2006 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Bureau of Justice Assistance (``BJA''), Office of Justice Programs, Department of Justice, published the proposed rule for the Public Safety Officers Benefits (``PSOB'') Program on July 26, 2005, 70 FR 43,078. During the comment period, BJA received comments on its proposed rule from numerous parties. After further review of the proposed rule and very recent amendments to the underlying statute, and careful consideration and analysis of all comments, BJA made amendments that are incorporated into this final rule.

To address the unreasonable risks of injury and death associated with all terrain vehicles (``ATVs''), the Commission is proposing rules for adult and youth ATVs. The proposed rules include requirements concerning the mechanical operation of ATVs, requirements for providing safety information about operating ATVs (such as through labeling and training), and requirements for certification, testing and recordkeeping. The proposed standards would apply to adult single-rider and tandem ATVs and to youth ATVs. The Commission is also proposing a rule to ban three-wheeled ATVs. The proposed rules are issued under the authority of both the Consumer Product Safety Act (``CPSA'') and the Federal Hazardous Substances Act (``FHSA'').

This document denies two Petitions for Reconsideration filed by Southern California Public Radio and Maranatha Ministries of Hemet directed to the staff letters dated March 18, 2004, returning their Petitions for Rule Making requesting the reservation of vacant FM Channel 273A at Hemet, California for noncommercial educational use. With this action, the proceeding is terminated.

NMFS issues this final rule to implement Amendment 18A to the Fishery Management Plan for the Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf of Mexico (Amendment 18A) prepared by the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council). This final rule prohibits vessels from retaining reef fish caught under the recreational size and bag/ possession limits when commercial quantities of Gulf reef fish are on board; adjusts the number of persons allowed on board when a vessel with both commercial and charter vessel/headboat reef fish permits and a U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Certificate of Inspection (COI) is fishing commercially; prohibits use of Gulf reef fish, except sand perch or dwarf sand perch, as bait in any commercial or recreational fishery in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the Gulf of Mexico, with a limited exception for crustacean trap fisheries; requires a NMFS-approved vessel monitoring system (VMS) on board vessels with Federal commercial permits for Gulf reef fish, including charter vessels/headboats with such commercial permits; and requires owners and operators of vessels with Federal commercial or charter vessel/headboat permits for Gulf reef fish to comply with sea turtle and smalltooth sawfish release protocols, possess on board specific gear to ensure proper release of such species, and comply with guidelines for proper care and release of incidentally caught sawfish and sea turtles. This final rule also requires annual permit application rather than application every 2 years (biennial). In addition, Amendment 18A revises the total allowable catch (TAC) framework procedure to reflect current practices and terminology. The intended effects of this final rule are to improve enforceability and monitoring in the reef fish fishery in the Gulf of Mexico and to reduce mortality of incidentally caught sea turtles and smalltooth sawfish. Finally, NMFS informs the public of approval by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) of the collection-of-information requirements contained in this final rule and publishes the OMB control numbers for those collections.

The Commander, First Coast Guard District, has issued a temporary deviation from the regulation governing the operation of the AMTRAK Portal Bridge, across the Hackensack River at mile 5.0, at Snake Hill, New Jersey. This deviation allows the bridge to remain in the closed position from 11 p.m. on Friday, July 28, 2006 through 11 a.m. on Tuesday, August 1, 2006, and from 11 p.m. on Friday, August 4, 2006 through 11 a.m. on Tuesday, August 8, 2006. This deviation is necessary to facilitate scheduled bridge maintenance.

The Department of the Army proposes to amend its regulation to reflect a substantial revision of AR 27-20, an Army publication which governs the processing of claims worldwide. The purpose of this revision is to make AR 27-20 clearer and easier to use, after years of piecemeal amendments. This rewrite also ensures that AR 27-20 is in keeping with current statutes, legal opinions and Department of Justice guidance pertaining to claims processing. This updated rule will expedite payment of meritorious claims throughout the world. AR 27-20 includes rules for processing affirmative claims, i.e., recovery actions on behalf of the United States.

EPA is proposing to approve a revision to the West Virginia State Implementation Plan (SIP). The revision consists of amendments to West Virginia's existing prevention of significant deterioration (PSD) preconstruction air quality permit program. This action is being taken under the Clean Air Act (CAA or the Act). In a separate action, EPA will address changes made by West Virginia to its nonattainment new source review (NSR) permit program, also submitted on December 1, 2005.

The EPA is proposing to revise the General Provisions for Standards of Performance for New Stationary Sources, for National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants, and for National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants for Source Categories to allow extensions to the deadline imposed for source owners and operators to conduct initial or other required performance tests in certain specified circumstances. The General Provisions do not currently provide for extensions of the deadlines for conducting performance tests.

