Rule2026-05581
Amendment of Restricted Area R-5201; Fort Drum, NY
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
March 23, 2026
Effective
July 9, 2026
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
This action amends restricted area R-5201, Fort Drum, NY, by modifying the time of designation to be "continuous" to align with actual usage. This change does not add additional airspace to the designated restricted area. This action also updates the using agency for R-5201 to follow the FAA's current airspace description format guidance and adds two geographic coordinates to the description of restricted area R-5201.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 55 (Monday, March 23, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 55 (Monday, March 23, 2026)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 13708-13709]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-05581]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 73
[Docket No. FAA-2025-2645; Airspace Docket No. 25-AEA-9]
RIN 2120-AA66
Amendment of Restricted Area R-5201; Fort Drum, NY
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This action amends restricted area R-5201, Fort Drum, NY, by
modifying the time of designation to be ``continuous'' to align with
actual usage. This change does not add additional airspace to the
designated restricted area. This action also updates the using agency
for R-5201 to follow the FAA's current airspace description format
guidance and adds two geographic coordinates to the description of
restricted area R-5201.
DATES: Effective date 0901 UTC, July 9, 2026.
ADDRESSES: A copy of the notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM), all
comments received, this final rule, and all background material may be
viewed online at <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">www.regulations.gov</a> 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. An electronic
copy of this document may also be downloaded from
<a href="http://www.federalregister.gov">www.federalregister.gov</a>.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brian Vidis, Rules and Regulations
Group, Policy Directorate, 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
[[Page 13709]]
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 amends
restricted area airspace at Fort Drum, NY, to enhance aviation safety
and accommodate essential United States (U.S.) Army training
activities.
History
The FAA published an NPRM for Docket No. FAA-2025-2645 in the
Federal Register (90 FR 58522; December 17, 2025), proposing to amend
restricted area R-5201 at Fort Drum, NY. Interested parties were
invited to participate in this rulemaking effort by submitting written
comments on the proposal to the FAA. One comment was received in favor
of the proposal.
The Rule
This action amends 14 CFR part 73 by amending the time of
designation for restricted area R-5201, Fort Drum, NY, from
``Continuous April 1 through September 30 and 0600 through 1800 hours
local time, October 1 through March 31; other times by Notice to Airmen
(NOTAM) 48 hours in advance'' to ``continuous'' to align with actual
usage and support Army training requirements. Additionally, the FAA
updates the using agency from ``Commanding Officer, Fort Drum, NY'' to
``U.S. Army, Commanding Officer, Fort Drum, NY,'' to follow the FAA's
current airspace description format guidance.
Further, the FAA makes a minor technical amendment by adding two
geographic coordinates to the description of restricted area R-5201.
Adding these coordinates to the description of restricted area R-5201
does not change the boundaries of the restricted area, but rather
ensures coincident boundary alignment with the adjacent restricted
areas R-5202A and R-5202B. The geographic coordinates ``lat.
44[deg]09'34'' N, long. 75[deg]40'00'' W'' and ``lat. 44[deg]06'00'' N,
long. 75[deg]28'49'' W'' are added to the description of restricted
area R-5201.
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 amending the time of
designation, updating the using agency, and making a minor technical
amendment for restricted area R-5201, Fort Drum, NY, 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).
Additionally, the FAA, as a Cooperating Agency to the Army's Lead
Agency proposed action, and having regulatory jurisdiction over the
National Airspace System (NAS), has adopted the Army's Record of
Environmental Consideration (REC) and categorical exclusion (CATEX)
determination that Army CATEX 32 CFR 651, Appendix B, Section II (j)(2)
is applicable to this action. This CATEX applies to ``[f]lying
activities in compliance with Federal Aviation Administration
Regulations and in accordance with normal flight patterns and
elevations for that facility, where the flight patterns/elevations have
been addressed in an installation master plan or other planning
document that has been subject to NEPA public review.''. The FAA has
adopted this CATEX determination in accordance with FAA Order 1050.1G,
paragraph 1-4(h). In accordance with the FAA's NEPA implementation
policy and 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. The FAA has determined
that no extraordinary circumstances exist that warrant preparation of
an environmental assessment or environmental impact statement. As such,
this action is not expected to result in any potentially significant
environmental impacts.
Lists 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. 73.52 New York (NY) [Amended]
0
2. Section 73.52 is amended as follows:
* * * * *
R-5201 Fort Drum, NY [Amended]
Boundaries. Beginning at lat. 44[deg]01'05'' N, long.
75[deg]37'14'' W; to lat. 44[deg]03'20'' N, long. 75[deg]40'49'' W; to
lat. 44[deg]06'55'' N, long. 75[deg]42'09'' W; to lat. 44[deg]09'34''
N, long. 75[deg]40'00'' W; to lat. 44[deg]10'50'' N, long.
75[deg]38'59'' W; to lat. 44[deg]16'07'' N, long. 75[deg]32'41'' W; to
lat. 44[deg]11'24'' N, long. 75[deg]22'59'' W; to lat. 44[deg]07'10''
N, long. 75[deg]26'49'' W; to lat. 44[deg]06'00'' N, long.
75[deg]28'49'' W; thence to the point of beginning.
Designated altitudes. Surface to 23,000 feet MSL.
Time of designation. Continuous.
Controlling agency. FAA, Boston ARTCC.
Using agency. U.S. Army, Commanding Officer, Fort Drum, NY.
* * * * *
Issued in Washington, DC, on March 18, 2026.
Brian Eric Konie,
Acting Manager, Rules and Regulations Group.
[FR Doc. 2026-05581 Filed 3-20-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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</html>Indexed from Federal Register on March 23, 2026.
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