Department of Transportation 2017 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

This document delays the implementation dates in the final rule published November 7, 2014, because model training program developers alerted FRA they will not be able to timely produce model programs that an estimated 1,459 railroads and contractors are expected to use to comply with the rule's program submission requirements.

This action proposes to modify Class D airspace, and Class E airspace designated as an extension at W.K. Kellogg Airport (formerly W.K. Kellogg Field), Battle Creek, MI. Airspace reconfiguration is necessary due to the decommissioning of the Battle Creek VHF Omnidirectional Range Collocated Tactical Air Navigation System (VORTAC), and cancellation of the VOR approaches. Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface also would be amended due to the redesign of the Instrument Landing System (ILS) approach, thereby removing reference to the BATOL navigation aid and Battle Creek ILS localizer. This action would also update the geographic coordinates of the airport, as well as make an editorial change replacing Airport/ Facility Directory with the term Chart Supplement in the associated Class D and E airspace areas.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bombardier, Inc. Model DHC-8-102, -103, -106, -201, -202, -301, -311, and -315 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of undamped main landing gear (MLG) extension in-service. This proposed AD would require replacement of the MLG retraction actuator rod-ends on both MLG assemblies. We are proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This notice announces actions taken by FHWA and other Federal agencies that are final within the meaning of Section 1308 of the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act. The actions relate to the conversion of existing Elkhorn Avenue, Moraine Avenue, and Riverside Drive roadways from two-way to a 0.9 mile one-way loop through downtown Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado. These improvements consist of ``Phase 1'' of the proposed action analyzed in the 2016 Environmental Assessment for the Downtown Estes Loop Project. Phase 1 includes pavement rehabilitation on Elkhorn and Moraine Avenues, realignment and reconstruction of Riverside Drive and reconstruction of the Ivy Street Bridge. Those actions grant approvals for the project.

This Notice requests the current holder(s)or their heirsof STC's SA401SW, Full flow oil filter; SE325SW, Full flow oil filter; SE419SW, Full flow oil filter; come forward and identify themselves before the FAA declares these STC's abandoned.

The FAA has completed its review of the St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL) preliminary application for participation in the Airport Privatization Pilot Program. The preliminary application is accepted for review, with a filing date of March 22, 2017. The City of St. Louis, the airport sponsor, may proceed with the necessary steps to select a private operator, negotiate an agreement and submit a final application to the FAA for exemption under the pilot program.

This action proposes to establish Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at Hawthorne Industrial Airport, Hawthorne, NV, to support the development of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations under standard instrument approach and departure procedures at the airport, for the safety of aircraft and management of airspace within the National Airspace System.

FMCSA announces that the U.S. Custom Harvesters, Inc. (USCHI) has requested an exemption from the ``K'' intrastate restriction on commercial driver's licenses (CDLs) held by custom harvester drivers operating in interstate commerce. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) exempt drivers of commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) controlled and operated by a person engaged in interstate custom harvesting, including the requirement that drivers be at least 21 years old. However, many younger custom harvester drivers hold CDLs with an intrastate-only (or ``K'') restriction. This has caused drivers of USCHI member companies to be cited during roadside inspections in a different State, as some officers interpret the ``K'' restriction to mean that the license is invalid outside the State of issuance, even when the younger driver is operating under the custom harvester exemption. This is an issue not only for individual drivers, but also for the custom harvester employing those drivers, whose safety record is adversely affected. FMCSA requests public comment on USCHI's application for exemption.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 737-300, -400, and -500 series airplanes. This proposed AD would require repetitive inspections for cracking in the skin lap splice at the lower fastener row, and repair if necessary. This AD was prompted by an evaluation by the design approval holder (DAH) indicating that the lower skin at the skin lap splice lower fastener row is subject to widespread fatigue damage (WFD). We are proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

These special conditions are issued for non-rechargeable lithium battery installations on the Gulfstream Aerospace LP (GALP) Model Gulfstream G150 airplane, as modified by Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation (Gulfstream). Non-rechargeable lithium batteries are a novel or unusual design feature when compared to the state of technology envisioned in the airworthiness standards for transport category airplanes. The applicable airworthiness regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards for this design feature. These special conditions contain the additional safety standards that the Administrator considers necessary to establish a level of safety equivalent to that established by the existing airworthiness standards.

