[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 141 (Tuesday, July 25, 2017)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 34453-34456]
[FR Doc No: 2017-15481]

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2017-0709; Directorate Identifier 2016-NM-200-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
certain Airbus Model A318 series airplanes; Model A319 series
airplanes; and Model A320-211, -212, -214, -216, -231, -232, and -233
airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a report indicating that
the lower rib foot angle of the center wing box did not match with the
bottom skin panel inner surface. This proposed AD would require
repetitive inspections for cracking of the external bottom skin in
certain areas on the left and right wings, and corrective actions if
necessary. This proposed AD also provides an optional terminating
modification for the repetitive inspections. We are proposing this AD
to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by September 8,
2017.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR

11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     Fax:<PHONE_NUMBER>.
     Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.
     Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For service information identified in this NPRM, contact Airbus,
Airworthiness Office--EIAS, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707
Blagnac Cedex, France; telephone +33 5 61 93 36 96; fax +33 5 61 93 44
51; email<EMAIL_ADDRESS>Internet http://www.airbus.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
425-227-1221.

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-2017-
0709; 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 proposed AD, the regulatory evaluation, any comments
received, and other information. The street address for the Docket
Operations office (telephone<PHONE_NUMBER>) is in the ADDRESSES section.
Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sanjay Ralhan, Aerospace Engineer,
International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA,
1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-3356; telephone<PHONE_NUMBER>;
fax<PHONE_NUMBER>.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed
under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2017-0709;
Directorate Identifier 2016-NM-200-AD'' at the beginning of your
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend
this proposed AD based on those comments.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we
receive about this proposed AD.

Discussion

    The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical
Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued EASA AD
2016-0222, dated November 7, 2016 (referred to after this as the
Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or ``the MCAI''), to
correct an unsafe condition for certain Airbus Model A318 and A319
series airplanes; and Model A320-211, -212, -214, -216, -231, -232, and
-233 airplanes. The MCAI states:

    During installation in production of new wing box ribs on post-
mod 39729 aeroplanes, it was discovered that the centre wing lower
rib foot angle was not matching with the bottom skin panel inner
surface.
    This condition, if not detected and corrected, could induce
fatigue cracking of the skin panel at the rib foot attachment, with
possible detrimental effect on wing structural integrity.
    This condition was initially addressed by Airbus on the
production line through adaptation mod 152155, then through mod
152200. For affected aeroplanes in service, Airbus issued Service
Bulletin (SB) A320-57-1205, providing instructions for repetitive
detailed inspections (DET) or special detailed inspections (SDI),
and SB A320-57-1207, providing modification instructions.
    For the reasons described above, this [EASA] AD requires
repetitive inspections (DET or SDI) of the wing bottom skin lower
surface for crack detection and, depending on findings, the
accomplishment of applicable corrective action(s). This [EASA] AD
also includes reference to an optional modification (Airbus SB A320-
57-1207), providing terminating action for the repetitive
inspections required by this [EASA] AD.

    The corrective action for cracking is to repair using a method
approved by the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport
Airplane Directorate, FAA; EASA; or Airbus's EASA Design Organization
Approval. You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket on the Internet at
http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No.
FAA-2017-0709.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    Airbus has issued Service Bulletin A320-57-1205, dated May 26,
2016. This service information describes procedures for inspecting the
external bottom skin for cracking in the area of the rib 2 attachment
between stringer 8 and stringer 11 on both wings, and repairing any
cracks.
    Airbus has also issued Service Bulletin A320-57-1207, including
Appendix 01 and Appendix 02, dated May 26, 2016. This service
information describes procedures for inspecting the lower rib feet (rib
2) and the bottom skin upper surface on both wings for cracking,
modifying the wings by installing shims between the lower rib foot (rib
2) and the bottom skin upper surface, and repairing any cracks.
    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.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of This Proposed AD

    This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another
country, and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant
to our bilateral agreement with the State of Design Authority, we have
been notified of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and service
information referenced above. We are proposing this AD because we
evaluated all pertinent information and determined an unsafe condition
exists and is likely to exist or develop on other products of these
same type designs.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 10 airplanes of U.S.
registry. We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed
AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                Cost on U.S.
           Action                  Labor cost         Parts cost       Cost per product          operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspection.................  5 work-hours x $85                 $0  $425 per inspection    $4,250 per inspection
                              per hour = $425 per                    cycle.                 cycle.
                              inspection cycle.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                      Estimated Costs for Optional Actions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                Cost per
                    Action                                 Labor cost               Parts cost        product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Modification..................................  32 work-hours x $85 per hour =            $5,750          $8,470
                                                 $2,720.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We have received no definitive data that would enable us to provide
cost estimates for the on-condition actions specified in this proposed
AD.
    According to the manufacturer, some of the costs of the optional
modification of this proposed AD may be covered under warranty, thereby
reducing the cost impact on affected individuals. We do not control
warranty coverage for affected individuals. As a result, we have
included all available costs in our cost estimate.

