Department of Transportation August 12, 2011 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents
Results 1 - 18 of 18
Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Vision
FMCSA announces its decision to exempt 17 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.
Agency Information Collection Activities; Request for Comment; Extension of an Information Collection: Hours of Service (HOS) of Drivers Regulations
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), FMCSA announces its plan to submit the Information Collection Request (ICR) described below to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval and invites public comment. The FMCSA requests OMB approval to revise and extend an existing ICR entitled, ``Hours of Service (HOS) of Drivers Regulations.'' The HOS rules require most commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers to maintain in the CMV an accurate record of duty status (RODS) in either paper or electronic form. The Agency, effective June 4, 2010, authorized the use of electronic on-board recorders (EOBRs) to create driver RODS. This ICR estimates, for the first time, the PRA burden of motor carriers voluntarily directing their drivers to employ EOBRs. This ICR promotes safety in CMV operations by assisting motor carriers and enforcement officials in monitoring compliance with the HOS rules. On June 6, 2011, FMCSA published a Federal Register notice allowing for a 60-day comment period on the ICR (76 FR 32388). One comment was received.
Notice of Availability of a Draft Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Impact Statement for the California High-Speed Rail Project Merced to Fresno Section
FRA is issuing this notice to advise the public that a Draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR)/Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) has been prepared for the California High-Speed Train (HST) Project Merced to Fresno Section (Project). FRA is the lead Federal agency and the California High-Speed Rail Authority (Authority) is the lead state agency for the environmental review process. The Authority proposes to construct and operate a reliable high- speed electric-powered passenger train system along an approximately 65-mile corridor, from Merced, CA, to Fresno, CA that links those cities by delivering predictable and consistent travel times. The Project includes high-speed track alignments, stations in downtown Merced and Fresno. A heavy maintenance facility for assembly, testing, and commissioning of trains, train inspection and service, and train overhaul may be constructed in the Merced to Fresno Section. The Draft EIR/EIS presents the Project's purpose and need, identifies all reasonable alternatives including track alignments, stations, and heavy maintenance facilities as well as the no action alternative, describes the affected environment, analyzes the potential environmental impacts of all the reasonable alternatives and the no action alternative, and identifies appropriate mitigation measures to minimize the potential environmental impacts.
Notice of Funding Availability for the Department of Transportation's National Infrastructure Investments Under the Full-Year Continuing Appropriations, 2011; and Request for Comments
This notice announces the availability of funding and requests proposals for the Department of Transportation's National Infrastructure Investments. In addition, this notice announces selection criteria and pre-application and application requirements for the National Infrastructure Investments. On July 1, 2011 the Department of Transportation published an interim notice announcing the availability of funding for the Department of Transportation's National Infrastructure Investments, or ``TIGER Discretionary Grants,'' project selection criteria and pre- application and application requirements for these grants. The interim notice also requested comments on the project selection criteria and pre-application and application requirements. The Department considered the comments that were submitted in accordance with the interim notice and decided to make no substantive revisions to the interim notice based on those comments. However, the Department has decided to make minor revisions to the interim notice, to provide additional information to potential applicants on the project readiness characteristics that the Department considers when evaluating an application (see section I(b) and Appendix C). The Department has also updated the point-of-contact information for program staff that should be contacted with any questions regarding the application process for these grants. On April 15, 2011, the President signed the Full-Year Continuing Appropriations, 2011 (Div. B of the Department of Defense and Full-Year Continuing Appropriations Act, 2011 (Pub. L. 112-010, Apr. 15, 2011)) (``FY 2011 Continuing Appropriations Act''). The FY 2011 Continuing Appropriations Act appropriated $526.944 million to be awarded by the Department of Transportation (``DOT'') for National Infrastructure Investments. This appropriation is similar, but not identical to the appropriation for the Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery, or ``TIGER Discretionary Grant'', program authorized and implemented pursuant to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (the ``Recovery Act''), and the National Infrastructure Investments or ``TIGER II Discretionary Grant'' program under the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for 2010 (``FY 2010 Appropriations Act''). Because of the similarity in program structure, DOT has referred to the grants for National Infrastructure Investments under the FY 2010 Appropriations Act as ``TIGER II Discretionary Grants''. Given that funds have now been appropriated for these similar programs in three separate statutes, DOT is referring to the grants for National Infrastructure Investments under the FY 2011 Continuing Appropriations Act simply as ``TIGER Discretionary Grants.'' As with the TIGER and TIGER II programs, funds for the FY2011 TIGER program are to be awarded on a competitive basis for projects that will have a significant impact on the Nation, a metropolitan area or a region. Through this notice, DOT is soliciting applications for TIGER Discretionary Grants. In the event that this solicitation does not result in the award and obligation of all available funds, DOT may decide to publish an additional solicitation(s).
Notice of Availability of a Draft Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Impact Statement for the California High-Speed Train Project Fresno to Bakersfield Section
FRA is issuing this notice to advise the public that a Draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR)/Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) has been prepared for the California High-Speed Train (HST) Project Fresno to Bakersfield Section (Project). FRA is the lead Federal agency and the California High-Speed Rail Authority (Authority) is the lead state agency for the environmental review process. The Authority plans to construct and operate a fully grade- separated, dedicated double-track, electric powered, passenger rail, high-speed railroad along a 114-mile corridor between Fresno and Bakersfield, CA. The Project includes stations in downtown Fresno and Bakersfield, and a possible Kings/Tulare Regional Station east of Hanford, CA. A heavy maintenance facility for assembly, testing, and commissioning of trains, train inspection and service, and train overhaul may be constructed in the Fresno to Bakersfield Section. The Draft EIR/EIS presents the Project's purpose and need, identifies all reasonable alternatives including track alignments, stations, and heavy maintenance facilities as well as the no action alternative, describes the affected environment, analyzes the potential environmental impacts of all the reasonable alternatives and the no action alternative, and identifies appropriate mitigation measures to minimize the potential environmental impacts.
