September 15, 2009 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Department of Agriculture (USDA) is adopting, as a final rule, without change, an interim final rule that relaxed the minimum size requirement for white seedless grapefruit prescribed under the marketing order for oranges, grapefruit, tangerines, and tangelos grown in Florida (order) and the grapefruit import regulation. The interim final rule relaxed the minimum size requirement for domestic and import shipments from 3 \9/16\ inches (size 48) to 3 \5/16\ inches (size 56). This change is expected to maximize fresh white seedless grapefruit shipments and provide greater flexibility to handlers and importers.

Comments are requested on the proposed Base (1% annual-chance) Flood Elevations (BFEs) and proposed BFE modifications for the communities listed in the table below. The purpose of this notice is to seek general information and comment regarding the proposed regulatory flood elevations for the reach described by the downstream and upstream locations in the table below. The BFEs and modified BFEs are a part of the floodplain management measures that the community is required either to adopt or show evidence of having in effect in order to qualify or remain qualified for participation in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). In addition, these elevations, once finalized, will be used by insurance agents, and others to calculate appropriate flood insurance premium rates for new buildings and the contents in those buildings.

This notice amends the notice of a major disaster declaration for the State of New York (FEMA-1857-DR), dated September 1, 2009, and related determinations.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Boeing Model 737-300, -400, and -500 series airplanes. This proposed AD would require repetitive external non-destructive inspections to detect cracks in the fuselage skin along the chem-mill step at stringers S-1 and S-2 right, between station (STA) 827 and STA 847, and repair if necessary. This proposed AD results from a report of a hole in the fuselage skin common to stringer S-1 and S-2 left, between STA 827 and STA 847 on an airplane that diverted to an alternate airport due to cabin depressurization. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct fatigue cracking of the fuselage skin panels at the chem-milled steps, which could result in sudden fracture and failure of the fuselage skin panels, and consequent rapid decompression of the airplane.

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) is amending its regulations to eliminate restrictions on certain kinds of transfers from savings deposits for state chartered banks that are not members of the Federal Reserve System and insured branches of foreign banks. The Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the FRB) has already amended its regulations to eliminate these restrictions for member banks. Because this change is ministerial, the FDIC has determined for good cause that public notice and comment is unnecessary and impracticable under the Administrative Procedure Act (the APA) and is implementing this change by means of a final rule without notice and comment.

This rule invites comments on revisions to the nomination procedures and a change to a reporting date under the California date marketing order (order). The order regulates the handling of domestic dates produced or packed in Riverside County, California, and is administered locally by the California Date Administrative Committee (CDAC or committee). This rule would change the method of polling for nominees to the committee and the date on which CDAC Form 6 is due. These changes are expected to assist in the administration of the order by updating and streamlining committee program operations.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) amends the EPA Acquisition Regulation (EPAAR) to update policy, procedures, and contract clauses. The final rule consolidates the EPAAR physical property clauses (Decontamination, Fabrication, and Government Property), re-designates the prescription number in the data clause, and updates the roles and responsibilities of the contractor, DCMA and CPC.