Proposed Establishment of Temporary Restricted Area R-5602; Fort Sill, OK, 11417-11419 [2017-03539]
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Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 35 / Thursday, February 23, 2017 / Proposed Rules
rmajette on DSK2TPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS
FAA ATC facility while within the
corridor.
To minimize impacts to nonparticipating aircraft, in addition to the
existing part 93 requirement that aircraft
operating in the East/West Corridor
must establish and maintain two-way
radio contact with ATC, the Eglin Radar
Control Facility would reroute all nonparticipating aircraft north of the
temporary restricted airspace, through
the southern portion of restricted area
R–2915B. That airspace would be
scheduled for use by ATC and nonparticipating air traffic when the
temporary restricted areas are active.
This alternative routing has been
successfully used in the past to mitigate
impacts on non-participating aircraft
when the west section of the East/West
Corridor was unavailable. Emergency air
traffic requiring access to the airspace
would be given priority access under
the control of the Eglin Radar Control
Facility, which has direct
communications with the Test Director
to halt hazardous activity in the area.
Notices to Airmen (NOTAM) and
Notices to Mariners (NOTMAR) would
be published at least 24 hours in
advance of the daily activation of R–
2920A and R–2920B. The Eglin AFB
Public Affairs office would issue a press
release 30 days prior to the exercise to
advise the public of the exercise, the
activity, and impacted locations. The
Eglin AFB Flight Safety Office would
advise local airports and airspace users
of the proposed restricted airspace, its
impacts and planned mitigations.
Since R–2920A and R–2920B are
temporary areas, they would not be
depicted on the New Orleans Sectional
Aeronautical Chart or the IFR Enroute
Low Altitude Chart, L–22. However, a
notice and graphic depiction would be
published in the Notices to Airmen
Publication (NTAP). The NTAP is
available on line at https://www.faa.gov/
air_traffic/publications/notices/.
Regulatory Notices and Analyses
The FAA has determined that this
proposed 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 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
VerDate Sep<11>2014
13:38 Feb 22, 2017
Jkt 241001
procedures and air navigation, it is
certified that this proposed 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
This proposal will be subjected to an
environmental analysis in accordance
with FAA Order 1050.1F,
‘‘Environmental Impacts: Policies and
Procedures,’’ prior to any FAA final
regulatory action.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 73
Airspace, Prohibited Areas, Restricted
Areas.
The Proposed Amendment
In consideration of the foregoing, the
Federal Aviation Administration
proposes to amend 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(f), 106(g); 40103,
40113, 40120; E.O. 10854, 24 FR 9565, 3 CFR,
1959–1963 Comp., p. 389.
§ 73.29
Florida (Amended)
2. § 73.29 is amended as follows:
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■
R–2920A Santa Rosa Island, FL [Temporary]
Boundaries. Beginning at lat. 30°22′53″ N.,
long. 86°50′57″ W.; thence along the
shoreline to lat. 30°23′35″ N., long. 86°44′24″
W.; to lat. 30°20′34″ N., long. 86°44′07″ W.;
thence 3 NM from and parallel to the
shoreline to lat. 30°19′53″ N., long. 86°50′39″
W.; to the point of beginning.
Designated altitudes. Surface to but not
including 8,500 feet MSL.
Time of designation. 0900 to 1600 local
time, during the period May 11 to May 18,
2017.
Controlling agency. FAA, Jacksonville
ARTCC.
Using agency. U.S. Air Force, Commander,
96th Test Wing, Eglin AFB, FL.
R–2920B Santa Rosa Island, FL [Temporary]
Boundaries. Beginning at lat. 30°23′35″ N.,
long. 86°44′24″ W.; thence along the
shoreline to lat. 30°23′40″ N., long. 86°42′52″
W.; to lat. 30°20′40″ N., long. 86°42′35″ W.;
thence 3 NM from and parallel to the
shoreline to lat. 30°20′34″ N., long. 86°44′07″
W.; to the point of beginning.
Designated altitudes. Surface to but not
including 8,500 feet MSL.
Time of designation. 0900 to 1600 local
time, during the period May 11 to May 18,
2017.
