[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 1 (Tuesday, January 2, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 4-5]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-31571]



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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 73

[Airspace Docket No. 93-ASO-8]


Expansion of Restricted Area R-2917, De Funiak Springs, FL

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action expands the lateral and vertical dimensions of 
Restricted Area R-2917, De Funiak Springs, FL, to increase the size of 
the special use airspace around an existing Space Detection and 
Tracking Radar (FPS-85) system located at that site. A revision to U.S. 
Air Force safety regulations increased the size of special use airspace 
required around such installations to lessen any potential hazard to 
aircraft which are carrying electroexplosive devices.

EFFECTIVE DATE: 0901 UTC, February 29, 1996.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Paul Gallant, Military Operations 
Program Office, Office of Air Traffic System Management, Federal 
Aviation Administration, 800 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 
20591; telephone: (202) 267-9361.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

History

    On December 3, 1993, the FAA proposed to increase the lateral and 
vertical dimensions of R-2917 from a circular area with a 1.25-statute-
mile radius, extending from the surface to 5,000 feet mean sea level, 
to a 2.5-nautical-mile radius circle, extending to, but not including 
Flight Level 230 (58 FR 63908).
    Interested parties were invited to participate in this rulemaking 
proceeding by submitting written comments on the proposal to the FAA. 
No comments objecting to the proposal were received. Except for 
editorial changes, this amendment is the same as that proposed in the 
notice. The coordinates for this airspace docket are based on North 
American Datum 83. Section 73.29 of part 73 of the Federal Aviation 
Regulations was republished in FAA Order 7400.8C dated June 29, 1995.

The Rule

    This amendment to part 73 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
CFR part 73) increases the lateral and vertical dimensions of 
Restricted Area R-2917, De Funiak Springs, FL, in order to expand the 
special use airspace around an FPS-85 radar facility. The amendment 
increases the size of R-2917 to a 2.5-nautical-mile radius circle, and 
raises the designated altitude to, but not including, Flight Level 230. 
The Radio Frequency (RF) energy transmitted by the FPS-85 radar 
potentially could ignite electroexplosive devices that may be carried 
on board certain aircraft. There has been no increase in the power 
output or change to the emission pattern of the radar. This expansion 
is necessary because the U.S. Air Force has adopted revised safety 
criteria which better define the limits of the RF emission pattern of 
the FPS-85 radar. The expanded R-2917 remains totally within the 
confines of another existing restricted area, R-2914A, which extends 
from the surface to unlimited altitude, with a ``continuous'' time of 
designation. Consequently, since the affected area remains continuously 
designated restricted airspace, there will be no impact on 
nonparticipating aircraft operations as a result of this expansion. 
This amendment replaces a temporary flight restriction which was 
implemented as an interim safety measure at the site. This amendment 
also changes the title of the using agency to ``U.S. Air Force, 
Commander, U.S. Space Command, Peterson AFB, CO,'' and adds a 
controlling agency for R-2917, with the title ``U.S. Air Force, Eglin 
Approach Control.''
    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. 
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 will not have a significant economic impact on 
a substantial number of small entities under the criteria of the 
Regulatory Flexibility Act.

Environmental Review

    The U.S. Air Force completed an Environmental Impact Analysis of 
the proposed expansion action in accordance with Air Force Regulations, 
and applicable Federal Laws, regulations, and Executive Orders. The Air 
Force has determined that the action qualified for categorical 
exclusion 2R under Air Force Regulations: ``Continuation of actions, if 
there is not substantial, adverse change from previously existing 
conditions.''
    Because the expansion action is a minor adjustment to the internal 
boundaries of overlapping restricted areas, which does not change the 
outer limits of the restricted airspace as a whole, and the changes in 
the title of the using agency and addition of a controlling agency do 
not have potential environmental consequences, the FAA has determined 
that this action qualifies for categorical exclusion as a minor 
adjustment to a special-use airspace action under Paragraph 3(c) of 
Appendix 3 of FAA Order 1050.1D, ``Policies and Procedures for 
Considering Environmental Impacts'' and the regulations implementing 
the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, 40 CFR part 1500. A 
documented categorical exclusion has been prepared by the FAA and 
placed in the Docket for the Final Rule.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 73

    Airspace, Navigation (air). 
    
[[Page 5]]


Adoption of the Amendment

    In consideration of the foregoing, the Federal Aviation 
Administration amends 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. 106(g); 40103, 40113, 40120; E.O. 10854; 24 
FR 9565, 3 CFR, 1959-1963 Comp., p. 389; 14 CFR 11.69.


Sec. 73.29  [Amended]

R-2917 De Funiak Springs, FL [Revised]

Boundaries. A circle with a 2.5 NM radius centered at:
    Lat. 30 deg.32'55'' N., long. 86 deg.12'52'' W.

    Designated altitudes. Surface to but not including FL 230.
    Time of designation. Continuous.
    Controlling agency. U.S. Air Force, Eglin Approach Control.
    Using agency. U.S. Air Force, Commander, U.S. Space Command, 
Peterson AFB, CO.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on December 21, 1995.
Harold W. Becker,
Manager, Airspace-Rules and Aeronautical Information Division.
[FR Doc. 95-31571 Filed 12-29-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P