2009 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

This document publishes in the Federal Register an amendment adopting emergency airworthiness directive (AD) 2009-08-51 that was sent previously to all known U.S. owners and operators of RRC AE 3007A series turbofan engines. This AD requires performing an eddy current inspection (ECI) or surface wave ultrasonic test (SWUT) inspection on each affected high-pressure turbine wheel. This AD results from additional reports of cracks in the high-pressure turbine (HPT) stage 2 wheels identified from the required inspections in AD 2008-26-06. A revised risk assessment that includes these additional reports indicates we need to require a higher inspection rate. We are issuing this AD to prevent an uncontained failure of the HPT stage 2 wheel and damage to the airplane.

This document proposes to amend the Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA's) Loan Guaranty regulations concerning assistance to eligible individuals in acquiring specially adapted housing. The proposed change would implement provisions of the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008, which authorized VA to provide for automatic annual increases in the dollar amounts available to certain Specially Adapted Housing grant recipients.

The Coast Guard is temporarily changing the enforcement period of special local regulations for recurring marine events in the Fifth Coast Guard District. These regulations apply to only five recurring marine events that conduct on-water activities such as power boat races, swimming competitions, and harbor celebrations. Special local regulations are necessary to provide for the safety of life on navigable waters during the events. This action is intended to restrict vessel traffic in portions of the Chester River, MD; Rappahannock River, VA; Elizabeth River, Southern Branch, VA; North Atlantic Ocean, Ocean City, MD; and Pasquotank, River, Elizabeth, NC during each event.

This recommended decision invites written exceptions to proposed amendments to Marketing Agreement and Order No. 930 (order), which regulates the handling of tart cherries grown in Michigan, New York, Pennsylvania, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wisconsin. Seven amendments were proposed by the Cherry Industry Administrative Board (Board), which is responsible for local administration of the order. These proposed amendments would: Authorize changing the primary reserve capacity associated with the volume control provisions of the order; authorize establishment of a minimum inventory level at which all remaining product held in reserves would be released to handlers for use as free tonnage; establish an age limitation on product placed into reserves; revise the nomination and election process for handler members on the Board; revise Board membership affiliation requirements; and update order language to more accurately reflect grower and handler participation in the nomination and election process in districts with only one Board representative. In addition, the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) proposed to make any such changes as may be necessary to the order to conform to any amendment that may result from the hearing.

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

This action establishes Class E airspace at Rushville, NE. Controlled airspace is necessary to accommodate Area Navigation (RNAV) Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPs) at Modisett Airport, Rushville, NE. The FAA is taking this action to enhance the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rule (IFR) operations at Modisett Airport.

In this document, the Commission adopts a new methodology for calculating regulatory fees for international submarine cable operators. Beginning in FY 2009, the Commission will calculate regulatory fees for international submarine cable operators on a per cable landing license basis, with higher fees being assessed for larger submarine cable systems and lower fees for smaller systems. However, this change in methodology does not amend the licensing rules regarding submarine cable systems, nor does it change the methodology on how the Commission calculates regulatory fees for terrestrial and satellite facilitiesthese facilities will continue to be assessed on a per 64 kbps circuit basis.

The Coast Guard proposes to temporarily change the enforcement period of special local regulations for a recurring marine event in the Fifth Coast Guard District. These regulations apply to only one recurring marine event that conducts ``workboat races''. Special local regulations are necessary to provide for the safety of life on navigable waters during the event. This action is intended to restrict vessel traffic in a portion of the York River, VA, during the event.

The Department of Commerce is removing its Mexican Cement Import Licensing (``MCILS'') regulations currently published at 19 CFR Part 361. This action is being taken pursuant to provisions of the Agreement Between the Office of the United States Trade Representative and the Department of Commerce of the United States of America and the Ministry of Economy of the United Mexican States (Secretaria de Economia) on Trade in Cement (``Cement Agreement''), signed March 6, 2006. The Cement Agreement was terminated at 11:59 p.m. on March 31, 2009. Accordingly, the MCILS will no longer be necessary.