Controlling agency. FAA, Jacksonville
ARTCC.
Using agency. U.S. Air Force, Commander,
96th Test Wing, Eglin AFB, FL.
*
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Fmt 4702
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11417
Issued in Washington, DC on February 8,
2017.
Leslie M. Swann,
Acting Manager, Airspace Policy Group.
[FR Doc. 2017–03537 Filed 2–22–17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 73
[Docket No. FAA–2016–9591; Airspace
Docket No. 16–ASW–21]
RIN 2120–AA66
Proposed Establishment of Temporary
Restricted Area R–5602; Fort Sill, OK
Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking
(NPRM).
AGENCY:
This action proposes to
establish temporary restricted area R–
5602, over the Fort Sill, OK, R–5601
restricted area complex, to support the
U.S. Army Maneuver & Fires Integration
Experiment (MFIX) 2018 scheduled for
December 2017. MFIX 2018 is planned
to exercise hazardous laser operations
conducting counter unmanned aircraft
systems (UAS) activities. The temporary
restricted area would be in effect from
December 4 through December 15, 2017.
DATES: Comments must be received on
or before April 10, 2017.
ADDRESSES: Send comments on this
proposal to the U.S. Department of
Transportation, Docket Operations, M–
30, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., West
Building Ground Floor, Room W12–140,
Washington, DC 20590–0001; telephone:
1 (800) 647–5527, or telephone: (202)
366–9826. You must identify FAA
Docket No. FAA–2016–9591 and
Airspace Docket No. 16–ASW–21, at the
beginning of your comments. You may
also submit comments through the
Internet at www.regulations.gov. You
may review the public docket
containing the proposal, any comments
received, and any final disposition in
person in the Dockets Office between
9:00a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through
Friday, except Federal holidays. The
Docket Office (telephone 1–800–647–
5527), is on the ground floor of the
building at the above address.
Comments on environmental and land
use aspects to should be directed to:
U.S. Army Garrison, Directorate of
Public Works, Attn: IMSI–PWE (Sarah
Sminkey), Environmental Quality
Division, Fort Sill, OK 73503–5100;
SUMMARY:
E:\FR\FM\23FEP1.SGM
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11418
Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 35 / Thursday, February 23, 2017 / Proposed Rules
email: sarah.e.sminkey.civ@mail.mil;
telephone: (580) 442–2849.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Colby Abbott, Airspace Policy Group,
Office of Airspace Services, Federal
Aviation Administration, 800
Independence Avenue SW.,
Washington, DC 20591; telephone: (202)
267–8783.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
rmajette on DSK2TPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS
Authority for This Rulemaking
The FAA’s authority to issue rules
regarding aviation safety is found in
Title 49 of the United States Code.
Subtitle I, Section 106 describes the
authority of the FAA Administrator.
Subtitle VII, Aviation Programs,
describes in more detail the scope of the
agency’s authority. This rulemaking is
promulgated under the authority
described in Subtitle VII, Part A,
Subpart I, Section 40103. Under that
section, the FAA is charged with
prescribing regulations to assign the use
of the airspace necessary to ensure the
safety of aircraft and the efficient use of
airspace. This regulation is within the
scope of that authority as it would
establish temporary restricted area
airspace at Fort Sill, OK, to enhance
aviation safety and accommodate
essential U.S. Army hazardous abovethe-horizon laser operations conducting
counter UAS activities.
Comments Invited
Interested parties are invited to
participate in this proposed rulemaking
by submitting such written data, views,
or arguments as they may desire.
Comments that provide the factual basis
supporting the views and suggestions
presented are particularly helpful in
developing reasoned regulatory
decisions on the proposal. Comments
are specifically invited on the overall
regulatory, aeronautical, economic,
environmental, and energy-related
aspects of the proposal.
Communications should identify both
docket numbers (FAA Docket No. FAA–
2016–9591 and Airspace Docket No. 16–
ASW–21) and be submitted in triplicate
to the Docket Management System (see
ADDRESSES section for address and
phone number). You may also submit
comments through the Internet at
www.regulations.gov.
