[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 174 (Monday, September 11, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 42668-42669]
[FR Doc No: 2017-19114]

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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket No. CP17-476-000]

Gulf South Pipeline Company, LP; Notice of Intent To Prepare an
Environmental Assessment for the Proposed Westlake Expansion Project,
and Request for Comments on Environmental Issues

    The staff of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC or
Commission) will prepare an environmental assessment (EA) that will
discuss the environmental impacts of the Westlake Expansion Project
involving construction and operation of facilities by Gulf South
Pipeline Company, LP (Gulf South) in Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana. The
Commission will use this EA in its decision-making process to determine
whether the project is in the public convenience and necessity.
    This notice announces the opening of the scoping process the
Commission will use to gather input from the public and interested
agencies on the project. You can make a difference by providing us with
your specific comments or concerns about the project. Your comments
should focus on the potential environmental effects, reasonable
alternatives, and measures to avoid or lessen environmental impacts.
Your input will help the Commission staff determine what issues they
need to evaluate in the EA. To ensure that your comments are timely and
properly recorded, please send your comments so that the Commission
receives them in Washington, DC on or before September 29, 2017.
    If you sent comments on this project to the Commission before the
opening of this docket on July 20, 2017, you will need to file those
comments in Docket No. CP17-476-000 to ensure they are considered as
part of this proceeding.
    This notice is being sent to the Commission's current environmental
mailing list for this project. State and local government
representatives should notify their constituents of this proposed
project and encourage them to comment on their areas of concern.
    If you are a landowner receiving this notice, a pipeline company
representative may contact you about the acquisition of an easement to
construct, operate, and maintain the proposed facilities. The company
would seek to negotiate a mutually acceptable agreement. However, if
the Commission approves the project, that approval conveys with it the
right of eminent domain. Therefore, if easement negotiations fail to
produce an agreement, the pipeline company could initiate condemnation
proceedings where compensation would be determined in accordance with
state law.
    Gulf South provided landowners with a fact sheet prepared by the
FERC entitled An Interstate Natural Gas Facility On My Land? What Do I
Need To Know? This fact sheet addresses a number of typically asked
questions, including the use of eminent domain and how to participate
in the Commission's proceedings. It is also available for viewing on
the FERC Web site (www.ferc.gov).

Public Participation

    For your convenience, there are three methods you can use to submit
your comments to the Commission. The Commission encourages electronic
filing of comments and has expert staff available to assist you at
(202) 502-8258 or<EMAIL_ADDRESS>Please carefully follow
these instructions so that your comments are properly recorded.
    (1) You can file your comments electronically using the eComment
feature on the Commission's Web site (www.ferc.gov) under the link to
Documents and Filings. This is an easy method for submitting brief,
text-only comments on a project;
    (2) You can file your comments electronically by using the eFiling
feature on the Commission's Web site (www.ferc.gov) under the link to
Documents and Filings. With eFiling, you can provide comments in a
variety of formats by attaching them as a file with your submission.
New eFiling users must first create an account by clicking on
eRegister. If you are filing a comment on a particular project, please
select ``Comment on a Filing'' as the filing type; or
    (3) You can file a paper copy of your comments by mailing them to
the following address. Be sure to reference the project docket number
(CP17-476-000) with your submission: Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary,
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street NE., Room 1A,
Washington, DC 20426.