This proposed rule would update the payment rates used under the prospective payment system for skilled nursing facilities, for fiscal year 2010. In addition, it would recalibrate the case-mix indexes so that they more accurately reflect parity in expenditures related to the implementation of case-mix refinements in January 2006. It also discusses the results of our ongoing analysis of nursing home staff time measurement data collected in the Staff Time and Resource Intensity Verification project, and proposes a new RUG-IV case-mix classification model that will use the updated Minimum Data Set (MDS) 3.0 resident assessment for case-mix classification. In addition, this proposed rule includes a request for public comment on a possible requirement for the quarterly reporting of nursing home staffing data, and would revise the regulations to incorporate certain technical corrections. Finally, this proposed rule includes a request for public comments on applying the quality monitoring mechanism in place for all other SNF PPS facilities to rural swing-bed hospitals.

We are proposing to revise the phytosanitary treatment regulations in 7 CFR part 305 by removing the lists of approved treatments and treatment schedules from the regulations, while retaining the general requirements for performing treatments and certifying or approving treatment facilities. We would remove treatment schedules from other places where they are currently found in 7 CFR chapter III as well. Approved treatment schedules would instead be found in the Plant Protection and Quarantine Treatment Manual, which is available on the Internet. We are also proposing to establish a new process to provide the public with notice and the opportunity to comment on changes to treatment schedules. Finally, we would harmonize and combine the requirements for performing irradiation treatment for imported articles, articles moved interstate from Hawaii and U.S. territories, and articles moved interstate from an area quarantined for fruit flies. These changes would simplify and expedite our processes for adding, changing, and removing treatment schedules while continuing to provide for public participation in the process. These changes would also simplify our presentation of treatments to the public by consolidating all treatments into one document and eliminating redundant text from the regulations.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for CFM International, S.A. CFM56-7B series turbofan engines. This proposed AD would require initial and repetitive eddy current inspections (ECIs) of certain part number (P/N) low-pressure (LP) turbine rear frames. This proposed AD results from a refined life analysis by the engine manufacturer that shows the need to identify an initial and repetitive inspection threshold for inspecting certain LP turbine rear frames. We are proposing this AD to prevent failure of the LP turbine rear frame from low-cycle-fatigue cracks. Failure of the LP turbine rear frame could result in engine separation from the airplane, possibly leading to loss of control of the airplane.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is amending the animal drug regulations to reflect the original approval of a new animal drug application (NADA) filed by Dechra, Ltd. The NADA provides for the veterinary prescription use of trilostane capsules in dogs for treatment of pituitary-dependent hyperadrenocorticism and for treatment of hyperadrenocorticism due to adrenocortical tumor.

NMFS issues this advance notice of proposed rulemaking to announce that it is revising procedures to file import and export documentation for certain fishery products to meet requirements of the SAFE Port Act of 2006, the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, other applicable statutes, and obligations that arise from U.S. participation in regional fishery management organizations. Specifically, NMFS intends to integrate the collection of trade documentation within the government-wide International Trade Data System and require electronic information collection through the automated internet portal maintained by the United States Customs and Border Protection. NMFS is seeking advance public comment on the feasibility of electronic reporting by parties involved in an import or export transaction for applicable seafood products.

This special federal aviation regulation (SFAR) amends the airworthiness standards for transport category airplanes by adding new cabin interior criteria for operators of private use, not for hire, not for common carriage airplanes. These standards may be used instead of the specific requirements that affect transport category airplanes operated by air carriers. These standards supplement the requirements for operation under the air traffic and general operating rules. This SFAR provides alternative criteria for transport category airplanes that are operated for private use while continuing to provide an acceptable level of safety for those operations.

The Coast Guard will enforce the Navy Pier East Safety Zone in Chicago Harbor from 9 p.m. until 9:40 p.m. on May 22, 2009. This action is necessary to protect vessels and people from the hazards associated with fireworks displays. All vessels must obtain permission from the Captain of the Port or his on-scene representative to enter, move within or exit the safety zone.

The Coast Guard is establishing temporary special local regulations for ``U.S. Naval Air Station Patuxent River Air Expo 2009'', an aerial demonstration to be held over the waters of the Patuxent River adjacent to Patuxent River, Maryland. These special local regulations are necessary to provide for the safety of life on navigable waters during the event. This action will restrict vessel traffic in portions of the Patuxent River during the aerial demonstration.

