Amendment to Restricted Area 2211 Blair Lakes; AK, 34650 [05-11761]

Agencies

• Federal Aviation Administration
• DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 114 (Wednesday, June 15, 2005)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 34650]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-11761]


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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]

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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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