Department of Transportation April 2017 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The FHWA invites interested parties to review and comment on definitions and applicable facilities related to requirements contained in Section 1411(a) and (b) of the Fixing America's Surface Transportation (FAST) Act regarding the treatment of over-the-road buses (OTRBs). In addition, FHWA invites interested parties to review and comment on a listing of covered Section 129 Federal-aid toll facilities in the United States.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for British Aerospace Regional Aircraft Model HP.137 Jetstream Mk.1, Jetstream Series 200 and 3101, and Jetstream Model 3201 airplanes that would supersede AD 97-10-05. 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 cracks in the main landing gear (MLG) fitting at the pintle to cylinder interface, which could cause failure of the MLG during takeoff and landing. We are issuing this proposed AD to require actions to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) is revising references in its regulations to the maximum civil penalties for violations of Federal pipeline safety laws, or any PHMSA regulations or orders issued thereunder. Under the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements Act of 2015, which further amended the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act of 1990, Federal agencies are required to adjust their civil monetary penalties effective January 15, 2017, and annually thereafter, to account for changes in inflation. PHMSA finds good cause to amend the regulations related to civil penalties without notice or opportunity for public comment. Advance public notice is unnecessary for the reasons described in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section.

FMCSA announces its decision to renew exemptions of 71 individuals from its prohibition in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) against persons with insulin-treated diabetes mellitus (ITDM) from operating commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) in interstate commerce. The exemptions enable these individuals with ITDM to continue to operate CMVs in interstate commerce.

FMCSA announces its decision to renew the exemptions of 135 individuals from its rule prohibiting persons with insulin-treated diabetes mellitus (ITDM) from operating commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) in interstate commerce. FMCSA has statutory authority to exempt individuals from this rule if the exemptions granted will not compromise safety. The Agency has concluded that granting these exemption renewals 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 Transit Administration (FTA) announces the opportunity to apply for $55 million in FY 2017 funds for the Low or No Emission Bus Discretionary Grant Program (Low-No Program; Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) number: 20.526), subject to funding availability. Only $31.5 million is available under the Continuing Resolution that expires on April 28, 2017. As required by Federal transit law (49 U.S.C. 5339(c)) and subject to funding availability, funds will be awarded competitively for the purchase or lease of low or no emission vehicles that use advanced technologies for transit revenue operations, including related equipment or facilities. Projects may include costs incidental to the acquisition of buses or to the construction of facilities, such as the costs of related workforce development and training activities, and project administration expenses. FTA may award additional funding that is made available to the program prior to the announcement of project selections.

This action proposes to modify Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at Colorado City Municipal Airport, Colorado City, AZ, to support the implementation of new Area Navigation (RNAV) Global Positioning System (GPS) standard instrument approach procedures for instrument flight rules (IFR) operations at the airport. Also, this action would update the geographic coordinates of the airport to match the FAA's current aeronautical database.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain CFE Company (CFE) turbofan engines. This AD was prompted by a quality escape for high-pressure compressor (HPC) impellers made from forgings with nonconforming material grain size. This AD requires removal of the HPC impeller. We are issuing this AD to correct the unsafe condition on these products.

This action amends the legal description of the Class E airspace designated as an extension at Lewiston-Nez Perce County Airport, Lewiston, ID; Pocatello Regional Airport, Pocatello, ID; and Joslin Field-Magic Valley Regional Airport, Twin Falls, ID, eliminating the Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) part-time status. Additionally, this action updates the geographic coordinates of these airports, the Pocatello VHF Omnidirectional Radar Range Tactical Air Navigation Aid (VORTAC) the Twin Falls VORTAC, and American Falls Airport listed in the associated Class D and Class E airspace descriptions for Pocatello Regional Airport, and Joslin Field-Magic Valley Regional Airport to match the FAA's aeronautical database. This action does not affect the charted boundaries or operating requirements of the airspace.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH Helicopters (Airbus Helicopters) Model MBB-BK 117 C-2 and MBB-BK 117 D-2 helicopters. This AD requires installing rivets to the air inlet cover rings (rings). This AD was prompted by reports of rings detaching. The actions of this AD are intended to prevent the unsafe condition on these products.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for GROB Aircraft AG Models GROB G 109 and GROB G 109B gliders. This 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 broken pivots of the tail wheel mounting bracket resulting from corrosion and damage due to wear. We are issuing this AD to require actions to address the unsafe condition on these products.

