Department of Transportation March 7, 2011 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The FAA published a proposed rule on October 7, 2010, to require each certificate holder to establish a safety management system (SMS) for its entire airfield environment (including movement and non- movement areas) to improve safety at airports hosting air carrier operations. The American Association of Airport Executives and Airports Council InternationalNorth America have requested that the FAA provide additional information supporting the proposed rule and extend the comment period to allow adequate time for the public to analyze and comment on that information and the NPRM. This action extends the comment period until July 5, 2011, and establishes a procedure for handling clarifying questions to the proposed rule.

In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), 42 U.S.C. 4321-4347 (as amended), Council on Environmental Quality NEPA implementing regulations (40 Code of Federal Regulations [CFR] parts 1500 to 1508), and FAA Order 1050.1E, Change 1, the FAA is announcing the availability of a FONSI, based on the analysis and findings of the January 2005 National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Final Site-Wide Environmental Assessment (EA) for Wallops Flight Facility, Virginia (hereafter referred to as the 2005 EA). The 2005 EA evaluates the potential environmental impacts of recurring activities and proposed future actions at Wallops Flight Facility (WFF). Under the Proposed Action in the 2005 EA, NASA would construct new facilities, demolish old facilities, and improve existing facilities at WFF. In addition, NASA would expand operations at WFF while continuing existing operations. Operations activities considered in the 2005 EA included rocket launches of multiple vehicle types, including the Pegasus vehicle, among other flight-related activities. Under the FAA's Proposed Action as stated in the FONSI, the FAA would renew a Launch Operator License to Orbital Sciences Corporation for the continued operation of Pegasus expendable launch vehicles at WFF. A launch operator license would authorize launches of Pegasus vehicles over the 5-year term of the license. In accordance with the requirements of FAA Order 1050.1E, Change 1, paragraph 410, the FAA has independently evaluated the information contained in the 2005 EA and has verified the continued validity of the analysis contained in the EA. The FAA has determined that the 2005 EA sufficiently addresses the concerns of the FAA and complies with FAA requirements for implementing NEPA as stated in FAA Order 1050.1E, Change 1. The FAA has determined that there is no new information or analysis that would require preparation of a new or supplemental EA or Environmental Impact Statement according to the CEQ Regulations (40 CFR 1502.9(c)(1)). Therefore, the FAA issues the FONSI concurring with the analysis of impacts and findings in the 2005 EA and formally adopts the EA in compliance with the requirements 40 CFR 1506.3 to support renewing a Launch Operator License to Orbital Sciences Corporation for the continued operation of Pegasus expendable launch vehicles at WFF. The 2005 EA is incorporated by reference and is summarized as necessary in the FONSI. NASA has posted the 2005 EA on the internet at https:// sites.wff.nasa.gov/code250/docs/Final%20Site-Wide%20EA.pdf. The FAA has posted the FONSI on the internet at https://www.faa.gov/ about/officeorg/headquartersoffices/ast/.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announces its determination that the noise exposure maps submitted by the Jackson Municipal Airport Authority for Jackson-Evers International Airport under the provisions of 49 U.S.C. 47501 et seq. (Aviation Safety and Noise Abatement Act) and 14 CFR Part 150 are in compliance with applicable requirements.

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

This action amends and removes, several Hawaiian Reporting Points. Specifically, the FAA is revising the description of EELIC, and TOADS to address recent technical adjustments to their actual locations. Additionally, the FAA is renaming the SILVA reporting point to SYVAD, and has determined that the LULUS, NIEMO, and PADDI reporting points are no longer needed. This action ensures the safe and efficient management of aircraft within the National Airspace System (NAS).

The FAA publishes a monthly notice, as appropriate, of PFC approvals and disapprovals under the provisions of the Aviation Safety and Capacity Expansion Act of 1990 (Title IX of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990) (Pub. L. 101-508) and Part 158 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR Part 158). This notice is published pursuant to paragraph d of Sec. 158.29.