Amendment of Restricted Area R-6611A, R-6611B, R-6613A, and R-6613B; Dahlgren Complex, VA, 84814-84815 [2024-24592]

Agencies

• Federal Aviation Administration
• DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 206 (Thursday, October 24, 2024)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 84814-84815]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-24592]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 73

[Docket No. FAA-2024-2259; Airspace Docket No. 24-AEA-8]
RIN 2120-AA66


Amendment of Restricted Area R-6611A, R-6611B, R-6613A, and R-
6613B; Dahlgren Complex, VA

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; technical amendment.

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SUMMARY: This action amends restricted area R-6611A, R-6611B, R-6613A, 
and R-6613B, Dahlgren Complex, VA, by amending the internal altitude 
sub-divisions to match daily mission requirements and updates the using 
agency description to conform to current formatting standards.

DATES: Effective date 0901 UTC, December 26, 2024.

ADDRESSES: A copy of this final rule, and all background material may 
be viewed online at www.regulations.gov using the FAA Docket number. 
Electronic retrieval help and guidelines are available on the website. 
It is available 24 hours each day, 365 days each year.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brian Vidis, Rules and Regulations 
Group, Policy Directorate, Federal Aviation Administration, 600 
Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20597; 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 amends restricted area airspace at Dahlgren Complex, 
VA, to enhance aviation safety and accommodate essential United States 
(U.S.) Navy activities.

Background

    Washington Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC) initiated a 
request to the U.S. Navy Naval Surface Warfare Center, Dahlgren 
Division, who concurred, to modify the internal altitude that 
vertically subdivides restricted areas R-6611A and R-6611B; and R-6613A 
and R-6613B to align with daily mission requirements and common usage.
    Restricted area R-6611A and R-6611B share the same external 
boundary that overlay each other. Restricted area R-6611A had 
designated altitudes from the surface to 40,000 feet mean sea level 
(MSL), and restricted area R-6611B had designated altitudes from 40,000 
feet MSL to 60,000 feet MSL. This action changes the internal vertical 
subdivision from 40,000 feet MSL to 10,000 feet MSL.
    Restricted area R-6613A and R-6613B share the same external 
boundary that overlay each other. Restricted area R-6613A had 
designated altitudes from the surface to 40,000 feet MSL, and 
restricted area R-6613B had designated altitudes from 40,000 feet MSL 
to 60,000 feet MSL. This action changes the internal vertical 
subdivision from 40,000 feet MSL to 10,000 feet MSL.
    These changes do not represent any changes in lateral boundaries, 
operations, or new equipment being utilized in the airspace; nor does 
it reflect any increase in the number of operations that would be 
conducted.

The Rule

    This action amends 14 CFR part 73 by amending restricted area R-
6611A, R-6611B, R-6613A, and R-6613B internal altitude sub-divisions 
and updates the using agency description to conform to current 
formatting standards.
    Restricted areas R-6611A and R-6611B share common boundaries that

[[Page 84815]]

overlay each other. The designated altitudes for R-6611A are changed to 
``surface to but not including 10,000 feet MSL''. The designated 
altitudes for R-6611B are changed to ``10,000 feet MSL to 60,000 feet 
MSL''.
    Restricted areas R-6613A and R-6613B share common boundaries that 
overlay each other. The designated altitudes for R-6613A are changed to 
``surface to but not including 10,000 feet MSL''. The designated 
altitudes for R-6613B are changed to ``10,000 feet MSL to 60,000 feet 
MSL''.
    Additionally, the FAA updates the using agency for restricted areas 
R-6611A, R-6611B, R-6613A, and R-6613B to ``U.S. Navy, Commander, Naval 
Surface Weapons Center, Dahlgren, VA''.
    This action consists of administrative internal altitude changes 
and minor technical amendments only and does not affect the boundaries, 
altitudes, time of designation, or activities conducted in the 
airspace. Therefore, notice and public procedure under 5 U.S.C. 553(b) 
is unnecessary.

