Department of Transportation April 2020 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

FMCSA announces its decision to renew exemptions for 95 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.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG Trent 1000-A, Trent 1000- A2, Trent 1000-AE, Trent 1000-AE2, Trent 1000-C, Trent 1000-C2, Trent 1000-CE, Trent 1000-CE2, Trent 1000-D, Trent 1000-D2, Trent 1000-E, Trent 1000-E2, Trent 1000-G, Trent 1000-G2, Trent 1000-H, Trent 1000- H2, Trent 1000-J2, Trent 1000-K2, and Trent 1000-L2 model turbofan engines. This proposed AD was prompted by the manufacturer identifying 38 low-pressure compressor (LPC) front cases that have non-optimal properties that could inhibit their ability to contain certain engine failures. This proposed AD would require removing the LPC front case from service and replacing it with a part eligible for installation. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

EPA and NHTSA, on behalf of the Department of Transportation, are issuing final rules to amend and establish carbon dioxide and fuel economy standards. Specifically, EPA is amending carbon dioxide standards for model years 2021 and later, and NHTSA is amending fuel economy standards for model year 2021 and setting new fuel economy standards for model years 2022-2026. The standards set by this action apply to passenger cars and light trucks, and will continue our nation's progress toward energy independence and carbon dioxide reduction, while recognizing the realities of the marketplace and consumers' interest in purchasing vehicles that meet all of their diverse needs. These final rules represent the second part of the Administration's action related to the August 24, 2018 proposed Safer Affordable Fuel-Efficient (SAFE) Vehicles Rule. These final rules follow the agencies' actions, taken September 19, 2019, to ensure One National Program for automobile fuel economy and carbon dioxide emissions standards, by finalizing regulatory text related to preemption under the Energy Policy and Conservation Act and withdrawing a waiver previously provided to California under the Clean Air Act.

Notice is being given that the FAA is considering a request from the Port of Friday Harbor Executive Director to change certain portions of the airport from aeronautical use to non-aeronautical use at the Friday Harbor Airport, Friday Harbor, WA. The request consists of 24 parcels, or portions thereof that are depicted on the Airport's current Exhibit AAirport Property Map.

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. FMCSA requests approval to renew the ICR titled ``Accident Recordkeeping Requirements.'' This ICR relates to Agency requirements that motor carriers maintain a record of accidents involving their commercial motor vehicles (CMVs). Motor carriers are not required to report this data to FMCSA, but must produce it upon inquiry by authorized Federal, State or local officials.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH Model MBB-BK 117 D-2 helicopters. This proposed AD was prompted by a report of an erroneous low rotor revolutions per minute (RPM) indication after establishing a one engine inoperative (OEI) condition. This proposed AD would require a software (SW) modification for the aircraft management computer (AMC). The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

As required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), the Surface Transportation Board (STB or Board) gives notice of its intent to seek approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for extensions of the collections regarding petitions for declaratory order and petitions for relief not otherwise specified, as described below. The Board previously published a notice about these collections in the Federal Register on February 24, 2020 (85 FR 10508). That notice allowed for a 60-day public review and comment period. No comments were received.

As required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), the Surface Transportation Board (STB or Board) gives notice of its intent to seek approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for an extension of the collection of Dispute Resolution Procedures, as described below. The Board previously published a notice about this collection in the Federal Register on February 24, 2020 (85 FR 10507). That notice allowed for a 60-day public review and comment period. No comments were received.

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 action amends 10 jet routes, and removes 8 jet routes, in the eastern United States. This action is in support of the Northeast Corridor Atlantic Route Project to improve the efficiency of the National Airspace System (NAS) and reduce the dependency on ground- based navigational systems.

This action modifies Area Navigation (RNAV) Route (T-333) in the western United States. The modification is necessary due to the planned decommissioning of the Priest, CA, VOR navigation aid (NAVAID), which provides navigation guidance for portions of affected ATS route V-485. The decommissioning has rendered portions of V-485 unusable and amending T-333 will overcome affected portions of V-485. The Priest, CA, VOR is being decommissioned as part of the FAA's VOR Minimum Operational Network (MON) program.

