Rule2026-06764
Revocation of Restricted Area R-6316 in Eagle Pass, Texas
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
April 8, 2026
Effective
July 9, 2026
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
This action revokes Restricted Area R-6316 in Eagle Pass, Texas. The FAA is taking this action due to the Using Agency's determination that the airspace is no longer needed.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 67 (Wednesday, April 8, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 67 (Wednesday, April 8, 2026)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 17765-17766]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-06764]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 73
[Docket No. FAA-2026-2509; Airspace Docket No. 25-ASW-12]
RIN 2120-AA66
Revocation of Restricted Area R-6316 in Eagle Pass, Texas
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This action revokes Restricted Area R-6316 in Eagle Pass,
Texas. The FAA is taking this action due to the Using Agency's
determination that the airspace is no longer needed.
DATES: Effective date 0901 UTC, July 9, 2026.
ADDRESSES: A copy of 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: Steven Roff, 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 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 increases the navigable airspace available for public
access.
History
The FAA originally established R-6316 in support of United States
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Air and Marine Operations. The
restricted area was established to contain the Eagle Pass tethered
aerostat balloon. The CBP has decommissioned this balloon and no longer
has a need for the restricted airspace.
The Rule
This action amends 14 CFR part 73 by revoking Restricted Area R-
6316 in Eagle Pass, Texas.
Good Cause for Bypassing Public Comment
The Administrative Procedure Act (APA) authorizes agencies to
dispense with ordinary notice and comment requirements for rules when
the agency for ``good cause'' finds that those procedures are
``impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary to the public interest.'' 5
U.S.C. 553(b)(B). This action revokes a restricted area and thereby
increases the navigable airspace available for public access. This
action will not impose any additional substantive restrictions or
requirements on the people affected by these regulations as it reduces
regulatory airspace within the National Airspace System. The action
constitutes ``a routine determination, insignificant in nature and
impact, and inconsequential
[[Page 17766]]
to the industry and to the public.'' Mack Trucks, Inc. v. EPA, 682 F.3d
87, 94 (D.C. Cir. 2012). Therefore, the FAA finds that notice and
public procedure under 5 U.S.C. 553(b) is 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 revoking R-6316 qualifies
for categorical exclusion under the National Environmental Policy Act
(42 U.S.C. 4321, et seq.) and 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(c) which categorically
excludes from further environmental impact review actions to return all
or part of special use airspace (SUA) to the National Airspace System
(NAS), such as revocation of airspace, a decrease in dimensions, or a
reduction in times of use (e.g., from continuous to intermittent, or
use by a Notice to Airmen [NOTAM]). As such, this action is not
expected to result in any potentially significant environmental
impacts. 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.
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
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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. 73.63 Texas (TX) [Amended]
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2. Section 73.63 is amended as follows:
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R-6316 Eagle Pass, TX [Removed]
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Issued in Washington, DC, April 6, 2026.
Alex W. Nelson,
Manager, Rules and Regulations Group.
[FR Doc. 2026-06764 Filed 4-7-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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</html>Indexed from Federal Register on April 8, 2026.
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