2006 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The FAA proposes to supersede an existing airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to all Airbus Model A318-100 and A319-100 series airplanes, Model A320-111 airplanes, and Model A320-200, A321- 100, and A321-200 series airplanes. The existing AD currently requires repetitive inspections of the upper and lower attachments of the trimmable horizontal stabilizer actuator (THSA) to measure for proper clearance and to detect cracks, damage, and metallic particles. The existing AD also requires corrective actions, if necessary, and reports of inspection findings. This proposed AD would shorten the repetitive interval for inspecting the upper THSA attachment. This proposed AD results from new test results on the secondary load path, which indicated the need to shorten the repetitive interval for inspecting the upper THSA attachment. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct failure of the THSA's primary load path, which could result in latent (undetected) loading and eventual failure of the THSA's secondary load path and consequent uncontrolled movement of the horizontal stabilizer and loss of control of the airplane.

The Office for Human Research Protections (OHRP), Office of Public Health and Science, is announcing the availability of a draft guidance document entitled, ``OHRP Guidance on Engagement of Institutions in Human Subjects Research.'' The draft guidance document would revise and replace two existing OHRP guidance documents on the engagement of institutions in human subjects research: (1) The January 26, 1999 document on ``Engagement of Institutions in Research, and (2) the December 23, 1999 document on ``Engagement of Pharmaceutical Companies in HHS Supported Research.'' To facilitate public review of the draft guidance document, OHRP has developed a table presenting a side-by-side comparison of OHRP's draft revised guidance document and the current guidance documents on the engagement of institution in human subjects research, which is available on the OHRP Web site at https://www.hhs.gov/ohrp/requests/. OHRP's current engagement guidance documents and the proposed draft guidance document provide examples of when institutions generally would be considered to be engaged or not engaged in human subjects research. The draft document is intended primarily for institutional review boards (IRB), research administrators and other relevant institutional officials, investigators, and funding agencies that may be responsible for the conduct, review and oversight of human subject research that is conducted or supported by HHS. OHRP will consider comments received before issuing the final guidance document.

Pursuant to Section (102)(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, as implemented by the Council on Environmental Quality Regulations (40 CFR Parts 1500-1508), and Executive Order 12114, the Department of the Navy (DON) announces its intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)/Overseas EIS (OEIS) to evaluate the potential environmental consequences associated with naval training in the Virginia Capes (VACAPES) Range Complex. The DON proposes to support and conduct current and emerging training operations and research, development, testing, and evaluation (RDT&E) operations in the VACAPES Range Complex by: (1) Maintaining baseline operations at current levels; (2) increasing training operations from current levels as necessary to support the Fleet Readiness Training Plan; (3) accommodating mission requirements associated with force structure change; and (4) implementing enhanced range complex capabilities. The EIS/OEIS study area is the VACAPES Range Complex which consists of targets and instrumented areas, airspace, surface and subsurface operations areas (OPAREAs), and land range facilities. Together the VACAPES Range Complex encompasses: 15,143 acres of land area (including 13,600 acres of land area for ranges); 5,158 nm2 of special use airspace (SUA) associated with land ranges; 27,661 nm2 of offshore surface and subsurface OPAREA; 9,589 nm2 of shallow ocean area less than 100 fathoms (600 feet); 18,072 nm2 of deep ocean areas greater than 100 fathoms; 330 nm2 of over water danger areas; and 28,672 nm2 of SUA warning areas. The scope of actions to be analyzed in this EIS/OEIS includes current and proposed future Navy training and RDT&E operations within Navy- controlled operating areas, airspace, and ranges. It also includes proposed Navy-funded range capabilities enhancements, including infrastructure improvements, which support range complex training and RDT&E operations. Training activities that involve the use of active sonar are conducted in the VACAPES Range Complex; however, those potential effects are being analyzed in detail in a separate document, the Atlantic Fleet Active Sonar Training EIS/OEIS. This separate sonar EIS/OEIS addresses active sonar use as a whole by the Atlantic Fleet in the eastern Atlantic Ocean (including waters that are part of the VACAPES Range Complex), and in the Gulf of Mexico. The results of this sonar EIS/OEIS will be incorporated into the VACAPES Range Complex EIS/ OEIS to account for active sonar effects that could occur within the geographic area of the VACAPES Range Complex. The DON will request the National Marine Fisheries Service to be a cooperating agency in the preparation of this EIS/OEIS. Dates and Addresses: Public scoping meetings will be held at the following four sites to receive oral and written comments on environmental concerns that should be addressed in the EIS/OEIS: Salisbury, MD; Chincoteague Island, VA; Virginia Beach, VA; and Nags Head, NC. Public scoping open houses are scheduled below:

The Commission is issuing a proposed policy statement to establish a pilot program offering probable cause hearings to respondents in enforcement actions pending before the Commission. The pilot program would allow respondents to request a hearing directly before the Commission prior to the Commission's consideration of the General Counsel's probable cause recommendation. The program would provide respondents with the opportunity to present directly arguments to the Commission and give the Commission an opportunity to ask relevant questions. The Commission requests comments on this proposed pilot program.

The Commission is publishing for comment proposed amendments to a rule under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (``Exchange Act'') relating to municipal securities disclosure which would delete references to the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board (``MSRB'') as a recipient of material event notices filed by or on behalf of issuers of municipal securities or other obligated persons.

The Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.

This document corrects temporary regulations (TD 9286) that were published in the Federal Register on Friday, September 8, 2006 (71 FR 53009) providing rules for claiming the railroad track maintenance credit under section 45G of the Internal Revenue Code for qualified railroad track maintenance expenditures paid or incurred by a Class II railroad or Class III railroad and other eligible taxpayers during the taxable year.