Department of Transportation March 22, 2010 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

FMCSA grants a limited 90-day waiver from the Federal hours- of-service (HOS) regulations for the transportation of anhydrous ammonia from any distribution point to a local farm retailer or to the ultimate consumer, and from a local farm retailer to the ultimate consumer, as long as the transportation takes place within a 100 air- mile radius of the retail or wholesale distribution point. This waiver extends the agricultural operations exemption established by section 345 of the National Highway System Designation Act of 1995, as amended by the sections 4115 and 4130 of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) to certain motor carriers engaged in the distribution of anhydrous ammonia during the 2010 spring planting season. The Agency has determined that the waiver would likely achieve a level of safety that is equivalent to, or greater than, the level that would be achieved absent such exemption, based on the terms and conditions imposed. This waiver preempts inconsistent State and local requirements applicable to interstate commerce.

FMCSA announces receipt of applications from 53 individuals for exemptions from the prohibition against persons with insulin- treated diabetes mellitus (ITDM) operating commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) in interstate commerce. If granted, the exemptions would enable these individuals with ITDM to operate commercial motor vehicles in interstate commerce.

The FAA proposes to revise an existing airworthiness directive (AD) for Turbomeca Arriel 2B1 turboshaft engines. This proposed 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: Since the issuance of AD 2007-0126 Turbom[eacute]ca has released modification TU157 which consists in modifying the pressure relief valve of the HMU by introducing a damping device into the valve. Introduction of this device has demonstrated to decrease the pressure fluctuations in the system, therefore reducing significantly the risk of wear of the delta-P diaphragm fabric. This will delete the need for a periodical replacement of the delta-P diaphragm before overhaul of the HMU. The modification TU157 is therefore considered as the terminating action for this AD.

The Maritime Administration is updating its inventory of U.S.- flag launch barges. Additions, changes and comments to the list are requested. Launch barge information may be found at https:// www.marad.dot.gov/ships_shipping_landing_page/domestic_shippi ng/ launch_barge_program/Launch_Barge_Program.htm.

As authorized by Public Law 109-347, the Secretary of Transportation, as represented by the Maritime Administration, is authorized to make determinations permitting the use of foreign-flag anchor handling vessels in certain cases (and for a limited period of time) if no U.S.-flag vessels are found to be suitable and reasonably available.