Notice of Fiscal Year 2012 Safety Grants and Solicitation for Applications
This notice informs the public of FMCSA's Fiscal Year (FY) 2012 safety grant opportunities and FMCSA's projected application due dates. FMCSA announces these grant opportunities based on authorities provided for in the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy of Users. The Agency will inform applicants if new authorizing legislation changes its grant programs for FY 2012 through a Federal Register notice. The 10 safety grant programs include the Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program (MCSAP) Basic grants; MCSAP Incentive grants; New Entrant Safety Audit grants; MCSAP High Priority grants; Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV) Operator Safety Training grants; Border Enforcement grants (BEG); Commercial Driver's License Program Improvement (CDLPI) grants; Performance and Registration Information Systems Management (PRISM) grants; Safety Data Improvement Program (SaDIP) grants; and the Commercial Vehicle Information Systems and Networks (CVISN) grants. It should be noted that FMCSA does not expect the Commercial Driver's License Information System (CDLIS) Modernization grants to be continued in reauthorization, and, therefore, FMCSA will not be soliciting applications for this grant program in FY 2012.
Airworthiness Directives; Lycoming Engines (L)O-360, (L)IO-360, AEIO-360, O-540, IO-540, AEIO-540, (L)TIO-540, IO-580, and IO-720 Series Reciprocating Engines
We propose to supersede an existing airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to the products listed above. The existing AD currently requires replacing certain crankshafts. Since we issued that AD, Lycoming Engines discovered that the start date of affected engine models in Mandatory Service Bulletin (MSB) No. 569A, is incorrect. This proposed AD would correct that start date. We are proposing this AD to prevent failure of the crankshaft, which will result in total engine power loss, in-flight engine failure, and possible loss of the aircraft.
Surface Transportation Environment and Planning Cooperative Research Program (STEP)
Section 5207 of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) established the Surface Transportation Environment and Planning Cooperative Research Program (STEP). The FHWA anticipates that the STEP or a similar program to provide resources for national research on issues related to planning, environment, and realty will be included in future surface transportation legislation. In Fiscal Year (FY) 2012, the FHWA expects to seek partnerships that can leverage limited research funding in the STEP with other stakeholders and partners in order to increase the total amount of resources available to meet the Nation's surface transportation research needs. The purpose of this notice is to announce the STEP implementation strategy for FY 2012 and to request suggested lines of research for the FY 2012 STEP via the STEP Web site at https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/hep/step/index.htm in anticipation of future surface transportation legislation.
Proposed Establishment of Class D and E Airspace; Frederick, MD
This action proposes to establish Class D and E airspace at Frederick, MD, to accommodate new Area Navigation (RNAV) Global Positioning System (GPS) Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPs) at Frederick Municipal Airport. This action would enhance the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations for SIAPs at the airport.
Proposed Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment Request
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and its implementing regulations, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) hereby announces that it is seeking renewal of the following currently approved 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.
Airworthiness Directives; Fokker Services B.V. Model F.28 Mark 1000, 2000, 3000, and 4000 Airplanes
We are adopting a new 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:
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A320-214, -232, and -233 Airplanes
We are adopting a new 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:
Hours of Service of Railroad Employees; Substantive Regulations for Train Employees Providing Commuter and Intercity Rail Passenger Transportation; Conforming Amendments to Recordkeeping Requirements
FRA is amending its hours of service recordkeeping regulations, to add substantive hours of service regulations, including maximum on-duty periods, minimum off-duty periods, and other limitations, for train employees (e.g., locomotive engineers and conductors) providing commuter and intercity rail passenger transportation. The new substantive regulations require that railroads employing such train employees analyze and mitigate the risks for fatigue in the schedules worked by these train employees, and that the railroads submit to FRA for its approval the relevant schedules and fatigue mitigation plans. This final rule also makes corresponding changes to FRA's hours of service recordkeeping regulation, to require railroads to keep hours of service records and report excess service to FRA in a manner consistent with the new substantive requirements. This regulation is authorized by the Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008.
Airworthiness Directives; Fokker Services B.V. Model F.28 Mark 1000, 2000, 3000, and 4000 Airplanes
We are adopting a new 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:
Hazardous Materials Regulations; Compatibility With the Regulations of the International Atomic Energy Agency
PHMSA, in coordination with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), is proposing to amend requirements in the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR) governing the transportation of Class 7 (radioactive) materials based on recent changes contained in the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) publication ``Regulations for the Safe Transport of Radioactive Material, 2009 Edition, IAEA Safety Standards Series No. TS-R-1'' (hereafter referred to as TS-R-1). The purposes of this rulemaking are to harmonize requirements of the HMR with international standards for the transportation of Class 7 (radioactive) materials and update, clarify, correct, or provide relief from certain regulatory requirements applicable to the transportation of Class 7 (radioactive) materials.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google
Privacy Policy and
Terms of Service apply.
