[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 171 (Friday, September 3, 2004)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 53796-53798]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-20173]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 73

[Docket No. FAA-2003-16722; Airspace Docket No. 03-AWP-19]
RIN 2120-AA66


Establishment of Restricted Area 2503D; Camp Pendleton, CA

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action establishes a Restricted Area 2503D (R-2503D) at 
Camp Pendleton, CA. Specifically, this action converts the current San 
Onofre High and Low Military Operations Areas (MOAs) and the associated 
Controlled Firing Area (CFA) to R-2503D. The FAA is taking this action 
to assist the Camp Pendleton U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) Base, CA, mission 
to provide realistic fleet training requirements and enhance safety.

EFFECTIVE DATE: 0901 UTC, November 25, 2004.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ken McElroy, Airspace and Rules, 
Office of System Operations and Safety, Federal Aviation 
Administration, 800 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington,DC 20591; 
telephone: (202) 267-8783.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION

History

    On March 26, 2004, the FAA published in the Federal Register a 
notice proposing to establish R-2503D at Camp Pendleton, CA (69 FR 
15746). Interested parties were invited to participate in this 
rulemaking effort by submitting written comments on the proposal. In 
response to the notice, the FAA received twenty written comments. All 
comments received were considered before making a determination on the 
final rule. An analysis of the comments received and the FAA's 
responses are summarized in the ``Discussion of Comments'' section.

Discussion of Comments

    The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) endorsed the 
proposal stating the overall impact of the proposed changes would be 
less severe than the impact of the current MOA for most general 
aviation (GA) pilots. However, if the use of the area exceeds the times 
of use stated in the proposal, no more than twenty days per year from 
0600 to 2400, they would withdraw their support.

[[Page 53797]]

    The FAA agrees with the AOPA comments. In order for operations to 
exceed the times stated in the proposal, further rulemaking actions 
would be required.
    Several commentors stated that the boundary description was not 
clear enough for pilots to determine when they are clear of the 
proposed airspace.
    The FAA agrees with the comments concerning the boundary 
description. To assist visual flight rules (VFR) pilots, the San Diego 
VFR Terminal Area Chart will be amended to include waypoints and radial 
(DME), depicting the correct lateral distance from the shore line.
    The Orange County Pilots Association suggested that the proposal be 
modified to establish a corridor along Interstate 5 to allow normal 
operations on Victor 23 (V-23).
    The FAA does not agree. A VFR corridor along Interstate 5 would not 
permit normal operations on V-23. The restricted area will be managed 
on a real-time basis to minimize the impact on normal operations. 
Southern California TRACON (SCT) will be the designated controlling 
agency for the restricted area. The SCT has dedicated direct landlines 
with the Marine air traffic controllers who have the authority to allow 
transit through the area in accordance with a letter of procedure 
between SCT and the Marine Corps.
    Several commentors stated that they will be forced further from the 
shoreline over the water during the activation of the restricted area.
    Currently, during MOA activations, a majority of transitioning VFR 
pilots contact SCT for flight following and receive vectors around the 
MOA airspace. They are vectored three miles offshore. With the new R-
2503D, vectors will only be one mile offshore. Further, a pilot can 
contact Camp Pendleton's Radar Air Traffic Control Facility (RATCF) 
``Longrifle'' on 123.2/301.9 and request transition through R-2503D. 
When conditions do not permit a transition through the area and the 
pilot is required to circumnavigate the area, it is approximately 1 
nautical mile (NM) offshore to remain clear of the airspace. Instrument 
flight plans (IFR) aircraft are vectored to remain clear of the lateral 
boundaries of the MOA by three miles. This change will reduce the 
lateral distance offshore for IFR aircraft from 6 NM to 4 NM.
    Several comments were received concerning the restricted area 
impact on IFR operations for both Oceanside and Carlsbad (McClellan-
Palomar) airports.
    Pilots operating on IFR will not experience any additional impact 
from the restricted area. Procedures utilized for IFR operations during 
activation of the current MOA's will remain in use. Instrument 
procedures into Oceanside airport, McClellan-Palomar airport, and 
holding over the Oceanside VORTAC are addressed in a Letter of 
Procedure between the SCT and the Military Air Traffic Control Facility 
facilitating real time use of the airspace.
    Two comments were received concerning a lack of public notice on 
the proposal.
    Formal briefings were provided to the San Diego Airspace Users 
Group and Southern California Airspace Users Working Group on March 6, 
2003, and April 6, 2003. A formal briefing was also provided to AOPA on 
May 7, 2003. Discussion of the proposal was also added to regularly 
scheduled aviation safety briefings to the public via coordination with 
area Flight Standards District Offices.
    The FAA believes that the real-time procedures for the airspace, 
and limited use twenty days per year between 0600 to 2400 hours should 
minimize the impact on aviation operations.
    With the exception of editorial changes, this amendment is the same 
as that proposed in the notice.

