Department of Transportation 2008 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

This notice advises interested persons that the FAA is participating in a panel session on civil supersonic aircraft research. The session will include presentations on current research programs and a question and answer session for attendees. The FAA is seeking to raise public awareness of the continuing technological advances in supersonic aircraft technology aimed at reducing the intensity of sonic boom.

This Notice implements Title II of the Notification and Federal Employee Antidiscrimination and Retaliation Act of 2002 concerning the annual obligation of Federal agencies to notify all employees, former employees, and applicants for Federal employment of the rights and protections available to them under the Federal Antidiscrimination Laws and Whistleblower Protection Laws.

This notice provides information regarding the FHWA's finding that a Buy America waiver is appropriate for certain steel products used in Federal-aid construction projects in Maine, California, and Oregon.

The FAA is correcting airworthiness directive (AD) 2008-16-05. That AD applies to RRD Dart 528, 529, 532, 535, 542, and 552 Series turboprop engines. We published that AD in the Federal Register on July 31, 2008 (73 FR 44630). The superseded AD number in paragraph (b) in the regulatory section is incorrect. This document corrects that superseded AD number. In all other respects, the original document remains the same.

This joint notice proposes implementing regulations for the E- 911 Grant Program authorized under the Ensuring Needed Help Arrives Near Callers Employing 911 (ENHANCE 911) Act of 2004 (Pub. L. 108-494, codified at 47 U.S.C. 942). The Act authorizes grants for the implementation and operation of Phase II enhanced 911 services and for migration to an IP-enabled emergency network. This NPRM proposes the application, award and administrative requirements for the E-911 grant program and seeks comments thereon.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and its implementing regulations, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) hereby announces that it is seeking approval of the following information collection activities. Before submitting these information collection requirements for clearance by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), FRA is soliciting public comment on specific aspects of the activities identified below.

PHMSA is proposing to issue rules implementing certain inspection, investigation, and enforcement authority conferred on the Secretary of Transportation by the Hazardous Materials Transportation Safety and Security Reauthorization Act of 2005. The proposed rules would establish procedures for: (1) The inspection and opening of packages to identify undeclared or non-compliant shipments; (2) the temporary detention and inspection of suspicious packages; and (3) the issuance of emergency orders (restrictions, prohibitions, recalls, and out-of-service orders) to address unsafe conditions or practices posing an imminent hazard. These new inspection and enforcement procedures will enhance DOT's ability to respond immediately and effectively to conditions or practices that pose serious threats to life, property, or the environment.

On October 5, 2007, the FAA published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) that proposed performance requirements for certain avionics equipment on aircraft operating in specified classes of airspace within the United States National Airspace System. The comment period closed on March 3, 2008. The FAA is reopening the comment period for an additional 30 days to give the public an opportunity to comment on recommendations received from an Aviation Rulemaking Committee established by the Administrator on July 15, 2007.

NHTSA is proposing to amend several aspects of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 218, Motorcycle Helmets. Some of the amendments would help realize the full potential of compliant helmets by aiding state and local law enforcement officials in enforcing state helmet use laws, thereby increasing the percentage of motorcycle riders wearing helmets compliant with FMVSS No. 218. The amendments would do this by adopting additional requirements and revising existing requirements to reduce misleading labeling of novelty helmets that creates the impression that uncertified, noncompliant helmets have been properly certified as compliant. The other amendments would aid NHTSA in enforcing the standard by specifying a quasi-static load application rate for the helmet retention system; revising the impact attenuation test by specifying test velocity and tolerance limits and removing the drop height requirement; providing tolerances for the helmet conditioning specifications; revising requirements related to size labeling and location of the DOT symbol; correcting figures 7 and 8 in the Standard; and updating the reference in S7.1.9 to SAE recommended practice J211.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is considering a proposal to change a portion of the airport from aeronautical use to non-aeronautical use and to authorize the sale of the airport property. The proposal consists of the sale of vacant, much of which is farmed or vacant, containing trees, streams, and scattered wetland areas owned by the City of Mansfield. The Miller Farm Parcel 50 is approximately 100.521 acres. The land was acquired under FAA Project No(s): AIP-90-2-3-39-0049-099l (Contract No. AlP FA91-GL-l806). There are no impacts to the airport by allowing the airport to dispose of the property. The proposed land for release is vacant, not required for future development, safety, or compatible land use. The intended land use is infrastructure development, including roads, utilities, and industrial development. Approval does not constitute a commitment by the FAA to financially assist in the disposal of the subject airport property nor a determination of eligibility for grant-in-aid funding from the FAA. The disposition of proceeds from the disposal of the airport property will be in accordance with FAA's Policy and Procedures Concerning the Use of Airport Revenue, published in the Federal Register on February 16, 1999. In accordance with section 47107(h) of title 49, United States Code, this notice is required to be published in the Federal Register 30 days before modifying the land-use assurance that requires the property to be used for an aeronautical purpose.

