March 12, 2008 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Solid Waste Disposal Act, as amended, commonly referred to as the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), allows the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to authorize States to operate their hazardous waste management programs in lieu of the federal program. Colorado has applied to EPA for final authorization of the changes to its hazardous waste program under RCRA. EPA has determined that these changes satisfy all requirements needed to qualify for final authorization and is authorizing the State's changes through this immediate final action.

In this document, the Commission revises its requirements concerning verification of a consumer's intent to switch carriers. These new requirements will ensure that each verification includes the date; expand the disclosure obligations of third party verifiers when consumers have questions during the verification; and otherwise clarify the required disclosures by verifiers to ensure that consumers better comprehend precisely what service changes they are approving. The Commission believes that these requirements will increase consumer confidence, decrease the administrative costs for carriers, and alleviate the enforcement burden on state regulatory authorities and the Commission.

This notice announces the initial filing of pesticide petitions proposing the establishment or modification of regulations for residues of pesticide chemicals in or on various commodities.

The Federal Communications Commission, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork burden, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on the following information collection, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13. An agency may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid control number. No person shall be subject to any penalty for failing to comply with a collection of information subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) that does not display a valid control number. Comments are requested concerning (a) whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Commission, including whether the information shall have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the Commission's burden estimate; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on the respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

The Federal Communications Commission, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork burden invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on the following information collection(s), as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, 44 U.S.C. 3501- 3520. An agency may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid control number. No person shall be subject to any penalty for failing to comply with a collection of information subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) that does not display a valid control number. Comments are requested concerning (a) whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Commission, including whether the information shall have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the Commission's burden estimate; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on the respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

This NOFA announces the timeframe to submit pre-applications for section 514 Farm Labor Housing (FLH) loans and section 516 FLH grants for the construction of new off-farm FLH units and related facilities for domestic farm laborers. The intended purpose of these loans and grants is to increase the number of available housing units for domestic farm laborers. Applications may also include requests for section 521 rental assistance (RA) and operating assistance for migrant units. This document describes the method used to distribute funds, the application process, and submission requirements.

USDA Rural Development which administers the programs of the Rural Housing Service (RHS) announces the availability of funds and the timeframe to submit applications to participate in a demonstration program to preserve and revitalize existing rural rental housing projects financed by Rural Development under Section 515, Section 514, and Section 516 of the Housing Act of 1949, as amended. The intended effect is to restructure selected existing Section 515 multi-family housing loans and Section 514 and 516 off-farm labor housing loans and grants expressly for the purpose of ensuring that sufficient resources are available to preserve the rental project for the purpose of providing safe and affordable housing for very low-, low-, or moderate-income residents. Expectations are that properties participating in this program will be revitalized and the affordable use extended without displacing tenants because of increased rents. No additional Rural Development rental assistance units will be made available under this program.

FMCSA announces its decision to exempt sixty-six individuals from its rule prohibiting persons with insulin-treated diabetes mellitus (ITDM) from operating commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) in interstate commerce. The exemptions will enable these individuals to operate CMVs in interstate commerce.

As stipulated by the Federal Advisory Committee Act, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is hereby giving notice that the National Biodefense Science Board (NBSB) will be holding a public teleconference. The meeting is open to the public.

The Coast Guard proposes to change the regulation governing the operation of the SR 316 Blue Bayou Pontoon Bridge across the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, mile 49.8, near Houma, Lafourche Parish, Louisiana. Currently the bridge opens on signal, but due to high vehicular traffic and school bus traffic Lafourche Parish requested this change. The proposed rule will require the draw of the bridge to open on signal except during the regular school year on Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays, from 7 a.m. to 8:30 a.m., from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., and from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

The Commander, First Coast Guard District, has issued a temporary deviation from the regulations governing the operation of the Amtrak Railroad Bridge, across the Niantic River, mile 0.0, at Niantic, Connecticut. Under this temporary deviation a two-hour advance notice will be required for bridge openings between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. during the following time periods: March 21, 2008 to March 24, 2008 and March 28, 2008 to March 31, 2008. Notice may be given by calling the bridge on marine radio channel VHF 13, or by telephone at (860) 510-5628. Vessels that can pass under the draw without an opening may do so at all times. This deviation is necessary immediately to facilitate required bridge maintenance in order to prevent further disruption in train service and navigation.

The Commander, Fifth Coast Guard District, has approved an additional temporary deviation from the regulations governing the operation of the new Woodrow Wilson Memorial (I-95) Bridge, mile 103.8, across Potomac River between Alexandria, Virginia and Oxon Hill, Maryland. While construction continues, this added deviation allows the drawbridge to remain closed-to-navigation each day from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. beginning March 2, 2008 until and including May 30, 2008.

The Commander, First Coast Guard District, has issued a temporary deviation from the regulations governing the operation of the Amtrak Railroad Bridge, across the Connecticut River, mile 3.4, at Old Lyme, Connecticut. Under this temporary deviation a two-hour advance notice will be required for bridge openings between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. during the following time periods: February 29, 2008 to March 5, 2008; March 7, 2008 to March 10, 2008; and March 14, 2008 to March 17, 2008. Notice may be given by calling the bridge on marine radio channel VHF 13, or by telephone at (860) 510-5622. Vessels that can pass under the draw without an opening may do so at all times. This deviation is necessary immediately to facilitate required bridge maintenance in order to prevent further disruption in train service and navigation.

