10108 Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 43 / Wednesday, March 5, 1997 / Notices

Independence Avenue, SW.,

Washington, DC 20591, Telephone (202)

267–9546.

Comments Invited

Interested persons are invited to

comment on the proposed TSO listed in

this notice by submitting such written

data, views, or arguments as they desire

to the above specified address.

Comments received on the proposed

technical standard order may be

examined, before and after the comment

closing date, in Room 815, FAA

Headquarters Building (FOB–10A), 800

Independence Avenue, SW.,

Washington, DC 20591, weekdays

except Federal holidays, between 8:30

a.m. and 4:30 p.m. All communications

received on or before the closing date

for comments specified above will be

considered by the Director of the

Aircraft Certification Service before

issuing the final TSO.

Background

The FAA established the Aviation

Rulemaking Advisory Committee

(ARAC) in January 1991 to provide an

ongoing mechanism to accept

recommendations from the aviation

industry in the regulatory process (56

FR 2190; January 22, 1991; and 58 FR

9230; February 19, 1993). In March

1993, the FAA established the Parts

Working Group as part of ARAC (58 FR

16572; March 29, 1993). The Parts

Working Group was tasked with

recommending to ARAC new

regulations and guidance material, as

appropriate, pertaining to the issuance

and administration of approvals of

replacement and modification parts for

civil aircraft. The proposed TSO in this

notice is based on a draft proposed TSO

developed by the Parts Working Group

and recommended to the FAA by the

ARAC.

The standards of proposed TSO–C148

apply to types of mechanical fasteners

intended for tension and/or shear

applications in the manufacture and

maintenance of aircraft products. The

standards are also adaptable to fasteners

of proprietary designs. Proposed TSO–

C148 provides alternative requirements

for marking each individual fastener in

lieu of the marking specified by 14 CFR

§ 21.607(d).

How To Obtain Copies

A copy of the proposed TSO–C148

may be obtained by contacting FOR

FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.

Issued in Washington, DC, on February 26,

1997.

Todd B. Thompson,

Acting Manager, Aircraft Engineering

Division, Aircraft Certification Service.

[FR Doc. 97–5432 Filed 3–4–97; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910–13–M

Lithium Batteries

AGENCY: Federal Aviation

Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of availability for public

comment.

SUMMARY: This notice announces the

availability of and request comments on

a proposed technical standard order

(TSO) pertaining to lithium batteries.

The proposed TSO prescribes the

minimum performance standards that

lithium batteries must meet to be

identified with the marking ‘‘TSO–

C142.’’

DATES: Comments must be received on

or before June 13, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Send all comments on the

proposed technical standard order to:

Technical Programs and Continued

Airworthiness Branch, AIR–120,

Aircraft Engineering Division, Aircraft

Certification Service—File No. TSO–

C142, Federal Aviation Administration,

800 Independence Avenue, SW.,

Washington, DC 20591. Or deliver

comments to: Federal Aviation

Administration, Room 804, 800

Independence Avenue, SW.,

Washington, DC 20591. Comments must

identify the TSO file number.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Ms. Bobbie J. Smith, Technical Program

and Continued Airworthiness Branch,

AIR–120, Aircraft Engineering Division,

Aircraft Certification Service, Federal

Aviation Administration, 800

Independence Avenue, SW.,

Washington, DC 20591, Telephone (202)

267–9546.

Comments Invited

Interested persons are invited to

comment on the proposed TSO listed in

this notice by submitting such written

data, views, or arguments as they desire

to the above specified address.

Comments received on the proposed

TSO order may be examined, before and

after the comment closing date, in Room

804, FAA Headquarters Building (FOB–

10A), 800 Independence Avenue, SW.,

Washington, DC 20591, weekdays

except Federal holidays, between 8:30

a.m. and 4:30 p.m. All communications

received on or before the closing date

for comments specified above will be

considered by the Director of the

Aircraft Certification Service before

issuing the final TSO.

