[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 58 (Monday, March 26, 2001)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 16391-16392]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-7412]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 73

[Docket No. FAA-2001-9059; Airspace Docket No. 01-AWA-1]
RIN 2120-AA66


Establishment of Prohibited Area P-49 Crawford; TX

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action establishes Prohibited Area 49 (P-49) over the 
Crawford, TX, residence of the President of the United States. The FAA 
is taking the action to enhance security in the immediate vicinity of 
the presidential residence and assist the United States Secret Service 
in accomplishing its mission of providing security for the President of 
the United States.

EFFECTIVE DATES: 0901 UTC, May 17, 2001.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steve Rohring, 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

    On March 7, the Department of the Treasury, United States Secret 
Service requested that the FAA establish a prohibited area at Crawford, 
TX, to enhance the level of security provided the President. In order 
to provide adequate safeguards for the protection of the President, it 
is necessary to designate certain airspace above the presidential 
residence at Crawford, TX, as a prohibited area. Under the provision of 
Section 73.83, no person may operate an aircraft within that area

[[Page 16392]]

without permission from the using agency. This action responds to that 
request.

The Rule

    This amendment to 14 CFR part 73 establishes P-49 Crawford, TX. The 
prohibited area extends from the surface to 5,000 feet above mean sea 
level (MSL) within a 3-nautical mile (NM) radius of latitude 
31 deg.34'57" N., longitude 97 deg.32'37" W. Flight within this area is 
prohibited unless permission is obtained from the using agency.
    Because of the immediate need to enhance the security of the 
President, I find that notice and public procedure under 5 U.S.C. 
553(b) are impracticable. Section 73.89 of 14 CFR part 73 was 
republished in FAA Order 7400.8H, dated September 1, 2000.
    This regulation is limited to 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 it has been determined that 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

    The FAA has determined that this action to establish a prohibited 
area from the surface up to 5,000 feet MSL qualifies for categorical 
exclusion under the National Environmental Policy Act in accordance 
with FAA Order 1050.1D, Policies and Procedures for Considering 
Environmental Impacts. This airspace action is not expected to cause 
any potentially significant environmental impacts, and there do not 
appear to be extraordinary circumstances warranting preparation of an 
environmental assessment.

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. 73.63  [Amended]

    2.Part 73 is amended by adding new Section 73.63 to read as 
follows:
* * * * *

P-49  Crawford, TX [New]

    Boundaries. That airspace within a 3 NM radius of lat. 
31 deg.34'57" N., long. 97 deg.32'37" W.
    Designated altitudes. Surface to 5,000 feet MSL.
    Time of designation. Continuous.
    Using agency. United States Secret Service, Washington, DC.
* * * * *

    Issued in Washington, DC, on March 20, 2001.
Reginald C. Matthews,
Manager, Airspace and Rules Division.
[FR Doc. 01-7412 Filed 3-21-01; 2:49 pm]
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