Commenters wishing the FAA to
acknowledge receipt of their comments
on this action must submit with those
comments a self-addressed, stamped
postcard on which the following
statement is made: ‘‘Comments to FAA
Docket No. FAA–2016–9591 and
Airspace Docket No. 16–ASW–21.’’ The
postcard will be date/time stamped and
returned to the commenter.
VerDate Sep<11>2014
13:38 Feb 22, 2017
Jkt 241001
All communications received on or
before the specified closing date for
comments will be considered before
taking action on the proposed rule. The
proposal contained in this action may
be changed in light of comments
received. All comments submitted will
be available for examination in the
public docket both before and after the
closing date for comments. A report
summarizing each substantive public
contact with FAA personnel concerned
with this rulemaking will be filed in the
docket.
Availability of NPRMs
An electronic copy of this document
may be downloaded through the
Internet at www.regulations.gov.
Recently published rulemaking
documents can also be accessed through
the FAA’s Web page at https://
www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/
airspace_amendments/.
You may review the public docket
containing the proposal, any comments
received and any final disposition in
person at the Dockets Office (see
ADDRESSES section for address and
phone number) between 9:00 a.m. and
5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday,
except Federal holidays. An informal
docket may also be examined during
normal business hours at the office of
the Operations Support Group, Central
Service Center, Federal Aviation
Administration, 10101 Hillwood Blvd.,
Fort Worth, TX 76177.
Background
As the U.S. Army’s Center of
Excellence for Fires, Fort Sill has
submitted a proposal to the FAA to
establish a temporary restricted area
overlying a portion of the Fort Sill R–
5601 restricted area complex, and
extending slightly eastward, to support
the Army’s Maneuver & Fires
Integration Experiment (MFIX) 2018
planned for December 4–15, 2017. The
proposed restricted area would contain
hazardous laser activities associated
with demonstrating and developing
training employment tactics for counter
UAS capabilities.
Specifically intended to destroy
unmanned aircraft, the hazardous laser
activities require additional short-term
restricted airspace to supplement the
existing Fort Sill R–5601 complex and
ensure the protection of
nonparticipating air traffic when
hazardous activities are occurring.
Minimal aeronautical impact is
anticipated since the temporary
restricted area would be located above
the existing R–5601 complex which
extends from the surface to 40,000 feet
mean sea level (MSL), and the
PO 00000
Frm 00006
Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
designated altitudes of the temporary
restricted area would extend upward
from 40,000 feet MSL to 60,000 feet
MSL.
The Proposal
The FAA is proposing an amendment
to 14 CFR part 73 to establish temporary
restricted area R–5602 in support of
MFIX 2018 during the period December
4–15, 2017, to contain hazardous laser
activities demonstrating counter UAS
capabilities. To effectively segregate
nonparticipant air traffic from the
hazardous activities associated with
MFIX 2018, R–5602 would extend from
40,000 feet MSL to 60,000 feet MSL,
would be activated daily by a Notice to
Airmen (NOTAM), and would be in
effect only during the period of
December 4 through December 15, 2017.
The proposed lateral boundaries for
R–5602 would overlie and extend
upward over the ceilings of the R–
5601A, R–5601B, and a portion of R–
5601F restricted areas and extend
approximately 8 nautical miles (NM)
east beyond the R–5601A and R–5601F
eastern boundaries. Collectively, the R–
5602 proposed boundaries and existing
R–5601 restricted areas would fully
contain the planned hazardous laser
beam trajectories, within restricted area
airspace, from the surface to 60,000 feet
MSL.
The proposed designated altitudes for
R–5602 would extend upward from
40,000 feet MSL to 60,000 feet MSL. The
altitudes are defined relative to MSL to
highlight that the proposed area would
be used for other than aircraft
operations. From an air traffic
perspective, establishing R–5602 for
other than aircraft operations reduces
radar separation requirements for
circumnavigating the temporary
restricted area and minimizes impacts to
aviation.
The proposed time of designation for
R–5602 is by NOTAM with an expected
usage of approximately 2 hours per day
during the MFIX 2018 period of
December 4—15. The activation periods
are planned for 0930 to 1130 or 1300 to
1500 daily; however, due to the heavy
dependence on favorable weather and
unpredictability of seasonal weather
patterns, NOTAM activations could be
adjusted as operationally necessary.
