March 12, 2009 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Coast Guard proposes to change the drawbridge operation regulations of the Eltham Bridge (SR33/30), at mile 1.0, across Pamunkey River at West Point, Virginia. This proposal would allow the bridge to open on signal if at least four hours notice is given. This proposal would provide for the reasonable needs of navigation, due to the anticipated infrequency of requests for vessel openings of the drawbridge.

The Audio Division requests comment on a petition filed by Sunburst Media-Louisiana, LLC, licensee of Station KMYO-FM, Channel 244C3, Morgan City, Louisiana, proposing the substitution of FM Channel 230A for vacant Channel 242A at Dulac, Louisiana. The reference coordinates for Channel 230A at Dulac, Louisiana, are 29-20-37 NL and 90-45-16 WL. See Supplementary Information, infra.

The FAA announces a public meeting on its proposal, published January 12, 2009, to amend the regulations for crewmember and aircraft dispatcher training programs in domestic, flag, and supplemental operations. The FAA has received requests from stakeholders for meetings during the comment period to clarify the proposal and respond to questions. In response to those requests, the FAA is holding a public meeting during the comment period. The purpose of the public meeting is to give an opportunity to those who may be most affected by the proposed rule to ask questions and seek information from the FAA regarding the intent of the proposal.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), take this action pursuant to a settlement agreement and court order that vacated, in part, the August 9. 2005 final rule that designated critical habitat under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act), for the Roswell springsnail (Pyrgulopsis roswellensis), Koster's springsnail (Juturnia kosteri), Noel's amphipod (Gammarus desperatus), and Pecos assiminea (Assiminea pecos) with respect to lands at the Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge. Accordingly, the February 12, 2002, proposed critical habitat designation is reinstated for these invertebrates with respect to Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge and we announce the reopening of the public comment period for the February 12, 2002, proposed rule in order to reconsider designation of these lands. This re-evaluation of the designation of critical habitat at Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge does not affect the designation of critical habitat at Diamond Y Spring and Sandia Spring. Comments previously submitted on the February 12, 2002, proposed rule (67 FR 6459) need not be resubmitted as they have been incorporated into the public record as part of this reopening of the comment period and will be fully considered in preparation of the final rule. Additionally, so that we may fully consider any new information available, we are also soliciting comments and information on the final economic analysis and final environmental assessment that were made available concurrent with the August 9, 2005, final designation of critical habitat.

This action modifies Class D Airspace, modifies Class E airspace designated as an extension to Class D surface area and removes Class E airspace designated as surface area for an airport at Aguadilla, PR. The Rafael Hernandez Airport Air Traffic Control Tower will now operate on a full-time basis, thus the associated controlled airspace is being modified and removed to reflect the change. This action enhances the National Airspace System by providing controlled airspace in the vicinity of Aguadilla, PR.

This action proposes to amend Class E airspace at Waverly, OH. Additional controlled airspace is necessary to accommodate new Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPs) at Pike County Airport, Waverly, OH, and would update the geographic coordinates for the airport. The FAA is taking this action to enhance the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) aircraft operations at Pike County Airport.

The Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) published in the Federal Register of November 20, 2008, an interim final rule with request for comment amending the program regulations for the Agricultural Management Assistance (AMA) Program to incorporate programmatic changes authorized by the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (2008 Act). The language in the interim final rule regarding the application of the payment limitation to joint operations was incorrect and is inconsistent with payment attributions specified in the regulation which governs payment limitations and eligibility determinations for CCC-funded programs. This document corrects that language.

The Natural Resources Conservation Service published in the Federal Register of January 16, 2009, an interim final rule with request for comment amending the program regulations for the Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program (WHIP) to incorporate programmatic changes authorized by the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (2008 Act). The language in the interim final rule regarding the application of the payment limitation to joint operations was incorrect and is inconsistent with payment attributions specified in the regulation which governs payment limitations and eligibility determinations for CCC-funded programs. This document corrects that language. NRCS is also using the opportunity presented by this rulemaking to extend the comment period by an additional 30 days and ask for public input on key programmatic implementation questions.

The Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation (SLSDC) and the St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation (SLSMC) of Canada, under international agreement, jointly publish and presently administer the St. Lawrence Seaway Tariff of Tolls in their respective jurisdictions. The Tariff sets forth the level of tolls assessed on all commodities and vessels transiting the facilities operated by the SLSDC and the SLSMC. The SLSDC is revising its regulations to reflect the fees and charges levied by the SLSMC in Canada. The Tariff of Tolls became effective in Canada in 2008. For consistency, because these are, under international agreement, joint regulations, and to avoid confusion among users of the Seaway, the SLSDC finds that there is good cause to make this U.S. version of the amendments effective upon publication. (See Supplementary Information.)