August 2005 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

This action proposes amendments to the national emission standards for hazardous air pollutants (NESHAP) for integrated iron and steel manufacturing. The proposed amendments would add a new compliance option, revise emission limitations, reduce the frequency of repeat performance tests for certain emissions units, add corrective action requirements, and clarify certain monitoring, recordkeeping, and reporting requirements.

With this action EPA is proposing to authorize use of 610,665 kilograms of methyl bromide for supplemental critical uses in 2005 through the allocation of additional critical stock allowances (CSAs). This allocation would supplement the critical use allowances (CUAs) and CSAs previously allocated for 2005, as published in the Federal Register on December 23, 2004 (69 FR 76982). Further, EPA is proposing to amend the existing list of exempted critical uses. With today's action EPA is proposing to exempt methyl bromide for critical uses beyond the phaseout under the authority of the Clean Air Act (CAA or the Act) and in accordance with the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer (Protocol). In the ``Rules and Regulations'' section of today's Federal Register, we are authorizing these CSAs and critical uses as a direct final rule without prior proposal because we view this as a noncontroversial action and expect no adverse comment. We have explained our reasons for this authorization in the Preamble to the direct final rule. If we receive no adverse comment, we will not take further action on this proposed rule. If we receive adverse comment, we will withdraw the direct final rule and it will not take effect. We will address all public comments in the subsequent final rule based on this proposed rule. We will not institute a second comment period on this action. Any parties interested in commenting must do so at this time.

Section 938 of the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 requires the Secretary to establish a process for Medicare contractors to provide eligible participating physicians and beneficiaries with a determination of coverage relating to medical necessity for certain physicians' services before the services are furnished. This rule is intended to afford the physician and beneficiary the opportunity to know the financial liability for a service before expenses are incurred. This proposed rule would establish reasonable limits on physicians' services for which a prior determination of coverage may be requested and discusses generally our plans for establishing the procedures by which those determinations may be obtained.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for the Stormwater Conveyance System Construction Project located off of Northerly Island, Lake Michigan, Chicago, IL. The safety zone is necessary to protect vessels and persons from potential hazards during the initial tunneling phase of the project. This phase will involve extensive blasting operations. This safety zone is intended to restrict vessels from a portion of Lake Michigan in Chicago, IL.

This notice reopens the comment period for a notice of proposed rulemaking for proposed changes to regulations regarding payments by State, district or local party committees for salaries and wages of employees who spend 25 percent or less of their compensated time in a month on activities in connection with a Federal election. The proposed changes would require these expenses to be paid using at least some Federal funds, consistent with the rulings of the United States District Court for the District of Columbia and the Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit in Shays v. Federal Election Commission.

We are revising the criteria in the Listing of Impairments (the listings) that we use to evaluate claims involving impairments that affect multiple body systems. We apply these criteria when you claim benefits based on disability under title II and title XVI of the Social Security Act (the Act). The revisions reflect current medical knowledge, methods of evaluating impairments that affect multiple body systems, treatment, and our adjudicative experience.