These special conditions are issued for non-rechargeable lithium battery installations on the Bombardier Aerospace Inc. (Bombardier) Model BD-700-1A11 airplane. Non-rechargeable lithium batteries are a novel or unusual design feature when compared to the state of technology envisioned in the airworthiness standards for transport category airplanes. The applicable airworthiness regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards for this design feature. These special conditions contain the additional safety standards that the Administrator considers necessary to establish a level of safety equivalent to that established by the existing airworthiness standards.

The Maritime Administration (MARAD) invites public comment on methods to improve the prevention of, and response to sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other inappropriate conduct, as well as methods to improve the shipboard climate during the United States Merchant Marine Academy Midshipman Sea Year experience. The purpose of this public notice is to gather comments to assist in the development of a statutorily mandated report to Congress with actionable recommendations.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.) this notice announces NHTSA has submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) a request for emergency clearance and review for existing information collection 2127-0025. Approval of this collection is essential to the mission of the agency. While NHTSA has requested a temporary emergency clearance for this collection, the agency is also in the process of requesting a full clearance for this collection and has already published a 30-day Federal Register notice requesting comment. This notice repeats that request for comments.

This action withdraws the NPRM published in the Federal Register of February 23, 2017, proposing to establish temporary restricted areas R-2920A and R-2920B, Santa Rosa Island, FL, for the period May 11 to May 18, 2017. The proponent has informed the FAA that plans to conduct hazardous activities have been cancelled; therefore, a requirement no longer exists to establish temporary restricted areas.

The FAA assigned the Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee (ARAC) a new task to consider (1) recommendations on existing regulations that are good candidates for repeal, replacement, or modification and (2) recommendations on regulatory action identified in FAA's regulatory agenda. Pursuant to the February 24, 2017, Executive Order titled ``Enforcing the Regulatory Reform Agenda,'' each agency is required to establish a Regulatory Reform Task Force (RRTF) to evaluate existing regulations, and make recommendations for their repeal, replacement, or modification. As part of this process, the RRTF is required to seek input/assistance from entities significantly affected by its regulations. Since the ARAC's membership represents a broad spectrum of entities significantly affected the FAA's regulations, the Department, through the FAA, assigned this task to ARAC. This notice informs the public of the new ARAC activity.

Under this notice, the FAA announces the submission deadline of May 11, 2017, for winter 2017 flight schedules at Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD), John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), and San Francisco International Airport (SFO), in accordance with the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Worldwide Slot Guidelines (WSG). The deadline coincides with the schedule submission deadline for the IATA Slot Conference for the winter 2017 scheduling season.

FMCSA announces receipt of applications from 50 individuals for exemption 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 CMVs in interstate commerce.

FMCSA announces its decision to renew exemptions for 62 individuals from the vision requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) for interstate commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers. The exemptions enable these individuals to continue to operate CMVs in interstate commerce without meeting the vision requirement in one eye.

FMCSA announces its decision to exempt 44 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.

This notice contains a summary of a petition seeking relief from specified requirements of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR). The purpose of this notice is to improve the public's awareness of, and participation in, this aspect of the FAA's regulatory activities. Neither publication of this notice nor the inclusion or omission of information in the summary is intended to affect the legal status of the petition or its final disposition.

The Office of the Secretary of Transportation is updating the regulations that govern the organization of DOT to clarify the responsibilities of certain OST officials and their relationships with senior leaders throughout DOT. These updates will ensure that heads of DOT operating administrations have the benefit of input from OST officials in carrying out their management responsibilities.

This action proposes to modify Class E airspace extending up to 700 feet above the surface at Orange City Municipal Airport, Orange City, IA, to accommodate new standard instrument approach procedures (SIAPs) for instrument flight rules (IFR) operations at the airport. This action is necessary due to the decommissioning of the Orange City non directional radio beacon (NDB), and cancellation of the NDB approach, and would enhance the safety and management of IFR operations at the airport. The airport's coordinates also would be updated to match the FAA's aeronautical data base.

This action updates the using agency information for restricted areas R-4102A and R-4102B, Fort Devens, MA. This is an administrative change to reflect the current organization tasked with using agency responsibilities for the restricted areas. It does not affect the boundaries, designated altitudes, time of designation or activities conducted within the restricted areas.