Planning to use R–5602 only 2 hours per
day during MFIX 2018 further
minimizes impacts to aviation.
Since R–5602 is a temporary area, it
would not be depicted on the Dallas–Ft.
Worth Sectional Aeronautical Chart or
the IFR Enroute High Altitude Chart, H–
6. However, a notice and graphic
depiction would be published in the
Notices to Airmen Publication (NTAP).
E:\FR\FM\23FEP1.SGM
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Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 35 / Thursday, February 23, 2017 / Proposed Rules
The NTAP is available on line at https://
www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/
notices/.
Regulatory Notices and Analyses
The FAA has determined that this
proposed 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 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 proposed 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
This proposal will be subjected to an
environmental analysis in accordance
with FAA Order 1050.1F,
‘‘Environmental Impacts: Policies and
Procedures,’’ prior to any FAA final
regulatory action.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 73
Airspace, Prohibited Areas, Restricted
Areas.
The Proposed Amendment
In consideration of the foregoing, the
Federal Aviation Administration
proposes to amend 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(f), 106(g); 40103,
40113, 40120; E.O. 10854, 24 FR 9565, 3 CFR,
1959–1963 Comp., p. 389.
§ 73.56
Oklahoma [Amended]
2. § 73.56 is amended as follows:
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rmajette on DSK2TPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS
■
R–5602 Fort Sill, OK [Temporary]
Boundaries. Beginning at lat. 34°49′30″ N.,
long. 98°08′43″ W.; to lat. 34°36′36″ N., long.
98°08′43″ W.; to lat. 34°36′36″ N., long.
98°17′01″ W.; to lat. 34°38′15″ N., long.
98°17′01″ W.; to lat. 34°38′15″ N., long.
98°37′57″ W.; to lat. 34°40′54″ N., long.
98°37′56″ W.; to lat. 34°42′07″ N., long.
98°37′20″ W.; to lat. 34°43′21″ N., long.
98°36′02″ W.; to lat. 34°43′30″ N., long.
98°35′40″ W.; to lat. 34°45′03″ N., long.
98°29′46″ W.; to lat. 34°46′15″ N., long.
VerDate Sep<11>2014
13:38 Feb 22, 2017
Jkt 241001
98°25′01″ W.; to lat. 34°47′00″ N., long.
98°17′46″ W.; to lat. 34°46′45″ N., long.
98°17′01″ W.; to lat. 34°49′30″ N., long.
98°17′01″ W.; to the point of beginning.
Designated altitudes. 40,000 feet MSL to
60,000 feet MSL.
Time of designation. December 4—15,
2017, by NOTAM.
Controlling agency. FAA, Fort Worth
ARTCC.
Using agency. U. S. Army, Commanding
General, U. S. Army Fires Center of
Excellence, Fort Sill, OK.
Issued in Washington, DC on February 8,
2017.
Leslie M. Swann,
Acting Manager, Airspace Policy Group.
[FR Doc. 2017–03539 Filed 2–22–17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
50 CFR Part 300
[Docket No. 161223999–7143–01]
RIN 0648–BG61
Pacific Halibut Fisheries; Catch
Sharing Plan
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Proposed rule; request for
comments.
AGENCY:
NMFS proposes to approve
changes to the Pacific Halibut Catch
Sharing Plan (Plan) and codified
regulations for the International Pacific
Halibut Commission’s (IPHC or
Commission) regulatory Area 2A off
Washington, Oregon, and California
(Area 2A). In addition, NMFS proposes
to implement the portions of the Plan
and management measures that are not
implemented through the IPHC. These
measures include the sport fishery
allocations and management measures
for Area 2A. These actions are intended
to conserve Pacific halibut, provide
angler opportunity where available, and
minimize bycatch of overfished
groundfish species.
DATES: Comments on the proposed
changes to the Plan and the codified
regulations, and on the proposed
domestic Area 2A Pacific halibut
management measures must be received
by March 15, 2017.
