[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 15 (Monday, January 25, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 3623-3624]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-1555]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 73

[Airspace Docket No. 98-ASW-47]
RIN 2120-AA66


Amendments to Restricted Areas 6302C, D and E; Fort Hood, TX

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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[[Page 3624]]

SUMMARY: This action modifies the internal boundaries of Restricted 
Areas 6302 (R-6302) Fort Hood, TX. Specifically, this action reduces 
the dimension of R-6302E, and reconfigures the internal adjoining 
boundaries of R-6302C and R-6302D. In addition, this action removes the 
altitude restrictions associated with R-6302C and R-6302D, when R-6302E 
is activated. The FAA is taking this action in response to a request 
from the United States Army (USA) to modify the restricted areas to 
more accurately reflect the actual use of the airspace.

EFFECTIVE DATE: 0901 UTC, March 25, 1999.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bill Nelson, 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

    As a result of a recent review of restricted area activity, the USA 
requested that the FAA take action to modify the dimensions of R-6302E 
to accurately reflect the protected airspace required for the 
operations being conducted therein. As a result of the review, the USA 
determined that when R-6302E is activated it encompasses the airspace 
above R-6302C and R-6302D which have not been activated because they 
are not required for the activity conducted therein. The FAA is 
granting the request because the total modification of the boundaries 
of the restricted airspace will provide additional airspace for other 
users of the National Airspace System. While this action modifies the 
western boundary of R-6302E, and redefines the internal abutting 
boundaries of R-6302C and R-6302D, it does not affect the designated 
altitudes, or activities conducted within R-6302C, R-6302D, and R-
6302E.

The Rule

    This amendment to 14 CFR part 73 modifies the dimension of R-6302E 
and the internal boundaries of R-6302C, and R-6302D. The FAA is taking 
this action in response to a request to modify the restricted areas to 
more accurately reflect the actual use of the airspace. Because this 
airspace is restricted, the solicitation of comments would not offer 
any meaningful right or benefit to any segment of the public, 
therefore, notice and comment under 5 U.S.C. 553(b) are unnecessary.
    The FAA has determined that this action 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 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

    This action reduces the lateral size of R-6302E, and internal 
boundaries of R-6302C and R-6302D. In accordance with FAA Order 
1050.1D, ``Polices and Procedures for Considering Environmental 
Impacts,'' this action is not subject to environmental assessments and 
procedures 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 proposes to amend 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. 73.25  [Amended]

    Sec. 73.25 is amended as follows:
* * * * *

R-6302C  Fort Hood, TX [Amended]

    By removing the existing boundaries and substituting the 
following:
    Boundaries: Beginning at lat. 31 deg.09'01'' N., long. 
97 deg.45'01'' W.; to lat. 31 deg.09'01'' N., long. 97 deg.55'01'' 
W.; to lat. 31 deg.16'01'' N., long. 97 deg.54'01'' W.; to lat. 
31 deg.19'01'' N., long. 97 deg.51'01'' W.; to lat. 31 deg.18'25'' 
N., long. 97 deg.48'48'' W.; to lat. 31 deg.14'15'' N., long. 
97 deg.50'33'' W.; to lat. 31 deg.10'01'' N., long. 97 deg.48'01'' 
W.; to the point of the beginning.

R-6302D  Fort Hood, TX [Amended]

    By removing the existing boundaries and substituting the 
following:
    Boundaries: Beginning at lat. 31 deg.18'25'' N., long. 
97 deg.48'48'' W.; to lat. 31 deg.19'01'' N., long. 97 deg.51'01'' 
W.; to lat. 31 deg.24'01'' N., long. 97 deg.48'01'' W.; to lat. 
31 deg.23'01'' N., long. 97 deg.43'01'' W.; to lat. 31 deg.22'08'' 
N., long. 97 deg.41'56'' W.; to lat. 31 deg.22'09'' N., long. 
97 deg.43'27'' W.; to lat. 31 deg.20'00'' N., long. 97 deg.45'23'' 
W.; to lat. 31 deg.18'23'' N., long. 97 deg.45'43'' W.; to the point 
of the beginning.

R-6302E  Fort Hood, TX [Amended]

    By removing the existing boundaries and substituting the 
following:
    Boundaries: Beginning at lat. 31 deg.22'08'' N., long. 
97 deg.41'56'' W.; to lat. 31 deg.21'01'' N., long. 97 deg.41'01'' 
W.; to lat. 31 deg.20'01'' N., long. 97 deg.41'01'' W.; to lat. 
31 deg.14'01'' N., long. 97 deg.33'01'' W.; to lat. 31 deg.08'01'' 
N., long. 97 deg.39'01'' W.; to lat. 31 deg.10'01'' N., long. 
97 deg.41'01'' W.; to lat. 31 deg.09'01'' N., long. 97 deg.43'01'' 
W.; to lat. 31 deg.09'01'' N., long. 97 deg.45'01'' W.; to lat. 
31 deg.10'01'' N., long. 97 deg.48'01'' W.; to lat. 31 deg.14'15'' 
N., long. 97 deg.50'33'' W.; to lat. 31 deg.18'25'' N., long. 
97 deg.48'48'' W.; to lat. 31 deg.18'23'' N., long. 97 deg.45'43'' 
W.; to lat. 31 deg.20'00'' N., long. 97 deg.45'23'' W.; to lat. 
31 deg.22'09'' N., long. 97 deg.43'27'' W.; to the point of the 
beginning.
* * * * *
    Issued in Washington, DC, January 15, 1999.
Reginald C. Matthews,
Acting Program Director for Air Traffic Airspace Management.
[FR Doc. 99-1555 Filed 1-22-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P