February 2, 2007 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC or Commission) is issuing new regulations to relieve certain categories of individuals from the requirement to undergo fingerprinting, identification, and criminal history records checks under section 149 of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended, (AEA) before being permitted unescorted access to radioactive materials or other property subject to regulation by the Commission that the Commission determines to be of such significance to the public health and safety or the common defense and security as to warrant such checks.

We are adopting as a final rule, without change, an interim rule that amended the emerald ash borer regulations by adding areas in Michigan to the list of areas quarantined because of emerald ash borer. As a result of that action, the interstate movement of regulated articles from those areas is restricted. The interim rule was necessary to prevent the artificial spread of the emerald ash borer from infested areas in the State of Michigan into noninfested areas of the United States.

This supplemental NPRM revises an earlier proposed airworthiness directive (AD) for PW JT9D-7R4G2 series turbofan engines. That proposed AD would have required replacing the old configuration 2nd stage high pressure turbine (HPT) air seal assembly with a new design 2nd stage HPT air seal assembly that increases cooling air flow. That proposed AD resulted from a report of an uncontained failure of the 2nd stage HPT air seal assembly, caused by the air seal assembly brace disengaging from the air seal, due to insufficient cooling air flow. This supplemental NPRM revises the proposed AD by proposing to include additional models of the PW JT9D-7R4 turbofan engines in the applicability, requiring a visual and a fluorescent penetrant inspection of the air seal assembly, replacing the 2nd stage HPT vane assemblies, and reopening the comment period. This NPRM results from comments to the proposed AD. We are proposing this AD to prevent uncontained failure of the 2nd stage HPT air seal assembly, leading to engine in-flight shutdown and damage to the airplane.

The Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Department of the Treasury is amending the Foreign Assets Control Regulations, 31 CFR part 500, by revising paragraph (b)(5) of Sec. 500.586 to prohibit U.S. persons from registering vessels in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (``North Korea''), or from otherwise obtaining authorization for a vessel to fly the North Korean flag. This paragraph already prohibits U.S. persons from owning, leasing, operating, or insuring any North Korean-flagged vessel.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is amending the animal drug regulations to reflect approval of a supplemental new animal drug application (NADA) filed by ADM Alliance Nutrition, Inc. The supplemental NADA provides for the use of a lasalocid Type A medicated article containing 20-percent lasalocid activity per pound to make free-choice Type C medicated feeds used for increased rate of weight gain in pasture cattle (slaughter, stocker, feeder cattle, and dairy and beef replacement heifers).

This amendment amends Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPs) for operations at certain airports. These regulatory actions are needed 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 Coast Guard is changing the drawbridge operations for the Illinois Central Railroad Drawbridge across the Upper Mississippi River at Mile 579.9, at Dubuque, Iowa. Under the rule, the drawbridge shall open on signal if at least 24 hours advance notice is given from 12:01 a.m., on February 2, 2007 until 8 a.m., on March 15, 2007. This rule allows time for making upgrades to critical mechanical components and perform scheduled annual maintenance/repairs to the bridge and pier protection.

Because EPA has received adverse comments, the Agency is withdrawing the direct final rule excepting from the definitions of ``pesticide chemical'' and ``pesticide chemical residue'' under section 201(q) of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA) food packaging (e.g., paper and paperboard, coatings, adhesives, and polymers) that is treated with a pesticide. The rule was published on December 6, 2006 (71 FR 70667) (FRL-8084-2). We stated in that direct final rule that if EPA received adverse comment by January 5, 2007, the Agency would publish a timely withdrawal in the Federal Register. We subsequently received adverse comment on that direct final rule and are therefore withdrawing the rule. EPA may issue a notice of proposed rulemaking in a future edition of the Federal Register to initiate action to repromulgate the rule provisions that are being withdrawn today. In any such action, EPA would address the adverse comments it received on the direct final rule.