[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 198 (Thursday, October 10, 1996)] [Rules and Regulations] [Pages 53052-53053] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 96-26094] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 14 CFR Part 73 [Airspace Docket No. 96-ANM-16] RIN 2120-AA66 Changes to Restricted Areas R-6714A, E, F, G, and H, Yakima, WA AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. ACTION: Final rule. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: This action amends restricted airspace at Yakima Firing Center, WA. This action redefines Restricted Areas R-6714A, R-6714E, R- 6714G, and R-6714H to delete a congruent point in the airspace description that encroached on the protected airspace for Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal Airway V-187. In addition, the designated altitude of R-6714F is amended from ``surface to 29,000 feet,'' to ``surface to but not including 29,000 feet.'' EFFECTIVE DATE: 0901 UTC, December 5, 1996. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ken McElroy, Airspace and Rules Division, ATA-400, Office of Air Traffic Airspace Management, Federal Aviation Administration, 800 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20591; telephone (202) 267-8783. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background In 1962, R-6714 was established to support the firing of long-range weapons for the U.S. Army. Since its inception, many refinements have been made to the restricted area to reflect changing requirements as well as administrative changes. The latest refinement occurred on April 11, 1996, when the FAA published a final rule (61 FR 18062) expanding and redefining the Yakima Firing Center restricted area complex. These changes, effective June 20, 1996, were instituted as part of a U.S. Army review of future training requirements. Upon further review of this airspace action by the Seattle Flight Procedures Office, it was determined that the current configuration of the Yakima Firing Center restricted areas encroached slightly on the protected airspace for VOR Federal Airway V-187. (As an interim measure, the FAA published a Notice to Airmen indicating that V-187 is unusable when R-6714 is in use.) This action removes that encroachment. In addition, the designated altitude of R-6714F is amended from ``surface to 29,000 feet,'' to ``surface to but not including 29,000 feet.'' The coordinates for this airspace docket are based on North American Datum 83. Section 73.67 of part 73 of the Federal Aviation Regulations was republished in FAA Order 7400.8D dated July 11, 1996. The Rule This amendment to part 73 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 73) amends R-6714A, R-6714E, R-6714F, R-6714G, and R-6714H, Yakima Firing Center, WA. This rule moves a congruent corner defining R-6714A, R-6711E, R-6714G, and R-6714H approximately \1/4\ quarter mile west to remove the encroachment on the protected airspace of V-187. Additionally, the designated altitude of R-6714F is changed from ``surface to 29,000 feet,'' to ``surface to but not including 29,000 feet.'' Because this action corrects a minor technical error and reduces restricted airspace, I find that notice and public procedure under 5 U.S.C. 553(b) are unnecessary because this action is a minor technical amendment in which the public would not be particularly interested. Environmental Review This action reduces restricted airspace. There are no changes to air traffic control procedures or routes as a result of this action. Therefore, this action is not subject to environmental assessments and procedures under FAA Order 1050.1D, ``Polices and Procedures for Considering Environmental Impacts,'' and the National Environmental Policy Act. List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 