Background

In the late 1970’s there were

numerous reports of emergency locator

transmitters, powered by lithium sulfur

dioxide batteries, exploding, corroding,

and venting toxic gases in general

aviation airplanes. This resulted in a

series of three airworthiness directives

(Amendment 39–3549 (44 FR 50321,

August 27, 1979), Amendment 39–3422

(44 FR 10980; February 26, 1979), and

amendment 39–3708 (45 FR 13051,

February 28, 1980)) to correct the safety

problem and the issuance of TSO–C97,

specifically for lithium sulfur dioxide

batteries. Since TSO–C97 was issued,

there have been few installations using

lithium sulfur batteries in aircraft

equipment. Other batteries, however, of

different lithium chemistries, sizes, and

construction are widely used today in

non aviation applications.

Lithium batteries are desired for

installation in aircraft because of their

high energy per unit weight and

volume, high cell voltage, relatively

constant voltage during discharge,

excellent low-temperature performance,

and long shelf life. They continue to

pose a potential safety hazard if not

chosen carefully for the intended use,

and used within their design and test

limitations throughout their life cycle.

Proposed TSO–C142 prescribes a means

of assuring that lithium batteries will

perform their intended function safely

under conditions normally encountered

in aeronautical operations.

How To Obtain Copies

A copy of the proposed TSO-C142

may be obtained by contacting FOR

FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. Copies

of RTCA Document No. DO–227,

‘‘Lithium Batteries,’’ dated June 23,

1995, may be purchased from the RTCA

Inc., 1140 Connecticut Avenue, NW.,

Suite 1020, Washington, DC 20036.

Issued in Washington, DC, on February 24,

1997.

Brian A. Yanez,

Acting Manager, Aircraft Engineering

Division, Aircraft Certification Service.

[FR Doc. 97–5433 Filed 3–4–97; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910–13–M

Federal Highway Administration

Environmental Impact Statement:

Bernalillo County, NM

AGENCY: Federal Highway

Administration (FHWA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an

Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)
Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 43 / Wednesday, March 5, 1997 / Notices 10109

for the Gibson East Transportation

Corridor Study.

SUMMARY: The FHWA is issuing this

notice to advise the public that an

environmental impact statement will be

prepared for a proposed transportation

project in Bernalillo County, New

Mexico, in accordance with 23 CFR part

771.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Reuben S. Thomas, Division

Administrator, Federal Highway

Administration, 604 W. San Mateo Rd.,

Santa Fe, New Mexico 87505,

Telephone: (505) 820–2022.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The

FHWA, in cooperation with the New

Mexico State Highway and

Transportation Department and the City

of Albuquerque Public Works

Department, will prepare an

environmental impact statement (EIS)

on a proposal to improve Gibson

Boulevard in Bernalillo County, New

Mexico. The proposed action involves

the improvement of Gibson Boulevard

beginning at Interstate 25 and extending

eastward to the Juan Tabo BoulevardInterstate 40 interchange for a total

corridor distance of about 12.9

kilometers or 8.0 miles.

The proposed action addresses the

need to relieve increased traffic

congestion in the southeast quadrant of

Albuquerque with a safe and efficient

transportation system that also serves

major employment centers including the

Albuquerque International Airport,

Kirtland Air Force Base, the Kirtland

Airforce Base/Veterans Administration

Medical Center, and the Lovelace

Medical Center.

Alternatives under consideration

include (1) the No Build Alternative; (2)

the Arterial Alternative; (3) The

Expressway Alternative; (4) the

Expressway/Arterial Alternative, and (5)

the Transit/High-Occupancy Vehicle

Alternative.

The No Build Alternative would

maintain the existing condition of

Gibson Boulevard as a six-lane principal

arterial with varying degrees of access

control from the Interstate 25/Gibson

Boulevard interchange eastward to its

existing terminus at Louisiana

Boulevard, a distance of approximately

6.4 kilometers or 4.0 miles.

The Arterial Alternative would

reconstruct major street intersections,

make some minor roadway

improvements on Gibson Boulevard

from the Interstate 25/Gibson Boulevard

interchange to Louisiana Boulevard, and

close several existing roadway medians.