ADDRESSES: Submit your comments,
identified by NOAA–NMFS–2016–0144,
by either of the following methods:
• Federal e-Rulemaking Portal: Go to
www.regulations.gov/
SUMMARY:
PO 00000
Frm 00007
Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
11419
#!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-20160144, click the ‘‘Comment Now!’’ icon,
complete the required fields, and enter
or attach your comments.
• Mail: Submit written comments to
Barry A. Thom, Regional Administrator,
West Coast Region, NMFS, 7600 Sand
Point Way NE., Seattle, WA 98115–
0070.
Instructions: NMFS may not consider
comments if they are sent by any other
method, to any other address or
individual, or received after the
comment period ends. All comments
received are a part of the public record
and NMFS will post for public viewing
on www.regulations.gov without change.
All personal identifying information
(e.g., name, address, etc.), confidential
business information, or otherwise
sensitive information submitted
voluntarily by the sender is publicly
accessible. NMFS will accept
anonymous comments (enter ‘‘N/A’’ in
the required fields if you wish to remain
anonymous).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Gretchen Hanshew, phone: 206–526–
6147, fax: 206–526–6736, or email:
gretchen.hanshew@noaa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Electronic Access
This rule is accessible via the Internet
at the Office of the Federal Register Web
site at www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/
aces/aces140.html. Background
information and documents are
available at the NMFS West Coast
Region Web site at
www.westcoast.fisheries.noaa.gov/
fisheries/management/pacific_halibut_
management.html and at the Council’s
Web site at www.pcouncil.org.
Background
The Northern Pacific Halibut Act
(Halibut Act) of 1982, 16 U.S.C. 773–
773K, gives the Secretary of Commerce
(Secretary) general responsibility for
implementing the provisions of the
Halibut Convention between the United
States and Canada (Halibut Convention)
(16 U.S.C. 773c). It requires the
Secretary to adopt regulations as may be
necessary to carry out the purposes and
objectives of the Halibut Convention
and the Halibut Act. Section 773c of the
Halibut Act also authorizes the regional
fishery management councils to develop
regulations in addition to, but not in
conflict with, regulations of the IPHC to
govern the Pacific halibut catch in their
corresponding U.S. Convention waters.
Each year between 1988 and 1995, the
Pacific Fishery Management Council
(Council) developed and NMFS
implemented a catch sharing plan in
E:\FR\FM\23FEP1.SGM
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Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 35 (Thursday, February 23, 2017)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 11417-11419]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-03539]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 73
[Docket No. FAA-2016-9591; Airspace Docket No. 16-ASW-21]
RIN 2120-AA66
Proposed Establishment of Temporary Restricted Area R-5602; Fort
Sill, OK
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This action proposes to establish temporary restricted area R-
5602, over the Fort Sill, OK, R-5601 restricted area complex, to
support the U.S. Army Maneuver & Fires Integration Experiment (MFIX)
2018 scheduled for December 2017. MFIX 2018 is planned to exercise
hazardous laser operations conducting counter unmanned aircraft systems
(UAS) activities. The temporary restricted area would be in effect from
December 4 through December 15, 2017.
DATES: Comments must be received on or before April 10, 2017.
ADDRESSES: Send comments on this proposal to the U.S. Department of
Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE.,
West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, Washington, DC 20590-0001;
telephone: 1 (800) 647-5527, or telephone: (202) 366-9826. You must
identify FAA Docket No. FAA-2016-9591 and Airspace Docket No. 16-ASW-
21, at the beginning of your comments. You may also submit comments
through the Internet at www.regulations.gov. You may review the public
docket containing the proposal, any comments received, and any final
disposition in person in the Dockets Office between 9:00a.m. and 5:00
p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The Docket Office
(telephone 1-800-647-5527), is on the ground floor of the building at
the above address.
