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

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Helicopters Model EC130B4 and EC130T2 helicopters. This AD was prompted by a report that a changed manufacturing process for the tail rotor blades (TRB) was implemented, affecting the structural characteristics of the blades and generating a new part number for these blades. This AD requires re-identifying each affected TRB having a certain part number and serial number and establishing a life limit for the new part numbers. This AD also prohibits installation of any affected TRB identified with the old part number on any helicopter. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This action amends VHF Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal airways V-91, V-123, V-431, V-489, and V-496 due to the planned decommissioning of the Glens Falls, NY, VORTAC navigation aid which provides navigation guidance for segments of the routes. The Glens Falls VORTAC is being decommissioned as part of the FAA's VOR Minimum Operational Network (MON) program.

This action proposes to amend the Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at Clarion Municipal Airport, Clarion, IA. The FAA is proposing this action as the result of an airspace review caused by the decommissioning of the Clarion non- directional beacon (NDB). The geographic coordinates of the airport would also be updated to coincide with the FAA's aeronautical database.

This action proposes to amend the Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at Park Rapids Municipal Airport-Konshok Field, Park Rapids, MN. The FAA is proposing this action as the result of an airspace review caused by the decommissioning of the Park Rapids VHF omnidirectional range (VOR) navigation aid as part of the VOR Minimum Operational Network (MON) Program. The name and geographic coordinates of the airport would also be updated to coincide with the FAA's aeronautical database.

This action amends VHF Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal airway V-37 in the northeast United States to reflect changes made by NAV CANADA in Canadian airspace. The modification to V-37 is necessary due to the decommissioning of the Aylmer, Canada, VOR navigation aid (NAVAID), which provided navigation guidance for portions of V-37. The Aylmer VOR was decommissioned March 23, 2020, as part of NAV CANADA's NAVAID Modernization Program.

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, the State Route 14/Avenue N Interchange Improvement Project (Post Miles R63.4 to PM R63.9) in the City of Palmdale in Los Angeles County, California. Those actions grant licenses, permits, and approvals for the project.

This notice announces public teleconference meeting of the Technical Pipeline Safety Standards Committee, also known as the Gas Pipeline Advisory Committee (GPAC), and the Technical Hazardous Liquid Pipeline Safety Standards Committee, also known as the Liquid Pipeline Advisory Committee (LPAC), to discuss the Valve Installation and Minimum Rupture Detection Standards notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

The Board has approved the third quarter 2020 Rail Cost Adjustment Factor (RCAF) and cost index filed by the Association of American Railroads. The third quarter 2020 RCAF (Unadjusted) is 0.989. The third quarter 2020 RCAF (Adjusted) is 0.415. The third quarter 2020 RCAF-5 is 0.392.

Michelin North America, Inc. (MNA), has determined that certain BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 replacement tires do not comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 139, New Pneumatic Radial Tires for Light Vehicles. MNA filed a noncompliance report dated November 13, 2018, and subsequently petitioned NHTSA on December 10, 2018, for a decision that the subject noncompliance is inconsequential as it relates to motor vehicle safety. This notice announces the grant of MNA's petition.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, FAA invites public comments about our intention to request the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval to renew an information collection in FAA regulations that prescribe certification standards for aircraft, aircraft engines, propellers appliances and parts. The information collected is used to determine compliance and applicant eligibility. The respondents are aircraft parts designers, manufacturers, and aircraft owners.

The Maritime Administration (MARAD) invites public comments on our intention to request the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval to renew an information collection. The information to be collected will be used by the Maritime Administration in determining fair and reasonable guideline rates for the carriage of preference cargoes on U.S.-flag vessels. In addition, U.S.-flag vessel operators are required to submit Post Voyage Reports to the Maritime Administration after completion of a cargo preference voyage. We are required to publish this notice in the Federal Register by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.

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.

This notice modifies the pilot Railroad Rehabilitation and Improvement Financing (``RRIF'') Express Program (``RRIF Express'') aimed at increasing access to the RRIF program by short line and regional railroads. Specifically, this notice provides a 60-day extension of the existing RRIF Express Deadline of June 15, 2020 due to the current and on-going crisis. The new deadline is August 15, 2020. The original NOFO with modifications follows. The RRIF Express Program will be administered by the DOT's National Surface Transportation and Innovative Finance Bureau (the ``Build America Bureau'' or ``Bureau''). The overall RRIF program finances development of railroad infrastructure, and is authorized to have up to $35 billion in outstanding principal amounts from direct loans and loan guarantees at any one time. The 2018 Consolidated Appropriations Act \1\ appropriated $25 million in budget authority to the DOT to cover the cost to the Federal Government (``the Government'') of RRIF credit assistance (Credit Risk Premium (``CRP'') Assistance or ``CRP Assistance''). Additionally, the 2016 Consolidated Appropriations Act \2\ and the 2018 Consolidated Appropriations Act \3\ provided $1.96 million and $350,000, respectively (of which approximately $1 million remains available), to the DOT to fund certain expenses incurred by prospective RRIF borrowers in preparation of their applications for RRIF credit assistance (this approximately $1 million assistance, collectively, ``Cost Assistance''). Using existing authorities and these new budget authorities, the DOT has established the RRIF Express Program.

