Department of Transportation August 20, 2008 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

FAA is proposing to amend Advisory Circular 150/5200-30, Airport Winter Safety and Operations, to establish new operational criteria for the closure of runways (paragraph 5-5) due to inclement weather during the winter season. The proposed operational criteria specify those events associated with winter contaminated runways that trigger airport operators to implement runway closure procedures. A subsequent requirement associated with the implementation of such closures is the timely notification of airport users and the public by issuance of a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM). To ensure that the intent of this safety initiative is attained, the airport's Snow and Ice Control Plan, required per 14 CFR Part 139, Certification of Airports, should contain a formal memorandum-of-understanding between the airport traffic control tower and the airport operator that covers at a minimum (1) that the airport traffic control tower will transmit timely needed information to the airport operator, such as, all pilot braking action reports of ``POOR'' and ``NIL'' and (2) procedures that the airport traffic control tower will follow upon the airport operator's decision to close a runway. The draft advisory circular is available for downloading at https://www.faa.gov/airports_airtraffic/airports/ resources/draft_advisory_circulars/

As authorized by 46 U.S.C. 12121, the Secretary of Transportation, as represented by the Maritime Administration (MARAD), is authorized to grant waivers of the U.S.-build requirement of the coastwise laws under certain circumstances. A request for such a waiver has been received by MARAD. The vessel, and a brief description of the proposed service, is listed below. The complete application is given in DOT docket MARAD-2008-0078 at https://www.regulations.gov. Interested parties may comment on the effect this action may have on U.S. vessel builders or businesses in the U.S. that use U.S.-flag vessels. If MARAD determines, in accordance with 46 U.S.C. 12121 and MARAD's regulations at 46 CFR part 388 (68 FR 23084; April 30, 2003), that the issuance of the waiver will have an unduly adverse effect on a U.S.-vessel builder or a business that uses U.S.-flag vessels in that business, a waiver will not be granted. Comments should refer to the docket number of this notice and the vessel name in order for MARAD to properly consider the comments. Comments should also state the commenter's interest in the waiver application, and address the waiver criteria given in Sec. 388.4 of MARAD's regulations at 46 CFR part 388.

The Maritime Administration announces that the Marine Transportation System National Advisory Council (MTSNAC) will hold a meeting to review and approve an updated and revised Intermodal Report, finalize an expanded Marine Transportation System outreach and education program to addresses the economic benefits that our ports and the Marine Transportation System contribute to the nation, and discuss other issues of importance to the Marine Transportation System. A public comment period is scheduled for 11:15 a.m.-11:45 p.m. on Wednesday, September 17, 2008. To provide time for as many people to speak as possible, speaking time for each individual will be limited to three minutes. Members of the public who would like to speak are asked to contact Richard J. Lolich by September 10, 2008. Commenter's will be placed on the agenda in the order in which notifications are received. If time allows, additional comments will be permitted. Copies of oral comments must be submitted in writing at the meeting. Additional written comments are welcome and must be filed by September 27, 2008.

This notice contains a summary of certain petitions seeking relief from specified requirements of 14 CFR. The purpose of this notice is to improve the public's awareness of, and participation in, this aspect of FAA's regulatory activities. Neither publication of this notice nor the inclusion or omission of information in the summary is intended to affect the legal status of any petition or its final disposition.

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 May 15, 2008, vol. 73, no. 95, page 28183. Respondents conducting general operation and flight of aircraft or any activity that could encroach on airspace must apply for approval.

The FAA is publishing notice of proposed release of 0.239 acres of land (a portion of parcel 165 as identified on the Exhibit ``A'' Property Map) at the Baltimore-Washington International Airport, Baltimore, Maryland, to the Maryland State Highway Administration (MSHA) for the improvement of Corporate Center Drive. There are no impacts to the Airport and the land is not needed for airport development as shown on the Airport Layout Plan. The parcel was acquired with local funding only based on the Noise Compatibility Plan (NCP) developed under the PART 150 Update.

The FAA proposes to rule and invite public comment on the release of land at the Rialto Municipal Airport under the provisions of section 125 of the Wendell H. Ford Aviation Investment Reform Act for the 21st Century (AIR 21).