[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 118 (Tuesday, June 18, 2024)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 51414-51415]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-13313]



[[Page 51414]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 73

[Docket No. FAA-2023-1972; Airspace Docket No. 22-AGL-39]
RIN 2120-AA66


Modification of Restricted Areas R-4201A and R-4201B; Camp 
Grayling, MI

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action modifies the designated altitudes of restricted 
area R-4201B, Camp Grayling, MI, by raising the restricted area ceiling 
from 9,000 feet mean sea level (MSL) to 23,000 feet MSL to match the 
ceiling of the adjacent restricted area R-4201A, Camp Grayling, MI. 
Additionally, this action adds a ``tie-in'' boundary point in the R-
4201A boundaries description to ensure a shared R-4201A and R-4201B 
boundary. Lastly, this action makes minor administrative changes to the 
R-4201B time of designation information and the R-4201A and R-4201B 
using agency information to standardize the format of the information 
provided describing these restricted areas.

DATES: Effective date 0901 UTC, September 5, 2024.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Colby Abbott, 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 would modify the restricted area airspace at Camp 
Grayling, MI, to enhance aviation safety and accommodate essential U.S. 
Army training requirements.

History

    The FAA published a NPRM for Docket No. FAA-2023-1972 in the 
Federal Register (88 FR 70915; October 13, 2023), proposing to raise 
the designated altitude ceiling of restricted area R-4201B, Camp 
Grayling, MI, from 9,000 feet MSL to 23,000 feet MSL, adding a ``tie-
in'' boundary point in the R-4201A boundaries description to ensure a 
shared R-4201A and R-4201B boundary, and making minor administrative 
changes to the R-4201B time of designation information and the R-4201A 
and R-4201B using agency information. Interested parties were invited 
to participate in this rulemaking effort by submitting written comments 
on the proposal to the FAA. Two comments were received. Both comments 
supported the proposed restricted area amendment actions.

The Rule

    This action amends 14 CFR part 73 by raising the designated 
altitudes ceiling of restricted area R-4201B, Camp Grayling, MI; adding 
a ``tie-in'' boundary point in the R-4201A boundaries description to 
ensure a shared R-4201A and R-4201B boundary; and making minor 
administrative changes to the existing R-4201B time of designation and 
the R-4201A and R-4201B using agency information.
    The R-4201B ceiling is raised to 23,000 feet MSL to match the 
restricted area ceiling with the adjacent R-4201A ceiling and connect 
the eastern boundaries of the two restricted areas equally with two new 
MOAs proposed as part of a previously published non-rulemaking proposal 
to amend the Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center (CRTC) Airspace 
Complex.
    An additional boundary point is added to the existing R-4201A 
southern boundary to ensure a shared boundary with the northern 
boundary of R-4201B. The additional boundary point located at latitude 
44[deg]47'00'' N, longitude 84[deg]38'00'' W in the R-4201A description 
matches the geographic coordinates of the northwest corner of R-4201B 
and does not change the boundaries alignment for either restricted 
area.
    The minor administrative change to the existing R-4201B time of 
designation does not change when the restricted area is available to be 
scheduled. Additionally, the administrative changes to the R-4201A and 
R-4201B using agency information prefaces the existing using agency 
information with ``U.S. Army.'' These administrative changes do not 
affect the scheduling, use, or activities conducted within the 
restricted areas.

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 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 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

    In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) (42 
U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), the National Guard Bureau (NGB) and the Michigan 
Air National Guard (MIANG) prepared an Environmental Assessment (EA) 
and Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for Modification and 
Addition of Airspace at the Alpena Special Use Airspace (SUA) Complex, 
dated February 2, 2024. The EA considers the potential consequences to 
the human and natural environment associated with modification, 
expansion, and utilization of the Alpena SUA Complex, including the use 
of restricted areas R-4201A and R-4201B for NGB and MIANG aircraft 
exercises. The FAA is a cooperating agency for the NGB and MIANG EA 
since it has jurisdiction by law over the provision and use of the 
airspace in which the NGB and MIANG actions take place. In accordance 
with NEPA's implementing regulations at 40 CFR part 1500 and FAA's NEPA 
implementing regulations in FAA Order 1050.1F, paragraph 8-2, The 
Adoption of Other Agencies' NEPA Documents, the FAA has adopted the NGB 
and MIANG EA and published its own FONSI for the establishment and use 
of the Alpena SUA Complex near Alpena, MI, dated April 17, 2024.

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:

[[Page 51415]]

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.  73.42  Michigan (MI) [Amended]

0
2. Sec.  73.42 is amended as follows:

R-4201A Camp Grayling, MI [Amended]

    Boundaries. Beginning at lat. 44[deg]56'00'' N, long. 
084[deg]29'00'' W; to lat. 44[deg]47'00'' N, long. 084[deg]29'00'' W; 
to lat. 44[deg]47'00'' N, long. 084[deg]38'00'' W; to lat. 
44[deg]47'00'' N, long. 084[deg]39'00'' W; to lat. 44[deg]56'00'' N, 
long. 084[deg]39'00'' W; to the point of beginning.
    Designated altitudes. Surface to 23,000 feet MSL.
    Time of designation. 0800-1600 local time, Tuesday-Saturday; other 
times by NOTAM.
    Controlling agency. FAA, Minneapolis ARTCC.
    Using agency. U.S. Army, Commander, Camp Grayling, Grayling, MI.

R-4201B Camp Grayling, MI [Amended]

    Boundaries. Beginning at lat. 44[deg]47'00'' N, long. 
084[deg]29'00'' W; to lat. 44[deg]41'00'' N, long. 084[deg]29'00'' W; 
to lat. 44[deg]41'00'' N, long. 084[deg]40'00'' W; to lat. 
44[deg]43'00'' N, long. 084[deg]40'00'' W; to lat. 44[deg]43'00'' N, 
long. 084[deg]38'00'' W; to lat. 44[deg]47'00'' N, long. 
084[deg]38'00'' W; to the point of beginning.
    Designated altitudes. Surface to 23,000 feet MSL.
    Time of designation. 0000-2359 local time, Saturday-Sunday; other 
times by NOTAM.
    Controlling agency. FAA, Minneapolis ARTCC.
    Using agency. U.S. Army, Commander, Camp Grayling, Grayling, MI.
* * * * *

    Issued in Washington, DC, on June 12, 2024.
Frank Lias,
Manager, Rules and Regulations Group.
[FR Doc. 2024-13313 Filed 6-17-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P