September 6, 2007 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

DoD has issued an interim rule amending the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) to implement Section 802(a) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2007. Section 802(a) contains requirements for DoD to assess long-term technical data needs when acquiring major weapon systems and subsystems.

This rule amends Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPs) for operations at certain airports. These regulatory actions are needed because of changes in the National Airspace System, such as the commissioning of new navigational facilities, adding of new obstacles, or changing 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.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the products listed above. This AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by an aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as:

To comply with the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act of 1990, FRA is adjusting the ordinary maximum penalty that it will apply when assessing a civil penalty for a violation of railroad safety statutes and regulations under its authority. In particular, FRA is increasing the ordinary maximum civil penalty from $11,000 to $16,000.

The National Maritime Security Advisory Committee (NMSAC) will conduct a meeting by teleconference on Thursday, September 20, 2007, for the purpose of discussing the committee's comments, recommendations, and responses to a questionnaire designed to inform the development of a preliminary draft of the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) Biometric Reader Requirements Notice of Proposed Rulemaking. The teleconference will be open to the public.

Pursuant to the authorities in the Federal Advisory Committee Act of 1972 (Pub. L. 92-463) and under the secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000 (Pub. L. 106-393) the Sierra National Forest's Resource Advisory Committee for Madera County met on Monday, August 13, 2007. The Madera Resource Advisory Committee met at the Forest Service Office, North Fork, CA 93643. The purpose of the meeting was: Agree on parameters for accepting solicitations for Title II funding for FY 2007 and set a date for the final meeting when proposals will be approved for recommendation to the Forest Supervisor. The primary discussion revolved around what types of projects the RAC would be willing to entertain for this round of funding. Due to the extremely short turn-around time and the difficulty of a new extensive solicitation, what will be considered was brought into a very narrow focus. The following were generally agreed-to by unanimous consent as projects that would be considered for funding: Invasive Weed Managementsubmitted through the Coarsegold RCD, similar proposal and $$ as last year; High Sierra Volunteer Trail CrewSubmitted through the same group/ Shane Krogan, similar proposal and $$ as last year; Goat Mountain FuelbreakSubmitted through the Coarsegold RCD, would consider funding the balance of funding needed from last year but was cut. Estimated at $10,000 to $15,000; Forest Service Fuel Hazard reduction in Cedar ValleySubmitted through the Forest Service as an adjunct to the Cedar Valley Project. Primarily directed at road hazard reduction clearing on either side of the Cedar Valley Road; Planning for the San Joaquin Trail projectSubmitted through the San Joaquin River Trail Council, estimated at $10,000-$15,000. This planning will allow the expenditure of another $40,000 of existing funding to finish the last trail segment between Millerton Lake and the Mammoth trailhead; Kinsman Fuel HazardSubmitted through the USFS. Completion of fuel hazard reduction around Kinsman Flat private land. Dave agreed to contact prospective project proponents ASAP and get completed proposals out to RAC members 1-2 weeks prior to the meeting on September 10.

The Wild Rivers Ranger District of the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest is proposing to charge a $4/day use fee per vehicle at the Illinois River Scenic Recreation area. A seasonal pass of $25 per vehicle and a charge of $10 fee for the overnight use of Store Gulch Campground are also proposed. These fees are proposed to begin in fiscal year 2008. Use of the developed recreation facilities on the Illinois River of the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest has shown that the public appreciates and enjoys the availability of the recreation experience. Funds from the fee charges would be used for the continued operation and maintenance of the Illinois River Scenic Recreation area and improvements including law enforcement and sanitation.

The Defense Intelligence Agency is proposing to add a system of records to its existing inventory of records systems subject to the Privacy Act of 1974, (5 U.S.C. 552a), as amended.

In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA, 42 U.S.C. 4321, et seq.), the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Elko Field Office has prepared a Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) for Newmont Mining Corporation's Leeville gold mine in Eureka and Elko counties, Nevada, and by this notice is announcing the opening of the comment period.

This document summarizes the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) rule agreed to by the Civilian Agency Acquisition Council and the Defense Acquisition Regulations Council in this Federal Acquisition Circular (FAC) 2005-20 as a pilot program. A companion document, the Small Entity Compliance Guide (SECG), follows this FAC. The FAC, including the SECG, is available via the Internet at https:// www.regulations.gov/.

The Civilian Agency Acquisition Council and the Defense Acquisition Regulations Council (Councils) have agreed on a final rule amending the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to require that contractors report specific subcontract awards to a public database as a pilot program. The Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006 (FFATA) (Pub. L. 109-282) requires the existence and operation of a searchable website that provides public access to information about Federal expenditures.

This action proposes to establish Class D, E2 and E4 airspace and revise E5 airspace at Easton, MD. A federal contract tower with a weather reporting system is being constructed at Easton Airport/Newnam Field. Therefore, the airport will meet criteria for Class D, E2, and E4 surface area airspace. Class D surface area airspace and Class E4 airspace designed as an extension to Class D airspace is required when the control tower is open to contain Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPs) and other Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations at the airport. Class E2 surface area airspace is required when the control tower is closed to contain SIAPs and other IFR operations at the airport. This action would establish Class D and E2 airspace extending upward from the surface to and including 2,600 feet MSL within a 4-mile radius of the airport and Class E4 airspace extension that is 5.4 miles wide and extends 7.4 miles northeast of the Easton Non Directional Beacon (NDB). Additionally, a technical revision to Class E5 airspace is required as a result of a name change from the Easton Municipal Airport to Easton Airport/Newnam Field, which was effective May 25, 1993.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announces its findings on the noise compatibility program submitted by Columbus Regional Airport authority under the provisions of 49 U.S.C. (the Aviation Safety and Noise Abatement Act, hereinafter referred to as ``the Act'') and 14 CFR part 150. These findings are made in recognition of the description of Federal and nonfederal responsibilities in Senate Report No. 96-52 (1980). On January 25, 2007, the FAA determined that the noise exposure maps submitted by Columbus Regional Airport Authority under Part 150 were in compliance with applicable requirements. On July 9, 2007, the FAA approved the Rickenbacker International Airport noise compatibility program. All of the recommendations of the program were approved.

The proposed rule would revise MSHA's existing standards for mine rescue teams for underground coal mines. It would strengthen training requirements and address composition, availability, and certification requirements for coal mine rescue teams. This proposed rule would implement the provisions of the Mine Improvement and New Emergency Response Act of 2006 (MINER Act) to improve overall mine rescue service; improve mine emergency response time; improve mine rescue team effectiveness; and increase the quantity and quality of mine rescue team training.

PHMSA is issuing this updated advisory bulletin to owners and operators of natural gas pipeline distribution systems concerning the susceptibility of older plastic pipe to premature brittle-like cracking. PHMSA previously issued three advisory bulletins on this subject: Two on March 11, 1999 and one on November 26, 2002. This advisory bulletin expands on the information provided in the three prior bulletins by listing two additional pipe materials with poor performance histories relative to brittle-like cracking and by updating pipeline owners and operators on the ongoing voluntary efforts to collect and analyze data on plastic pipe performance. Owners and operators of natural gas pipeline distribution systems are encouraged to review the three previous advisory bulletins in their entirety.