It would also extend Gibson Boulevard

eastward from Louisiana Boulevard to

the Juan Tabo Boulevard/Central

Avenue intersection.

The Expressway/Arterial Alternative

would upgrade Gibson Boulevard to a

high-capacity, high speed, limited

access principal arterial with full access

limited to major intersections

approximately one-half mile apart for its

eight mile length.

The Expressway/Arterial Alternative

would upgrade Gibson Boulevard to a

high-capacity, high-speed, limitedaccess principal arterial with full access

limited to major street intersections

approximately one-half mile apart along

seven of its eight mile length. For the

remaining one-mile segment, between

San Mateo Boulevard and Louisiana

Boulevard, the Arterial Alternative

standards would apply.

The Transit/High-Occupancy Vehicle

Alternative would upgrade Gibson

Boulevard from Interstate 25 to the Juan

Tabo Boulevard/Interstate 40

interchange to a transit/high-occupancy

vehicle corridor.

Letters describing the proposed action

and soliciting comments have been sent

to appropriate Federal, State, and local

agencies, and to private organizations

and citizens who have previously

expressed an interest or are known to

have an interest in this proposal. A

series of public meetings will be held in

Albuquerque, New Mexico beginning in

February, 1997. In addition, a public

hearing will be held. Public notice will

be given of the time and place of the

meetings and hearing. The Draft EIS will

be available for public and agency

review and comment prior to the public

hearing. No formal scoping meeting is

planned at this time.

To ensure that the full range of issues

related to this proposed action are

addressed and all significant issues and

impacts identified, comments and

suggestions are invited from all

interested parties. Comments and

questions concerning this proposed

action and the EIS should be directed to

FHWA at the address provided above.

(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance

Program Number 20.205, Highway Planning

and Construction. The regulations

implementing Executive Order 12372

regarding intergovernmental consultation on

Federal programs and activities supply to

this program)

Issued on: February 12, 1997.

Reuben S. Thomas,

Division Administrator, Santa Fe, NM.

[FR Doc. 97–5338 Filed 3–4–97; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910–22–M

Maritime Administration

[Docket No. M–030]

Information Collection Available for

Public Comments and

Recommendations

ACTION: Notice and request for

comments.

SUMMARY: In accordance with the

Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this

notice announces the Maritime

Administration’s (MARAD’s) intentions

to request extension of approval for

three years of a currently approved

information collection.

DATES: Comments should be submitted

on or before May 5, 1997.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

David Lippold, Division of Capital

Assets Management, Office of Ship

Financing, Maritime Administration,

MAR–533, Room 8122, 400 Seventh

Street, S.W., Washington, DC 20590.

Telephone (202) 366–5744 or FAX (202)

366–3954. Copies of this collection can

also be obtained from that office.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Title of Collection: Capital

Construction Fund and Exhibits.

Type of Request: Extension of

currently approved information

collection.

OMB Control Number: 2133–0027.

Form Number: No Maritime

Administration form is required; only a

format specified in 46 CFR Part 390,

‘‘Capital Construction Fund’’.

Expiration Date of Approval: April 30,

1997.

Summary of Collection of

Information: The collection consists of

application for a Capital Construction

Fund agreement under section 607 of

the Merchant Marine Act, 1936 as

amended, and annual submissions of

appropriate schedules and exhibits. The

Capital Construction Fund is a tax

deferred ship construction fund that

was created to assist owners and

operators of U.S.-flag vessels in

accumulating the large amount of

capital necessary for the modernization

and expansion of the U.S. merchant

marine. The program encourages

construction, reconstruction, or

acquisition of vessels through the

deferment of Federal income taxes on

certain deposits of money or property

placed into a CCF.

Need and Use of the Information: The

collected information is used by the

Maritime Administration to determine

an applicant’s eligibility to enter into a

CCF Agreement.

Description of Respondents: U.S.

citizens which own or lease one or more