47964 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 198 / Monday, October 16, 2017 / Rules and Regulations 

Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on October 5, 

2017. 

Walter Tweedy, 

Acting Manager, Operations Support Group, 

ATO Central Service Center. 

[FR Doc. 2017–22234 Filed 10–13–17; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 73 

[Docket No. FAA–2017–0886; Airspace 

Docket No. 16–ASO–11] 

Amendment of Restricted Areas 

R–3004A and R–3004B and 

Establishment of R–3004C; Fort 

Gordon, GA 

Republication 

Editorial Note: Rule document 2017–20435 

was originally published on pages 44513 

through 44514 in the issue of Monday, 

September 25, 2017. In that publication, on 

page 44514, in the forty-ninth line of the first 

column and the thirty-fifth line of the second 

column, the number 1 was inadvertently 

deleted from the text. The corrected 

document is published here in its entirety. 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Final rule. 

SUMMARY: This action modifies the 

restricted areas at Fort Gordon, GA to 

further subdivide the vertical limits of 

the airspace. The designated altitudes 

for R–3004A and R–3004B are realigned 

and a new subarea, designated R–3004C, 

is established above R–3004B. The FAA 

is taking this action to allow for more 

efficient use of the airspace during 

periods when military activities only 

require restricted airspace below 3,500 

feet MSL. The modifications are fully 

contained within the existing lateral and 

vertical boundaries of the restricted 

airspace. 

DATES: Effective date: 0901 UTC, 

December 7, 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 since it vertically 

subdivides the restricted airspace at Fort 

Gordon, GA, into three sections to 

enable more efficient use of airspace. 

Background 

The restricted airspace at Fort 

Gordon, GA consists of R–3004A, 

extending from the surface to 7,000 feet 

MSL; and R–3004B, extending from 

7,001 feet MSL to 16,000 feet MSL. The 

time of designation for both areas is as 

activated by NOTAM 24 hours in 

advance. 

A FAA review of the utilization of the 

airspace revealed that most activities 

being conducted only require restricted 

airspace below 3,500 feet MSL. 

However, when R–3004A was activated, 

restrictions were in effect up to 7,000 

feet MSL. 

While lateral boundaries of the 

restricted airspace remain the same as 

currently charted and the overall 

vertical limits of the restricted airspace 

are unchanged, in order to provide for 

more efficient use of airspace, the FAA 

and the using agency agreed to further 

subdivide the restricted airspace 

vertically. The FAA is realigning the 

designated altitudes for R–3004A and 

R–3004B and establishing R–3004C as a 

third subdivision. The new 

configuration enables activation of 

restricted airspace to the lower altitude 

required for the majority of the using 

agency’s training needs while 

maintaining the ability to activate 

additional restricted airspace for 

missions that require higher altitudes. 

The designated altitudes for R–3004A 

are amended to read ‘‘surface to but not 

including 3,500 feet MSL’’ (decreased 

from 7,000 feet MSL). The designated 

altitudes for R–3004B are amended to 

read ‘‘3,500 feet MSL to but not 

including 7,000 feet MSL,’’ instead of 

the current ‘‘7,001 feet MSL to 16,000 

feet MSL.’’ This amendment also 

established a third subdivision, 

designated R–3004C, which extends 

from 7,000 feet MSL to 16,000 feet MSL. 

These changes accommodate the using 

agency’s requirements while releasing 

unneeded restricted airspace for access 

by other users. 

In addition, the aircraft activity 

limitations on use of the areas are 

amended to clarify the limitations in 

effect during the annual Masters Golf 

Tournament. 

These changes enhance the efficient 

use of the National Airspace System by 

providing for activation of the minimum 

amount of restricted airspace needed for 

the specific mission being conducted 

resulting in the release of unneeded 

restricted airspace for access by other 

users. 

