[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 11 (Wednesday, January 17, 2024)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 2877-2879]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-00804]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 73

[Docket No. FAA-2023-2555; Airspace Docket No. 23-AEA-18]
RIN 2120-AA66


Renaming of Restricted Areas R-6601A, R-6601B, and R-6601C; Fort 
AP Hill, VA

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Final rule; technical amendment.

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SUMMARY: This action renames restricted areas R-6601A, R-6601B, and R-
6601C, Fort AP Hill, VA, and updates the using agency description. 
Additionally, this action amends the geographic coordinates for 
multiple boundary points listed in the restricted areas to accurately 
align the existing boundary with United States (U.S.) Route 301 and 
U.S. Highway 17 referenced in the descriptions and adjacent Special Use 
Airspace (SUA). This action partially implements recommendations of the 
Commission on the Naming of Items (Naming Commission) of the Department 
of Defense (DoD) as established by section 370 of the Fiscal Year (FY) 
2021 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).

DATES: Effective date 0901 UTC, March 21, 2024.

ADDRESSES: A copy of this final rule, and all background material may 
be viewed online at www.regulations.gov using the FAA Docket number. 
Electronic retrieval help and guidelines are available on the website. 
It is available 24 hours each day, 365 days each year.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brian Vidis, Rules and Regulations 
Group, Office of Policy, 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 updates the information in the airspace descriptions of 
restricted areas R-6601A, R-6601B, and R-6601C.

Background

    The FY 2021 NDAA directed the DoD to establish a commission 
relating to assigning, modifying, or removing of names, symbols, 
displays, monuments, and paraphernalia to assets of the DoD that 
commemorate the Confederate States of America or any person who served 
voluntarily with the Confederate States of America.\1\ In January 2023, 
the Secretary of Defense directed all DoD organizations to begin full 
implementation of the Naming Commission's recommendations. As approved 
by the Secretary of Defense, the name ``Fort AP Hill, VA'' is changed 
to ``Fort Walker, VA''. Consequently, this rulemaking action implements 
the requisite changes to part 73 by updating the airspace descriptions 
of restricted areas R-6601A, R-6601B, and R-6601C to reflect the new 
name.
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    \1\ Public Law 116-283, 134 Stat. 3388, Jan. 1, 2021.
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    Upon review of the restricted areas, the FAA identified four 
boundary points used in the boundary descriptions that must be amended 
to accurately align with U.S. Route 301 and U.S. Highway 17 used in the 
description.
    Additionally, the FAA identified three boundary points to be 
included in the description that add additional precision to the 
alignment of U.S. Route 301 and create coincidence between adjacent 
SUA. These three additional boundary points must be included to ensure 
that there are no gaps between R-6601A, R-6601B, and R-6601C and the 
adjacent military operations area (MOA); and to ensure coincident 
alignment of the overlying boundaries of R-6601A, R-6601B, and R-6601C.

The Rule

    This action amends 14 CFR part 73 by updating the airspace titles 
and using agency descriptions for restricted areas R-6601A, R-6601B, 
and R-6601C by removing the name ``Fort AP Hill, VA'' and replacing it 
with ``Fort Walker, VA''.
    The FAA is also amending four geographic coordinates in the 
description of Restricted Areas R-6601A, R-6601B, and R-6601C. These 
minor amendments to the geographic coordinates more accurately describe

[[Page 2878]]

the intersection of each restricted area where it meets U.S. Route 301 
and U.S. Highway 17 in Virginia. Updating these coordinates does not 
change the boundary of the restricted areas, but rather increases the 
accuracy of the roadway due to digital precision survey. The point 
``lat. 38[deg]04'37'' N, long. 77[deg]18'44'' W'' is changed to ``lat. 
38[deg]04'37'' N, long. 77[deg]18'46'' W'' in the description of R-
6601A, R-6601B, and R-6601C. The point ``lat. 38[deg]09'45'' N, long. 
77[deg]11'59'' W'' is changed to ``lat. 38[deg]09'48'' N, long. 
77[deg]11'59'' W''; and the point ``lat. 38[deg]07'50'' N, long. 
77[deg]08'29'' W'' is changed to ``lat. 38[deg]07'49'' N, long. 
77[deg]08'29'' W'' in the description of R-6601A. The point ``lat. 
38[deg]09'38'' N, long. 77[deg]12'07'' W'' is changed to ``lat. 
38[deg]09'39'' N, long. 77[deg]12'08'' W'' in the description of R-
6601B and R-6601C.
    Additionally, the FAA is adding three geographic coordinates to the 
description of Restricted Areas R-6601A, R-6601B, and R-6601C. These 
additional geographic coordinates add intermediate geographic points to 
the boundary of R-6601A, R-6601B, and R-6601C that further increases 
the accuracy of the alignment of U.S Route 301 and creates coincident 
boundary points between the adjacent MOA. The point ``lat. 
38[deg]08'04'' N, long. 77[deg]14'06'' W'' is added to R-6601A, R-
6601B, and R-6601C. The point ``lat. 38[deg]09'39'' N, long. 
77[deg]12'08'' W''; and the point ``lat. 38[deg]07'09'' N, long. 
77[deg]08'40'' W'' are added to R-6601A.
    This action consists of administrative name changes and minor 
technical amendments only and does not affect the boundaries, 
altitudes, time of designation, or activities conducted in the 
airspace. Therefore, notice and public procedure under 5 U.S.C. 553(b) 
is 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 making administrative 
name changes; a technical amendment to four geographic coordinates; and 
adding 3 geographic coordinates in the description to restricted areas 
R-6601A, R-6601B, and R-6601C, which do not alter the boundaries, 
altitudes, or time of designation, qualifies for categorical exclusion 
under the National Environmental Policy Act (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) 
and its implementing regulations at 40 CFR part 1500, and in accordance 
with FAA Order 1050.1F, Environmental Impacts: Policies and Procedures, 
paragraph 5-6.5d--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). In accordance with FAA Order 1050.1F, paragraph 5-2 regarding 
Extraordinary Circumstances, the FAA has reviewed this action for 
factors and circumstances in which a normally categorically excluded 
action may have a significant environmental impact requiring further 
analysis. Accordingly, the FAA has determined that no extraordinary 
circumstances exist that warrant preparation of an environmental 
assessment or 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 14 CFR 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.  73.66  Virginia (VA) [Amended]

