2008 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

This action establishes a low altitude Global Positioning System (GPS)/Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) area navigation route, designated T-254, in the vicinity of the Houston, TX, terminal area. This route allows for more efficient utilization of airspace and enhances the management of aircraft operations in the vicinity of Houston, TX.

The Rural Utilities Service (RUS), an agency delivering the United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Rural Development Utilities Programs, hereinafter referred to as Rural Development or the Agency, is amending its regulations to administer the Household Water Well System Grant Program. This action implements provisions of the 2008 Farm Bill for limits on loans that nonprofit organizations may make to homeowners for private well systems. The 2008 Farm Bill raises the loan limit to $11,000 from $8,000. The intended effect is to make part 1776 current with statutory authority. The Agency will also amend the regulation to enable existing grant recipients to amend their grant agreements for the new $11,000 loan limit. In the final rule section of the Federal Register, the Agency is publishing this action as a direct final rule without prior proposal because Rural Development views this as a non-controversial action and expects no adverse comments. If no adverse comments are received in response to the direct final rule, no further action will be taken on this proposed rule, and the action will become effective at the time specified in the direct final rule. If the Agency receives adverse comments, a timely document will be published withdrawing the direct final rule, and all public comments received will be addressed in a subsequent final rule based on this action.

Through this notice, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) proposes to amend its school bus operations regulations. Most notably, FTA proposes to clarify several definitions, amend the school bus operations complaint procedures, and implement Section 3023(f) of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU). FTA seeks comment on this notice from interested parties.

This final rule amends existing deep gas royalty relief regulations to reflect statutory changes enacted in the Energy Policy Act of 2005. It provides additional royalty relief for certain ultra- deep wells on Outer Continental Shelf leases in shallow water in the Gulf of Mexico. It extends both the existing and the additional deep gas royalty relief to Outer Continental Shelf leases in deeper water than before. Finally, this final rule applies discretionary royalty relief procedures that have been used by deepwater leases in the Gulf of Mexico to leases offshore of Alaska.

In this document, the Federal Communications Commission (Commission) retains the current site-based licensing paradigm for the 900 MHz B/ILT spectrum, and declines to adopt competitive bidding rules or geographic service areas for the licensing of 900 MHz B/ILT ``white space;'' adopts interference protection rules applicable to all licensees operating in the 900 MHz B/ILT spectrum; and lifts, on a rolling basis, the freeze placed on applications for new 900 MHz B/ILT licenses in September 2004, the lift being tied to the completion of rebanding in each 800 MHz National Public Safety Planning Advisory Committee (NPSPAC) region. The Commission takes these actions to balance the needs of incumbent 900 MHz B/ILT licensees and commercial providers that operate in the spectrum.

The Office of Foreign Assets Control (``OFAC'') of the U.S. Department of the Treasury is soliciting comments on the effectiveness of OFAC's licensing procedures for the exportation of agricultural commodities, medicine, and medical devices to Sudan and Iran. Pursuant to section 906(c) of the Trade Sanctions Reform and Export Enhancement Act of 2000 (Title IX of Pub. L. 106-387, 22 U.S.C. 7201 et seq.) (the ``Act''), OFAC is required to submit a biennial report to the Congress on the operation of licensing procedures for such exports.

NMFS proposes 2009 specifications and management measures for Atlantic mackerel, squid, and butterfish (MSB). This action proposes to maintain quotas for Atlantic mackerel (mackerel), Illex squid (Illex), and butterfish at the same levels as 2008, while increasing the quota for Loligo squid (Loligo). Additionally, this action proposes to increase the incidental possession limit for mackerel and requests public comment concerning the possibility of an inseason adjustment to increase the mackerel quota, if landings approach proposed harvest limits. These proposed specifications and management measures promote the utilization and conservation of the MSB resource.

NMFS publishes regulations to require operators of domestic fishing vessel with a freeboard of four feet or over to provide a U.S. Coast Guard-approved pilot ladder as a safe and enforceable means for authorized personnel to board fishing vessels in carrying out their duties under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act), the Atlantic Tunas Convention Act, and other applicable fisheries laws and treaties. This action is necessary to provide for the safety of personnel boarding domestic fishing vessels, as current standards have proven to be inadequate. These final regulations establish a safer and more enforceable national standard for ladders used by authorized officers for boarding domestic fishing vessels subject to Federal regulation.

The Assistant Administrator for Fisheries (AA), NOAA, announces temporary restrictions consistent with the requirements of the Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan's (ALWTRP) implementing regulations. These regulations apply to lobster trap/pot and anchored gillnet fishermen in an area totaling approximately 1,575 nm\2\ (5,402.3 km\2\), east of Portland, Maine, for 15 days. The purpose of this action is to provide protection to an aggregation of northern right whales (right whales).

EPA is withdrawing the proposed rule to approve a redesignation request and a maintenance plan State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision submitted by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. In a proposed rule published on July 11, 2007, EPA proposed to approve a request that the Pittsburgh-Beaver Valley, Pennsylvania, ozone nonattainment area (the Pittsburgh Area) be redesignated as attainment for the 8-hour ozone national ambient air quality standard (NAAQS) that was promulgated on July 18, 1997. In conjunction with the proposed action on the redesignation request, we also proposed to approve a maintenance plan for the Pittsburgh Area that provides for continued attainment of the 8-hour ozone NAAQS for at least 10 years after redesignation, and, to approve a 2002 base year inventory for the Pittsburgh Area. On May 29, 2008, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP) submitted a letter to formally withdraw the redesignation request and the maintenance plan SIP revision.

