Establishment of Restricted Area-6302E, Fort Hood, TX

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

14 CFR Part 73

[Airspace Docket No. 93-ASW-28]

Establishment of Restricted Area-6302E, Fort Hood, TX

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action establishes Restricted Area R-6302E, Fort Hood,

TX, above the existing Restricted Areas R-6302A, B, C, and D, at Fort

Hood, TX. Restricted Area R-6302E will provide special use airspace to

accommodate the firing of heatseeker missiles at the Fort Hood Army

Airfield (AAF) weapons complex.

EFFECTIVE DATE: 0901 UTC, October 13, 1994.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steve Riley, Military Operations

Program Office (ATM-420), Office of Air Traffic System Management,

Federal Aviation Administration, 800 Independence Avenue, SW.,

Washington, DC 20591; telephone: (202) 267-7130.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

History

On May 6, 1994, the FAA proposed to amend part 73 of the Federal

Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 73) by establishing Restricted Area,

R-6302E, Fort Hood, TX, above the existing Restricted Areas R-6302A, B,

C, and D (59 FR 23644). Interested parties were invited to participate

in this rulemaking proceeding by submitting written comments on the

proposal to the FAA. No comments objecting to the proposal were

received. Except for editorial changes, this amendment is the same as

that proposed in the notice. Section 73.63 of part 73 of the Federal

Aviation Regulations was republished in FAA Order 7400.8B dated March

9, 1994.

The Rule

This amendment to part 73 of the Federal Aviation Regulations

establishes Restricted Area, R-6302E, Fort Hood, TX, above the existing

Restricted Areas R-6302A, B, C, and D, to accommodate the firing of

heatseeker missiles at the Fort Hood AAF weapons complex. The maximum

altitude of the existing Fort Hood restricted area is 30,000 feet mean

sea level (MSL). Restricted Area R-6302E will coincide with the

existing lateral boundaries of Restricted Areas R-6302A, B, C, and D,

and will extend from 30,000 feet MSL to 45,000 feet MSL. This action is

a result of a Special Use Airspace Review conducted at the Fort Hood

AAF in May 1993. Restricted Area R-6302E will be a joint-use restricted

area, activated by NOTAM 48 hours in advance, not to exceed 90 days per

year, weather makeup days included. The airspace will be returned to

the controlling agency when not required for military activities. The

U.S. Army does not expect any increase in the total annual usage of the

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 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 is not subject to environmental assessments or

procedures under FAA Order 1050.1D, Policies and Procedures for

Considering Environmental Impacts.

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. app. 1348(a), 1354(a), 1510, 1522; E.O.

10854; 24 FR 9565, 3 CFR, 1959-1963 Comp., p. 389; 49 U.S.C. 106(g);

14 CFR 11.69.

Sec. 73.63 [Amended]

2. Section 73.63 is amended as follows:

R-6302E Fort Hood, TX [New]

Boundaries. Beginning at lat. 31 deg.24'01''N., long.

97 deg.48'01''W.;

To lat. 31 deg.23'01''N., long. 97 deg.43'01''W.;

To lat. 31 deg.22'08''N., long. 97 deg.41'56''W.;

To lat. 31 deg.21'01''N., long. 97 deg.41'01''W.;

To lat. 31 deg.20'01''N., long. 97 deg.41'01''W.;

To lat. 31 deg.14'01''N., long. 97 deg.33'01''W.;

To lat. 31 deg.06'01''N., long. 97 deg.33'01''W.;

To lat. 31 deg.08'01''N., long. 97 deg.39'01''W.;

To lat. 31 deg.10'01''N., long. 97 deg.41'01''W.;

To lat. 31 deg.09'01''N., long. 97 deg.43'31''W.;

To lat. 31 deg.09'01''N., long. 97 deg.55'01''W.;

To lat. 31 deg.16'01''N., long. 97 deg.54'01''W.;

To lat. 31 deg.19'01''N., long. 97 deg.51'01''W.;

To the point of beginning.

Designated altitudes. 30,000 feet MSL to 45,000 feet MSL.

Times of designation. By NOTAM 48 hours in advance.

Controlling agency. FAA, Houston ARTCC.

Using agency. U.S. Army, Commanding Officer, Fort Hood, TX.

Issued in Washington, DC, on August 17, 1994.

Harold W. Becker,

Manager, Airspace-Rules and Aeronautical Information Division.

[FR Doc. 94-20791 Filed 8-23-94; 8:45 am]

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