[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 42 (Monday, March 6, 2017)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 12526-12529]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-04189]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 73

[Docket No. FAA-2016-9479; Airspace Docket No. 15-AAL-4]
RIN 2120-AA66


Proposed Establishment of Restricted Area R-2205 A, B, C, D, E, 
F, G and H, and Revocation of Restricted Area R-2205; Fairbanks, AK

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This action proposes to expand upon the current Restricted 
Area R-2205 by subdividing 8 separate areas in the vicinity of 
Fairbanks, AK, over the Digital Multipurpose Training Range (DMPTR) and 
the Yukon Training Area (YTA), to provide a more realistic protective 
airspace required for hazardous activities within the Joint Pacific 
Alaska Range Complex (JPARC).

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

[[Page 12527]]

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-2016-9479 and Airspace Docket No. 15-AAL-4 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 at Fairbanks AK, 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-2016-9479 and Airspace Docket No. 15-AAL-4) 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-2016-9479 and Airspace Docket Number 15-AAL-
4.'' 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 Air Force and Army are currently developing YTA as one of 
JPARC's most important training areas. Expanding R-2205 would provide 
larger airspace to more realistically conduct service and joint 
hazardous training activities, consistent with current and future 
combat environments. The restricted area and Surface Danger Zones (SDZ) 
must be large enough to encompass the DMPTR and other ranges in the 
YTA.
    This proposed airspace would allow for manned and unmanned teaming 
of aviation assets and allow Air-to-Ground Integration (AGI) during 
large training exercises such as Red Flag and Distant Frontier. 
Additionally, the expansion of the restricted area over the DMPTR would 
allow for greater training complexity by incorporating AGI and more 
consistent training due to a reduction in non-participatory aircraft 
over the flying range.
    The activities within the proposed expansion of R-2205 are to meet 
the overall training objectives of the Department of Defense. The 
activities would include live and inert precision and unguided 
munitions, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) laser operations, joint 
combined arms live fire exercises, gunnery collective skills training, 
demolitions, indirect fire and helicopter integration with UAVs.
    The proposed restricted area would be subdivided into segmented 
blocks to enable restricted area activation for only the needed block. 
Segments activation would reduce the impact to non-participating 
aircraft. Some subdivisions will overlap with existing Military 
Operating Areas (MOAs). Considering the new proposed restricted areas 
are not continuous and the MOAs are not continuous, the potential exist 
for both the restricted areas and MOAs to be active at the same time. 
To alleviate this situation, the MOA descriptions will be amended to 
exclude those portions that overlap into the restricted areas when the 
restricted areas are active at the same time as the MOAs. This proposal 
would provide the Air Force and 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 remove the current Restricted area R-
2205, Stuart Creek, AK, and establish R-2205A through H, Fairbanks, 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-2205A and E would overlap the current R-2205 with a 1-mile 
extension to the east along the eastern boundary and a 3-mile extension 
to the north along the northern boundary. The western boundary is the 
same as R-2205B and F. The altitudes would be from the surface up to 
but not including 10,000 feet MSL (R-2205A) and 10,000 feet MSL to 
31,000 feet MSL (R-2205E).
    R-2205B and F would be established west of R-2205A and E and east 
of R-2205C/D/G/H areas. The northern and southern boundaries are the 
same as R-2205A and E. The altitudes would be from the surface up to 
but not including

[[Page 12528]]

10,000 feet MSL (R-2205B) and 10,000 feet MSL to 31,000 feet MSL (R-
2205F).
    R-2205C and G would be established northeast and southeast of 
Eilson Air Force Base bordering R-2205D and H on the western boundary. 
The altitudes would be from the surface up to but not including 10,000 
feet MSL (R-2205C) and 10,000 feet MSL to 31,000 feet MSL (R-2205G).
    R-2205D and H would be established east of Eielson Air Force Base 
bordering R-2205C and G to the northeast and southeast. The altitudes 
would be from the surface up to but not including 10,000 feet MSL (R-
2205D) and 10,000 feet MSL to 31,000 feet MSL (R-2205H).
    Finally, R-2205, Stuart Creek AK would be removed.

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-2205 Stuart Creek, AK [Removed]

R-2205A Fairbanks, AK [New]

    Boundaries--Beginning at lat. 64[deg]45'29'' N., long. 
146[deg]47'49'' W.; to lat. 64[deg]48'48'' N., long. 146[deg]47'29'' 
W.; to lat. 64[deg]48'47'' N., long. 146[deg]32'14'' W.; to lat. 
64[deg]46'37'' N., long. 146[deg]32'20'' W.; to lat. 64[deg]46'36'' 
N., long. 146[deg]10'37'' W.; to lat. 64[deg]40'15'' N., long. 
146[deg]10'39'' W.; to lat. 64[deg]35'48'' N., long. 146[deg]10'40'' 
W.; to lat. 64[deg]35'48'' N., long. 146[deg]11'38'' W.; to lat. 
64[deg]33'52'' N., long. 146[deg]19'39'' W.; to lat. 64[deg]33'38'' 
N., long. 146[deg]19'39'' W.; to lat. 64[deg]33'38'' N., long. 
146[deg]25'35'' W.; to the point of beginning.
    Designated altitudes. Surface to but not including 10,000 feet 
MSL.
    Time of designation. 0700-1900 local time Monday-Friday; other 
times by NOTAM.
    Controlling agency. FAA, Fairbanks Approach Control.
    Using agency. U.S. Army, AK (USARAK), Commanding General, Joint 
Base Elmendorf-Richardson (JBER), AK.

