Department of Transportation May 25, 2005 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Surface Transportation Board's (Board) Section of Environmental Analysis (SEA) has prepared an Environmental Assessment (EA) in response to a petition filed by the Ameren Energy Generating Company. The petition seeks an exemption under 49 U.S.C. 10502 from the prior approval requirements of 49 U.S.C. 10901 for authority to construct and operate one of two rail lines: An approximately 13.5-mile line in Montgomery County, Illinois, or an approximately 4.6-mile line in Montgomery and Bond Counties, Illinois. The EA identifies the natural and man-made resources in the area of the proposed rail lines and analyzes the potential impacts of the proposal and alternatives to the proposal on these resources. Based on the information provided from all sources to date and its independent analysis, SEA preliminarily concludes that construction and operation of either of the proposed rail lines would have no significant environmental impacts if the Board imposes and the Ameren Electric Generating Company implements the recommended measures set forth in the EA. Copies of the EA have been served on all interested parties and will be made available to additional parties upon request. The entire EA is also available on the Board's Web site (https://www.stb.dot.gov) by clicking on the ``Decisions & Notices'' button that appears in the drop down menu for ``E-LIBRARY,'' and searching by Service Date (May 25, 2005) or Docket Number (FD 34435). SEA will consider all comments received when making its final environmental recommendations to the Board. The Board will then consider SEA's final recommendations and the complete environmental record in making its final decision in this proceeding.

The FAA is correcting a typographical error in an existing airworthiness directive (AD) that was published in the Federal Register on April 25, 2005 (70 FR 21141). The error resulted in omission of a reference to an inspection area. This AD applies to all Boeing Model 747 series airplanes. This AD requires repetitive inspections for cracking of the top and side panel webs and panel stiffeners of the nose wheel well (NWW), and corrective actions if necessary.

This action amends the Class E-4 airspace area at Brunswick Naval Air Station (NAS), ME. This action is prompted by the relocation of the Brunswick Navy TACAN navigational aid. Portions of the designated airspace were described using the TACAN radials and distances. This action describes the airspace using the Airport Reference Point (ARP) as the sole point of origin instead of the airport and TACAN.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), the FAA invites public comment on three currently approved public information collections which will be submitted to OMB for renewal.

The FAA is issuing this notice to advise the public of a meeting of RTCA Special Committee 147: Minimum Operational Performance Standards for Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance Systems Airborne Equipment.

This action proposes to establish three area navigation (RNAV) routes and revise two existing RNAV routes in the Western United States in support of the High Altitude Redesign (HAR) project. The FAA is proposing this action to enhance safety and to improve the efficient use of the navigable airspace.

This action proposes to modify Federal Airway V-536 by adding a route from the Great Falls, MT, Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Range/Tactical Air Navigation (VORTAC) to the SWEDD intersection. The purpose of the proposed airway segment is to enhance the management of aircraft transiting between Great Falls, MT, and Bozeman, MT.

This proposal would establish Class E airspace at Chehalis, WA. Additional Class E airspace is necessary to accommodate aircraft using a new Area Navigation (RNAV) Global Positioning System (GPS) Standard Instrument Approach Procedure (SIAP) at Chehalis-Centralia Airport. This action is proposed to improve the safety of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) aircraft executing the new RNAV GPS SIAP at Chehalis-Centralia Airport, Chehalis, WA.

This action establishes a prohibited area (P-51) over the U.S. Naval Submarine Base, at Bangor, WA. The prohibited area replaces a Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) that is currently in effect. The FAA is taking this action in response to a request from the U.S. Navy as part of its efforts to enhance the security of the Naval Submarine Base, Bangor, WA.

This action withdraws the Direct final rule, confirmation of effective date of a rule that was published in the Federal Register on Thursday, May 5, 2005 (70 FR 23790). The action was inadvertently published as a Direct final rule, confirmation of effective date when it should have been published as a final rule. It is replaced with a final rule. This rule establishes a Class E surface area at Monett, MO. It also modifies the Class E airspace area extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at Monett, MO. The effect of this rule is to provide appropriate controlled Class E airspace for aircraft departing from and executing instrument approach procedures to Monett Municipal Airport and to segregate aircraft using instrument approach procedures in instrument conditions from aircraft operating in visual conditions.

This notice proposes special conditions for the Embraer Model ERJ 190 series airplane. This airplane will have novel or unusual design features when compared to the state of technology envisioned in the airworthiness standards for transport category airplanes. These design features are associated with (1) engine size and torque load which affect sudden engine stoppage, (2) electrical and electronic systems which perform critical functions, and (3) an Automatic Takeoff Thrust Control Systems (ATTCS). These proposed special conditions also pertain to the effects of such novel or unusual design features, such as their effects on the structural performance of the airplane. The applicable airworthiness regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards for these design features. These proposed special conditions contain the additional safety standards that the Administrator considers necessary to establish a level of safety equivalent to that established by the existing airworthiness standards.

This document announces receipt by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) of a petition for a decision that 1991 Mercedes Benz 560 SEL passenger cars that were not originally manufactured to comply with all applicable Federal motor vehicle safety standards are eligible for importation into the United States because (1) they are substantially similar to vehicles that were originally manufactured for importation into and sale in the United States and that were certified by their manufacturer as complying with the safety standards, and (2) they are capable of being readily altered to conform to the standards.