Department of Transportation September 2009 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has placed in the docket and on its Web site, proposed guidance in the form of a circular to assist grantees in implementing the Urbanized Area Formula Program (Section 5307). The Urbanized Area Formula Program provides grants for capital, planning, and some operating projects in urbanized areas. By this notice, FTA invites public comment on the proposed circular 9030.1D, Urbanized Area Formula Program: Program Guidance and Application Instructions for the program.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), this notice announces that the Information Collection Requirement (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 collection and its expected burden. The Federal Register notice with a 60-day comment period soliciting comments on the following collection of information was published on July 24, 2009 (74 FR 36807).

The FAA is issuing this notice to advise the public of a meeting of RTCA Special Committee 223: Airport Surface Wireless Communications.

The FAA is issuing this notice to advise the public of a meeting of RTCA Special Committee 217/EUROCAE WG 44.

In its decision in this proceeding served on August 31, 2004 (August 2004 decision), the Surface Transportation Board provided for the monitoring of TTX Company (TTX) and the preparation of a monitoring report at the end of year 5 of the 10-year term authorized by the Board for TTX's pooling agreement. To facilitate preparation of the report and preparation of comments by interested parties, the Board is directing TTX and its members to provide certain operational information and then is seeking comments from interested parties on whether any of TTX's activities require any action or particular oversight by the Board at this time.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Boeing Model 757 airplanes. This proposed AD would require inspecting to verify the part number of the low-pressure flex-hoses of the flightcrew and supernumerary oxygen system installed under the oxygen mask stowage box at a flightcrew and supernumerary oxygen mask location, and replacing with a new non-conductive low-pressure flex- hose of the oxygen system if necessary. This proposed AD results from reports of a low-pressure flex-hose of a flightcrew oxygen system that burned through due to inadvertent electrical current from a short circuit in an adjacent audio select panel. We are proposing this AD to prevent inadvertent electrical current which can cause the low-pressure flex-hose of a flightcrew or supernumerary oxygen system to melt or burn, resulting in oxygen system leakage and smoke or fire.

We are superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD) for the products listed above. This 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:

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

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to certain Boeing Model 767-200 and -300 series airplanes, that requires replacing certain door-mounted escape slides and slide- raft assemblies with new slide-raft assemblies. This AD also requires the following actions, as applicable: replacing certain escape system latches with new latches; modifying or replacing certain counterbalance assemblies with new counterbalance assemblies; and adjusting the door counterbalance system. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent the escape slides and slide-rafts of the forward and mid-cabin entry and service doors from being too steep for evacuation in the event that the airplane rotates onto the aft fuselage into the extreme tip-back condition. In the extreme tip-back condition, the forward and mid-cabin exits could result in steeper sliding angles, which could cause injury to passengers and crewmembers during an emergency

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-2009-0086 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

This final rule amends the regulation implementing the Consumer Assistance to Recycle and Save (CARS) Program, published on July 29, 2009 in the Federal Register, under the CARS Act. The rule adds an exception process for registered dealers who were prevented from submitting an application for reimbursement for a qualifying transaction prior to the announced August 25, 2009 deadline due to problems associated with the CARS electronic transaction system.

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:

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Boeing Model 747 airplanes. This proposed AD would require a general visual inspection to identify any existing repairs of the upper main sill outer chord of the left and right side main entry door number 1, as applicable; repetitive detailed inspections for cracks in the upper main sill of the door(s); and related investigative and corrective actions, if necessary. This proposed AD would also require repetitive inspections for airplanes on which a certain repair is done, and corrective actions if necessary. This proposed AD results from reports of cracks in the main entry door number 1 upper main sill outer chord, along the bend radius of the chord on several airplanes. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct such cracks, which could result in loss of structural integrity of the airplane.

The FAA is issuing this notice to advise the public of a meeting of RTCA Government/Industry Air Traffic Management Advisory Committee.

