Department of Transportation January 2008 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Surface Transportation Board's Section of Environmental Analysis (SEA) announces the extension of the scoping period for the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) that is being prepared in connection with an application filed by Canadian National Railroad Company (CN) to acquire certain rail lines of the Elgin, Joliet & Eastern Railroad (EJ&E). SEA is preparing an EIS because the Surface Transportation Board has determined that the proposed acquisition has the potential to result in significant effects upon the environment within the meaning of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA).

This notice requests public participation in the OMB approval process for the renewal of an existing Public Awareness Program information collection. PHMSA is requesting OMB approval for renewal of this information collection under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA). With this notice, as required by the PRA, PHMSA invites the public to submit comments over the next 60 days on whether the existing information collection is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Department.

This action withdraws a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) that proposed a new airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to certain EMBRAER Model EMB-120 series airplanes. That action would have required repetitive calibration testing of potentiometers to detect noisy signals, replacement of only those with noisy signals, and reporting results of the calibration tests of the potentiometers and the readouts of the flight data recorder (FDR) to the airplane manufacturer. Since the issuance of the NPRM, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has determined that while a noisy or defective potentiometer may hamper the ability to access certain aircraft data in support of either an accident or incident investigation or just general maintenance activities, there is no direct effect on the aircraft's ability to be operated safely. Accordingly, the proposed rule is withdrawn.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Boeing Model 747 airplanes. This proposed AD would require modification of the refuel valve control unit for the reserve fuel tanks. This proposed AD would also require a revision to the FAA- approved maintenance program to incorporate airworthiness limitation (AWL) No. 28-AWL-20 or AWL No. 28-AWL-25, as applicable. This proposed AD results from fuel system reviews conducted by the manufacturer. We are proposing this AD to prevent lightning-induced electrical energy from entering a reserve fuel tank through the refuel valve, which could result in a fuel tank explosion and consequent loss of the airplane.

The FAA is correcting typographical errors in two NPRMs that were published in the Federal Register on January 4, 2008 (73 FR 833, and 73 FR 830). The errors resulted in incorrect docket numbers. One NPRM applies to all Bombardier Model CL-600-2B19 (Regional Jet Series 100 & 440) airplanes. The other NPRM applies to all Bombardier Model CL-600-2C10 (Regional Jet Series 700, 701 & 702), CL-600-2D15 (Regional Jet Series 705), and CL-600-2D24 (Regional Jet Series 900) airplanes. Both actions proposed to require revising the Airworthiness Limitations Section of the Instructions for Continued Airworthiness to incorporate new limitations for fuel tank systems.

We are superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD) for the products listed above. This AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by an aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as:

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Honeywell International Inc. (Honeywell) TFE731-2C, -3B, -3BR, -3C, - 3CR, -3D, -3DR, -4R, -5AR, -5BR, -5R, -20R, -20AR, -20BR, -40, -40AR, - 40R, and -60 series turbofan engines. This AD requires removal from service of certain high pressure (HP) turbine rotor assemblies with part numbers (P/Ns) 3075772-1 and 3060841-1 using a drawdown schedule, and returning them to Honeywell for curvic root radius inspection. This AD results from the manufacturer's report that some HP turbine rotor discs received improperly machined radii in the root of the forward and aft curvic teeth during manufacture. We are issuing this AD to prevent uncontained failure of the HP turbine rotor assembly, which could result in damage to the airplane.

The FAA invites public comments about our intention to request the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) revision of a current information collection. The Federal Register Notice with a 60-day comment period soliciting comments on the following collection of information was published on October 29, 2007, vol. 72, no. 208, page 61201. This information enables the FAA to evaluate the validity of the user's request for National Airspace Data (NAS) data from FAA systems and equipment.

As provided in 49 CFR Part 601, Subpart D (72 FR 910, Jan. 9, 2007), the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) must, by January 31 of each year, establish an Emergency Relief Docket so grantees and subgrantees affected by national or regional emergencies may request relief from administrative requirements set forth in policy statements, circulars, guidance documents and regulations. By this notice, FTA is establishing an Emergency Relief Docket for calendar year 2008.

This action proposes to amend the Class E airspace area at Factoryville, PA, to accommodate a new Standard Instrument Approach Procedure (SIAP) that has been developed for Seamans Field. This proposal would enhance the safety and management of IFR operations at Seamans Field, Factoryville, PA.