This notice proposes to reform the structure of the corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) program for light trucks and proposes to establish higher CAFE standards for model year (MY) 2008-2011 light trucks. Reforming the CAFE program would enable it to achieve larger fuel savings while enhancing safety and preventing adverse economic consequences. During a transition period of MYs 2008-2010, manufacturers may comply with CAFE standards established under the reformed structure (Reformed CAFE) or with standards established in the traditional way (Unreformed CAFE). This will permit manufacturers to gain experience with the Reformed CAFE standards. In MY 2011, all manufacturers would be required to comply with a Reformed CAFE standard. The reform is based on vehicle size. Under Reformed CAFE, fuel economy standards are restructured so that they are based on a measure of vehicle size called ``footprint,'' the product of multiplying a vehicle's wheelbase by its track width. Vehicles would be divided into footprint categories, each representing a different range of footprint. A target level of average fuel economy is proposed for each footprint category, with smaller footprint light trucks expected to achieve more fuel economy and larger ones, less. Each manufacturer would still be required to comply with a single overall average fuel economy level for each model year of production. A particular manufacturer's compliance obligation for a model year is calculated as the harmonic average of the fuel economy targets in each size category, weighted by the distribution of manufacturer's production volumes across the size categories. The proposed Unreformed CAFE standards are: 22.5 miles per gallon (mpg) for MY 2008, 23.1 mpg for MY 2009, and 23.5 mpg for MY 2010. The Reformed CAFE standards for those model years would be set at levels intended to ensure that the industry-wide costs of the Reformed standards are roughly equivalent to the industry-wide costs of the Unreformed CAFE standards in those model years. For MY 2011, the Reformed CAFE standard would be set at the level that maximizes net benefits, accounting for unquantified benefits and costs. We believe that all of the proposed standards would be set at the maximum feasible level, while accounting for technological feasibility, economic practicability and other relevant factors. Since a manufacturer's compliance obligation for a model year under Reformed CAFE depends in part on its actual production in that model year, the obligation cannot be calculated with absolute precision until the final production figures for that model year become known. However, a manufacturer could calculate its obligation with a reasonably high degree of accuracy in advance of that model year, based on its product plans for the year. Prior to and during the model year, the manufacturer would be able to track all of the key variables in the formula used for calculating the obligation (e.g., distribution of production among the categories and vehicle fuel economy). This notice publishes estimates of the compliance obligations, by manufacturer, for MYs 2008-2011 under Reformed CAFE, using the fuel economy targets proposed by NHTSA and the product plans submitted to NHTSA by the manufacturers in response to a request for product plans published in December 2003. This rulemaking is mandated by the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA), which was enacted in the aftermath of the energy crisis created by the oil embargo of 1973-74. The concerns about energy security and the effects of energy prices and supply on national economic well-being that led to the enactment of EPCA remain alive today. Sustained growth in the demand for oil worldwide, coupled with tight crude oil supplies, is the driving force behind the sharp price increases seen over the past several years. Increasingly, the oil consumed in the U.S. originates in countries with political and economic situations that raise concerns about future oil supply and prices. We recognize that financial difficulties currently exist in the motor vehicle industry and that a substantial number of job losses have been announced recently at large full-line manufacturers. Accordingly, we have carefully balanced the cost of the rule with the benefits of conservation. We believe that, compared to Unreformed CAFE, Reformed CAFE would enhance overall fuel savings while providing vehicle makers the flexibility they need to respond to changing market conditions. Reformed CAFE would also provide a more equitable regulatory framework by creating a level-playing field for manufacturers, regardless of whether they are full-line or limited-line manufacturers. We are particularly encouraged that Reformed CAFE would reduce the adverse safety risks generated by the Unreformed CAFE program. The transition from the Unreformed to the Reformed system would begin soon, but ample lead time is provided before Reformed CAFE takes full effect in MY 2011. We recognize also that our proposals were derived from analyses of information from a variety of sources, including the product plans submitted by the manufacturers in early 2004. We fully anticipate that the manufacturers will respond to this proposal by providing revised plans that reflect events since then. We will evaluate the revised plans, the public comments, and other information and analysis in selecting the most appropriate standards for MYs 2008-2011.

This action corrects and clarifies certain text of the final rule entitled ``Standards of Performance for New and Existing Stationary Sources: Electric Utility Steam Generating Units.'' The final rule was published in the Federal Register on May 18, 2005 (70 FR 28606). This action corrects certain section designations set forth in the final rule at 70 FR 28652. In addition, this action corrects certain revisions set forth in the final rule at 70 FR 28678. These corrections do not affect the substance of the action, nor do they change the rights or obligations of any party. Rather, this action merely corrects certain section designations to eliminate duplication with other rules. Thus, it is proper to issue these final rule corrections without notice and comment. Section 553 of the Administrative Procedure Act (APA), 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B), provides that, when an agency for good cause finds that notice and public procedure are impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary to the public interest, the agency may issue a rule without providing notice and an opportunity for public comment. We have determined that there is good cause for making this action final without prior proposal and opportunity for comment because the changes to the rule are minor technical corrections, are noncontroversial, and do not substantively change the agency actions taken in the final rule. Thus, notice and public procedure are unnecessary. We find that this constitutes good cause under 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B).

