83 FR 60382 - Proposed Expansion of R-3803 Restricted Area Complex; Fort Polk, LA

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 227 (November 26, 2018)

This action proposes to expand the R-3803 restricted area complex in central Louisiana by establishing four new restricted areas, R-3803C, R-3803D, R-3803E, and R-3803F, and make minor technical amendments to the existing R-3803A and R-3803B legal descriptions for improved operational efficiency and administrative standardization. The proposed restricted area establishments and amendments support U.S. Army Joint Readiness Training Center training requirements at Fort Polk for military units preparing for overseas deployment.

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 227 (Monday, November 26, 2018)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 60382-60384]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-25707]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 73

[Docket No. FAA-2018-0984; Airspace Docket No. 18-ASW-8]
RIN 2120-AA66


Proposed Expansion of R-3803 Restricted Area Complex; Fort Polk, 
LA

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This action proposes to expand the R-3803 restricted area 
complex in central Louisiana by establishing four new restricted areas, 
R-3803C, R-3803D, R-3803E, and R-3803F, and make minor technical 
amendments to the existing R-3803A and R-3803B legal descriptions for 
improved operational efficiency and administrative standardization. The 
proposed restricted area establishments and amendments support U.S. 
Army Joint Readiness Training Center training requirements at Fort Polk 
for military units preparing for overseas deployment.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before January 10, 2019.

ADDRESSES: Send comments on this proposal to the U.S. Department of 
Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, 
West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, Washington, DC 20590-0001; 
telephone: (202) 366-9826. You must identify FAA Docket No. FAA-2018-
0984; Airspace Docket No. 18-ASW-8, at the beginning of your comments. 
You may also submit comments through the internet at 
www.regulations.gov. You may review the public docket containing the 
proposal, any comments received, and any final disposition in person in 
the Dockets Office between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through 
Friday, except federal holidays. The Docket Office (telephone 1-800-
647-5527), is on the ground floor of the building at the above address.
    Comments on environmental and land use aspects to should be 
directed to: Allison M. Cedars, Chief, Environmental Branch, Department 
of Public Works, 1697 23rd Street, Fort Polk, LA 71459; email: 
[email protected]; phone: (337) 531-6725.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Colby Abbott, 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 would establish restricted area airspace at Fort Polk, LA, to 
enhance aviation safety and accommodate essential U.S. Army hazardous 
force-on-force and force-on-target training activities.

Comments Invited

    Interested parties are invited to participate in this proposed 
rulemaking by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as they 
may desire. Comments that provide the factual basis supporting the 
views and suggestions presented are particularly helpful in developing 
reasoned regulatory decisions on the proposal. Comments are 
specifically invited on the overall regulatory, aeronautical, economic, 
environmental, and energy-related aspects of the proposal.
    Communications should identify both docket numbers (FAA Docket No. 
FAA-2018-0984; Airspace Docket No. 18-ASW-8) and be submitted in 
triplicate to the Docket Management System (see ADDRESSES section for 
address and phone number). You may also submit comments through the 
internet at www.regulations.gov.
    Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments 
on this action must submit with those comments a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to FAA Docket No. FAA-2018-0984; Airspace Docket No. 18-ASW-8.'' The 
postcard will be date/time stamped and returned to the commenter.
    All communications received on or before the specified closing date 
for comments will be considered before taking action on the proposed 
rule. The proposal contained in this action may be changed in light of 
comments received. All comments submitted will be available for 
examination in the public docket both before and after the closing date 
for comments. A report summarizing each substantive public contact with 
FAA personnel concerned with this rulemaking will be filed in the 
docket.

Availability of NPRMs

    An electronic copy of this document may be downloaded through the 
internet at www.regulations.gov. Recently published rulemaking 
documents can also be accessed through the FAA's web page at http://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/airspace_amendments/.
    You may review the public docket containing the proposal, any 
comments received and any final disposition in person at the Dockets 
Office (see ADDRESSES section for address and phone number) between 
9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except federal 
holidays. An informal docket may also be examined during normal 
business hours at the office of the Operations Support Group, Central 
Service Center, Federal Aviation Administration, 10101 Hillwood Blvd., 
Fort Worth, TX 76177.

