[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 19 (Wednesday, January 29, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 4141-4142]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-2242]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 73

[Airspace Docket No. 95-ANM-28]


Amendment to Restricted Area R-2601 Fort Carson, CO

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action subdivides Restricted Area 2601 (R-2601) Fort 
Carson, CO, into four separate areas to permit more efficient use of 
the airspace and reduces the time of designation. R-2601A is designated 
from the surface to but not including 12,500 feet mean sea level (MSL); 
R-2601B is designated from 12,500 feet MSL to but not including 22,500 
feet MSL; R-2601C is designated from 22,500 feet MSL to but not 
including 35,000 feet MSL; and, R-2601D is designated from 35,000 feet 
MSL to but not including 60,000 feet MSL. This subdivision of the 
restricted area utilizes the existing lateral boundaries of R-2601. No 
new restricted airspace is established by this action.

EFFECTIVE DATE: 0901 UTC, March 27, 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

    As a result of a Department of Army review of restricted area 
utilization and operational requirements at Fort Carson, CO, the U.S. 
Army has requested changes in the Fort Carson restricted airspace. 
These changes affect only the internal boundaries and enhances 
efficient airspace utilization. The coordinates for this airspace 
docket are based on North American Datum 83. Section 73.26 of part 73 
of the Federal Aviation Regulations was republished in FAA Order 
7400.8D dated July 11, 1996.

The Rule

    This amendment to part 73 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
CFR part 73) subdivides R-2601, Fort Carson, CO, into four separate 
areas to permit more efficient utilization of airspace. Currently, R-
2601 extends from the surface to 60,000 feet MSL, with a time of 
designation of ``continuous'' to 35,000 feet and by a Notice to Airmen 
(NOTAM) to 60,000 feet. The using agency has determined that the 
majority of mission activities currently do not require restricted 
airspace above 12,500 feet MSL. Certain activities, however, still 
require a ceiling for restricted airspace up to 60,000 feet MSL, but 
not on a ``continuous'' basis. This amendment will subdivide the 
existing R-2601 as follows: R-2601A is designated from the surface to 
but not including 12,500 feet MSL from 0500 to 2400 hours, Monday 
through Friday; other times by NOTAM one hour in advance. R-2601B is 
designated from 12,500 feet MSL to but not including 22,500 feet MSL by 
NOTAM one hour in advance, R-2601C from 22,500 to but not including 
35,000 feet MSL, by NOTAM 24 hours in advance and R-2601D from 35,000 
MSL to but not including 60,000 feet MSL by NOTAM 24 hours in advance. 
This change enables the using agency to accomplish its mission while 
improving the capability to activate only the minimum amount of 
restricted airspace necessary for that mission. There is no change to 
the lateral boundaries or activities conducted in the existing area. 
This action affects only the internal subdivision of an existing 
restricted area and enhances efficient airspace utilization. Therefore, 
I find that notice and public procedure under 5 U.S.C. 553(b) are 
unnecessary since this action is a minor amendment in which the public 
would not be particularly interested. The coordinates for this airspace 
docket are based on North American Datum 83. Section 73.26 of the 
Federal Aviation Regulations was published in FAA Order 7400.8D dated 
July 11, 1996.
    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 regulation: (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

    This action internally subdivides an existing restricted area and 
does not affect the lateral boundaries or overall vertical limits of 
restricted airspace. There are no changes to air traffic control 
procedures, and routes, or the type of activity conducted within these 
boundaries as a result of this amendment. Therefore, this action is not 
subject to environmental assessments and procedures under FAA Order 
1050.1D, ``Policies and Procedures for Considering Environmental 
Impacts,'' and the National Environmental Policy Act.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 73

    Airspace, Navigation (air).

Adoption of the Amendment

    In consideration of the foregoing, the Federal Aviation 
Administration 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. 73.26  [Amended]

    2. Section 73.26 is amended as follows:

[[Page 4142]]

R-2601 Fort Carson, CO  [Removed]

R-2601A Fort Carson, CO  [New]

    Boundaries. Beginning at lat. 38 deg.38'19'' N., long. 
104 deg.52'02'' W.; to lat. 38 deg.42'40'' N., long. 104 deg.49'06'' 
W.; to lat. 38 deg.41'20'' N., long. 104 deg.47'02'' W.; to lat. 
38 deg.40'15'' N., long. 104 deg.46'22'' W.; to lat. 38 deg.40'00'' 
N., long. 104 deg.45'42'' W.; to lat. 38 deg.32'06'' N., long. 
104 deg.45'02'' W.; to lat. 38 deg.25'35'' N., long. 104 deg.45'02'' 
W.; to lat. 38 deg.25'35'' N., long. 104 deg.49'02'' W.; to lat. 
38 deg.26'10'' N., long. 104 deg.49'02'' W.; to lat. 38 deg.26'08'' 
N., long. 104 deg.57'32'' W.; to lat. 38 deg.29'35'' N., long. 
104 deg.57'32'' W.; thence northeast along Colorado Highway 115, to 
the point of beginning.
    Altitudes. Surface to but not including 12,500 feet MSL.
    Time of designation. 0500 to 2400 hours local Monday-Friday 
other times by NOTAM 1 hour in advance.
    Controlling agency. FAA, Denver ARTCC.
    Using agency. Commanding General, Fort Carson, CO.

