June 3, 2005 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

This action revokes VOR Federal Airway V-623 that extends from the Sparta, NJ, Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Range/Tactical Air Navigation (VORTAC) to the Carmel, NY, Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Range/Distance Measuring Equipment (VOR/DME). The FAA is taking this action due to unsatisfactory navigation signal coverage.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus models, as specified above. This proposed AD would require modifying the aft pressure bulkhead for improved corrosion protection and drainage, and related concurrent actions. This proposed AD is prompted by severe corrosion found in the lower rim area of the aft pressure bulkhead during routine maintenance of an airplane. We are proposing this AD to prevent corrosion on the inner rim angle and cleat profile splice of the aft pressure bulkhead, which could result in the loss of airplane structural integrity.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Saab Model SAAB 2000 series airplanes. This proposed AD would require inspection for cracking of the fastener holes in the front and rear spar, modification of the fastener holes of the front and rear spars and the rear spar web, and related investigative/ corrective actions if necessary. This proposed AD is prompted by a report of cracking of certain fastener holes in the lower spar cap of the rear spar and in the lower skin at the front spar. We are proposing this AD to prevent cracking of the front and rear spar, which could result in fuel leakage and consequent reduced structural integrity of the wing structure.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Boeing Model 737-100, -200, -200C, -300, -400, and -500 series airplanes. This proposed AD would require operators to examine the airplane's maintenance records to determine if the main landing gear (MLG) has been overhauled and if Titanine JC5A (also known as Desoto 823E508) corrosion-inhibiting compound (``C.I.C.'') was used during the overhaul. For airplanes for which the maintenance records indicate that further action is necessary, or for airplanes on which C.I.C. JC5A may have been used during manufacture, this proposed AD would require a one-time detailed inspection for discrepancies of certain components of the MLG, and corrective action if necessary. This proposed AD is prompted by twelve reports of severe corrosion on one or more of three components of the MLG. We are proposing this AD to prevent collapse of the MLG, or damage to hydraulic tubing or the aileron control cables, which could result in possible departure of the airplane from the runway and loss of control of the airplane.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Boeing Model 777-200 and -300 series airplanes. This proposed AD would require repetitive detailed inspections of the forward lugs of the power control unit (PCU), yoke assembly, and forward attachment hardware of the left inboard, left outboard, right inboard, and right outboard flaperon PCUs; and other specified/ corrective actions if necessary. For certain airplanes, the proposed AD also would require other related concurrent actions. This proposed AD is prompted by reports indicating that operators have found worn, fretted, and fractured bolts that attach the yoke assembly to the flaperon PCU. We are proposing this AD to prevent damage and eventual fracture of the yoke assembly, pin assembly, and attachment bolts that connect the inboard and outboard PCUs to a flaperon, which could lead to the flaperon becoming unrestrained and consequently departing from the airplane. Loss of a flaperon could result in asymmetric lift and reduced roll control of an airplane. A departing flaperon could also cause damage to the horizontal and vertical stabilizers, which could result in loss of control of the airplane if damage is significant.

The FAA withdraws a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) that proposed a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain McDonnell Douglas transport category airplanes. The proposed AD would have required replacement with new, improved parts of the inboard flap, outboard hinge, forward attach bracket, and lower attach bolt assemblies. The proposed AD also would have required an inspection for certain parts, and related investigative and corrective actions if necessary. Since the proposed AD was issued, we have confirmed data indicating that an existing AD adequately addresses the unsafe condition. Accordingly, the proposed AD is withdrawn.

The American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) is updating its regulations on overseas memorials in order to reflect actual practice and current statutory requirements.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is amending the animal drug regulations to reflect a change of sponsor's name from Steris Laboratories, Inc., to Watson Laboratories, Inc.

This document contains a notice of public hearing on proposed regulations concerning content requirements applicable to explanations of qualified joint and survivor annuities and qualified preretirement survivor annuities payable under certain retirement plans.

This rule decreases the assessment rate established for the Idaho-Eastern Oregon Onion Committee (Committee) for the 2005-2006 and subsequent fiscal periods from $0.105 to $0.10 per hundredweight of onions handled. The Committee locally administers the marketing order which regulates the handling of onions grown in designated counties in Idaho, and Malheur County, Oregon. Authorization to assess onion handlers enables the Committee to incur expenses that are reasonable and necessary to administer the program. The fiscal period begins July 1 and ends June 30. The assessment rate will remain in effect indefinitely unless modified, suspended, or terminated.

The General Services Administration (GSA) is amending the General Services Administration Acquisition Regulation (GSAR) in order to be consistent with the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), to update GSAR clauses pertaining to subcontracting plans to include veteran-owned and service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses.

With the publication of this final rule, EPA is designating two open-water dredged material disposal sites, Central Long Island Sound (CLIS) and Western Long Island Sound (WLIS), for the disposal of dredged material from harbors and navigation channels in the Long Island Sound vicinity in the states of Connecticut and New York. This action is necessary to provide long-term, open-water, dredged material disposal sites as an alternative for the possible future disposal of such material. The basis for this action is described in a Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) published by EPA in March 2004. The FEIS identifies designation of the CLIS and WLIS dredged material disposal sites as the preferred alternatives from the range of options considered. On September 12, 2003, EPA published in the Federal Register a proposed rule and a notice of availability of a Draft EIS (DEIS) for this action. These disposal site designations are subject to various restrictions designed to support the goal of terminating or reducing the disposal of dredged material into Long Island Sound, as explained below in subsection E. 3 of the Supplementary Information section. EPA has conducted the disposal site designation process consistent with the requirements of the Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act (MPRSA), the Clean Water Act (CWA), the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA), and other relevant statutes and regulations. Under NEPA, federal agencies prepare a public record of decision (ROD) at the time of their decision on any action for which an FEIS has been prepared. This Federal Register notice for the final rule will also serve as EPA's ROD for the site designations. The site designations are intended to be effective for an indefinite period of time. EPA has agreed, however, that use of the sites pursuant to these designations may be suspended or terminated in accordance with the Restrictions included in the final rule. The designation of these two disposal sites does not by itself authorize the disposal of dredged material from any particular dredging project at either site. The designation of the CLIS and WLIS disposal sites simply makes those sites available for use for the dredged material from a specific project if no environmentally preferable, practicable alternative for managing that dredged material exists, and if analysis of the dredged material indicates that it is suitable for open-water disposal. Thus, each proposed dredging project will be evaluated to determine whether there are practicable, environmentally preferable alternatives to open-water disposal. In addition, the dredged material from each proposed disposal project will be subjected to MPRSA and/or CWA sediment testing requirements to determine its suitability for possible open-water disposal at an approved site. Alternatives to open-water disposal that will be considered include upland disposal and beneficial uses such as beach nourishment. If environmentally preferable, practicable disposal alternatives exist, open-water disposal will not be allowed. In addition, the dredged material will undergo physical, chemical, and biological analysis to determine its suitability for open-water disposal. EPA will not approve dredged material for open- water disposal if it determines that the material has the potential to cause unacceptable adverse effects to the marine environment or human health. The review process for proposed disposal projects is discussed in more detail below and in the FEIS. As dredged material disposal sites designated by EPA under the MPRSA, CLIS and WLIS also will be subject to newly developed, detailed management and monitoring protocols to track site conditions and prevent the occurrence of unacceptable adverse effects. These management and monitoring protocols are described in the CLIS and WLIS Site Management and Monitoring Plans (SMMPs), which are incorporated in the FEIS as Appendix J. EPA is authorized to close or limit the use of these sites to further disposal activity if their use causes unacceptable adverse impacts to the marine environment or human health.