Department of Transportation March 22, 2018 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

FMCSA announces its decision to exempt four individuals from the requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) that interstate commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers have ``no established medical history or clinical diagnosis of epilepsy or any other condition which is likely to cause loss of consciousness or any loss of ability to control a CMV.'' The exemptions enable these individuals who have had one or more seizures and are taking anti- seizure medication to operate CMVs in interstate commerce.

FMCSA announces receipt of applications from seven individuals for an exemption from the prohibition in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) against persons with a clinical diagnosis of epilepsy or any other condition that is likely to cause a loss of consciousness or any loss of ability to control a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) to drive in interstate commerce. If granted, the exemptions would enable these individuals who have had one or more seizures and are taking anti-seizure medication to operate CMVs in interstate commerce.

The FAA publishes this action to correct a minor, editorial error in a December 16, 2016 final rule on related aircraft proficiency checks. The FAA published a final rule to allow air carriers to seek a deviation from the flight simulation training device (FSTD) requirements for related aircraft proficiency checks. The rule eliminated an inconsistency that permitted carriers that have obtained FAA approval to modify the FSTD requirements for related aircraft differences training, but not for corresponding proficiency checks. As a result, the rule allowed air carriers to seek a deviation from the FSTD requirements for such proficiency checks based on a related aircraft designation and determination of an equivalent level of safety. This technical amendment removes a redundancy in the regulatory text that now exists as a result of the final rule.

This notice contains a summary of a petition seeking relief from specified requirements of Federal Aviation 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.

FRA requests information and comment on the future of automation in the railroad industry. FRA is interested in hearing from industry stakeholders, the public, local and State governments, and any other interested parties on the extent to which they believe railroad operations can (and should) be automated, and the potential benefits, costs, risks, and challenges to achieving such automation. FRA also seeks comment on how the agency can best support the railroad industry's development and implementation of new and emerging technologies in automation that will lead to continuous safety improvements and increased efficiencies in railroad operations.

The Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation (SLSDC) and the St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation (SLSMC) of Canada, under international agreement, jointly publish and presently administer the St. Lawrence Seaway Regulations and Rules (Practices and Procedures in Canada) in their respective jurisdictions. Under agreement with the SLSMC, the SLSDC is amending the joint regulations by updating the Seaway Regulations and Rules in various categories. The changes update the following sections of the Regulations and Rules: Condition of Vessels; and, Dangerous Cargo. These amendments are merely editorial or for clarification of existing requirements. The joint regulations will become effective in Canada on March 29, 2018. For consistency, because these are joint regulations under international agreement, and to avoid confusion among users of the Seaway, the SLSDC finds that there is good cause to make the U.S. version of the amendments effective on the same date.

This notice announces final environmental actions taken by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) for a project between the Town of Dyer and the City of Hammond, both located in Lake County, Indiana. The purpose of this notice is to announce publicly the environmental decisions by FTA on the subject project and to activate the limitation on any claims that may challenge this final environmental action.

This action proposes to amend Class D airspace, Class E airspace designated as an extension to a Class D surface area, and Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface in Wrightstown, NJ, by updating the name of McGuire Field (Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst). This action also proposes to amend Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface in Wrightstown, NJ, by updating the name and geographic coordinates of Ocean County Airport. Also, an editorial change would be made where necessary removing the city from the airport name in the airspace designation. Controlled airspace is necessary for the safety and management of instrument flight rules (IFR) operations at the airport. This action also would update the geographic coordinates of Lakehurst (Navy) TACAN and Colts Neck VOR/DME.

This Notice provides information to Federal, state, and local agencies; Native American tribes; and other interested persons regarding the FAA's intent to prepare an EIS to evaluate the potential impacts of the City of Charlotte Aviation Department's (Department's) proposal to construct capacity enhancements and other improvements at Charlotte Douglas International Airport in Charlotte, NC. The Department has initially identified the following four main elements of the Proposed Action: (1) Fourth Parallel Runway 1-19 and End-Around Taxiways; (2) Concourse B and Ramp Expansion; (3) Concourse C and Ramp Expansion; and (4) Daily North Parking Deck. The EIS will evaluate the potential direct, indirect, and cumulative environmental impacts that may result from the Proposed Action, including related activities and actions connected to the Proposed Action. To ensure that all significant issues related to the Proposed Action are identified, two (2) public scoping meetings and two (2) governmental agency scoping meetings will be held. The FAA is the lead agency for the preparation of the EIS. Cooperating Agencies will be identified during the agency scoping process. The FAA intends to use the preparation of this EIS to comply with other applicable environmental laws and regulations as identified through the environmental analysis. The FAA will provide more specific public notice of the environmental laws, regulations and executive orders being satisfied through the EIS as the environmental consequences of the proposed project and its alternatives are better understood.