2005 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

DoD has issued an interim rule amending the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) to implement DoD appropriations act provisions permitting the award of sole source contracts to small business concerns owned by Native Hawaiian Organizations. The rule applies to manufacturing contacts exceeding $5,000,000 and non-manufacturing contracts exceeding $3,000,000 that are awarded under the Small Business Administration's 8(a) Program.

The EPA, Region VII, is issuing a notice of intent to delete the Red Oak City Landfill Superfund site (site) located near Red Oak, Iowa, from the NPL and requests public comments on this notice of intent. The NPL, promulgated pursuant to section 105 of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) of 1980, as amended, is found in appendix B of 40 CFR part 300 of the National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan (NCP). The EPA and the state of Iowa through the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) have determined that all appropriate response actions under CERCLA have been completed. However, this deletion does not preclude future actions under Superfund. In the ``Rules and Regulations'' section of today's Federal Register, we are publishing a direct final notice of deletion of the Red Oak City Landfill Superfund site without prior notice of intent to delete because we view this as a noncontroversial revision and anticipate no adverse comment. We have explained our reasons for this deletion in the preamble to the direct final deletion. If we receive no adverse comment(s) on the direct final notice of deletion, we will not take further action on this notice of intent to delete. If we receive adverse comment(s), we will withdraw the direct final notice of deletion and it will not take effect. We will, as appropriate, address all public comments in a subsequent final deletion notice based on this notice of intent to delete. We will not institute a second comment period on this action. Any parties interested in commenting must do so at this time. For additional information, see the direct final notice of deletion which is located in the Rules section of this Federal Register.

This amendment establishes, amends, suspends, or revokes Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPs) and/or Weather Takeoff Minimums for operations at certain airports. These regulatory actions are needed because of the adoption of new or revised criteria, or because of changes occurring in the National Airspace System, such as the commissioning of new navigational facilities, addition of new obstacles, or changes in air traffic requirements. These changes are designed to provide safe and efficient use of the navigable airspace and to promote safe flight operations under instrument flight rules at the affected airports.

The Civilian Agency Acquisition Council and the Defense Acquisition Regulations Council (Councils) are proposing to amend the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to provide language that is consistent with OMB Circular A-76 (Revised), Performance of Commercial Activities, dated May 29, 2003.

The 9/11 Heroes Stamp Act of 2001 directed the United States Postal Service to issue a semipostal stamp and distribute the proceeds through the Federal Emergency Management Agency to the families of emergency relief personnel killed or permanently disabled while serving in the line of duty in connection with the terrorist attacks against the United States on September 11, 2001. This interim rule establishes the mechanism by which FEMA will distribute these funds.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Boeing Model 747-100B SUD, -200B, -300, -400, and -400D series airplanes. This AD requires repetitive inspections for cracking in fuselage stringers 8L, 8R, 10L, and 10R at body stations 460, 480, and 500 frame locations; and repair if necessary. This AD is prompted by findings of cracking in fuselage stringers 8L, 8R, 10L, and 10R at body stations 460, 480, and 500 frame locations. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct fatigue cracking in certain fuselage stringers, which, if left undetected, could result in fuselage skin cracking that reduces the structural integrity of the skin panel, and consequent rapid depressurization of the airplane.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus Model A320-111 airplanes and Model A320-200 series airplanes. This AD requires installing insulator and cable ties to the electrical cables of the S routes at the gaps in the raceway in the wing trailing edge and the wing tip and wing root areas. This AD results from fuel system reviews conducted by the manufacturer. We are issuing this AD to prevent injection of high voltage current into the low voltage wiring that passes through the fuel tanks, which could result in a possible fuel tank explosion.

