[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 42 (Monday, March 6, 2017)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 12529-12531]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-04187]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 73

[Docket No. FAA-2016-9495; Airspace Docket No. 15-AAL-6]
RIN 2120-AA66


Proposed Establishment of Restricted Areas R-2201 A, B, C, D, E, 
F, G, H, and J; Fort Greely, AK.

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: The FAA is proposing the establishment of Restricted Area R-
2201A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, and J; Fort Greely AK, on behalf of/by the 
United States Army Alaska (USARAK), over the Battle Area Complex (BAX) 
and Combined Arms Collective Training Facility (CACTF), in the vicinity 
of Allen Army Airfield, AK. The proposed restricted airspace would 
contain hazardous activities and be available for joint military use, 
including active, National Guard and Reserve elements.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before April 20, 2017.

ADDRESSES: Send comments on this proposal to the U.S. Department of 
Transportation, Docket Operations, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., West 
Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, Washington, DC 20590-0001; 
telephone: 1 (800) 647-5527, or (202) 366-9826. You must identify FAA 
Docket Number FAA-2016-9495 and Airspace Docket Number 15-AAL-6 at the 
beginning of your comments. You may also submit comments through the 
Internet at http://www.regulations.gov. You may review the public 
docket containing the proposal, any comments received, and any final 
disposition in person in the Dockets Office between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 
p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The Docket Office 
(telephone 1 (800) 647-5527), is on the ground floor of the building at 
the above address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kenneth Ready, Airspace Policy Group, 
Office of Airspace Services, Federal Aviation Administration, 800 
Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20591; telephone: (202) 267-
8783.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Authority for This Rulemaking

    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 establish restricted airspace in the vicinity of 
Allen Army Airfield, to contain activities deemed hazardous to 
nonparticipating aircraft.

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 
Number FAA-2016-9495 and Airspace Docket Number 15-AAL-6) and be 
submitted in triplicate to the Docket Management Facility (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 Number FAA-2016-9495 and Airspace Docket Number 15-AAL-
6.'' The postcard will be date/time stamped and returned to the 
commenter.
    All communications received on or before the specified comment 
closing date 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 comment 
closing date. 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/air_traffic/publications/airspace_amendments/.
    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 
9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. An informal docket may also be examined during normal 
business hours at the office of the Western Service Center, Operations 
Support Group, Federal Aviation Administration, 1601 Lind Ave. SW., 
Renton, WA 98057.

Background

    The current BAX Controlled Firing Area (CFA) does not provide the

[[Page 12530]]

restricted area airspace required by USARAK to conduct full spectrum 
helicopter gunnery training, longer range firing on target areas and 
integrated use of varied weapon types, during simultaneous training 
events. The proposed restricted airspace would provide various combat 
teams the area required to properly train in both open and urban 
terrain environments.
    Combat units would be able to incorporate enablers, such as 
unmanned aerial vehicles, with piloted combat aircraft engaged in 
aggressive combat maneuvers and indirect fires with non-explosive 
munitions. This proposed restricted area would also accommodate fixed 
wing aircraft in support of ground operations using simulations and 
laser engagements.
    The restricted area would provide the protection required to 
contain these hazardous activities and the weapons' safety footprints 
for the different ordnances to be used within the proposed airspace.
    The proposed restricted area is subdivided into segmented blocks to 
enable restricted area activation for only the needed block. Segments 
activation reduces the impact to non-participating aircraft. This 
proposal would provide the Army with the necessary expansion to meet 
both current and future training requirements.

The Proposal

    The FAA is proposing an amendment to Title 14, Code of Federal 
Regulations (14 CFR) part 73 to establish restricted area R-2201A 
through H, and J; Fort Greely, AK. The FAA is proposing this action at 
the request of the United States Army in Alaska. The proposed 
restricted areas are described below.
    R-2201A, D, and G would be established one mile southeast of Allen 
Army Airfield and extend south and east for 3 miles. The altitudes will 
be from the surface up to, but not including, 6,000 feet MSL for R-
2201A; 6,000 feet MSL to but not including 15,000 feet MSL for R-2201D; 
15,000 feet MSL to 22,000 feet MSL for R-2201G.
    R-2201B, E, and H would be established south of R-2201A, D, and G 
and east of R-2202A and C. The northern boundary is the same as R-
22015A, D, and G southern boundary with an extension 3 miles to the 
west and 2 miles to the furthest point of the eastern boundary. The 
altitudes will be from the surface up to but not including 6,000 feet 
MSL for R-2201B; 6,000 feet MSL to but not including 15,000 feet MSL 
for R-2201E; 15,000 feet MSL to 22,000 feet MSL for R-2201H.
    R-2201C, F, and J would be established south of R-2201B, E, and H 
and east of R-2202 A and C. The northern boundary is the same as R-
22015B, E, and H southern boundary. The altitudes will be from the 
surface up to but not including 6,000 feet MSL for R-2201C; 6,000 feet 
MSL to but not including 15,000 feet MSL for R-2201F; 15,000 feet MSL 
to 22,000 feet MSL for R-2201J.