The EPA is proposing a final extension of the deferred effective date of air quality designations for certain areas of the country that have entered into Early Action Compacts. Early Action Compact areas have agreed to reduce ground-level ozone pollution earlier than the Clean Air Act (CAA) requires. On April 30, 2004, EPA published a notice designating all areas of the country for the 8-hour ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). In the designation rule, EPA deferred the effective date of the nonattainment designation for 14 areas that had entered into Early Action Compacts. The current effective date of the nonattainment designation for these areas is December 31, 2006. The EPA is now proposing to extend the deferral of the effective date for all 14 Early Action compact areas until April 15, 2008.

The FAA proposes to revise an earlier proposed airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to all Air Tractor, Inc. (Air Tractor) Model AT-602 airplanes. The earlier NPRM would have required you to repetitively inspect (using the eddy current method) the wing center splice joint two outboard fastener holes on both of the wing main spar lower caps for fatigue cracking; repair or replace any wing main spar lower cap where fatigue cracking is found; and report any fatigue cracking found. The NPRM resulted from fatigue cracking at the wing center splice joint outboard fastener hole in one of the wing main spar lower caps. Since issuing the NPRM, the FAA has received and evaluated new information that decreases the compliance time to initially inspect certain serial numbers. This proposed AD includes the new compliance times in the table located in paragraph (e)(2) of this AD. Since these actions impose an additional burden over that proposed in the earlier NPRM, we are reopening the comment period to allow the public the chance to comment on these additional actions.

The Coast Guard is establishing a permanent security zone approximately one quarter mile on each side of the Mackinac Bridge in the Straits of Mackinac near Mackinaw City, MI. This security zone will place navigational and operational restrictions on all vessels transiting through the Straits area, under and around the Mackinac Bridge, located between Mackinaw City, MI, and St. Ignace, MI.

The FAA proposes to revise an earlier proposed airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to certain Air Tractor, Inc. (Air Tractor) Models AT-502, AT-502A, AT-502B, and AT-503A airplanes, which proposes to supersede AD 2002-26-05. AD 2002-26-05 lowers the safe life for the wing lower spar caps for Models AT-502, AT-502A, AT-502B, and AT-503A airplanes and those that incorporate or have incorporated Marburger Enterprises, Inc. (Marburger) winglets. AD 2002-26-05 also requires you to eddy-current inspect the wing lower spar caps immediately before modifying to correct any crack in a bolt hole before it extends to the modified center section of the wing and report the results of the inspection to the FAA if cracks are found. AD 2002-11-05 R1 currently requires similar action on Model AT-501 airplanes. Since issuing the earlier NPRM, we determined that Model AT-501 airplanes should be added to the Applicability section of this proposed AD and that this proposed AD should also supersede AD 2002-11-05 R1. We have revised the alternative method of compliance (AMOC) to include inspection procedures for airplanes that have or have had Marburger winglets installed. We have also updated the safe life of the replacement and new production spar cap based on additional data we have received from the manufacturer. Since these actions impose an additional burden over that proposed in the earlier NPRM, we are reopening the comment period to allow the public the chance to comment on these additional actions.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the products listed above. This proposed AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by an airworthiness authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The proposed AD would require actions that are intended to address an unsafe condition described in the MCAI.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Air Tractor, Inc. (Air Tractor) Models AT-502, AT-502A, AT- 502B, AT-602, AT-802, and AT-802A airplanes. This proposed AD would require you to repetitively visually inspect the rudder and vertical fin hinge attaching structure for loose fasteners, any cracks in the rudder or vertical fin skins, spars, hinges or brackets, or corrosion. The AD would also require you to replace any damaged parts found as a result of the inspection and install an external doubler at the upper rudder hinge. Installation of the external doubler at the upper rudder hinge is terminating action for the repetitive inspection requirements. This proposed AD results from two reports (one Model AT-602 airplane and one Model AT-802A airplane) of in-flight rudder separation from the vertical fin at the upper attach hinge area, and other reports of Models AT-502B, AT-602, and AT-802/802A airplanes with loose hinges, skin cracks, or signs of repairs to the affected area. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct loose fasteners; any cracks in the rudder or vertical fin skins, spars, hinges or brackets, or corrosion of the rudder and vertical fin hinge attaching structure. Hinge failure adversely affects ability to control yaw and has led to the rudder folding over in flight. This condition could allow the rudder to contact the elevator and affect ability to control pitch with consequent loss of control of the airplane.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone encompassing a portion of the navigable waters of the St. Lawrence River in New York. This safety zone is necessary to ensure the safety of spectators and vessels from the hazards associated with fireworks displays. This safety zone is intended to restrict vessel traffic from a portion of the St. Lawrence River.

