83 FR 43508 - Modification and Establishment of Restricted Areas; Townsend, GA

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 166 (August 27, 2018)

This action modifies the restricted airspace at the Townsend Bombing Range, GA (Range), by expanding the lateral limits of R-3007A to allow construction of additional targets and impact areas. The modification is needed so that precision guided munitions (PGM) can be used on the range. The changes are completely contained within the existing outer boundaries of the R-3007 complex.

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 166 (Monday, August 27, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 43508-43509]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-18510]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 73

[Docket No. FAA-2015-3338; Airspace Docket No. 15-ASO-7]
RIN 2120-AA66


Modification and Establishment of Restricted Areas; Townsend, GA

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action modifies the restricted airspace at the Townsend 
Bombing Range, GA (Range), by expanding the lateral limits of R-3007A 
to allow construction of additional targets and impact areas. The 
modification is needed so that precision guided munitions (PGM) can be 
used on the range. The changes are completely contained within the 
existing outer boundaries of the R-3007 complex.

DATES: Effective date 0901 UTC, November 8, 2018.

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 as it modifies restricted airspace to accommodate military 
training requirements.

History

    The FAA published a notice of proposed rulemaking for Docket No. 
FAA-2015-3338 in the Federal Register (80 FR 60573; October 7, 2015), 
to expand the lateral limits of restricted area R-3007A, Townsend, GA. 
Interested parties were invited to participate in this rulemaking 
effort by submitting written comments on the proposal. The comment 
period closed November 23, 2015. One comment was received from a member 
of the public.

Discussion of Comment

    The commenter suggested that the floor of the proposed R-3007E be 
lowered from 100 feet above ground level (AGL); to the surface in order 
to allow the opportunity to add more targets in the future. To 
designate the surface as the floor of a restricted area, the proponent 
must own, or otherwise control, the underlying land. The expansion of 
R-3007A, which extends to the surface, encompasses land purchased by 
the proponent for that purpose. R-3007E is outside the land purchase 
area, therefore it is not possible to lower the floor below 100 feet 
AGL at this time.

Differences From NPRM

    The NPRM contained an error in the 15th coordinate listed for R-
3007A. The longitude for that point was listed as ``91[deg]36'32'' W.'' 
The correct point is ``81[deg]36'32'' W.''
    The NPRM listed the ``Air National Guard (ANG), Savannah Combat 
Readiness Training Center (CRTC),'' as the using agency in the 
description of R-3007E. Since the publication of the NPRM, using agency 
responsibilities for the Range were transferred from the ANG to the 
U.S. Marine Corps (USMC). On June 28, 2017, the FAA published in the 
Federal Register a final rule that changed the using agency for the 
restricted areas to the USMC, Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, SC (82 
FR 29229), Docket No. FAA-2017-0585. The USMC has assumed 
responsibility for management and operation of the Townsend Range. This 
change is reflected in the description of R-3007E, below.

The Rule

    The FAA is amending 14 CFR part 73 to expand restricted area R-
3007A by merging the part of R-3007C that overlies a land parcel 
acquired by the U.S. Marine Corps into R-3007A. The floor of R-3007C is 
100 feet AGL. By adding the airspace over this land parcel into R-
3007A, the restricted area floor in that area will be lowered from 100 
feet AGL down to ground level. The small slice of restricted airspace, 
with a 100-foot AGL floor, between the east boundary of the expanded R-
3007A, and the west boundary of R-3007B, is redesignated as R-3007E. R-
3007E extends from 100 feet AGL up to, but not including, 13,000 feet 
MSL.
    Minor corrections are made to several boundary coordinates for R-
3007B, R-3007C, and R-3007D to match the current National Hydrology 
Dataset that defines the Altamaha River boundary where that river forms 
the boundary of the restricted areas.
    This rule provides the additional ground-level restricted airspace 
needed for the construction of targets and impact areas so that PGM can 
safely be employed at the Range.

Regulatory Notices and Analyses

    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

[[Page 43509]]

