[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 121 (Friday, June 22, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 28981-28983]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-13375]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 73

[Docket No. FAA-2018-0470; Airspace Docket No. 18-ASW-2]
RIN 2120-AA66


Modification to Restricted Area R-5601F and Establishment of 
Restricted Area R-5601J; Fort Sill, OK

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule, technical amendment.

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SUMMARY: This action amends the restricted areas at Fort Sill, OK, to 
subdivide R-5601F into two subareas, R-5601F and R-5601J, make a minor 
correction to one boundary point in R-5601G, and to update and 
standardize the using agency information for each restricted area in 
the Fort Sill restricted area complex. The FAA is taking this action to 
allow for more efficient use of the airspace during periods when 
military activities only require the eastern portions of the restricted 
area complex. The airspace modifications are fully contained within the 
existing lateral and vertical boundaries of the Fort Sill, OK, 
restricted airspace. The using agency information update to each of the 
restricted areas in the Fort Sill complex is editorial only.

DATES: Effective date 0901 UTC, September 13, 2018.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Colby Abbott, 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 amends existing restricted area R-5601F by subdividing 
it into R-5601F and R-5601J, and updates the using agency information 
for each of the restricted areas at Fort Sill, OK.

History

    R-5601F is an irregularly shaped restricted area in the Fort Sill, 
OK, restricted area complex used to contain hazardous activities. It 
connects the Military Operations Areas located to the north with the R-
5601 gunnery ranges located to the south and stretches the entire 
length of the Fort Sill restricted area complex laterally from west to 
east, from 500 feet above ground level (AGL) to Flight Level 400 in 
altitude. The United States (U.S.) Army normally trains in the eastern 
restricted areas, R-5601A, R-5601B, and R-5601F, while the U.S. Air 
Force normally trains in the western areas, R-5601C, R-5601D, R-5601E, 
R-5601F, and R-5601G. When the using agency only requires the eastern 
areas to support its hazardous training activities, it results in the 
R-5601F restricted area being activated across the entire northern 
boundary of the restricted areas being activated, and creates a 14-mile 
extension of restricted area airspace that is not needed for the 
training activities being conducted.
    The activation of R-5601F, and the unintended consequences of the 
14-mile extension of restricted area airspace extending westward beyond 
the eastern Fort Sill restricted areas, primarily impacts the high 
altitude commercial air carriers inbound to the Dallas-Fort Worth 
metroplex area. Routing aircraft to overfly the R-5601F restricted area 
results in descent delays that take aircraft off their optimized 
descent profiles, and vectoring aircraft to circumnavigate the R-5601F 
restricted area laterally to the west adds miles and flight time to 
each aircraft. Additionally, these mitigations to overcome the unneeded 
extension of the R-5601F restricted area when only the eastern Fort 
Sill restricted areas are required also increases air traffic 
complexity and controller workload.
    In December 2017, the FAA supported a U.S. Army laser air defense 
exercise conducted at Fort Sill, OK, using existing permanent 
restricted areas and two temporary restricted areas established 
overhead the Fort Sill restricted area complex. As part of a lessons 
learned review of the exercise, the FAA determined that subdividing the 
existing R-5601F restricted area laterally into two restricted areas, 
activated independently, would lessen aeronautical impacts to air 
traffic operating in the central United States.
    Further, subdividing the existing R-5601F laterally into two 
separate restricted areas enhances the efficient

[[Page 28982]]

use of the National Airspace System by providing for activation of the 
minimum amount of restricted area airspace needed for hazardous 
military training activities and releases unneeded restricted areas for 
access by other airspace users.
    Lastly, while staffing this airspace action to subdivide R-5601F 
laterally, the FAA also determined that one geographic point in the R-
5601G boundary information needed to be adjusted and the using agency 
information needed to be updated in all of the restricted areas in the 
R-5601 complex. The minor R-5601G boundary point change was deemed 
necessary to ensure the accuracy of the shared boundaries with the two 
new subdivided restricted areas and the using agency editorial updates 
was necessary for clarity and standardization in all of the restricted 
areas in the R-5601 complex.

