Department of Transportation June 28, 2011 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The FMCSA announces the renewal of the exemption of specified members of the American Pyrotechnics Association (APA) from FMCSA's prohibition on driving commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) after the 14th hour after the driver comes on duty. The exemption granted to 53 motor carriers and approximately 3,000 CMV drivers is applicable during the periods June 28-July 8, 2011, and June 28-July 8, 2012, inclusive. The requested renewal of a prior exemption for one motor carrier is not being granted. Drivers who operate applicable CMVs in conjunction with staging fireworks shows celebrating Independence Day will be allowed to exclude off-duty and sleeper-berth time of any length from the calculation of the 14 hours. These drivers will continue to be subject to the 14-hour cumulative on-duty limit, the 11-hour driving time limit, and the 60- and 70-hour weekly on-duty limits. The FMCSA believes that with the terms and conditions of this exemption in effect, designated APA-member motor carriers will maintain a level of safety that, at a minimum, is equivalent to the level of safety that would be obtained by complying with the regulation.

FMCSA announces its decision to exempt 14 individuals from the vision requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs). The exemptions will enable these individuals to operate commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) in interstate commerce without meeting the prescribed vision standard. The Agency has concluded that granting these exemptions will provide a level of safety that is equivalent to, or greater than, the level of safety maintained without the exemptions for these CMV drivers.

The Federal Aviation Administration proposes to rule and invite public comment on the release of land at the Lehigh Valley International Airport, Allentown, Pennsylvania under the provisions of Section 47125(a) of Title 49 United States Code (U.S.C.). The parcel is a generally north/south rectangular property whose south end of the parcel is located at the north end of Lynnwood Dr. The property is currently vacant land, under agricultural production, and is maintained to protect airspace surfaces of 14 CFR 77.19. The requested release is for the purpose of permitting the Airport Owner to convey title of 14.496 Acres as open space dedication to meet the conditions of an existing zone change (Resolution 07-08), and the Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance of Hanover Township in Northampton County, Pennsylvania. This release will enable the airport to implement the Noise Land Reuse Plan approved by the FAA on May 10, 2010. Documents reflecting the Sponsor's request are available, by appointment only, for inspection at the Airport Manager's office and the FAA Harrisburg Airport District Office.

The Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) has requested FHWA approval of MDTA's proposed plan to temporarily close a portion of I-395 (just south of Conway Street in Baltimore City) from approximately 7 p.m. on Thursday, September 1, 2011, until approximately 6 a.m. on Tuesday, September 6, 2011. The closure is requested to accommodate the construction and operation of the Baltimore Grand Prix (BGP), which will use the streets of downtown Baltimore as a race course. The request is based on the provisions in 23 CFR 658.11 which authorizes the deletion of segments of the federally designated routes that make up the National Network designated in Appendix A of 23 CFR Part 658 upon approval by the FHWA. The FHWA seeks comments from the general public on this request submitted by the MDTA for a deletion in accordance with section 658.11(d) for the considerations discussed in this notice.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the products listed above. This AD requires inspecting certain Lycoming and TCM reciprocating engines with certain Hartzell Engine Technologies, LLC (HET) turbochargers installed, and disassembly and cleaning of the turbocharger center housing and rotating assembly (CHRA) cavities of affected turbochargers. This AD was prompted by a turbocharger failure due to machining debris left in the cavities of the CHRA during manufacture. We are issuing this AD to prevent seizure of the turbocharger turbine, which could result in damage to the engine, and smoke in the airplane cabin.

This notice advises the public that PHMSA is currently reviewing numerous administrative appeals (i.e., petitions for reconsideration) on recently issued final rules. In accordance with applicable regulatory requirements, this notice provides notification to parties having brought certain administrative appeals of the anticipated delay in processing these administrative appeals.