Department of Transportation 2017 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

FMCSA announces its decision to renew exemptions for 31 individuals from the hearing requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) for interstate commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers. The exemptions enable these hard of hearing and deaf individuals to continue to operate CMVs in interstate commerce.

We propose to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2015-02- 22, which applies to certain Rolls-Royce Corporation (RRC) model 250 turboprop and turboshaft engines. AD 2015-02-22 currently requires repetitive visual inspections and fluorescent-penetrant inspection (FPIs) on certain 3rd-stage and 4th-stage turbine wheels for cracks in the turbine wheel blades. Since we issued AD 2015-02-22, we determined that it is necessary to remove the 4th-stage wheels at the next inspection. We are also proposing to revise the applicability to remove all RRC turboprop engines and add additional turboshaft engines. This proposed AD would require repetitive visual inspections and FPIs of 3rd-stage turbine wheels while removing from service 4th-stage turbine wheels. We are proposing this AD to correct the unsafe condition on these products.

Section 5334(h) of the Federal Transit Laws, as codified, 49 U.S.C. 5301, et seq., permits the Administrator of the Federal Transit Administration (the ``FTA'') to authorize a recipient of FTA funds to transfer land or a facility to a public body for any public purpose with no further obligation to the Federal Government if, among other things, no Federal agency is interested in acquiring the asset for Federal use. Accordingly, FTA is issuing this Notice to advise Federal Agencies that the Wisconsin Department of Transportation intends to transfer a building to the City of Rice Lake (the ``City''). This transfer also includes a 31% interest in the real property. The building is located at 326 South Main Street, Rice Lake, Wisconsin (hereinafter the ``Building'').

The FHWA invites public comments about our intention to request the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) approval for a new information collection, which is summarized below under SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION. We are required to publish this notice in the Federal Register by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.

Pursuant to a notice published on January 30, 2017, the effective date of the rule entitled ``Civil Penalties,'' published in the Federal Register on December 28, 2016 was temporarily delayed for 60 days. This action temporarily delays the effective date of that rule for 90 additional days.

Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA) and its implementing regulations, FRA is seeking to conduct the information collection activities listed below. Before submitting this information collection request (ICR) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for approval, FRA is soliciting public comment on specific aspects of the activity identified below.

This action proposes to establish Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at Frank R. Howard Memorial Hospital Heliport, Willits, CA, to support the development of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations under standard instrument approach and departure procedures at the heliport, for the safety and management of aircraft within the National Airspace System.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Textron Aviation Inc. (Textron) Model 680 airplanes. This AD was prompted by Textron's report of a manufacturing defect that affects the durability of the aft canted bulkhead metallic structure. This AD requires repetitive inspections of the aft canted bulkhead; repair if necessary; and a modification, which would terminate the repetitive inspections. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus Model A319 and A320 series airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report that fatigue cracking could appear at certain fastener locations in the longeron area below the emergency exit cut-outs. This AD requires the modification of certain fastener locations in the longeron area below the emergency exit cut-outs. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

FMCSA announces its decision to renew exemptions for 126 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 receipt of applications from 40 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.

This action amends Class D and E airspace at Elmira, NY, as the ERINN Outer Marker (OM) has been decommissioned requiring airspace reconfiguration at Elmira/Corning Regional Airport. This action enhances the safety and airspace management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations at the airport. This action also updates the geographic coordinates of the airport, and eliminates the Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) part-time status of the Class E airspace designated as an extension to a Class D surface area. Also, the FAA found the Class E airspace designated as an extension to a class D surface area description was inaccurate. This action corrects the error.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all The Boeing Company Model 737-100, -200, and -200C series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a report of incidents involving fatigue cracking in transport category airplanes that are approaching or have exceeded their design service objective and a structural reevaluation that was conducted by the manufacturer. We have determined that supplemental inspections are required for timely detection of fatigue cracking for certain structurally significant items (SSIs). This proposed AD would require revising the maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to add supplemental inspections. This proposed AD would also require inspections to detect cracks in each SSI, and repair of any cracked structure. We are proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 787-8 airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report indicating that the fire block in the closets and video control stations, and fire blocking tape in the floor panel opening in the forward and aft main passenger cabin, might be missing on some airplanes. This AD requires installing a fire block in the closets and video control stations, as applicable, and installing fire blocking tape in the floor panel openings in the forward and aft main passenger cabin. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This action modifies Class E surface area airspace, and Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface, at Perry Stokes Airport, Trinidad, CO. Airspace redesign is necessary to accommodate new Area Navigation (RNAV) Standard Instrument Approach Procedures at the airport due to the decommissioning of the Trinidad Non-Directional Radio Beacon (NDB) and cancellation of associated approaches. This action ensures the safety, efficiency, and management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations at the airport. Additionally, the airport's geographic coordinates are updated to match the FAA's aeronautical database.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Model A300 B4-603, B4-620, and B4-622 airplanes; Model A300 B4- 605R and A300 B4-622R airplanes; and Model A300 C4-605R Variant F airplanes. This AD was prompted by an in-service detection of cracks in the fuselage skin lap joints. This AD requires an ultrasonic inspection of certain skin lap joints, and repair if necessary. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This notice contains a summary of a petition seeking relief from specified requirements of Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations. The purpose of this notice is to improve the public's awareness of, and participation in, the FAA's exemption process. 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.