We are notifying the public that the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has received a petition from In Defense of Animals requesting that we issue an interpretive rule or policy to clarify the space and living conditions required for captive elephants, and that we enforce the Animal Welfare Act and its implementing regulations by requiring that exhibitors fully comply with the regulations. We are soliciting comments from the public regarding the petition, and whether we should continue to regulate the handling, care, treatment, and transport of elephants covered by the Animal Welfare Act under the general standards in the regulations or promulgate specific standards for elephants. We are also requesting comments regarding what should be included in any such standards.

Technical information or comments are requested on the proposed Base (1% annual chance) Flood Elevations (BFEs) and proposed BFEs modifications for the communities listed below. The BFEs are the basis for the floodplain management measures that the community is required either to adopt or to show evidence of being already in effect in order to qualify or remain qualified for participation in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).

This rule identifies communities, where the sale of flood insurance has been authorized under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), that are scheduled for suspension on the effective dates listed within this rule because of noncompliance with the floodplain management requirements of the program. If FEMA receives documentation that the community has adopted the required floodplain management measures prior to the effective suspension date given in this rule, the suspension will not occur and a notice of this will be provided by publication in the Federal Register on a subsequent date.

The Executive Director of the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board (Agency) proposes to amend the Thrift Savings Plan's (TSP's) regulations to improve processing of court orders that seek to divide a TSP account pursuant to a divorce. The proposed change would limit the types of court orders the Agency would accept to either one that requires payment of a specific dollar amount or that requires payment of a stated percentage or fraction of the account. The change would no longer allow formula court orders.

This document contains final regulations providing guidance on certain issues under section 411(d)(6) of the Internal Revenue Code (Code), including the interaction between the anti-cutback rules of section 411(d)(6) and the nonforfeitability requirements of section 411(a). These regulations also provide a utilization test under which certain plan amendments are permitted to eliminate or reduce certain early retirement benefits, retirement-type subsidies, or optional forms of benefit. These regulations generally affect sponsors of, and participants and beneficiaries in, qualified retirement plans.

This final rule revokes under section 408(e)(1) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA) the existing exemptions from the requirement of a tolerance for residues of certain inert ingredients because there are insufficient data to make the determination of safety required by FFDCA section 408(b)(2), or because they are redundant and, therefore, are not necessary. In addition, EPA has identified substances within certain of these tolerance exemptions that meet the definition of low-risk polymers and is establishing new tolerance exemptions for them. The revocation actions in this document contribute towards the Agency's tolerance reassessment requirements under FFDCA section 408(q), as amended by the Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA) of 1996. By law, EPA is required by August 2006 to reassess the tolerances that were in existence on August 2, 1996. The regulatory actions in this document pertain to the revocation of 130 tolerance exemptions which are counted as tolerance reassessment toward the August 2006 review deadline.

The Audio Division, on its on motion, deletes Channel 228A at Leadville, Colorado to resolve existing distance spacing conflicts. It is Commission policy to refrain from maintaining an allotment in instances were there are no bona fide expressions of interest.

At the request of Charles Crawford, the Audio Division allots Channel 253A at Lometa, Texas, as that community's second local FM transmission service. To accommodate the Lometa allotment, Channel 235A is substituted for vacant Channel 252A at Richland Springs, Texas. Channel 253A is allotted at Lometa with a site restriction of 11.7 kilometers (7.3 miles) northwest of the community at coordinates 31-18- 45 NL and 98-26-45 WL. Channel 235A is substituted for vacant Channel 252A at Richland Springs, at Petitioner's requested site 9.4 kilometers (5.8 miles) southwest of the community at coordinates 31-12-30 NL and 99-00-45 WL. A filing window period for Channel 253A at Lometa will not be opened at this time. Instead, the issue of opening this allotment for auction will be addressed by the Commission in a subsequent Order.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all McDonnell Douglas Model MD-90-30 airplanes. This AD requires installing a clamp, bonding jumper assembly, and attaching hardware to the refueling manifold in the right wing refueling station area. This AD results from fuel system reviews conducted by the manufacturer. We are issuing this AD to prevent arcing on the in-tank side of the fueling valve during a lightning strike, which could result in an ignition source that could ignite fuel vapor and cause a fuel tank explosion.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Boeing Model 747-200B, 747-200C, 747-200F, 747-300, and 747SR series airplanes. This AD requires doing repetitive inspections of engine struts 1 through 4, as applicable, for heat discoloration, cracking, buckling, or wrinkling. This AD also requires doing a conductivity test to detect the extent of the heat damage and an inspection to detect cracking of the heat-discolored, buckled, or wrinkled area; and repair; if necessary. This AD results from reports of heat damage and cracking of the skin and internal structure adjacent to and aft of the precooler exhaust vent on several engine struts. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct cracking, buckling, wrinkling, or heat damage of the skin and internal structure of the engine struts, which could result in extensive damage to the engine struts and consequent possible separation of an engine from the airplane during flight.