Regulatory Notices and Analyses

    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. 
It, therefore: (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.

Environmental Review

    This proposal will be subject to an environmental analysis in 
accordance with FAA Order 1050.1F, ``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

0
1. The authority citation for part 73 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(f), 106(g); 40103, 40113, 40120; E.O. 
10854, 24 FR 9565, 3 CFR, 1959-1963 Comp., p. 389.


Sec.  73.22  Alaska [Amended]

0
2. Sec.  73.22 is amended as follows:
* * * * *

R-2201A Fort Greely, AK [New]

    Boundaries. Beginning at lat. 63[deg]58'49'' N., long. 
145[deg]41'15'' W.; to lat. 63[deg]58'45'' N., long. 145[deg]35'06'' 
W.; to lat. 63[deg]58'08'' N., long. 145[deg]35'05'' W.; to lat. 
63[deg]58'09'' N., long. 145[deg]31'07'' W.; to lat. 63[deg]57'17'' 
N., long. 145[deg]31'05'' W.; to lat. 63[deg]57'17'' N., long. 
145[deg]29'05'' W.; to lat. 63[deg]56'54'' N., long. 145[deg]29'02'' 
W.; to lat. 63[deg]56'33'' N., long. 145[deg]27'43'' W.; to lat. 
63[deg]56'40'' N., long. 145[deg]39'26'' W.; to lat. 63[deg]57'20'' 
N., long. 145[deg]39'25'' W.; to lat. 63[deg]57'32'' N., long. 
145[deg]39'25'' W.; to the point of beginning by following Jarvis 
Creek.
    Designated altitudes. Surface to but not including 6,000 feet 
MSL.
    Time of designation. 0700-1900 local time Monday-Friday; other 
times by NOTAM.
    Controlling agency. FAA, Anchorage, ARTCC.
    Using agency. U.S. Army, AK (USARAK), Commanding General, Joint 
Base Elmendorf-Richardson (JBER), AK.

R-2201B Fort Greely, AK [New]

    Boundaries. Beginning at lat. 63[deg]55'56'' N., long. 
145[deg]24'57'' W.; to lat. 63[deg]56'33'' N., long. 145[deg]27'43'' 
W.; to lat. 63[deg]56'40'' N., long. 145[deg]39'26'' W.; to lat. 
63[deg]56'20'' N., long. 145[deg]39'26'' W.; to lat. 63[deg]56'20'' 
N., long. 145[deg]44'41'' W.; to lat. 63[deg]56'20'' N., long. 
145[deg]44'49'' W.; to lat. 63[deg]52'54'' N., long. 145[deg]44'50'' 
W.; to lat. 63[deg]52'55'' N., long. 145[deg]42'56'' W.; to lat. 
63[deg]51'09'' N., long. 145[deg]42'52'' W.; to lat. 63[deg]51'01'' 
N., long. 145[deg]33'04'' W.; to the point of beginning by following 
Granite Creek.
    Designated altitudes. Surface to but not including 6,000 feet 
MSL.
    Time of designation. 0700-1900 local time Monday-Friday; other 
times by NOTAM.
    Controlling agency. FAA, Anchorage, ARTCC.
    Using agency. U.S. Army, AK (USARAK), Commanding General, Joint 
Base Elmendorf-Richardson (JBER), AK.

R-2201C Fort Greely, AK [New]

    Boundaries. Beginning at lat. 63[deg]51'01'' N., long. 
145[deg]33'04'' W.; to lat. 63[deg]51'09'' N., long. 145[deg]42'52'' 
W.; to lat. 63[deg]51'10'' N., long. 145[deg]43'50'' W.; to lat. 
63[deg]50'58'' N., long. 145[deg]43'48'' W.; to lat. 63[deg]50'15'' 
N., long. 145[deg]43'49'' W.; to lat. 63[deg]50'16'' N., long. 
145[deg]44'22'' W.; to lat. 63[deg]49'22'' N., long. 145[deg]44'35'' 
W.; to lat. 63[deg]47'35'' N., long. 145[deg]45'05'' W.; to lat. 
63[deg]46'58'' N., long. 145[deg]45'13'' W.; to lat. 63[deg]46'56'' 
N., long. 145[deg]37'10'' W.; to lat. 63[deg]46'57'' N., long. 
145[deg]36'31'' W.; to lat. 63[deg]47'43'' N., long. 145[deg]35'08'' 
W.; to lat. 63[deg]47'45'' N., long. 145[deg]35'04'' W.; to the 
point of beginning by following Granite Creek.
    Designated altitudes. Surface to but not including 6,000 feet 
MSL.
    Time of designation. 0700-1900 local time Monday-Friday; other 
times by NOTAM.
    Controlling agency. FAA, Anchorage, ARTCC.
    Using agency. U.S. Army, AK (USARAK), Commanding General, Joint 
Base Elmendorf-Richardson (JBER), AK.

R-2201D Fort Greely, AK [New]

    Boundaries. Beginning at lat. 63[deg]58'49'' N., long. 
145[deg]41'15'' W.; to lat. 63[deg]58'45'' N., long. 145[deg]35'06'' 
W.; to lat. 63[deg]58'08'' N., long. 145[deg]35'05'' W.; to lat. 
63[deg]58'09'' N., long. 145[deg]31'07'' W.; to lat. 63[deg]57'17'' 
N., long. 145[deg]31'05'' W.; to lat. 63[deg]57'17'' N.,

[[Page 12531]]

long. 145[deg]29'05'' W.; to lat. 63[deg]56'54'' N., long. 
145[deg]29'02'' W.; to lat. 63[deg]56'33'' N., long. 145[deg]27'43'' 
W.; to lat. 63[deg]56'40'' N., long. 145[deg]39'26'' W.; to lat. 
63[deg]57'20'' N., long. 145[deg]39'25'' W.; to lat. 63[deg]57'32'' 
N., long. 145[deg]39'25'' W.; to the point of beginning by following 
Jarvis Creek.
    Designated altitudes. 6,000 feet MSL to but not including 15,000 
feet MSL.
    Time of designation. 0700-1900 local time Monday-Friday; other 
times by NOTAM.
    Controlling agency. FAA, Anchorage, ARTCC.
    Using agency. U.S. Army, AK (USARAK), Commanding General, Joint 
Base Elmendorf-Richardson (JBER), AK.

R-2201E Fort Greely, AK [New]

    Boundaries. Beginning at lat. 63[deg]55'56'' N., long. 
145[deg]24'57'' W.; to lat. 63[deg]56'33'' N., long. 145[deg]27'43'' 
W.; to lat. 63[deg]56'40'' N., long. 145[deg]39'26'' W.; to lat. 
63[deg]56'20'' N., long. 145[deg]39'26'' W.; to lat. 63[deg]56'20'' 
N., long. 145[deg]44'41'' W.; to lat. 63[deg]56'20'' N., long. 
145[deg]44'49'' W.; to lat. 63[deg]52'54'' N., long. 145[deg]44'50'' 
W.; to lat. 63[deg]52'55'' N., long. 145[deg]42'56'' W.; to lat. 
63[deg]51'09'' N., long. 145[deg]42'52'' W.; to lat. 63[deg]51'01'' 
N., long. 145[deg]33'04'' W.; to the point of beginning by following 
Granite Creek.
    Designated altitudes. 6,000 feet MSL to but not including 15,000 
feet MSL.
    Time of designation. 0700-1900 local time Monday-Friday; other 
times by NOTAM.
    Controlling agency. FAA, Anchorage, ARTCC.
    Using agency. U.S. Army, AK (USARAK), Commanding General, Joint 
Base Elmendorf-Richardson (JBER), AK.

R-2201F Fort Greely, AK [New]

    Boundaries. Beginning at lat. 63[deg]51'01'' N., long. 
145[deg]33'04'' W.; to lat. 63[deg]51'09'' N., long. 145[deg]42'52'' 
W.; to lat. 63[deg]51'10'' N., long. 145[deg]43'50'' W.; to lat. 
63[deg]50'58'' N., long. 145[deg]43'48'' W.; to lat. 63[deg]50'15'' 
N., long. 145[deg]43'49'' W.; to lat. 63[deg]50'16'' N., long. 
145[deg]44'22'' W.; to lat. 63[deg]49'22'' N., long. 145[deg]44'35'' 
W.; to lat. 63[deg]47'35'' N., long. 145[deg]45'05'' W.; to lat. 
63[deg]46'58'' N., long. 145[deg]45'13'' W.; to lat. 63[deg]46'56'' 
N., long. 145[deg]37'10'' W.; to lat. 63[deg]46'57'' N., long. 
145[deg]36'31'' W.; to lat. 63[deg]47'43'' N., long. 145[deg]35'08'' 
W.; to lat. 63[deg]47'45'' N., long. 145[deg]35'04'' W.; to the 
point of beginning by following Granite Creek.
    Designated altitudes. 6,000 feet MSL to but not including 15,000 
feet MSL.
    Time of designation. 0700-1900 local time Monday-Friday; other 
times by NOTAM.
    Controlling agency. FAA, Anchorage, ARTCC.
    Using agency. U.S. Army, AK (USARAK), Commanding General, Joint 
Base Elmendorf-Richardson (JBER), AK.