current. It, therefore: (1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' 
under Executive Order 12866; (2) is not a ``significant rule'' under 
Department of Transportation (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 the USMC's Environmental Impact 
Statement (EIS) analyzing the modification of restricted airspace at 
the Townsend Bombing Range, GA, by expanding the lateral limits of R-
3007A to allow construction of additional targets and impact areas so 
that PGM can be used on the Range, qualifies for FAA adoption in 
accordance with FAA Order 1050.1F, paragraphs 8-2 and 9-2, Adoption of 
Other Agencies' National Environmental Policy Act Documents, and 
Written Re-evaluations, and 7400.2L, paragraph 32-2-3, Environmental 
Processing of Special Use Airspace Actions. The FAA, after conducting 
an independent review and written re-evaluation of the USMC's January 
14, 2014 ``Final EIS and Record of Decision for the Proposed 
Modernization and Expansion of Townsend Bombing Range, Georgia,'' has 
determined that the USMC's Final EIS and supporting documentation 
adequately assess and disclose the environmental impacts of the 
proposed action. Based on the evaluation for potential environmental 
impact in the USMC's EIS, the FAA, as the Cooperating Agency, concluded 
that adoption of the EIS is authorized in accordance with 40 CFR 
1506.3, Adoption. Accordingly, FAA adopts the USMC's EIS via the FAA's 
June 12, 2018 Adoption EIS, FAA Adoption of Environmental Impact 
Statement, Written Re-Evaluation, and Record of Decision for the 
Modernization of the Existing Special Use Airspace and Amendment of R-
3007 A/C/E at Townsend Bombing Range, Georgia, and takes full 
responsibility for the scope and content that address the FAA's 
airspace action. The FAA finds that this action will not significantly 
affect the quality of the human environment or otherwise include any 
condition requiring consultation pursuant to Section 102(2)(C) of NEPA.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 73

    Airspace, Prohibited areas, Restricted areas.

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.  73.30  [Amended]

0
2. Section 73.30 is amended as follows:
* * * * *

R-3007A Townsend, GA [Amended]

    By removing the current boundaries and inserting the following:
    Boundaries. Beginning at lat. 31[deg]41'52'' N, long. 
81[deg]35'53'' W; to lat. 31[deg]42'31'' N, long. 81[deg]33'59'' W; 
to lat. 31[deg]39'24'' N, long. 81[deg]30'31'' W; to lat. 
31[deg]37'49'' N, long. 81[deg]30'56'' W; to lat. 31[deg]36'35'' N, 
long. 81[deg]31'15'' W; to lat. 31[deg]34'17'' N, long. 
81[deg]31'56'' W; to lat. 31[deg]33'07'' N, long. 81[deg]32'41'' W; 
thence counterclockwise along a 1-NM radius arc from a point 
centered at lat. 31[deg]32'26'' N, long. 81[deg]31'49'' W; to lat. 
31[deg]32'37'' N, long. 81[deg]32'58'' W; to lat. 31[deg]30'59'' N, 
long. 81[deg]33'57'' W; to lat. 31[deg]30'45'' N, long. 
81[deg]34'19'' W; to lat. 31[deg]30'29'' N, long. 81[deg]34'41'' W; 
to lat. 31[deg]30'38'' N, long. 81[deg]35'06'' W; to lat. 
31[deg]31'13'' N, long. 81[deg]35'02'' W; to lat. 31[deg]31'35'' N, 
long. 81[deg]36'32'' W; to lat. 31[deg]33'04'' N, long. 
81[deg]37'27'' W; to lat. 31[deg]33'30'' N, long. 81[deg]36'32'' W; 
to lat. 31[deg]34'25'' N, long. 81[deg]36'13'' W; to lat. 
31[deg]35'32'' N, long. 81[deg]35'59'' W; to lat. 31[deg]35'55'' N, 
long. 81[deg]35'19'' W; to lat. 31[deg]36'38'' N, long. 
81[deg]35'18'' W; to lat. 31[deg]36'43'' N, long. 81[deg]35'41'' W; 
to lat. 31[deg]37'20'' N, long. 81[deg]35'37'' W; to lat. 
31[deg]37'23'' N, long. 81[deg]35'47'' W; to lat. 31[deg]40'29'' N, 
long. 81[deg]36'13'' W; to lat. 31[deg]40'48'' N, long. 
81[deg]35'33'' W; to the point of beginning.

R-3007B Townsend, GA [Amended]

    By removing the current boundaries and inserting the following:
    Boundaries. Beginning at lat. 31[deg]38'01'' N, long. 
81[deg]28'59'' W; to lat. 31[deg]37'31'' N, long. 81[deg]28'14'' W; 
to lat. 31[deg]32'31'' N, long. 81[deg]27'29'' W; to lat. 
31[deg]26'16'' N, long. 81[deg]31'29'' W; to lat. 31[deg]25'26'' N, 
long. 81[deg]36'05'' W; to lat. 31[deg]27'26'' N, long. 
81[deg]33'39'' W; to lat. 31[deg]31'26'' N, long. 81[deg]31'58'' W; 
thence clockwise along a 1-NM radius arc from a point centered at 
lat. 31[deg]32'26'' N, long. 81[deg]31'49'' W; to lat. 
31[deg]33'18'' N, long. 81[deg]31'13'' W; to the point of beginning.