The Rule 

This rule amends Title 14 Code of 

Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 73 by 

further dividing the current restricted 

airspace at Fort Gordon, GA, into three 

subareas instead of two. The designated 

altitudes for R–3004A are amended from 

the current ‘‘surface to 7,000 feet MSL,’’ 

to ‘‘surface to but not including 3,500 

feet MSL.’’ The designated altitudes for 

R–3004B are amended from the current 

‘‘7,001 feet MSL to 16,000 feet MSL’’ to 

‘‘3,500 feet MSL to but not including 

7,000 feet MSL.’’ A new third 

subdivision, designated R–3004C, is 

established and extends from 7,000 feet 

MSL to 16,000 feet MSL.’’ 

Additionally, the terms and 

conditions listed in the restricted area 

legal descriptions for aircraft activities 

in the restricted areas are revised, in 

part. Specifically, in order to clarify 

aircraft operations during the annual 

Masters Golf tournament, the text of 

item number 1 is changed from ‘‘1. 

Aircraft activities may not be conducted 

on weekends, National holidays, or the 

entire week of the Masters Golf 

Tournament’’ to: ‘‘1. Aircraft activities 

must not be conducted on weekends, 

national holidays, or from the Sunday 

prior to the Masters Golf Tournament 

through the Monday after (and 

subsequent weather days if required).’’ 

The terms and conditions in Items 2 and 

3 remain unchanged. 

The above modifications enhance the 

efficient use of airspace and reduce the 

burden on the public by lessening the 

amount of restricted airspace at Fort 

Gordon, GA, that is activated on a 

routine basis. These modifications do 

not change the current lateral 

boundaries, overall designated altitudes, 

or activities conducted within the 

restricted areas; therefore, notice and 

public procedure under 5 U.S.C. 553(b) 

are unnecessary. 

Regulatory Notices and Analyses 

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. It, therefore: (1) Is not a 

‘‘significant regulatory action’’ under 

Executive Order 12866; (2) is not a 


jstallworth on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with RULES
Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 198 / Monday, October 16, 2017 / Rules and Regulations 47965 

‘‘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 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 vertically subdividing limits of 

existing restricted airspace within the 

current lateral and vertical limits 

qualifies for categorical exclusion under 

the National Environmental Policy Act 

and in accordance with FAA Order 

1050.1F—Environmental Impacts: 

Policies and Procedures, Categorical 

Exclusions for Procedural Actions, 

paragraph 5–6.5d—Modification of the 

technical description of special use 

airspace (restricted areas) that does not 

alter the dimensions, altitudes, or times 

of designation of the airspace. 

Therefore, this airspace action is not 

expected to result in any significant 

environmental impacts. In accordance 

with FAAO 1050.1F, paragraph 5–2 

regarding Extraordinary Circumstances, 

this action has been reviewed for factors 

and circumstances in which a normally 

categorically excluded action may have 

a significant environmental impact 

requiring further analysis, and it is 

determined that no extraordinary 

circumstances exist 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 

■ 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. 

§ 73.30 [Amended] 

■ 2. § 73.30 is amended as follows: 

* * * * * 

R–3004A Fort Gordon, GA [Amended] 

By removing the current designated 

altitudes and aircraft activity limitations and 

inserting the following in their places: 

Designated Altitudes. Surface to but not 

including 3,500 feet MSL. 

Aircraft activity is limited to the following 

terms and conditions: 

1. Aircraft activities must not be conducted 

on weekends, national holidays, or from the 

Sunday prior to the Masters Golf Tournament 

through the Monday after (and subsequent 

weather days if required). 

2. Aircraft activities may only be 

conducted from the surface to 12,000 feet 

AGL. 

3. Weather conditions required for aircraft 

activities are 5 miles visibility and with 

prevailing clouds or obscuring phenomena 

no greater than five-tenths coverage of the 

sky and bases no lower than 3,000 feet AGL. 

R–3004B Fort Gordon, GA [Amended] 

By removing the current designated 

altitudes and aircraft activity limitations and 

inserting the following in their places: 

Designated Altitudes. 3,500 feet MSL to but 

not including 7,000 feet MSL. 