R-2601B Fort Carson, CO  [New]

    Boundaries. Beginning at lat. 38 deg.38'19'' N., long. 
104 deg.52'02'' W.; to lat. 38 deg.42'40'' N., long. 104 deg.49'06'' 
W.; to lat. 38 deg.41'20'' N., long. 104 deg.47'02'' W.; to lat. 
38 deg.40'15'' N., long. 104 deg.46'22'' W.; to lat. 38 deg.40'00'' 
N., long. 104 deg.45'42'' W.; to lat. 38 deg.32'06'' N., long. 
104 deg.45'02'' W.; to lat. 38 deg.25'35'' N., long. 104 deg.45'02'' 
W.; to lat. 38 deg.25'35'' N., long. 104 deg.49'02'' W.; to lat. 
38 deg.26'10'' N., long. 104 deg.49'02'' W.; to lat. 38 deg.26'08'' 
N., long. 104 deg.57'32'' W.; to lat. 38 deg.29'35'' N., long. 
104 deg.57'32'' W.; thence northeast along Colorado Highway 115, to 
the point of beginning.
    Altitudes. 12,500 feet MSL to but not including 22,500 feet MSL.
    Time of designation. By NOTAM 1 hour in advance.
    Controlling agency. FAA, Denver ARTCC.
    Using agency. Commanding General, Fort Carson, CO.

R-2601C Fort Carson, CO  [New]

    Boundaries. Beginning at lat. 38 deg.38'19'' N., long. 
104 deg.52'02'' W.; to lat. 38 deg.42'40'' N., long. 104 deg.49'06'' 
W.; to lat. 38 deg.41'20'' N., long. 104 deg.47'02'' W.; to lat. 
38 deg.40'15'' N., long. 104 deg.46'22'' W.; to lat. 38 deg.40'00'' 
N., long. 104 deg.45'42'' W.; to lat. 38 deg.32'06'' N., long. 
104 deg.45'02'' W.; to lat. 38 deg.25'35'' N., long. 104 deg.45'02'' 
W.; to lat. 38 deg.25'35'' N., long. 104 deg.49'02'' W.; to lat. 
38 deg.26'10'' N., long. 104 deg.49'02'' W.; to lat. 38 deg.26'08'' 
N., long. 104 deg.57'32'' W.; to lat. 38 deg.29'35'' N., long. 
104 deg.57'32'' W.; thence northeast along Colorado Highway 115, to 
the point of beginning.
    Altitudes. 22,500 feet MSL to but not including 35,000 MSL.
    Time of designation. By NOTAM 24 hours in advance.
    Controlling agency. FAA, Denver ARTCC.
    Using agency. Commanding General, Fort Carson, CO.

R-2601D Fort Carson, CO  [New]

    Boundaries. Beginning at lat. 38 deg.38'19'' N., long. 
104 deg.52'02'' W.; to lat. 38 deg.42'40'' N., long. 104 deg.49'06'' 
W.; to lat. 38 deg.41'20'' N., long. 104 deg.47'02'' W.; to lat. 
38 deg.40'15'' N., long. 104 deg.46'22'' W.; to lat. 38 deg.40'00'' 
N., long. 104 deg.45'42'' W.; to lat. 38 deg.32'06'' N., long. 
104 deg.45'02'' W.; to lat. 38 deg.25'35'' N., long. 104 deg.45'02'' 
W.; to lat. 38 deg.25'35'' N., long. 104 deg.49'02'' W.; to lat. 
38 deg.26'10'' N., long. 104 deg.49'02'' W.; to lat. 38 deg.26'08'' 
N., long. 104 deg.57'32'' W.; to lat. 38 deg.29'35'' N., long. 
104 deg.57'32'' W.; thence northeast along Colorado Highway 115, to 
the point of beginning.
    Altitudes. 35.000 feet MSL to but not including 60,000 feet MSL.
    Time of designation. By NOTAM 24 hours in advance.
    Controlling agency. FAA, Denver ARTCC.
    Using agency. Commanding General, Fort Carson, CO.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on January 22, 1997.
Jeff Griffith,
Program Director for Air Traffic Airspace Management.
[FR Doc. 97-2242 Filed 1-28-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P