This notice contains a summary of a petition seeking relief from specified requirements of Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR). The purpose of this notice is to improve the public's awareness of, and participation in, the FAA's exemption process. 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.

This notice contains a summary of a petition seeking relief from specified requirements of Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations. The purpose of this notice is to improve the public's awareness of, and participation in, the FAA's exemption process. 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.

This notice contains a summary of a petition seeking relief from specified requirements of Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations. The purpose of this notice is to improve the public's awareness of, and participation in, the FAA's exemption process. 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.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, FMCSA announces its plan to submit the Information Collection Request (ICR) described below to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for reinstatement and approval and invites public comment. The FMCSA requests approval to reinstate, without any changes to the ICR titled, ``Financial ResponsibilityMotor Carriers, Freight Forwarders, and Brokers,'' which is used to provide registered motor carriers, property brokers, and freight forwarders a means of meeting financial responsibility filing requirements. This ICR requires reinstatement because the previous ICR expired on February 28, 2017, before the ICR renewal request could be submitted to OMB for approval. The ICR sets forth the financial responsibility documentation requirements for motor carriers, freight forwarders, and brokers that arise as a result of the Agency's jurisdictional statutes. The reinstatement of the ICR allows the FMCSA to ensure the public is protected and will be compensated for claims involving bodily injury and property damage, or loss or damage to household goods, respectively, within the limits prescribed by FMCSA. Reinstatement of the ICR enforces the filing of surety bonds or trust fund agreements to help ensure that motor carriers and shippers are protected against non-performance of the broker's or freight forwarder's legal obligations. With reinstatement of the ICR, insurance companies can be held liable for any damages that may occur to the public (up to the limits of the policy), and to supersede any exclusions or limitations which may be contained in the insured motor carrier's or freight forwarder's policy. Additionally, FMCSA can make a determination regarding whether an entity qualifies for the grant of self-insurance authority.

This notice announces actions taken by the FHWA that are final within the meaning of 23 U.S.C. 139(l)(1). The actions relate to widening approximately eight miles of Interstate 64 from west of Exit 242 (Marquis Parkway/State Highway 199) in the east to west of Exit 234 (State Highway 199) to the west. Those actions grant licenses, permits, and approvals for the project.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announces its decision to adopt the Department of the Navy's (DoN) Environmental Assessment/Overseas Environmental Assessment (EA/OEA) for the Mariana Islands Range Complex Airspace. In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (``NEPA''), the Council on Environmental Quality's (``CEQ'') regulations implementing NEPA, and other applicable authorities, including the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Order 1050.1F, Environmental Impacts: Policies and Procedures, paragraph 8-2, and FAA Order JO 7400.2K, ``Procedures for Handling Airspace Matters,'' paragraph 32-2-3, the FAA has conducted an independent review and evaluation of the DoN's Final Mariana Islands Range Complex (MIRC) Airspace EA/OEA dated June 2013. As a cooperating agency with responsibility for approving special use airspace the FAA provided subject matter expertise and closely coordinated with the DoN during the environmental review process, including preparation of the Draft EA/OEA and the Final EA/OEA. Based on its independent review and evaluation, the FAA has determined the Final EA/OEA, including its supporting documentation, as incorporated by reference, and other supporting documentation incorporated by reference for FAA's Written Re-Evaluation and Adoption of Final EA/OEA, adequately assesses and discloses the environmental impacts of the for Mariana Islands Range Complex Airspace, and that adoption of the Final EA/OEA by the FAA is authorized by regulation. FAA included the Written Re-Evaluation as part of the Adoption and FONSI-ROD because the DoN's FONSI is more than three years old. Accordingly, the FAA adopts the Final EA/OEA, and takes full responsibility for the scope and content that addresses the proposed changes to Special Use Airspace for MIRC.

The FHWA is announcing the extension of the deadline for nomination applications for the Motorcyclist Advisory Council (MAC) until April 15, 2017.

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 was prompted by a report of fatigue cracking found in a certain fuselage frame common to the water tank support intercostal clip located between certain stringers. This proposed AD would require inspections for any cracking of a certain fuselage frame, and repair if necessary. We are proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.