Department of Transportation September 5, 2019 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

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.

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.

In accordance with the Privacy Act of 1974, the Department of Transportation proposes to issue a new Department of Transportation system of records titled, ``Department of Transportation Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration-011Military Under 21 Pilot Program System of Records.'' FMCSA is required by Section 5404 of the Fixing America's Surface Transportation Act, 2015 (FAST Act), to conduct a pilot program to allow 18- to 20-year-old persons with military driving experience to operate CMVs in interstate commerce. The pilot program seeks to determine the safety benefits or risks posed by military service members aged 18, 19, and 20 with specialized training in heavy vehicle operations operating a freight-carrying CMV in interstate commerce as compared to current entry-level commercial motor vehicle drivers aged 21-24 when operating a freight-carrying CMV in interstate commerce. The goal of this pilot program is to determine whether the group of under-21 military CDL holders operating in interstate commerce have similar or better safety performance outcomes than the 21-24 year old entry level drivers operating in interstate commerce. The information collected as part of the pilot program is necessary to: (1) Determine the eligibility of drivers to participate in the pilot program; (2) effectively implement and monitor the pilot program, given that participating under-21 military drivers will be participating with an exemption; (3) contact drivers if necessary throughout the pilot program (e.g., for follow-on questions or clarification on data), and (4) to conduct analysis on the safety performance of the participating drivers and make safety decisions accordingly. Specific details concerning eligibility for pilot program participation were previously published at 81 FR 56745 (September 21, 2016); 83 FR 31631 (July 6, 2018); and 83 FR 60950 (November 27, 2018). Pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 31315(c)(3) and 49 CFR 381.515, the FMCSA Administrator has the authority to immediately revoke the participation of a motor carrier, CMV, or driver in the Under 21 Military Pilot Program for failure to comply with the program's terms and conditions. Participation in the Under 21 Military Pilot Program does not provide for any right, entitlement, or benefit.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announces its decision to adopt the portions specific to the BAX R-2201 and DMPTR R- 2205 of the United States Departments of the Army (Army) and Air Force's (USAF) Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Modernization and Enhancement of Ranges, Airspace, and Training Areas in the Joint Pacific Alaska Range Complex (JPARC) in Alaska, EIS No. 20130181. In accordance with Section 102 of 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 7400.2M, ``Procedures for Handling Airspace Matters,'' paragraph 32-2-3, the FAA has conducted an independent review and evaluation of the Army and the USAF's Final EIS for Modernization and Enhancement of Ranges, Airspace, and Training Areas in the JPARC in Alaska, dated June 2013. As a cooperating agency with responsibility for approving special use airspace (SUA), the FAA provided subject matter expertise and coordinated with the USAF and Army during the environmental review process, including preparation of the Draft EIS and the Final EIS. Based on its independent review and evaluation, the FAA has determined the Final EIS, including its supporting documentation, as incorporated by reference, and other supporting documentation incorporated by reference for FAA's Written Re-Evaluation and Adoption of the Final EIS adequately assesses and discloses the environmental impacts of the for Modernization and Enhancement of Ranges, Airspace, and Training Areas in the JPARC in Alaska. FAA is authorized to adopt the Final EIS, Adoption. Accordingly, the FAA adopts the Final EIS, and takes full responsibility for the scope and content that addresses the proposed changes to SUA for JPARC.