0
2. Section 73.66 is amended as follows:

R-6601A Fort A.P. Hill, VA [Removed]

R-6601B Fort A.P. Hill, VA [Removed]

R-6601C Fort A.P. Hill, VA [Removed]

R-6601A Fort Walker, VA [New]

    Boundaries. Beginning at lat. 38[deg]04'37'' N, long. 
77[deg]18'46'' W; thence along U.S. Route 301; to lat. 
38[deg]08'04'' N, long. 77[deg]14'06'' W; thence along U.S. Route 
301; to lat. 38[deg]09'39'' N, long. 77[deg]12'08'' W; thence along 
U.S. Route 301; to lat. 38[deg]09'48'' N, long. 77[deg]11'59'' W; 
thence along U.S. Highway 17; to lat. 38[deg]07'49'' N, long. 
77[deg]08'29'' W; to lat. 38[deg]07'09'' N, long. 77[deg]08'40'' W; 
to lat. 38[deg]05'30'' N, long. 77[deg]09'05'' W; to lat. 
38[deg]04'40'' N, long. 77[deg]10'19'' W; to lat. 38[deg]03'12'' N, 
long. 77[deg]09'34'' W; to lat. 38[deg]02'22'' N, long. 
77[deg]11'39'' W; to lat. 38[deg]02'30'' N, long. 77[deg]14'39'' W; 
to lat. 38[deg]01'50'' N, long. 77[deg]16'07'' W; to lat. 
38[deg]02'15'' N, long. 77[deg]18'03'' W; to lat. 38[deg]02'40'' N, 
long. 77[deg]18'59'' W; to the point of beginning.
    Designated altitudes. Surface to but not including 4,500 feet 
MSL.
    Time of designation. 0700 to 0200 local time daily. Other times 
by NOTAM at least 48 hours in advance.
    Controlling agency. FAA, Potomac TRACON.
    Using agency. U.S. Army, Commander, Fort Walker, VA.

R-6601B Fort Walker, VA [New]

    Boundaries. Beginning at lat. 38[deg]04'37'' N, long. 
77[deg]18'46'' W; thence along U.S. Route 301; to lat. 
38[deg]08'04'' N, long. 77[deg]14'06'' W; thence along U.S. Route 
301; to lat. 38[deg]09'39'' N, long. 77[deg]12'08'' W; to lat. 
38[deg]07'09'' N, long. 77[deg]08'40'' W; to lat. 38[deg]05'30'' N, 
long. 77[deg]09'05'' W; to lat. 38[deg]04'40'' N, long. 
77[deg]10'19'' W; to lat. 38[deg]03'12'' N, long. 77[deg]09'34'' W; 
to lat. 38[deg]02'22'' N, long. 77[deg]11'39'' W; to lat. 
38[deg]02'30'' N, long. 77[deg]14'39'' W; to lat. 38[deg]01'50'' N, 
long. 77[deg]16'07'' W; to lat. 38[deg]02'15'' N, long. 
77[deg]18'03'' W; to lat. 38[deg]02'40'' N, long. 77[deg]18'59'' W; 
to the point of beginning.
    Designated altitudes. 4,500 feet MSL to but not including 7,500 
feet MSL.
    Time of designation. Intermittent by NOTAM at least 48 hours in 
advance.
    Controlling agency. FAA, Potomac TRACON.
    Using agency. U.S. Army, Commander, Fort Walker, VA.

R-6601C Fort Walker, VA [New]

    Boundaries. Beginning at lat. 38[deg]04'37'' N, long. 
77[deg]18'46'' W; thence along U.S. Route 301; to lat. 
38[deg]08'04'' N, long. 77[deg]14'06'' W; thence along U.S. Route 
301; to lat. 38[deg]09'39'' N, long. 77[deg]12'08'' W; to lat. 
38[deg]07'09'' N, long. 77[deg]08'40'' W; to lat. 38[deg]05'30'' N, 
long. 77[deg]09'05'' W; to lat. 38[deg]04'40'' N, long. 
77[deg]10'19'' W; to lat. 38[deg]03'12'' N, long. 77[deg]09'34'' W; 
to lat. 38[deg]02'22'' N, long. 77[deg]11'39'' W; to lat. 
38[deg]02'30'' N, long. 77[deg]14'39'' W; to lat. 38[deg]01'50'' N, 
long. 77[deg]16'07'' W; to lat. 38[deg]02'15'' N, long. 
77[deg]18'03'' W; to lat. 38[deg]02'40'' N, long. 77[deg]18'59'' W; 
to the point of beginning.
    Designated altitudes. 7,500 feet MSL to 9,000 feet MSL.
    Time of designation. Intermittent by NOTAM at least 48 hours in 
advance.
    Controlling agency. FAA, Potomac TRACON.
    Using agency. U.S. Army, Commander, Fort Walker, VA.
* * * * *


[[Page 2879]]


    Issued in Washington, DC, on January 11, 2024.
Frank Lias,
Manager, Rules and Regulations Group.
[FR Doc. 2024-00804 Filed 1-16-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P