This action corrects a final rule published in the Federal Register on June 2, 2020 amending Class D and E airspace for Jacksonville NAS and Mayport, FL. The FAA inserted an effective date of July 16, 2020. The correct date is August 13, 2020.

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2017-09-06 for all General Electric Company (GE) GEnx-1B and GEnx-2B model turbofan engines. AD 2017-09-06 required updating electronic engine control (EEC) full authority digital electronic control (FADEC) software on GEnx-1B and GEnx-2B turbofan engines and replacing a certain fan hub frame assembly part installed on GEnx-2B turbofan engines. This AD requires updating EEC software on GEnx-1B and GEnx-2B engines and replacing a certain fan hub frame assembly part installed on GEnx-2B engines. This AD was prompted by the development of a design change by GE to remove the unsafe condition. The FAA is issuing 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 an extension of the collection of the Report of Fuel Cost, Consumption, and Surcharge Revenue, as described below. The Board previously published a notice about this collection in the Federal Register on April 17, 2020. That notice allowed for a 60-day public review and comment period. No comments were received.

FMCSA announces its decision to grant Illumination Fireworks Partners, LP, and ACE Pyro, LLC (Applicants), an exemption from the requirements that drivers of commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) must not drive following the 14th hour after coming on duty. The exemption will apply solely to the drivers of 60 CMVs employed by the applicants in conjunction with staging fireworks shows in celebration of Independence Day during the period of June 28-July 8, for the next five years (2020- 2024) inclusive. During this period, the CMV drivers employed by the applicants would be allowed to exclude off-duty and sleeper-berth time of any length from the calculation of the 14 hours. These drivers will not be allowed to drive after accumulating a total of 14 hours of on- duty time, following 10 consecutive hours off duty, and will continue to be subject to the 11-hour driving-time limit, and the 60 and 70-hour on-duty limits. FMCSA has determined that the terms and conditions of the exemption will likely achieve a level of safety equivalent to, or greater than, the level of safety achieved without the exemption.

The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2007-26-51, which applies to certain Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH Model EC135 helicopters. AD 2007-26-51 requires an inspection of the tail rotor control rod (control rod) and ball pivot and, depending on findings, replacing these parts. Since the FAA issued AD 2007-26-51, the manufacturer developed a new control rod, which the FAA has determined must be installed in order to address the identified unsafe condition. This proposed AD would require an inspection of certain ball pivots, application of corrosion preventative compound on the ball pivot, and corrective action, as applicable. This proposed AD would also require replacement of the control rod with the newly developed control rod. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The Surface Transportation Project Delivery Program allows a State to assume FHWA's environmental responsibilities for review, consultation, and compliance for Federal highway projects. When a State assumes these Federal responsibilities, the State becomes solely responsible and liable for the responsibilities it has assumed, in lieu of FHWA. This program mandates annual audits during each of the first four years to ensure the State's compliance with program requirements. This notice makes available the final report of the Florida Department of Transportation's (FDOT) third audit under the program.

This action establishes Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet or more above the surface at Gold Beach Municipal Airport, Gold Beach, OR. The airspace supports the airport's transition from VFR to IFR operations. The first area extends upward from 700 feet above the surface and the second area extends upward from 1,200 feet above the surface.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for The Boeing Company Model 787-8, 787-9, and 787-10 airplanes powered by Rolls Royce Trent 1000 engines. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of damage to the inner fixed structure (IFS) forward upper fire seal and damage to thermal insulation blankets in the forward upper area of the thrust reverser (TR). This proposed AD would require repetitive inspections of the IFS forward upper fire seal and thermal insulation blankets in the forward upper area of the TR for damage and applicable on-condition actions. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This action proposes to amend two existing low altitude RNAV routes (T-routes), and establish nine new T-routes in support of the South-Central Florida Metroplex Project. The proposed changes would reduce the dependency of the National Airspace System (NAS) on ground- based navigational systems, and assist with the transition to a more efficient Performance Based Navigation (PBN) route structure.

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, improving the curved alignment of State Route 20 in the County of Nevada, State of California. Those actions grant licenses, permits, and approvals for the project.

Through this NOI, FRA announces its intent to prepare an EIS for the Western Rail Yard Infrastructure Project (Project) under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). WRY Tenant LLC (an affiliate of The Related Companies, LP) and the National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak) are partnering in a joint venture to seek Federal financial assistance through the Railroad Rehabilitation and Improvement Financing (RRIF) Program, which is administered by the Build America Bureau (Bureau). FRA is conducting the environmental analysis to ensure compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 and other applicable environmental laws. FRA invites the public and all interested parties to provide comments on the scope of the EIS, including the proposed purpose and need, the Proposed Action and alternatives, methodologies to be used to assess potential environmental impacts, and the approach for public and agency involvement. Due to the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) public health emergency, and consistent with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's guidance regarding large events and mass gatherings, FRA will conduct a virtual public scoping for the Project. FRA will also hold other Project meetings virtually, including Section 106 Consulting Party meetings, and encourages submission of scoping comments for the project and other documents electronically.