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 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 has determined that this action of amending internal 
altitude sub-divisions in R-6611A, R-6611B, R-6613A, and R-6613B, 
qualifies for categorical exclusion under the National Environmental 
Policy Act (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) and its implementing regulations at 
40 CFR part 1500, and in accordance with FAA Order 1050.1F, 
Environmental Impacts: Policies and Procedures, paragraph 5-6.5a, which 
categorically excludes from further environmental impact review 
rulemaking actions that designate or modify classes of airspace areas, 
airways, routes, and reporting points (see 14 CFR part 71, Designation 
of Class A, B, C, D, and E Airspace Areas; Air Traffic Service Routes; 
and Reporting Points); and paragraph 5-6.5d--Modification of the 
technical description of special use airspace (SUA) that does not alter 
the dimensions, altitudes, or times of designation of the airspace 
(such as changes in designation of the controlling or using agency, or 
correction of typographical errors). In accordance with FAA Order 
1050.1F, paragraph 5-2 regarding Extraordinary Circumstances, the FAA 
has reviewed this action for factors and circumstances in which a 
normally categorically excluded action may have a significant 
environmental impact requiring further analysis. Accordingly, the FAA 
has determined that no extraordinary circumstances exist that warrant 
preparation of an environmental assessment or environmental impact 
statement.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 73

    Airspace, Prohibited areas, Restricted areas.

The Amendment

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

PART 73--SPECIAL USE AIRSPACE

0
1. The authority citation for 14 CFR 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.  73.66  Virginia (VA) [Amended]

0
2. Section 73.66 is amended as follows:
* * * * *

R-6611A Dahlgren Complex, VA [Amended]

    Boundaries. Beginning at Lat. 38[deg]21'30'' N, long. 
077[deg]01'14'' W; to Lat. 38[deg]17'30'' N, long. 076[deg]55'59'' 
W; to Lat. 38[deg]15'45'' N, long. 076[deg]51'59'' W; to Lat. 
38[deg]13'00'' N, long. 076[deg]54'34'' W; to Lat. 38[deg]19'15'' N, 
long. 077[deg]01'59'' W; to the point of beginning.
    Designated Altitudes. Surface to but not including 10,000 feet 
MSL.
    Time of designation. 0800-1700 hours local time, Monday-Friday. 
Other times by NOTAM issued 48 hours in advance.
    Controlling agency. FAA, Washington ARTCC.
    Using agency. U.S. Navy, Commander, Naval Surface Weapons 
Center, Dahlgren, VA.

R-6611B Dahlgren Complex, VA [Amended]

    Boundaries. Beginning at Lat. 38[deg]21'30'' N, long. 
077[deg]01'14'' W; to Lat. 38[deg]17'30'' N, long. 076[deg]55'59'' 
W; to Lat. 38[deg]15'45'' N, long. 076[deg]51'59'' W; to Lat. 
38[deg]13'00'' N, long. 076[deg]54'34'' W; to Lat. 38[deg]19'15'' N, 
long. 077[deg]01'59'' W; to the point of beginning.
    Designated Altitudes. 10,000 feet MSL to 60,000 feet MSL.
    Time of designation. By NOTAM issued 48 hours in advance.
    Controlling agency. FAA, Washington ARTCC.
    Using agency. U.S. Navy, Commander, Naval Surface Weapons 
Center, Dahlgren, VA.
* * * * *

R-6613A Dahlgren Complex, VA [Amended]

    Boundaries. Beginning at Lat. 38[deg]15'45'' N, long. 
076[deg]51'59'' W; to Lat. 38[deg]13'30'' N, long. 076[deg]46'34'' 
W; to Lat. 38[deg]10'00'' N, long. 076[deg]49'59'' W; to Lat. 
38[deg]13'00'' N, long. 076[deg]54'34'' W; to the point of 
beginning.
    Designated Altitudes. Surface to but not including 10,000 feet 
MSL.
    Time of designation. 0800-1700 hours local time, Monday-Friday. 
Other times by NOTAM issued 48 hours in advance.
    Controlling agency. FAA, Washington ARTCC.
    Using agency. U.S. Navy, Commander, Naval Surface Weapons 
Center, Dahlgren, VA.

R-6613B Dahlgren Complex, VA [Amended]

    Boundaries. Beginning at Lat. 38[deg]15'45'' N, long. 
076[deg]51'59'' W; to Lat. 38[deg]13'30'' N, long. 076[deg]46'34'' 
W; to Lat. 38[deg]10'00'' N, long. 076[deg]49'59'' W; to Lat. 
38[deg]13'00'' N, long. 076[deg]54'34'' W; to the point of 
beginning.
    Designated Altitudes. 10,000 feet MSL to 60,000 feet MSL.
    Time of designation. By NOTAM issued 48 hours in advance.
    Controlling agency. FAA, Washington ARTCC.
    Using agency. U.S. Navy, Commander, Naval Surface Weapons 
Center, Dahlgren, VA.
* * * * *

    Issued in Washington, DC, on October 18, 2024.
Frank Lias,
Manager, Rules and Regulations Group.
[FR Doc. 2024-24592 Filed 10-23-24; 8:45 am]
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