EPA and NHTSA are issuing this joint proposal to establish a National Program consisting of new standards for light-duty vehicles that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve fuel economy. This joint proposed rulemaking is consistent with the National Fuel Efficiency Policy announced by President Obama on May 19, 2009,

NHTSA has prepared a DEIS to disclose and analyze the potential environmental impacts of proposed Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards for model year (MY) 2012-2016 passenger cars and light trucks, which NHTSA recently proposed pursuant to the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, and a reasonable range of alternative standards. To inform decisionmakers and the public, the DEIS compares the potential environmental impacts of the proposed standards and alternative standards reflecting a full range of stringencies, and it analyzes direct, indirect, and cumulative impacts in proportion to their significance. The DEIS provides a detailed analysis of potential impacts on energy resources, air quality, and climate. The DEIS uses climate modeling and NHTSA's own computer model (known as the ``Volpe model'') to provide quantitative estimates of potential impacts on air quality, carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, global mean surface temperature, precipitation, and sea level rise. The DEIS provides a qualitative analysis of resources that may be impacted by changes in climate, such as freshwater resources, terrestrial ecosystems, coastal ecosystems, land use, human health, and environmental justice. It examines these impacts on the U.S. and on a global scale. In addition, the DEIS analyzes potential environmental impacts unrelated to climate change.

We are revising an earlier supplemental NPRM for the products listed above. This action revises the earlier supplemental NPRM by expanding the scope. 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: It has been found the occurrence of engine anti-ice system valve failure, where the valve spring seat has broken and obstructed the anti-ice system venturi tube. Therefore, should the aircraft encounter icing conditions, ice may accrete in the engine inlet lip and be ingested through the air inlet, resulting in possible engine damage and flame-

We are revising an earlier proposed airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Boeing Model 747-100, 747-200B, 747-300, and 747SR series airplanes. The original NPRM proposed to require installation of a closeout panel and moisture curtains for the main equipment center. The original NPRM also proposed to require changing the drain tubes for the power drive units (PDU) and the pitot static tubes and installing larger moisture shrouds. The original NPRM resulted from a report of water contamination in the electrical and electronic units in the main equipment center. This action revises the original NPRM by adding airplanes to the applicability and removing certain others, and removing certain requirements. We are proposing this supplemental NPRM to prevent the malfunction of one or more electrical and electronic units in the main equipment center, which could adversely affect the airplane's continued safe flight.

In accordance with the procedures governing the application for, and the processing of, special permits from the Department of Transportation's Hazardous Material Regulations (49 CFR Part 107, Subpart B), notice is hereby given that the Office of Hazardous Materials Safety has received the applications described herein. This notice is abbreviated to expedite docketing and public notice. Because the sections affected, modes of transportation, and the nature of application have been shown in earlier Federal Register publications, they are not repeated here. Requests for modification of special permits (e.g. to provide for additional hazardous materials, packaging design changes, additional mode of transportation, etc.) are described in footnotes to the application number. Application numbers with the suffix ``M'' denote a modification request. These applications have been separated from the new application for special permits to facilitate processing.

This action confirms the effective date of an airspace action, which was previously published as a direct final rule in the Federal Register, for the Macon County Airport in Franklin, NC.

This action confirms the effective date of an airspace action, which was previously published as a direct final rule in the Federal Register, for the Rafael Hernandez Airport in Aguadilla, PR.

This action proposes to establish Class E surface airspace and modify existing Class E airspace at Eastern Sierra Regional Airport, Bishop, CA. Additional controlled airspace is necessary to accommodate aircraft using a new Area Navigation (RNAV) Global Positioning System (GPS) Standard Instrument Approach Procedure (SIAP) at Eastern Sierra Regional Airport, Bishop, CA. The FAA is proposing this action to enhance the safety and management of aircraft operations at Eastern Sierra Regional Airport, Bishop, CA.

This notice is to advise the public that FRA and the California High-Speed Rail Authority (Authority) will jointly prepare a project Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and project Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the Los Angeles to San Diego (LA-SD) Section of the Authority's proposed California High-Speed Train (HST) System in compliance with relevant State and Federal laws, in particular the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).