[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 119 (Wednesday, June 19, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 31021-31022]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-15635]



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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 73

[Airspace Docket No. 96-ASO-4]


Subdivision of Restricted Areas R-2104A and R-2104C, Huntsville, 
AL

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action subdivides Restricted Areas 2104A (R-2104A) and R-
2104C, Huntsville, AL, into two areas to permit more efficient use of 
the airspace. Specifically, the altitudes of subareas R-2104A and R-
2104C, are redesignated from the current ``surface to FL 300'' to 
``surface to 12,000 feet mean sea level (MSL).'' Additionally, the 
remaining restricted airspace, from 12,000 feet MSL to FL 300, is 
redefined as subareas R-2104D and R-2104E. No new restricted airspace 
is established by this amendment and the existing subarea R-2104B is 
not affected by this action.

EFFECTIVE DATE: 0901 UTC, August 15, 1996.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Paul Gallant, Airspace and Rules 
Division, ATA-400, Office of Air Traffic Airspace Management, Federal 
Aviation Administration, 800 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 
20591; telephone: (202) 267-8783.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The Rule

    This amendment to 14 CFR part 73 subdivides R-2104A and R-2104C, 
Huntsville, AL, to enable more efficient utilization of airspace. 
Currently, R-2104A and R-2104C extend from the surface to Flight Level 
300 (FL 300). The using agency frequently conducts activities within R-
2104A and R-2104C which require restricted airspace only up to 12,000 
feet MSL. However, due to the current configuration of the areas, 
airspace is actually restricted up to FL 300 whenever R-2104A and/or R-
2104C are activated. This unnecessarily limits public access to a 
portion of the airspace. This amendment subdivides R-2104A and R-2104C 
by redesignating their altitudes to extend from the surface to 12,000 
feet MSL, and by redefining the remaining restricted airspace, between 
12,000 feet MSL and FL 300, as new subareas R-2104D and R-2104E. The 
time of designation for subareas R-2104D and R-2104E is ``By Notice to 
Airmen (NOTAM) 6 hours in advance. This amendment enables the using 
agency to accomplish its mission while improving the capability to 
activate only the minimum amount of restricted airspace necessary for 
that mission. No additional restricted airspace is designated by this 
action. Further, the existing R-2104B is not affected by this 
amendment. This action involves the further subdivision of existing 
restricted areas and enhances efficient airspace utilization. 
Therefore, I find that notice and public procedure under 5 U.S.C. 
553(b) are unnecessary since this action is a minor amendment in which 
the public would not be particularly interested. The coordinates for 
this airspace docket are based on North American Datum 83. Section 
73.21 of part 73 of the Federal Aviation Regulations was republished in 
FAA Order 7400.8C dated June 19, 1995.
    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

    This action further subdivides existing restricted airspace to 
permit more efficient airspace utilization. There are no changes to air 
traffic control procedures or routes as a result of this action. 
Therefore, this action is not subject to environmental assessments and 
procedures under FAA Order 1050.1D, ``Policies and Procedures for 
Considering Environmental Impacts,'' and the National Environmental 
Policy Act.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 73

    Airspace, Navigation (air).

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. 73.21  [Amended]

    2. Section 73.21 is amended as follows:

R-2104A Huntsville, AL [Amended]

    By removing the current ``Designated altitudes. Surface to FL 300'' 
and substituting the following:
    ``Designated altitudes. Surface to 12,000 feet MSL.''

R-2104C Huntsville, AL [Amended]

    By removing the current ``Designated altitudes. Surface to FL 300'' 
and substituting the following:
    ``Designated altitudes. Surface to 12,000 feet MSL.''

R-2104D Huntsville, AL [New]

    Boundaries. Beginning at lat. 34 deg.38'40'' N., long. 
86 deg.43'00'' W.; to lat. 34 deg.38'40'' N., long. 86 deg.41'00'' W.; 
to lat. 34 deg.38'00'' N., long. 86 deg.40'53'' W.; to lat. 
34 deg.37'35'' N., long. 86 deg.37'40'' W.; to lat. 34 deg.37'00'' N., 
long. 86 deg.37'00'' W.; to lat. 34 deg.36'27'' N., long. 
86 deg.36'38'' W.; to lat. 34 deg.34'50'' N., long. 86 deg.36'38'' W.; 
thence west along the Tennessee River to lat. 34 deg.35'02'' N., long. 
86 deg.43'25'' W.; to lat. 34 deg.37'19'' N., long. 86 deg.43'20'' W.; 
to lat. 34 deg.37'19'' N., long. 86 deg.43'05'' W.; thence to the point 
of beginning.
    Designated altitudes. 12,000 feet MSL to FL 300.
    Time of designation. By NOTAM 6 hours in advance.
    Controlling agency. FAA, Memphis ARTCC.
    Using agency. Commanding General, U.S. Army Missile Command, 
Redstone Arsenal, AL.

R-2104E Huntsville, AL [New]

    Boundaries. Beginning at lat. 34 deg.41'25'' N., long. 
86 deg.42'57'' W.; to lat. 34 deg.42'00'' N., long. 86 deg.41'35'' W.; 
to lat. 34 deg.38'40'' N., long. 86 deg.41'00'' W.; to lat. 
34 deg.38'40'' N., long. 86 deg.43'00'' W.; thence to the point of 
beginning.
    Designated altitudes. 12,000 feet MSL to FL 300.
    Time of designation. By NOTAM 6 hours in advance.
    Controlling agency. FAA, Memphis ARTCC.
    Using agency. Commanding General, U.S. Army Missile Command, 
Redstone Arsenal, AL.


[[Page 31022]]


    Issued in Washington, DC, on June 11, 1996.
Harold W. Becker,
Acting Program Director for Air Traffic Airspace Management.
[FR Doc. 96-15635 Filed 6-18-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P