[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 247 (Wednesday, December 24, 1997)] [Rules and Regulations] [Page 67269] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 97-33622] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Part 73 [Airspace Docket No. 97-ASO-8] RIN 2120-AA66 Revocation and Modification of Restricted Areas; FL AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. ACTION: Final rule. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: This action revokes Restricted Area R-2931, Cape Canaveral, FL, and modifies Restricted Areas R-2932 and R-2933 to absorb R-2931. The FAA is taking this action in response to a written notification from the U.S. Air Force that R-2931 is no longer necessary to support an Air Force mission requirement. EFFECTIVE DATE: 0901 UTC, February 26, 1998. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Paul Gallant, 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 Restricted Area R-2931 was established on January 19, 1984, to contain a tethered aerostat balloon which was installed to enhance air defense surveillance and warning. In order to lessen the burden to the flying public, R-2931 was established entirely within two existing restricted areas, R-2924 and R-2925. Effective May 5, 1988, Restricted Areas R-2924 and R-2925 were redesignated as R-2932 and R-2933 as part of an effort to reconfigure and simplify the Cape Canaveral restricted airspace complex (53 FR 6796; March 3, 1988). The U.S. Air Force has notified the FAA that the aerostat operation has now been terminated at this location and that, consequently, R-2931 is no longer required for that purpose. The airspace of R-2931 will be reincorporated into the existing Restricted Areas R-2932 and R-2933. The Rule This amendment to 14 CFR part 73 (part 73) revokes Restricted Area R-2931, and modifies R-2932 and R-2933 to absorb R-2931. In addition, this amendment corrects a minor error in one of the R-2932 boundary coordinates. Although R-2932 and R-2933 were established with coincident boundaries, one coordinate in the R-2932 description differs by one second of longitude from the same coordinate in R-2933. This error occurred when the FAA converted all positional data used in the National Airspace System from North American Datum (NAD) 27 to NAD 83 (57 FR 201). During the conversion process, the required correction factor was inadvertently not applied to that one position. 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. 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 action simply redefines existing restricted area airspace, and does not involve a change in the overall dimensions or operating requirements of that airspace, the FAA finds that notice and public procedure under 5 U.S.C. 553(b) are unnecessary. Section 73.29 of 14 CFR part 73 was republished in FAA Order 7400.8E, dated November 7, 1997. Environmental Review This action is a minor administrative change that redefines existing restricted airspace. Since R-2931 is totally imbedded within airspace already designated as restricted, there is no change to either the amount of restricted airspace or to any 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, ``Policies and Procedures for Considering Environmental Impacts,'' and the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. 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--SPECIAL USE AIRSPACE 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] 2. Sec. 73.29 is amended as follows: * * * * * R-2931 Cape Canaveral, FL [Removed] R-2932 Cape Canaveral, FL [Amended] By removing ``long. 80 deg.35'00''W.;'' and adding ``long. 80 deg.34'59''W.;'' in its place; and by removing the words, ``excluding the area within a 2-statute-mile radius circle centered at lat. 28 deg.27'55''N., long. 80 deg.32'06''W.'' R-2933 Cape Canaveral, FL [Amended] By removing the words, ``excluding the area within a 2-statute- mile radius circle centered at lat. 28 deg.27'55''N., long. 80 deg.32'06''W.'' * * * * * Issued in Washington, DC, on December 9, 1997. Reginald C. Matthews, Acting Program Director for Air Traffic Airspace Management. [FR Doc. 97-33622 Filed 12-23-97; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-P