Summary of the Proposed Project

    Gulf South proposes to construct and operate the following
facilities as part of the Westlake Expansion Project in Calcasieu
Parish, Louisiana:
     One new 10,000 horsepower compressor station (Westlake
Compressor Station) and appurtenant facilities;
     approximately 1,600 feet of 16-inch-diamater natural gas
pipeline lateral; and
     two new metering and regulating stations (Entergy Lake
Charles and Varibus M&R Stations).
    The project would provide about 200 million cubic feet of natural
gas per day to the proposed 980 megawatt natural gas-fired combined
cycle electric generating plant near Westlake, Louisiana.
    The general location of the project facilities is shown in appendix
1.\1\
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    \1\ The appendices referenced in this notice will not appear in
the Federal Register. Copies of appendices were sent to all those
receiving this notice in the mail and are available at www.ferc.gov
using the link called eLibrary or from the Commission's Public
Reference Room, 888 First Street NE., Washington, DC 20426, or call
(202) 502-8371. For instructions on connecting to eLibrary, refer to
the last page of this notice.
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Land Requirements for Construction

    Construction of the pipeline facilities, including additional
temporary workspace and a temporary access road, would disturb about
11.8 acres of land, of which Gulf South would permanently maintain 0.9
acre. Construction of the aboveground facilities (Westlake Compressor
Station, Entergy Lake Charles M&R Station, and Varibus M&R Station) and
access roads would disturb about 30 acres, of which Gulf South would
permanently maintain 10.7 acres.

The EA Process

    The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requires the
Commission to take into account the environmental

impacts that could result from an action whenever it considers the
issuance of a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity. NEPA
also requires us \2\ to discover and address concerns the public may
have about proposals. This process is referred to as scoping. The main
goal of the scoping process is to focus the analysis in the EA on the
important environmental issues. By this notice, the Commission requests
public comments on the scope of the issues to address in the EA. We
will consider all filed comments during the preparation of the EA.
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    \2\ We, us, and our refer to the environmental staff of the
Commission's Office of Energy Projects.
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    In the EA we will discuss impacts that could occur as a result of
the construction and operation of the proposed project under these
general headings:
     Geology and soils;
     water resources and wetlands;
     vegetation and wildlife;
     endangered and threatened species;
     cultural resources;
     land use;
     air quality and noise;
     public safety; and
     cumulative impacts.
    We will also evaluate reasonable alternatives to the proposed
project or portions of the project, and make recommendations on how to
lessen or avoid impacts on the various resource areas.
    The EA will present our independent analysis of the issues. The EA
will be available in the public record through eLibrary. We may also
distribute the EA to the public for an allotted comment period. We will
consider all comments on the EA before making our recommendations to
the Commission. To ensure we have the opportunity to consider and
address your comments, please carefully follow the instructions in the
Public Participation section, beginning on page 2.
    With this notice, we are asking agencies with jurisdiction by law
and/or special expertise with respect to the environmental issues of
this project to formally cooperate with us in the preparation of the
EA.\3\ Agencies that would like to request cooperating agency status
should follow the instructions for filing comments provided under the
Public Participation section of this notice.
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    \3\ The Council on Environmental Quality regulations addressing
cooperating agency responsibilities are at Title 40, Code of Federal
Regulations, Part 1501.6.
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Consultations Under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation
Act

    In accordance with the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation's
implementing regulations for section 106 of the National Historic
Preservation Act, we are using this notice to initiate consultation
with the applicable State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), and to
solicit their views and those of other government agencies, interested
Indian tribes, and the public on the project's potential effects on
historic properties.\4\ We will define the project-specific Area of
Potential Effects (APE) in consultation with the SHPO as the project
develops. On natural gas facility projects, the APE at a minimum
encompasses all areas subject to ground disturbance (examples include
construction right-of-way, contractor/pipe storage yards, compressor
stations, and access roads). Our EA for this project will document our
findings on the impacts on historic properties and summarize the status
of consultations under section 106.
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    \4\ The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation's regulations
are at Title 36, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 800. Those
regulations define historic properties as any prehistoric or
historic district, site, building, structure, or object included in
or eligible for inclusion in the National Register of Historic
Places.
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Environmental Mailing List

