February 8, 2008 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The proposed information collection requirement described below will be submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act. The Department is soliciting public comments on the subject proposal.

The proposed information collection requirement concerning the certification and funding of State and local fair housing enforcement agencies will be submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act. The Department is soliciting public comments on the subject proposal.

This is a notice of the Presidential declaration of a major disaster for the State of Indiana (FEMA-1740-DR), dated January 30, 2008, and related determinations.

This interim rule lists communities where modification of the Base (1% annual-chance) Flood Elevations (BFEs) is appropriate because of new scientific or technical data. New flood insurance premium rates will be calculated from the modified BFEs for new buildings and their contents.

We propose to add ``swine contractors'' to the list of regulated entities subject to specific regulations under the Packers and Stockyards Act (the P&S Act). In 2002, Congress added swine contractors as entities regulated under the P&S Act. The specific regulations we propose to amend prohibit regulated entities from circulating misleading reports about market conditions or prices. We also propose to amend regulations that address inspection of business records and facilities, information that regulated entities are required to share with the Secretary of Agriculture, and USDA's responsibility to refrain from unauthorized disclosure of that information. The goal of these regulations is to ensure fairness in the marketing of livestock, meat, and poultry. Adding swine contractors to specific regulations under the P&S Act will assist swine contractors and swine production contract growers with determining which regulations apply to them. Adding swine contractors to specific regulations will also make it easier for GIPSA to identify potential violations and to enforce the provisions of the P&S Act and regulations.

EPA expressed environmental concerns about the preferred alignment (the Caliente rail alignment) because it could require the filling of up to 81 acres of waters of the U.S., including wetlands associated with the Meadow Valley Wash and Clover Creek. EPA also expressed concerns about the limited analysis regarding the hydrologic effects of the rail line construction to the Meadow Valley Wash area. Rating EC2.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service's intention to request an extension of approval of an information collection associated with regulations for the importation of poultry meat and other poultry products from Sinaloa and Sonora, Mexico.

This action adds to the Procurement List products and a service to be furnished by nonprofit agencies employing persons who are blind or have other severe disabilities.

PHMSA is extending until March 14, 2008, the period for interested persons to submit comments on the agency's January 4, 2008 notice concerning proposed recommended practices for bulk loading and unloading of hazardous materials. The January 4, 2008 notice summarizes incident data related to bulk loading and unloading operations; discusses recommendations issued by the National Transportation Safety Board and the Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board; provides an overview of current Federal regulations applicable to bulk loading and unloading operations; summarizes the results of a public workshop PHMSA hosted last year; and sets forth proposed recommended practices for bulk loading and unloading operations. Based on information and comments received, we plan to consider strategies for enhancing the safety of bulk loading and unloading operations, including whether additional regulatory requirements may be necessary.

The U.S. State Department, in its role as coordinator for the U.S. Government's role in the IPCC, requests public comment on the activities and process of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) in order to facilitate the U.S. Government's effort to assess and enhance the IPCC's high-level of scientific credibility and relevance for the evolving needs of decision-maker. The IPCC is a scientific intergovernmental body set up by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP). The IPCC's role is to assess on a comprehensive, objective, open, and transparent basis the latest scientific, technical, and socio-economic literature produced worldwide. Consistent with this role, the IPCC does not conduct research, nor does it monitor climate related data or parameters. In order to fulfill this role, the IPCC produces comprehensive assessment reports at regular intervals of the state of knowledge with respect to climate change science; impacts, vulnerability and adaptation; and mitigation. The most recent of these, the Fourth Assessment Report, was completed in November 2007. The First Assessment Report was completed in 1990, the Second Assessment Report in 1995, and the Third Assessment Report in 2001. These reports have been widely used as key references for the state of knowledge on climate change, including in international climate discussions under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The IPCC also issues periodic Special Reports on specific aspects of climate change. The most recent of these, on Carbon Dioxide Capture and Storage, was released in 2005. The United States has played a leading role in the IPCC since its inception, through official contributions and key leadership positions in IPCC report development, as well as through the contributions of many U.S. scientist and experts to the reports themselves. All IPCC reports are developed in a manner that conforms to the IPCC Principles and Procedures, which were developed by participating governments of the IPCC. Consistent with these principles and procedures, IPCC reports should be neutral with respect to policy, although they need to deal objectively with policy relevant scientific, technical, and socio-economic factors. Efforts are currently underway within the IPCC to initiate a dialogue regarding the scope and nature of IPCC activities in the coming years. In order to inform these discussions, the State Department is requesting public comment regarding aspects of the IPCC products and the processes used to develop them.

