June 20, 2008 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

Base (1% annual chance) Flood Elevations (BFEs) and modified BFEs are made final for the communities listed below. The BFEs and modified BFEs are the basis for the floodplain management measures that each community is required either to adopt or to show evidence of being already in effect in order to qualify or remain qualified for participation in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Boeing Model 707 airplanes and Model 720 and 720B series airplanes. This proposed AD would require performing an operational test of the engine fuel suction feed of the fuel system, and other related testing if necessary. This proposed AD results from a report of in-service occurrences of loss of fuel system suction feed capability, followed by total loss of pressure of the fuel feed system. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct failure of the engine fuel suction feed of the fuel system, which could result in multi-engine flameout, inability to restart the engines, and consequent forced landing of the airplane.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the products listed above that would supersede an existing AD. This proposed AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) originated 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:

The FAA proposes to supersede an existing airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to all BAE Systems (Operations) Limited (Jetstream) Model 4101 airplanes. The existing AD currently requires repetitive tests for free movement of the capsule/bearing of the nose landing gear (NLG), and related investigative and corrective actions. This proposed AD would require a modified test for free movement of the capsule/bearing of the NLG at reduced repeat intervals, and replacement of the NLG assembly with a modified assembly. This proposed AD results from additional reports of the NLG failing to extend fully on an airplane that had been inspected in accordance with AD 2004-14-07. We are proposing this AD to prevent failure of the NLG to extend fully, which could result in reduced controllability of the airplane during landing.

This action corrects a typographical error that appeared in a final rule, which the FAA published in the Federal Register. In that final rule, the FAA inadvertently changed a word. The intent of this action is to correct the error in the regulation to ensure the requirement is clear and accurate.

EPA is taking direct final action to approve Missouri's request to revise the State Implementation Plan (SIP). This approval will revise the SIP to include changes to the sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions rates and averaging times for Kansas City Power & Light's Hawthorn Plant and Montrose Station in the rule, Restriction of Emission of Sulfur Compounds. Previous changes to this rule were disapproved in 2006 because EPA was concerned that the averaging times for the rates at these units had been dramatically increased from a 3-hour average to an annual average, and that the revised averaging times were not demonstrated by the state to be protective of the short-term (3- and 24-hour) SO2 National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS). EPA believes that the recent changes, which EPA is now approving, have been shown by Missouri to be protective of the short-term SO2 NAAQS. This revision will ensure consistency between the state and the Federally-approved rules.

We propose to modify our rules on age used in determining disability under titles II and XVI of the Social Security Act (``The Act'') to revise the definition of persons ``closely approaching retirement age'' from ``60-64'' to ``60 or older.'' The purpose of these changes is to acknowledge that we make disability determinations for individuals over age 64. These proposed changes are technical corrections that would help to explain how we currently determine disability for such individuals and would not have any substantive effect.

EPA is approving a State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision submitted by the state of Missouri to amend the Missouri SIP to include revisions to the Kansas City Solvent Metal Cleaning rule. The revisions to this rule include consolidating exemptions in the applicability section, adding new exemptions, adding definitions of new and previously undefined terms, and clarifying rule language regarding operating procedure requirements for spray gun cleaners and air-tight and airless cleaning systems. This revision will ensure consistency between the state and the Federally-approved rules.

We, the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSM), are proposing regulation changes to the Abandoned Mine Reclamation Fund (Fund) and the Abandoned Mine Land (AML) program. This proposed rule revises our regulations to be consistent with the Tax Relief and Health Care Act of 2006, Pub. L. 109-432, signed into law on December 20, 2006, which included the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act Amendments of 2006 (the 2006 amendments). The proposed rule reflects the extension of our statutory authority to collect reclamation fees for an additional fourteen years and to reduce the fee rates. This proposal also updates the regulations in light of the statutory amendments that change the activities State and Tribal reclamation programs may perform under the AML program, funding for reclamation grants to States and Indian tribes, and transfers to the United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) Combined Benefit Fund (CBF), the UMWA 1992 Benefit Plan, and the UMWA Multiemployer Health Benefit Plan (1993 Benefit Plan). Finally, our proposed rule extends incentives reauthorized by the 2006 amendments pertaining to the remining of certain lands and water adversely affected by past mining.