Department of Transportation October 2005 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Federal Transit Administration and the Regional Planning Commission of Greater Birmingham are conducting an alternatives analysis and preparing a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for transit improvements in the Downtown Birmingham/University of Alabama Birmingham Activity Centers. The FTA is the lead federal agency and the DEIS will be prepared in accordance with National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the applicable regulations for implementing NEPA, as set forth in 23 CFR part 771 and 40 CFR parts 1500-1508, as well as applicable laws and regulations including section 4(f) of the Department of Transportation Act of 1966, the Clean Air Act, and Executive Order 12898 on Environmental Justice. The project will consider the following alternatives: (1) A No- Build Alternative consisting of improvements included in the Birmingham MPO 2030 Long Range Transportation Plan; (2) Transportation System Management (TSM) Alternative that includes all reasonable cost- effective transit service improvements in the study area short of the major investment in a New starts project; (3) Build Alternative: Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project using rubber tired vehicles operating either in mixed traffic or along an exclusive right-of-way; and (4) Build Alternative: Streetcar using light rail technology operating along tracks embedded in the pavement operating in either mixed traffic or along an exclusive right-of-way. The type, location, and need for ancillary facilities such as maintenance facilities will also be considered for each alternative. In addition, alternatives that are identified during the scoping process will be evaluated in the AA. Scoping will be accomplished through correspondence and discussions with interested persons; organizations; and Federal, State, and local agencies; and through public and agency meetings. Depending on the outcome of the scoping process and the analysis of a range of transit alternatives in the DEIS, a Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA) will be selected and addressed in the Final EIS (FEIS). The FEIS will address the potential impacts of the selected investment strategy and a No- Build Alternative.

Under current regulations governing integrity management of gas transmission lines, if an operator uses direct assessment to evaluate corrosion risks, it must carry out the direct assessment according to PHMSA standards. In response to a statutory directive, this Final Rule prescribes similar standards operators must meet when they use direct assessment on certain other onshore gas, hazardous liquid, and carbon dioxide pipelines. PHMSA believes broader application of direct assessment standards will enhance public confidence in the use of direct assessment to assure pipeline safety.

This action establishes Class E airspace at Deering, AK to provide adequate controlled airspace to contain aircraft executing four new Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPs). This rule results in new Class E airspace upward from 700 feet (ft.) and 1,200 ft. above the surface at Deering, AK.

This action proposes to establish new Class E airspace at New Stuyahok, AK. Two new Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPs) are being published for the New Stuyahok Airport. There is no existing Class E airspace to contain aircraft executing the new instrument procedures at New Stuyahok, AK. Adoption of this proposal would result in the establishment of Class E airspace upward from 700 feet (ft.) above the surface at New Stuyahok, AK.

The FAA proposes to rule and invites public comment on the application to impose a PFC at MCI for use at MCI and MKC under the provisions of the 49 U.S.C. 40117 and Part 158 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR Part 158).

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Rolls-Royce Corporation (RRC) (formerly Allison Engine Company) 501- D22A, 501-D22C, and 501-D22G turboprop engines. This AD requires a onetime inspection for proper metal hardness of certain 1st stage, 2nd stage, 3rd stage, and 4th stage turbine wheels. This AD results from a report of a turbine wheel found to be over dimensional limits, caused by improper metal hardness. We are issuing this AD to prevent uncontained turbine wheel failure, leading to damage of the airplane and total loss of engine power.

FRA hereby gives notice that it has submitted the following information collection request (ICR) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for emergency processing under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13, 44 U.S.C. Chapter 35). FRA requests that OMB authorize the collection of information identified below on or before October 31, 2005, for a period of 180 days after the date of issuance of this notice in the Federal Register. A copy of this individual ICR, with applicable supporting documentation, may be obtained by calling FRA's clearance officers, Robert Brogan (telephone number (202) 493- 6292) or Victor Angelo (telephone number (202) 493-6470; these numbers are not toll-free), or by contacting Mr. Brogan via facsimile at (202) 493-6270 or Mr. Angelo via facsimile at (202) 493-6170, or via e-mail by contacting Mr. Brogan at robert.brogan@fra.dot.gov. or by contacting Mr. Angelo at victor.angelo@fra.dot.gov. Comments and questions about the ICR identified below should be directed to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Attn: OMB Desk Officer for FRA. Title: FRA Emergency Order No. 24, Notice No. 1.

This notice seeks comments from the public regarding the need for FMCSA to collect information by using three new surveys to assess how household goods (HHGs) carriers and shippers (persons who arrange for the transportation of, or those who move, household goods) are satisfied with current arbitration dispute resolution procedures. The information collection (IC) meets the statutory requirements of the Interstate Commerce Commission Termination Act of 1995 (ICCTA). This notice is published (pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995) to measure the need for the proposed information collection, to find ways to minimize the burden on household goods shippers and carriers, to find ways to enhance the quality of information collected, and to verify the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden (measured in work hours) on household goods shippers and carriers.

The Department of Transportation is directing all interested persons to show cause why it should not issue orders finding Platinum Airlines, Inc. fit, willing, and able, and awarding it certificates of public convenience and necessity to engage in interstate and foreign charter air transportation of persons, property and mail.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for General Electric Company Model CF6-80C2D1F turbofan engines. This proposed AD would require modifying the latching system of the fan reverser. This proposed AD results from 13 reports of released thrust reverser hardware. We are proposing this AD to prevent release of the thrust reverser cascade on landing, which could result in runway debris and a possible hazard to other aircraft.