The FAA is revising an earlier proposal for Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH (Airbus Helicopters) Model MBB-BK 117A-3, MBB-BK 117A- 4, MBB-BK 117B-1, MBB-BK 117B-2, and MBB-BK 117C-1 helicopters. This action revises the notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) by expanding the applicability and proposing to add requirements to replace certain seals with newly certified seals and revise the Rotorcraft Flight Manual (RFM) for your helicopter. The FAA is proposing this airworthiness directive (AD) to address the unsafe condition on these products. Since these actions would impose an additional burden over those in the NPRM, the FAA is reopening the comment period to allow the public the chance to comment on these changes.

The FHWA, on behalf of Caltrans, is issuing this notice to announce actions taken by Caltrans, that are final. The actions relate to a proposed highway project on State Route 55 (Post Miles 10.4 to R17.9) in the Cities of Orange, Tustin, Santa Ana, and Anaheim in the County of Orange, State of California. Those actions grant licenses, permits, and approvals for the project.

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 FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus SAS Model A350-941 and -1041 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by the results of laboratory tests on non- rechargeable lithium batteries installed in certain emergency locator transmitters (ELT), which highlighted a lack of protection against current injections of 28 volts direct current (DC) or 115 volts alternating current (AC) that could lead to thermal runaway and a battery fire. This proposed AD would require modifying a certain ELT by installing a diode between the ELT and the terminal block, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which will be incorporated by reference. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus SAS Model A330-941 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a report that seven spoiler servo-controls (SSCs) lost hydraulic locking function due to a sheared seal on the blocking valve. This proposed AD would require repetitive operational tests of the hydraulic locking function on each SSC and replacement if necessary, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which will be incorporated by reference. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus SAS Model A350-941 and -1041 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a report that sticking effects have been observed affecting the breathing bag on certain passenger oxygen masks. This proposed AD would require replacement of affected passenger oxygen masks, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which will be incorporated by reference. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2017-16-04 for certain Anjou Aeronautique (formerly Romtex Anjou Aeronautique) Model 358 torso restraint systems (restraint systems). AD 2017-16-04 required inspection of the restraint system, placarding if it is found to be inoperative, and replacement of the affected restraint system with a part eligible for installation. This AD requires the removal from service of this expanded population of affected restraint systems and modifies the compliance schedule for their removal. This AD was prompted by reports to the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), since the publication of AD 2017-16-04, of additional restraint system buckle knobs breaking on a batch of parts outside of the population identified in AD 2017-16-04. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 and Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) regulations, the FAA issues this notice to advise the public that the FAA has issued the ROD of the WR of the FEIS for the proposed airport in Angoon, Alaska. The ROD constitutes the final decision of the FAA and summarizes the WR of FEIS analyses and selected mitigation measures.

This notice announces an action taken by FHWA and other Federal agencies that are final. The actions relate to the Madawaska International Bridge connecting Madawaska, Aroostook County, Maine and Edmundston, New Brunswick.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Leonardo S.p.a. (Leonardo) Model A109E, A109S, and AW109SP helicopters. This proposed AD would require inspecting each fire extinguisher bottle for a crack. This proposed AD was prompted by a report of a cracked fire extinguisher bottle. The actions of this proposed AD are intended to address an unsafe condition on these helicopters.

This action announces the extension to May 4, 2020, and to Monday, June 15, 2020, respectively, of the deadlines for an airport sponsor to give notice of intent to use Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 Airport Improvement Program (AIP) entitlement funds and to submit a final grant application.

FMCSA has received an application from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) for a renewal of its exemption from the 30-minute rest break provision of the Agency's hours-of-service (HOS) regulations for commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers. DOE currently holds an exemption for the period June 30, 2015, through June 29, 2020, which enables DOE's contract motor carriers and their employee-drivers engaged in the transportation of security-sensitive radioactive materials to be treated similarly to drivers of shipments of explosives. The exemption allows the drivers to use 30 minutes or more of ``attendance time'' to meet the HOS rest break requirements provided the drivers do not perform any other work during the break. FMCSA requests public comment on the renewal of the exemption.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, FAA invites public comments about our intention to request Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval to renew an information collection. The collection involves submission of an AC Form 8050-5, Dealer's Aircraft Registration Certificate Application, by companies or individuals to obtain a Dealer's Aircraft Registration Certificate, which allows operation of an aircraft instead of obtaining a permanent aircraft registration certificate. The information collection is necessary for a dealer to operate an aircraft without a permanent aircraft registration certificate and to comply with statutory and regulatory requirements.