[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 78 (Wednesday, April 23, 2003)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 19946-19947]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-10043]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 73

[Docket No. FAA-2002-13414; Airspace Docket No. 02-AGL-7]
RIN 2120-AA66


Modification of Restricted Areas R-6904A and R-6904B, Volk Field, 
WI

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action raises the upper limit of Restricted Areas 6904A 
(R-6904A) and R-6904B, Volk Field, WI, from 17,000 feet above mean sea 
level (MSL) to Flight Level 230 (FL 230). Expanding the vertical limit 
of these areas facilitates the transition of participating aircraft 
between these restricted areas and the overlying Volk West Air Traffic 
Control Assigned Airspace (ATCAA). The additional airspace is needed to 
fulfill new United States Air Force (USAF) training requirements. This 
rule makes no other changes to R-6904A or R-6904B.

EFFECTIVE DATE: 0901 UTC, July 10, 2003.

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 January 28, 2003, the FAA proposed (68 FR 4118) to amend 14 CFR 
part 73 to increase the vertical limits of R-6904A and R-6904B from 
17,000 feet above MSL to FL 230. The FAA proposed this action in 
response to a request from the USAF indicating that current airspace is 
not sufficient to fulfill new training requirements and that 
participating aircraft must change their flight profile by reducing 
their airspeed when crossing the 1,000 feet of airspace located above 
the restricted areas and below the Volk West ATCAA. This requested 
action facilitates the transition of participating aircraft between 
these restricted areas and the overlying Volk West ATCAA by eliminating 
the 1,000-foot gap between the restricted areas and the ATCAA. This 
action also provides additional airspace needed to fulfill new USAF 
training requirements. Specifically, new training requirements call for 
practicing the release of bombs from higher altitudes than are 
currently available within the existing airspace structure. The new 
upper limit of FL 230 is suitable for meeting this new training 
requirement. No other changes to R-6904A or R-6904B are made by this 
action. Interested parties were invited to participate in this 
rulemaking proceeding by submitting written comments on this proposal 
to the FAA.

Discussion of Comment

    In response to the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, the FAA received 
one comment supporting the proposed

[[Page 19947]]

change and no comments in opposition to the change.

The Rule

    This amendment to 14 CFR part 73 raises the vertical limits of R-
6904A and R-6904B from 17,000 feet above MSL to FL 230. This additional 
altitude is required to eliminate the 1,000-foot gap between the 
restricted areas and the overlying Volk West ATCAA, and to meet the Air 
Force's requirement to practice the release of bombs from higher 
altitudes than are currently available within the existing restricted 
area airspace. No other changes to R-6904A or R-6904B are made by this 
action.
    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

    The USAF determined that this amendment of the restricted area's 
designated altitude qualifies for a categorical exclusion. The FAA has 
reviewed the USAF's environmental documentation and concludes that this 
action is categorically excluded in accordance with FAA Order 1050.1D, 
Procedures for Handling Environmental Impacts, and the FAA/DOD 
Memorandum of Understanding of 1998 regarding Special Use Airspace 
actions.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 73

    Airspace, Navigation (air).

Adoption of the Amendment

0
In consideration of the foregoing, the Federal Aviation Administration 
amends 14 CFR part 73 as follows:

PART 73--SPECIAL USE AIRSPACE

0
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]

0
2. Sec.  73.63 is amended as follows:
* * * * *

R-6904A Volk Field, WI [Amended]

    By removing the current designated altitudes and substituting the 
following:
    Designated altitudes. 150 feet AGL to FL 230.

R-6904B Volk Field, WI [Amended]

    By removing the current designated altitudes and substituting the 
following:
    Designated altitudes. Surface to FL 230.
* * * * *

    Issued in Washington, DC, on April 16, 2003.
Reginald C. Matthews,
Manager, Airspace and Rules Division.
[FR Doc. 03-10043 Filed 4-22-03; 8:45 am]
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