    The environmental mailing list includes federal, state, and local
government representatives and agencies; elected officials;
environmental and public interest groups; Native American Tribes; other
interested parties; and local libraries and newspapers. This list also
includes all affected landowners (as defined in the Commission's
regulations) who are potential right-of-way grantors, whose property
may be used temporarily for project purposes, or who own homes within
certain distances of aboveground facilities, and anyone who submits
comments on the project. We will update the environmental mailing list
as the analysis proceeds to ensure that we send the information related
to this environmental review to all individuals, organizations, and
government entities interested in and/or potentially affected by the
proposed project.
    If we publish and distribute the EA, copies of the EA will be sent
to the environmental mailing list for public review and comment. If you
would prefer to receive a paper copy of the document instead of the CD
version or would like to remove your name from the mailing list, please
return the attached Information Request (appendix 2).

Becoming an Intervenor

    In addition to involvement in the EA scoping process, you may want
to become an intervenor which is an official party to the Commission's
proceeding. Intervenors play a more formal role in the process and are
able to file briefs, appear at hearings, and be heard by the courts if
they choose to appeal the Commission's final ruling. An intervenor
formally participates in the proceeding by filing a request to
intervene. Instructions for becoming an intervenor are in the
``Document-less Intervention Guide'' under the ``e-filing'' link on the
Commission's Web site. Motions to intervene are more fully described at
http://www.ferc.gov/resources/guides/how-to/intervene.asp.

Additional Information

    Additional information about the project is available from the
Commission's Office of External Affairs, at (866) 208-FERC, or on the
FERC Web site at www.ferc.gov using the eLibrary link. Click on the
eLibrary link, click on General Search and enter the docket number,
excluding the last three digits in the Docket Number field (i.e., CP17-
476). Be sure you have selected an appropriate date range. For
assistance, please contact FERC Online Support at
<EMAIL_ADDRESS>or toll free at<PHONE_NUMBER>, or for TTY,
contact<PHONE_NUMBER>. The eLibrary link also provides access to the
texts of formal documents issued by the Commission, such as orders,
notices, and rulemakings.
    In addition, the Commission offers a free service called
eSubscription which allows you to keep track of all formal issuances
and submittals in specific dockets. This can reduce the amount of time
you spend researching proceedings by automatically providing you with
notification of these filings, document summaries, and direct links to
the documents. Go to www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/esubscription.asp.
    Finally, public sessions or site visits will be posted on the
Commission's calendar located at www.ferc.gov/EventCalendar/EventsList.aspx along with other related information.

    Dated: August 30, 2017.
Kimberly D. Bose,
 Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2017-19114 Filed 9-8-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6717-01-P


[Federal Register: August 22, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 164)]
[Notices]
[Page 49735]
[DOCID:fr22au08-128]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

[Summary Notice No. PE-2008-38]

Petition for Exemption; Summary of Petition Received

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of petition for exemption received.

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SUMMARY: This notice contains a summary of a petition seeking relief
from specified requirements of 14 CFR. The purpose of this notice is to
improve the public's awareness of, and participation in, this aspect of
FAA's regulatory activities. 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.

DATE: Comments on this petition must identify the petition docket
number involved and must be received on or before September 2, 2008.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments identified by Docket Number FAA-2008-
0905 using any of the following methods:
     Government-wide rulemaking Web site: Go to http://
www.regulations.gov and follow the instructions for sending your
comments electronically.
     Mail: Send comments to the Docket Management Facility;
U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., West
Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, Washington, DC 20590.
     Fax: Fax comments to the Docket Management Facility at
202-493-2251.
     Hand Delivery: Bring comments to the Docket Management
Facility in Room W12-140 of the West Building Ground Floor at 1200 New
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday
through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    Privacy: We will post all comments we receive, without change, to
http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you
provide. Using the search function of our docket Web site, anyone can
find and read the comments received into any of our dockets, including
the name of the individual sending the comment (or signing the comment
for an association, business, labor union, etc.). You may review DOT's
complete Privacy Act Statement in the Federal Register published on
April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78).
    Docket: To read background documents or comments received, go to
http://www.regulations.gov at any time or to the Docket Management
Facility in Room W12-140 of the West Building Ground Floor at 1200 New
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday
through Friday, except Federal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jan Thor<PHONE_NUMBER>, ANM-113,
Federal Aviation Administration, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA
98057-3356, or Frances Shaver<PHONE_NUMBER>, Office of Rulemaking,
Federal Aviation Administration, 800 Independence Avenue, SW.,
Washington, DC 20591.
    This notice is published pursuant to 14 CFR 11.85.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on August 19, 2008.
Pamela Hamilton-Powell,
Director, Office of Rulemaking.

