[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 15 (Thursday, January 23, 2003)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 3198-3199]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-1476]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 73

[Docket No. 2002-FAA-14184; Airspace Docket No. 02-AWP-12]
RIN 2120-AA66


Proposed Amendment of Restricted Area R-2303A and R-2303B, Fort 
Huachuca, AZ

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.

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SUMMARY: This action proposes to amend the designated time of use for 
restricted area R-2303A (R-2303A) and R-2303B, Fort Huachuca, AZ. 
Specifically, this action proposes to change the designated time of use 
for R-2303 A and B from ``Monday-Friday 0700-1600 local time,'' to 
``Monday-Friday 0700 to 1700 local time.'' Increased training 
requirements at Fort Huachuca have resulted in a regular need for 
restricted airspace usage up to 1700 hours Monday through Friday. This 
proposed modification would not change the current boundaries or 
activities conducted in R-2303 A and B.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before March 10, 2003.

ADDRESSES: Send comments on this proposal to the Docket Management 
System, U.S. Department of Transportation, Room Plaza 401, 400 Seventh 
Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590-0001. You must identify the docket 
numbers FAA-2002-14184/Airspace Docket No. 02-AWP-12 at the beginning 
of your comments.
    You may also submit comments through the Internet to http://dms.dot.gov. You may review the public docket containing the proposal; 
any comments received; and any final disposition in person in the 
Dockets Office between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except 
Federal holidays. The Dockets Office (telephone 1-800-647-5527) is on 
the plaza level of the NASSIF Building at the Department of 
Transportation at the above address. Also you may review public dockets 
on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov. An informal docket may also be 
examined during normal business hours at the office of the Regional Air 
Traffic Division, Federal Aviation Administration, 15000 Aviation 
Boulevard, Lawndale, CA 90261.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ken McElroy, 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:

Comments Invited

    Interested parties are invited to participate in this proposed 
rulemaking by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as they 
may desire. Comments that provide the factual basis supporting the 
views and suggestions presented are particularly helpful in developing 
reasoned regulatory decisions on the proposal. Comments are 
specifically invited on the overall regulatory, aeronautical, economic, 
environmental, and energy-related aspects of the proposal. 
Communications should identify both docket numbers and be submitted to 
the address listed above. Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge 
receipt of their comments on this notice must submit with those 
comments a self-addressed, stamped postcard on which the following 
statement is made: ``Comments to Docket No. FAA-2002-14184/Airspace 
Docket No. 02-AWP-12.'' The postcard will be date/time stamped and 
returned to the commenter.
    All communications received on or before the specified closing date 
for comments will be considered before taking action on the proposed 
rule. The proposal contained in this notice may be changed in light of 
comments received. All comments submitted will be available for 
examination in the Rules Docket both before and after the closing date 
for comments. A report summarizing each substantive public contact with 
FAA personnel concerned with this rulemaking will be filed in the 
docket.

Availability of NPRM's

    An electronic copy of this document may be downloaded through the 
Internet at http://dms.dot.gov. Recently published rulemaking documents 
can also be accessed through the FAA's web page at http://www.faa.gov 
or the Superintendent of Document's web page at http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara.
    Additionally, any person may obtain a copy of this notice by 
submitting a request to the Federal Aviation

[[Page 3199]]

Administration, Office of Air Traffic Airspace Management, ATA-400, 800 
Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20591, or by calling (202) 
267-8783. Communications must identify both docket numbers for this 
notice. Persons interested in being placed on a mailing list for future 
NPRM's should call the FAA's Office of Rulemaking, (202) 267-9677, for 
a copy of Advisory Circular No. 11-2A, Notice of Proposed Rulemaking 
Distribution System, which describes the application procedure.

Background

    Restricted airspace at Fort Huachuca, AZ, dates back to the 1960's. 
The current designated time of use for the restricted area was based on 
past use. The U.S. Army requested this change since increased training 
requirements have resulted in a regular need for restricted airspace 
usage up to 1700 hours Monday through Friday. The restricted areas 
hours of use during the past several years has been routinely extended 
from 1600 hours to 1700 hours by the issuance of a Notice to Airmen 
(NOTAM).

The Proposal

    The FAA is proposing an amendment to 14 Code of Federal Regulations 
(CFR) part 73 to amend the designated time of use for R-2303A and R-
2303B Fort Huachuca, AZ. Specifically, this action proposes to change 
the designated time of use for R-2303 A and B from ``Monday-Friday 
0700-1600 local time,'' to ``Monday-Friday 0700-to 1700 local time.'' 
The U.S. Army has proposed this modification to better accommodate 
increased training requirements at Fort Huachuca. This action would not 
change the current boundaries or activities conducted within R-2303A 
and B.
    Section 73.48 of part 73 of the Federal Aviation Regulations was 
republished in FAA Order 7400.8K dated September 26, 2002.
    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, 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 proposal will be subjected to the appropriate environmental 
analysis in accordance with FAA Order 1050.1D, Policies and Procedures 
for Considering Environmental Impacts, prior to any FAA final 
regulatory action.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 73

    Airspace, Navigation (air).

The Proposed 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.  73.23  [Amended]

    2. Sec.  73.23 is amended as follows:
* * * * *

R-2303A, AZ [Amended]

    By removing ``Time of designation. Monday-Friday, 0700-1600 local 
time; other times by NOTAM at least 24 hours in advance,'' and 
substituting ``Time of designation. Monday-Friday, 0700-1700 local 
time; other times by NOTAM at least 24 hours in advance,'' in its 
place.

R-2303B, AZ [Amended]

    By removing ``Time of designation. Monday-Friday, 0700-1600 local 
time; other times by NOTAM at least 24 hours in advance,'' and 
substituting ``Time of designation. Monday-Friday, 0700-1700 local 
time; other times by NOTAM at least 24 hours in advance,'' in its 
place.
* * * * *

    Issued in Washington, DC on January 16, 2003.
Reginald C. Matthews,
Manager, Airspace and Rules Division.
[FR Doc. 03-1476 Filed 1-22-03; 8:45 am]
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