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is extending the comment period and time to request a hearing on the Federal Register Notice of proposed rulemaking entitled ``Schedules of Controlled Substances: Placement of Embutramide into Schedule III'' published on July 29, 2005 (70 FR 43809).

NMFS is prohibiting retention of yellowfin sole in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). NMFS is requiring that catch of yellowfin sole in this area be treated in the same manner as prohibited species and discarded at sea with a minimum of injury. This action is necessary because the 2005 total allowable catch (TAC) of yellowfin sole in the BSAI has been reached.

This rule amends the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) by modifying the denial policy regarding the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) at 22 CFR 126.1. This action is taken in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1596, unanimously adopted on April 18, 2005, which imposed a nation-wide embargo on arms sales or transfers to any recipient in the DRC. It represents an expansion of the policy issued under UNSCR 1493, which on July 28, 2003, imposed an embargo on the sale of arms, related materials, and defense services in the provinces of North and South Kivu and the Ituri District in the DRC.

FMCSA (formerly the Federal Highway Administration's Office of Motor Carriers) withdraws its 1992 advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPRM) on the vision standard for commercial motor vehicle drivers in interstate commerce. The agency sought comment on whether it should revise its driver qualification requirements relating to the vision standard, including visual acuity, field of vision and color perception. After reviewing the public comments received in response to the ANPRM, the agency believes there is insufficient data to support moving forward with a proposal to change the vision standard at this time. FMCSA has long term plans to reevaluate all of its commercial driver health standards and guidelines and will review the current vision standard at that time.

The Coast Guard is changing the operating regulations of the Skidaway Bridge (SR 204) across the Intracoastal Waterway, mile 592.9, in Savannah, Georgia. This rule allows the bridge to open on signal, except that from Monday through Friday, not including Federal holidays, the bridge need only open on the hour between 6:31 a.m. and 8:59 a.m. and on the hour and half hour between 4:31 p.m. and 6:29 p.m.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone on Lake Michigan, in Milwaukee, WI. This zone is intended to restrict vessels from a portion of Lake Michigan during the Irish Festival Currach Races. This temporary safety zone is necessary to protect spectators and vessels from the hazards associated with boat races.

The Coast Guard proposes to establish special local regulations during the ``Chesapeakeman Ultra Triathlon'', an event to be held October 1, 2005 on the waters of Choptank River at Cambridge, MD. These special local regulations are necessary to provide for the safety of life on navigable waters during the event. This action is intended to temporarily restrict vessel traffic in a portion of the Choptank River during the Chesapeakeman Ultra Triathlon swim.

This provides notice of the Federal Subsistence Board's in- season management actions to protect moose populations in Unit 22 and caribou populations in Unit 9. These actions will provide an exception to the Subsistence Management Regulations for Public Lands in Alaska, published in the Federal Register on June 22, 2005. Those regulations established seasons, harvest limits, methods, and means relating to the taking of wildlife for subsistence uses during the 2005 regulatory year.

On September 5, 2000, AM General Corporation submitted a petition for rulemaking seeking to amend the Federal motor vehicle safety standard for rearview mirrors to permit certain vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of more than 4,536 kilograms (kg) (10,000 pounds) to be equipped with passenger-side convex mirrors. The standard currently requires vehicles in that weight class to be equipped with mirrors of unit magnification in that location. The agency granted the petition on May 23, 2001 and began to gather data to evaluate the request, including information obtained from a January 22, 2003 Request for Comments. Based on analysis of the available data, NHTSA is terminating this rulemaking proceeding, because we have determined that convex mirrors are not an adequate substitute for mirrors of unit magnification in terms of providing safety benefits associated with allowing the driver to better judge the distance and speed of oncoming vehicles, particularly during lane change maneuvers.

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is confirming the effective date of September 13, 2005, for the direct final rule that was published in the Federal Register on June 30, 2005 (70 FR 37647). This direct final rule amended the NRC's regulations to revise the VSC- 24 cask system listing to include Amendment No. 5 to Certificate of Compliance (CoC) No. 1007.