Petition for Exemption

    Docket No.: FAA-2008-0905.
    Petitioner: Aviation Partners Boeing.
    Section of 14 CFR Affected: Sec.  25.981(a)(3).
    Description of Relief Sought: Aviation Partners Boeing requests
exemption from the lightning protection requirements for wing fasteners
on the installation of blended winglets on their Boeing Model 767-300/
300F airplanes.

 [FR Doc. E8-19477 Filed 8-21-08; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910-13-P


[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 197 (Wednesday, October 12, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 70417-70418]
[FR Doc No: 2016-24603]

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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Project No 3428-171]

Brown Bear II Hydro, Inc.; Notice of Application for Amendment of
License To Incorporate Final Fish Passage Plans and Soliciting
Comments, Motions To Intervene and Protests

    Take notice that the following hydroelectric application has been
filed with the Commission and is available for public inspection:
    a. Application Type: Amendment of License.
    b. Project No: P-3428-171.
    c. Date Filed: July 6, 2016.
    d. Applicant: Brown Bear II Hydro, Inc.
    e. Name of Project: Worumbo Hydroelectric Project.
    f. Location: The Worumbo Project is located on the Androscoggin
River in Androscoggin County, Maine.
    g. Filed Pursuant to: Federal Power Act, 16 U.S.C. 791a-825r.
    h. Applicant Contact: Scott Hall, P.O. Box 267, Orono, ME 04473,
(207) 461-3617.
    i. FERC Contact: Mr. Mark Pawlowski<PHONE_NUMBER>,
<EMAIL_ADDRESS>    j. Deadline for filing comments, motions to intervene, and
protests: 30 days from the issuance of this notice
    All documents may be filed electronically via the Internet. See, 18
CFR 385.2001(a)(1)(iii) and the instructions on the Commission's Web
site at http://www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/efiling.asp. If unable to be
filed electronically, documents may be paper-filed. To paper-file, an
original and seven copies should be mailed to: Secretary, Federal
Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street NE., Washington, DC
20426. Commenters can submit brief comments up to 6,000 characters,
without prior registration, using the eComment system at http://www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/ecomment.asp. You must include your name and
contact information at the end of your comments.
    Please include the docket number (P-3428-171) on any comments,
motions, or recommendations filed.
    k. Description of Request: Brown Bear II Hydro, Inc., licensee for
the Worumbo Project, requests that the Commission amend the project
license to incorporate its proposed species protection plan for
Atlantic salmon. Under the proposed species protection plan, the
licensee would continue measures, including but not limited to:
Operating the pneumatic flashboard system to provide a continuous
downstream flow in the project's bypassed reach to maintain a
downstream passage route for Atlantic salmon; operating the current
upstream and downstream fish passage facilities in coordination with
other hydroelectric projects located downstream of the Worumbo Project
and the Maine Department of Marine Resources to provide passage for
Atlantic salmon and other anadromous fish; and monitor bird predation
during downstream passage studies. Proposed measures

