March 15, 2007 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The FAA adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Raytheon Aircraft Company (RAC) Models 58 and G58 airplanes with optional propeller unfeathering accumulators installed. This AD requires you to inspect the left propeller accumulator oil tube assembly for any chafing; replace the propeller accumulator oil tube assembly if any chafing is found; and reposition and secure with clamps both the left engine manifold pressure hose and its metal identification tags to avoid contact with other tubes, hoses, electrical wires, parts, components, and structure. This AD results from several reports on the affected airplanes of chafing damage on the left propeller accumulator oil tube assembly. We are issuing this AD to detect, correct, and prevent any chafing damage of the left propeller accumulator oil tube assembly, which could result in loss of engine oil. Loss of engine oil may lead to fire or smoke in the engine compartment, inability to unfeather the propeller, engine damage, or loss of engine power.

The Department of the Army proposes to amend its regulation concerning law enforcement reporting. The regulation prescribes policies and procedures on preparing, reporting, using, retaining, and disposing of Military Police Reports. The regulation prescribes policies and procedures for offense reporting and the release of law enforcement information.

The FAA is superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD), which 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. That 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 new AD shortens the repetitive interval for inspecting the upper THSA attachment. This 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 issuing 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.

DOE is publishing this final rule pursuant to the Energy Policy Act of 1992 (EPAct 1992). DOE is extending the EPAct 1992 goal of achieving a production capacity for replacement fuels sufficient to replace 30 percent of the projected U.S. motor fuel consumption (Replacement Fuel Goal) to 2030. DOE determined through its analysis that the 30 percent Replacement Fuel Goal cannot be met by 2010, as established in section 502(b)(2)(B). DOE has determined that the 30 percent goal can be achieved by 2030.

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and the City and County of Honolulu, Department of Transportation Services (DTS) intend to prepare an EIS on a proposal by the City and County of Honolulu to implement a fixed-guideway transit system in the corridor between Kapolei and the University of Hawai[revaps]i at M[amacr]noa with a branch to Waik[imacr]k[imacr]. Alternatives proposed to be considered in the draft EIS include No Build and two Fixed Guideway Transit alternatives. The EIS will be prepared to satisfy the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) and its implementing regulations. The FTA and DTS request public and interagency input on the purpose and need to be addressed by the project, the alternatives to be considered in the EIS, and the environmental and community impacts to be evaluated.

NMFS proposes to temporarily suspend circle hook requirements for anglers participating in Atlantic billfish tournaments. The final rule implementing the Final Consolidated HMS Fishery Management Plan (FCHMS FMP) published in the Federal Register on October 2, 2006, and restricted anglers fishing from HMS permitted vessels and participating in Atlantic billfish tournaments to deploying only non-offset circle hooks when using natural baits or natural bait/artificial lure combinations, effective 12:01 am, January 1, 2007. The purpose of the final rule was to reduce post-release mortality of Atlantic billfish and other species with which billfish tournament anglers may interact. NMFS has continued to receive public comment since publication of the Final CHMS FMP regarding the perceived impacts of the billfish tournament non-offset circle hook requirement. The objective of this proposed rulemaking is to increase post-release survival of Atlantic billfishes by improving long-term compliance with billfish tournament non-offset circle hook regulations.

Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended (NEPA) (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) and the Council on Environmental Quality Regulations for Implementing the Procedural Provisions of NEPA (40 CFR Parts 1500-1508), DTRA has prepared and issued a final PEIS for the proposed testing activities at WSMR. The PEIS addresses the potential environmental impacts associated with implementing the proposed action, alternative, and no action alternative over a 10 year period. The purpose of the proposed action is to provide adequate test areas and facilities to evaluate the lethality effectiveness of weapon systems used against simulated enemy ground targets producing, storing, or controlling Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD). There is a need to improve weapon systems designed to defeat enemy military assets including hardened and reinforced structures. These enemy military assets can house WMD and pose a significant threat to international stability and peaceful coexistence among nations. The military structures and equipment of the United States and its allies must also be refined to better withstand attack by enemy weapons systems to reduce collateral damage. The PEIS presents descriptions of the proposed action, an overview of the affected environment at and near the test sites, and the potential environmental consequences associated with the proposed action and alternatives, including the no action alternative. The final PEIS evaluates two alternatives in addition to the no action alternative. The proposed action (alternative 1, DTRA's Preferred Alternative) involves expanding existing test beds and creating new ones; expanding the range of test types including targets, simulants, delivery systems and explosives; implementing infrastructure improvements at the Permanent High Explosive Test Site Administrative Park; and testing special weapons and delivery systems. Alternative two contains all of the actions described in alternative one plus the use of chemical simulants and taggants/tracers that are considered to have higher toxicity levels than those considered under alternative one. The increased hazards of using these chemicals lead to identifying alternative one as the preferred alternative.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSM) is announcing its intention to request renewed approval for the collections of information for 30 CFR Part 882, Reclamation of private lands; and 30 CFR 886.23(b) and Form OSM-76, Abandoned Mine Land Problem Area Description form. The collections described below have been forwarded to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and comment. The information collection request describes the nature of the information collections and the expected burdens and costs.

The FAA invites public comments about our intention to request the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) revision of a current information collection. The Federal Register Notice with a 60-day comment period soliciting comments on the following collection of information was published on September 14, 2006, vol. 71, no. 178, page 54330. The FAA Office of Commercial Space Transportation (AST) conducts this survey in order to obtain industry input on customer service standards which have been developed and distributed to industry customers.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is considering a proposal to change a portion of the airport from aeronautical use to non-aeronautical use and to authorize the release of 250.357 acres of vacant airport property currently being used for agricultural purposes for the proposed development of bulk warehouse/distribution facilities as a component of the Rickenbacker Global Logistics Park. The land was acquired by the Rickenbacker Port Authority through Quitclaim Deed dated March 30, 1984 from the Administrator of General Services for the United States of America. There are no impacts to the airport by allowing the airport to dispose of the property. Approval does not constitute a commitment by the FAA to financially assist in the disposal of the subject airport property nor a determination of eligibility for grant-in-aid funding from the FAA. The CRAA will receive $5,383,000 for the parcel. In accordance with section 47107(h) of title 49, United States Code, this notice is required to be published in the Federal Register 30 days before modifying the land-use assurance that requires the property to be used for an aeronautical purpose.