January 2012 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Department of the Treasury, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)). Currently, the IRS is soliciting comments concerning Notice 2011-74, Vermont Low-Income Housing Relief Credit.

The proposed information collection requirement described below has been submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act. The Department is soliciting public comments on the subject proposal. This information is collected from OHF staff, mortgagees, mortgagors, contractors and agents to manage and monitor the application, procedure, project administration and initial/final endorsement of projects undertaken by Office of Hospital Facilities.

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) published a notice on August 29, 2011 requesting comments on a proposal to establish a retention period of one year for patent-related papers that have been scanned into the Image File Wrapper system (IFW) or the Supplemental Complex Repository for Examiners (SCORE). The USPTO has considered the comment and is establishing a one-year retention period that: (1) Began on September 1, 2011, for papers scanned into IFW or SCORE prior to September 1, 2011; or (2) began or begins on a paper's submission date, for papers scanned into IFW or SCORE on or after September 1, 2011. After the expiration of the one-year retention period (after September 1, 2012, or later), the USPTO will dispose of the paper unless, within sufficient time prior to disposal of the paper, the relevant patent applicant, patent owner, or reexamination party files a bona fide request to correct the electronic record of the paper in IFW or SCORE, and the request remains outstanding at the time disposal of the paper would have otherwise occurred. The one-year retention period for papers scanned into IFW or SCORE replaces the USPTO's past practice of indefinitely retaining the papers, which has been rendered unnecessary and not cost-effective by improvements in scanning and indexing.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), this notice announces that the Information Collection Requirements (ICRs) abstracted below have been forwarded to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and comment. The ICRs describe the nature of the information collections and their expected burdens. The Federal Register notice with a 60-day comment period soliciting comments on the following collections of information was published on November 16, 2011 (76 FR 221).

EPA is taking direct final action to approve a revision to the North Carolina State Implementation Plan (SIP), submitted to EPA on April 13, 2011, with supplemental information submitted on May 18, 2011, by the State of North Carolina, through the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources (NCDENR), through the Department of Air Quality. The revisions propose to modify North Carolina's SIP to address the required maintenance plan for the 1997 8- hour ozone national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) for the Greensboro-Winston-Salem-High Point, North Carolina 1-hour ozone maintenance area, hereafter referred to as ``the Triad Area.'' The Triad Area is comprised of Davidson, Forsyth, and Guilford and a portion of Davie County. This maintenance plan was submitted to ensure the continued attainment of the 1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS through the year 2018 in the Triad Area. EPA is approving these SIP revisions pursuant to section 110 of the Clean Air Act (CAA or Act). The submitted maintenance plan meets all of the statutory and regulatory requirements, and is consistent with EPA's guidance.

In accordance with 10 U.S.C. 9355, the United States Air Force Academy (USAFA) Board of Visitors (BoV) will hold a meeting in Harmon Hall at the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado on 10-11 Feb 2012. The meeting sessions on 10 Feb will begin at 4 p.m. and the meeting sessions on 11 Feb will begin at 8 a.m. The purpose of this meeting is to review morale and discipline, social climate, curriculum, instruction, infrastructure, fiscal affairs, academic methods, and other matters relating to the Academy. Specific topics for this meeting include a Faculty Focus Group; Religious Training and Respect; the Superintendent and Command Chief Update; Diversity in the Athletic Department; the Air Force Academy Athletic Corporation Transition Plan Update; Character Update; Focus Group (Gold Bar Lieutenants on Diversity Recruiting); Center for Character and Leadership Development Military Construction Update; and the Personnel Update. In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552b, as amended, and 41 CFR 102- 3.155, the Administrative Assistant to the Secretary of the Air Force, in consultation with the Office of the Air Force General Counsel, has determined in writing that the public interest requires two sessions of this meeting shall be closed to the public because they will involve matters covered by subsection (c)(6) of 5 U.S.C. 552b. Public attendance at the open portions of this USAFA BoV meeting shall be accommodated on a first-come, first-served basis up to the reasonable and safe capacity of the meeting room. In addition, any member of the public wishing to provide input to the USAFA BoV should submit a written statement in accordance with 41 CFR 102-3.140(c) and section 10(a)(3) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act and the procedures described in this paragraph. Written statements must address the following details: The issue, discussion, and a recommended course of action. Supporting documentation may also be included as needed to establish the appropriate historical context and provide any necessary background information. Written statements can be submitted to the Designated Federal Officer (DFO) at the Air Force address detailed below at any time. However, if a written statement is not received at least 10 calendar days before the first day of the meeting which is the subject of this notice, then it may not be provided to, or considered by, the BoV until its next open meeting. The DFO will review all timely submissions with the BoV Chairperson and ensure they are provided to members of the BoV before the meeting that is the subject of this notice. For the benefit of the public, rosters that list the names of BoV members and any releasable materials presented during the open portions of this BoV meeting shall be made available upon request. If, after review of timely submitted written comments, the BoV Chairperson and DFO deem appropriate, they may choose to invite the submitter of the written comments to orally present the issue during an open portion of the BoV meeting that is the subject of this notice. Members of the BoV may also petition the Chairperson to allow specific personnel to make oral presentations before the BoV. In accordance with 41 CFR 102-3.140(d), any oral presentations before the BoV shall be in accordance with agency guidelines provided pursuant to a written invitation and this paragraph. Direct questioning of BoV members or meeting participants by the public is not permitted except with the approval of the DFO and Chairperson.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service's intention to request an extension of approval of an information collection associated with plant pest, noxious weed, and garbage regulations.