Aircraft activity is limited to the following 

terms and conditions: 

1. Aircraft activities must not be conducted 

on weekends, national holidays, or from the 

Sunday prior to the Masters Golf Tournament 

through the Monday after (and subsequent 

weather days if required). 

2. Aircraft activities may only be 

conducted from the surface to 12,000 feet 

AGL. 

3. Weather conditions required for aircraft 

activities are 5 miles visibility and with 

prevailing clouds or obscuring phenomena 

no greater than five-tenths coverage of the 

sky and bases no lower than 3,000 feet AGL. 

R–3004C Fort Gordon, GA [New] 

Boundaries. Beginning at lat. 33°21′54′′ N., 

long. 82°12′14′′ W.; to lat. 33°19′44′′ N., long. 

82°12′14′′ W.; to lat. 33°16′21′′ N., long. 

82°17′59′′ W.; to lat. 33°17′30′′ N., long. 

82°22′59′′ W.; to lat. 33°21′16′′ N., long. 

82°18′46′′ W.; to lat. 33°22′16′′ N., long. 

82°16′59′′ W.; to the point of beginning. 

Designated Altitudes. 7,000 feet MSL to 

16,000 feet MSL. 

Times of designation. By NOTAM 24 hours 

in advance. 

Controlling agency. FAA, Atlanta ARTCC. 

Using agency. U.S. Army, Commanding 

Officer, Fort Gordon, GA. 

Aircraft activity is limited to the following 

terms and conditions: 

1. Aircraft activities must not be conducted 

on weekends, national holidays, or from the 

Sunday prior to the Masters Golf Tournament 

through the Monday after (and subsequent 

weather days if required). 

2. Aircraft activities may only be 

conducted from the surface to 12,000 feet 

AGL. 

3. Weather conditions required for aircraft 

activities are 5 miles visibility and with 

prevailing clouds or obscuring phenomena 

no greater than five-tenths coverage of the 

sky and bases no lower than 3,000 feet AGL. 

Issued in Washington, DC, on September 

19, 2017. 

Rodger A. Dean, Jr., 

Manager, Airspace Policy Group. 

[FR Doc. R1–2017–20435 Filed 10–13–17; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 1301–00–D 

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND 

HUMAN SERVICES 

Food and Drug Administration 

21 CFR Part 866 

[Docket No. FDA–2017–N–5296] 

Medical Devices; Immunology and 

Microbiology Devices; Classification of 

the Nucleic Acid-Based Device for the 

Amplification, Detection, and 

Identification of Microbial Pathogens 

Directly From Whole Blood Specimens 

AGENCY: Food and Drug Administration, 

HHS. 

ACTION: Final order. 

SUMMARY: The Food and Drug 

Administration (FDA or we) is 

classifying the nucleic acid-based 

device for the amplification, detection, 

and identification of microbial 

pathogens directly from whole blood 

specimens into class II (special 

controls). The special controls that 

apply to the device type are identified 

in this order and will be part of the 

codified language for the nucleic acidbased device for the amplification, 

detection, and identification of 

microbial pathogens directly from 

whole blood specimens’ classification. 

We are taking this action because we 

have determined that classifying the 

device into class II (special controls) 

will provide a reasonable assurance of 

safety and effectiveness of the device. 

We believe this action will also enhance 

patients’ access to beneficial innovative 

devices, in part by reducing regulatory 

burdens. 

DATES: This order is effective October 

16, 2017. The classification was 

applicable on September 22, 2014. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Steven Tjoe, Center for Devices and 

Radiological Health, Food and Drug 

Administration, 10903 New Hampshire 

Ave., Bldg. 66, Rm. 4550, Silver Spring, 

MD 20993–0002, 301–796–5866, 

steven.tjoe@fda.hhs.gov. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Background 

Upon request, FDA has classified the 

nucleic acid-based device for the 

amplification, detection, and 

identification of microbial pathogens 


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