R-2205B Fairbanks, AK [New]

    Boundaries--Beginning at lat. 64[deg]45'29'' N., long. 
146[deg]47'49'' W.; to lat. 64[deg]33'38'' N., long. 146[deg]25'35'' 
W.; to lat. 64[deg]33'38'' N., long. 146[deg]45'18'' W.; to lat. 
64[deg]33'51'' N., long. 146[deg]45'19'' W.; to lat. 64[deg]33'51'' 
N., long. 146[deg]46'19'' W.; to lat. 64[deg]34'04'' N., long. 
146[deg]46'20'' W.; to lat. 64[deg]41'10'' N., long. 146[deg]55'00'' 
W.; to lat. 64[deg]48'48'' N., long. 146[deg]54'59'' W.; to lat. 
64[deg]48'48'' N., long. 146[deg]47'29'' W.; to the point of 
beginning.
    Designated altitudes. Surface to but not including 10,000 feet 
MSL.
    Time of designation. 0700-1900 local time Monday-Friday; other 
times by NOTAM.
    Controlling agency. FAA, Fairbanks Approach Control.
    Using agency. U.S. Army, AK (USARAK), Commanding General, Joint 
Base Elmendorf-Richardson (JBER), AK.

R-2205C Fairbanks, AK [New]

    Boundaries--Beginning at lat. 64[deg]48'48'' N., long. 
146[deg]54'59'' W.; to lat. 64[deg]41'10'' N., long. 146[deg]55'00'' 
W.; to lat. 64[deg]34'04'' N., long. 146[deg]46'20'' W.; to lat. 
64[deg]36'14'' N., long. 146[deg]56'23'' W.; to lat. 64[deg]37'47'' 
N., long. 146[deg]56'23'' W.; counter-clockwise along the 4.7-mile 
radius of Eielson AFB; to lat. 64[deg]43'40'' N., long. 
146[deg]59'26'' W.; to lat. 64[deg]44'54'' N., long. 146[deg]59'33'' 
W.; to lat. 64[deg]44'54'' N., long. 146[deg]59'56'' W.; to lat. 
64[deg]48'47'' N., long. 146[deg]59'59'' W.; to the point of 
beginning.
    Designated altitudes. Surface to but not including 10,000 feet 
MSL.
    Time of designation. 0700-1900 local time Monday-Friday; other 
times by NOTAM.
    Controlling agency. FAA, Fairbanks Approach Control.
    Using agency. U.S. Army, AK (USARAK), Commanding General, Joint 
Base Elmendorf-Richardson (JBER), AK.

R-2205D Fairbanks, AK [New]

    Boundaries--Beginning at lat. 64[deg]43'40'' N., long. 
146[deg]59'26'' W.; clockwise along the 4.7-mile radius of Eielson 
AFB; to lat. 64[deg]37'47'' N., long. 146[deg]56'23'' W.; to lat. 
64[deg]39'42'' N., long. 146[deg]56'23'' W.; to lat. 64[deg]39'41'' 
N., long. 146[deg]57'23'' W.; to lat. 64[deg]40'06'' N., long. 
146[deg]57'19'' W.; to lat. 64[deg]40'09'' N., long. 147[deg]00'19'' 
W.; to lat. 64[deg]41'26'' N., long. 147[deg]00'29'' W.; to lat. 
64[deg]41'26'' N., long. 147[deg]02'26'' W.; to lat. 64[deg]43'37'' 
N., long. 147[deg]02'23'' W.; to the point of beginning.
    Designated altitudes. Surface to but not including 10,000 feet 
MSL.
    Time of designation. 0700-1900 local time Monday-Friday; other 
times by NOTAM.
    Controlling agency. FAA, Fairbanks Approach Control.
    Using agency. U.S. Army, AK (USARAK), Commanding General, Joint 
Base Elmendorf-Richardson (JBER), AK.

