Department of Transportation 2006 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is issuing this notice to advise the public of the approval of a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) on an Environmental Assessment for proposed Federal actions at Southern Illinois Airport, Carbondale-Murphysboro, Illinois. The FONSI specifies that the proposed federal actions and local development projects are consistent with existing environmental policies and objectives as set forth in the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 and will not significantly affect the quality of the environment. A description of the proposed Federal actions is: (a) To issue an environmental finding to allow approval of the Airport Layout Plan (ALP) for the development items listed below; (b) Approval of the Airport Layout Plan (ALP) for the development items listed below; and (c) Establish eligibility of the Southern Illinois Airport Authority to compete for Federal funding for the development projects depicted on the Airport Layout Plan. The specific items in the local airport development project include: Acquisition of approximately 210 acres of land in fee simple title including relocation assistance for one (1) residence; Widening of the existing Runway 18R/36L by 15 feet and construction of a 500- foot extension to Runway 36L to provide a total runway dimension of 4,000 feet x 75 feet. This action includes all appropriate grading and drainage; Extension and widening of the existing parallel taxiway to Runway 18R/36L to serve the extended runway threshold; Construction of new airport facilities in the western and northwestern airfield quadrants. This action includes the construction of a new west side entrance roadway system; creation of a new GPS non-precision Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAP) for Runways 18R, 36L, and 36; relocation of portions of Airport Road, Fox Farm Road and the Airport Entrance Road to allow for the initiation of new non-precision instrument approach procedures for Runways 36L and 36R; relocation of a portion of Fox Farm Road to remove the facility from within the Runway Protection Zone (RPZ) for Runway 06; relocation of the existing Visual Approach Descent Indicator (VADI) lights and associated wind cone to serve the relocated Runway 36L threshold; installation of Medium Intensity Runway Lights (MIRL) on the extended and widened runway; installation of Medium Intensity Taxiway Lights (MITL) on the extended on widened taxiway; relocation of a portion of the Southern Illinois Power Company's electric lines to allow for the new SIAPs to Runways 36L and 36; removal of obstructions in the approaches to Runways 06 and 18L; mitigation of impacts to 2.7 acres of wetlands; and the approval of the Southern Illinois ALP. Copies of the environmental decision and the Final EA are available for public information review during regular business hours at the following locations: 1. Southern Illinois Airport, 665 North Airport Road, Murphysboro, Illinois 62966. 2. Division of Aeronautics-Illinois Department of Transportation, One Langhorne Bond Drive, Capital Airport, Springfield, IL 62707. 3. Chicago Airports District Office, Room 320, Federal Aviation Administration, 2300 East Devon Avenue, Des Plaines, Illinois 60018.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus Model A318-100 series airplanes; Model A319-100 series airplanes; Model A320-111 airplanes; Model A320-200 series airplanes; Model A321-100 series airplanes; and Model A321-200 series airplanes. This AD requires replacing the water drain valves in the forward and aft cargo doors with new valves. This AD results from a report indicating that, during a test of the fire extinguishing system, air leakage through the water drain valves in the forward and aft cargo doors reduced the concentration of fire extinguishing agent to below the level required to suppress a fire. We are issuing this AD to prevent air leakage through the water drain valves, which, in the event of a fire in the forward or aft cargo compartment, could result in an insufficient concentration of fire extinguishing agent and consequent inability of the fire extinguishing system to suppress the fire.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus Model A318-100 and A319-100 series airplanes, A320-111 airplanes, A320-200 series airplanes, and A321-100 and A321-200 series airplanes. This AD requires operators to review the airplane's maintenance records to determine the part numbers of the magnetic fuel level indicators (MFLI) of the wing fuel tanks, and related investigative and corrective actions if necessary. This AD results from several in-service incidents of wear and detachment of the top-stops from the MFLI. Such detachment allows the top-stop to move around the wing fuel tank, and the top-stop could come into contact or in close proximity with a gauging probe, resulting in compromise of the air gap between the probe and the structure and creating a potential ignition source. We are issuing this AD to prevent an ignition source in the wing fuel tank in the event of a lightning strike, which could result in a fire or explosion.

This document announces the availability of Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program (MCSAP) grant funding as authorized by the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU). MCSAP is a Federal grant program that provides financial assistance to States to reduce the number and severity of crashes and hazardous materials incidents involving commercial motor vehicles (CMV). The goal of MCSAP is to reduce CMV- involved crashes, fatalities, and injuries through consistent, uniform, and effective CMV safety programs.

