[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 22 (Tuesday, February 3, 2004)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 5099-5101]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-2178]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 73

Docket No. FAA-2003-16531; Airspace Docket No. 96-ASO-10

RIN 2120-AA66


Proposed Modification and Revocation of Restricted Areas 3007A, 
B, C, D, and E; Townsend, GA

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (SNPRM).

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SUMMARY: This action proposes to reconfigure the existing restricted 
area (R-3007) over the Townsend Range, GA, by reducing the lateral size 
and raising the vertical limits of the area. Additionally, this action 
proposes to change the using agency of the area, and increase the time 
of designation. The FAA is proposing this action to better accommodate 
Department of Defense (DOD) training requirements and enable more 
efficient use of the airspace. This action supplements a previously 
published document.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before March 19, 2004.

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 FAA Docket No. 
FAA-2003-16531, and AirspaceDocket No. 96-ASO-10, at the beginning of 
your comments. You may also submit comments on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov.

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:

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 (FAA Docket 
No.FAA-2003-16531, and Airspace Docket No. 96-ASO-10) and be submitted 
in triplicate to the Docket Management System (see ADDRESSES section 
for address and phone number). You may also submit comments through the 
Internet at http://dms.dot.gov.
    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 FAA Docket No. FAA-2003-16531, and Airspace DocketNo. 96-ASO-10.'' 
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 public 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 Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM)

    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 Federal Register's Web page at http://www.gpoaccess.gov/fr/index.html.
    You may review the public docket containing the proposal, any 
comments received, and any final disposition in person in the Dockets 
Office (see ADDRESSES section for address and phone number) between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. An 
informal docket may also be examined during normal business hours at 
the office of the Regional Air Traffic Division, Federal Aviation 
Administration, Southern Region Headquarters, 1701 Columbia Avenue, 
College Park, GA 30337.
    Persons interested in being placed on a mailing list for future 
NPRM's should call the FAA's Office of Rulemaking, (202) 367-9677, for 
a copy of Advisory Circular No. 11-2A, Notice of Proposed Rulemaking 
Distribution System, which describes the application procedure.

Background

    On December 5, 1996, the FAA published an NPRM to modify the

[[Page 5100]]

restricted airspace area over Townsend Range, GA complex, by reducing 
the lateral size of the area, raising the vertical limits, and 
increasing the time of designation. In addition, the FAA proposed to 
change the using agency of the area (61 FR 64494). The comment period 
for this proposal closed on January 21, 1997. No comments were received 
in response to the notice.
    On June 18, 1997, the proponent requested that the FAA suspend 
further action on this proposal pending the proponent's completion of 
additional airspace and environmental studies of the Coastal Military 
Operations Area proposal. Considering the extended time that has 
elapsed since the original NPRM was published, the FAA is now providing 
this supplemental notice in order to solicit additional public comment 
on the proposal.

The Proposal

    The FAA is proposing an amendment to title 14 Code of Federal 
Regulations(14 CFR) part 73 (part 73) to modify Restricted Areas 3007A, 
B, C, D, and E(R-3007A, B, C, D, and E), at Townsend Range, GA, to 
better accommodate DOD training requirements, eliminate restricted 
airspace no longer required for military training, and enable more 
efficient use of airspace.
    This proposed amendment would delete all restricted airspace 
currently contained in R-3007A, and approximately half of the 
restricted airspace currently described as R-3007B. The remaining 
existing restricted airspace would be redesignated as R-3007A, B, or C. 
Specifically, R-3007E would be revoked and its circular surface target 
area would be designated as R-3007A. The current R-3007D would be 
designated as R-3007B, and the existing R-3007C would be revised to 
incorporate the remaining portion of the former R-3007B.
    A new restricted area, R-3007D, would be established above the 
proposed R-3007A, B, and C raising the ceiling of restricted airspace 
from 13,000 feet above sea level (MSL) to flight level (FL) 250. The 
purpose of the proposed R-3007D is to accommodate high altitude, high 
angle weapons delivery training.
    This action also proposes a six hour daily increase in the time of 
designation for the revised Townsend Range complex from the current 
``Monday-Friday, 0800-1700 local time, other times by NOTAM at least 24 
hours in advance,'' to ``0700-2200 local time Monday-Friday, other 
times by NOTAM at least 24 hours in advance.'' This change is proposed 
to permit more flexible range utilization and accommodate increased 
night training requirements. Additionally, the proposed increase would 
more accurately inform other National Airspace System users of time 
periods when the range may be in use, as well as reduce NOTAM system 
workload.
    Finally, the using agency name for all sub-areas would be changed 
from ``Savannah Air National Guard Training Site, Garden City, GA,'' to 
``ANG, Savannah Combat Readiness Training Center, GA,'' to reflect the 
current organizational name. The Townsend Range complex will be a 
joint-use airspace and the restricted areas will be returned to the 
controlling agency on a real-time basis when not required for military 
activities.
    Section 73.30 of part 73 of the Federal Aviation Regulations was 
republished in FAA Order 7400.8L dated October 7, 2003.
    The FAA has determined that this proposed regulation only involves 
an established body of technical regulations for which frequent and 
routine amendments are necessary to keep them operationally current. 
Therefore, this proposed 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 proposed 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 the 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. 73.30  [Amended]