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (Office) is adopting new rules governing the conduct of individuals registered to practice before the Office. The Office is adopting a new rule that provides for an annual practitioner maintenance fee for those recognized to practice before the Office in patent cases. These changes will enable the Office to maintain a roster of registered practitioners and, consequently, better protect the public from unqualified practitioners. The Office is also making conforming amendments to 37 CFR 1.21.

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:

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:

This action makes a correction to the airport's name and geographic coordinates in the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) published in the Federal Register October 22, 2008 (73 FR 62940) Docket No. FAA-2008-0873.

This final rule amends HUD's regulations to further RESPA's purposes by requiring more timely and effective disclosures related to mortgage settlement costs for federally related mortgage loans to consumers. The changes made by this final rule are designed to protect consumers from unnecessarily high settlement costs by taking steps to: improve and standardize the Good Faith Estimate (GFE) form to make it easier to use for shopping among settlement service providers; ensure that page 1 of the GFE provides a clear summary of the loan terms and total settlement charges so that borrowers will be able to use the GFE to identify a particular loan product and comparison shop among loan originators; provide more accurate estimates of costs of settlement services shown on the GFE; improve disclosure of yield spread premiums (YSPs) to help borrowers understand how YSPs can affect borrowers' settlement charges; facilitate comparison of the GFE and the HUD-1/HUD- 1A Settlement Statements; ensure that at settlement borrowers are aware of final costs as they relate to their particular mortgage loan and settlement transaction; clarify HUD-1 instructions; expressly state that RESPA permits the listing of an average charge on the HUD-1; and strengthen the prohibition against requiring the use of affiliated businesses. This final rule follows a March 14, 2008, proposed rule and makes changes in response to public comment and further consideration of certain issues by HUD. In addition, this rule provides for an appropriate transition period. Compliance with the new requirements pertaining to the GFE and settlement statements is not required until January 1, 2010. However, certain provisions are to be implemented upon the effective date of the final rule.

The National Park Service (NPS) is finalizing regulations governing viewing of the Inaugural Parade by the Presidential Inaugural Committee. The rule also extends the permissible duration and extent of demonstrations and special events in Washington, DC, including the Inaugural, the Lighting of the National Christmas Tree and Christmas Pathway of Peace, the Cherry Blossom Festival, the Fourth of July Celebration, and the Smithsonian Folklife Festival.

LSC is revising its regulation on procedures for disclosure of information under the Freedom of Information Act to implement changes in that law made by the OPEN Government Act of 2007. LSC is also designating the Office of Inspector General as a separate component for receiving requests for its records and making two technical amendments.

This establishes, amends, suspends, or revokes Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPs) and associated Takeoff Minimums and Obstacle Departure Procedures for operations at certain airports. These regulatory actions are needed because of the adoption of new or revised criteria, or because of changes occurring in the National Airspace System, such as the commissioning of new navigational facilities, adding new obstacles, or changing air traffic requirements. These changes are designed to provide safe and efficient use of the navigable airspace and to promote safe flight operations under instrument flight rules at the affected airports.

The Board is revising its interim final rule amending Regulation D, Reserve Requirements of Depository Institutions, to alter the formula by which earnings on required reserve balances and on excess balances of eligible institutions are calculated. The remainder of the interim final rule, including the period during which comments may be submitted, is unchanged from the interim final rule as published on October 9, 2008.

Reclamation is issuing this interim final rule to establish programmatic criteria for the Reclamation Rural Water Supply Program (Rural Water Supply Program), including criteria governing prioritization, eligibility, and the evaluation of appraisal investigations and feasibility studies. Title I of the Reclamation Rural Water Supply Act of 2006, Public Law 109-451 (Act), authorized Reclamation to establish the Rural Water Supply Program and requires publication of programmatic criteria in the Federal Register. This rule is intended to define for potential participants how the Rural Water Supply Program authorized by the Act will be administered.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Boeing Model 747 airplanes identified above. This AD requires modifying the outboard flap track and transmission attachments. This AD results from a joint Boeing and FAA multi-model study (following in-service trailing edge flap structure and drive system events) on the hazards posed by skewing and failed flaps. This study identified the safety concerns regarding the transmission attachment design and the potential loss of an outboard trailing edge flap. We are issuing this AD to prevent certain discrepancies associated with this design (for example, a flap skew or lateral control asymmetry that can cause collateral damage to adjacent hydraulic tubing and subsequent loss of a hydraulic system), which could result in the asymmetric flight control limits being exceeded, and could adversely affect the airplane's continued safe flight and landing.

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:

On September 18, 2008, the Commission published in the Federal Register a notice of proposed rulemaking to amend its rules, guidance and acceptable practices concerning trading off the centralized market, including the addition of guidance on contract market block trading rules and exchanges of futures for commodities or derivatives positions. Comments on the proposal originally were due on November 17, 2008. The Commission is extending the comment period in order to give interested persons additional time to comment on the proposed amendments.

The Commission grants a petition for rulemaking filed by KPTH License, LLC, the licensee of station KPTH-DT, pre-transition DTV channel 49 and assignee of post-transition DTV channel 44, Sioux City, Iowa, requesting the substitution of DTV channel 49 for post-transition DTV channel 44 at Sioux City.

In this document, the Commission announces that the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved, for a period of three years, the information collection associated with the Commission's Rules and Regulations Implementing the Telephone Consumer Protection Act of 1991, Do-Not-Call Registry, Report and Order (DNC Report and Order). This notice is consistent with the DNC Report and Order, which stated that the Commission would publish a document in the Federal Register announcing the effective date of the rule.