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

    We determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would 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 this proposed
regulation:
    1. Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order
12866;
    2. Is not a ``significant rule'' under the 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.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 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):

Airbus: Docket No. FAA-2017-0709; Directorate Identifier 2016-NM-
200-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by September 8, 2017.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to the Airbus airplanes identified in paragraphs
(c)(1), (c)(2), and (c)(3) of this AD, certificated in any category,
all manufacturer serial numbers on which Airbus Modification 39729
was embodied in production, except those airplanes on which Airbus
Modification 152155 or Modification 152200 was embodied in
production.
    (1) Airbus Model A318-111, -112, -121, and -122 airplanes.
    (2) Airbus Model A319-111, -112, -113, -114, -115, -131, -132,
and -133 airplanes.
    (3) Airbus Model A320-211, -212, -214, -216, -231, -232, and -
233 airplanes.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 57, wings.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by a report indicating that the lower rib
foot angle of the center wing box did not match with the bottom skin
panel inner surface. Misalignment of the lower rib foot angle of the
center wing box with the bottom skin panel inner surface could
induce fatigue cracking of the skin panel at the rib foot
attachment. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct cracking of
the external bottom skin in the area of the rib 2 attachment of the
wings, which could result in reduced structural integrity of the
wing.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Repetitive Inspections

    Before exceeding the applicable compliance time specified in
table 1 to paragraph (g) of this AD, or within 3 months after the
effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later: Do a detailed
inspection or a special detailed inspection for cracking of the
external bottom skin in the area of the rib 2 attachment between
stringer 8 and stringer 11 of the left and right wings, and do all
applicable corrective actions, in accordance with the Accomplishment
Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-57-1205, dated May 26,
2016. Do all applicable corrective actions before further flight.
Repeat the inspection thereafter at the applicable intervals, based
on the method used for the most recent inspection, as specified in
table 2 to paragraph (g) of this AD.

      Table 1 to Paragraph (g) of This AD--Initial Inspection Times
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                            Compliance time--whichever
    Airplane model and configuration     occurs first since first flight
                                                 of the airplane
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Model A318 series airplanes; Model A319  Before the accumulation of
 series airplanes; and Model A320-211, -  14,500 total flight cycles or
 212, -214, -216, -231, -232, and -233    29,000 total flight hours.
 airplanes; pre-Airbus Modification
 155374; not used as VIP or Elite.
Model A318 series airplanes; Model A319  Before the accumulation of
 series airplanes; and Model A320-211, -  13,600 total flight cycles or
 212, -214, -216, -231, -232, and -233    27,300 total flight hours.
 airplanes; post-Airbus Modification
 155374; not used as VIP or Elite.

Model A319 series airplanes; post-       Before the accumulation of
 Airbus Modifications 28162, 28238, and   7,400 total flight cycles or
 28342; used as VIP or CJ.                32,000 total flight hours.
Model A318 series airplanes; post-       Before the accumulation of
 Airbus Modification 39195; used as VIP   14,500 total flight cycles or
 or Elite.                                43,500 total flight hours.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

                      Table 2 to Paragraph (g) of This AD--Repetitive Inspection Intervals
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                Special detailed inspection--
     Airplane model and configuration        Detailed inspection--whichever          whichever occurs first
                                                      occurs first
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Model A318 series airplanes; Model A319    4,000 flight cycles or 8,000        5,000 flight cycles or 10,000
 series airplanes; and Model A320-211, -    flight hours.                       flight hours.
 212, -214, -216, -231, -232, and -233
 airplanes; not used as VIP or Elite.
Model A319 series airplanes; post-Airbus   2,000 flight cycles or 8,600        2,500 flight cycles or 11,000
 Modifications 28162, 28238, and 28342;     flight hours.                       flight hours.
 used as VIP or CJ.
Model A318 series airplanes; post-Airbus   4,000 flight cycles or 12,000       5,000 flight cycles or 15,000
 Modification 39195; used as VIP or Elite.  flight hours.                       flight hours.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Note 1 to paragraph (g) of this AD: Airbus Modification 155374
defines the minimum airplane configuration for operation on
Commonwealth of Independent States runway profiles.