include, but are not limited to: Operating the upstream fish lift
dependent on the timing of passage of Atlantic salmon or river herring
at the first project on the Androscoggin River, operating the
downstream fishway based on the prior year's passage of Atlantic salmon
and river herring; flood gate operations to facilitate passage; adult
passage studies; annual reporting; and a process for adaptive
management.
    l. Locations of the Application: A copy of the application is
available for inspection and reproduction at the Commission's Public
Reference Room, located at 888 First Street NE., Room 2A, Washington,
DC 20426, or by calling<PHONE_NUMBER>. This filing may also be Enter the
docket number excluding the last three digits in the docket number
field to access the document. You may also register online at http://www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/esubscription.asp to be notified via email of
new filings and issuances related to this or other pending projects.
For assistance, call<PHONE_NUMBER> or email<EMAIL_ADDRESS>
for TTY, call<PHONE_NUMBER>. A copy is also available for inspection and
reproduction at the address in item (h) above.
    m. Individuals desiring to be included on the Commission's mailing
list should so indicate by writing to the Secretary of the Commission.
    n. Comments, Protests, or Motions To Intervene: Anyone may submit
comments, a protest, or a motion to intervene in accordance with the
requirements of Rules of Practice and Procedure, 18 CFR 385.210, .211,
.214. In determining the appropriate action to take, the Commission
will consider all protests or other comments filed, but only those who
file a motion to intervene in accordance with the Commission's Rules
may become a party to the proceeding. Any comments, protests, or
motions to intervene must be received on or before the specified
comment date for the particular application.
    o. Filing and Service of Responsive Documents: Any filing must (1)
bear in all capital letters the title ``COMMENTS''; ``PROTESTS'', or
``MOTION TO INTERVENE'' as applicable; (2) set forth in the heading the
name of the applicant and the project number of the application to
which the filing responds; (3) furnish the name, address, and telephone
number of the person protesting or intervening; and (4) otherwise
comply with the requirements of 18 CFR 385.2001 through 385.2005. All
comments, motions to intervene, or protests must set forth their
evidentiary basis and otherwise comply with the requirements of 18 CFR
4.34(b). Agencies may obtain copies of the application directly from
the applicant. A copy of any protest or motion to intervene must be
served upon each representative of the applicant specified in the
particular application. If an intervener files comments or documents
with the Commission relating to the merits of an issue that may affect
the responsibilities of a particular resource agency, they must also
serve a copy of the document on that resource agency. A copy of all
other filings in reference to this application must be accompanied by
proof of service on all persons listed in the service list prepared by
the Commission in this proceeding, in accordance with 18 CFR 4.34(b)
and 385.2010.

    Dated: October 5, 2016.
Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2016-24603 Filed 10-11-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6717-01-P


[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 247 (Thursday, December 24, 2015)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 80234-80236]
[FR Doc No: 2015-31715]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2015-1281; Directorate Identifier 2014-NM-241-AD;
Amendment 39-18346; AD 2015-25-08]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all The
Boeing Company Model 777 airplanes. This AD was prompted by an
evaluation by the design approval holder (DAH) indicating that the lap
splices of the aft pressure bulkhead webs are subject to widespread
fatigue damage (WFD) on aging Model 777 airplanes that have accumulated
at least 38,000 total flight cycles. This AD requires repetitive
inspections for any crack in the aft webs of the radial lap splices of
the aft pressure bulkhead, and, if necessary, corrective actions. We
are issuing this AD to detect and correct fatigue cracking in the aft
webs of the radial lap splices of the aft pressure bulkhead; such
cracking could result in reduced structural integrity of the airplane,
decompression of the cabin, and collapse of the floor structure.

