August 19, 2005 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Coast Guard is changing the regulations that govern the operation of the Dominion Boulevard (US 17) Bridge across the Southern Branch of the Elizabeth River, at Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway (AICW) mile 8.8, at Chesapeake, Virginia. This rule will change the morning rush hour closure period so that it starts at 7 a.m. and ends at 9 a.m. From 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, and from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays, Sundays and Federal holidays, the draw need be opened every hour on the hour. This change is necessary to relieve vehicular traffic congestion and reduce traffic delays during weekday rush hour periods, and on weekends and Federal holidays, while still providing for the reasonable needs of navigation.

EPA is approving revisions to the Texas State Implementation Plan (SIP) submitted on July 18, 2002 and December 6, 2004. Approval will incorporate the following changes into the SIP: the Clean Air Action Plan (CAAP), a demonstration of attainment and maintenance for the 8-hour ozone national ambient air quality standard (NAAQS) in the Northeast Texas Early Action Compact (EAC) area, and the associated control measures. EPA is approving the photochemical modeling in support of the attainment demonstration for the 8-hour ozone standard within the Northeast Texas EAC area. These actions strengthen the SIP in accordance with sections 110 and 116 of the Federal Clean Air Act (CAA) and will result in emission reductions needed to help ensure attainment and maintenance of the 8-hour ozone NAAQS in Northeast Texas.

The EPA is approving a revision to the Texas State Implementation Plan (SIP) to incorporate the Texas Emission Reduction Plan (TERP) into the Texas SIP. The TERP is utilized in each of the nonattainment areas and near nonattainment areas in the State to achieve reductions in the emissions of oxides of nitrogen from on-road and non-road mobile sources. This action will allow the State to capture credit from those reductions and use them in attainment demonstrations for these areas.

On May 17, 2005, EPA published a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPR) to propose approval of Colorado's Early Action Compact (EAC) ozone plan for the Denver metropolitan area (hereafter, Denver area) for the 8-hour ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS). In that NPR, EPA proposed to approve the Denver area's EAC ozone plan, an attainment demonstration for the 8-hour ozone NAAQS, revisions to Colorado's Common Provisions Regulation, revisions to Colorado's Regulation No. 7 ``Emissions of Volatile Organic Compounds'' (hereafter, Regulation No. 7), and revisions to Colorado's Regulation No. 11 ``Motor Vehicle Emissions Inspection Program'' (hereafter Regulation No. 11). In this action, EPA is approving the Denver EAC ozone plan, the associated attainment demonstration, and the revisions to the Common Provisions Regulation, Regulation No. 7, and Regulation No. 11. This action is being taken under section 110 of the Clean Air Act.

EPA proposes to approve the sections 111(d) and 129 negative declaration submitted by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (MEDEP) on May 2, 2005. This negative declaration adequately certifies that there are no existing hospital/medical/infectious waste incinerators (HMIWIs) located within the boundaries of the state of Maine.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Pacific Aerospace Corporation Ltd Model 750XL airplanes. This proposed AD would require you to inspect the condition of the left and right outer panel attachment lugs for damage (scoring and gouging) and/or cracks (using a fluorescent penetrant inspection procedure for the crack inspection); to inspect the spacing of left and right outer panel attachment lugs; to replace the lugs if damage is found; and to make necessary corrections to the spacing. This proposed AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority for New Zealand. We are issuing this proposed AD to prevent structural failure of the outer panel and spar due to cracked, bent, or distorted condition of the left and right outer panel attachment lugs; and incorrect spacing of the left and right outer panel attachment lugs. This failure could lead to loss of control of the airplane.

NMFS proposes to consolidate the Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for Atlantic Tunas, Swordfish, and Sharks and the FMP for Atlantic Billfish, to change certain FMP management measures, to adjust regulatory framework measures, and to continue the process for updating essential fish habitat. The alternatives described in this proposed rule could impact fishermen and dealers for all Atlantic highly migratory species (HMS) fisheries. The range of alternatives examined includes those to: establish mandatory workshops for fishermen and dealers; consider methods of modifying and establishing time/area closures; address rebuilding and overfishing of northern albacore tuna, finetooth sharks, and Atlantic billfish; modify bluefin tuna (BFT) General Category subperiod quotas and simplify the management process of BFT; change the fishing year for tunas, swordfish, and billfish back to a calendar year; authorize additional fishing gears; and clarify numerous existing regulations, particularly in 50 CFR part 635. This proposed rule also announces the receipt of a petition for rulemaking regarding bluefin tuna and describes the analyses conducted as part of this rulemaking, in response to the petition, to consider closure areas in the Gulf of Mexico. In this proposed rule, NMFS also formally withdraws a proposed rule published September 17, 2003, to establish an annual domestic recreational landing limit of 250 Atlantic blue and white marlin and other measures.