[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 98 (Monday, May 22, 2006)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 29247-29248]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-4734]


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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


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

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action reconfigures Restricted Areas R-3007A, B, C, and 
D, and revokes Restricted Area R-3007E, Townsend, GA, by reducing the 
lateral size, increasing the vertical limits, and by increasing the 
time of designation of the restricted airspace by six hours per day. 
The FAA is taking this action to better accommodate Department of 
Defense (DOD) training requirements and to eliminate restricted 
airspace that is no longer needed by the military. Additionally, the 
name of the using agency for all R-3007 subareas is changed to reflect 
the current organizational title. This action also makes a minor 
correction to the latitude/longitude positions of two points in the 
descriptions of R-3007B and R-3007C.

DATES: Effective 0901 UTC, August 3, 2006.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    On December 5, 1996, the FAA published in the Federal Register a 
notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to reconfigure the existing 
restricted airspace at Townsend Range, Georgia, by reducing the lateral 
size, increasing the vertical limits, increasing the time of 
designation of the restricted areas by six hours per day, and changing 
the name of the using agency to reflect the current organizational 
title (61 FR 64494). Interested parties were invited to participate in 
this rulemaking effort by submitting written comments on the proposal 
to the FAA. The FAA received no comments in response to the proposal. 
Further action on the proposal was then deferred pending the completion 
of additional environmental studies by the proponent. As a result of 
this delay, the FAA published a supplemental notice of proposed 
rulemaking on February 3, 2004, to readvertise the proposal and invite 
additional comment (69 FR 5099). One comment, expressing support for 
the proposed action, was received in response to the supplemental 
notice.
    Restricted Areas are published in subpart B of FAA Order 7400.8M, 
dated January 6, 2006 and effective February 16, 2006, which is 
incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 73. The Restricted Areas listed in 
this document will be published subsequently in the Order.

The Rule

    This action amends Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) 
part 73 to reconfigure restricted areas R-3007A, B, C, D, and E, at the 
Townsend Range, Georgia, to better accommodate Department of Defense 
training requirements, eliminate restricted airspace no longer needed 
for military training, and enable the more efficient use of airspace. 
This amendment eliminates all of the restricted airspace currently 
described as R-3007A and approximately one half of the restricted 
airspace currently described as R-3007B. The remaining Townsend Range 
restricted airspace is redescribed as three subareas: R-3007A, B, and 
C. A new restricted area, designated R-3007D, is established directly 
above R-3007A, B, and C. The designation R-3007E is no longer needed 
and is revoked.
    Specifically, R-3007A is revised to describe the circular surface 
target area that is currently designated as R-3007E. The designation R-
3007E is revoked. The subarea currently designated as R-3007D is 
redescribed as R-3007B. The existing subarea R-3007C is revised to 
retain its original area, plus incorporate the remaining portion of the 
former R-3007B subarea.
    New restricted airspace is established above the revised R-3007A, 
B, and C subareas. This new area, designated R-3007D, extends from 
13,000 feet above mean sea level (MSL) to flight level (FL) 250. The 
purpose of R-3007D is to raise the ceiling of the Townsend Range from 
the current 13,000 feet MSL, to FL 250, in order to accommodate high 
altitude, high angle weapons delivery training. The existing 13,000 
feet MSL ceiling at Townsend Range precludes the conduct of this 
essential training at the Range. This rule also increases the time of 
designation for the revised Townsend Range complex by six hours per day 
from the current ``Monday-Friday, 0800-1700 local time; other times by 
NOTAM at least 24 hours in advance'' to ``Monday-Friday, 0700-2200 
local time; other times by NOTAM at least 24 hours in advance.'' This 
change permits more flexible range utilization and accommodates 
increased night training requirements. Finally, the using agency name 
for all subareas is 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 joint-use airspace. The restricted areas will be 
returned to the controlling agency on a real-time basis when not 
required for

[[Page 29248]]

military activities. All flight operations in the Range will be 
subsonic.
    In addition, this amendment makes a minor correction to two points 
in the descriptions of R-3007B and R-3007C, respectively. The point 
published in the NPRM as 31[deg]33[min]16[sec] N., long. 
81[deg]31[min]14[sec] W., is corrected to lat. 31[deg]33[min]18[sec] 
N., long. 81[deg]31[min]13[sec] W. The point published as 
31[deg]31[min]16[sec] N., long. 81[deg]31[min]59[sec] W., is corrected 
to lat. 31[deg]31[min]26[sec] N., long. 81[deg]31[min]58[sec] W. These 
corrections are the result of a more accurate plot of the airspace 
boundaries.
    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. 
Therefore, this regulation: (1) Is not a ``significant regulatory 
action'' under Executive Order 12866; (2) is not a ``significant rule'' 
under Department of Transportation (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