DATES: This AD is effective January 28, 2016.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of January 28,
2016.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule,
contact Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Data & Services
Management, P. O. Box 3707, MC 2H-65, Seattle, WA 98124-2207; telephone
206-544-5000, extension 1; fax<PHONE_NUMBER>; Internet https://www.myboeingfleet.com. You may view this referenced service information
at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW.,
Renton, WA. For information on the availability of this material at the
FAA, call<PHONE_NUMBER>. It is also available on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2015-
1281.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2015-
1281; or in person at the Docket Management Facility between 9 a.m. and
5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket
contains this AD, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and
other information. The address for the Docket Office (phone: 800-647-
5527) is Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation,
Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200
New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Eric Lin, Aerospace Engineer, Airframe
Branch, ANM-120S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office (ACO),
1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-3356; phone:<PHONE_NUMBER>; fax:
425-917-6590; email<EMAIL_ADDRESS>
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR
part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to all The Boeing Company
Model 777 airplanes. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on May
12, 2015 (80 FR 27116). The NPRM was prompted by an evaluation by the
DAH indicating that the lap splices of the aft pressure bulkhead webs
are subject to WFD on aging Model 777 airplanes that have accumulated
at least 38,000 total flight cycles. The NPRM proposed to require
repetitive inspections for any crack in the aft webs of the radial lap
splices of the aft pressure bulkhead, and, if necessary, corrective
actions. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct fatigue cracking
in the aft webs of the radial lap splices of the aft pressure bulkhead;
such cracking could result in reduced structural integrity of the
airplane, decompression of the cabin, and collapse of the floor
structure.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing
this AD. The following presents the comments received on the NPRM (80
FR 27116, May 12, 2015) and the FAA's response to each comment.
    FedEx Express stated:
     All of its Boeing Model 777s would be affected.
     The proposed inspection threshold and intervals would fit
into its maintenance schedule.
     The number of man-hours and elapsed time to accomplish the
inspections would not impact the overall span-time of its maintenance
schedule.
     The proposed inspections do not require any special
inspection techniques, training, or tooling.

Request To Clarify Unsafe Condition

    Boeing requested that the unsafe condition statement in the NPRM
(80 FR 27116, May 12, 2015) be revised to specify that the unsafe
condition exists on aging airplanes, rather than new airplanes. Boeing
stated that its analysis concluded that airplanes would have to
accumulate at least 38,000 total flight cycles before the lap splices
of the aft pressure bulkhead webs would be subject to WFD.
    We agree with Boeing's request and have revised the unsafe
condition statement in the preamble and regulatory text of this final
rule accordingly.

Request To Exclude a Service Information Action

    American Airlines (AA) requested that the first action specified in
step 3.B.5. of the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service
Bulletin 777-53A0078, dated December 5, 2014, be omitted from the
requirements of the proposed AD (80 FR 27116, May 12, 2015). The action
is to put the airplane back into a serviceable condition. AA stated
that this action does not address the unsafe condition addressed by the
proposed rule and that most operators would accomplish the proposed AD
requirements during a maintenance visit. AA stated that in the context
of a maintenance visit, returning the airplane to a serviceable
condition immediately after completion of the inspections and any
associated corrective actions would not be possible. AA indicated that
an operator would wait until all of the maintenance items scheduled for
that visit would have been completed before putting the airplane back
into a serviceable condition.
    We agree with the commenter's statement that this action does not
need to be required by this final rule; several other FAA regulations
require restoring the airplane to a serviceable condition before
further flight. However, the step of returning the airplane to a
serviceable condition is not marked required for compliance (``RC'') in
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 777-53A0078, dated December 5, 2014;
therefore, as noted in

paragraph (i)(4)(ii) of this AD, this step may be delayed using an
accepted method in accordance with the operator's maintenance or
inspection program without obtaining approval of an alternative method
of compliance (AMOC). We have not changed this AD in this regard.

Request for Clarification of Relationship Between the NPRM (80 FR
27116, May 12, 2015) and AD 2012-07-06, Amendment 39-17012 (77 FR
21429)