The Rule

    The FAA is amending Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) 
part 73 (part 73) to establish R-2503D, Camp Pendleton, CA. The USMC 
requested this change because the existing special use airspace did not 
permit essential large-scale amphibious assault activities (including 
artillery live-fire, fixed-wing close air support, and remotely 
operated aircraft operations). The time of designation for R-2503D will 
be intermittent by NOTAM 24 hours in advance; limited to a maximum use 
of 20 days per year from 0600 to 2400 hours local time; and no more 
than 90 days per year between 0001 and 0600 local time. The restricted 
area is available for joint-use and is scheduled for training 
operations on an as needed basis subject to the maximum use limits.
    This action amends 14 CFR Section 73 of the Federal Aviation 
Regulations that were 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 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

    Pursuant to Section 102(2) of the National Environmental Policy Act 
of 1969 (NEPA), the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) regulations 
implementing NEPA (40 CFR Parts 1500-1508), and other applicable law, 
the FAA conducted an independent review of the U.S. Marine Corps Final 
Environmental Assessment (FEA) for New Restricted Airspace at Marine 
Corps Base, Camp Pendleton, CA, dated August 2003. The FAA adopted the 
FEA and prepared a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI)/Record of 
Decision (ROD) dated March 2004. The FONSI/ROD analyzed the 
modification of Special Use Airspace at Marine Corps Base Camp 
Pendleton California and establishment of the restricted area to 
support training. This final rule, which establishes a new restricted 
area, will not result in significant environmental impacts.

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 
proposes to amend 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.  73.25  [Amended]

0
2. Sec.  73.25 is amended as follows:
* * * * *

R-2503D Camp Pendleton, CA (Added)

Boundaries. Beginning at lat. 33[deg]22'42'' N.; long. 
117[deg]36'45'' W.; to lat. 33[deg]27'13'' N.; long. 117[deg]34'17'' 
W.; to lat. 33[deg]18'41'' N.; long. 117[deg]23'58'' W.; to lat. 
33[deg]17'30'' N.; long. 117[deg]16'43'' W.; to lat. 33[deg]14'09'' 
N.; long. 117[deg]26'38'' W.; to the point of the beginning by 
following a line 1 NM from and parallel to the shoreline.
    Designated altitudes. 2,000 feet MSL to 11,000 feet MSL.

[[Page 53798]]

    Time of designation. Intermittent by NOTAM 24 hours in advance 
not to exceed 20 days per year from 0600 to 2400 local time and not 
more than 90 days per year between 0001 and 0600 local.
    Controlling agency. FAA, Southern California TRACON.
    Using agency. U.S. Marine Corps, Commanding General, MCB Camp 
Pendleton, CA.
* * * * *


    Issued in Washington, DC, August 27, 2004.
Reginald C. Matthews,
Manager, Airspace and Rules.
[FR Doc. 04-20173 Filed 9-2-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P