[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 74 (Tuesday, April 17, 2012)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 22667]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-9186]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 73
[Docket No. FAA-2012-0226; Airspace Docket No. 12-ASO-10]
RIN 2120-AA66
Amendment of Restricted Area R-2917, De Funiak Springs, FL
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This action modifies restricted area R-2917 by reducing the
lateral and vertical dimensions of the area. The U.S. Air Force has
determined that a smaller restricted area is needed to ensure that
aircraft carrying certain electro-explosive devices remain a safe
distance from an FPS-85 radar site.
DATES: Effective date 0901 UTC, May 31, 2012.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Paul Gallant, Airspace, Regulations
and ATC Procedures Group, AJV-11, Office of Airspace Services, Federal
Aviation Administration, 800 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC
20591; telephone: (202) 267-8783.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
On January 2, 1996, the FAA published a final rule in the Federal
Register to expand the lateral and vertical dimensions of restricted
area R-2917, De Funiak Springs, FL, which surrounds an FPS-85 radar
system located at that site (61 FR 0004). The expanded restricted area
consisted of a 2.5 nautical mile radius, from the surface up to, but
not including, Flight Level (FL) 230. The purpose of R-2917 is to
provide protected airspace around the radar site because the radio
frequency (RF) energy emitted by the radar has the potential to
activate electro-explosive devices (EED) carried on board certain
aircraft. It should be noted that R-2917 is located within the confines
of a much larger restricted area, R-2914A, which extends from the
surface to unlimited altitude.
A recent revision to Air Force explosive safety standards guidance
revised the formula for computing the hazards to EED from FPS-85 RF
radiation. As a result, a smaller safe separation distance is required
for aircraft carrying EED. This allows the size of R-2917 to be reduced
to a one-nautical mile radius up to 5,000 feet MSL. The smaller
restricted area R-2917 remains totally contained within existing
restricted area R-2914A.
The Rule
This action amends Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR)
part 73 to change the lateral and vertical dimensions of R-2917, De
Funiak Springs, FL, from the current 2.5-nautical mile radius circle,
extending from the surface to, but not including FL 230, to a one-
nautical mile radius circle, extending from the surface to 5,000 feet
MSL.
Because this amendment reduces the size of restricted airspace
within the confines of a larger existing restricted area and does not
increase the burden on the public, notice and public procedures under 5
U.S.C. 553(b) are unnecessary.
The FAA has determined that this action only involves an
established body of technical regulations for which frequent and
routine amendments are necessary to keep them operationally current.
Therefore, this regulation: (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
The FAA has determined that this action qualifies for categorical
exclusion under the National Environmental Policy Act in accordance
with 311c., FAA Order 1050.1E, Environmental Impacts: Policies and
Procedures. This action reduces the vertical and lateral dimensions of
special use airspace; therefore, it is not expected to cause any
potentially significant environmental impacts, and no extraordinary
circumstances exists that warrant preparation of an environmental
assessment.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 73
Airspace, Prohibited areas, Restricted areas.
Adoption of the Amendment
In consideration of the foregoing, the Federal Aviation
Administration amends 14 CFR part 73, as follows:
PART 73--SPECIAL USE AIRSPACE
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1. The authority citation for part 73 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40103, 40113, 40120; E.O. 10854, 24
FR 9565, 3 CFR, 1959-1963 Comp., p. 389.
Sec. 73.29 [Amended]
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2. Sec. 73.29 is amended as follows:
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1. R-2917 De Funiak Springs, FL [Amended]
By removing the current Boundaries and Designated altitudes and
substituting the following: Boundaries. A circle with a 1-nautical mile
radius centered at lat. 30[deg]34'21''N., long. 86[deg]12'53''W.
Designated altitudes. Surface to 5,000 feet MSL.
Issued in Washington, DC on April 12, 2012.
Ellen Crum,
Acting Manager, Airspace, Regulations and ATC Procedures Group.
[FR Doc. 2012-9186 Filed 4-16-12; 8:45 am]
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