    Air New Zealand requested clarification regarding the relationship
between the NPRM (80 FR 27116, May 12, 2015) and AD 2012-07-06,
Amendment 39-17012 (77 FR 21429, April 10, 2012). Specifically, the
commenter asked if the NPRM would supersede AD 2012-07-06; if the AMOC
approval included in AD 2012-07-06 would be included in the NPRM; and
if the proposed inspections in the NPRM should be done in lieu of or in
addition to the existing inspections required by AD 2012-07-06.
    We agree with the commenter's request for clarification. This is a
new AD applicable to all The Boeing Company Model 777 airplanes and
requires repetitive inspections for cracking in the aft webs of the
radial lap splices of the aft pressure bulkhead, and corrective actions
if necessary. AD 2012-07-06, Amendment 39-17012 (77 FR 21429, April 10,
2012), is applicable to certain Model 777 airplanes and requires
revising the maintenance program to update inspection requirements to
detect fatigue cracking of principal structural elements throughout the
airplane.
    An AMOC for AD 2012-07-06, Amendment 39-17012 (77 FR 21429, April
10, 2012), was issued so operators could use the corresponding
compliance times and inspections specified in Boeing Alert Service
Bulletin 777-53A0078, dated December 5, 2014, for the inspection
requirements for the corresponding locations specified in Boeing Model
777 Structural Significant Item 53-80-I13A and paragraphs (g) and (h)
of AD 2012-07-06. The information regarding this AMOC is included in
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 777-53A0078, dated December 5, 2014.
Operators are required to accomplish the requirements in this new AD in
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service
Bulletin 777-53A0078, dated December 5, 2014. If the actions of this
new AD are done, the requirements of AD 2012-07-06 are met only for
areas inspected in accordance with Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 777-
53A0078, dated December 5, 2014.
    Regarding the question about whether the AMOC approval included in
AD 2012-07-06, Amendment 39-17012 (77 FR 21429, April 10, 2012), would
be included in this AD, paragraph (i) of this AD contains the AMOC
approval procedures for this AD. However, because the existing
inspections required by AD 2012-07-06 are not sufficient to preclude
WFD in this area, we have not included previous AMOCs issued for AD
2012-07-06 as AMOCs for this AD. We have not changed this AD in this
regard.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data, considered the comments received,
and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting
this AD with the changes described previously and minor editorial
changes. We have determined that these minor changes:
     Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the
NPRM (80 FR 27116, May 12, 2015) for correcting the unsafe condition;
and
     Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was
already proposed in the NPRM (80 FR 27116, May 12, 2015).
    We also determined that these changes will not increase the
economic burden on any operator or increase the scope of this AD.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    We reviewed Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 777-53A0078, dated
December 5, 2014. This service information describes procedures for
inspections of the lap splices in the web of the aft pressure bulkhead
for cracking, and corrective actions. This service information is
reasonably available because the interested parties have access to it
through their normal course of business or by the means identified in
the ADDRESSES section.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 193 airplanes of U.S. registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                Cost on U.S.
             Action                    Labor cost         Parts cost      Cost per product        operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspection......................  9 work-hours x $85               $0   $765 per inspection  $147,645 per
                                   per hour = $765                       cycle.               inspection cycle
                                   per inspection
                                   cycle.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We have received no definitive data that would enable us to provide
cost estimates for the on-condition actions specified in this AD.

Authority for this Rulemaking

    Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII: Aviation Programs,
describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
    We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in
Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701: ``General
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this
rulemaking action.

Regulatory Findings

    This AD will not have federalism implications under Executive Order
13132. This AD will not have a substantial direct effect on the States,
on the relationship between the national government and the States, or
on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various
levels of government.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD:
    (1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive
Order 12866,
    (2) Is not a ``significant rule'' under DOT Regulatory Policies and
Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979),
    (3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
    (4) Will not have a significant economic impact, positive or
negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria
of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

0
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

    Authority:  49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.

Sec.  39.13  [Amended]

0
2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness
directive (AD):

2015-25-08 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39-18346; Docket No. FAA-
2015-1281; Directorate Identifier 2014-NM-241-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective January 28, 2016.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all The Boeing Company Model 777-200, -200LR,
-300, -300ER, and 777F series airplanes, certificated in any
category.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 53, Fuselage.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by an evaluation by the design approval
holder indicating that the lap splices of the aft pressure bulkhead
webs are subject to widespread fatigue damage on aging Model 777
airplanes that have accumulated at least 38,000 total flight cycles.
We are issuing this AD to detect and correct fatigue cracking in the
aft webs of the radial lap splices of the aft pressure bulkhead;
such cracking could result in reduced structural integrity of the
airplane, decompression of the cabin, and collapse of the floor
structure.