This regulation establishes tolerances for combined residues of spiromesifen and its enol metabolite in or on bean, dry; bean, succulent; bean, edible podded; and cowpea, forage. Interregional Research Project Number 4 (IR-4) requested these tolerances under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA).

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35), the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) is forwarding an Information Collection Request (ICR) to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA), Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to request a revision to a currently approved collection of information: 3220-0195, Statement Regarding Contributions and Support of Children. Our ICR describes the information we seek to collect from the public. Review and approval by OIRA ensures that we impose appropriate paperwork burdens. The RRB invites comments on the proposed collection of information to determine (1) the practical utility of the collection; (2) the accuracy of the estimated burden of the collection; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information that is the subject of collection; and (4) ways to minimize the burden of collections on respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology. Comments to RRB or OIRA must contain the OMB control number of the ICR. For proper consideration of your comments, it is best if RRB and OIRA receive them within 30 days of publication date. Section 2(d)(4) of the Railroad Retirement Act (RRA), provides, in part, that a child is deemed dependent if the conditions set forth in Section 202(d)(3), (4) and (9) of the Social Security Act are met. Section 202(d)(4) of the Social Security Act, as amended by Public Law 104-121, requires as a condition of dependency, that a child receives one-half of his or her support from the stepparent. This dependency impacts upon the entitlement of a spouse or survivor of an employee whose entitlement is based upon having a stepchild of the employee in care, or on an individual seeking a child's annuity as a stepchild of an employee. Therefore, depending on the employee for at least one-half support is a condition affecting eligibility for increasing an employee or spouse annuity under the social security overall minimum provisions on the basis of the presence of a dependent child, the employee's natural child in limited situations, adopted children, stepchildren, grandchildren and step-grandchildren and equitably adopted children. The regulations outlining child support and dependency requirements are prescribed in 20 CFR 222.50-57. In order to correctly determine if an applicant is entitled to a child's annuity based on actual dependency, the RRB uses Form G-139, Statement Regarding Contributions and Support of Children, to obtain financial information needed to make a comparison between the amount of support received from the railroad employee and the amount received from other sources. Completion is required to obtain a benefit. One response is required of each respondent. Previous Requests for Comments: The RRB has already published the initial 60-day notice (73 FR 215 on January 2, 2008) required by 44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2). That request elicited no comments.

In accordance with the requirement of Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 which provides opportunity for public comment on new or revised data collections, the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) will publish periodic summaries of proposed data collections. Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed information collection is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information has practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the RRB's estimate of the burden of the collection of the information; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden related to the collection of information on respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology. Title and purpose of information collection: Statement of Authority to Act for Employee; OMB 3220-0034. Under Section 5(a) of the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act (RUIA), claims for benefits are to be made in accordance with such regulations as the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) shall prescribe. The provisions for claiming sickness benefits as provided by Section 2 of the RUIA are prescribed in 20 CFR 335.2. Included in these provisions is the RRB's acceptance of forms executed by someone else on behalf of an employee if the RRB is satisfied that the employee is sick or injured to the extent of being unable to sign forms. The RRB utilizes Form SI-10, Statement of Authority to Act for Employee, to provide the means for an individual to apply for authority to act on behalf of an incapacitated employee and also to obtain the information necessary to determine that the delegation should be made. Part I of the form is completed by the applicant for the authority and Part II is completed by the employee's doctor. One response is requested of each respondent. Completion is required to obtain benefits. The RRB proposes no changes to Form SI-10. The estimated annual respondent burden is as follows: Form: SI-10. Estimate of Annual Responses: 400. Estimated Completion Time: 6 minutes. Total Burden Hours: 40. Additional Information or Comments: To request more information or to obtain a copy of the information collection justification, forms, and/or supporting material, please call the RRB Clearance Officer at (312) 751-3363 or send an e-mail request to Charles.Mierzwa@RRB.GOV. Comments regarding the information collection should be addressed to Ronald J. Hodapp, Railroad Retirement Board, 844 North Rush Street, Chicago, Illinois 60611-2092 or send an e-mail to Ronald.Hodapp@RRB.GOV. Written comments should be received within 60 days of this notice.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 8 will conduct a statutory review of variances and exemptions issued by the State of North Dakota under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) Public Water System Supervision (PWSS) program. The SDWA, 42 U.S.C. 300 et seq., requires that EPA periodically review variances and exemptions issued by States with primary enforcement authority to determine compliance with requirements of the Statute 42 U.S.C. 300g-4(e)(8); 42 U.S.C. 300g-5(d). In accordance with these provisions in the SDWA, and its regulations at 40 CFR 142.22, EPA is giving public notice that EPA Region 8 will conduct a review of variances and exemptions issued by the State of North Dakota to Public Water Systems under its jurisdiction. The review will be conducted on March 31, 2008. The public is invited to submit comments by April 28, 2008 on any or all variances and/or exemptions issued by the State of North Dakota, and on the need for continuing them. Results of this review will be published in the Federal Register.

Notice is hereby given that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has designated, in accordance with 40 CFR Part 53, one new equivalent method for measuring concentrations of particulate matter as PM2.5 in the ambient air.