(h) Terminating Action Limitation

    Repair of an airplane, as required by paragraph (g) of this AD,
does not constitute terminating action for the repetitive
inspections required by paragraph (g) of this AD unless otherwise
specified in the instructions obtained using the procedures
specified in paragraph (j)(2) of this AD.

(i) Optional Terminating Action

    Modification of the wings including a detailed inspection of the
lower rib feet (rib 2) and bottom skin upper surface of the wings
for cracking and all applicable corrective actions, in accordance
with the Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin
A320-57-1207, including Appendix 01 and Appendix 02, dated May 26,
2016, constitutes terminating action for the repetitive inspections
required by paragraph (g) of this AD for that airplane. If, during
modification of an airplane as specified in this paragraph,
accomplishment of any modification instruction is not possible due
to configuration difficulties, accomplish the modification using the
procedures specified in paragraph (j)(1) of this AD.

(j) Other FAA AD Provisions

    The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager,
International Branch, ANM-116, 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
International Branch, send it to the attention of the person
identified in paragraph (k)(2) of this AD. Information may be
emailed to<EMAIL_ADDRESS>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.
    (2) Contacting the Manufacturer: For any requirement in this AD
to obtain corrective actions from a manufacturer, the action must be
accomplished using a method approved by the Manager, International
Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA; or the
European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA); or Airbus's EASA Design
Organization Approval (DOA). If approved by the DOA, the approval
must include the DOA-authorized signature.
    (3) Required for Compliance (RC): If any service information
contains procedures or tests that are identified as RC, those
procedures and tests must be done to comply with this AD; any
procedures or tests that are not identified as RC are recommended.
Those procedures and tests that are not identified 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 procedures and tests identified as
RC can be done and the airplane can be put back in an airworthy
condition. Any substitutions or changes to procedures or tests
identified as RC require approval of an AMOC.

(k) Related Information

    (1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information
(MCAI) EASA AD 2016-0222, dated November 7, 2016, for related
information. This MCAI may be found in the AD docket on the Internet
at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket
No. FAA-2017-0709.
    (2) For more information about this AD, contact Sanjay Ralhan,
Aerospace Engineer, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport
Airplane Directorate, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-
3356; telephone<PHONE_NUMBER>; fax<PHONE_NUMBER>.
    (3) For service information identified in this AD, contact
Airbus, Airworthiness Office--EIAS, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte,
31707 Blagnac Cedex, France; telephone +33 5 61 93 36 96; fax +33 5
61 93 44 51; email<EMAIL_ADDRESS>Internet http://www.airbus.com. You may view this 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>.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on July 14, 2017.
Dionne Palermo,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-15481 Filed 7-24-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P


[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 241 (Tuesday, December 16, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 74808-74810]
[FR Doc No: 2014-29369]

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Maritime Administration

[Docket Number USCG-2013-0363]

Deepwater Port License Application: Liberty Natural Gas LLC, Port
Ambrose Deepwater Port

AGENCY: Maritime Administration, Department of Transportation.

ACTION: Notice of availability; notice of public meeting; request for
comments.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Maritime Administration (MARAD) and the U.S. Coast Guard
(USCG) announce the availability of the Draft Environmental Impact
Statement (DEIS) for the Liberty Natural Gas LLC, Port Ambrose
Liquefied Natural Gas Deepwater Port License Application for the
importation of natural gas.
    Please note that this application is only for the construction and
operation of a deepwater port that could only be used as a natural gas
import facility. The considerable technical, operational, and
environmental differences between import and export operations for
natural gas deepwater ports is such that any licensed deepwater port
facility that proposed to convert from import to export operations
would be required to submit a new license application (including
application fee) and conform to all licensing requirements and
regulations in effect at such time of application. In addition to
payment of the application fee, licensing requirements include, but are
not limited to, completion of an extensive environmental impact
assessment and financial resources review which would include public
participation.
    The Port Ambrose application describes an offshore natural gas
deepwater port facility that would be located 16.1 nautical miles
southeast of Jones Beach, New York, 24.9 nautical miles east of Long
Branch, New Jersey, and 27.1 nautical miles from the entrance to New
York Harbor in a water depth of approximately 103 feet. The DEIS
complies with the Deepwater Port Act of 1974, as amended (33 U.S.C.
1501 et seq.) (DWPA) and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
(Section 102[2][c]), as implemented by Council on Environmental Quality
regulations (40 CFR 1500 to 1508).
    Publication of this notice begins a 60 day comment period, requests
public participation in the process, provides information on how to
participate in the process, and announces informational open houses and
public meetings in New York and New Jersey. Pursuant to the criteria
provided in the DWPA, both New Jersey and New York are the Adjacent
Coastal States for this application.