This regulation establishes tolerances for residues of rimsulfuron in or on the caneberry subgroup 13-07A and the bushberry subgroup 13-07B. Interregional Research Project No. 4 (IR-4) requested these tolerances under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA).

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), this document announces that EPA is planning to submit a request to renew an existing approved Information Collection Request (ICR) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). This ICR, titled: ``Partial Update of the TSCA Section 8(b) Inventory Data Base, Production and Site Reports'' and identified by EPA ICR No. 1884.07 and OMB Control No. 2070-0162, is scheduled to expire on September 30, 2012. Before submitting the ICR to OMB for review and approval, EPA is soliciting comments on specific aspects of the proposed information collection.

This notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) proposes a new regulatory framework for FTA's evaluation and rating of major new transit investments seeking funding under the discretionary ``New Starts'' and ``Small Starts'' programs. This notice of proposed rulemaking is being published concurrently with a Notice of Availability of proposed guidance that proposes new measures and methods for calculating the project justification and local financial commitment criteria specified in statute and this proposed rule. FTA seeks public comment on both this proposed rule and the proposed guidance.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all 328 Support Services GmbH (Type Certificate previously held by AvCraft Aerospace GmbH; Fairchild Dornier GmbH; Dornier Luftfahrt GmbH) Model 328-100 and 328-300 airplanes. This AD was prompted by a manufacturer safety analyses review on flight control which resulted in recommendations for reduced repetitive inspection intervals for the flight controls certification maintenance requirements (CMR) of the tab-to-actuator linkage. This AD requires revising the airplane maintenance program by incorporating certain CMR tasks. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of these components or their constituent parts which could lead to reduced control of the airplane.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Cirrus Design Corporation (Cirrus) Model SR22T airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of partial loss of engine power due to a dislodged rubber gasket/seal being ingested into the turbocharger. This AD requires inspection and modification of the air box flange welds and slots and installation of induction system air box seals as applicable. We are issuing this AD to correct the unsafe condition on these products.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Agusta S.p.A. (Agusta) model A109S and AW109SP helicopters. This AD is prompted by a fatigue crack found in the left elevator assembly along the riveting of the upper skin to the fourth rib on an Agusta A109S helicopter. These actions are intended to detect a crack, which could lead to a failure of the elevator, reduced maneuverability of the helicopter, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

Under the Federal Advisory Committee Act, Public Law 92463, EPA gives notice of a public teleconference of the National Advisory Council for Environmental Policy and Technology (NACEPT). NACEPT provides advice to the EPA Administrator on a broad range of environmental policy, technology, and management issues. NACEPT members represent academia, industry, non-governmental organizations, and local, state, and tribal governments. The purpose of this teleconference is for NACEPT to discuss and approve draft advice letters addressing two topics: (1) The need for technologies that can help address environmental problems experienced by environmental justice communities and other vulnerable populations, and (2) leadership development and organizational transformation at EPA. A copy of the agenda for the meeting will be posted at https://www.epa.gov/ ofacmo/nacept/cal-nacept.htm.

We are giving notice that the meeting of the General Conference Committee of the National Poultry Improvement Plan scheduled for January 25, 2012, has been canceled.

FMCSA announces its decision to exempt eight individuals from the vision requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs). The exemptions will enable these individuals to operate commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) in interstate commerce without meeting the prescribed vision requirement. The Agency has concluded that granting these exemptions will provide a level of safety that is equivalent to or greater than the level of safety maintained without the exemptions for these CMV drivers.

This action proposes to modify four VOR Federal airways, revoke one VOR Federal airway, and establish three area navigation (RNAV) routes in the vicinity of Windsor Locks, CT. The FAA is proposing this action to adjust the airway route structure due to the planned decommissioning of the Bradley VHF omnirange/tactical air navigation (VORTAC) aid located on Bradley International Airport property, Windsor Locks, CT.

FMCSA announces receipt of applications from thirteen individuals for exemption from the vision requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations. If granted, the exemptions would enable these individuals to qualify as drivers of commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) in interstate commerce without meeting the Federal vision requirement.