Under title 49 Code of Federal Regulations, Use of Locomotive Horns at Public Highway-Rail Grade Crossings, FRA is updating the Nationwide Significant Risk Threshold (NSRT). This action is needed to ensure the public has the proper permissible risk threshold to evaluate risk resulting from prohibiting routine locomotive horn sounding at highway-rail grade crossings located in quiet zones. This is the seventh update to the NSRT and it is increasing from 14,347 to 14,723.

This action amends the legal descriptions of the Class E airspace area designated as an extension to a Class D airspace at Grant County International Airport (formerly Grant County Airport), Moses Lake, WA, and Olympia Regional Airport (formerly Olympia Airport), Olympia, WA, by eliminating the Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) part-time status. Also, this action updates the airport name for Grant County International Airport and Olympia Regional Airport and updates the geographic coordinates for Grant County International Airport, Moses Lake VOR/DME, and Fairchild AFB, as listed in the Grant County International Airport Class D and Class E airspace legal descriptions. This action does not affect the charted boundaries or operating requirements of the airspace.

This action proposes to amend Class E airspace at Albany, GA, by removing the Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) part-time status of the Class E airspace designated as an extension to Class D airspace, at Southwest Georgia Regional Airport. This action would amend differences between the descriptions of Class D airspace and Class E surface areas and their associated Class E surface area extensions.

The Federal Aviation Administration is requesting public comment on a request by the Collier County Airport Authority to change a portion of airport property from aeronautical to non-aeronautical use at the Immokalee Regional Airport, Immokalee, Florida. The request consists of approximately 5,200 square feet of warehouse space. Documents reflecting the Sponsor's request are available, by appointment only, for inspection at the Immokalee Regional Airport and the FAA Airports District Office.

FMCSA announces its decision to exempt 14 individuals from the vision requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs). They are unable to meet the vision requirement in one eye for various reasons. The exemptions will enable these individuals to operate commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) in interstate commerce without meeting the prescribed vision requirement in one eye. 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.

FMCSA announces its decision to renew exemptions of 152 individuals from its prohibition in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) against persons with insulin-treated diabetes mellitus (ITDM) from operating commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) in interstate commerce. The exemptions enable these individuals with ITDM to continue to operate CMVs in interstate commerce.

FMCSA announces its decision to exempt 28 individuals from its rule prohibiting persons with insulin-treated diabetes mellitus (ITDM) from operating commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) in interstate commerce. The exemptions enable these individuals to operate CMVs in interstate commerce.

The Maritime Administration (MARAD) invites public comments about our intention to request the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval to renew an information collection. The information collection is necessary for MARAD to evaluate the financial condition of entities borrowing funds from or receiving financial benefits from MARAD. We are required to publish this notice in the Federal Register by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.

The Maritime Administration (MARAD) invites public comments about our intention to request the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval to renew an information collection. We are required to publish this notice in the Federal Register by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13.

Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), this notice announces that FRA is forwarding the new Information Collection Request (ICR) abstracted below to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and comment. The ICR describes the information collection and its expected burden. On November 2, 2016, FRA published a notice providing a 60-day period for public comment on the ICR.

FTA has placed in the docket and on its Web site guidance in the form of two guidebooks to assist grantees in complying with FTA's Transit Asset Management program. The purpose of the guidebooks is to inform the transit community of calculation methodologies for state of good repair (SGR) performance measures for infrastructure and facilities.

This action proposes to modify Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at Wellington Municipal Airport, Wellington, KS. This action is necessary due to the decommissioning of the Wellington non-directional radio beacon (NDB), and cancellation of the NDB approach, and would enhance the safety and management of standard instrument approach procedures for instrument flight rules (IFR) operations at the airport.

This action amends Class E airspace at Atlantic City, NJ, as Atlantic City Municipal/Bader Field has closed, requiring airspace reconfiguration at Atlantic City International Airport. Controlled airspace is necessary for the safety and management of instrument flight rules (IFR) operations in the Atlantic City International Airport area.