Modification of Restricted Area R-7201; Farallon De Medinilla Island, Mariana Islands, 13389-13390 [2017-04892]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 47 / Monday, March 13, 2017 / Rules and Regulations DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Part 73 [Docket No. FAA–2015–0739; Airspace Docket No. 14–AWP–11] Modification of Restricted Area R– 7201; Farallon De Medinilla Island, Mariana Islands Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. ACTION: Final rule. AGENCY: This action expands the restricted airspace at Farallon De Medinilla Island, Mariana Islands, by designating a new area, R–7201A, that surrounds the existing R–7201. R– 7201A encompasses that airspace between a 3 nautical mile (NM) radius and a 12–NM radius of lat. 16°01′04″ N., long. 146°03′31″ E. The new restricted airspace provides the required airspace to conduct military training scenarios using air-to-ground ordnance delivery, naval gunfire, lasers and special operations training. DATES: Effective date 0901 UTC, June 22, 2017. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Paul Gallant, Airspace Policy Group, Office of Airspace Services, Federal Aviation Administration, 800 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20591; telephone: (202) 267–8783. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: SUMMARY: jstallworth on DSK7TPTVN1PROD with RULES 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 modifies special use airspace to support military training and readiness requirements. History On August 25, 2015, the FAA published in the Federal Register a notice proposing to expand the lateral boundaries of restricted area R–7201, and redesignate the area as R–7201A (80 FR 51498), Docket No. FAA–2015–0739. Interested parties were invited to VerDate Sep<11>2014 14:45 Mar 10, 2017 Jkt 241001 participate in this rulemaking effort by submitting written comments on the proposal. No comments were received. Differences From the NPRM The NPRM proposed to expand the lateral boundary of restricted area R– 7201, which consists of that airspace within a 3–NM radius of lat. 16°01′04″ N., long. 146°03′31″ E., from the current 3–NM to 12–NM radius and rename the restricted area R–7201A. Subsequently, the FAA decided to retain R–7201, with its 3–NM radius, and designate a new restricted area to surround R–7201, naming the new restricted area R–7201A. R–7201A contains that airspace from a 3–NM radius, out to a 12–NM radius of the same center point. This configuration allows for the activation of either R– 7201 or R–7201A alone, or to activate them both simultaneously. The flexibility enables more efficient use of airspace by allowing the using agency to activate only that amount of restricted airspace required for the particular mission to be conducted. The configuration proposed in the NPRM would have resulted in all airspace within a 12–NM radius of the above point being activated even for those missions that would only require a 3– NM radius. Therefore, the FAA determined it is in the public interest to retain R–7201 and establish R–7210A, as described herein, to facilitate the realtime release of airspace when the full 12–NM radius is not required by the user. Additionally, the using agency name for R–7201 is updated from ‘‘Commander, Naval Forces, Marianas,’’ to ‘‘Commander, Joint Region Marianas.’’ This reflects the current organizational title and matches the using agency for R–7201A. The Rule The FAA is amending 14 CFR part 73 by expanding the restricted airspace at Farallon De Medinilla Island, Mariana Islands. This action designates a new restricted area, R–7201A, consisting of the airspace between a 3–NM radius and a 12–NM radius of lat. 16°01′04″ N., long. 146°03′31″ E. It extends from the surface to FL 600. The time of designation is ‘‘By NOTAM, 12 hours in advance.’’ R–7201A surrounds the existing restricted area, R–7201. R–7201 continues to consist of the airspace within a 3–NM radius of the above point. This change will accommodate Department of the Navy training involving the use of advanced weapons systems which the current R–7201A airspace does not sufficiently and safely PO 00000 Frm 00011 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 13389 provide. The new restricted airspace also enables the using agency to activate only that amount of restricted airspace needed for the particular mission. In addition, the using agency name for R–7201 is updated to reflect the current organizational title as described above. Regulatory Notices and Analyses 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 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 only affects air traffic procedures and air navigation, it is certified that this proposed rule, when promulgated, does 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 conducted an independent written re-evaluation and adoption of the Department of the Navy’s Final Environmental Assessment (EA)/ Overseas Environmental Assessment (OEA) for the Establishment of Mariana Islands Range Complex (MIRC) airspace, dated June 13, 2013 (hereinafter ‘‘the FEA/OEA’’), for which the FAA was a cooperating agency, and which included the environmental analysis of the establishment of Restricted Area R– 7201A at Farallon De Medinilla Island, Marianas Islands, to support the Navy’s MIRC airspace requirements. Based on its environmental review, the FAA has determined that the action that is the subject of this rule does not present the potential for significant impacts to the human environment. The FAA’s ‘‘Written Re-evaluation, Adoption of the EA, Finding of No Significant Impact and Record of Decision (FONSI–ROD),’’ dated January 26, 2017, is included in the docket for this rulemaking. The FEA/OEA is available at www.MIRCairspaceEA.com. List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 73 Airspace, Prohibited areas, Restricted areas. Adoption of the Amendment In consideration of the foregoing, the Federal Aviation Administration amends 14 CFR part 73 as follows: E:\FR\FM\13MRR1.SGM 13MRR1 13390 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 47 / Monday, March 13, 2017 / Rules and Regulations PART 73—SPECIAL USE AIRSPACE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY 1. The authority citation for part 73 continues to read as follows: ■ 40 CFR Part 52 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. § 73.72 ■ [Amended] 2. § 73.72 is amended as follows: [EPA–R09–OAR–2016–0660; FRL–9958–80– Region 9] Approval of California Air Plan; Owens Valley Serious Area Plan for the 1987 24-Hour PM10 Standard Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Final rule. AGENCY: R–7201 Farallon De Medinilla Island, Mariana Islands [Amended] By removing ‘‘Using agency. Commander, Naval Forces, Marianas,’’ and adding in its place ‘‘Using agency. Commander, Joint Region, Marianas.’’ R–7201A Farallon De Medinilla Island, Mariana Islands [New] Boundaries. That airspace between a 3 NM radius and a 12 NM radius of lat. 16°01′04″ N., long. 146°03′31″ E. Designated altitudes. Surface to FL 600. Time of designation. By NOTAM 12 hours in advance. Controlling agency. FAA, Guam CERAP. Using agency. Commander, Joint Region Marianas. Issued in Washington, DC, on March 7, 2017. Gemechu Gelgelu, Acting Manager, Airspace Policy Group. [FR Doc. 2017–04892 Filed 3–10–17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–13–P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission 18 CFR Part 12 Safety of Water Power Projects and Project Works The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is taking final action to approve a state implementation plan (SIP) revision submitted by the State of California to meet Clean Air Act (CAA or ‘‘Act’’) requirements applicable to the Owens Valley PM10 nonattainment area (NA). The Owens Valley PM10 NA is classified as a ‘‘Serious’’ nonattainment area for the national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) for particulate matter of ten microns or less (PM10). The submitted SIP revision is the ‘‘Great Basin Unified Air Pollution Control District 2016 Owens Valley Planning Area PM10 State Implementation Plan’’ (‘‘2016 PM10 Plan’’ or ‘‘Plan’’). The State’s obligation to submit the 2016 PM10 Plan was triggered by the EPA’s 2007 finding that the Owens Valley PM10 NA had failed to meet its December 31, 2006, deadline to attain the PM10 NAAQS. The CAA requires a Serious PM10 