September 2005 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

Under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35), the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Secretariat will be submitting to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) a request to review and approve an extension of a currently approved information collection requirement concerning indirect cost rates. The clearance currently expires on December 31, 2005. Public comments are particularly invited on: Whether this collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of functions of the FAR, and whether it will have practical utility; whether our estimate of the public burden of this collection of information is accurate, and based on valid assumptions and methodology; ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and ways in which we can minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, through the use of appropriate technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

This document proposes to revise an existing airworthiness directive (AD) for the specified Eurocopter France (ECF) model helicopters. That AD currently requires certain checks of the magnetic chip detector plug (chip detector) and the main gearbox (MGB) oil-sight glass, certain inspections of the lubrication pump (pump), and replacing the MGB and the pump with an airworthy MGB and pump, if necessary. Also, the AD requires that before an MGB or pump with any time-in-service (TIS) can be installed, it must meet the AD requirements. This action would retain those requirements but would limit the applicability to one part number with certain serial-numbered pumps or modified after a certain date. This proposal was prompted by an investigation by the manufacturer that revealed a malfunction occurred after modifying the pump case on certain pumps after major overhaul and repairs. The actions specified by this AD are intended to limit the applicability to certain pumps, to detect sludge on the chip detector, to prevent failure of the MGB pump, seizure of the MGB, loss of drive to an engine and main rotor, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

The FAA proposes to supersede two existing airworthiness directives (ADs), one AD applicable to all Boeing Model 747 airplanes and the other AD applicable to certain Boeing Model 747 airplanes. The first AD currently requires repetitive inspections for cracking of the upper skin of the horizontal stabilizer center section and the rear spar upper chord, and repair if necessary. The other AD currently requires repetitive inspections for cracking of the upper skin of the outboard and center sections of the horizontal stabilizer and the rear spar structure, hinge fittings, terminal fittings, and splice plates; and repair if necessary. This proposed AD would add, for certain airplanes, repetitive inspections for cracking of the outboard and center sections of the horizontal stabilizer and repair if necessary. For certain other airplanes, this proposed AD would add a detailed inspection to determine the type of fasteners, related investigative actions, and repair if necessary. This proposed AD also would revise the compliance times for certain inspections and add alternate inspections for cracking of the upper skin of the center section and rear spar upper chord. This proposed AD is prompted by reports of cracking in the outboard and center section of the aft upper skin of the horizontal stabilizer, the rear spar chord, rear spar web, terminal fittings, and splice plates; and a report of fractured and cracked steel fasteners. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct this cracking, which could lead to reduced structural capability of the outboard and center sections of the horizontal stabilizer and could result in loss of control of the airplane.

The EPA proposes to grant Final authorization to the hazardous waste program changes submitted by North Dakota. In the ``Rules'' section of this Federal Register, we are authorizing the State's program changes as an immediate final rule without a prior proposed rule because we believe this action as not controversial. Unless we get written comments opposing this authorization during the comment period, the immediate final rule will become effective and the Agency will not take further action on this proposal. If we receive comments that oppose this action, we will publish a document in the Federal Register withdrawing this rule before it takes effect. EPA will address public comments in a later final rule based on this proposal. EPA may not provide further opportunity for comment. Any parties interested in commenting on this action must do so at this time.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) proposes to amend the Caliente Resource Management Plan (RMP) to cover newly transferred lands at NPR-2 and prepare an environmental assessment to analyze the effects of that action. The lands addressed by this amendment were formerly under the jurisdiction of the Department of Energy. However, the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (hereinafter referred to as the Act) transferred management responsibility from the DOE to the BLM effective August 8, 2005. As directed in the Act, ``the principal purpose of the lands subject to transfer * * * is the production of hydrocarbon resources, and the Secretary of the Interior shall manage the lands in a fashion consistent with this purpose.'' Accordingly, this plan amendment will specify management prescriptions at NPR-2 for oil and gas related operations and specific realty actions covered under 43 CFR part 2000 by extending existing management prescriptions from the current Caliente RMP. The proposed action identifies the suitability of the newly transferred lands for leasing for oil and gas exploration and development and any constraints thereon, in addition to addressing both ongoing and new oil and gas related activities on lands that are already leased. The amendment will also identify guidance for specific realty program actions, including any constraints on repositioning land through exchange, sale or acquisition. The land affected comprises only the federal portion of NPR-2. Total acreage is approximately 10,451 acres, located in Townships 31 South, Ranges 23-24 East; and 32 South, Ranges 23-25 East, MDBM. Approximately 7,919 acres, 76% of the transferred land, already contain ongoing oil and gas operations and little change is expected in those areas. Approximately 2,532 acres, or 24% of the transferred land, is unleased.