The FAA adopts an airworthiness directive (AD) to supersede AD 2003-11-14, which applies to certain The New Piper Aircraft, Inc. (Piper) Models PA-34-200T, PA-34-220T, PA-44-180, and PA-44-180T airplanes that have a model 91E92-1 or model 91E93-1 combustion heater fuel pump installed. AD 2003-11-14 currently requires you to do a one- time inspection of the combustion heater fuel pumps for fuel leakage. If leakage is found, repair or replace the fuel pump. This AD retains all the actions of AD 2003-11-14 and includes additional serial numbers for the Models PA-34-220T and PA-44-180 airplanes in the applicability section. This AD results from an investigation that concluded that after the issuance of AD 2003-11-14, additional fuel pumps that did not meet the quality control (inspection or design) requirements of the AD had been installed in Models PA-34-220T and PA-44-180 airplanes. We are issuing this AD to correct quality control problems with the heater fuel pump, which could result in failure of the heater fuel pump. Such failure could lead to fire or explosion in the cockpit.

Notice is hereby given that the comment period on proposed changes in the regulatory periods when minimum grade, size, quality, and maturity requirements apply to southeastern California grapes under Marketing Order No. 925 (order), and to imported grapes under the table grape import regulation is extended until September 25, 2005.

NMFS has received a request from BP Exploration (Alaska), 900 East Benson Boulevard, Anchorage, AK 99519 (BP) for renewal of an authorization to take small numbers of marine mammals incidental to operation of an offshore oil and gas platform at the Northstar facility in the Beaufort Sea in state waters. By this document, NMFS is proposing regulations to govern that take. In order to issue the Letter of Authorization (LOA) and final regulations governing the take, NMFS must determine that the total taking will have a negligible impact on the affected species and stocks of marine mammals, will be at the lowest level practicable, and will not have an unmitigable adverse impact on the availability of the species or stock(s) for subsistence uses. NMFS invites comment on the application and the proposed rule.

This temporary rule implements management measures for the recreational grouper fishery in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the Gulf of Mexico, as requested by the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council), to reduce overfishing of red grouper. This rule establishes a seasonal closure of the recreational fishery for all Gulf grouper species and reduces both the recreational bag limit for red grouper and the aggregate grouper bag limit. The intended effects are to reduce overfishing of red grouper in the Gulf of Mexico and to minimize potential adverse impacts on other grouper stocks that could result from a shift in fishing effort from red grouper to other grouper species.

On July 9, 2002, the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) submitted a request that EPA approve a revision to its process weight rate rules into the Indiana State Implementation Plan (SIP). The revision clarifies language and applicability to better establish IDEM's interpretation of the rule and to correct rates that were previously calculated incorrectly in the process weight rate table incorporated in the rule. EPA is proposing to approve the SIP revision request. In the rules section of this Federal Register, EPA is approving the SIP revision as a direct final rule without prior proposal, because EPA views this as a noncontroversial revision and anticipates no adverse comments. A detailed rationale for the approval is set forth in the direct final rule. If no adverse comments are received in response to this proposed rule, no further action is contemplated in relation to this proposed rule. If EPA receives adverse comments, the direct final rule will be withdrawn and all public comments received will be addressed in a subsequent final rule based on this proposed rule. EPA will not institute a second comment period on this action. Any parties interested in commenting on this action should do so at this time.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone around a fireworks launch site while it launches fireworks. The safety zone includes all waters within 500 yards in any direction of the fireworks launch site located at Sisters Creek Marina, Jacksonville, Florida. The rule prohibits entry into the safety zone without the permission of the Captain of the Port (COTP) Jacksonville or his designated representative. The rule is needed to protect participants, vendors, and spectators from the hazards associated with the launching of fireworks.

The FAA proposes to supersede an existing airworthiness directive (AD) for Rolls-Royce Deutschland (formerly Rolls-Royce plc) (RRD) models Tay 650-15 and 651-54 turbofan engines. That AD currently requires borescope inspection of the high pressure compressor (HPC) stage 12 disc assembly to detect damage caused by HPC outlet guide vane (OGV) retaining bolt failure, and replacement of unserviceable parts with serviceable parts. That AD also requires as terminating action, the incorporation of a new design retention arrangement for the HPC OGV to prevent HPC OGV retaining bolt failure. This proposed AD would require the same actions but extends the terminating action compliance time for Tay 650-15 engines. This proposed AD would also include references to later revisions of two of the applicable RRD service bulletins (SBs). This proposed AD results from findings that the terminating action compliance time for Tay 650-15 engines can be extended. We are proposing this AD to prevent an uncontained failure of the HPC stage 11/12 disc spacer, which could result in damage to the airplane.