nonattainment area that fails to meet its attainment deadline to submit a plan providing for attainment of the PM10 NAAQS and for an annual reduction in PM10 emissions of not less than five percent until attainment of the PM10 NAAQS. The EPA is approving the 2016 PM10 Plan because it meets all relevant statutory and regulatory requirements. SUMMARY: DATES: This rule is effective on April 12, 2017. CFR Correction The EPA has established a docket for this action, identified by Docket ID Number EPA–R09–OAR– 2016–0660. The index to the docket is available electronically at https:// www.regulations.gov or in hard copy at the EPA Region IX office, 75 Hawthorne Street, San Francisco, California. While all documents in the docket are listed in the index, some information may be publicly available only at the hard copy location (e.g., copyrighted material), and some may not be publicly available in either location (e.g., confidential business information). To inspect the hard copy materials, please schedule an appointment during normal business hours with the contact listed below. ADDRESSES: In Title 18 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Parts 1 to 399, revised as of April 1, 2016, the term ‘‘Energy Projects Licensing’’ is replaced by the term ‘‘Energy Projects’’ in the following locations: Page 214, § 12.2(a) and (b) and § 12.3(b)(3); page 218, § 12.22(a)(1) introductory text and (a)(2) introductory text; and page 221, § 12.31(e), § 12.33(a), and § 12.34. jstallworth on DSK7TPTVN1PROD with RULES ■ [FR Doc. 2017–04952 Filed 3–10–17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 1301–00–D VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:57 Mar 10, 2017 Jkt 241001 PO 00000 Frm 00012 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ginger Vagenas, EPA Region IX, 415– 972–3964, vagenas.ginger@epa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Throughout this document, the terms ‘‘we,’’ ‘‘us,’’ and ‘‘our’’ mean EPA. Table of Contents I. Summary of Proposed Action II. Public Comments and the EPA’s Response to Comments III. EPA’s Final Action IV. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews I. Summary of Proposed Action On December 12, 2016, the EPA proposed to approve the Owens Valley 2016 PM10 Plan, which the State of California submitted on June 9, 2016, as meeting all relevant statutory and regulatory requirements under the CAA.1 As discussed in our proposed rule, the Owens Valley PM10 NA is a Serious PM10 nonattainment area that is located in the southern portion of the Owens Valley in Inyo County, California.2 California’s obligation to submit the 2016 PM10 Plan was triggered by the EPA’s June 6, 2007 finding that the Owens Valley PM10 NA had failed to meet its December 31, 2006 deadline to attain the PM10 NAAQS.3 The CAA requires a Serious PM10 NA that fails to meet its attainment deadline to submit a plan providing for attainment of the PM10 NAAQS and for an annual emission reduction in PM10 or PM10 precursors of not less than five percent per year until attainment. Our December 12, 2016 proposed rule provides the background and rationale for this action. II. Public Comments and the EPA’s Response to Comments The EPA provided a 30-day public comment period on our proposed action. The comment period ended on January 11, 2017. We received two public comment letters: One from the Timbisha Shoshone Tribe and one from the Big Pine Paiute Tribe of the Owens Valley. The submitted comment letters, which we have summarized and responded to below, are in our docket. Comment 1: The Timbisha Shoshone Tribe expressed its support for our approval of the 2016 PM10 Plan. Response 1: The EPA appreciates the Timbisha Shoshone Tribe’s support of our approval. Comment 2: The Big Pine Paiute Tribe’s (‘‘Tribe’’) comment letter acknowledged the effectiveness of the 1 81 FR 89407. boundary of the Owens Valley PM10 nonattainment area is defined in 40 CFR 81.305 as Hydrologic Unit #18090103. 3 72 FR 31183. 2 The E:\FR\FM\13MRR1.SGM 13MRR1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 47 (Monday, March 13, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 13389-13390]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-04892]



