2025-13282: Renaming of Restricted Areas R-5311A, R-5311B, and R-5311C; Fort Liberty, NC

Federal Register, Volume 90 Issue 134 (Wednesday, July 16, 2025) [Federal Register Volume 90, Number 134 (Wednesday, July 16, 2025)] [Rules and Regulations] [Pages 31854-31855] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 2025-13282] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Part 73 [Docket No. FAA-2025-1714; Airspace Docket No. 25-ASO-8] RIN 2120-AA66 Renaming of Restricted Areas R-5311A, R-5311B, and R-5311C; Fort Liberty, NC

Agency

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

Action

Final rule. -----------------------------------------------------------------------

Summary

This action is an administrative change to rename restricted areas R-5311A, R-5311B, and R-5311C, Fort Liberty, NC, and to update the using agency description to reflect the change. This action does not alter airspace boundaries or impose additional operating requirements on users of the affected airspace.

Dates

Effective date 0901 UTC, October 2, 2025.

Addresses

A copy of this final rule and all background material may be viewed online at www.regulations.gov using the FAA Docket number. Electronic retrieval help and guidelines are available on the website. It is available 24 hours each day, 365 days each year.

For Further Information Contact

Brian Vidis, Rules and Regulations Group, Office of Policy, Federal Aviation Administration, 600 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20597; 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 updates the information in the airspace descriptions of restricted areas R-5311A, R-5311B, and R-5311C. History On February 10, 2025, the Secretary of Defense directed the U.S. Army to change the name of ``Fort Liberty, NC'' by reverting to its previous name, ``Fort Bragg, NC.'' \1\ Consequently, this rulemaking action implements the requisite changes to part 73 by updating the airspace descriptions of restricted areas R-5311A, R-5311B, and R-5311C to reflect the new name. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \1\ See https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/4062245/secretary-of-defense-pete-hegseth-renames-fort-liberty-to-fort-bragg/. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Rule This action amends 14 CFR part 73 by updating the airspace titles and using agency descriptions for restricted areas R-5311A, R-5311B, and R-5311C by removing the name ``Fort Liberty, NC'' and replacing it with ``Fort Bragg, NC.'' Additionally, the FAA makes a minor technical amendment to a geographic coordinate in the description of restricted area R-5311A. This amendment to the geographic coordinate corrects a typographical error in the description of restricted area R-5311A and does not change the boundary of the restricted area. The point listed as ``lat. [deg]79[deg]02'29'' W'' is changed to ``lat. 35[deg]07'01'' N, long. 79[deg]02'29'' W'' as intended. Good Cause for Bypassing Notice and Comment Under 5 U.S.C. 553, federal agencies engaged in informal rulemaking must provide the public with a notice of proposed rulemaking and an opportunity for public participation. However, 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B) exempts a rule from these requirements ``when the agency for good cause finds (and incorporates the finding and a brief statement of reasons therefor in the rules issued) that notice and public procedure thereon are impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary to the public interest.'' Courts have construed these exceptions narrowly, but have nonetheless accepted determinations of good cause that notice and comment is unnecessary in ``those situations in which the administrative rule is a routine determination, insignificant in nature and impact, and inconsequential to the industry and to the public.'' See [[Page 31855]] Mack Trucks, Inc. v. EPA, 682 F.3d 87, 94 (D.C. Cir. 2012). This action consists of administrative name changes and minor technical amendments only. It does not affect the boundaries, altitudes, time of designation, operating requirements, or activities conducted in the restricted areas. Therefore, FAA has determined that good cause exists for why notice and public procedure under 5 U.S.C. 553(b) are unnecessary. 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 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 this action of making administrative name changes to the geographic location and using agency information of restricted areas R-5311A, R-5311B, and R-5311C qualifies for categorical exclusion under the National Environmental Policy Act (42 U.S.C. 4321, et seq.) and in accordance with FAA Order 1050.1G, FAA National Environmental Policy Act Implementing Procedures, paragraph B- 2.5(a), which categorically excludes from further environmental impact review rulemaking actions that designate or modify classes of airspace areas, airways, routes, and reporting points (see 14 CFR part 71, Designation of Class A, B, C, D, and E Airspace Areas; Air Traffic Service Routes; and Reporting Points); and paragraph B-2.5(d)-- Modification of the technical description of special use airspace (SUA) that does not alter the dimensions, altitudes, or times of designation of the airspace (such as changes in designation of the controlling or using agency, or correction of typographical errors). In accordance with FAA's NEPA implementation procedures regarding extraordinary circumstances, the FAA has reviewed this action for factors and circumstances in which a normally categorically excluded action may have a significant environmental impact requiring further analysis. Accordingly, the FAA has determined that no extraordinary circumstances exist that warrant preparation of an environmental assessment or environmental impact statement. 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