This action modifies the Class E airspace area at Palm Springs, CA. The establishment of an Area Navigation (RNAV) Required Navigation Performance (RNP) Y Instrument Approach Procedures (IAP) to Runway (RWY) 13R and 31L to Palm Springs International Airport, Palm Springs, CA has made this action necessary. Additional controlled airspace extending upward from 700 feet or more above the surface of the earth is needed to contain aircraft executing this RNAV (RNP) Y IAP RWY 13R to Palm Springs International Airport. The intended effect of this action is to provide adequate controlled airspace for Instrument Flight Rules operations at Palm Springs International Airport, Palm Springs, CA.

This action proposes to revise Class E airspace at Vandenberg AFB, CA. During a review of this airspace, it was determined that additional controlled airspace was needed for Category E aircraft conducting circling maneuvers in conjunction with published Standard Instrument Procedures. This airspace change will place aircraft in controlled airspace from final descent to runway and protect Category E aircraft while conducting a circling approach to land.

The Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation (SLSDC) and the St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation (SLSMC) of Canada, under international agreement, jointly publish and presently administer the St. Lawrence Seaway Tariff of Tolls in their respective jurisdictions. The Tariff sets forth the level of tolls assessed on all commodities and vessels transiting the facilities operated by the SLSDC and the SLSMC. The SLSDC is revising its regulations to reflect the fees and charges levied by the SLSMC in Canada starting in the 2006 navigation season, which are effective only in Canada. An amendment to increase the minimum charge per lock for those vessels that are not pleasure craft or subject in Canada to tolls under items 1 and 2 of the Tariff for full or partial transit of the Seaway will apply in the U.S. (See Supplementary Information.) The Tariff of Tolls is in effect in Canada. For consistency, because these are, under international agreement, joint regulations, and to avoid confusion among users of the Seaway, the SLSDC finds that there is good cause to make this U.S. version of the amendments effective upon publication.

This notice provides the opportunity for public comment on specific issues regarding the Federal Transit Administration's (FTA) implementation of Department of Transportation (DOT) guidance for participants of the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program. This guidance is applicable to recipients of Federal financial assistance from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) located in the states under the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit (California, Oregon, Washington, Alaska, Arizona, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, and Hawaii).

The FAA hereby gives notice of its intention to grant an exclusive license in the invention titled ``Automated System for Assisting Employees to Comply with Filing Requirements'', Application Number 11/174,642, to HRWorx LLC, a small business located in Herndon, VA. HRWorks is participating in a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement with the William J. Hughes Technical Center to further develop and commercialize the Government-owned invention. (Authority: 35 U.S.C. 209, 15 U.S.C. 3710a, 37 CFR part 401)

On July 28, 2004, NHTSA received a petition for rulemaking from Honda Motor Company Ltd. requesting that the agency amend the applicability of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 204, ``Steering control rearward displacement.'' Specifically, it petitioned to exempt vehicles that already comply with the unbelted frontal barrier crash requirements of FMVSS No. 208, ``Occupant crash protection.'' This notice denies this petition for rulemaking.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Turbomeca Arriel 1B, 1D, and 1D1 turboshaft engines. This AD requires inspecting the 2nd stage nozzle guide vanes (NGV2) for wall thickness. This AD results from one instance of a fractured 2nd stage turbine blade followed by an uncommanded engine shutdown. We are issuing this AD to detect and prevent perforation of the NGV2 that could cause fracture of a turbine blade that could result in an uncommanded engine in-flight shutdown on a single-engine helicopter.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) MU-2B series airplanes. This proposed AD would require you to incorporate text from the service information into the Limitations Section of the FAA-approved Airplane Flight Manual (AFM). This proposed AD results from a recent safety evaluation that used a data-driven approach to analyze the design, operation, and maintenance of the MU-2B series airplanes in order to determine their safety and define what steps, if any, are necessary for their safe operation. Part of that evaluation was the identification of unsafe conditions that exist or could develop on the affected type design airplanes. We are issuing this proposed AD to detect and correct improper rigging of the propeller feathering linkage. The above issue, if uncorrected, could result in degraded performance and poor handling qualities with consequent loss of control of the airplane.

