg.42'02'' W.; to lat.
31 deg.38'30'' N., long. 110 deg.39'32'' W.; to lat. 31 deg.41'00''
N., long. 110 deg.33'32'' W.; to lat. 31 deg.41'00'' N., long.
110 deg.12'02'' W.; to the point of beginning.
Altitudes. Surface to 15,000 feet MSL, excluding the airspace from
the surface to 7,000 feet MSL within a 3-nautical-mile radius of the
Fort Huachuca/Libby AAF/Sierra Vista Municipal Airport, AZ, and
excluding the airspace from the surface to 7,000 feet MSL within 1-
nautical-mile either side of U.S. Highway 90.
Time of designation. Monday-Friday, 0700-1600 local time; other
times by NOTAM at least 24 hours in advance.
Controlling agency. FAA, Albuquerque ARTCC.
Using agency. U.S. Army Intelligence Center, Fort Huachuca, AZ.
R-2303B Fort Huachuca, AZ [Revised]
Boundaries. Beginning at lat. 31 deg.45'00'' N., long.
110 deg.20'02'' W.; to lat. 31 deg.41'00''N., long. 110 deg.12'02''
W.; to lat. 31 deg.40'40'' N., long. 110 deg.11'02'' W.; to lat.
31 deg.34'00'' N., long. 110 deg.08'32'' W.; to lat. 31 deg.34'00''
N., long. 110 deg.22'02'' W.; to lat. 31 deg.33'00'' N., long.
110 deg.23'02'' W.; to lat. 31 deg.29'00'' N., long. 110 deg.23'02''
W.; to lat. 31 deg.29'00'' N., long. 110 deg.25'02'' W.; to lat.
31 deg.24'00'' N., long. 110 deg.25'02'' W.; to lat. 31 deg.24'00''
N., long. 110 deg.45'02'' W.; to lat. 31 deg.45'00'' N., long.
110 deg.45'52'' W.; to the point of beginning.
Altitudes. 8,000 feet MSL to FL 300, excluding that airspace within
R-2303A when activated.
Time of designation. Monday-Friday, 0700-1600 local time; other
times by NOTAM at least 24 hours in advance.
Controlling agency. FAA, Albuquerque ARTCC.
Using agency, U.S. Army Intelligence Center, Fort Huachuca, AZ.
R-2303C Fort Huachuca, AZ [New]
Boundaries. Beginning at lat. 31 deg.35'00'' N., long.
110 deg.00'02'' W.; to lat. 31 deg.24'00'' N., long. 110 deg.00'02''
W.; to lat. 31 deg.24'00'' N., long. 110 deg.25'02'' W.; to lat.
31029'00'' N., long. 110 deg.25'02'' W.; to lat. 31 deg.29'00'' N.,
long. 110 deg.23'02'' W.; to lat. 31 deg.33'00'' N., long.
110 deg.23'02'' W.; to lat. 31 deg.34'00'' N., long. 110 deg.22'02''
W.; to lat. 31 deg.34'00'' N., long. 110 deg.08'32'' W.; to lat.
31 deg.40'40'' N., long. 110 deg.11'02'' W.; to the point of
beginning.
Altitudes. 15,000 feet MSL to FL 300.
Time of designation. Intermittent by NOTAM at least 24 hours in
advance.
Controlling agency. FAA, Albuquerque ARTCC. Using agency. U.S. Army
Intelligence Center, Fort Huachuca, AZ.
Issued in Washington, DC, on June 7, 1995.
Harold W. Becker,
Manager, Airspace--Rules and Aeronautical Information Division.
[FR Doc. 95-14653 Filed 6-14-95; 8:45 am]
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