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority (KCATA) intend to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) to assess the environmental and community impacts of transit improvements proposed by KCATA and the City of Kansas City, Missouri in a 12-mile North/South travel corridor in the Kansas City metropolitan area. Because KCATA may decide to seek FTA New Starts funding for transit improvements in the corridor, this work will also satisfy the FTA requirement for an Alternatives Analysis through the development of a combined Alternatives Analysis/Draft Environmental Impact Statement (AA/DEIS). Possible transit improvements in the corridor are intended to improve access to the major employment center located in the central portion of the region, especially for that segment of the population that does not have access to the auto-oriented transportation system. Additionally, new transit facilities would support sustainable development patterns in the corridor. Alternatives proposed to be considered for accomplishing these purposes include (1) The Future No- Build Alternative, (2) a Transportation System Management (TSM) alternative that includes improvements to bus services, and (3) various fixed-guideway transit alternatives, including the light rail transit (LRT) line developed by the Citizens' Light Rail Task Force. Scoping of the EIS will be accomplished through meetings and correspondence with interested individuals, organizations, Federal, State, and local governmental agencies, and Native American tribes.

This document supplements NHTSA's August 2005 proposal to upgrade the Federal motor vehicle safety standard on roof crush resistance. We issued that proposal as part of a comprehensive plan for reducing the serious risk of rollover crashes and the risk of death and serious injury in those crashes. In this document, we ask for public comment on a number of issues that may affect the content of the final rule, including possible variations in the proposed requirements. We are also announcing the release of the results of various vehicle tests conducted since the proposal and are inviting comments on how the agency should factor this new information into its final rule.

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 November 15, 2007 [Vol. 72 FR 64275].

This action establishes Class E Airspace at Marienville, PA to support a new Area Navigation (RNAV) Global Positioning System (GPS) Special Instrument Approach Procedure (IAP) that has been developed for medical flight operations into the East Marien High School Heliport. This action enhances the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rule (IFR) operations by providing that required controlled airspace to protect for this approach near the high school in Marienville, PA.

This action establishes Class E Airspace at new Albany, MS. Airspace is needed to support new Area Navigation (RNAV) Global Positioning System (GPS) Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPs) that have been developed for New Albany-Union County Airport. This action enhances the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rule (IFR) operations in the area by providing the required controlled airspace to protect for these approaches around new Albany, MS.

This notice provides a list of the special permits PHMSA granted in calendar year 2007.

This notice announces actions taken by the FHWA and other Federal agencies that are final within the meaning of 23 U.S.C. 139(1)(1). These actions relate to a proposed Highway project on Interstate 5 at the Cosumnes River Boulevard Interchange from South of the Pocket/Meadowview Road Interchange and North of Laguna Blvd. interchange between Post Mile 14.3 to 15.5 in Sacramento. County, State of California. These actions grant approval for the project.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501, et seq.), this notice announces that the Information Collection Requirements (ICRs) abstracted below have been forwarded to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and comment. The ICRs describes the nature of the information collections and their expected burdens. The Federal Register notice with a 60-day comment period soliciting comments on the following collections of information was published on November 19, 2007 (72 FR 65128).

PHMSA is amending the Hazardous Materials Regulations to update, clarify or provide relief from certain requirements governing the classification, packaging, or labeling of hazardous materials transported in commerce. Among other provisions, PHMSA is adopting a new proper shipping name and identification number for fuel blends composed of ethanol and gasoline. In addition, PHMSA is updating references to consensus standards, revising and clarifying certain hazard communication requirements, and clarifying transportation requirements applicable to dry ice, detonator assemblies, and explosives. PHMSA is also expanding exceptions from regulation for small quantities of hazardous materials.

The FAA is issuing this notice to advise the public of a meeting of RTCA Special Committee 207, Airport Security Access Control Systems.

This notice announces the availability of and request for public comments on the proposed revision of current Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Technical Standard Order TSO-C44c, Fuel Flowmeters. The TSO tells manufacturers seeking a TSO authorization or letter of design approval what minimum performance standards (MPS) their Fuel Flowmeters must first meet for approval and identification with the applicable TSO markings.