We are withdrawing the proposed rules entitled ``Age as a Factor in Evaluating Disability'' that we published in the Federal Register on November 4, 2005.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the reopening of the public comment period on our proposal to designate critical habitat for the southwest Alaska Distinct Population Segment (DPS) of the northern sea otter (Enhydra lutris kenyoni) under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). This action will provide all interested parties with an additional opportunity to submit written comments on our December 16, 2008, proposed rule to designate approximately 15,225 square kilometers (km\2\) (5,879 square miles (mi\2\)) as critical habitat.

EPA is taking a final action finding that North Carolina and South Carolina have failed to submit state implementation plan (SIP) revisions to satisfy certain requirements of the Clean Air Act (CAA) for the 1997 8-hour ozone national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS). The submissions at issue were due because the Charlotte bi- state area (Charlotte Area), which includes areas in both North and South Carolina, is a moderate nonattainment area for the 1997 8-hour ozone standard. Under the CAA and EPA's implementing regulations, states with nonattainment areas classified as moderate, serious, severe or extreme were required to submit by June 15, 2007, SIPs: demonstrating how each nonattainment area would attain the 1997 8-hour ozone standard as expeditiously as practicable but no later than the applicable dates established in the implementing regulations and demonstrating reasonable further progress (RFP). Additionally, states were required by September 15, 2006, to submit for these same areas, SIPs demonstrating that sources specified under the CAA were subject to reasonably available control technology requirements (RACT). North Carolina and South Carolina made these required submissions but later withdrew the attainment demonstration submissions for the Charlotte Area. As a result, EPA is making a finding of failure to submit for both North Carolina and South Carolina of the attainment demonstrations for the Charlotte Area.

EPA is proposing to disapprove the ozone attainment demonstration portion of a comprehensive State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision submitted by the State of Delaware to meet the Clean Air Act (CAA) requirements for attaining the 8-hour ozone national ambient air quality standard (NAAQS) for the Delaware portion of the Philadelphia-Wilmington-Atlantic City moderate nonattainment area (Philadelphia Area). EPA is proposing to disapprove Delaware's attainment demonstration of the 8-hour ozone NAAQS for the Philadelphia Area because EPA has determined that the photochemical modeling does not demonstrate attainment, and the weight of evidence analysis that Delaware uses to support the attainment demonstration does not provide the sufficient evidence that the Delaware portion of the Philadelphia nonattainment area will attain the NAAQS by the June 2010 deadline.

EPA is proposing to disapprove the ozone attainment demonstration portion of a comprehensive State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision submitted by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP) to meet the Clean Air Act (CAA) requirements for attaining the 8-hour ozone national ambient air quality standard (NAAQS) for the five-county Pennsylvania portion of the Philadelphia-Wilmington-Atlantic City moderate nonattainment area (Philadelphia Area). The five-county Pennsylvania portion of the Philadelphia Area comprises Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia Counties. EPA is proposing to disapprove Pennsylvania's 8- hour ozone attainment demonstration plan for its portion of the Philadelphia Area because EPA has determined that the photochemical modeling does not demonstrate attainment, and the weight of evidence analysis that Pennsylvania uses to support the attainment demonstration, does not provide the sufficient evidence that the Philadelphia Area, will attain the NAAQS by the June 2010 deadline.

On behalf of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Public Health Service (PHS), a component of the HHS, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) seeks comments from the public on whether the HHS should amend its regulations on the responsibility of applicants for promoting objectivity in research for which phs funding is sought and on responsible prospective. We are interested particularly in receiving comments on the issues presented below from the general public, individual Investigators, scientific societies and associations, Members of Congress, other Federal agencies that support or conduct research, and institutions that receive PHS funds to conduct or support biomedical or behavioral research.

The Environmental Protection Agency is proposing action on the ozone attainment demonstration portion of a comprehensive State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision submitted by Connecticut to meet Clean Air Act (CAA or Act) requirements for attaining the 8-hour ozone national ambient air quality standard. EPA is proposing to disapprove Connecticut's demonstration of attainment of the 1997 8-hour ozone standard for the Connecticut portion of the New York-N. New Jersey-Long Island, NY-NJ-CT 8-hour ozone nonattainment area (New York City ozone nonattainment area).