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[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 74 (Tuesday, April 17, 2012)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 22667]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-9186]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 73

[Docket No. FAA-2012-0226; Airspace Docket No. 12-ASO-10]
RIN 2120-AA66

Amendment of Restricted Area R-2917, De Funiak Springs, FL

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action modifies restricted area R-2917 by reducing the 
lateral and vertical dimensions of the area. The U.S. Air Force has 
determined that a smaller restricted area is needed to ensure that 
aircraft carrying certain electro-explosive devices remain a safe 
distance from an FPS-85 radar site.

DATES: Effective date 0901 UTC, May 31, 2012.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Paul Gallant, Airspace, Regulations 
and ATC Procedures Group, AJV-11, Office of Airspace Services, Federal 
Aviation Administration, 800 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 
20591; telephone: (202) 267-8783.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    On January 2, 1996, the FAA published a final rule in the Federal 
Register to expand the lateral and vertical dimensions of restricted 
area R-2917, De Funiak Springs, FL, which surrounds an FPS-85 radar 
system located at that site (61 FR 0004). The expanded restricted area 
consisted of a 2.5 nautical mile radius, from the surface up to, but 
not including, Flight Level (FL) 230. The purpose of R-2917 is to 
provide protected airspace around the radar site because the radio 
frequency (RF) energy emitted by the radar has the potential to 
activate electro-explosive devices (EED) carried on board certain 
aircraft. It should be noted that R-2917 is located within the confines 
of a much larger restricted area, R-2914A, which extends from the 
surface to unlimited altitude.
    A recent revision to Air Force explosive safety standards guidance 
revised the formula for computing the hazards to EED from FPS-85 RF 
radiation. As a result, a smaller safe separation distance is required 
for aircraft carrying EED. This allows the size of R-2917 to be reduced 
to a one-nautical mile radius up to 5,000 feet MSL. The smaller 
restricted area R-2917 remains totally contained within existing 
restricted area R-2914A.

The Rule

    This action amends Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) 
part 73 to change the lateral and vertical dimensions of R-2917, De 
Funiak Springs, FL, from the current 2.5-nautical mile radius circle, 
extending from the surface to, but not including FL 230, to a one-
nautical mile radius circle, extending from the surface to 5,000 feet 
MSL.
    Because this amendment reduces the size of restricted airspace 
within the confines of a larger existing restricted area and does not 
increase the burden on the public, notice and public procedures under 5 
U.S.C. 553(b) are unnecessary.
    The FAA has determined that this action 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, 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

    The FAA has determined that this action qualifies for categorical 
exclusion under the National Environmental Policy Act in accordance 
with 311c., FAA Order 1050.1E, Environmental Impacts: Policies and 
Procedures. This action reduces the vertical and lateral dimensions of 
special use airspace; therefore, it is not expected to cause any 
potentially significant environmental impacts, and no extraordinary 
circumstances exists that warrant preparation of an environmental 
assessment.

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:

PART 73--SPECIAL USE AIRSPACE

0
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.  73.29  [Amended]

0
2. Sec.  73.29 is amended as follows:
* * * * *

1. R-2917 De Funiak Springs, FL [Amended]

    By removing the current Boundaries and Designated altitudes and 
substituting the following: Boundaries. A circle with a 1-nautical mile 
radius centered at lat. 30[deg]34'21''N., long. 86[deg]12'53''W.
    Designated altitudes. Surface to 5,000 feet MSL.

    Issued in Washington, DC on April 12, 2012.
Ellen Crum,
Acting Manager, Airspace, Regulations and ATC Procedures Group.
[FR Doc. 2012-9186 Filed 4-16-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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