The FHWA is issuing this notice to advise the public that the Notice of Intent published on August 10, 2007 to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for a proposed Interstate type facility connecting I-55 with I-20 through Hinds and Madison counties is being rescinded.

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-2008-0092 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 FHWA is issuing this notice to advise the public that an environmental impact statement will be prepared for a proposed highway project from NC 107 to U.S. 23-74 east of Sylva, Jackson County, NC. (TIP Project R-4745.)

This final rule corrects editorial errors, makes minor regulatory changes and, in response to requests for clarification, improves the clarity of certain provisions in the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR). The intended effect of this rule is to enhance the accuracy and reduce misunderstandings of the regulations. The amendments contained in this rule are non-substantive changes.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Boeing Model 747-100, 747-100B, 747-100B SUD, 747-200B, 747-200C, 747- 300, 747-400, 747-400D, and 747SR series airplanes. For certain airplanes, this AD requires a material type inspection to determine if the lower forward corner reveal of the number 3 main entry doors (MEDs) is a casting. If the reveals are castings, this AD requires repetitive inspections of the reveals for cracking, and corrective action if necessary. If the reveals are not castings, this AD requires a detailed inspection of the reveals for a sharp edge and repetitive inspections of the reveals for cracking, and corrective action if necessary. For certain other airplanes, this AD requires only a detailed inspection of the reveals for a sharp edge and repetitive inspections of the reveals for cracking, and corrective action if necessary. For certain other airplanes, this AD requires repetitive inspections of the reveals for cracking only, and corrective action if necessary. This AD also allows a certain replacement as an optional action for the material type inspection for certain airplanes. This AD results from reports of cracking and/or a sharp edge in the lower forward corner reveal of the number 3 MEDs. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct fatigue cracking of the lower forward corner reveal of the number 3 MEDs, which could lead to the door escape slide departing the airplane when the door is opened and the slide is deployed, and consequent injuries to passengers and crew using the door escape slide during an emergency evacuation.

The FAA is issuing this notice to advise the public of a second meeting of RTCA Special Committee 215, Aeronautical Mobile Satellite (Route) Services, Next Generation Satellite Services and Equipment.

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has issued FTA Circular 4220.1F, ``Third Party Contracting Guidance'' to provide comprehensive guidance to grantees and recipients of cooperative agreements (recipients) to implement third party contracting requirements that apply to FTA assisted procurements.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the products listed above. This proposed AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) originated 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 Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has placed in the docket and on its Web site (https://www.fta.dot.gov) guidance in the form of Circular 5010.1D, Grant Management Requirements, which circular replaces FTA's prior Grant Management Circular 5010.1C. Circular 5010.1D includes information pertaining to new and existing FTA programs; incorporates provisions of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU); discusses the circumstances under which a grantee may request budget revisions and grant amendments; identifies useful life standards for trolleys, ferry boats, and facilities; and increases the threshold that determines whether FTA must approve a real estate appraisal.

This document revises the list of vehicles not originally manufactured to conform to the Federal motor vehicle safety standards (FMVSS) that NHTSA has decided to be eligible for importation. This list is published in an appendix to the agency's regulations that prescribe procedures for import eligibility decisions. The list has been revised to add all vehicles that NHTSA has decided to be eligible for importation since October 1, 2007, and to remove all previously listed vehicles that are now more than 25 years old and need no longer comply with all applicable FMVSS to be lawfully imported. NHTSA is required by statute to publish this list annually in the Federal Register.

DOT proposes to modify a system of records under the Privacy Act of 1974. The system is FAA's Aviation Records on Individuals, which is being modified to reflect: (1) Eight new routine uses; (2) additions to the categories of records, (3) clarity to the purpose of the system, (4) changes to the titles of offices within the FAA. This system would not duplicate any other DOT system of records.