    In November 1995, the Air National Guard (ANG) issued a Final 
Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for the ``Proposed Wing 
Conversion and Modification to Airspace in Southeastern Georgia.'' On 
January 3, 1996, the ANG issued a Record of Decision (ROD). In 2005, 
due to the lapse in time since issuance of the 1995 FEIS and 1996 ROD, 
the ANG prepared a Supplemental Environmental Assessment (SEA) in 
accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), as 
amended, of the proposed reconfiguration of R-3007 and a separate 
nonrulemaking proposal to modify military operations areas (MOA) in 
southeastern Georgia. The nonrulemaking proposal involves the 
revocation of the existing Quick Thrust and Gator MOAs and the 
establishment of the Coastal MOAs, which will take effect concurrent 
with the effective date of this rule. The SEA process included both the 
rulemaking and nonrulemaking proposed actions. The FAA participated in 
the SEA process as a Cooperating Agency. The ANG provided a 30-day 
public comment period on the draft SEA, which ended on November 20, 
2005. They received no comments. The ANG then issued a Final SEA and 
Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) on December 22, 2005.
    Pursuant to FAA Order 1050.1E, ``Environmental Impacts: Polices and 
Procedures,'' the FAA conducted an independent review of the Final SEA. 
On March 2, 2006, in accordance with paragraph 404d in the Order, the 
FAA adopted the December 2005 Final SEA, and in accordance with 
paragraph 406 in the Order, the FAA issued a FONSI. The FONSI signifies 
that the FAA will not prepare an environmental impact statement and has 
completed the NEPA process for the proposed actions.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 73

    Airspace, Navigation (air).

The Adoption of the Amendment

0
In consideration of the foregoing, the Federal Aviation Administration 
will 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.  73.30  [Amended]

0
2. Section 73.30 is amended as follows:
* * * * *

R-3007A Townsend, GA [Revised]

    Boundaries. A circular area with a 1.5-mile radius centered at 
lat. 31[deg]33[min]16[sec] N., long. 81[deg]34[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. 31[deg]38[min]01[sec] N., long. 
81[deg]28[min]59[sec] W.; to lat. 31[deg]37[min]31[sec] N., long. 
81[deg]28[min]14[sec] W.; to lat. 31[deg]32[min]31[sec] N., long. 
81[deg]27[min]29[sec] W.; to lat. 31[deg]26[min]16[sec] N., long. 
81[deg]31[min]29[sec] W.; to lat. 31[deg]25[min]31[sec] N., long. 
81[deg]35[min]59[sec] W.; to lat. 31[deg]27[min]26[sec] N., long. 
81[deg]33[min]39[sec] W.; to lat. 31[deg]31[min]26[sec] N., long. 
81[deg]31[min]58[sec] W.; thence clockwise along a 1 NM radius arc 
from a point centered at lat. 31[deg]32[min]26[sec] N., long. 
81[deg]31[min]49[sec] W.; to lat. 31[deg]33[min]18[sec] N., long. 
81[deg]31[min]13[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. 31[deg]38'01'' N., long. 
81[deg]46'59'' W.; to lat. 31[deg]42'31'' N., long. 81[deg]33'59'' 
W.; to lat. 31[deg]38'01'' N., long. 81[deg]28'59'' W.; to lat. 
31[deg]33'18'' N., long. 81[deg]31'13'' W.; thence counterclockwise 
along a 1 NM radius arc from a point centered at lat. 31[deg]32'26'' 
N., long. 81[deg]31'49'' W.; to lat. 31[deg]31'26'' N., long. 
81[deg]31'58'' W.; to lat. 31[deg]27'26'' N., long. 81[deg]33'39'' 
W.; to lat. 31[deg]25'31'' N., long. 81[deg]35'59'' 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. 31[deg]38'01'' N., long. 
81[deg]46'59'' W.; to lat. 31[deg]42'31'' N., long. 81[deg]33'59'' 
W.; to lat. 31[deg]38'01'' N., long. 81[deg]28'59'' W.; to lat. 
31[deg]37'31'' N., long. 81[deg]28'14'' W.; to lat. 31[deg]32'31'' 
N., long. 81[deg]27'29'' W.; to lat. 31[deg]26'16'' N., long. 
81[deg]31'29'' W.; to lat. 31[deg]25'31'' N., long. 81[deg]35'59'' 
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 [Revoked]

* * * * *

    Issued in Washington, DC, on May 12, 2006.
Edith V. Parish,
Manager, Airspace and Rules.
[FR Doc. 06-4734 Filed 5-19-06; 8:45 am]
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