82 FR 51344 - Amendment of Multiple Restricted Areas; Vandenberg AFB, CA

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 213 (November 6, 2017)

Page Range		51344-51345
FR Document		2017-24103

This action makes minor adjustments to the boundary descriptions of restricted areas R-2516, R-2517, R-2534A and R-2534B; Vandenberg AFB, CA. The changes are necessary as a result of the FAA using updated digital data that defines maritime limits and other geophysical features used in the boundary descriptions. This requires minor changes to certain latitude/longitude points in the boundary descriptions of the above restricted areas to match the updated digital data.

Federal Register, Volume 82 Issue 213 (Monday, November 6, 2017)

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 213 (Monday, November 6, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 51344-51345]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-24103]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 73

[Docket No. FAA-2017-0985 Airspace Docket No. 17-AWP-21]


Amendment of Multiple Restricted Areas; Vandenberg AFB, CA

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; technical amendment.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This action makes minor adjustments to the boundary 
descriptions of restricted areas R-2516, R-2517, R-2534A and R-2534B; 
Vandenberg AFB, CA. The changes are necessary as a result of the FAA 
using updated digital data that defines maritime limits and other 
geophysical features used in the boundary descriptions. This requires 
minor changes to certain latitude/longitude points in the boundary 
descriptions of the above restricted areas to match the updated digital 
data.

DATES: Effective date 0901 UTC, February 1, 2018.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kenneth Ready, 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 makes minor updates to certain boundary coordinates for 
restricted areas R-2516, R-2517, R-2534A and R-2534B; Vandenberg AFB, 
CA, to match updated digital shoreline data received from the National 
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

Background

    Some restricted area boundary descriptions use maritime limits, 
such as the shoreline of the U.S., to identify the shape of the area 
(e.g., ``3 nautical miles from and parallel to the shoreline''). These 
boundary descriptions contain latitude/longitude coordinates that were 
intended to either join, or run parallel to, the shoreline.
    For a variety of reasons, maritime limits change over time. The FAA 
has received updated digital data for maritime limits from NOAA. 
Digital data is more precise than measurements used in the past. The 
FAA, through the implementation of its data-driven charting process, 
was able to utilize this new data to accurately update the U.S. 
maritime limit boundaries used for aeronautical charting. Prior to the 
update, the maritime limit boundary data used for charting were over 25 
years old. In applying the updated data, FAA found that some restricted 
area boundary descriptions, that were based on the maritime limits, did 
not correspond to the updated shoreline data. Consequently, there are 
minor mismatches between some restricted area latitude/longitude 
coordinates and the actual shoreline position.
    This rulemaking action updates the affected boundary coordinates of 
restricted areas R-2516, R-2517, R-2534A and R-2534B, in California to 
maintain the intended shape of the airspace in relation to the U.S. 
shoreline and to improve their representations on aeronautical charts.