R-3007C Townsend, GA [Amended]

    By removing the current boundaries and inserting the following:
    Boundaries. Beginning at lat. 31[deg]37'55'' N, long. 
81[deg]47'20'' W; to lat. 31[deg]41'52'' N, long. 81[deg]35'53'' W; 
to lat. 31[deg]40'48'' N, long. 81[deg]35'33'' W; to lat. 
31[deg]40'29'' N, long. 81[deg]36'13'' W; to lat. 31[deg]37'23'' N, 
long. 81[deg]35'47'' W; to lat. 31[deg]37'20'' N, long. 
81[deg]35'37'' W; to lat. 31[deg]36'43'' N, long. 81[deg]35'41'' W; 
to lat. 31[deg]36'38'' N, long. 81[deg]35'18'' W; to lat. 
31[deg]35'55'' N, long. 81[deg]35'19'' W; to lat. 31[deg]35'32'' N, 
long. 81[deg]35'59'' W; to lat. 31[deg]34'25'' N, long. 
81[deg]36'13'' W; to lat. 31[deg]33'30'' N, long. 81[deg]36'32'' W; 
to lat. 31[deg]33'04'' N, long. 81[deg]37'27'' W; to lat. 
31[deg]31'35'' N, long. 81[deg]36'32'' W; to lat. 31[deg]31'13'' N, 
long. 81[deg]35'02'' W; to lat. 31[deg]30'38'' N, long. 
81[deg]35'06'' W; to lat. 31[deg]30'29'' N, long. 81[deg]34'41'' W; 
to lat. 31[deg]30'45'' N, long. 81[deg]34'19'' W; to lat. 
31[deg]30'59'' N, long. 81[deg]33'57'' W; to lat. 31[deg]32'37'' N, 
long. 81[deg]32'58'' W; thence counterclockwise along a 1-NM radius 
arc from a point centered at lat. 31[deg]32'26'' N, long. 
81[deg]31'49'' W; to lat. 31[deg]31'26'' N, long. 81[deg]31'58'' W; 
to lat. 31[deg]27'26'' N, long. 81[deg]33'39'' W; to lat. 
31[deg]25'26'' N, long. 81[deg]36'05'' W; thence west along the 
Altamaha River to the point of beginning.

R-3007D Townsend, GA [Amended]

    By removing the current boundaries and inserting the following:
    Boundaries. Beginning at lat. 31[deg]37'55'' N, long. 
81[deg]47'20'' W; to lat. 31[deg]41'52'' N, long. 81[deg]35'53'' W; 
to lat. 31[deg]42'31'' N, long. 81[deg]33'59'' W; to lat. 
31[deg]39'24'' N, long. 81[deg]30'31'' W; to lat. 31[deg]38'01'' N, 
long. 81[deg]28'59'' W; to lat. 31[deg]37'31'' N, long. 
81[deg]28'14'' W; to lat. 31[deg]32'31'' N, long. 81[deg]27'29'' W; 
to lat. 31[deg]26'16'' N, long. 81[deg]31'29'' W; to lat. 
31[deg]25'26'' N, long. 81[deg]36'05'' W; thence northwest along the 
Altamaha River to the point of beginning.

R-3007E Townsend, GA [New]

    Boundaries. Beginning at lat. 31[deg]39'24'' N, long. 
81[deg]30'31' W; to lat. 31[deg]38'01'' N, long. 81[deg]28'59'' W; 
to lat. 31[deg]33'18'' N, long. 81[deg]31'13'' W; thence 
counterclockwise along a 1-NM radius arc from a point centered at 
lat. 31[deg]32'26'' N, long. 81[deg]31'49'' W; to lat. 
31[deg]33'07'' N, long. 81[deg]32'41'' W; to lat. 31[deg]34'17'' N, 
long. 81[deg]31'56'' W; to lat. 31[deg]36'35'' N, long. 
81[deg]31'15'' W; to lat. 31[deg]37'49'' N; long. 81[deg]30'56'' W; 
to the point of beginning.

    Designated altitudes. 100 feet AGL to but not including 13,000 feet 
MSL.
    Time of designation. 0700-2200 local time, Monday-Friday; other 
times by NOTAM at least 24 hours in advance.
    Controlling agency. FAA, Jacksonville ARTCC.
    Using agency. USMC, Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, SC.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on August 20, 2018.
Rodger A. Dean, Jr.,
Manager, Airspace Policy Group.
[FR Doc. 2018-18510 Filed 8-24-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P