[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 239 (Friday, December 12, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 65359-65360]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-32574]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 73

[Airspace Docket No. 97-AEA-38]
RIN 2120-AA66


Name Change for Restricted Area 4007A (R-4007A); Patuxent River, 
MD

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action changes the name of Restricted Area R-4007A, 
Patuxent River, MD, to R-4007, by deleting the ``A'' suffix. This 
action is necessary because the former ``B'' area subdivision no longer 
exists and there is no requirement for further subdivision of the 
restricted area. This action simplifies the name of the restricted area 
to eliminate confusion.

EFFECTIVE DATE: 0901 UTC, February 26, 1998.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Paul Gallant, Airspace and Rules 
Division, ATA-400, Office of Air Traffic Airspace Management, Federal 
Aviation Administration, 800 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 
20591; telephone (202) 267-9361.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    On September 7, 1978, the FAA redesignated Restricted Area R-4007 
as R-4007A, and temporarily established a new restricted area, R-4007B, 
directly above it which extended up to 17,000 feet mean sea level (MSL) 
(43 FR 28813). The purpose of R-4007B was to provide additional 
airspace to accommodate F-18 development testing. The R-4007B 
designation expired on January 1, 1983. However, R-4007A was not 
renumbered at that time due to the possibility of future rulemaking 
action to re-establish the ``B'' area to contain other flight test 
projects.
    Based on forecast requirements at the Patuxent River test facility, 
the U.S. Navy determined that there is no future need for R-4007B. 
Consequently, the U.S. Navy requested that R-4007A be redesignated R-
4007.

The Rule

    This amendment to 14 CFR part 73 (part 73) changes the designation 
of Restricted Area R-4007A, Patuxent River, MD, to R-4007, Patuxent 
River, MD. There are no changes to the boundaries, altitudes, time of 
designation, or activities conducted within the restricted area.
    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 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 action simply changes the name of restricted area
    R-4007A, and does not involve a change in the dimensions or 
operating requirements of that airspace, the FAA finds that notice and 
public procedure under 5 U.S.C. 553(b) are unnecessary.

Environmental Review

    This action is a minor administrative change amending the name of 
an existing restricted area. There are no changes to air traffic 
control procedures or routes as a result of this action. Therefore, 
this action is not subject to environmental assessments and procedures 
under FAA Order 1050.1D, ``Policies and Procedures for Considering 
Environmental Impacts,''

[[Page 65360]]

and the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969.

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--SPECIAL USE AIRSPACE

    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. 73.40  [Amended]

    2. Section 73.40 is amended as follows:
* * * * *

R-4007A  Patuxent River, MD [Removed]

R-4007  Patuxent River, MD [New]

Boundaries. Beginning at lat. 38 deg.21'00'' N., long. 
76 deg.13'59'' W.; to lat. 38 deg.11'10'' N., long. 76 deg.25'09'' 
W.; to lat. 38 deg.05'10'' N., long. 76 deg.34'04'' W.; to lat. 
38 deg.15'00'' N., long. 76 deg.36'34'' W.; to lat. 
38 deg.17'25''N., long. 76 deg.32'59'' W.; to lat. 38 deg.25'40'' 
N., long. 76 deg.23'34'' W.; to the point of beginning.
Designated Altitudes: Surface to but not including 5,000 feet MSL.
Time of designation: 0700-2300 local time, daily; other times as 
specified by NOTAM.
Controlling agency: FAA, Washington ARTCC. Using agency. Commanding 
Officer, NAS Patuxent River, MD.
* * * * *
    Issued in Washington, DC, on December 2, 1997.
Reginald C. Matthews,
Acting Program Director for Air Traffic Airspace Management.
[FR Doc. 97-32574 Filed 12-11-97; 8:45 am]
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