[[Page 13389]]

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 73

[Docket No. FAA-2015-0739; Airspace Docket No. 14-AWP-11]


Modification of Restricted Area R-7201; Farallon De Medinilla 
Island, Mariana Islands

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This action expands the restricted airspace at Farallon De 
Medinilla Island, Mariana Islands, by designating a new area, R-7201A, 
that surrounds the existing R-7201. R-7201A encompasses that airspace 
between a 3 nautical mile (NM) radius and a 12-NM radius of lat. 
16[deg]01'04'' N., long. 146[deg]03'31'' E. The new restricted airspace 
provides the required airspace to conduct military training scenarios 
using air-to-ground ordnance delivery, naval gunfire, lasers and 
special operations training.

DATES: Effective date 0901 UTC, June 22, 2017.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Paul Gallant, 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 modifies special use airspace to support military 
training and readiness requirements.

History

    On August 25, 2015, the FAA published in the Federal Register a 
notice proposing to expand the lateral boundaries of restricted area R-
7201, and redesignate the area as R-7201A (80 FR 51498), Docket No. 
FAA-2015-0739. Interested parties were invited to participate in this 
rulemaking effort by submitting written comments on the proposal. No 
comments were received.

Differences From the NPRM

    The NPRM proposed to expand the lateral boundary of restricted area 
R-7201, which consists of that airspace within a 3-NM radius of lat. 
16[deg]01'04'' N., long. 146[deg]03'31'' E., from the current 3-NM to 
12-NM radius and rename the restricted area R-7201A.
    Subsequently, the FAA decided to retain R-7201, with its 3-NM 
radius, and designate a new restricted area to surround R-7201, naming 
the new restricted area R-7201A. R-7201A contains that airspace from a 
3-NM radius, out to a 12-NM radius of the same center point. This 
configuration allows for the activation of either R-7201 or R-7201A 
alone, or to activate them both simultaneously. The flexibility enables 
more efficient use of airspace by allowing the using agency to activate 
only that amount of restricted airspace required for the particular 
mission to be conducted. The configuration proposed in the NPRM would 
have resulted in all airspace within a 12-NM radius of the above point 
being activated even for those missions that would only require a 3-NM 
radius. Therefore, the FAA determined it is in the public interest to 
retain R-7201 and establish R-7210A, as described herein, to facilitate 
the real-time release of airspace when the full 12-NM radius is not 
required by the user.
    Additionally, the using agency name for R-7201 is updated from 
``Commander, Naval Forces, Marianas,'' to ``Commander, Joint Region 
Marianas.'' This reflects the current organizational title and matches 
the using agency for R-7201A.

The Rule

    The FAA is amending 14 CFR part 73 by expanding the restricted 
airspace at Farallon De Medinilla Island, Mariana Islands. This action 
designates a new restricted area, R-7201A, consisting of the airspace 
between a 3-NM radius and a 12-NM radius of lat. 16[deg]01'04'' N., 
long. 146[deg]03'31'' E. It extends from the surface to FL 600. The 
time of designation is ``By NOTAM, 12 hours in advance.'' R-7201A 
surrounds the existing restricted area, R-7201. R-7201 continues to 
consist of the airspace within a 3-NM radius of the above point.
    This change will accommodate Department of the Navy training 
involving the use of advanced weapons systems which the current R-7201A 
airspace does not sufficiently and safely provide. The new restricted 
airspace also enables the using agency to activate only that amount of 
restricted airspace needed for the particular mission.
    In addition, the using agency name for R-7201 is updated to reflect 
the current organizational title as described above.

Regulatory Notices and Analyses

    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 
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 only affects air traffic procedures 
and air navigation, it is certified that this proposed rule, when 
promulgated, does 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 conducted an independent written re-evaluation and adoption 
of the Department of the Navy's Final Environmental Assessment (EA)/
Overseas Environmental Assessment (OEA) for the Establishment of 
Mariana Islands Range Complex (MIRC) airspace, dated June 13, 2013 
(hereinafter ``the FEA/OEA''), for which the FAA was a cooperating 
agency, and which included the environmental analysis of the 
establishment of Restricted Area R-7201A at Farallon De Medinilla 
Island, Marianas Islands, to support the Navy's MIRC airspace 
requirements. Based on its environmental review, the FAA has determined 
that the action that is the subject of this rule does not present the 
potential for significant impacts to the human environment. The FAA's 
``Written Re-evaluation, Adoption of the EA, Finding of No Significant 
Impact and Record of Decision (FONSI-ROD),'' dated January 26, 2017, is 
included in the docket for this rulemaking. The FEA/OEA is available at 
www.MIRCairspaceEA.com.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 73

    Airspace, Prohibited areas, Restricted areas.

Adoption of the Amendment

    In consideration of the foregoing, the Federal Aviation 
Administration amends 14 CFR part 73 as follows:

[[Page 13390]]

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.  73.72   [Amended]

0
2. Sec.  73.72 is amended as follows:

R-7201 Farallon De Medinilla Island, Mariana Islands [Amended]

    By removing ``Using agency. Commander, Naval Forces, Marianas,'' 
and adding in its place ``Using agency. Commander, Joint Region, 
Marianas.''

R-7201A Farallon De Medinilla Island, Mariana Islands [New]

    Boundaries. That airspace between a 3 NM radius and a 12 NM 
radius of lat. 16[deg]01'04'' N., long. 146[deg]03'31'' E.
    Designated altitudes. Surface to FL 600.
    Time of designation. By NOTAM 12 hours in advance.
    Controlling agency. FAA, Guam CERAP.
    Using agency. Commander, Joint Region Marianas.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on March 7, 2017.
Gemechu Gelgelu,
Acting Manager, Airspace Policy Group.
[FR Doc. 2017-04892 Filed 3-10-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.