DATES: There will be two public meetings held in connection with the
application DEIS. The first public meeting will be held in Jamaica, New
York on Wednesday, January 7, 2015 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The second
public meeting will be held in Eatontown, New Jersey on Thursday,
January 8, 2015 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Both public meetings will be
preceded by an open house from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. The public
meeting may end later than the stated time, depending on the number of
persons wishing to speak. Additionally, materials submitted in response
to the request for comments must reach the Docket Management Facility
as detailed below, by close of business Tuesday, February 10, 2015 or
60 days after this NOA is published in the Federal Register whichever
is later.

ADDRESSES: The open house and public meeting in Jamaica, New York will
be held at the Hilton New York JFK Airport, 144-02 135th Avenue,
Jamaica, New York 11436; phone<PHONE_NUMBER> or www3.hilton.com/en/hotels/new-york/hilton-new-york-jfk-airport-NYCJFHF/index.html. Parking
is available at the hotel. Attendees may submit their parking stubs at
the meeting registration desk for validation. The open house and public
meeting in Eatontown, New Jersey will be held at the Sheraton Eatontown
Hotel, 6 Industrial Way East, Eatontown, NJ 07724, phone<PHONE_NUMBER>
or www.sheratoneatontown.com with free parking on site.
    The license application, comments, supporting information, and the
DEIS are available for viewing at the Federal Docket Management System
(FDMS) Web site: http://www.regulations.gov under docket number USCG-
2013-0363. The Final Environmental Impact Statement, when published,
will be announced and available at this site as well.
    Docket submissions for USCG-2013-0363 should be addressed to:
Department of Transportation, Docket Management Facility, West
Building, Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE.,
Washington, DC 20590-0001.
    The Federal Docket Management Facility accepts hand-delivered
submissions and makes docket contents available for public inspection
and copying at this address between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through
Friday, except Federal holidays. The Facility telephone number is 202-
366-9329, the fax number is<PHONE_NUMBER>, and the Web site for
electronic submissions or for electronic access to docket contents is
http://www.regulations.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Roddy Bachman, U.S. Coast Guard,
telephone:<PHONE_NUMBER>, email<EMAIL_ADDRESS>or Ms. Yvette
M. Fields, Maritime Administration, telephone:<PHONE_NUMBER>, email:
<EMAIL_ADDRESS>For questions regarding the Docket, call Ms.
Barbara Hairston, Program Manager, Docket Operations, telephone 202-
366-9826.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Public Meeting and Open House

    You are invited to learn about the proposed Port Ambrose Deepwater
Port at either of the above informational open houses, and to comment
on the proposed action and the environmental impact analysis contained
in the DEIS at either of the above public meetings or directly to the
docket.
    Speakers may register upon arrival and will be recognized in the
following order: Elected officials, public agencies, individuals or
groups in the order in which they registered. In order to accommodate
all speakers, speaker time may be limited, meeting hours may be

extended, or both. Speakers' transcribed remarks will be included in
the public docket. Written material may also be submitted for inclusion
in the public docket. Written material must include the author's name
and address. We ask attendees to respect the meeting procedures in
order to ensure a constructive information-gathering session. Please do
not bring signs or banners inside the meeting venue. The presiding
officer will use his/her discretion to conduct the hearing in an
orderly manner.
    Public meeting locations are wheelchair-accessible. However,
attendees who require special assistance such as sign language
interpretation or other reasonable accommodation, please notify the
USCG (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT) at least 5 business days in
advance. Include contact information as well as information about
specific needs.

Request for Comments

    We request public comments or other relevant information on the
DEIS for the proposed deepwater port. These comments will assist us in
the preparation of the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS). The
public meeting is not the only opportunity you have to comment. In
addition to, or in place of, attending a meeting, you may submit
comments to the Docket Management Facility during the public comment
period (see DATES). We will consider all reasonable comments and
material received during the comment period.
    Submissions should include:
     Docket number USCG-2013-0363.
     Your name and address.
    Submit comments or material using only one of the following
methods:
     Electronic submission to the Federal Docket Management
Facility, http://www.regulations.gov.
     Fax, mail, or hand delivery to the Docket Management
Facility (see ADDRESSES). Faxed or hand delivered submissions must be
unbound, no larger than 8\1/2\ by 11 inches, and suitable for copying
and electronic scanning. If you mail your submission and want to know
when it reaches the Facility, include a stamped, self-addressed
postcard or envelope.
    Regardless of the method used for submitting comments or material,
all submissions will be posted, without change, to the FDMS Web site
(http://www.regulations.gov), and will include any personal information
you provide. Therefore, submitting this information makes it public.
You may wish to read the Privacy and Use Notice that is available on
the FDMS Web site, and the Department of Transportation Privacy Act
Notice that appeared in the Federal Register on April 11, 2000 (65 FR
19477), see PRIVACY ACT. You may view docket submissions at the
Department of Transportation Docket Management Facility or
electronically on the FDMS Web site (see ADDRESSES).

Background

    Information about deepwater ports, the Deepwater Port Act, other
applicable statutes, regulations governing deepwater port licensing,
including the application review process, and the receipt of the
current application for the proposed Port Ambrose liquefied natural gas
deepwater port was published in the Federal Register on June 14, 2013,
78 FR 36014. The ``Summary of the Application'' from that publication
is reprinted below for your convenience.
    The Notice of Intent to Prepare an EIS for the proposed action was
published in the Federal Register at 78 FR 37878, June 24, 2013. The
DEIS, application materials and associated comments and supporting
information are available on the docket.
    Scoping meetings were conducted in Long Beach, New York and Edison,
New Jersey on July 9 and 10, 2013. Transcripts were posted on the
docket (document numbers 0976 and 0977) on August 28, 2013. An extended
60 day scoping comment period ended August 22, 2013.
    The statutory timeline, as required by the DWPA, requires final
public hearings be conducted no later than 240 days after notice of the
application. This timeline was suspended by MARAD and USCG on October
21, 2013, day 129 of the 240 day timeline. This suspension was
necessary to acquire and analyze additional information needed to
develop an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) that will satisfy
public and agency requirements and to meet other responsibilities,
including the independent risk assessment, within the statutory
timeframe required by the DWPA. Effective this day, with the publishing
of this notice, the suspension of the statutory timeline is removed.
The period of suspension has not been counted in determining the date
prescribed by the time limit set forth in the DWPA. Upon completion of
the FEIS, and following completion of the final public hearings, the
Governors of the adjacent coastal states of New York and New Jersey
will have 45 days to approve the application; approve the application
with conditions; or deny the proposed deepwater port. MARAD then has 90
days from the close of the hearings to issue a Record of Decision.
    Though the scoping comment period ended on August 22, 2013,
additional information has been added to the docket as it was
identified, researched and analyzed.

Proposed Action and Alternatives

    The proposed action requiring environmental review is the Federal
licensing of the proposed deepwater port described in the ``Summary of
the Application'' below. The alternatives to licensing the proposed
port are: (1) Licensing with conditions (including conditions designed
to mitigate environmental impact), and (2) denying the application,
which for purposes of environmental review is the ``no-action''
alternative. These alternatives are more fully discussed in the DEIS.
While USCG, in coordination with MARAD, is the lead Federal agency for
the preparation of the EIS, MARAD is the Federal licensing agency. You
can address any questions about the proposed action or the DEIS to USCG
or MARAD project managers identified in FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
CONTACT.

Summary of the Application

    Liberty Natural Gas, LLC is proposing to construct, own, and
operate a liquefied natural gas (LNG) deepwater port import facility,
known as Port Ambrose, located in the New York Bight. The Port Ambrose
facility will be located at a different proposed location and include a
different design than the previous deepwater port license application
submitted by Liberty Natural Gas, LLC in 2010. Port Ambrose would
consist of two Submerged Turret Loading Buoys (STL Buoys) in Federal
waters 16.1 nautical miles southeast of Jones Beach, New York, 24.9
nautical miles east of Long Branch, New Jersey, and 27.1 nautical miles
from the entrance to New York Harbor, in a water depth of approximately
103 feet.
    LNG would be delivered from purpose-built LNG regasification
vessels (LNGRVs), vaporized on site and delivered through the STL
Buoys, flexible riser/umbilical, subsea manifold and lateral pipelines
to a buried 18.8 nautical mile subsea mainline connecting to the
existing Transco Lower New York Bay Lateral in New York State waters
2.2 nautical miles south of Long Beach, New York and 13.1 nautical
miles east of Sandy Hook, New Jersey. The buoys would be lowered to
rest on a landing pad when not in use and would also include a suction
anchor mooring array.
    STL Buoy 1 is located at Latitude: 40[deg]19'24.61'' N and
Longitude: 73[deg]25'45.33'' W. STL Buoy 2 is located at Latitude:
40[deg]20'09.26'' N and

