February 15, 2008 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation's regulations on Benefits Payable in Terminated Single-Employer Plans and Allocation of Assets in Single-Employer Plans prescribe interest assumptions for valuing and paying benefits under terminating single-employer plans. This final rule amends the regulations to adopt interest assumptions for plans with valuation dates in March 2008. Interest assumptions are also published on the PBGC's Web site (https://www.pbgc.gov).

This rule would establish the quantity of spearmint oil produced in the Far West, by class that handlers may purchase from, or handle for, producers during the 2008-2009 marketing year, which begins on June 1, 2008. This rule invites comments on the establishment of salable quantities and allotment percentages for Class 1 (Scotch) spearmint oil of 993,067 pounds and 50 percent, respectively, and for Class 3 (Native) spearmint oil of 1,184,748 pounds and 53 percent, respectively. The Spearmint Oil Administrative Committee (Committee), the agency responsible for local administration of the marketing order for spearmint oil produced in the Far West, recommended these limitations for the purpose of avoiding extreme fluctuations in supplies and prices to help maintain stability in the spearmint oil market.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Boeing Model 737-600, -700, -700C, -800 and -900 series airplanes. This proposed AD would require an inspection of the escape slides for the forward and aft entry and service doors to determine the part number and service bulletin number stenciled on the escape slide girt, and modification of the escape slide assemblies. This proposed AD also would require concurrent modification of the escape slide latch assembly; concurrent inspection of the escape slides to determine the part number and service bulletin number stenciled on the escape slide girts, and replacement of the trigger housing on the regulator valve with improved trigger housing if necessary; and concurrent replacement of the rod in the pilot valve regulator with a new improved rod; as applicable. This proposed AD results from reports that certain escape slides did not automatically inflate when deployed or after the manual inflation cable was pulled. We are proposing this AD to prevent failure of an escape slide to inflate when deployed, which could result in the slide being unusable during an emergency evacuation and consequent injury to passengers or crewmembers.

The United States International Trade Commission (``Commission'') proposed to amend its Rules of Practice and Procedure concerning rules of general application, adjudication, and enforcement and published a notice of its proposal on December 20, 2007. 72 FR 72280 (Dec. 20, 2007). The Commission required written comments to be filed by 5:15 p.m. within 60 days after publication of the notice of proposed rulemaking. Two entities have requested six week extensions of time to file their written comments. The Commission has determined to extend the deadline by six weeks.

These special conditions are for Boeing Model 767 series airplanes. These airplanes will have a novel or unusual design feature(s) associated with seats that include non-traditional, large, non-metallic panels that would affect survivability during a post-crash fire event. The applicable airworthiness regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards for this design feature. These special conditions contain the additional safety standards that the Administrator considers necessary to establish a level of safety equivalent to that established by the existing airworthiness standards.

The Commander, Eleventh Coast Guard District, has issued a temporary deviation from the regulation governing the operation of the Tower Drawbridge across the Sacramento River, mile 59.0, at Sacramento, CA. The deviation is necessary to allow the owner, California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), to conduct electrical maintenance. This deviation allows the bridge to remain in the closed- to-navigation position during the maintenance period.

These special conditions are for Boeing Model 747 series airplanes. These airplanes will have a novel or unusual design feature(s) associated with seats that include non-traditional, large, non-metallic panels that would affect survivability during a post-crash fire event. The applicable airworthiness regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards for this design feature. These special conditions contain the additional safety standards that the Administrator considers necessary to establish a level of safety equivalent to that established by the existing airworthiness standards.

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is making available preliminary draft rule language to amend its regulations concerning medical use of byproduct material. The goal of this rulemaking is to better define medical events arising from permanent implant brachytherapy procedures. The proposed amendments will change the criteria for defining a medical event for permanent implant brachytherapy from dose based to activity based, will add a requirement to report as a medical event any administration requiring a written directive if a written directive was not prepared, and will make certain administrative and clarification changes. The availability of the preliminary draft rule language is intended to inform stakeholders of the current status of the NRC's activities and solicit public comments on the information at this time. Comments may be provided as indicated under the ADDRESSES heading. The NRC may post updates periodically under Docket NRC-2008-0071 on the Federal eRulemaking Portal at https://www.regulations.gov that may be of interest to stakeholders.

The EPA is proposing to approve a State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision submitted by the State of Massachusetts. The SIP revision consists of technical revisions to Massachusetts regulation 310 CMR 7.38, ``Certification of Tunnel Ventilation Systems in the Metropolitan Boston Air Pollution Control District.'' The amendments better define the emissions monitoring techniques for various types of tunnel ventilation systems, and provide flexibility in emission monitoring requirements. This action is being taken in accordance with the Clean Air Act.

NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by catcher vessels less than 60 feet (< 18.3 meters (m)) length overall (LOA) using jig or hook-and-line gear in the Bogoslof Pacific cod exemption area of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the limit of Pacific cod for catcher vessels < 60 ft (18.3 m) LOA using jig or hook- and-line gear in the Bogoslof Pacific cod exemption area in the BSAI.

This action establishes Class E airspace at Lexington, OK. New Area Navigation (RNAV) Global Positioning System (GPS) Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPs) at Muldrow Army Heliport make this action necessary. This action will enhance the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) aircraft operations at Muldrow Army Heliport, Lexington, OK.