This action extends Federal Airway V-343 from the Bozeman, MT, Very High Frequency Omni-directional Range/Tactical Air Navigation (VORTAC) to the initial approach fix for the Area Navigation (RNAV) runway 15 approach to the Bert Mooney Airport (BTM), MT. Specifically, this action will enhance the management of air traffic arrivals at BTM.

This notice requests public participation in the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval process for the renewal of an existing PHMSA information collection. In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces that the Information Collection Request (ICR) described below has been forwarded to OMB for extension of the currently approved collection. The ICR describes the nature of the information collection and the expected burden. PHMSA published a Federal Register Notice soliciting comments on the following information collection and received none. The purpose of this notice is to allow the public an additional 30 days from the date of this notice to submit comments.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Fokker Model F.28 Mark 0070 and 0100 airplanes. This proposed AD would require modifying the passenger door and installing new placards. This proposed AD results from reports of the airstairs- type passenger door opening during flight. We are proposing this AD to prevent rapid decompression of the airplane, or ejection of a passenger or crew member out the door during flight.

The FAA is superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD) for Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG (RRD) (formerly Rolls- Royce Deutschland GmbH, formerly BMW Rolls-Royce GmbH) models BR700- 710A1-10 and BR700-710A2-20 turbofan engines. That AD currently requires initial and repetitive visual and ultrasonic inspections of fan discs, part numbers (P/Ns) BRR18803, BRR19248, and BRR20791 for cracks, and if necessary, replacement with serviceable parts. This ad requires those same inspections for discs having old design P/N fan blades installed, and, extends the inspection interval for fan discs having new design P/N fan blades installed. Also, this AD adds as optional terminating action to the inspections, installation of certain P/N new fan discs, certain P/N new fan blades, and engine fan speed (N1) Keep Out Zone software. This AD results from a revised RRD service bulletin (SB) that introduces relaxed inspection intervals for certain P/N combinations of fan discs and fan blades, and introduces improved design fan discs and fan blades.

The Coast Guard and the Maritime Administration (MARAD) announce that the Coast Guard intends to prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) as part of the environmental review of this license application. The application describes a project that would be located in the Federal waters of the Outer Continental Shelf in Blocks NK 19-04 6525 and NK 19-04 6575, approximately 22 miles northeast of Boston, Massachusetts, and approximately 7 miles south-southeast of Gloucester, Massachusetts. Publication of this notice begins a scoping process that will help identify and determine the scope of environmental issues to be addressed in the EIS. This notice requests public participation in the scoping process and provides information on how to participate.

In accordance with the procedures governing the application for, and the processing of, special permits from the Department of Transportation's Hazardous Material Regulations (49 CFR part 107, Subpart B), notice is hereby given that the Office of Hazardous Materials Safety has received the application described herein. Each mode of transportation for which a particular special permit is requested is indicated by a number in the ``Nature of Application'' portion of the table below as follows: 1Motor vehicle, 2Rail freight, 3Cargo vessel, 4Cargo aircraft only, 5Passenger-carrying aircraft.

The FAA invites public comments about our intention to request the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) renewal of a current information collection. The rule requires passengers who intend to use an approved POC to present a physician statement before boarding. The flight crew must then inform the pilot-in-command that a POC is on board.

The information kept is used by the FAA as proof that non- Federal navigation facilities are maintained within certain specified tolerances.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain A300-600, A310-200, and A310-300 series airplanes. This proposed AD would require modifying the forward outflow valve of the pressure regulation subsystem. This proposed AD results from a report of accidents resulting in injuries occurring on in-service airplanes when crewmembers forcibly initiated opening of passenger/crew doors against residual pressure, causing the doors to rapidly open. In these accidents, the buildup of residual pressure in the cabin was caused by the blockage of the outflow valve by an insulation blanket. We are proposing this AD to prevent an insulation blanket or other debris from being ingested into and jamming the forward outflow valve of the pressure regulation subsystem, which could lead to the inability to control cabin pressurization and adversely affect continued safe flight of the airplane.

This notice is a withdrawal of a proposed rule under RIN 2126- AA28, which was inadvertently deleted from a prior agenda. The 1999 NPRM requested comments on the financial security and collateral requirements of self-insured motor carriers and fees associated with self-insurance. Section 103 of the Interstate Commerce Commission Termination Act of 1995 (ICCTA) directed the Secretary to create a single, on-line Federal system to replace four existing DOT and former ICC systemsone of those being the financial responsibility information system. Because self-insurance is an aspect of carrier financial responsibility, the agency has decided to withdraw the 1999 NPRM and has proposed amendments to the self-insurance regulations within the context of the financial reporting requirements being proposed under a new Unified Registration System and announced in a separate NPRM.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the Department of Transportation's (DOT) intention to request an extension of a previously approved information collection.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), this notice announces that the Information Collection Request (ICR) abstracted below has been forwarded to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and comment. The ICR describes the nature of the information collections and their expected burden. The Federal Register Notice with a 60-day comment period was published on April 22, 2005 (70 FR 20962).

This notice seeks comments from the public regarding the need for FMCSA to collect paperwork information that relates to a motor carrier's responsibility for ensuring that employees safely maintain and operate its commercial motor vehicles. This notice is published (pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995) to measure the need for the proposed paperwork collection, to find ways to minimize the burden on motor carriers, to find ways to enhance the quality of information collected, and to verify the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden (measured in work hours) on motor carriers. This is a request to continue the collection of information already approved under OMB Control Number 2126-0003, which is scheduled to expire on December 31, 2005, and to renew that approval.