March 13, 2006 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

On March 3, 2006, a proposed rule to implement an emergency action for the Northeast (NE) Multispecies Fishery Management Plan(FMP) was published in the Federal Register. The proposed rule was published with an incorrect end date for receipt of public comments. This document corrects that error.

EPA is proposing to revise the EPA Acquisition Regulation (EPAAR) Subparts 1532 and 1552 to implement a procedure for simplified acquisition procedures financing. This proposed EPAAR revision will add a prescription and clause for contracting officers to use when approving advance or interim payments on simplified acquisitions. The proposed prescription and clause apply to commercial item orders at or below the simplified acquisition threshold. This action revises the EPAAR, but does not impose any new requirements on Agency contractors. The procedure will allow contractors to invoice for advance and interim payments in accordance with standard commercial practices when authorized by the contracting officer and identified in the clause payment schedule.

This action proposes to revise Class E airspace at Atqasuk Edward Burnell Sr. Memorial Airport, AK., referred to as Atqasuk Airport. Four Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPs) are being revised for the Atqasuk Airport. Adoption of this proposal would result in establishment of Class E airspace upward from 1,200 feet (ft.) above the surface at Atqasuk, AK.

NMFS issues this proposed rule to implement Amendment 17 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources of the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic (Amendment 17) and Amendment 25 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf of Mexico (Amendment 25) prepared by the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council). This proposed rule would establish a limited access system for charter vessel/headboat (for-hire) permits for the reef fish and coastal migratory pelagic fisheries in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the Gulf of Mexico and would continue to cap participation at current levels. In addition, NMFS proposes a number of minor revisions to remove outdated regulatory text and to clarify regulatory text. The intended effect of this proposed rule is to provide for biological, social, and economic stability in these for- hire fisheries.

NMFS proposes three types of 2006 fishing year (FY) Total Allowable Catches (TACs) for the Northeast (NE) Multispecies Fishery Management Plan (FMP). Hard TACs for Eastern Georges Bank (GB) cod, Eastern GB haddock, and GB yellowtail flounder in the U.S./Canada Management Area; target TACs for all NE regulated multispecies; and hard Incidental Catch TACs for groundfish stocks of concern. This action also provides notice that the hard TACs for Eastern GB cod, Eastern GB haddock, and GB yellowtail flounder may be adjusted during FY 2006, if NMFS determines that the harvest of these stocks in FY 2005 exceeded the TACs specified for FY 2005. The intent of this action is to provide for the conservation and management of groundfish management under the FMP.

EPA is announcing the partial approval and partial disapproval of revisions to the Restriction of Emission of Sulfur Compounds rule in the Missouri State Implementation Plan (SIP). This Missouri rule establishes general requirements for emissions of sulfur compounds from various source categories and establishes specific emissions requirements for certain named sources. EPA is approving most of the revisions to the rule because the changes involve clarifications, updates, and other improvements to the current rule. This action does not include a portion of the rule that regulates ambient concentrations of sulfur compounds, because this provision is not in the current SIP, and EPA does not directly enforce Missouri's Air Quality Standards. EPA is disapproving Missouri's request to include in the SIP a revision to two source-specific references because the state has not demonstrated that the revisions are protective of the short-term SO2 National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS).

This rule decreases the assessment rate established for the California Olive Committee (committee) for the 2006 and subsequent fiscal years from $15.68 to $11.03 per assessable ton of olives handled. The committee locally administers the marketing order which regulates the handling of olives grown in California. Assessments upon olive handlers are used by the committee to fund reasonable and necessary expenses of the program. The fiscal year began January 1 and ends December 31. The assessment rate will remain in effect indefinitely unless modified, suspended, or terminated.

This amendment supersedes an existing airworthiness directive (AD) that currently applies to Eurocopter France (ECF) Model SA 365N, N1, and AS 365N2 helicopters. That AD currently requires inspecting the main gearbox (MGB) suspension diagonal cross-member (diagonal cross-member) for cracks and replacing it with an airworthy part if any crack is found. This amendment requires more frequent inspections of the diagonal cross-member and adding the Model SA-366G1 helicopters to the applicability. This amendment is prompted by several reports of cracks in the diagonal cross-member. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent failure of the diagonal cross-member, pivoting of the MGB, severe vibrations, and a subsequent forced landing.

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is proposing to amend its regulations by revising the provisions applicable to the licensing and approval processes for nuclear power plants and making necessary conforming amendments throughout the NRC's regulations to enhance the NRC's regulatory effectiveness and efficiency in implementing its licensing and approval processes. The proposed changes would clarify the applicability of various requirements to each of the licensing processes (i.e., early site permit, standard design approval, standard design certification, combined license, and manufacturing license). On July 3, 2003, the NRC published a proposed rulemaking to clarify and correct the NRC's regulations related to nuclear power plant licensing. Upon further consideration, the NRC is now proposing new requirements to enhance its licensing and approval processes and changes throughout the NRC's regulations to support these processes. This proposed rule supersedes the 2003 proposed rule. The Commission believes that this rulemaking action will improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the licensing and approval processes for future applicants.