Comments on environmental and land use aspects to should be
directed to: U.S. Army Garrison, Directorate of Public Works, Attn:
IMSI-PWE (Sarah Sminkey), Environmental Quality Division, Fort Sill, OK
73503-5100;
[[Page 11418]]
email: sarah.e.sminkey.civ@mail.mil; telephone: (580) 442-2849.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Colby Abbott, Airspace Policy Group,
Office of Airspace Services, Federal Aviation Administration, 800
Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20591; telephone: (202) 267-
8783.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Authority for This Rulemaking
The FAA's authority to issue rules regarding aviation safety is
found in Title 49 of the United States Code. Subtitle I, Section 106
describes the authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII,
Aviation Programs, describes in more detail the scope of the agency's
authority. This rulemaking is promulgated under the authority described
in Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart I, Section 40103. Under that section,
the FAA is charged with prescribing regulations to assign the use of
the airspace necessary to ensure the safety of aircraft and the
efficient use of airspace. This regulation is within the scope of that
authority as it would establish temporary restricted area airspace at
Fort Sill, OK, to enhance aviation safety and accommodate essential
U.S. Army hazardous above-the-horizon laser operations conducting
counter UAS activities.
Comments Invited
Interested parties are invited to participate in this proposed
rulemaking by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as they
may desire. Comments that provide the factual basis supporting the
views and suggestions presented are particularly helpful in developing
reasoned regulatory decisions on the proposal. Comments are
specifically invited on the overall regulatory, aeronautical, economic,
environmental, and energy-related aspects of the proposal.
Communications should identify both docket numbers (FAA Docket No.
FAA-2016-9591 and Airspace Docket No. 16-ASW-21) and be submitted in
triplicate to the Docket Management System (see ADDRESSES section for
address and phone number). You may also submit comments through the
Internet at www.regulations.gov.
Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments
on this action must submit with those comments a self-addressed,
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments
to FAA Docket No. FAA-2016-9591 and Airspace Docket No. 16-ASW-21.''
The postcard will be date/time stamped and returned to the commenter.
All communications received on or before the specified closing date
for comments will be considered before taking action on the proposed
rule. The proposal contained in this action may be changed in light of
comments received. All comments submitted will be available for
examination in the public docket both before and after the closing date
for comments. A report summarizing each substantive public contact with
FAA personnel concerned with this rulemaking will be filed in the
docket.
Availability of NPRMs
An electronic copy of this document may be downloaded through the
Internet at www.regulations.gov. Recently published rulemaking
documents can also be accessed through the FAA's Web page at https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/airspace_amendments/.
You may review the public docket containing the proposal, any
comments received and any final disposition in person at the Dockets
Office (see ADDRESSES section for address and phone number) between
9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal
holidays. An informal docket may also be examined during normal
business hours at the office of the Operations Support Group, Central
Service Center, Federal Aviation Administration, 10101 Hillwood Blvd.,
Fort Worth, TX 76177.
Background
As the U.S. Army's Center of Excellence for Fires, Fort Sill has
submitted a proposal to the FAA to establish a temporary restricted
area overlying a portion of the Fort Sill R-5601 restricted area
complex, and extending slightly eastward, to support the Army's
Maneuver & Fires Integration Experiment (MFIX) 2018 planned for
December 4-15, 2017. The proposed restricted area would contain
hazardous laser activities associated with demonstrating and developing
training employment tactics for counter UAS capabilities.
Specifically intended to destroy unmanned aircraft, the hazardous
laser activities require additional short-term restricted airspace to
supplement the existing Fort Sill R-5601 complex and ensure the
protection of nonparticipating air traffic when hazardous activities
are occurring. Minimal aeronautical impact is anticipated since the
temporary restricted area would be located above the existing R-5601
complex which extends from the surface to 40,000 feet mean sea level
(MSL), and the designated altitudes of the temporary restricted area
would extend upward from 40,000 feet MSL to 60,000 feet MSL.
The Proposal
The FAA is proposing an amendment to 14 CFR part 73 to establish
temporary restricted area R-5602 in support of MFIX 2018 during the
period December 4-15, 2017, to contain hazardous laser activities
demonstrating counter UAS capabilities. To effectively segregate
nonparticipant air traffic from the hazardous activities associated
with MFIX 2018, R-5602 would extend from 40,000 feet MSL to 60,000 feet
MSL, would be activated daily by a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM), and would
be in effect only during the period of December 4 through December 15,
2017.
