Department of Transportation October 30, 2008 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

This action proposes to establish Colored Federal Airway Blue 7 (B-7), in Alaska. This action would add to the Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) airway and route structure in Alaska by providing IFR connectivity between Bethel, AK and Cape Newenham, AK. The FAA is proposing this action to enhance safety and improve the management of air traffic operations in the State of Alaska.

As part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork burdens, and as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq. (PRA), the Surface Transportation Board (STB or Board) gives notice that it has submitted a request to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for an extension of approval without change of a currently approved collection: Application to Open a Billing Account. The Board previously published a notice about these collections in the Federal Register on June 16, 2008, at 73 FR 34068. That notice allowed for a 60-day public review and comment period. No comments were received. This information collection is described in detail below. Comments are requested concerning (1) The accuracy of the Board's burden estimates; (2) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information collected; (3) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on the respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology, when appropriate; and (4) whether this collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Board, including whether the collection has practical utility.

The FAA proposes to supersede an existing airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to all Boeing Model 737-600, -700, -700C, - 800, and -900 series airplanes. The existing AD currently requires reviewing the airplane maintenance records to determine whether an engine has been removed from the airplane since the airplane was manufactured. For airplanes on which an engine has been removed, the existing AD also requires an inspection of the aft engine mount to determine if the center link assembly is correctly installed, and follow-on actions if necessary. This proposed AD would require the same actions for airplanes on which the engine has not been previously removed. This proposed AD results from reports indicating that operators found that the center link assembly for the aft engine mount was reversed on several airplanes that had not had an engine removed since delivery. We are proposing this AD to prevent increased structural loads on the aft engine mount, which could result in failure of the aft engine mount and consequent separation of the engine from the airplane.

The FHWA is providing this notice to advise the public that the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) is withdrawing the Notice of Intent (NOI) published in the Federal Register (Vol. 71, No. 128) on Wednesday, July 5, 2006. That notice addressed the intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the proposed U.S. 395 Realignment Freeway/Expressway project on U.S. 395 from Interstate 15 (I-15/U.S. 395 interchange) to Farmington Road. The original NOI was published by FHWA. Pursuant to 23 U.S.C. 327, environmental responsibilities for this project have been assigned to Caltrans.

On July 17, 2008, the FAA issued a proposed order requesting written views on the FAA's tentative determination to temporarily limit unscheduled aircraft operations at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR). The temporary limit was intended to supplement previously issued FAA orders limiting scheduled operations at both airports by addressing congestion related delays that would otherwise occur pending the ongoing rulemaking action for JFK and EWR. This disposition of comments explains the FAA's rationale for not presently adopting the proposed order and discusses the comments received in response to the proposed order.