The Rule

    This action amends Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) 
part 73 to make minor adjustments to certain latitude/longitude 
coordinates in the descriptions of restricted areas R-2516, R-2517, R-
2534A and R-2534B, in California. The changes are necessary as a result 
of the FAA using digital data for aeronautical charting. This more 
precise digital plotting of points revealed minor mismatches between 
some of the current restricted area boundary coordinates and the more 
accurate digital data for those points. The specific restricted area 
boundary updates are shown below:
    R-2516: The point ``lat. 35[deg]00'00'' N., long. 120[deg]42'04'' 
W.'' is changed to ``lat. 35[deg]00'06'' N., long. 120[deg]42'12'' W.'' 
and the point ``lat. 34[deg]42'00'' N., long. 120[deg]40'22'' W.'' is 
changed to ``lat. 34[deg]42'00'' N., long. 120[deg]40'01'' W.'' These 
changes reflect updated digital shoreline data.
    R-2517: The point ``lat. 34[deg]42'00'' N., long. 120[deg]40'22'' 
W.'' is changed to ``lat. 34[deg]42'00'' N., long. 120[deg]40'01'' W.'' 
and the point ``lat. 34[deg]24'00'' N., long. 120[deg]30'04'' W.'' is 
changed to ``lat. 34[deg]24'04'' N., long. 120[deg]29'51'' W.'' These 
changes reflect updated digital shoreline data.
    R-2534A: The point ``lat. 34[deg]25'10'' N., long. 120[deg]15'34'' 
W.'' is changed to ``lat. 34[deg]25'00'' N., long. 120[deg]15'34'' W.'' 
and the point ``lat. 34[deg]24'40'' N., long. 120[deg]19'14'' W.'' is 
changed to ``lat. 34[deg]24'39'' N., long. 120[deg]19'13'' W.'' These 
changes reflect updated digital shoreline data.
    R-2534B: The point ``lat. 34[deg]24'40'' N., long. 120[deg]19'14'' 
W.'' is changed to ``lat. 34[deg]24'39'' N., long. 120[deg]19'13'' W.'' 
These changes reflect updated digital shoreline data.
    These minor editorial changes update existing restricted area 
boundaries with more precise digital information. It does not affect 
the location, 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 ``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 qualifies for categorical 
exclusion under the National Environmental Policy Act in accordance 
with FAA Order 1050.1F, Environmental Impacts: Policies and Procedures, 
paragraph 5-6.5d, modification of the technical description of special 
use airspace (SUA) that does not alter the dimensions, altitudes, or 
times of designation of the airspace. This

[[Page 51345]]

airspace action makes minor updates to certain boundary coordinates of 
restricted areas R-2516, R-2517, R-2534A and R-2534B; Vandenberg AFB, 
CA, to match the digital shoreline data received from the NOAA 
Administration. This ensures that the affected boundaries continue to 
match the NOAA-defined position of the U.S. shoreline. It does not 
alter the location, altitudes, or activities conducted within the 
airspace; therefore, it is not expected to cause any potentially 
significant environmental impacts, and 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

0
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.


Sec.  73.25  [Amended]

0
2. Section 73.25 is amended as follows:
* * * * *

R-2516 Vandenberg AFB, CA [Amended]

    By removing the current boundaries and inserting the following:
    Boundaries. Beginning at lat. 35[deg]00'06'' N., long. 
120[deg]42'12'' W.;
    to lat. 34[deg]54'00'' N., long. 120[deg]33'04'' W.;
    to lat. 34[deg]50'00'' N., long. 120[deg]32'04'' W.;
    to lat. 34[deg]46'00'' N., long. 120[deg]27'04'' W.;
    to lat. 34[deg]42'00'' N., long. 120[deg]30'04'' W.;
    to lat. 34[deg]38'35'' N., long. 120[deg]31'24'' W.;
    to lat. 34[deg]42'00'' N., long. 120[deg]34'34'' W.;
    to lat. 34[deg]42'00'' N., long. 120[deg]40'01'' W.;
    thence 3 NM from and parallel to the shoreline to the point of 
beginning.

R-2517 Vandenberg AFB, CA [Amended]

    By removing the current boundaries and inserting the following:
    Boundaries. Beginning at lat. 34[deg]42'00'' N., long. 
120[deg]40'01'' W.;
    to lat. 34[deg]42'00'' N., long. 120[deg]34'34'' W.;
    to lat. 34[deg]38'35'' N., long. 120[deg]31'24'' W.;
    to lat. 34[deg]35'00'' N., long. 120[deg]32'04'' W.;
    to lat. 34[deg]25'00'' N., long. 120[deg]27'04'' W.;
    to lat. 34[deg]24'04'' N., long. 120[deg]29'51'' W.;
    thence 3 NM from and parallel to the shoreline to the point of 
beginning.
* * * * *

R-2534A Vandenberg AFB, CA [Amended]

    By removing the current boundaries and inserting the following:
    Boundaries. Beginning at lat. 34[deg]38'35'' N., long. 
120[deg]31'24'' W.;
    to lat. 34[deg]35'45'' N., long. 120[deg]28'14'' W.;
    to lat. 34[deg]36'20'' N., long. 120[deg]27'24'' W.;
    to lat. 34[deg]30'00'' N., long. 120[deg]15'34'' W.;
    to lat. 34[deg]25'00'' N., long. 120[deg]15'34'' W.;
    thence 3 NM from and parallel to the shoreline
    to lat. 34[deg]24'39'' N., long. 120[deg]19'13'' W.;
    to the point of beginning.