The Rule

    This action amends 14 CFR part 73 by subdividing restricted area R-
5601F in the Fort Sill, OK, restricted area complex into two subareas, 
R-5601F (amended) and R-5601J (new), divided laterally by a shared 
boundary extending from lat. 34[deg]45'03'' N, long. 98[deg]29'44'' W 
to lat. 34[deg]43'30'' N, long. 98[deg]35'40'' W. The subarea portion 
of the current R-5601F established west of the shared boundary will 
continue to be designated R-5601F, and the subarea portion established 
east of the shared boundary will be designated R-5601J. This action 
does not alter the existing lateral or vertical boundaries of the 
restricted area airspace or the operations currently conducted in that 
airspace. The subdivision of the current R-5601F restricted area 
minimizes impacts to high altitude commercial air carriers inbound to 
the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex area unnecessarily when only the 
eastern R-5601 complex restricted areas are required for training by 
the using agency at Fort Sill, OK.
    This action also makes a minor change to one geographic point in 
the boundaries information listed in the R-5601G description due to 
improved digital charting capabilities. This change ensures the 
accuracy of the shared boundaries between restricted areas R-5601F and 
R-5601J with R-5601G, and that all three restricted areas meet at the 
same shared boundary point.
    Additionally, this action makes editorial changes to the using 
agency information listed in each of the Fort Sill restricted area 
descriptions for clarity and standardization. The using agency is 
unchanged, but simply amended in the descriptions to reflect the 
military unit responsible for ensuring the restricted areas are used 
for their designated purpose, scheduling the restricted areas, and 
coordinating the restricted area airspace use with the controlling 
agency. The Fort Sill using agency concurs with this editorial update.
    These modifications do not change the current lateral boundaries, 
designated altitudes, times of designation, or activities conducted 
within the Fort Sill restricted area complex; therefore, notice and 
public procedure under 5 U.S.C. 553(b) are unnecessary.

Regulatory Notices and Analyses

    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. 
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 only affects air traffic procedures 
and air navigation, it is certified that this rule, when promulgated, 
does not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of 
small entities under the criteria of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.

Environmental Review

    The FAA has determined that this action of amending the internal 
subdivision of restricted area R-5601F within the Fort Sill, OK, 
complex qualifies for categorical exclusion under the National 
Environmental Policy Act and in accordance with FAA Order 1050.1F, 
Environmental Impacts: Policies and Procedures, paragraph 5-6.5.d, 
``Modification of the technical description of special use airspace 
(SUA) that does not alter the dimensions, altitudes, or times of 
designation of the airspace (such as changes in designation of the 
controlling or using agency, or correction of typographical errors).'' 
This airspace action is an administrative change to the internal 
subdivision of an existing restricted area within the Fort Sill, OK, 
restricted area complex. It does not alter the dimensions, altitudes, 
time of designation, or use of the airspace. Therefore, this airspace 
action is not expected to result in any significant environmental 
impacts. In accordance with FAA Order 1050.1F, paragraph 5-2 regarding 
Extraordinary Circumstances, this action has been reviewed for factors 
and circumstances in which a normally categorically excluded action may 
have a significant environmental impact requiring further analysis, and 
it is determined that no extraordinary circumstances exist that warrant 
preparation of an environmental assessment or an environmental impact 
study.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 73

    Airspace, Prohibited areas, Restricted areas.

The Amendment

    In consideration of the foregoing, the Federal Aviation 
Administration amends 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.  73.56  [Amended]

0
2. Sec.  73.56 is amended as follows:

R-5601A Fort Sill, OK [Amended]

* * * * *
    By removing ``Using agency. U.S. Army, Commanding General, U.S. 
Army Fires Center of Excellence (USAFCOE) and Fort Sill, Fort Sill, 
OK,'' and adding in its place:
    Using agency. U.S. Army, U.S. Army Fires Center of Excellence 
(USAFCOE), Fort Sill, OK.

R-5601B Fort Sill, OK [Amended]

* * * * *
    By removing ``Using agency. U.S. Army, Commanding General, U.S. 
Army Fires Center of Excellence (USAFCOE) and Fort Sill, Fort Sill, 
OK,'' and adding in its place:
    Using agency. U.S. Army, U.S. Army Fires Center of Excellence 
(USAFCOE), Fort Sill, OK.

R-5601C Fort Sill, OK [Amended]

* * * * *
    By removing ``Using agency. U.S. Army, Commanding General, U.S. 
Army Fires Center of Excellence (USAFCOE) and Fort Sill, Fort Sill, 
OK,'' and adding in its place:
    Using agency. U.S. Army, U.S. Army Fires Center of Excellence 
(USAFCOE), Fort Sill, OK.

R-5601D Fort Sill, OK [Amended]

* * * * *
    By removing ``Using agency. U.S. Army, Commanding General, U.S. 
Army Fires Center of Excellence (USAFCOE)

[[Page 28983]]

and Fort Sill, Fort Sill, OK,'' and adding in its place:
    Using agency. U.S. Army, U.S. Army Fires Center of Excellence 
(USAFCOE), Fort Sill, OK.

R-5601E Fort Sill, OK [Amended]

* * * * *
    By removing ``Using agency. U.S. Army, Commanding General, U.S. 
Army Fires Center of Excellence (USAFCOE) and Fort Sill, Fort Sill, 
OK,'' and adding in its place:
    Using agency. U.S. Army, U.S. Army Fires Center of Excellence 
(USAFCOE), Fort Sill, OK.