The FHWA has forwarded the information collection request described in this notice to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to renew an information collection. We published a Federal Register Notice with a 60-day public comment period on this information collection on January 13, 2006. We are required to publish this notice in the Federal Register by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.

The Rockies Express Pipeline LLC (Rockies Express) has requested a waiver of compliance from the pipeline safety regulation that prescribes the design factor to be used in the design formula for steel pipe. The waiver will allow Rockies Express to operate at hoop stresses up to 80 percent specified minimum yield strength (SMYS) in Class 1 locations.

Maritimes & Northeast Pipeline, L.L.C. (M&N) requests a waiver of compliance for the U.S. portion of its pipeline system in Class 1, 2, and 3 locations to operate at stress levels up to 80 percent; 67 percent; and 56 percent respectively, of the pipeline's specified minimum yield strength (SMYS).

In accordance with the procedures governing the application for, and the processing of, special permits from the Department of Transportation's Hazardous Materials 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.

Section 3011(c) of SAFETEA-LU authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to establish and implement a pilot program to demonstrate the advantages and disadvantages of public-private partnerships for certain new fixed guideway capital projects. This notice solicits comments and preliminary expressions of interest with respect to the Secretary of Transportation's establishment and implementation of the pilot program.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Boeing Model 747-100, 747-100B, 747-100B SUD, 747-200B, 747-200C, 747- 300, 747-400, 747-400D, and 747SR series airplanes. This AD requires a one-time inspection to determine whether any steel doubler (small or large) is installed at the lower forward and upper aft corners of the fuselage cutout at main entry doors (MEDs) number 3. Depending on the results of this inspection, this AD also requires repetitive inspections for cracks of the skin, bearstrap, and small steel doubler (if installed) at the applicable corner or corners of the fuselage cutouts, and related investigative/corrective actions if necessary. This AD also provides the optional terminating action for the repetitive inspections of installing a large steel doubler at the affected corners. This AD results from reports of cracks in the skin and bearstrap at the upper aft corner and at the lower forward corner of the fuselage cutout at MEDs number 3. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct cracks in the skin, bearstrap, and small steel doubler (if installed), which could propagate and result in rapid decompression of the airplane.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Fokker Model F.28 Mark 0070 and 0100 airplanes. This AD requires inspecting the main landing gear (MLG) main fitting for cracks, and repair if necessary. This AD also requires installing a placard and revising the airplane flight manual to include procedures to prohibit the application of brakes during backward movement of the airplane. This AD results from a report that an MLG main fitting failed on an airplane that was braking while moving backward. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct cracks in the MLG main fitting, which could result in reduced structural integrity of the MLG main fitting.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Boeing Model 777 airplanes. This proposed AD would require a one-time inspection of the first bonding jumper aft of the bulkhead fitting to detect damage or failure and to determine the mechanical integrity of its electrical bonding path, and repair if necessary; measuring the bonding resistance between the fitting for the fuel feed tube and the front spar in the left and right main fuel tanks, and repairing the bonding if necessary; and applying additional sealant to completely cover the bulkhead fittings inside the fuel tanks. This proposed AD results from fuel system reviews conducted by the manufacturer. We are proposing this AD to prevent arcing or sparking during a lightning strike at the interface between the bulkhead fittings of the engine fuel feed tube and the front spar inside the fuel tank. This arcing or sparking could provide a potential ignition source inside the fuel tank, which, in combination with flammable fuel vapors, could result in fuel tank explosions and consequent loss of the airplane.

This action extends the comment period for an NPRM published on November 23, 2005. In the NPRM, the FAA proposed new rules that would require operators and manufacturers of transport category airplanes to take steps that, in combination with other required actions, should greatly reduce the chance of a catastrophic fuel tank explosion. The extension of the comment period is a result of requests from a number of entities to allow public comment on new information that has recently been placed in the public docket.

This action extends the comment period for a notice of availability of proposed AC 25.981-2A, Fuel Tank Flammability, and request for comments published on November 28, 2005. In this Notice, the FAA announced the availability of and requested comments on a proposed AC which sets forth an acceptable means, but not the only means, of demonstrating compliance with the provisions of the airworthiness standards in a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking published on November 23, 2005. The comment period for this Notice closes on the same day as the comment period for the NPRM (March 23, 2006). The extension of the Notice's comment period is a result of an extension of the NPRM's comment period.