    2. Sec. 73.30 is amended as follows:

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R--3007A Townsend, GA (Revised)

Boundaries. A circular area with a 1.5-mile radius centered at lat. 
3133[min]16[sec] N., long. 
8134[min]44[sec] W.
Designated altitudes. Surface to but not including 13,000 feet MSL.
Time of designation. 0700-2200 local time, Monday-Friday; other 
times by NOTAM at least 24 hours in advance.
Controlling agency. FAA, Jacksonville ARTCC.
Using agency. ANG, Savannah Combat Readiness Training Center, GA.

R--3007B Townsend, GA (Revised)

Boundaries. Beginning at lat. 3138[min]01[sec] N., 
long. 8128[min]59[sec] W.;
    to lat. 3137[min]31[sec] N., long. 
8128[min]14[sec] W.;
    to lat. 3132[min]31[sec] N., long. 
8127[min]29[sec] W.;
    to lat. 3126[min]16[sec] N., long. 
8131[min]29[sec] W.;
    to lat. 3125[min]31[sec] N., long. 
8135[min]59[sec] W.;
    to lat. 3127[min]26[sec] N., long. 
8133[min]39[sec] W.;
    to lat. 3131[min]16[sec] N., long. 
8131[min]59[sec] W.;
    thence along a 1 NM radius arc clockwise of a point centered at 
lat. 3132[min]26[sec] N., long. 
8131[min]49[sec] W.;
    to lat. 3133[min]16[sec] N., long. 
8131[min]14[sec] W.;
    to the point of beginning.
Designated altitudes. 1,200 feet AGL to but not including 13,000 
feet MSL.
Time of designation. 0700-2200 local time, Monday-Friday; other 
times by NOTAM at least 24 hours in advance.
Controlling agency. FAA, Jacksonville ARTCC.
Using agency. ANG, Savannah Combat Readiness Training Center, GA.

R--3007C Townsend, GA (Revised)

Boundaries. Beginning at lat. 3138[min]01[sec] N., 
long. 8146[min]59[sec] W.;
    to lat. 3142[min]31[sec] N., long. 
8133[min]59[sec] W.;
    to lat. 3138[min]01[sec] N., long. 
8128[min]59[sec] W.;
    to lat. 3133[min]16[sec] N., long. 
8131[min]14[sec] W.;
    thence along a 1 NM radius arc counterclockwise of a point 
centered at lat. 3132[min]26[sec] N., long. 
8131[min]49[sec] W.;
    to lat. 3131[min]16[sec] N., long. 
8131[min]59[sec] W.;
    to lat. 3127[min]26[sec] N., long. 
8133[min]39[sec] W.;
    to lat. 3125[min]31[sec] N., long. 
8135[min]59[sec] W.;
    thence west along the Altamaha River to the point of beginning; 
excluding R-3007A.
Designated altitudes. 100 feet AGL to but not including 13,000 feet 
MSL.
Time of designation. 0700-2200 local time, Monday-Friday; other 
times by NOTAM at least 24 hours in advance.
Controlling agency. FAA, Jacksonville ARTCC.
Using agency. ANG, Savannah Combat Readiness Training Center, GA.

R--3007D Townsend, GA (Revised)

Boundaries. Beginning at lat. 3138[min]01[sec] N., 
long. 8146[min]59[sec] W.;
    to lat. 3142[min]31[sec] N., long. 
8133[min]59[sec] W.;

[[Page 5101]]

    to lat. 3138[min]01[sec] N., long. 
8128[min]59[sec] W.;
    to lat. 3137[min]31[sec] N., long. 
8128[min]14[sec] W.;
    to lat. 3132[min]31[sec] N., long. 
8127[min]29[sec] W.;
    to lat. 3126[min]16[sec] N., long. 
8131[min]29[sec] W.;
    to lat. 3125[min]31[sec] N., long. 
8135[min]59[sec] W.;
    thence northwest along the Altamaha River to the point of 
beginning.
Designated altitudes. 13,000 feet MSL to FL 250.
Time of designation. 0700-2200 local time, Monday-Friday; other 
times by NOTAM at least 24 hours in advance.
Controlling agency. FAA, Jacksonville ARTCC.
Using agency. ANG, Savannah Combat Readiness Training Center, GA.

R--3007E Townsend, GA (Remove)

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    Issued in Washington, DC, on January 20, 2004.
Reginald C. Matthews,
Manager, Airspace and Rules Division.
[FR Doc. 04-2178 Filed 2-2-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P