[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 245 (Wednesday, December 22, 2010)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 80372-80374]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-32046]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 73

[Docket No. FAA-2010-1146; Airspace Docket No. 10-ASO-25]


Proposed Amendment of Restricted Areas R-2907A and R-2907B, Lake 
George, FL; and R-2910, Pinecastle, FL

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This action proposes to expand the lateral and vertical limits 
of restricted areas R-2907A and R-2907B, Lake George, FL; and 
restricted area R-2910, Pinecastle, FL. The U.S. Navy requested this 
action to provide the additional airspace needed to contain laser 
operations and other hazardous activities and to permit realistic 
training in current tactics. This action would enhance the margin of 
safety for air traffic in the Lake George and Pinecastle, FL, areas.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before February 7, 2011.

ADDRESSES: Send comments on this proposal to the U.S. Department of 
Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., 
West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, Washington, DC 20590-0001; 
telephone: (202) 366-9826. You must identify FAA Docket No. FAA-2010-
1146 and Airspace Docket No. 10-ASO-25, at the beginning of your 
comments. You may also submit comments through the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov. Comments on environmental and land use aspects 
should be directed to: Commanding Officer, Naval Air Station 
Jacksonville, FL, Environmental Department, Attn: Mr. Bill Raspett, 
Bldg 1 Box 2, NAS Jacksonville, FL 32212-0020; telephone: (904) 542-
4229.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Paul Gallant, Airspace Regulations and 
ATC Procedures Group, Office of Airspace Services, 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. Comments are 
also invited on the nonregulatory MOA portion of this proposal.
    Communications should identify both docket numbers (FAA Docket No. 
FAA-2010-1146 and Airspace Docket No. 10-ASO-25) 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://www.regulations.gov.
    Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments 
on this action must submit with those comments a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to FAA Docket No. FAA-2010-1146 and Airspace Docket No. 10-ASO-25.'' 
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 action 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 NPRMs

    An electronic copy of this document may be downloaded through the 
Internet at http://www.regulations.gov. Recently published rulemaking 
documents can also be accessed through the FAA's Web page at http://www.faa.gov/airports_airtraffic/air_traffic/publications/airspace_amendments/.
    You may review the public docket containing the proposal, any 
comments received and any final disposition in person at 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 Operations Support Group, Eastern Service Center, 
Federal Aviation Administration, 1701 Columbia Ave., College Park, GA 
30337.
    Persons interested in being placed on a mailing list for future 
NPRMs should contact 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

    The Pinecastle, FL, and Lake George, FL, restricted areas have, for 
many years, satisfied military training requirements. However, with the 
introduction of higher-performance and more versatile, multi-role 
fighter aircraft, as well as advanced weapons systems and employment 
tactics, the available airspace at the Pinecastle and Lake George 
complexes is inadequate to satisfy training requirements. In order to 
fully exploit the capabilities of today's fighter/attack aircraft and 
provide essential training that replicates the conditions units are 
encountering today during wartime deployments, it is necessary to 
expand the vertical and

[[Page 80373]]

lateral limits of the current restricted areas. The U.S. Navy has 
proposed that the FAA expand R-2907A, R-2907B and R-2910 to provide 
enhanced air-to-ground weapons delivery tactical training to transform 
the Pinecastle/Lake George complex into a modern viable training asset.

