April 2005 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Postal Service(TM) provides notice of its intention to resume testing of the concept of Customized Postage for a period of one year commencing 20 calendar days from the date of publication of this notice in the Federal Register. PC Postage([reg]) is a method of providing evidence of pre-payment of United States postage using a personal computer and printer and Internet access to an authorized PC Postage provider infrastructure approved by the Postal Service under 39 CFR part 501. Like postage meters, PC Postage services facilitate customer access to postage payment and use of the mail. PC Postage and postage meter products that print digitally generated barcode indicia contain human readable and machine readable elements that facilitate mail processing and counterfeit detection due to identification enabling characteristics. The typical indicia design consists of two elements: a postage block and a distinctly separate block typically called an ``ad plate.'' The historical use of ad plates consists of printed advertising messages authorized, enabled, and controlled by a Postal Service approved postage meter or PC Postage provider. Customized Postage differs from conventional PC Postage in two respects: First, it utilizes the ``ad plate'' area to print a digital, graphic image. The image may be one selected from a ``library'' of images provided by the authorized PC Postage provider or a customer supplied image that meets acceptance criteria established by the PC Postage provider; and, second, instead of the customer printing the selected image on a personal computer the images are printed by the Customized Postage provider under controlled conditions and the finished product is mailed to the customer. With respect to postage meter ad plates the Postal Service will require evaluation and approval of any process established by an authorized provider which results in the printing of a graphic ``ad plate.''

The Coast Guard proposes to change the regulations that govern the operation of the S.R. 18-B Bridge, formerly known as U.S. Route 50/ 301 Bridge, over Kent Island Narrows, mile 1.0, in Kent Island, MD. The proposal would allow the bridge to open on signal on the hour and half- hour from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., from May 1 through October 31. The proposed rule will allow for a more efficient flow of vessel traffic.

This action extends the comment period for an NPRM published on February 28, 2005. In that document, the FAA proposed to amend the cockpit voice recorder and digital flight data recorder regulations for certain air carriers, operators, and aircraft manufacturers. This extension is a result of a request from the Aerospace Industries Association to extend the comment period for the NPRM.

Pursuant to FAA's rulemaking provisions governing the application, processing, and disposition of petitions for exemption part 11 of Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR), this notice contains a summary of certain petitions 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 any petition or its final disposition.

On December 27, 2004, the FAA published a direct final rule to remove the requirement for a pyrotechnic signaling device required for aircraft operated for hire over water and beyond power off gliding distance from shore for air carriers operating under part 121 unless it is a part of a required life raft. All other operators continue to be required to have onboard one pyrotechnic signaling device if they operate aircraft for hire over water and beyond power off gliding distance from shore. The rule was effective February 7, 2005.

NMFS is opening directed fishing for species that comprise the deep-water species fishery by vessels using trawl gear in the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to allow the deep-water species fisheries by vessels using trawl gear in the GOA to resume.

This rule establishes the second and third trimester season quotas for large coastal sharks (LCS); small coastal sharks (SCS); and pelagic, blue, and porbeagle sharks based on over- or underharvests from the 2004 second semi-annual season. In addition, this rule establishes the opening and closing dates for the LCS fishery based on adjustments to the trimester quotas. This action could affect all commercial fishermen in the Atlantic commercial shark fishery. This action is necessary to ensure that the landings quotas in the Atlantic commercial shark fishery represent the latest landings data.

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is taking direct final action to approve revisions to the Commonwealth of Virginia's State Implementation Plan (SIP). The revisions were submitted by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (VADEQ) to establish and require reasonably available control technology (RACT) for four major sources of nitrogen oxides (NOX). These sources are located in the Western Virginia Emissions Control Area. EPA is approving these revisions to establish RACT requirements in the SIP in accordance with the Clean Air Act (CAA).

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), this document announces that EPA is planning to submit a proposed Information Collection Request (ICR) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). This is a request for a new collection. Before submitting the ICR to OMB for review and approval, EPA is soliciting comments on specific aspects of the proposed information collection as described below.

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is taking direct final action to approve a revision to the Commonwealth of Virginia State Implementation Plan (SIP) establishing a new volatile organic compound (VOC) and nitrogen oxide (NOX) emissions control area. This new area, entitled, the Western Virginia Emissions Control Area, consists of the City of Winchester and Frederick County, Roanoke County, Botetourt County, Roanoke City, and Salem City. EPA is also approving a revision to provide the enabling authority to implement NOX Reasonably Available Control Technology (RACT) in the affected areas. EPA is approving this revision in accordance with the requirements of the Clean Air Act (CAA).

The Copyright Office of the Library of Congress is proposing regulations for the delivery and format of records of use of sound recordings under two statutory licenses of the Copyright Act.

The Leader, Information Management Case Services Team, Regulatory Information Management Services, Office of the Chief Information Officer invites comments on the submission for OMB review as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.

Under Section 182(d) of the WIA of 1998, ETA is publishing the PY 2005 allocations for the NFJP, authorized under Section 167 of the WIA. The allocations are distributed to the states by a formula that estimates, by state, the relative demand for NFJP services. The allocations in this notice apply to the PY beginning July 1, 2005.