February 7, 2005 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

Under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35), the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Secretariat will be submitting to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) a request to review and approve an extension of a currently approved information collection requirement concerning report of shipment. The clearance currently expires on May 31, 2005. Public comments are particularly invited on: Whether this collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of functions of the FAR, and whether it will have practical utility; whether our estimate of the public burden of this collection of information is accurate, and based on valid assumptions and methodology; ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and ways in which we can minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, through the use of appropriate technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

In accordance with the requirements of 49 U.S.C. 5117(c), RSPA is publishing the following list of exemption applications that have been in process for 180 days or more. The reason(s) for delay and the expected completion date for action on each application is provided in association with each identified application.

This action amends Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations, part 71 (14 CFR 71) by revising Class E airspace at Rolla, MO. A review of controlled airspace for Rolla Downtown Airport revealed it does not comply with the criteria for 700 feet above ground level (AGL) airspace required for diverse departures. The area is modified and enlarged to conform to the criteria in FAA Orders.

This amendment adopts miscellaneous amendments to the required IFR (instrument flight rules) altitudes and changeover points for certain Federal airways, jet routes, or direct routes for which a minimum or maximum en route authorized IFR altitude is prescribed. This regulatory action is needed because of changes occurring in the National Airspace System. These changes are designed to provide for the safe and efficient use of the navigable airspace under instrument conditions in the affected areas.

This action revises Colored Federal Airway Green 16 (G-16), in Alaska. This action adds to the instrument flight rules (IFR) airway and route structure in Alaska by extending G-16 from Put River, AK, to Barter Island, AK. The FAA is taking this action to enhance the safety and management of aircraft operations in Alaska.

This action proposes to establish new Class E airspace at Perryville, AK. A new Standard Instrument Approach Procedure (SIAP) and Departure Procedure are being published for the Perryville Airport. There is no existing Class E airspace to contain aircraft executing the new instrument approach at Perryville, AK. Adoption of this proposal would result in the establishment of Class E airspace upward from 700 feet (ft.) and 1,200 ft. above the surface at Perryville, AK.

This action proposes to revise the Class E airspace at St. Michael, AK. Two new Standard instrument approach procedures (SIAPs) and a new Textual Departure Procedure are being published for St. Michael, AK. Additional Class E airspace is needed to contain aircraft executing instrument approaches at St. Michael Airport. Adoption of this proposal would result in additional Class E airspace upward from 700 feet (ft.) above the surface at St. Michael, AK.

This action proposes to establish eight area navigation (RNAV) routes in Florida in support of the High Altitude Redesign (HAR) project. The FAA is proposing this action to enhance safety and to improve the efficient use of the navigable airspace.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone in all navigable waters of the Captain of the Port Baltimore zone. This safety zone is necessary to protect mariners from the hazards associated with ice. The temporary safety zone restricts vessels from transiting the zone during ice season, unless authorized by the Captain of the Port Baltimore, Maryland or designated representative through the issuance of broadcast notice to mariners and marine safety information bulletins.

This rule redefines the producer districts and reapportions each district's membership on the California Olive Committee (committee). The Federal marketing order for California olives (order) regulates the handling of canned ripe olives grown in California and is administered locally by the committee. This rule reduces the number of producer districts in the production area from four to two and reapportions the committee representation from each district to reflect the consolidation. These changes reflect recent shifts in olive acreage and producer numbers within the production area and should provide equitable committee representation from each district.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is announcing a public meeting to discuss our progress on development of a comprehensive, risk-based Animal Feed Safety System (AFSS) describing how animal feeds (individual ingredients and mixed feeds) should be manufactured, distributed, and used to minimize risks to humans and animals. We are seeking comments and assistance in our consideration of this safety program to effectively minimize the hazards to public health posed by animal feed products. Date and Time: The public meting will be held on Tuesday, April 5, 2005, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Wednesday, April 6, 2005, from 8 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. You may submit written or electronic comments at any time, but they would be most helpful if received on or before March 4, 2005. Location: The public meeting will be held at The Crowne Plaza, 655 North 108th Ave., Omaha, NE 68154, 402-496-0850.

DoD is proposing to amend the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) to update text pertaining to processing of requests for extraordinary contract adjustments. This proposed rule is a result of a transformation initiative undertaken by DoD to dramatically change the purpose and content of the DFARS.

DoD has issued a final rule amending the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) to extend the ending date for phasing out domestic source restrictions on the acquisition of polyacrylonitrile (PAN) carbon fiber. The ending date is extended from May 31, 2005, to May 31, 2006.

EPA is proposing to approve a State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision submitted by the State of Maine. This revision establishes requirements to reduce volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions from portable fuel containers. The intended effect of this action is to approve these requirements into the Maine SIP. EPA is taking this action in accordance with the Clean Air Act (CAA).

Under Part 375 of the Department's regulations, 14 CFR part 375, which provides for the operation in the United States of ``foreign civil aircraft'' which are not engaged in common carriage, persons or entities seeking to operate foreign civil aircraft within the United States involving the carriage of persons, property and mail ``for remuneration or hire'' must obtain a ``foreign aircraft permit'' from the Department of Transportation under that Part. On May 16, 2003, the National Business Aircraft Association (NBAA), a trade association that represents many business aircraft operators throughout the United States, wrote to the Department requesting a policy determination that certain types of operations that its representative companies might perform using U.S.-registered foreign civil aircraft (such as carriage of a company's own officials and guests, or aircraft time-sharing, interchange or joint ownership arrangements between companies) do not, in fact, constitute operations ``for remuneration or hire'' within the meaning of Part 375. The NBAA noted that a favorable response would eliminate the need for the companies involved to secure a permit for such operations. The Department of Transportation is now proposing to amend 14 CFR part 375 to clarify those circumstances under which companies operating U.S.-registered foreign civil aircraft are not deemed to be involved in air commerce for remuneration or hire and, therefore, are not required under Part 375 to obtain a foreign aircraft permit. On July 7, 2003, the Department solicited comments on the NBAA request (see 68 FR 40321 (July 7, 2003)). Pursuant to the Department's request, comments were filed by interested parties. The Department has reviewed the comments filed in Docket OST-2003-15511 and now proposes to amend Part 375 of our regulations as described below.

The Department of Transportation is reissuing the Transportation Acquisition Regulation (TAR). This interim final rule reflects changes made to implement and/or supplement the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR). The TAR has been substantially revised to update references to obsolete policies, procedures and organizations; incorporate electronic links to references such as provisions to the FAR, U.S. Codes, the Code of Federal Regulations; and adopt by reference Office of Federal Procurement Policy Letters and Executive orders. The reissued TAR eliminates coverage that is unnecessary or duplicates the FAR or other directives. Only coverage that is suitable and necessary will be retained in the regulation. These efforts will create a 2004 edition of the TAR that is consistent with the 2001 edition of the FAR. The 2004 edition of the TAR will replace the 1994 edition.