2008 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The EPA is announcing an extension of the public comment period on our proposed response to a Petition for Reconsideration regarding a final rule we issued under Section 112(f)(2) and 112(d)(6) of the Clean Air Act related to national emission standards for halogenated solvent cleaning. As published in the Federal Register on October 20, 2008, written comments on the proposed rule were to be submitted by December 4, 2008. On November 4, 2008, EPA received a timely request to extend the deadline for the public comment period on the proposed rule to February 4, 2009. In response to this request, EPA is extending the comment period that would end on December 4, 2008, to February 4, 2009.

Pursuant to Section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4332(C)), the National Park Service (NPS) announces the availability of the Record of Decision (ROD) for the Final General Management Plan and Environmental Impact Statement (GMP/ EIS), Pipestone National Monument (national monument), Minnesota. On September 30, the Midwest Regional Director approved the ROD for the project. As soon as practicable, the NPS will begin to implement the preferred alternative contained in the final EIS. The NPS will implement the preferred alternative as described in the Final GMP/EIS issued on March 28, 2008. Alternative 1, the preferred alternative, will reduce the development in the heart of the national monument, preserving its setting, site history, and spiritual significance as the source of pipestone. The NPS will remove the visitor center and parking, enabling visitors to see the site much as it appeared prior to 1937. The national monument will acquire a parcel of school district land to the northeast and will seek a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources to coordinate management of the 100- acre Pipestone Wildlife Management Area. American Indian ceremonial use of the Three Maidens area will be unchanged. The Hiawatha Club will continue to use the Three Maidens as a backdrop for its pageant under permit restrictions, and the area will be restored to prairie. Sun Dances will continue, but modifications of use might be made on the basis of impact and the sustainability of resources. Quarries will continue to be allocated by permit. The GMP/EIS evaluated this course of action and two other action alternatives, and a no action alternative. The full range of foreseeable environmental consequences were assessed and appropriate mitigating measures were identified. The ROD includes a statement of the decision made, synopses of other alternatives considered, the basis for the decision, a description of the environmentally preferable alternative, a finding on impairment of park resources and values, a listing of measures to minimize environmental harm, and an overview of public involvement in the decisionmaking process.

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

An Exposure Modeling Public Meeting (EMPM) will be held for one day on December 9, 2008. This notice announces the location and time for the meeting and sets forth the tentative agenda topics.

This final rule amends the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) to clarify how Section 17(c) of the Export Administration Act of 1979 (EAA) is implemented in the EAR in accordance with the Department of Commerce's authority under the EAA. On August 14, 2008, the Department of State published a final rule amending Part 121 of the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) to clarify how Section 17(c) of the EAA is implemented in relation to the ITAR (73 FR 47523). This final rule provides guidance to assist the regulated public in determining what civil aircraft equipment (including parts, accessories, attachments, and components) is subject to the EAR based upon the statutory criteria of the EAA.

On March 9, 2006, the President signed the Combat Methamphetamine Epidemic Act of 2005, which mandates that DEA establish total annual requirements, and individual import, manufacturing, and procurement quotas for ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, and phenylpropanolamine. DEA issued an Interim Final Rule establishing procedures for applying for individual import, manufacturing, and procurement quotas. DEA is finalizing the rule with one change, to extend the authority to sign certifications to persons granted power of attorney to do so by the registrant.

The Department of the Navy is amending its certifications and exemptions under the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972 (72 COLREGS), to reflect that the Deputy Assistant Judge Advocate General (Admiralty and Maritime Law) of the Navy has determined that USS DALLAS (SSN 700) is a vessel of the Navy which, due to its special construction and purpose, cannot comply fully with certain provisions of the 72 COLREGS without interfering with its special function as a naval ship. The intended effect of this rule is to warn mariners in waters where 72 COLREGS apply.

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 Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control (``OFAC'') is publishing the names of twenty-one newly-designated entities and four individuals whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to the Order.

