Department of Transportation March 2019 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica S.A. (Embraer) Model EMB-135ER, - 135KE, -135KL, and -135LR airplanes and Model EMB-145, -145ER, -145MR, -145LR, -145XR, -145MP, and -145EP airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of internal corrosion of the stow/transit switches installed in the engine thrust reversers. This AD requires installation of new stow/ transit switches. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This notice announces final environmental actions taken by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) for projects in Phoenix, Arizona and Albany, Georgia. The purpose of this notice is to announce publicly the environmental decisions by FTA on the subject projects and to activate the limitation on any claims that may challenge these final environmental actions.

We are superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2016-07-23, which applied to all Airbus SAS Model A318 and A319 series airplanes; Model A320-211, A320-212, A320-214, A320-216, A320-231, A320-232, and A320-233 airplanes; and Model A321-111, A321-112, A321-131, A321-211, A321-212, A321-213, A321-231, and A321-232 airplanes. AD 2016-07-23 required, for certain airplanes, repetitive replacements of the fixed fairing upper and lower attachment studs of both the left-hand (LH) and right-hand (RH) main landing gear (MLG); and repetitive inspections for corrosion, wear, fatigue cracking, and loose studs of each forward stud assembly of the fixed fairing door upper and lower forward attachments of both the LH and RH MLG; and replacement if necessary. AD 2016-07-23 also provided an optional terminating modification for the repetitive replacements of the fixed fairing upper and lower attachment studs. This AD retains the requirements of AD 2016-07-23 and, for certain airplanes, requires re-identification of the LH and RH MLG fixed fairing assemblies' part numbers. This AD was prompted by a determination that for some airplane configurations, associated fixed fairing assembly part numbers susceptible to fatigue cracking were not listed in certain service information required by AD 2016-07-23. In addition, we have determined that additional work is necessary to re- identify the fixed fairing assembly part number on certain airplanes. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21) established the Surface Transportation Project Delivery Program that allows a State to assume FHWA's environmental responsibilities for environmental review, consultation, and compliance under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) for Federal highway projects. When a State assumes these Federal responsibilities, the State becomes solely responsible and liable for carrying out the responsibilities it has assumed, in lieu of FHWA. This program mandates annual audits during each of the first 4 years of State participation to ensure compliance with program requirements. This notice announces and solicits comments on the third audit report for the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT).

The U.S. Department of Transportation (the Department or DOT) is extending the comment period for its Notice of Review of Guidance by 30 days. The comment period was originally scheduled to end April 8, 2019. It will now end May 8, 2019.

The Secretary of Transportation, as represented by the Maritime Administration (MARAD), is authorized to grant waivers of the U.S.-build requirements of the coastwise trade laws to allow the carriage of no more than twelve passengers for hire on vessels, which are three years old or more. A request for such a waiver has been received by MARAD. The vessel, and a brief description of the proposed service, is listed below.

The Secretary of Transportation, as represented by the Maritime Administration (MARAD), is authorized to grant waivers of the U.S.-build requirements of the coastwise trade laws to allow the carriage of no more than twelve passengers for hire on vessels, which are three years old or more. A request for such a waiver has been received by MARAD. The vessel, and a brief description of the proposed service, is listed below.

The Secretary of Transportation, as represented by the Maritime Administration (MARAD), is authorized to grant waivers of the U.S.-build requirements of the coastwise trade laws to allow the carriage of no more than twelve passengers for hire on vessels, which are three years old or more. A request for such a waiver has been received by MARAD. The vessel, and a brief description of the proposed service, is listed below.

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 its review and approval and invites public comment. The FMCSA requests approval to renew an ICR titled, ``Hours of Service (HOS) of Drivers Regulations.'' The HOS regulations require a motor carrier to install and require each of its drivers subject to the record of duty status (RODS) rule to use an electronic logging device (ELD) to report the driver's RODS. The RODS is critical to FMCSA's safety mission because it helps enforcement officials determine if CMV drivers are complying with the HOS rules limiting driver on-duty and driving time and requiring periodic off-duty time.

FMCSA is considering changes to the requirement to have prospective drivers complete an employment application. FMCSA requests public comment on the value of and need for this requirement. Comment also is sought on ways the requirement for an employment application could be changed to reduce the associated paperwork burdens for drivers and motor carriers, including but not limited to the complete elimination of the requirement.

The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG), in coordination with the Maritime Administration (MARAD), will prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) as part of the environmental review of the Texas COLT LLC (Texas COLT) deepwater port license application. The application proposes the ownership, construction, operation and eventual decommissioning of an offshore oil export deepwater port that would be located in Federal waters approximately 27.8 nautical miles off the coast of Brazoria County, Texas in a water depth of approximately 110 feet. The deepwater port would allow for the loading of Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCCs) and other sized crude oil cargo carriers via two single point mooring buoy systems. This Notice of Intent (NOI) requests public participation in the scoping process, provides information on how to participate and announces an informational open house and public meeting in Lake Jackson, Texas. Pursuant to the criteria provided in the Deepwater Port Act of 1974, as amended, Texas is the designated Adjacent Coastal State for this application.

This action removes Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at Chase Field Industrial Airport, Beeville- Chase Field, TX. This action is due to the cancellation of the instrument procedures at the airport making this airspace no longer necessary.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all 328 Support Services GmbH Model 328-100 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a report indicating that undetected cracks may develop at the roll spoiler bearing arms. This proposed AD would require a one- time non-destructive test (NDT) inspection for cracks in the roll spoiler bearing arms and, if necessary, corrective actions. We are proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) is issuing this notice to announce actions taken by FHWA and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service that are final. This notice announces to the public that FHWA, as the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) lead agency, has prepared and approved (December 17, 2018) a Final Environmental Assessment (EA) with a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI). The actions relate to a proposed highway project in Santa Cruz County, California. The actions taken by FHWA and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service grant licenses, permits, and approvals for the project.

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announces a public meeting of the Transit Advisory Committee for Safety (TRACS). TRACS is a discretionary Federal Advisory Committee established by the U.S. Secretary of Transportation (Secretary) in accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act to provide information, advice and recommendations to the Secretary and FTA Administrator on matters relating to the safety of public transportation systems.

By this notice, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) is establishing an Emergency Relief Docket for calendar year 2019, so that grantees and subgrantees affected by a national or regional emergency or disaster may request temporary relief from FTA administrative and statutory requirements.

The Secretary of Transportation, as represented by the Maritime Administration (MARAD), is authorized to grant waivers of the U.S.-build requirements of the coastwise trade laws to allow the carriage of no more than twelve passengers for hire on vessels, which are three years old or more. A request for such a waiver has been received by MARAD. The vessel, and a brief description of the proposed service, is listed below.

These special conditions are issued for the Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation (Gulfstream) Model GVII-G500 airplane. This amendment changes an error in a reference to a special conditions number and adds one special condition. This airplane will have a novel or unusual design feature when compared to the state of technology envisioned in the airworthiness standards for transport-category airplanes. This design feature is airbag systems on multiple-place and single-place side-facing seats. 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.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Airbus Helicopters Model EC225LP helicopters. This AD requires repetitive inspections of each life raft inflation cylinder percussion system bellcrank (bellcrank). This AD was prompted by reports of jammed bellcranks. The actions of this AD are intended to prevent an unsafe condition on these products.

The Surface Transportation Board (Board) hereby gives notice of one vacancy on its Rail Energy Transportation Advisory Committee (RETAC) for a representative of the electric utility industry. The Board is soliciting suggestions from the public for candidates to fill the vacancy.

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen), has determined that certain model year (MY) 2012-2017 Volkswagen motor vehicles do not fully comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 126, Electronic Stability Control Systems for Light Vehicles. Volkswagen filed a noncompliance report dated March 1, 2017, and later revised it on December 21, 2017. Volkswagen also petitioned NHTSA on March 2, 2017, and amended the petition on December 21, 2017, for a decision that the subject noncompliance is inconsequential as it relates to motor vehicle safety. This document announces the grant of this petition.

This action proposes to establish restricted area R-7202 on the island of Guam, GU. With the relocation of United States Marine Corps (USMC) forces from Okinawa, Japan to Guam, there is a requirement to establish a safe and effective area for live-fire small arms weapons training. The proposed restricted area would provide the protection required to contain these hazardous activities and the weapons safety footprints for the ordnance to be used within the proposed airspace. No hazardous aviation activities will be authorized in this area.

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

This action proposes to modify the Hawaiian Islands Class E domestic airspace extending upward from 1,200 feet and 5,500 feet above the surface of the earth by removing that portion that extends beyond the Territorial Sea. This action would support the operation of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) under standard instrument approach and departure procedures in the Hawaiian Islands, for the safety and management of aircraft within the National Airspace System.