Department of Transportation June 19, 2019 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all The Boeing Company Model 737 series airplanes, except for Model 737-100, 200, -200C, -300, -400, and -500 series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of separation of the lower aft wing-to-body fairing panel 194E (``fairing panel 194E'') during flight, due to worn or damaged nutplates on the support structure. This proposed AD would require repetitive inspections of fairing panel 194E, wheel well panel 193D, and support structure for discrepancies, and related investigative and corrective actions if necessary. This proposed AD would also require rework of the panels and support structure, which would terminate the repetitive inspections. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

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.'' With some exceptions, 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 announces that Navistar, Inc. (Navistar) has requested an exemption from the Federal requirement to hold a U.S. commercial driver's license (CDL) for two commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers, Mr. Thomas Nickels, Senior Vice President, Engineering Optimization with MAN Truck & Bus SE in Munich, Germany (MAN), and Mr. Lukas Walter, Senior Vice President, Engineering Powertrain for MAN, both of whom hold a valid German commercial license. MAN is partnering with Navistar to develop technological advancements in fuel economy and emissions reductions. Mr. Nickels and Mr. Walter need to test drive Navistar vehicles on U.S. roads to better understand product requirements in ``real world'' environments and verify results. Navistar believes that the requirements for a German commercial license ensure that operations under the exemption would likely achieve a level of safety equivalent to or greater than the level that would be obtained in the absence of the exemption. FMCSA requests public comments on Navistar's application for exemption.

On June 14, 2019, the Maritime Administration announced the availability of funding for the Short Sea Transportation Program, commonly referred to as the America's Marine Highway Program (AMHP). The document inadvertently provided a deadline of June 14, 2019 for applications to be received. This document corrects the previous notice by stating that the deadline for applications to be received by MARAD is instead 5 p.m. EDT on August 15, 2019.

This action proposes to amend the Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at Ashland Regional Airport, Ashland, KY. The FAA is proposing this action as the result of the revision to the instrument procedures at the airport, which require additional airspace. The name of the airport would also be updated to coincide with the FAA's aeronautical database. Airspace redesign is necessary for the safety and management of instrument flight rules (IFR) operations at this airport.

This action proposes to establish Class D airspace and Class E airspace designated as surface area, at Beech Factory Airport, Wichita, KS. The FAA is proposing this action for the safety and management of instrument flight rules (IFR) operations at the airport.

This action proposes to modify VHF Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal airway V-159 due to the planned decommissioning of the Hamilton, AL, VORTAC navigation aid which provides navigation guidance for a segment of the route. The Hamilton VORTAC is being decommissioned as part of the FAA's VOR Minimum Operational Network (MON) program.

The Seven County Infrastructure Coalition (Coalition) plans to file a request with the Surface Transportation Board (Board) for authority to construct and operate an approximately 80-mile rail line between two terminus points in the Uinta Basin near Myton, Utah, and Leland Bench, Utah, and the interstate rail network. The construction and operation of the proposed rail line has the potential to result in significant environmental impacts; therefore, the Board's Office of Environmental Analysis (OEA) has determined that the preparation of an EIS is appropriate pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), as amended. The purpose of this notice is to inform stakeholdersincluding members of the public; tribes; federal, state, and local agencies; environmental groups; and potential shippers interested in or potentially affected by the proposed project. OEA will hold public scoping meetings as part of the NEPA process. Comments submitted during scoping will assist OEA in defining the range of alternatives and potential impacts to be considered in the EIS. OEA has developed a Draft Scope of Study for the EIS for stakeholder review and comment. Public meeting dates and locations, along with the Draft Scope of Study, are provided below.