August 19, 2008 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

EPA is proposing to take direct final action to withdraw the Federal water quality standards designating cold water biota uses for Soda Creek and portions of Canyon Creek, South Fork Coeur d'Alene River, and Blackfoot River in Idaho. In July 1997, EPA promulgated a Federal rule designating uses for water bodies in the State of Idaho, including the designation of cold water biota for Soda Creek, and portions of Canyon Creek, South Fork Coeur d'Alene River, and Blackfoot River, with the exception of any portion in Indian country. These Federal water quality standards designating cold water biota uses are no longer necessary since EPA approved Idaho's adopted uses that result in protection for cold water biota. EPA is also withdrawing the water quality standards variance provision applicable to these uses (40 CFR 131.33(d)), because this provision is no longer necessary with the withdrawal of the Federal water quality standards designating these uses.

In this document, the Commission extends the deadline for filing replies to oppositions to petition for reconsideration. This action is taken in order to allow the Educational Broadband Service (EBS) and Broadband Radio Service (BRS) communities to discuss the complex issues at stake and develop consensus approaches where possible.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Maule Aerospace Technology, Inc. Models M-4, M-5, M-6, M-7, and M-8 series airplanes. This proposed AD would require you to paint the top of the rear elevator control horn, the elevator control cable end attached to the top of the rear control horn, the bottom of the forward elevator control horn, and the elevator control cable end attached to the bottom of the forward control. This proposed AD would also require you to insert a supplement into your maintenance program (maintenance manual). This proposed AD results from two reports of accidents where reversed elevator control rigging was a factor. We are proposing this AD to reduce the likelihood of a mechanic rigging the elevator controls backwards, which could result in elevator movement in the opposite direction from control input. This condition could lead to loss of control.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the products listed above. 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:

Pursuant to Title VIII, Subtitle B of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (``EISA''), the Federal Trade Commission (``Commission'' or ``FTC'') is proposing a rule to implement Section 811 of Subtitle B prohibiting the use or employment of manipulative or deceptive devices or contrivances in wholesale petroleum markets.\1\ The Commission invites written comments on issues raised by the proposed Rule and seeks answers to the specific questions set forth in Section II.L of this Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (``NPRM'').

The FAA is amending type certification standards for aircraft engine control systems. These changes reflect current industry practices and harmonize FAA standards with those recently adopted by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). These changes establish uniform standards for all engine control systems for aircraft engines certificated by both U.S. and European countries and will simplify airworthiness approvals for import and export.

In this rulemaking, OSHA is proposing to amend its regulations to add language clarifying that noncompliance with the personal protective equipment (PPE) and training requirements in safety and health standards in these parts may expose the employer to liability on a per-employee basis. The amendments consist of new paragraphs added to the introductory sections of the listed parts and changes to the language of some existing respirator and training requirements. This action, which is in accord with OSHA's longstanding position, is proposed in response to recent decisions of the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission indicating that differences in wording among the various PPE and training provisions in OSHA safety and health standards affect the Agency's ability to treat an employer's failure to provide PPE or training to each covered employee as a separate violation. The amendments add no new compliance obligations. Employers are not required to provide any new type of PPE or training, to provide PPE or training to any employee not already covered by the existing requirements, or to provide PPE or training in a different manner than that already required. The amendments simply clarify the remedy for violations of these requirements.

We are superseding an existing 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:

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the products listed above. This 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 is superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD), which applies to certain EMBRAER Model EMB-135 airplanes and Model EMB-145, -145ER, -145MR, -145LR, -145XR, -145MP, and -145EP airplanes. That AD currently requires replacing the metallic tubes enclosing the vent and pilot valve wires in the left- and right-hand wing fuel tanks with non-conductive hoses. This new AD adds airplanes to the applicability of the existing AD. This AD results from fuel system reviews conducted by the manufacturer. We are issuing this AD to prevent an ignition source inside the fuel tank that could ignite fuel vapor and cause a fuel tank explosion and loss of the airplane.

We are revising the Medicare hospital inpatient prospective payment systems (IPPS) for operating and capital-related costs to implement changes arising from our continuing experience with these systems, and to implement certain provisions made by the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005, the Medicare Improvements and Extension Act, Division B, Title I of the Tax Relief and Health Care Act of 2006, the TMA, Abstinence Education, and QI Programs Extension Act of 2007, and the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008. In addition, in the Addendum to this final rule, we describe the changes to the amounts and factors used to determine the rates for Medicare hospital inpatient services for operating costs and capital-related costs. These changes are generally applicable to discharges occurring on or after October 1, 2008. We also are setting forth the update to the rate-of-increase limits for certain hospitals and hospital units excluded from the IPPS that are paid on a reasonable cost basis subject to these limits. The updated rate-of-increase limits are effective for cost reporting periods beginning on or after October 1, 2008. In addition to the changes for hospitals paid under the IPPS, this document contains revisions to the patient classifications and relative weights used under the long-term care hospital prospective payment system (LTCH PPS). This document also contains policy changes relating to the requirements for furnishing hospital emergency services under the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act of 1986 (EMTALA). In this document, we are responding to public comments and finalizing the policies contained in two interim final rules relating to payments for Medicare graduate medical education to affiliated teaching hospitals in certain emergency situations. We are revising the regulatory requirements relating to disclosure to patients of physician ownership or investment interests in hospitals and responding to public comments on a collection of information regarding financial relationships between hospitals and physicians. In addition, we are responding to public comments on proposals made in two separate rulemakings related to policies on physician self-referrals and finalizing these policies.