R-2201G Fort Greely, AK [New]

    Boundaries. Beginning at lat. 63[deg]58'49'' N., long. 
145[deg]41'15'' W.; to lat. 63[deg]58'45'' N., long. 145[deg]35'06'' 
W.; to lat. 63[deg]58'08'' N., long. 145[deg]35'05'' W.; to lat. 
63[deg]58'09'' N., long. 145[deg]31'07'' W.; to lat. 63[deg]57'17'' 
N., long. 145[deg]31'05'' W.; to lat. 63[deg]57'17'' N., long. 
145[deg]29'05'' W.; to lat. 63[deg]56'54'' N., long. 145[deg]29'02'' 
W.; to lat. 63[deg]56'33'' N., long. 145[deg]27'43'' W.; to lat. 
63[deg]56'40'' N., long. 145[deg]39'26'' W.; to lat. 63[deg]57'20'' 
N., long. 145[deg]39'25'' W.; to lat. 63[deg]57'32'' N., long. 
145[deg]39'25'' W.; to the point of beginning by following Jarvis 
Creek.
    Designated altitudes. 15,000 feet MSL to FL220.
    Time of designation. 0700-1900 local time Monday-Friday; other 
times by NOTAM.
    Controlling agency. FAA, Anchorage, ARTCC.
    Using agency. U.S. Army, AK (USARAK), Commanding General, Joint 
Base Elmendorf-Richardson (JBER), AK.

R-2201H Fort Greely, AK [New]

    Boundaries. Beginning at lat. 63[deg]55'56'' N., long. 
145[deg]24'57'' W.; to lat. 63[deg]56'33'' N., long. 145[deg]27'43'' 
W.; to lat. 63[deg]56'40'' N., long. 145[deg]39'26'' W.; to lat. 
63[deg]56'20'' N., long. 145[deg]39'26'' W.; to lat. 63[deg]56'20'' 
N., long. 145[deg]44'41'' W.; to lat. 63[deg]56'20'' N., long. 
145[deg]44'49'' W.; to lat. 63[deg]52'54'' N., long. 145[deg]44'50'' 
W.; to lat. 63[deg]52'55'' N., long. 145[deg]42'56'' W.; to lat. 
63[deg]51'09'' N., long. 145[deg]42'52'' W.; to lat. 63[deg]51'01'' 
N., long. 145[deg]33'04'' W.; to the point of beginning by following 
Granite Creek.
    Designated altitudes. 15,000 feet MSL to FL220.
    Time of designation. 0700-1900 local time Monday-Friday; other 
times by NOTAM.
    Controlling agency. FAA, Anchorage, ARTCC.
    Using agency. U.S. Army, AK (USARAK), Commanding General, Joint 
Base Elmendorf-Richardson (JBER), AK.

R-2201J Fort Greely, AK [New]

    Boundaries. Beginning at lat. 63[deg]51'01'' N., long. 
145[deg]33'04'' W.; to lat. 63[deg]51'09'' N., long. 145[deg]42'52'' 
W.; to lat. 63[deg]51'10'' N., long. 145[deg]43'50'' W.; to lat. 
63[deg]50'58'' N., long. 145[deg]43'48'' W.; to lat. 63[deg]50'15'' 
N., long. 145[deg]43'49'' W.; to lat. 63[deg]50'16'' N., long. 
145[deg]44'22'' W.; to lat. 63[deg]49'22 N., long. 145[deg]44'35'' 
W.; to lat. 63[deg]47'35'' N., long. 145[deg]45'05'' W.; to lat. 
63[deg]46'58 N., long. 145[deg]45'13'' W.; to lat. 63[deg]46'56'' 
N., long. 145[deg]37'10'' W.; to lat. 63[deg]46'57'' N., long. 
145[deg]36'31'' W.; to lat. 63[deg]47'43'' N., long. 145[deg]35'08'' 
W.; to lat. 63[deg]47'45'' N., long. 145[deg]35'04'' W.; to the 
point of beginning by following Granite Creek.
    Designated altitudes. 15,000 feet MSL to FL220.
    Time of designation. 0700-1900 local time Monday-Friday; other 
times by NOTAM.
    Controlling agency. FAA, Anchorage, ARTCC.
    Using agency. U.S. Army, AK (USARAK), Commanding General, Joint 
Base Elmendorf-Richardson (JBER), AK.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on February 27, 2017.
Rodger A. Dean Jr.,
Manager, Airspace Policy Group.
[FR Doc. 2017-04187 Filed 3-3-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P