May 5, 2005 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

DoD has issued a final rule amending the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) to address issues related to contract performance outside the United States. The rule contains a clause for use in contracts that require contractor personnel to deploy with or otherwise provide support in the theater of operations to U.S. military forces deployed outside the United States in contingency operations, humanitarian or peacekeeping operations, or other military operations or exercises designated by the combatant commander.

DoD is making a technical amendment to the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) to add a reference to new DFARS Procedures, Guidance, and Information (PGI) requirements relating to the publication of justifications for use of brand name contract specifications.

NMFS proposes an amendment to the Pacific halibut regulations for waters in and off Alaska. This proposed action modifies the Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) Program and the Western Alaska Community Development Quota (CDQ) Program by allowing quota share holders in International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC) Regulatory Area (Area) 4C to fish their Area 4C IFQ in Area 4D. This proposed action is intended to enhance harvesting opportunities for halibut by IFQ and CDQ fishermen and is necessary to promote the objectives of the Northern Pacific Halibut Act of 1982 (Halibut Act) with respect to the IFQ and CDQ Pacific halibut fisheries, consistent with the regulations and resource management objectives of the IPHC.

This interim rule implements certain changes made by the Omnibus Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2005 to the numerical limits of the H-1B nonimmigrant visa category and the fees for filing of H-1B petitions. This interim rule also notifies the public of the procedures U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services will use to allocate, in fiscal year 2005 and in future fiscal years starting with fiscal year 2006, the additional 20,000 H-1B numbers made available by the exemption created pursuant to that Act. This interim rule amends and clarifies the process by which U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, in the future, will allocate all petitions subject to numerical limitations under the Immigration and Nationality Act. This interim rule also notifies the public of additional fees that must be filed with certain H-1B petitions.

We are advising the public that a risk analysis has been prepared by the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service concerning the exotic Newcastle disease status of Denmark, and the related disease risks associated with importing poultry carcasses, parts or products of poultry carcasses, and eggs (other than hatching eggs) of poultry, game, or other birds from Denmark. This evaluation will be used as a basis for determining whether to relieve certain restrictions on the importation of those articles into the United States from Denmark. We are making this evaluation available to the public for review and comment.

This document confirms the effective date of the direct final rule which revises Class E airspace at Monett, MO.

This document confirms the effective date of the direct final rule which revises Class E airspace at Macon, MO.

This action establishes Class E airspace at Perryville, AK to provide adequate controlled airspace to contain aircraft executing a new Standard Instrument Approach Procedure (SIAP) and Departure Procedure. This rule results in new Class E airspace upward from 700 feet (ft.) and 1,200 ft. above the surface at Perryville, AK.

This action revises Class E airspace at St. Michael, AK to provide adequate controlled airspace to contain aircraft executing two new Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPs) and a new Textual Departure Procedure. This Rule results in new Class E airspace upward from 700 feet (ft.) above the surface at St. Michael, AK.

The Coast Guard proposes to establish a temporary safety zone for the Legal Seafood Firework Display in Boston, Massachusetts. The safety zone would temporarily close all waters of Boston Harbor within a 400-yard radius of the fireworks barge, temporarily prohibiting entry into or movement within this portion of Boston Harbor. This safety zone is necessary to provide for the safety of life and property during a firework display.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is proposing to amend the agency's food labeling regulations to permit the egg industry to place the safe handling statement for shell eggs on the inside lid of egg cartons if the statement ``Keep Refrigerated'' appears on the principal display panel (PDP) or information panel. This proposed rule, if finalized, will provide the industry greater flexibility in the placement of safe handling instructions on egg cartons, while continuing to provide consumers with this important information. This proposed action is in response to numerous requests from the egg industry.

The FAA is superseding two existing airworthiness directives (ADs); both apply to the same certain McDonnell Douglas Model MD-90-30 airplanes. The superseded ADs currently require a one-time general visual inspection to detect wire chafing damage and to determine adequate clearance between the disconnect panel structure and the wires above the aft left lavatory; and corrective actions, if necessary. This new AD retains those requirements and clarifies certain requirements for recording AD compliance. This AD is prompted by the determination that the form of the existing ADs could result in confusion to operators in recording compliance with the potentially conflicting requirements. We are issuing this AD to prevent damage to certain wires due to contact between the wires and the adjacent structure, which could result in electrical arcing and consequent smoke and fire in the cabin.