This document contains final regulations under section 402(a) of the Internal Revenue Code regarding the amount includible in a distributee's income when life insurance contracts are distributed by a qualified retirement plan and regarding the treatment of property sold by a qualified retirement plan to a plan participant or beneficiary for less than fair market value. This document also contains final regulations under sections 79 and 83 of the Internal Revenue Code regarding the amounts includible in income when an employee is provided permanent benefits in combination with group-term life insurance or when a life insurance contract is transferred in connection with the performance of services. These regulations will affect administrators of, participants in, and beneficiaries of qualified retirement plans. These regulations will also affect employers who provide permanent benefits in combination with group-term life insurance for their employees and employees who receive those permanent benefits, as well as service recipients who transfer life insurance contracts to service providers in connection with the performance of services, and service providers to whom those life insurance contracts are transferred.

The Employment Standards Administration (ESA) of the Department of Labor (Department) is proposing to revise the Form LM-30 and its instructions. The Form LM-30 implements section 202 of the Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act of 1959 (LMRDA or Act), 29 U.S.C. 432, whose purpose is to require officers and employees of labor organizations to publicly disclose possible conflicts between their personal financial interests and their duty to the labor union and its members. The proposed rule would clarify the Form LM-30, and its instructions, by explaining key terms and providing examples of the financial matters that must be reported, eliminate exemptions in the current Form LM-30 that permit filers to not report financial matters that would otherwise be required to be reported under the Act, and improve the usability of the reports by union members and the public. The Department invites general and specific comment on any aspect of the rule; it also invites comment on specific points, as noted throughout the text of this preamble.

This interim final rule conforms our regulations to section 302(a)(2)(E)(iv) of the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 (Pub. L. 108-173). This rule defines the term power mobility devices (PMDs) as power wheelchairs and power operated vehicles (POVs or scooters). It sets forth revised conditions for Medicare payment of PMDs and defines who may prescribe PMDs. This rule also requires a face-to-face examination of the beneficiary by the physician or treating practitioner and a PMD prescription and pertinent parts of the medical record that the durable medical equipment supplier maintains in records and makes available to CMS or its agents upon request. Finally, this rule discusses CMS' policy on documentation that may be requested by CMS or its agents to support a Medicare claim for payment, as well as the elimination of the Certificate of Medical Necessity for PMDs.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the U.S. Forest Service (FS) are extending by 60 days the public comment period for the proposed rule published in the Federal Register on July 27, 2005 (70 FR 43349). The proposed rule would revise existing Onshore Oil and Gas Order Number 1 (see 48 FR 48916 as amended at 48 FR 56226 (1983)). The Order provides the requirements necessary for the approval of all proposed oil and gas exploratory, development, or service wells on all Federal and Indian (except Osage Tribe) onshore oil and gas leases, including leases where the surface is managed by the FS. It also covers approvals necessary for subsequent well operations, including abandonment. In response to public requests for additional time and because the recently enacted Energy Policy Act of 2005 impacts certain provisions of the proposed rule, the BLM and the FS are extending the comment period 60 days from the original comment period closing date of August 26, 2005. The comment period is extended to October 25, 2005, to give the public additional time to comment.

The Secretary issues these proposed regulations to administer the State Charter School Facilities Incentive program. Under this program, the Department of Education (``Department'') provides competitive grants to States to help charter schools meet their need for facilities.

The Rural Housing Service is amending its regulations to change the threshold for surety requirements guaranteeing payment and performance from a $100,000 contract amount to the maximum Rural Development Single Family Housing area lending limit. This limit will vary by locality. This will liberalize the requirement for surety and take into account the increased construction cost of single family homes in Rural Development's Single Family Housing Program. This will ease the burden on small contractors for whom obtaining surety is difficult and expensive, thereby reducing costs to our single family housing borrowers.

The Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), United States Department of Commerce, and the Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), United States Department of Commerce, are amending the rules that implement the Fastener Quality Act of 1999 to provide that all documents submitted in connection with the recordal of fastener insignia must be mailed to a particular postal box maintained by United States Patent and Trademark Office.