[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 247 (Wednesday, December 24, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 67269]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-33622]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 73

[Airspace Docket No. 97-ASO-8]
RIN 2120-AA66


Revocation and Modification of Restricted Areas; FL

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action revokes Restricted Area R-2931, Cape Canaveral, 
FL, and modifies Restricted Areas R-2932 and R-2933 to absorb R-2931. 
The FAA is taking this action in response to a written notification 
from the U.S. Air Force that R-2931 is no longer necessary to support 
an Air Force mission requirement.

EFFECTIVE DATE: 0901 UTC, February 26, 1998.

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:

Background

    Restricted Area R-2931 was established on January 19, 1984, to 
contain a tethered aerostat balloon which was installed to enhance air 
defense surveillance and warning. In order to lessen the burden to the 
flying public, R-2931 was established entirely within two existing 
restricted areas, R-2924 and R-2925. Effective May 5, 1988, Restricted 
Areas R-2924 and R-2925 were redesignated as R-2932 and R-2933 as part 
of an effort to reconfigure and simplify the Cape Canaveral restricted 
airspace complex (53 FR 6796; March 3, 1988). The U.S. Air Force has 
notified the FAA that the aerostat operation has now been terminated at 
this location and that, consequently, R-2931 is no longer required for 
that purpose. The airspace of R-2931 will be reincorporated into the 
existing Restricted Areas R-2932 and R-2933.

The Rule

    This amendment to 14 CFR part 73 (part 73) revokes Restricted Area 
R-2931, and modifies R-2932 and R-2933 to absorb R-2931. In addition, 
this amendment corrects a minor error in one of the R-2932 boundary 
coordinates. Although R-2932 and R-2933 were established with 
coincident boundaries, one coordinate in the R-2932 description differs 
by one second of longitude from the same coordinate in R-2933. This 
error occurred when the FAA converted all positional data used in the 
National Airspace System from North American Datum (NAD) 27 to NAD 83 
(57 FR 201). During the conversion process, the required correction 
factor was inadvertently not applied to that one position.
    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. 
Therefore, this regulation: (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 action simply redefines existing restricted area 
airspace, and does not involve a change in the overall dimensions or 
operating requirements of that airspace, the FAA finds that notice and 
public procedure under 5 U.S.C. 553(b) are unnecessary.
    Section 73.29 of 14 CFR part 73 was republished in FAA Order 
7400.8E, dated November 7, 1997.

Environmental Review

    This action is a minor administrative change that redefines 
existing restricted airspace. Since R-2931 is totally imbedded within 
airspace already designated as restricted, there is no change to either 
the amount of restricted airspace or to any 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 of 1969.

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--SPECIAL USE AIRSPACE

    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.


Sec. 73.29  [Amended]

    2. Sec. 73.29 is amended as follows:
* * * * *

R-2931  Cape Canaveral, FL [Removed]

R-2932  Cape Canaveral, FL [Amended]

    By removing ``long. 80 deg.35'00''W.;'' and adding ``long. 
80 deg.34'59''W.;'' in its place; and by removing the words, 
``excluding the area within a 2-statute-mile radius circle centered 
at lat. 28 deg.27'55''N., long. 80 deg.32'06''W.''

R-2933  Cape Canaveral, FL [Amended]

    By removing the words, ``excluding the area within a 2-statute-
mile radius circle centered at lat. 28 deg.27'55''N., long. 
80 deg.32'06''W.''
* * * * *
    Issued in Washington, DC, on December 9, 1997.
Reginald C. Matthews,
Acting Program Director for Air Traffic Airspace Management.
[FR Doc. 97-33622 Filed 12-23-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P