Background

    As one of two U.S. Army Combat Training Centers, Fort Polk has 
submitted a proposal to the FAA to expand the R-3803 restricted area 
complex in central Louisiana by establishing four new restricted areas. 
Two of the proposed restricted areas

[[Page 60383]]

would be designated above the other two, similar to the way R-3803A and 
R-3803B exist, and the designated altitudes of the proposed restricted 
areas would extend upward from the surface to but not including Flight 
Level (FL) 350.
    The Joint Readiness Training Center at Fort Polk has increasing and 
enduring requirements to conduct realistic force-on-force and force-on-
target training for military units prior to overseas deployment. 
Additional airspace is now necessary to segregate non-participating 
aircraft from longer-range surface-to-surface and air-to-surface 
munitions currently being fielded and associated hazardous activities. 
Further, Fort Polk's ground infrastructure also includes laser-scoring 
systems that only function at non-eye safe wavelengths.
    The proposed restricted areas are required to ensure safe live 
artillery fire training while protecting the public from both air and 
ground maneuvers using advanced weapon systems as well as manned 
flight, electronic jamming, combat lasers, flares, smoke, powerful 
simulators, and high explosive activities against progressive and 
spontaneous enemy tactics training scenarios. Because of advances in 
weapon systems, modern forces are required to cover more ground in 
dispersed areas of operation and operate over greater distances than 
ever before. The increased maneuver area is necessary to satisfy the 
training needs of the new air-to-ground combat teaming.
    The Army recently completed acquisition of large tracks of land to 
the south and southeast of the existing R-3803 restricted area complex 
necessary to segregate the longer range munitions and non-eye safe 
lasers from non-participating aircraft. New firing points and impact 
areas located on the newly acquired land are planned to support large 
force multi-Service training events using weapons ranging upward to 
155mm Howitzers and Hellfire missiles. However, the artillery firing 
points on the newly acquired land produce surface danger zones and 
vertical hazards that expand beyond the existing R-3803A boundary. 
Additionally, aircraft maneuvering within the current R-3803A 
boundaries is extremely limited. The proposed restricted area airspace 
expansion would contain the surface-to-surface fires and safety zones/
areas, as well as provide participating aircraft more maneuver airspace 
to activate combat lasers earlier and conduct strafing and bombing runs 
alignment within the proposed boundaries.

The Proposal

    The FAA is proposing an amendment to 14 CFR part 73 by establishing 
four new restricted areas, R-3803C, R-3803D, R-3803E, and R-3803F, 
located south-southeast of the R-3803 complex supporting the Joint 
Readiness Training Center at Fort Polk, LA. The new restricted areas 
would support the U.S. Army conducting realistic force-on-force and 
force-on-target training employing longer-range surface-to-surface and 
air-to-surface munitions currently being fielded. To effectively 
segregate non-participant air traffic from the hazardous activities 
associated with the longer-range munitions being used by the Joint 
Readiness Training Center, the proposed restricted areas would extend 
upward from the surface to but not including FL 350 and be activated by 
a Notice to Airman (NOTAM).
    Of the proposed restricted areas, R-3803C and R-3803D would be 
established extending upward from the surface to but not including FL 
180. Stacked above the proposed R-3803C, the proposed R-3803E would be 
established extending upward from FL 180 to but not including FL 350. 
Similarly, stacked above the proposed R-3803D, the proposed R-3803F 
would be established extending upward from FL 180 to but not including 
FL 350. The boundaries of the proposed R-3803C and R-3803E restricted 
areas would match, as would the boundaries of the proposed R-3803D and 
R-3803F restricted areas. However, there is an airspace cutout included 
in the proposed R-3803D boundary description, extending upward from the 
surface to 1,200 feet above ground level (AGL), to allow aerial access 
to the land the Army does not control. The Joint Readiness Training 
Center subject matter experts for artillery ballistics have determined 
that the proposed R-3803D restricted area floor over the airspace 
cutout with a ceiling of 1,200 feet AGL would be adequate to contain 
and segregate the hazardous activities occurring above.
    The proposed restricted areas R-3803C and R-3803D would be 
activated by NOTAM, with an anticipated usage of 18 hours per day 
approximately 320 days per year. The higher strata proposed restricted 
areas, R-3803E and R-3803F, would be activated by NOTAM 24 hours in 
advance, with an anticipated usage of 8 hours per day approximately 20 
days per year.
    Lastly, the FAA also proposes to make a number of minor editorial 
and technical amendments to the existing restricted area R-3803A and R-
3803B legal descriptions. They include:
     The designated altitudes for R-3803A would be changed from 
``Surface to FL 180'' to ``Surface to but not including FL 180'' to 
match the designated altitudes of the lower proposed restricted areas, 
R-3803C and R-3803D, and correct the FL 180 designated altitude overlap 
with R-3803B.
     The designated altitudes for R-3803B would be changed from 
``FL 180 up to but not including FL 350'' to ``FL 180 to but not 
including FL 350'' to match the designated altitudes of the upper 
proposed restricted areas, R-3803C and R-3803D, and correct the non-
standard format.
     The time of designation for R-3803A would be changed from 
``Continuous'' to ``by NOTAM'' to match the time of designation of the 
lower proposed restricted areas, R-3803C and R-3803D, and impose less 
of a burden on the flying public than the existing continuous 
activation.
     The time of designation for R-3803B would be changed from 
``As activated by NOTAM issued at least 24 hours in advance'' to ``By 
NOTAM issued at least 24 hours in advance'' to match the time of 
designation of the upper proposed restricted areas, R-3803E and R-
3803F, for clarity and standardization.
     The using agency designations for R-3803A and R-3803B 
would be changed from ``Commanding General, Fort Polk, LA'' to ``U.S. 
Army, Joint Readiness Training Center, Fort Polk, LA'' to match the 
using agency designation of the proposed restricted areas for 
standardization.
    The FAA acknowledges that the proposed restricted areas R-3803C and 
R-3803D, if established, would be designated within the existing 
Warrior 1 Low and Warrior 1 High Military Operations Areas (MOAs). To 
overcome potential airspace issues and confusion created if all special 
use airspace (SUA) areas were active at the same time, the FAA would 
amend the legal descriptions of both MOAs to exclude that airspace 
within R-3803C and R-3803D when the restricted areas are activated.