This rule sets forth the regulations for the 2004 Dairy Disaster Assistance Payment Program. This program will assist dairy producers by providing payments to those who suffered dairy production and milk spoilage losses due to hurricanes in 2004.

We are announcing the extension of tests involving modifications to our disability determination procedures that we are conducting under the authority of current rules codified at 20 CFR 404.906 and 416.1406. These rules provide authority to test several modifications to the disability determination procedures that we normally follow in adjudicating claims for disability insurance benefits under title II of the Social Security Act (the Act) and for supplemental security income payments based on disability under title XVI of the Act. On July 27, 2005, we published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that described an approach to improve the disability determination process. We have decided to extend the testing of two redesign features of the disability prototype for 12 months to ensure a smooth transition while these changes to the disability determination process are being finalized and implemented.

This is a notice of the Presidential declaration of an emergency for the State of North Carolina (FEMA-3254-EM), dated September 14, 2005, and related determinations.

This is a notice of the Presidential declaration of an emergency for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts (FEMA-3252-EM), dated September 13, 2005, and related determinations.

This is a notice of the Presidential declaration of an emergency for the State of Ohio (FEMA-3250-EM), dated September 13, 2005, and related determinations.

This is a notice of the Presidential declaration of an emergency for the State of California (FEMA-3248-EM), dated September 13, 2005, and related determinations.

This is a notice of the Presidential declaration of an emergency for the State of Connecticut (FEMA-3246-EM), dated September 13, 2005, and related determinations.

This is a notice of the Presidential declaration of an emergency for the State of Idaho (FEMA-3244-EM), dated September 13, 2005, and related determinations.

This is a notice of the Presidential declaration of an emergency for the State of Minnesota (FEMA-3242-EM), dated September 13, 2005, and related determinations.

This notice amends the notice of a major disaster declaration for the State of Alabama (FEMA-1605-DR), dated August 29, 2005, and related determinations.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is considering granting a waiver of the Nonmanufacturer Rule for Commercial Refrigerator Equipment. The basis for waivers is that no small business manufacturers are supplying these classes of products to the Federal government. The effect of a waiver would be to allow otherwise qualified regular dealers to supply the products of any domestic manufacturer on a Federal contract set aside for small businesses, service disabled veteran-owned small businesses or SBA's 8(a) Business Development Program. The purpose of this notice is to solicit comments and potential source information from interested parties.

In accordance with the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (FLPMA), and the Federal Advisory Committee Act of 1972 (FACA), the U. S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Northwest California Resource Advisory Council will meet as indicated below.

FRA is publishing this notice in response to Congressional direction contained in section 9003(j) of the recently enacted Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) requesting the agency to identify the substantive criteria and standards used by the DOT/FRA to determine whether to approve or disapprove applications submitted under the RRIF Program. This information is being provided by publication in the Federal Register and posting on the DOT/FRA website, as required by the statute.

This notice announces that TSA has forwarded the Information Collection Request (ICR) abstracted below to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval of an extension of the currently approved collection under the Paperwork Reduction Act. The ICR describes the nature of the information collection and its expected burden. TSA published a Federal Register notice, with a 60-day comment period soliciting comments, of the following collection of information on June 7, 2005, 70 FR 33188.