The notice published in the Federal Register on January 25, 2008 (73 FR 4544) was missing the corporation name. The partially exclusive license will be granted to Bouldin & Lawson, LLC., 70 Easy Street, McMinnville, TN 37110.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Boeing Model 737-400, -500, -600, -700, -700C, -800, and -900 series airplanes. This proposed AD would require an inspection to determine the part and serial numbers of the windshield wiper motors for the pilot's and first officer's windshields, and the applicable corrective action. This proposed AD results from two reports that the left and right windshield wipers stopped working in flight. We are proposing this AD to prevent failure of the windshield wipers in wet weather, which could result in decreased visibility for the flightcrew.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Boeing Model 737-100, -200, -200C, -300, -400, and -500 series airplanes. This proposed AD would require replacing the existing straight-to-90-degree hose assembly for the Lavatory ``A'' water supply. The replacement is a new straight hose assembly and a separate 90-degree elbow fitting. This proposed AD results from a report of a separated hose assembly for the passenger water system. We are proposing this AD to prevent a water leak into the flight deck ceiling, which could result in an electrical short and possible loss of several functions essential to safe flight.

The FAA proposes to supersede an existing airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to certain Boeing Model 737-600, -700, and -800 series airplanes. The existing AD currently requires repetitive inspections to detect damage of the aft strut insulation blanket, and eventual replacement of the insulation blankets with new, improved blankets. This proposed AD would add airplanes to the applicability and require installation of a new heat insulation blanket and new cover plate on the left and right side engine struts. This proposed AD would not retain the requirements of the existing AD and would terminate the requirements of the existing AD. This proposed AD results from reports of damaged heat insulation blankets on the engine struts. We are proposing this AD to prevent exposure of the lower surface of the strut to extreme high temperatures, consequent creation of a source of fuel ignition, and increased risk of an uncontrollable fire and possible fuel tank explosion.

NMFS has determined that the daily Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Angling category retention limits for Atlantic bluefin tuna (BFT) should be adjusted in order to prevent overharvest of the 2008 Angling category quota. Vessels permitted in the HMS Angling and HMS Charter/ Headboat categories are eligible to land BFT under the HMS Angling category quota. This action is being taken to meet domestic management objectives for the BFT fishery.

The Department of Energy (DOE), pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, intends to extend for three years, an information collection request with the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the extended collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information shall have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

The Pacific Northwest Electric Power Planning and Conservation Act (Northwest Power Act) provides that BPA must establish and periodically review and revise its rates so they are adequate to recover, in accordance with sound business principles, the costs associated with the acquisition, conservation and transmission of electric power, and to recover the Federal investment in the Federal Columbia River Power System (FCRPS) and other costs incurred by BPA. BPA is reopening its WP-07 wholesale power rate proceeding, which established power rates for Fiscal Years (FY) 2007-2009, in order to respond to recent decisions from the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit (Ninth Circuit or Court) and to revise rates for FY 2009. This 2007 Supplemental Wholesale Power Rate Adjustment Proceeding (WP-07 Supplemental Proceeding) responds to the Court's remand of BPA's WP-02 power rates for FY 2002-2006. This proceeding also responds to a separate Court decision that found BPA's 2000 Residential Exchange Program (REP) Settlement Agreements (REP Settlement Agreements) contrary to law. In response, BPA proposes to determine the amounts of REP settlement costs improperly included in FY 2002-2008 power rates, recover those amounts from investor owned utility customers (IOUs) over time and return improperly included amounts to preference customers. The WP-07 Supplemental Proceeding also includes proposed revisions to BPA's Section 7(b)(2) Legal Interpretation and Section 7(b)(2) Implementation Methodology. Persons that previously intervened in BPA's WP-07 Wholesale Power Rate Adjustment Proceeding automatically continue their party status in the WP-07 Supplemental Proceeding. Other persons wishing to become a formal party to the proceeding must file a petition to intervene, notifying BPA in writing of their intention to do so in conformance with the requirements stated in this Notice.