Proposal

    The FAA is proposing an amendment to 14 CFR part 73 to realign and 
expand the vertical and lateral limits of restricted areas R-2907A and 
R-2907B, Lake George, FL, and R-2910, Pinecastle, FL. This proposal 
would expand the boundaries of R-2907A westward to encompass that 
restricted airspace currently designated as R-2907B. In addition, the 
vertical limits in that section would be raised to FL 230 to match the 
current R-2907A ceiling. New restricted airspace would be established 
immediately to the north of the newly incorporated section of R-2907A. 
This new restricted area would extend northward from the expanded R-
2907A boundary to abut the boundary of the southern half of existing 
restricted area R-2906, Rodman, FL. The R-2907B designation would be 
redescribed to identify this new restricted area. The new R-2907B would 
extend from 500 feet MSL up to FL 230. It should be noted that R-2906 
would not be modified in any way by this proposal.
    This proposal would also expand and restructure R-2910. The current 
designation, R-2910, would be removed and replaced by four sections: R-
2910A, R-2910B, R-2910C and R-2910D. The new R-2910A would consist of 
existing restricted airspace contained in the current northwest 
extension of R-2910; the current R-2910 circular area; and that 
existing part of R-2910 that extends southeastward from the circular 
area to latitude 29[deg]00'01'' North. The vertical limits of R-2910A 
would extend from the surface up to FL 230. The remaining section of 
the current R-2910 (i.e., the airspace south of latitude 29[deg]00'01'' 
North) would be split into two new subareas, designated R-2910B and R-
2910C, that would extend from the surface to 6,000 feet mean sea level 
(MSL). Setting the ceiling of these two subareas at 6,000 feet MSL 
would provide airspace to enable nonparticipating aircraft to 
circumnavigate the R-2910 complex while remaining outside the Orlando 
Class B airspace area. Also, dividing this part of the restricted area 
into B and C subareas would permit sections not needed for the military 
mission to be released to accommodate air traffic control requirements.
    Additional new restricted airspace would be established within the 
airspace that lies between the new R-2910A and the expanded R-2907A. 
This new area would be designated R-2910D. R-2910D would be bounded on 
the north by R-2907A; on the south by R-2910A; on the east by the 
current eastern boundary of the Palatka 1 military operations area 
(MOA); and on the west by the western boundary of the Palatka 1 MOA. 
The northwesternmost end of R-2910D would be defined by a line that 
extends between lat. 29[deg]15'55'' N., long. 81[deg]56'40'' W. 
(located on the boundary of the Palatka 1 MOA) and lat. 29[deg]20'06'' 
N., long. 81[deg]51'49'' W. (at the northwest corner of the modified R-
2907A). The vertical limits of R-2910D would be from 500 feet MSL to FL 
230.
    The time of designation for all of the above modified restricted 
areas would remain the same as currently published for the existing 
areas; that is: Intermittent, 0500-0100 local time, daily; other times 
by NOTAM 6 hours in advance. During periods when the airspace is not 
needed by the using agency for its designated purpose, the airspace 
would be returned to the controlling agency (i.e., Jacksonville ARTCC) 
for access by other airspace users.
    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 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 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.
    The FAA's authority to issue rules regarding aviation safety is 
found in Title 49 of the United States Code. Subtitle I, Section 106 
describes the authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII, 
Aviation Programs, describes in more detail the scope of the agency's 
authority.
    This rulemaking is promulgated under the authority described in 
Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart I, Section 40103. Under that section, the 
FAA is charged with prescribing regulations to assign the use of the 
airspace necessary to ensure the safety of aircraft and the efficient 
use of airspace. This regulation is within the scope of that authority 
as it would restructure restricted airspace at the Pinecastle, FL and 
Lake George, FL, military ranges to enhance safety and accommodate 
essential military training.

Environmental Review

    This proposal will be subjected to an environmental analysis in 
accordance with FAA Order 1050.1E, ``Environmental Impacts: Policies 
and Procedures,'' prior to any FAA final regulatory action.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 73

    Airspace, Prohibited areas, Restricted areas.

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.  73.29  [Amended]

    2. Sec.  73.29 is amended as follows:
* * * * *

R-2907A Lake George, FL [Amended]

    By removing the current boundaries, controlling agency and using 
agency and substituting the following:
    Boundaries. Beginning at lat. 29[deg]22'51'' N., long. 
81[deg]31'19'' W.; to lat. 29[deg]12'31'' N., long. 81[deg]29'59'' 
W.; to lat. 29[deg]12'31'' N., long. 81[deg]38'29'' W.; to lat. 
29[deg]15'06'' N., long. 81[deg]39'59'' W.; to lat. 29[deg]15'06'' 
N., long. 81[deg]51'49'' W.; to lat. 29[deg]20'06'' N., long. 
81[deg]51'49'' W.; to lat. 29[deg]20'06'' N., long. 81[deg]39'59'' 
W.; to lat. 29[deg]23'01'' N., long. 81[deg]39'59'' W.; to lat. 
29[deg]23'01'' N., long. 81[deg]38'54'' W.; thence clockwise along 
the 5-NM arc centered at lat. 29[deg]19'12'' N., long. 
81[deg]35'14'' W. to the point of beginning.
    Controlling agency. FAA Jacksonville ARTCC.
    Using agency. U.S. Navy, Fleet Area Control and Surveillance 
Facility, Jacksonville (FACSFAC JAX), Jacksonville, FL.
* * * * *

R-2907B Lake George, FL [Amended]

    By removing the current boundaries, designated altitudes and 
using agency and substituting the following:
    Boundaries. Beginning at lat. 29[deg]25'41'' N., long. 
81[deg]41'47'' W.; to lat. 29[deg]23'01'' N., long. 81[deg]39'59'' 
W.; to lat. 29[deg]20'06'' N., long. 81[deg]39'59'' W.; to lat. 
29[deg]20'06'' N., long. 81[deg]51'49'' W.; to lat. 29[deg]29'30'' 
N., long.