73 Airspace, Navigation (air). Adoption of the Amendment In consideration of the foregoing, the Federal Aviation Administration amends 14 CFR part 73, as follows: PART 73--[AMENDED] 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; 14 CFR 11.69. Sec. 73.67 [Amended] 2. Section 73.67 is amended as follows: R-6714A Yakima, WA [Amended] By removing the present boundaries and substituting the following: Boundaries. Beginning at lat. 46 deg.50'59'' N., long. 119 deg.58'04'' W.; Thence south along the west edge of the Columbia River to lat. 46 deg.42'28'' N., long. 119 deg.58'19'' W.; to lat. 46 deg.35'04'' N., long. 120 deg.02'50'' W.; to lat. 46 deg.37'50'' N., long. 120 deg.20'26'' W.; to lat. 46 deg.38'29'' N., long. 120 deg.20'25'' W.; to lat. 46 deg.38'59'' N., long. 120 deg.22'13'' W.; to lat. 46 deg.42'19'' N.,long. 120 deg.26'12'' W.; thence north along the east side of Interstate Highway 82 to lat. 46 deg.47'49'' N., long. 120 deg.21'19'' W.; to lat. 46 deg.51'09'' N., long.120 deg.09'02'' W.; to point of beginning. R-6714E Yakima, WA [Amended] By removing the present boundaries and substituting the following: Boundaries. Beginning at lat. 46 deg.50'59'' N., long. 119 deg.58'04'' W.; thence south along the west side of the Columbia River to lat. 46 deg.42'28'' N., long. 119 deg.58'19'' W.; thence south along the west side of the Columbia River to lat. 46 deg.38'59'' N., long. 119 deg.56'09'' W.; to lat. 46 deg.38'08'' N., long. 119 deg.56'13'' W.; to lat. 46 deg.38'08'' N., long. 119 deg.55'04'' W.; to lat. 46 deg.33'55'' N., long. 119 deg.55'04'' W.; to lat. 46 deg.33'19'' N., long. 119 deg.55'04'' W.; to lat. 46 deg.32'50'' N., long. 119 deg.55'04'' W.; to lat. 46 deg.32'50'' N., long. 120 deg.04'25'' W.; to lat. 46 deg.37'03'' N., long. 120 deg.20'26'' W.; to lat. [[Page 53053]] 46 deg.37'50'' N., long. 120 deg.20'26'' W.; to lat. 46 deg.38'29'' N., long. 120 deg.20'25'' W.; to lat. 46 deg.38'59'' N., long. 120 deg.22'13'' W.; to lat. 46 deg.38'59'' N., long. 120 deg.23'45'' W.; to lat. 46 deg.40'34'' N., long. 120 deg.26'39'' W.; to lat. 46 deg.42'19'' N., long. 120 deg.26'12'' W.; thence north along the east side of Interstate Highway 82 to lat. 46 deg.47'49'' N., long. 120 deg.21'19'' W.; thence north along the east side of Interstate Highway 82 to lat. 46 deg.49'35'' N., long. 120 deg.21'38'' W.; to lat. 46 deg.51'09'' N., long. 120 deg.21'38'' W.; to lat. 46 deg.51'09'' N., long. 120 deg.16'34'' W.; to lat. 46 deg.54'29'' N., long. 120 deg.15'04'' W.; to point of beginning. R-6714F Yakima, WA [Amended] By removing the present altitudes and substituting the following: Designated altitudes. Surface to but not including 29,000 feet MSL. R-6714G Yakima, WA [Amended] By removing the present boundaries and substituting the following: Boundaries. Beginning at lat. 46 deg.51'09'' N., long. 120 deg.16'34'' W.; to lat. 46 deg.54'29'' N., long. 120 deg.15'04'' W.; to lat. 46 deg.50'59'' N., long. 119 deg.58'04'' W.; to lat. 46 deg.51'09'' N., long. 120 deg.08'54'' W.; to point of beginning. R-6714H Yakima, WA [Amended] By removing the present boundaries and substituting the following: Boundaries. Beginning at lat. 46 deg.54'58'' N., long. 120 deg.00'33'' W.; excluding that airspace within a 1.5 mile radius of the Vantage Airport to lat. 46 deg.54'39'' N., long. 119 deg.59'31'' W.; thence south along the west side of the Wanpaum road to lat. 46 deg.50'59'' N., long. 119 deg.58'04'' W.; to lat. 46 deg.54'29'' N., long. 120 deg.15'04'' W.; to lat. 46 deg.55'20'' N., long. 120 deg.15'04'' W., to point of beginning. Issued in Washington, DC, on October 2, 1996. Harold W. Becker, Acting Program Director for Air Traffic Airspace Management. [FR Doc. 96-26094 Filed 10-9-96; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-U