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is amending its regulations revising the NAC International, Inc., NAC-UMS Universal Storage System listing within the ``List of approved spent fuel storage casks'' to include Amendment No. 4 to Certificate of Compliance (CoC) Number 1015. Amendment No. 4 to the NAC-UMS CoC will modify the cask design by replacing the specific term ``zircaloy'' with the more generic term ``zirconium alloy''; revising the definitions of ``operable'' and ``site specific fuel''; revising vacuum drying pressure and time limits; revising short-term temperature limits and completion times for the heat removal system; clarifying the surface dose rate surveillance; adding a dissolved boron concentration option; deleting a redundant boron concentration administrative control; adding an alternate site-specific design basis earthquake analysis; and incorporating editorial and administrative changes.

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is granting a petition submitted by Bayer Material Science LLC (Bayer) to exclude (or delist) a certain liquid waste generated by its Baytown, TX plant from the lists of hazardous wastes. This final rule responds to the petition submitted by Bayer to delist K027, K104, K111, and K112 treated effluent generated from the facility's waste water treatment plant. After careful analysis and use of the Delisting Risk Assessment Software (DRAS) EPA has concluded the petitioned waste is not hazardous waste. This exclusion applies to 18,071,150 cubic yards (5.745 billion gallons) per year of the Outfall 007 Treated Effluent. Accordingly, this final rule excludes the petitioned waste from the requirements of hazardous waste regulations under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) when discharged in accordance with the facility's TPDES permit.

The Railroad Retirement Board (Board) amends its regulations to explain the effective date of consolidated employer records that result in the issuance of a joint contribution rate under the experience rating provisions of section 8 of the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act. In addition, as a result of an agency reorganization, there has been a change in the title of the Board employee to whom requests for consolidation should be addressed. The Board amends its regulations to reflect this change.

This final rule amends regulations on insurer reporting requirements. The appendices list those passenger motor vehicle insurers that are required to file reports on their motor vehicle theft loss experiences. An insurer included in any of these appendices must file three copies of its report for the 2002 calendar year before October 25, 2005. If the passenger motor vehicle insurers remain listed, they must submit reports by each subsequent October 25.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Lycoming Engines (formerly Textron Lycoming) AEIO-360, IO- 360, O-360, LIO-360, LO-360, AEIO-540, IO-540, O-540, and TIO-540 series reciprocating engines rated at 300 horsepower (HP) or lower. This proposed AD would require replacing certain crankshafts. This proposed AD results from reports of 12 crankshaft failures in Lycoming 360 and 540 series engines rated at 300 HP or lower. We are proposing this AD to prevent failure of the crankshaft, which could result in total engine power loss, in-flight engine failure, and possible loss of the aircraft.

NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific Ocean perch in the Western Aleutian District of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 2005 Pacific Ocean perch total allowable catch (TAC) in the Western Aleutian District of the BSAI.

NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for northern rockfish in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 2005 total allowable catch (TAC) of northern rockfish in the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA.

The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is increasing the fees and charges for Federal voluntary egg, poultry, and rabbit grading. These fees and charges are being increased to cover the increase in salaries of Federal employees, salary increases of State employees cooperatively utilized in administering the programs, and other increased Agency costs.

The Federal Election Commission is announcing public hearings on the following rulemakings: The proposed rules 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 Federal election activity and activity in connection with Federal elections; and proposed rules defining Federal election activity.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is amending the color additive regulations to provide for the safe use of mica-based pearlescent pigments as color additives in ingested drugs. This action is in response to a petition filed by EM Industries, Inc.

NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific Ocean perch in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 2005 total allowable catch (TAC) of Pacific Ocean perch in the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA.