July 19, 2005 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

Since September 11, 2001, general aviation aircraft operations have been prohibited at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA). The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is issuing this interim final rule (IFR) to restore access to DCA for certain aircraft operations while maintaining the security of critical Federal Government and other assets in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. This IFR applies to all passenger aircraft operations into or out of DCA, except U.S. air carrier operations operating under a full security program required by 49 CFR part 1544 and foreign air carrier operations operating under 49 CFR 1546.101(a) or (b). The IFR establishes security procedures for aircraft operators and gateway airport operators, and security requirements relating to crewmembers, passengers, and armed security officers onboard aircraft operating into or out of DCA. Although this IFR is effective on August 18, 2005, an aircraft operator may not conduct operations into or out of DCA until it is determined by TSA to be in compliance with the security requirements set forth in this IFR.

EPA is proposing to grant a petition submitted by General Motors Corporation-Arlington Truck Assembly Plant (GM-Arlington) to exclude (or delist) a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) sludge generated by GM-Arlington in Arlington, TX. from the lists of hazardous wastes. EPA used the Delisting Risk Assessment Software (DRAS) in the evaluation of the impact of the petitioned waste on human health and the environment. EPA bases its proposed decision to grant the petition on an evaluation of waste-specific information provided by the petitioner. This proposed decision, if finalized, would exclude the petitioned waste from the requirements of hazardous waste regulations under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). If finalized, EPA would conclude that GM-Arlington's petitioned waste is non-hazardous with respect to the original listing criteria. EPA would also conclude that GM-Arlington's process minimizes short- term and long-term threats from the petitioned waste to human health and the environment.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus Model A330-200, A330-300, A340-200, and A340-300 series airplanes. This proposed AD would require operators to modify the hydraulic control block of the nose landing gear. This proposed AD is prompted by a report of an unexpected steering event (swerve) during the take-off roll of one affected airplane. We are proposing this AD to prevent loss of airplane steering while on the ground, which could result in the airplane going off the side of the runway.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus Model A320-111 airplanes; and Model A320-200, A321- 100, and A321-200 series airplanes. This proposed AD would require installing a bonding lead between the low pressure valve and the adjacent pipe assembly in each wing. This proposed AD is prompted by the results of fuel system reviews conducted by the manufacturer. We are proposing this AD to prevent an ignition source for fuel vapor in the wing, which could result in fire or explosion in the adjacent wing fuel tank.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone on the waters of the Columbia River during hydroplane races. The Captain of the Port, Portland, Oregon, is taking this action to safeguard watercraft and their occupants from safety hazards associated with these vessels that travel at a high rate of speed. Entry into this safety zone is prohibited unless authorized by the Captain of the Port.

This rule amends our regulations concerning platforms and structures to include coverage of floating offshore oil and gas production platforms. The rule also incorporates into MMS regulations a body of industry standards pertaining to floating production systems (FPSs). Limited changes are also made to regulations concerning oil and gas production safety systems; and pipelines and pipeline rights-of- way. These changes are needed because of the rapid increase in deepwater exploration and development, and industry's increasing reliance on floating facilities for those activities. Incorporating the industry standards into MMS regulations will save the public the costs of developing separate, and possibly duplicative, government standards, and will streamline our procedures for reviewing and approving new offshore floating platforms.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is again proposing to amend its mineral resources regulations to increase many fees and to impose new fees to cover BLM's costs of processing certain documents relating to its minerals programs. This would include costs for actions such as environmental studies, monitoring activities, and other processing-related costs. The BLM would establish some fixed fees and some fees on a case-by-case basis. The proposed fee changes are based on statutory authorities, which authorize BLM to charge for its processing costs, and on policy guidance from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and the Department of the Interior (DOI) requiring BLM to charge these fees. The fee changes also respond to recommendations issued in audit reports by the DOI's Office of Inspector General (OIG).