[Federal Register: June 15, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 114)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 34650]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr15jn05-11]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 73
[Docket No. FAA-2005-20616; Airspace Docket No. 05-ANM-04]
RIN 2120-AA66
Amendment to Restricted Area 2211 Blair Lakes; AK
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This action raises the ceiling of Restricted Area 2211 (R-
2211), Blair Lakes, AK, from the current 18,000 feet above mean sea
level (MSL) to Flight Level (FL) 310. The expanded airspace is required
to fulfill United States Air Force (USAF) training requirements. The
current restricted airspace at Blair Lakes is too small to allow
aircrew training in high altitude weapons delivery tactics.
Specifically, the training requirements call for practicing the release
of weapons from higher altitudes than are currently available within
the existing restricted airspace.
DATES: Effective 0901 UTC, September 1, 2005.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ken McElroy, Airspace and Rules,
Office of System Operations and Safety, Federal Aviation
Administration, 800 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20591;
telephone: (202) 267-8783.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
History
On March 28, 2005, the FAA published in the Federal Register a
notice of proposed rulemaking to amend R-2211 at Blair Lakes, AK (70 FR
15606). Interested parties were invited to participate in this
rulemaking effort by submitting written comments on the proposal to the
FAA. No comments objecting to the proposal were received. With the
exception of editorial changes, this amendment is the same as that
proposed in the notice.
The Rule
This action amends Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR)
part 73 to modify R-2211 by raising the ceiling from 18,000 feet MSL to
FL 310. The current restricted airspace at Blair Lakes is too small to
allow aircrew training in high altitude weapons delivery tactics. The
purpose of the expansion of R-2211 is to accommodate high altitude,
high angle weapons delivery training to fulfill USAF training
requirements.
Section 73.22 of 14 CFR part 73 was published in the FAA
Regulatory/Non-Regulatory Special Use Airspace Areas consolidation
dated January 27, 2005. The restricted area listed in this document
will be published subsequently in the consolidation.
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 proposed regulation: (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
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 paragraph 311(i) FAA Order 1050.1, Polices and Procedures for
Considering Environmental Impacts. This airspace action 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.
The Amendment
0
In consideration of the foregoing, the Federal Aviation Administration
proposes to amend 14 CFR part 73 as follows:
PART 73--SPECIAL USE AIRSPACE
0
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. 73.22 [Amended]
0
2. Sec. 73.22 is amended as follows:
* * * * *
R-2211 Blair Lakes, AK [Amended]
Boundaries: Beginning at lat. 64[deg]29'58'' N., long.
147[deg]44'09'' W.; to lat. 64[deg]19'58'' N., long. 147[deg]19'09''
W.; to lat. 64[deg]13'28'' N., long. 147[deg]32'8'' W.; to lat.
64[deg]22'28'' N., long. 147[deg]58'09'' W.; to the point of
beginning.
Time of designation: 0800 to 1800, local Monday through Friday,
other times by NOTAM.
Designated altitude: Surface to FL310.
Controlling agency. FAA, Fairbanks Approach Control.
Using agency: U.S. Air Force, 354th Fighter Wing, Eielson AFB,
AK.
* * * * *
Issued in Washington, DC, June 8, 2005.
Edith V. Parish,
Acting Manager, Airspace and Rules.
[FR Doc. 05-11761 Filed 6-14-05; 8:45 am]
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