R-2205E Fairbanks, AK [New]

    Boundaries--Beginning at lat. 64[deg]45'29'' N., long. 
146[deg]47'49'' W.; to lat. 64[deg]48'48'' N., long. 146[deg]47'29'' 
W.; to lat. 64[deg]48'47'' N., long. 146[deg]32'14'' W.; to lat. 
64[deg]46'37'' N., long. 146[deg]32'20'' W.; to lat. 64[deg]46'36'' 
N., long. 146[deg]10'37'' W.; to lat. 64[deg]40'15'' N., long. 
146[deg]10'39'' W.; to lat. 64[deg]35'48'' N., long. 146[deg]10'40'' 
W.; to lat. 64[deg]35'48'' N., long. 146[deg]11'38'' W.; to lat. 
64[deg]33'52'' N., long. 146[deg]19'39'' W.; to lat. 64[deg]33'38'' 
N., long. 146[deg]19'39'' W.; to lat. 64[deg]33'38'' N., long. 
146[deg]25'35'' W.; to the point of beginning.
    Designated altitudes. 10,000 feet MSL to FL 310.
    Time of designation. 0700-1900 local time Monday-Friday; other 
times by NOTAM.
    Controlling agency. FAA, Fairbanks Approach Control.
    Using agency. U.S. Army, AK (USARAK), Commanding General, Joint 
Base Elmendorf-Richardson (JBER), AK.

R-2205F Fairbanks, AK [New]

    Boundaries--Beginning at lat. 64[deg]45'29'' N., long. 
146[deg]47'49'' W.; to lat. 64[deg]33'38'' N., long. 146[deg]25'35'' 
W.; to lat. 64[deg]33'38'' N., long. 146[deg]45'18'' W.; to lat. 
64[deg]33'51'' N., long. 146[deg]45'19'' W.; to lat. 64[deg]33'51'' 
N., long. 146[deg]46'19'' W.; to lat. 64[deg]34'04'' N., long. 
146[deg]46'20'' W.; to lat. 64[deg]41'10'' N., long. 146[deg]55'00'' 
W.; to lat. 64[deg]48'48'' N., long. 146[deg]54'59'' W.; to lat. 
64[deg]48'48'' N., long. 146[deg]47'29'' W.; to the point of 
beginning.
    Designated altitudes. 10,000 feet MSL to FL 310.
    Time of designation. 0700-1900 local time Monday-Friday; other 
times by NOTAM.
    Controlling agency. FAA, Fairbanks Approach Control.
    Using agency. U.S. Army, AK (USARAK), Commanding General, Joint 
Base Elmendorf-Richardson (JBER), AK.

R-2205G Fairbanks, AK [New]

    Boundaries--Beginning at lat. 64[deg]48'48'' N., long. 
146[deg]54'59'' W.; to lat. 64[deg]41'10'' N., long. 146[deg]55'00'' 
W.; to lat. 64[deg]34'04'' N., long. 146[deg]46'20'' W.; to lat. 
64[deg]36'14'' N., long. 146[deg]56'23'' W.; to lat. 64[deg]37'47'' 
N., long. 146[deg]56'23'' W.; counter-clockwise along

[[Page 12529]]

the 4.7-mile radius of Eielson AFB; to lat. 64[deg]43'40'' N., long. 
146[deg]59'26'' W.; to lat. 64[deg]44'54'' N., long. 146[deg]59'33'' 
W.; to lat. 64[deg]44'54'' N., long. 146[deg]59'56'' W.; to lat. 
64[deg]48'47'' N., long. 146[deg]59'59'' W.; to the point of 
beginning.
    Designated altitudes. 10,000 feet MSL to FL 310.
    Time of designation. 0700-1900 local time Monday-Friday; other 
times by NOTAM.
    Controlling agency. FAA, Fairbanks Approach Control.
    Using agency. U.S. Army, AK (USARAK), Commanding General, Joint 
Base Elmendorf-Richardson (JBER), AK.

R-2205H Fairbanks, AK [New]

    Boundaries--Beginning at lat. 64[deg]43'40'' N., long. 
146[deg]59'26'' W.; clockwise along the 4.7-mile radius of Eielson 
AFB; to lat. 64[deg]37'47'' N., long. 146[deg]56'23'' W.; to lat. 
64[deg]39'42'' N., long. 146[deg]56'23'' W.; to lat. 64[deg]39'41'' 
N., long. 146[deg]57'23'' W.; to lat. 64[deg]40'06'' N., long. 
146[deg]57'19'' W.; to lat. 64[deg]40'09'' N., long. 147[deg]00'19'' 
W.; to lat. 64[deg]41'26'' N., long. 147[deg]00'29'' W.; to lat. 
64[deg]41'26'' N., long. 147[deg]02'26'' W.; to lat. 64[deg]43'37'' 
N., long. 147[deg]02'23'' W.; to the point of beginning.
    Designated altitudes. 10,000 feet MSL to FL 310.
    Time of designation. 0700-1900 local time Monday-Friday; other 
times by NOTAM.
    Controlling agency. FAA, Fairbanks Approach Control.
    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. 2017-04189 Filed 3-3-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P