[[Page 80374]]

81[deg]51'41'' W.; thence counterclockwise along a 5-NM arc centered 
at lat. 29[deg]29'01'' N., long. 81[deg]45'59'' W. to the point of 
beginning.
    Designated altitudes. 500 feet MSL to FL 230.
    Using agency. U.S. Navy, Fleet Area Control and Surveillance 
Facility, Jacksonville (FACSFAC JAX), Jacksonville, FL.
* * * * *

R-2910 Pinecastle, FL [Removed]

* * * * *

R-2910A Pinecastle, FL [New]

    Boundaries. Beginning at lat. 29[deg]07'58'' N., long. 
81[deg]48'29'' W.; to lat. 29[deg]10'01'' N., long. 81[deg]50'34'' 
W.; to lat. 29[deg]14'01'' N., long. 81[deg]45'49'' W.; to lat. 
29[deg]11'51'' N., long. 81[deg]42'59'' W.; thence clockwise along a 
5-NM arc centered at lat. 29[deg]06'53'' N., long. 81[deg]42'54'' W. 
to lat. 29[deg]10'14'' N., long. 81[deg]38'39'' W.; to lat. 
29[deg]00'00'' N., long. 81[deg]30'00'' W.; to lat. 29[deg]00'01'' 
N., long. 81[deg]42'29'' W.; to lat. 29[deg]03'15'' N., long. 
81[deg]46'50'' W.; thence clockwise along a 5-NM arc centered at 
lat. 29[deg]06'53'' N., long. 81[deg]42'54'' W. to the point of 
beginning.
    Designated altitudes. Surface to FL 230.
    Time of designation. Intermittent, 0500-0100 local, daily; other 
times by NOTAM, 6 hours in advance.
    Controlling agency. FAA, Jacksonville ARTCC.
    Using agency. U.S. Navy, Fleet Area Control and Surveillance 
Facility, Jacksonville (FACSFAC JAX), Jacksonville, FL.
* * * * *

R-2910B Pinecastle, FL [New]

    Boundaries. Beginning at lat. 29[deg]00'00'' N., long. 
81[deg]30'00'' W.; to lat. 28[deg]57'56'' N., long. 81[deg]28'24'' 
W.; to lat. 28[deg]55'20'' N., long. 81[deg]36'12'' W.; to lat. 
29[deg]00'01'' N., long. 81[deg]42'29'' W.; to the point of 
beginning.
    Designated altitudes. Surface to 6,000 feet MSL.
    Time of designation. Intermittent, 0500-0100 local, daily; other 
times by NOTAM, 6 hours in advance.
    Controlling agency. FAA, Jacksonville ARTCC.
    Using agency. U.S. Navy, Fleet Area Control and Surveillance 
Facility, Jacksonville (FACSFAC JAX), Jacksonville, FL.
* * * * *

R-2910C Pinecastle, FL [New]

    Boundaries. Beginning at lat. 28[deg]57'56'' N., long. 
81[deg]28'24'' W.; to lat. 28[deg]53'39'' N., long. 81[deg]33'56'' 
W.; to lat. 28[deg]55'20'' N., long. 81[deg]36'12'' W.; to the point 
of beginning.
    Designated altitudes. Surface to 6,000 feet MSL.
    Time of designation. Intermittent, 0500-0100 local, daily; other 
times by NOTAM, 6 hours in advance.
    Controlling agency. FAA, Jacksonville ARTCC.
    Using agency. U.S. Navy, Fleet Area Control and Surveillance 
Facility, Jacksonville (FACSFAC JAX), Jacksonville, FL.
* * * * *

R-2910D Pinecastle, FL [New]

    Boundaries. Beginning at lat. 29[deg]12'31'' N., long. 
81[deg]29'59'' W.; to lat. 29[deg]00'00'' N., long. 81[deg]30'00'' 
W.; to lat. 29[deg]10'14'' N., long. 81[deg]38'39'' W.; thence 
counterclockwise along a 5-NM arc centered at lat. 29[deg]06'53'' 
N., long. 81[deg]42'54'' W.; to lat. 29[deg]11'51'' N., long. 
81[deg]42'59'' W.; to lat. 29[deg]14'01'' N., long. 81[deg]45'49'' 
W.; to lat. 29[deg]10'01'' N., long. 81[deg]50'34'' W.; to lat. 
29[deg]15'55'' N., long. 81[deg]56'40'' W.; to lat. 29[deg]20'06'' 
N., long. 81[deg]51'49'' W.; to lat. 29[deg]15'06'' N., long. 
81[deg]51'49'' W.; to lat. 29[deg]15'06'' N., long. 81[deg]39'59'' 
W.; to lat. 29[deg]12'31'' N., long. 81[deg]38'29'' W.; to the point 
of beginning.
    Designated altitudes. 500 feet MSL to FL 230.
    Time of designation. Intermittent, 0500-0100 local, daily; other 
times by NOTAM, 6 hours in advance.
    Controlling agency. FAA, Jacksonville ARTCC.
    Using agency. U.S. Navy, Fleet Area Control and Surveillance 
Facility, Jacksonville (FACSFAC JAX), Jacksonville, FL.
* * * * *

    Issued in Washington, DC, on December 14, 2010.
Edith V. Parish,
Manager, Airspace, Regulations and ATC Procedures.
[FR Doc. 2010-32046 Filed 12-21-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P