Under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35), the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Secretariat has submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) a request to review and approve a reinstatement of an information collection requirement concerning organization and direction of work. Public comments are particularly invited on: Whether this collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of functions of the FAR, and whether it will have practical utility; whether our estimate of the public burden of this collection of information is accurate, and based on valid assumptions and methodology; ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and ways in which we can minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, through the use of appropriate technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

This proposed rule would amend the regulations used to administer the Technical Assistance for Specialty Crops (TASC) program by increasing the amount of funding per proposal to $500,000 in a given year, extending the allowable length of an activity to 5 years; and by allowing up to five approved projects for any one TASC participant at any given time.

This notice announces receipt of applications to register pesticide products containing new active ingredients not included in any currently registered products pursuant to the provisions of section 3(c)(4) of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), as amended.

On March 24, 2008, EPA received a Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) section 21 petition from numerous organizations and individuals concerned about risks to human health and the environment from exposure to formaldehyde in composite wood products, specifically hardwood plywood, particleboard, and medium density fiberboard. In response to that petition, EPA decided to initiate a proceeding to investigate whether and what type of regulatory or other action might be appropriate to protect against risks posed by formaldehyde emitted from these and other pressed wood products. This document commences that proceeding by describing EPA's initial steps in that investigation and requesting comment, information, and data relating to formaldehyde emissions from pressed wood products. This document also announces five public meetings that EPA has scheduled in order to obtain additional stakeholder input.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) hereby establishes a final rule setting forth a mechanism for States to obtain payments from VA to assist a State veterans home in the hiring and retention of nurses for the purpose of reducing nursing shortages at the home. This rule implements provisions of the Veterans Health Programs Improvement Act of 2004.

The FAA invites public comments about our intention to request the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to approve a current information collection. Certain organizations may apply to perform certification functions on behalf of the FAA. Standards have been established for the certification of agricultural aircraft. The information collected shows applicant compliance and eligibility for certification by FAA.

The FAA invites public comments about our intention to request the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to approve a current information collection. Certain organizations may apply to perform certification functions on behalf of the FAA. This information collection is required for compliance with the final rule that codifies special flight rules and airspace and flight restrictions for certain operations in the Washington, DC Metropolitan Area.

The FAA hereby provides notice of intent to release certain airport properties (14.26 acres) at the Kay Larkin Field, Palatka Municipal Airport, Palatka, FL from the conditions, reservations, and restrictions as contained in an Agreement between the FAA and the City of Palatka, dated February 28, 1947. The release of property will allow the City of Palatka to dispose of the property for other than aeronautical purposes. The property is located in the Section 3, Township 10 South, Range 26 East, of Putnam County. The parcel is currently designated as non-aeronautical use. The property will be disposed of for the purpose of allowing for the construction of a floating dock manufacturing facility. The fair market value of the property has been determined by appraisal to be $25,000 per acre ($356,500). The airport will receive fair market value for the property, which will be subsequently reinvested in another eligible airport improvement project. Documents reflecting the Sponsor's request are available, by appointment only, for inspection at the City of Palatka and the FAA Airports District Office.

The purpose of this notice is to provide interested parties with the planning guidance for use by states in submitting their Unified State Plans under section 501 of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 as well as Plan modifications. The Planning Guidance provides a framework for the collaboration of governors, local elected officials, businesses and other partners to continue the development of workforce investment systems that address customer needs, deliver integrated user-friendly services, and are accountable to the customers and the public.

NOAA and the USFWS are publishing final regulations to establish a ship reporting system for the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument. This action implements measures adopted by the International Maritime Organization requiring notification by ships passing through the Monument without interruption.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act, this notice invites the public to comment on the collection of information by the Peace Corps and gives notice of the Peace Corps' intention to request Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval of the information collection. The Peace Corps' Office of Strategic Information, Research and Planning wishes to conduct focus groups with Returned Peace Corps Volunteers (RPCVs) about their post-service transition, post-service education and career, and their third goal activities of promoting a better understanding of other peoples on the part of Americans. The data will be used to assess the range and type of services available to RPCVs and to support accurate interpretation of Agency level data.