(f) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.

(g) Inspection of Lap Splice in the Web of the Aft Pressure Bulkhead

    Except as required by paragraph (h) of this AD: At the times
specified in paragraph 1.E., ``Compliance,'' of Boeing Alert Service
Bulletin 777-53A0078, dated December 5, 2014, do a medium frequency
eddy current inspection for any cracking in the aft webs of the
radial lap splices of the aft pressure bulkhead, in accordance with
the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin
777-53A0078, dated December 5, 2014. Repeat the inspection
thereafter at intervals not to exceed 8,400 flight cycles from the
previous inspection. If any crack is found during any inspection
required by this AD, do the applicable corrective actions, in
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert
Service Bulletin 777-53A0078, dated December 5, 2014. If a
corrective action described in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 777-
53A0078, dated December 5, 2014, specifies to contact Boeing for
appropriate action: Before further flight, repair using a method
approved in accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph
(i) of this AD.

(h) Exception to Service Information Specifications

    Where Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 777-53A0078, dated December
5, 2014, specifies a compliance time ``after the original issue date
of this service bulletin,'' this AD requires compliance within the
specified compliance time after the effective date of this AD.

(i) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office (ACO),
FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested
using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14
CFR 39.19, send your request to your principal inspector or local
Flight Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending
information directly to the manager of the ACO, send it to the
attention of the person identified in paragraph (j) of this AD.
Information may be emailed to<EMAIL_ADDRESS>    (2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate
principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager
of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding
district office.
    (3) An AMOC that provides an acceptable level of safety may be
used for any repair, modification, or alteration required by this AD
if it is approved by the Boeing Commercial Airplanes Organization
Designation Authorization (ODA) that has been authorized by the
Manager, Seattle ACO, to make those findings. To be approved, the
repair method, modification deviation, or alteration deviation must
meet the certification basis of the airplane and the approval must
specifically refer to this AD.
    (4) For service information that contains steps that are labeled
as Required for Compliance (RC), the provisions of paragraphs
(i)(4)(i) and (1)(4)(ii) of this AD apply.
    (i) The steps labeled as RC, including substeps under an RC step
and any figures identified in an RC step, must be done to comply
with the AD. An AMOC is required for any deviations to RC steps,
including substeps and identified figures.
    (ii) Steps not labeled as RC may be deviated from using accepted
methods in accordance with the operator's maintenance or inspection
program without obtaining approval of an AMOC, provided the RC
steps, including substeps and identified figures, can still be done
as specified, and the airplane can be put back in an airworthy
condition.

(j) Related Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Eric Lin, Aerospace
Engineer, Airframe Branch, ANM-120S, FAA, Seattle ACO, 1601 Lind
Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-3356; phone:<PHONE_NUMBER>; fax: 425-
917-6590; email<EMAIL_ADDRESS>
(k) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed
in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do
the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 777-53A0078, dated December 5,
2014.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (3) For service information identified in this AD, contact
Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Data & Services Management,
P.O. Box 3707, MC 2H-65, Seattle, WA 98124-2207; telephone 206-544-
5000, extension 1; fax<PHONE_NUMBER>; Internet https://www.myboeingfleet.com.
    (4) You may view this service information at FAA, Transport
Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA. For
information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call
425-227-1221.
    (5) You may view this service information that is incorporated
by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration
(NARA). For information on the availability of this material at
NARA, call<PHONE_NUMBER>, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on December 10, 2015.
Michael Kaszycki,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-31715 Filed 12-23-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P