March 9, 2012 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

NMFS is opening directed fishing for sablefish with fixed gear managed under the Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) Program and the Community Development Quota (CDQ) Program. The season will open 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), March 17, 2012, and will close 1200 hrs, A.l.t., November 7, 2012. This period is the same as the 2012 commercial halibut fishery opening dates adopted by the International Pacific Halibut Commission. The IFQ and CDQ halibut season is specified by a separate publication in the Federal Register of annual management measures.

We propose to supersede an existing airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to certain Piper Aircraft, Inc. (type certificate previously held by The New Piper Aircraft Inc.) Models PA-31T and PA- 31T1 airplanes. The existing AD currently requires correcting a model identification error on the aircraft data plate. Since we issued that AD, we have become aware that some owner/operators of the affected airplanes modified the aircraft data plate in error because of confusion in the serial number applicability. Because of the confusion, the manufacturer has issued new service information to clarify affected airplane serial numbers. This proposed AD would require determining the airplane model based on the serial number and modifying the aircraft data plate to properly identify the airplane model. This proposed AD would also require doing a detailed search for all applicable airworthiness related documents that apply to any airplane that has an incorrectly marked data plate and take necessary corrective actions based on the search findings. We are proposing this AD to correct the unsafe condition on these products.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Honeywell International, Inc. ALF502L-2C; ALF502R-3; ALF502R-3A; ALF502R-5; LF507-1F; and LF507-1H turbofan engines. This proposed AD was prompted by two reports of engines experiencing uncontained release of low-pressure (LP) turbine blades. This proposed AD would require operational checks of the engine overspeed trip system. We are proposing this AD to prevent LP turbine overspeed leading to uncontained release of the LP turbine blades and damage to the airplane.

The Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation published a final rule document in the Federal Register on September 15, 2011 (at 76 FR 56973), amending its regulations on Benefits Payable in Terminated Single-Employer Plans and Allocation of Assets in Single-Employer Plans to prescribe interest assumptions under those regulations. This document corrects an inadvertent error in that final rule relating to the prescribed interest assumption under the allocation regulation, applicable to plans with valuation dates during the fourth quarter of 2011.

The Coast Guard is establishing a regulated navigation area (RNA) on the navigable waters of Little Bay in the Piscataqua River under and surrounding the Little Bay and General Sullivan Bridges in order to facilitate construction of the Little Bay Bridge between Newington, NH and Dover, NH. This temporary interim rule is necessary to provide for the safety of life on the navigable waters during bridge construction operations that could pose an imminent hazard to vessels operating in the area. This rule implements certain safety measures, including speed restrictions and the temporary suspension of vessel traffic during construction operations.

The FAA intends to identify six test ranges/sites to integrate unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) into the National Airspace System (NAS). This pilot project is in direct response to a Congressional mandate. The FAA believes that designation of such UAS test sites will assist in the effort to safely and efficiently integrate UAS into the NAS and solicits feedback on this issue. This feedback will be utilized to help develop UAS test site requirements, designation standards, and oversight activity.

This document contains a correction to the notice of proposed rulemaking and notice of public hearing (REG-110980-10) that was published in the Federal Register on Friday, February 3, 2012 (77 FR 5454), providing guidance relating to the minimum present value requirements applicable to certain defined benefit pension plans.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is classifying norovirus serological reagents into class II (special controls). The special control that will apply to these devices is the guidance document entitled ``Class II Special Controls Guidance Document: Norovirus Serological Reagents.'' The Agency is classifying these devices into class II (special controls) because special controls, in addition to general controls, will provide a reasonable assurance of safety and effectiveness of these devices and there is sufficient information to establish special controls.

The EPA is taking direct final action to amend the National Volatile Organic Compound Emission Standards for Aerosol Coatings final rule, which is a rule that establishes national reactivity-based emission standards for the aerosol coatings category (aerosol spray paints) under the Clean Air Act, published elsewhere in the Federal Register. This direct final action adds three compounds: dimethyl carbonate, benzotrifluoride and hexamethyldisiloxane, and their associated reactivity factors to the aerosol coatings reactivity rule's table of reactivity factors based on petitions received from regulated entities. This action also revises two tables in the final rule, and corrects a typographical error in a test method reference.

The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) proposes to amend the regulations pertaining to the Section 306C Water and Waste Disposal (WWD) Loans and Grants program, which provides water and waste disposal facilities and services to low-income rural communities whose residents face significant health risks. Specifically, RUS is proposing to modify the priority points system within the regulation in order to give additional priority points to colonias areas that are un-served and that are facing significant health risks. The intent is to ensure that the neediest areas receive funding. RUS is also seeking comments on other potential modifications that could provide incentive for local entities to assist areas designated as colonias that lack access to water or waste disposal systems and/or which face significant health risk.

In this document, the Federal Communications Commission clarifies certain rules. This document also modifies certain initial filing deadlines required to comply with the Paperwork Reduction Act requirements, and finds good cause to delete certain rules that are now obsolete.