[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 83 (Wednesday, April 30, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 23345-23346]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-11204]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 73
[Airspace Docket No. 94-AWP-15]
RIN 2120-AA66
Establishment of Restricted Area 2311 (R-2311), Yuma Proving
Ground, AZ
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This action establishes a new Restricted Area R-2311 (R-2311)
at Yuma Proving Ground (YPG), Yuma, AZ. The restricted area will
contain the U.S. Army's weapons and ammunition acceptance testing, a
mission that was relocated from Jefferson Proving Ground, IN, as a
result of the 1988 Base Realignment and Closure Act.
EFFECTIVE DATE: 0901 UTC, July 17, 1997.
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
On October 24, 1988, Congress passed Public Law 100-526, the
Defense Authorization Amendments and Base Closure and Realignment Act.
One of the provisions of the Act was to relocate the activities
occurring at Jefferson Proving Ground, IN, to YPG, AZ. The closure
activity at Jefferson was to occur in a phased manner from 1991 to
1995. During the airspace review, the Army concluded that the existing
ranges at YPG were unable to fully accommodate the activity required
for munitions production acceptance testing. Due to the need for
uninterrupted use of airspace to support the test mission, the U.S.
Army requested that the FAA take action to convert an existing
controlled firing area (CFA), Kofa South, into a restricted area.
On January 6, 1995, the FAA proposed to amend Title 14 of the Code
of Federal Regulations part 73 (14 CFR part 73) to establish R-2311,
Yuma Proving Ground, Yuma, AZ (60 FR 2048). Interested parties were
invited to participate in this rulemaking proceeding by submitting
written comments on the proposal to the FAA. No comments objecting to
the proposal were received. Except for editorial changes, this
amendment is the same as that proposed in the notice. The coordinates
for this airspace docket are based on North American Datum 83.
Restricted areas are republished in Section 73.23 of FAA Order 7400.8D
dated July 11, 1996.
The Rule
This amendment to 14 CFR part 73 establishes R-2311, Yuma Proving
Ground, Yuma, AZ. R-2311 is located within the lateral boundaries of
the Kofa South CFA and extends from the surface to 3,500 feet MSL. The
times of designation are sunrise to sunset, Monday through Saturday,
other times by NOTAM. The closure of Jefferson Proving Ground, IN, and
the subsequent move of the munitions testing function to YPG, AZ, has
created a need for uninterrupted use of airspace in support of the U.S.
Army Test and Evaluation Command mission. These activities cannot be
fully accommodated on existing ranges located at YPG. The restrictions
and limitations on CFA activity are not amenable to the type of
activity required for munitions production acceptance testing. R-2311
is a joint use area, and, when the area is not being used by YPG, it
will be released to the controlling agency.
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 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 September 1991, the U.S. Army, as the lead agency for the
mandatory move of the Jefferson Proving Ground's activities to YPG,
published an environmental impact statement (EIS) in accordance with
the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Additionally, upon FAA's
request, the U.S. Army conducted an environmental assessment (EA)
targeted at the specific activities the U.S. Army proposes to conduct
within the new restricted area. This EA was published in June 1996. The
FAA has reviewed and adopts the EIS and the EA submitted by the U.S.
Army. Use of the subject area, as proposed, is consistent with existing
national environmental policies and objectives as set forth in Section
101(a) of the NEPA and would not significantly affect the quality of
the human environment or otherwise include any condition requiring
consultation pursuant to Section 102(2)(c) of NEPA. This restricted
area does not have the potential to significantly increase noise over
surrounding wilderness areas or trigger the requirements of Section
4(f) of the Department of Transportation Act.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 73
Airspace, Navigation (air).
Adoption of the Amendment
In consideration of the foregoing, the FAA 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. 73.23 [Amended]
2. Section 73.23 is amended as follows:
R-2311 Yuma, AZ [New]
Boundaries. Beginning at lat. 32 deg.46'48''N., long.
114 deg.19'16''W.; to lat. 32 deg.51'20''N., long.
114 deg.19'04''W.; to lat. 32 deg.51'53''N., long.
114 deg.03'40''W.; to lat. 32 deg.46'48''N., long.
114 deg.03'51''W.; to the point of beginning.
Altitudes. Surface to 3,500 feet MSL.
[[Page 23346]]
Time of designation. Sunrise to sunset, Monday through Saturday;
other times by NOTAM.
Controlling Agency. Yuma Approach Control (MCAS), Yuma, AZ.
Using Agency. Commanding Officer, Yuma Proving Ground, Yuma, AZ.
Issued in Washington, DC, on April 21, 1997
Jeff Griffith,
Program Director for Air Traffic, Airspace Management.
[FR Doc. 97-11204 Filed 4-29-97; 8:45 am]
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