R-2534B Vandenberg AFB, CA [Amended]

    By removing the current boundaries and inserting the following:
    Boundaries. Beginning at lat. 34[deg]38'35'' N., long. 
120[deg]31'24'' W.;
    to lat. 34[deg]24'39'' N., long. 120[deg]19'13'' W.;
    to lat. 34[deg]25'00'' N., long. 120[deg]27'04'' W.;
    to lat. 34[deg]35'00'' N., long. 120[deg]32'04'' W.;
    to the point of beginning.
* * * * *

    Issued in Washington, DC, on October 31, 2017.
Rodger A. Dean, Jr.,
Manager, Airspace Policy Group.
[FR Doc. 2017-24103 Filed 11-3-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

51344 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 213 / Monday, November 6, 2017 / Rules and Regulations

Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on October 30, boundary coordinates for restricted 120°40′22″ W.’’ is changed to ‘‘lat.
2017. areas R–2516, R–2517, R–2534A and R– 34°42′00″ N., long. 120°40′01″ W.’’
Walter Tweedy, 2534B; Vandenberg AFB, CA, to match These changes reflect updated digital
Acting Manager, Operations Support Group, updated digital shoreline data received shoreline data.
ATO Central Service Center. from the National Oceanic and R–2517: The point ‘‘lat. 34°42′00″ N.,
[FR Doc. 2017–24014 Filed 11–3–17; 8:45 am] Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). long. 120°40′22″ W.’’ is changed to ‘‘lat.
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 34°42′00″ N., long. 120°40′01″ W.’’ and
Background the point ‘‘lat. 34°24′00″ N., long.
Some restricted area boundary 120°30′04″ W.’’ is changed to ‘‘lat.
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION descriptions use maritime limits, such 34°24′04″ N., long. 120°29′51″ W.’’
as the shoreline of the U.S., to identify These changes reflect updated digital
Federal Aviation Administration the shape of the area (e.g., ‘‘3 nautical shoreline data.
miles from and parallel to the R–2534A: The point ‘‘lat. 34°25′10″
14 CFR Part 73 shoreline’’). These boundary N., long. 120°15′34″ W.’’ is changed to
[Docket No. FAA–2017–0985 Airspace
descriptions contain latitude/longitude ‘‘lat. 34°25′00″ N., long. 120°15′34″ W.’’
Docket No. 17–AWP–21] coordinates that were intended to either and the point ‘‘lat. 34°24′40″ N., long.
join, or run parallel to, the shoreline. 120°19′14″ W.’’ is changed to ‘‘lat.
Amendment of Multiple Restricted For a variety of reasons, maritime 34°24′39″ N., long. 120°19′13″ W.’’
Areas; Vandenberg AFB, CA limits change over time. The FAA has These changes reflect updated digital
received updated digital data for shoreline data.
AGENCY: Federal Aviation maritime limits from NOAA. Digital R–2534B: The point ‘‘lat. 34°24′40″ N.,
Administration (FAA), DOT. data is more precise than measurements long. 120°19′14″ W.’’ is changed to ‘‘lat.
ACTION: Final rule; technical used in the past. The FAA, through the 34°24′39″ N., long. 120°19′13″ W.’’
amendment. implementation of its data-driven These changes reflect updated digital
charting process, was able to utilize this shoreline data.
SUMMARY: This action makes minor
new data to accurately update the U.S. These minor editorial changes update
adjustments to the boundary
maritime limit boundaries used for existing restricted area boundaries with
descriptions of restricted areas R–2516,
aeronautical charting. Prior to the more precise digital information. It does
R–2517, R–2534A and R–2534B;
update, the maritime limit boundary not affect the location, designated
Vandenberg AFB, CA. The changes are
data used for charting were over 25 altitudes, or activities conducted within
necessary as a result of the FAA using
years old. In applying the updated data, the restricted areas; therefore, notice
updated digital data that defines
FAA found that some restricted area and public procedure under 5 U.S.C.
maritime limits and other geophysical
boundary descriptions, that were based 553(b) are unnecessary.
features used in the boundary
on the maritime limits, did not
descriptions. This requires minor Regulatory Notices and Analyses
correspond to the updated shoreline
changes to certain latitude/longitude The FAA has determined that this
data. Consequently, there are minor
points in the boundary descriptions of action only involves an established
mismatches between some restricted
the above restricted areas to match the body of technical regulations for which
area latitude/longitude coordinates and
updated digital data. frequent and routine amendments are
the actual shoreline position.
DATES: Effective date 0901 UTC, This rulemaking action updates the necessary to keep them operationally
February 1, 2018. affected boundary coordinates of current. It, therefore: (1) Is not a
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: restricted areas R–2516, R–2517, R– ‘‘significant regulatory action’’ under
Kenneth Ready, Airspace Policy Group, 2534A and R–2534B, in California to Executive Order 12866; (2) is not a
Office of Airspace Services, Federal maintain the intended shape of the ‘‘significant rule’’ under DOT
Aviation Administration, 800 airspace in relation to the U.S. shoreline Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44
Independence Avenue SW., and to improve their representations on FR 11034; February 26, 1979); and (3)
Washington, DC 20591; telephone: (202) aeronautical charts. does not warrant preparation of a
267–8783. regulatory evaluation as the anticipated
The Rule impact is so minimal. Since this is a
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
This action amends Title 14 Code of routine matter that only affects air traffic
Authority for This Rulemaking Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 73 to procedures and air navigation, it is
The FAA’s authority to issue rules make minor adjustments to certain certified that this rule, when
regarding aviation safety is found in latitude/longitude coordinates in the promulgated, does not have a significant
Title 49 of the United States Code. descriptions of restricted areas R–2516, economic impact on a substantial
Subtitle I, Section 106 describes the R–2517, R–2534A and R–2534B, in number of small entities under the
authority of the FAA Administrator. California. The changes are necessary as criteria of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.
Subtitle VII, Aviation Programs, a result of the FAA using digital data for
describes in more detail the scope of the aeronautical charting. This more precise Environmental Review
agency’s authority. digital plotting of points revealed minor The FAA has determined that this
This rulemaking is promulgated mismatches between some of the action qualifies for categorical exclusion
under the authority described in current restricted area boundary under the National Environmental
Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart I, Section coordinates and the more accurate Policy Act in accordance with FAA
Pmangrum on DSK3GDR082PROD with RULES