Regulatory Notices and Analyses

    The FAA has determined that this proposed 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 
Department of Transportation (DOT) Regulatory

[[Page 60384]]

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 proposed 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

    This proposal will be subjected to an environmental analysis in 
accordance with FAA Order 1050.1F, ``Environmental Impacts: Policies 
and Procedures,'' prior to any FAA final regulatory action.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 73

    Airspace, Prohibited areas, Restricted areas.

The Proposed Amendment

    In consideration of the foregoing, the Federal Aviation 
Administration proposes to amend 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.  73.38  [Amended]

0
2. Section 73.38 is amended as follows:

R-3803A Fort Polk, LA [Amended]

    Boundaries. Beginning at lat. 31[deg]23'37'' N, long. 
93[deg]09'58'' W; to lat. 31[deg]23'13'' N, long. 93[deg]09'49'' W; 
to lat. 31[deg]22'01'' N, long. 93[deg]10'06'' W; to lat. 
31[deg]19'17'' N, long. 93[deg]11'11'' W; to lat. 31[deg]19'17'' N, 
long. 93[deg]20'16'' W; to lat. 31[deg]24'31'' N, long. 
93[deg]20'16'' W; to lat. 31[deg]24'31'' N, long. 93[deg]16'43'' W; 
to lat. 31[deg]23'36'' N, long. 93[deg]13'25'' W; to the point of 
beginning.
    Designated altitudes. Surface to but not including FL 180.
    Time of designation. By NOTAM.
    Controlling agency. FAA, Houston ARTCC.
    Using agency. U.S. Army, Joint Readiness Training Center, Fort 
Polk, LA.

R-3803B Fort Polk, LA [Amended]

    Boundaries. Beginning at lat. 31[deg]23'37'' N, long. 
93[deg]09'58'' W; to lat. 31[deg]23'13'' N, long. 93[deg]09'49'' W; 
to lat. 31[deg]22'01'' N, long. 93[deg]10'06'' W; to lat. 
31[deg]19'17'' N, long. 93[deg]11'11'' W; to lat. 31[deg]19'17'' N, 
long. 93[deg]20'16'' W; to lat. 31[deg]24'31'' N, long. 
93[deg]20'16'' W; to lat. 31[deg]24'31'' N, long. 93[deg]16'43'' W; 
to lat. 31[deg]23'36'' N, long. 93[deg]13'25'' W; to the point of 
beginning.
    Designated altitudes. FL 180 to but not including FL 350.
    Time of designation. By NOTAM issued at least 24 hours in 
advance.
    Controlling agency. FAA, Houston ARTCC.
    Using agency. U.S. Army, Joint Readiness Training Center, Fort 
Polk, LA.

R-3803C Fort Polk, LA [New]

    Boundaries. Beginning at lat. 31[deg]19'17'' N, long. 
93[deg]10'31'' W; to lat. 31[deg]17'39'' N, long. 93[deg]11'07'' W; 
to lat. 31[deg]14'25'' N, long. 93[deg]12'17'' W; to lat. 
31[deg]14'25'' N, long. 93[deg]14'40'' W; to lat. 31[deg]15'32'' N, 
long. 93[deg]14'40'' W; to lat. 31[deg]15'32'' N, long. 
93[deg]17'00'' W; to lat. 31[deg]19'17'' N, long. 93[deg]17'00'' W; 
to the point of beginning.
    Designated altitudes. Surface to but not including FL 180.
    Time of designation. By NOTAM.
    Controlling agency. FAA, Houston ARTCC.
    Using agency. U.S. Army, Joint Readiness Training Center, Fort 
Polk, LA.

R-3803D Fort Polk, LA [New]

    Boundaries. Beginning at lat. 31[deg]19'17'' N, long. 
93[deg]03'29'' W; to lat. 31[deg]14'53'' N, long. 93[deg]03'30'' W; 
to lat. 31[deg]14'52'' N, long. 93[deg]08'52'' W; to lat. 
31[deg]14'51'' N, long. 93[deg]10'07'' W; to lat. 31[deg]14'25'' N, 
long. 93[deg]10'06'' W; to lat. 31[deg]14'25'' N, long. 
93[deg]12'17'' W; to lat. 31[deg]17'39'' N, long. 93[deg]11'07'' W; 
to lat. 31[deg]19'17'' N, long. 93[deg]10'31'' W; to the point of 
beginning, excluding the airspace area from the surface to and 
including 1,200 feet AGL beginning at lat. 31[deg]14'52'' N, long. 
93[deg]08'52'' W; at lat. 31[deg]14'51'' N, long. 93[deg]10'07'' W; 
at lat. 31[deg]14'25'' N, long. 93[deg]10'06'' W; at lat. 
31[deg]14'25'' N, long. 93[deg]12'17'' W; at lat. 31[deg]17'39'' N, 
long. 93[deg]11'07'' W; at lat. 31[deg]17'04'' N, long. 
93[deg]10'22'' W; at lat. 31[deg]16'11'' N, long. 93[deg]10'22'' W; 
to the point of beginning of the excluded area.
    Designated altitudes. Surface to but not including FL 180.
    Time of designation. By NOTAM.
    Controlling agency. FAA, Houston ARTCC.
    Using agency. U.S. Army, Joint Readiness Training Center, Fort 
Polk, LA.

R-3803E Fort Polk, LA [New]

    Boundaries. Beginning at lat. 31[deg]19'17'' N, long. 
93[deg]10'31'' W; to lat. 31[deg]17'39'' N, long. 93[deg]11'07'' W; 
to lat. 31[deg]14'25'' N, long. 93[deg]12'17'' W; to lat. 
31[deg]14'25'' N, long. 93[deg]14'40'' W; to lat. 31[deg]15'32'' N, 
long. 93[deg]14'40'' W; to lat. 31[deg]15'32'' N, long. 
93[deg]17'00'' W; to lat. 31[deg]19'17'' N, long. 93[deg]17'00'' W; 
to the point of beginning.
    Designated altitudes. FL 180 to but not including FL 350.
    Time of designation. By NOTAM issued at least 24 hours in 
advance.
    Controlling agency. FAA, Houston ARTCC.
    Using agency. U.S. Army, Joint Readiness Training Center, Fort 
Polk, LA.

R-3803F Fort Polk, LA [New]

    Boundaries. Beginning at lat. 31[deg]19'17'' N, long. 
93[deg]03'29'' W; to lat. 31[deg]14'53'' N, long. 93[deg] 03'30'' W; 
to lat. 31[deg]14'52'' N, long. 93[deg]08'52'' W; to lat. 
31[deg]14'51'' N, long. 93[deg]10'07'' W; to lat. 31[deg]14'25'' N, 
long. 93[deg]10'06'' W; to lat. 31[deg]14'25'' N, long. 
93[deg]12'17'' W; to lat. 31[deg]17'39'' N, long. 93[deg]11'07'' W; 
to lat. 31[deg]19'17'' N, long. 93[deg]10'31'' W; to the point of 
beginning.
    Designated altitudes. FL 180 to but not including FL 350.
    Time of designation. By NOTAM issued at least 24 hours in 
advance.
    Controlling agency. FAA, Houston ARTCC.
    Using agency. U.S. Army, Joint Readiness Training Center, Fort 
Polk, LA.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on November 19, 2018.
Gemechu Gelgelu,
Acting Manager, Airspace Policy Group.
[FR Doc. 2018-25707 Filed 11-23-18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P