R-5601F Fort Sill, OK [Amended]

    Boundaries. Beginning at lat. 34[deg]46'24'' N, long. 
98[deg]52'00'' W; thence clockwise via the 49 NM arc of the Wichita 
Falls VORTAC to lat. 34[deg]46'39'' N, long. 98[deg]50'53'' W; to lat. 
34[deg]43'46'' N, long. 98[deg]49'55'' W; thence clockwise via the 46 
NM arc of the Wichita Falls VORTAC to lat. 34[deg]45'03'' N, long. 
98[deg]29'44'' W; to lat. 34[deg]43'30'' N, long. 98[deg]35'40'' W; to 
lat. 34[deg]45'00'' N, long. 98[deg]40'31'' W; to lat. 34[deg]42'15'' 
N, long. 98[deg]50'01'' W; to the point of beginning. Excluding that 
airspace below 5,500 feet MSL beginning at lat. 34[deg]44'28'' N, long. 
98[deg]46'16'' W; thence clockwise via the 46 NM arc of the Wichita 
Falls VORTAC to lat. 34[deg]45'03'' N, long. 98[deg]29'44'' W; to lat. 
34[deg]43'30'' N, long. 98[deg]35'40'' W; to lat. 34[deg]45'00'' N, 
long. 98[deg]40'31'' W; to lat. 34[deg]43'09'' N, long. 98[deg]46'56'' 
W; to the point of beginning.
    Designated altitudes. 500 feet AGL to FL 400. Times of designation. 
Sunrise to 2200 local time, Monday-Friday; other times by NOTAM. 
Controlling agency. FAA, Fort Worth ARTCC. Using agency. U.S. Army, 
U.S. Army Fires Center of Excellence (USAFCOE), Fort Sill, OK.

R-5601G Fort Sill, OK [Amended]

* * * * *
    By removing the boundary geographic point ``lat. 34[deg]45'03'' N, 
long. 98[deg]29'46'' W'' and adding in its place ``lat. 34[deg]45'03'' 
N, long. 98[deg]29'44'' W.''
    By removing ``Using agency. U.S. Army, Commanding General, U.S. 
Army Fires Center of Excellence (USAFCOE) and Fort Sill, Fort Sill, 
OK,'' and adding in its place:
    Using agency. U.S. Army, U.S. Army Fires Center of Excellence 
(USAFCOE), Fort Sill, OK.

R-5601H Fort Sill, OK [Amended]

* * * * *
    By removing ``Using agency. U.S. Army, Commanding General, U.S. 
Army Fires Center of Excellence (USAFCOE) and Fort Sill, Fort Sill, 
OK,'' and adding in its place:
    Using agency. U.S. Army, U.S. Army Fires Center of Excellence 
(USAFCOE), Fort Sill, OK.

R-5601J Fort Sill, OK [New]

    Boundaries. Beginning at lat. 34[deg]45'03'' N, long. 
98[deg]29'44'' W; to lat. 34[deg]46'15'' N, long. 98[deg]25'01'' W; to 
lat. 34[deg]47'00'' N, long. 98[deg]17'46'' W; to lat. 34[deg]46'45'' 
N, long. 98[deg]17'01'' W; to lat. 34[deg]46'06'' N, long. 
98[deg]17'01'' W; to lat. 34[deg]46'06'' N, long. 98[deg]21'01'' W; to 
lat. 34[deg]43'45'' N, long. 98[deg]21'01'' W; to lat. 34[deg]43'30'' 
N, long. 98[deg]21'21'' W; to lat. 34[deg]43'30'' N, long. 
98[deg]35'40'' W; to the point of beginning. Excluding that airspace 
below 5,500 feet MSL beginning at lat. 34[deg]43'30'' N, long. 
98[deg]35'40'' W; to lat. 34[deg]44'48'' N, long. 98[deg]30'45'' W; to 
lat. 34[deg]43'30'' N, long. 98[deg]30'00'' W; to the point of 
beginning; and that airspace below 3,500 feet MSL within a 1 NM radius 
of lat. 34[deg]46'46'' N, long. 98[deg]17'46'' W.
    Designated altitudes. 500 feet AGL to FL 400. Times of designation. 
Sunrise to 2200 local time, Monday-Friday; other times by NOTAM. 
Controlling agency. FAA, Fort Worth ARTCC. Using agency. U.S. Army, 
U.S. Army Fires Center of Excellence (USAFCOE), Fort Sill, OK.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on June 13, 2018.
Scott J. Gardner,
Acting Manager, Airspace Policy Group.
[FR Doc. 2018-13375 Filed 6-21-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P