40103. Under that section, the FAA is digital data for those points. The Order 1050.1F, Environmental Impacts:
charged with prescribing regulations to specific restricted area boundary Policies and Procedures, paragraph 5–
assign the use of the airspace necessary updates are shown below: 6.5d, modification of the technical
to ensure the safety of aircraft and the R–2516: The point ‘‘lat. 35°00′00″ N., description of special use airspace
efficient use of airspace. This regulation long. 120°42′04″ W.’’ is changed to ‘‘lat. (SUA) that does not alter the
is within the scope of that authority 35°00′06″ N., long. 120°42′12″ W.’’ and dimensions, altitudes, or times of
since it makes minor updates to certain the point ‘‘lat. 34°42′00″ N., long. designation of the airspace. This

VerDate Sep<11>2014 14:44 Nov 03, 2017 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00012 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\06NOR1.SGM 06NOR1

Document Created: 2017-11-07 10:30:41
Document Modified: 2017-11-07 10:30:41

Category		Regulatory Information
Collection		Federal Register
sudoc Class		AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106:
Publisher		Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
Section		Rules and Regulations
Action		Final rule; technical amendment.
Dates		Effective date 0901 UTC, February 1, 2018.
Contact		Kenneth Ready, Airspace Policy Group, Office of Airspace Services, Federal Aviation Administration, 800 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20591; telephone: (202) 267- 8783.
FR Citation		82 FR 51344
CFR Associated		Airspace; Prohibited Areas and Restricted Areas

82 FR 51344 - Amendment of Multiple Restricted Areas; Vandenberg AFB, CA

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATIONFederal Aviation Administration

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 213 (November 6, 2017)

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration