Proposed Rules. Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM); extension of comment period
/register/2000/08/22/00-21262·A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
Agency: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT
Action: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM); extension of comment period
Citation: FR Doc. 00-21262 · RIN 2120-AG96 · Docket No. FAA-2000-7479; Notice No. 00-05 · 14 CFR 121, 139
Summary
This action extends the comment period for an NPRM that was published on June 21, 2000. In that document, the FAA proposed to revise the current airport certification regulation and a section of an air carrier operation regulation. This extension is a result of requests from the Augusta (ME) State Airport, the Hancock County-Bar Harbor (ME) Airport, and the State of Maine Department of Transportation to extend the comment period to the proposal.
Dates
Comments must be received on or before November 3, 2000.
Supplementary Information
Comments Invited Interested persons are invited to participate in this rulemaking by submitting such written data, views, or arguments, as they may desire. Comments relating to the environmental, energy, federalism, or economic impact that might result from adopting the proposals in this document are also invited. Substantive comments should be accompanied by cost estimates. Comments should identify the regulatory docket or notice number and should be submitted in duplicate to the Rules Docket address specified above. All comments received, as well as a report summarizing each substantive public contact with FAA personnel on this rulemaking, will be filed in the docket. The docket is available for public inspection before and after the comment closing date. The Administrator will consider all comments received on or before the closing date before taking action on this proposed rulemaking. Comments filed late will be considered as far as possible without incurring expense or delay. The proposals contained in this rulemaking may be changed in light of the comments received. Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments submitted in response to this notice must include a pre-addressed, stamped postcard with those comments on which the following statement is made: “Comments to Docket No. FAA-2000-7479.” The postcard will be date stamped and mailed to the commenter. Availability of NPRMs An electronic copy is available on the Internet by taking the following steps: (1) Go to the search function of the Department of Transportation's electronic Docket Management System (DMS) Web page (). (2) On the search page type in the last four digits of the Docket number shown at the beginning of this notice. Click on “search.” (3) On the next page, which contains the Docket summary information for the Docket selected, click on the proposed rule. An electronic copy is also available on the Internet through FAA's web page at or the Federal Register's web page at . Further, a copy may be obtained by submitting a written request to the Federal Aviation Administration, Office of Rulemaking, ARM-1, 800 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20591, or by calling (202) 267-9680. Make sure to identify the notice number or docket number of this proposed rule. Background On June 21, 2000, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued Notice No. 00-05, Certification of Airports (65 FR 38636, June 21, 2000). Comments to that document were to be received on or before September 19, 2000. By letters dated July 13 and August 2, 2000, the Augusta (ME) State Airport, the Hancock County-Bar Harbor (ME) Airport, and the State of Maine Department of Transportation requested that the FAA extend the comment period for Notice No. 00-05 until December 20, 2000. Operators of these airports stated that the FAA has underestimated the economic impact of the proposal on their facilities, which would be newly certificated airports under the proposal. The State of Maine Department of Transportation is concerned about the economic implications of the proposal on certain airports. All petitioners requested an extension of the comment period by 90 days to provide sufficient time to obtain cost data and fully evaluate this proposal before submitting comments to the FAA. While the FAA concurs with the petitioners' requests for an extension of the comment period on Notice No. 00-05, the FAA believes that a 90-day extension would be excessive. As Notice No. 00-05 is lengthy, the FAA provided a 90-day comment period. Although the FAA agrees that additional time for comments may be needed by operators of airports that would be newly certificated under the proposal, this need must be balanced against the need to proceed expeditiously with a rulemaking that Congress has indicated needs to be completed. The FAA believes an additional 45 days would be adequate for these petitioners to collect cost and operational data necessary to provide meaningful comment to Notice No. 00-05. This will also allow commenters who may have anticipated an extension in the comment period to submit their comments by a date certain. Absent unusual circumstances, the FAA does not anticipate any further extension of the comment period for this rulemaking. Extension of Comment Period In accordance with § 11.29(c) of Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, the FAA has reviewed the petitions made by Augusta (ME) State Airport, the Hancock County-Bar Harbor (ME) Airport, and the State of Maine Department of Transportation for extension of the comment period to Notice No. 00-05. These petitioners have shown a substantive interest in the proposed rule and good cause for the extension. The FAA also has determined that extension of the comment period is consistent with the public interest, and that good cause exists for taking this action. Accordingly, the comment period for Notice No. 98-5 is extended until November 3, 2000. David L. Bennett, Director, Office of Airport Safety and Standards. [FR Doc. 00-21262 Filed 8-21-00; 8:45 am]