Longitude 73[deg]23'51.92'' W. The Port components would fall in the
following U.S. Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) lease blocks:
    Buoy 1 (6708, 6709, 6758); Buoy 2 (6709); Lateral 1 (6708); Lateral
2 (6708, 6709); ``Y'' Assembly (6708); Mainline Pipeline (6708, 6658,
6657, 6607, 6606, 6556, 6555, 6554, 6504 and 6503).
    The 145,000 cubic meter LNGRVs would have onboard closed-loop
vaporization and metering and odorant capability. Each vessel would
have three vaporization units capable of maximum send-out of 750
million standard cubic feet per day (MMscfd) (maximum pipeline system
flow rate is 660 MMscfd with two buoys) with annual average expected to
be 400 MMscfd. The LNGRVs have been designed to utilize a ballast water
cooling system that will entirely re-circulate onboard the vessel
during Port operations, eliminating vessel discharges associated with
regasification while at the Port. Deliveries through Port Ambrose would
be focused during peak demand winter and summer months, and it is
anticipated that approximately 45 deliveries will occur each year.
    As proposed, the LNGRVs would access the port inbound from the
Hudson Canyon to Ambrose Traffic Lane and depart via the Ambrose to
Nantucket Traffic Lane. MARAD and USCG are aware that Port Ambrose
falls within the proposed area of interest for the Long Island--New
York City Offshore Wind Collaborative wind energy project. This project
will be acknowledged and considered in the cumulative impacts analysis
section of the DEIS based on currently available information. If
approved, the majority of the port and pipeline construction and
installation would occur in 2017, with commissioning estimated to be in
December 2017.
    In addition, pipelines and structures such as the STL buoy moorings
may require permits under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act and
Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act which are administered by the
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). Port Ambrose will also require
permits from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) pursuant to the
provisions of the Clean Air Act, as amended, and the Clean Water Act,
as amended.
    The new pipeline is included in the NEPA review as part of the
deepwater port application process. The EPA and the USACE among others,
are cooperating agencies and will assist in the NEPA process as
described in 40 CFR 1501.6; may participate in the public meetings; and
will incorporate the EIS into their permitting processes. Comments sent
to the EPA or USACE will also be incorporated into the DOT docket and
EIS to ensure consistency with the NEPA Process.
    There have been some proposed project changes since the original
application was submitted, which are set forth in materials on the
docket and in the DEIS. (1) The original Application proposed a plowed
mainline pipeline burial depth of 3 feet. Now the pipeline is proposed
to be plow-buried to 4 feet with the portion that is within the Ambrose
Anchorage Area buried 7 feet using jetting. (2) The originally proposed
impact driven mooring pile anchors are now proposed to be suction
anchors. (3) The original port construction and commissioning was
proposed to occur in 2015. That has been amended to occur in 2017
(assuming a license is issued).
    Should a license be issued, the deepwater port would be designed,
fabricated, constructed, commissioned, maintained, inspected, and
operated in accordance with applicable codes and standards and with
USCG oversight as regulated under Title 33, Code of Federal Regulations
(CFR), subchapter NN-Deepwater Ports, parts 148, 149, and 150. This
also includes applicable waterways management and regulated navigation
areas, maritime safety and security requirements, risk assessment, and
compliance with domestic and international laws and regulations for
vessels that may call on the port.

Privacy Act

    The electronic form of all comments received into the Federal
Docket Management System can be searched by the name of the individual
submitting the comment (or signing the comment, if submitted on behalf
of an association, business, labor union, etc.). The DOT Privacy Act
Statement can be viewed in the Federal Register published on April 11,
2000 (Volume 65, Number 70, pages 19477-78) or you may visit http://www.regulations.gov.

(Authority: 49 CFR 1.93)

* * * * *

    Dated: December 10, 2014.

    By Order of the Maritime Administrator.
Christine S. Gurland,
Acting Secretary, Maritime Administration.
[FR Doc. 2014-29369 Filed 12-15-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-81-P