The proposed lateral boundaries for R-5602 would overlie and extend
upward over the ceilings of the R-5601A, R-5601B, and a portion of R-
5601F restricted areas and extend approximately 8 nautical miles (NM)
east beyond the R-5601A and R-5601F eastern boundaries. Collectively,
the R-5602 proposed boundaries and existing R-5601 restricted areas
would fully contain the planned hazardous laser beam trajectories,
within restricted area airspace, from the surface to 60,000 feet MSL.
The proposed designated altitudes for R-5602 would extend upward
from 40,000 feet MSL to 60,000 feet MSL. The altitudes are defined
relative to MSL to highlight that the proposed area would be used for
other than aircraft operations. From an air traffic perspective,
establishing R-5602 for other than aircraft operations reduces radar
separation requirements for circumnavigating the temporary restricted
area and minimizes impacts to aviation.
The proposed time of designation for R-5602 is by NOTAM with an
expected usage of approximately 2 hours per day during the MFIX 2018
period of December 4--15. The activation periods are planned for 0930
to 1130 or 1300 to 1500 daily; however, due to the heavy dependence on
favorable weather and unpredictability of seasonal weather patterns,
NOTAM activations could be adjusted as operationally necessary.
Planning to use R-5602 only 2 hours per day during MFIX 2018 further
minimizes impacts to aviation.
Since R-5602 is a temporary area, it would not be depicted on the
Dallas-Ft. Worth Sectional Aeronautical Chart or the IFR Enroute High
Altitude Chart, H-6. However, a notice and graphic depiction would be
published in the Notices to Airmen Publication (NTAP).
[[Page 11419]]
The NTAP is available on line at https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/notices/.
Regulatory Notices and Analyses
The FAA has determined that this proposed 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
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 proposed 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
This proposal will be subjected to an environmental analysis in
accordance with FAA Order 1050.1F, ``Environmental Impacts: Policies
and Procedures,'' prior to any FAA final regulatory action.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 73
Airspace, Prohibited Areas, Restricted Areas.
The Proposed Amendment
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(f), 106(g); 40103, 40113, 40120; E.O.
10854, 24 FR 9565, 3 CFR, 1959-1963 Comp., p. 389.
Sec. 73.56 Oklahoma [Amended]
0
2. Sec. 73.56 is amended as follows:
* * * * *
R-5602 Fort Sill, OK [Temporary]
Boundaries. Beginning at lat. 34[deg]49'30'' N., long.
98[deg]08'43'' W.; to lat. 34[deg]36'36'' N., long. 98[deg]08'43''
W.; to lat. 34[deg]36'36'' N., long. 98[deg]17'01'' W.; to lat.
34[deg]38'15'' N., long. 98[deg]17'01'' W.; to lat. 34[deg]38'15''
N., long. 98[deg]37'57'' W.; to lat. 34[deg]40'54'' N., long.
98[deg]37'56'' W.; to lat. 34[deg]42'07'' N., long. 98[deg]37'20''
W.; to lat. 34[deg]43'21'' N., long. 98[deg]36'02'' W.; to lat.
34[deg]43'30'' N., long. 98[deg]35'40'' W.; to lat. 34[deg]45'03''
N., long. 98[deg]29'46'' W.; to lat. 34[deg]46'15'' N., long.
98[deg]25'01'' W.; to lat. 34[deg]47'00'' N., long. 98[deg]17'46''
W.; to lat. 34[deg]46'45'' N., long. 98[deg]17'01'' W.; to lat.
34[deg]49'30'' N., long. 98[deg]17'01'' W.; to the point of
beginning.
Designated altitudes. 40,000 feet MSL to 60,000 feet MSL.
Time of designation. December 4--15, 2017, by NOTAM.
Controlling agency. FAA, Fort Worth ARTCC.
Using agency. U. S. Army, Commanding General, U. S. Army Fires
Center of Excellence, Fort Sill, OK.
Issued in Washington, DC on February 8, 2017.
Leslie M. Swann,
Acting Manager, Airspace Policy Group.
[FR Doc. 2017-03539 Filed 2-22-17; 8:45 am]
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