March 5, 2014 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all The Boeing Company Model airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of latently failed fuel shutoff valves discovered during fuel filter replacement. This proposed AD would require revising the maintenance or inspection program to include new airworthiness limitations. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct latent failures of the fuel shutoff valve to the engine, which could result in the inability to shut off fuel to the engine and, in case of certain engine fires, an uncontrollable fire that could lead to wing failure.

We are revising an earlier proposed airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus Model A330-200 and -300 series airplanes; and Model A340-200 and -300 series airplanes. The NPRM proposed to supersede AD 2009-15-17 to continue to require inspections for damage to the protective treatments or any corrosion of all main landing gear (MLG) bogie beams, application of protective treatments, and corrective action if necessary. The NPRM also proposed to require modification of the MLG bogie beams, which would terminate the repetitive inspections for any modified bogie beam. The NPRM also proposed to allow optional methods of compliance for certain actions. The NPRM was prompted by reports of thin paint coats and paint degradation on enhanced MLG bogie beams, as well as reports that some airplanes have been inspected too early and not re-inspected as needed. This action revises the NPRM by revising the compliance times and adding a one-time inspection for airplanes that have been inspected too early. We are proposing this supplemental NPRM (SNPRM) to detect and correct damage or corrosion of the MLG bogie beams, which could cause a runway excursion event, bogie beam detachment from the airplane, or MLG collapse, which could result in damage to the airplane and injury to the occupants. Since these actions impose an additional burden over that proposed in the NPRM, we are reopening the comment period to allow the public the chance to comment on these proposed changes.

We propose to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2011-15- 09, which applies to certain Bombardier, Inc. Model DHC-8-400, -401, and -402 airplanes. AD 2011-15-09 currently requires repetitive inspections for proper operation of the main landing gear (MLG) alternate extension system (AES), and corrective actions if necessary. Since we issued AD 2011-15-09, we have determined that, for certain airplanes not affected by AD 2011-15-09, a different MLG AES cam mechanism assembly was installed resulting in input lever fractures and inability to open the MLG door; those assemblies could be subject to the same unsafe condition in AD 2011-15-09. This new proposed AD would require, for certain airplanes, new repetitive inspections for proper operation of the MLG AES, and corrective actions if necessary. This proposed AD would also require eventually replacing the MLG AES cam mechanism assembly with a new assembly, which would terminate the repetitive inspections for those airplanes. We are proposing this AD to prevent improper operation of the cam mechanism or rupture of the door release cable, which could result in loss of control of the airplane during landing.

This regulation amends the current tolerances for residues of metconazole in or on corn, field, stover and corn, pop, stover. BASF Corporation, requested these tolerance amendments under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA).

NMFS implements accountability measures for the commercial longline component for golden tilefish in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the South Atlantic. Commercial longline landings for golden tilefish, as estimated by the Science and Research Director (SRD), are projected to reach the longline component's commercial annual catch limit (ACL) on March 5, 2014. Therefore, NMFS closes the commercial longline component for golden tilefish in the South Atlantic EEZ on March 5, 2014, and it will remain closed until the start of the next fishing season, January 1, 2015. This closure is necessary to protect the golden tilefish resource.

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is confirming the effective date of March 11, 2014, for the direct final rule that was published in the Federal Register on December 6, 2013, and corrected on December 26, 2013. This direct final rule amended the NRC's spent fuel storage regulations by revising the Holtec International HI-STORM 100 Cask System listing within the ``List of Approved Spent Fuel Storage Casks'' to include Amendment No. 9 to Certificate of Compliance (CoC) No. 1014.

This document extends the comment period for the Administrative Simplification: Certification of Compliance for Health Plans proposed rule, which was published in the January 2, 2014 Federal Register. The comment period for the proposed rule, which would have ended on March 3, 2014, is extended to April 3, 2014.

The Leahy-Smith America Invents Act (AIA) revised and streamlined the requirements for the inventor's oath or declaration. In implementing the AIA inventor's oath or declaration provisions, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (Office) provided that an applicant may postpone the filing of the inventor's oath or declaration until allowance if the applicant provides an application data sheet indicating the name, residence, and mailing address of each inventor. The rules pertaining to continued prosecution applications (which are applicable only to design applications) require that the prior nonprovisional application of a continued prosecution application be complete, which requires that the prior nonprovisional application contain the inventor's oath or declaration. This interim rule revises the rules pertaining to continued prosecution applications to permit the filing of a continued prosecution application even if the prior nonprovisional application does not contain the inventor's oath or declaration if the continued prosecution application is filed on or after September 16, 2012, and the prior nonprovisional application contains an application data sheet indicating the name, residence, and mailing address of each inventor.

The Postal Service is revising the service standards for Standard Mail that is eligible for Destination Sectional Center Facility (DSCF) rates. These changes will allow a more balanced distribution of DSCF Standard Mail across delivery days.

This document amends rules for setting and adjusting pay of senior-level (SL) and scientific or professional (ST) employees. The Senior Professional Performance Act of 2008 changes pay for these employees by providing for rates of basic pay up to the rate payable for level III of the Executive Schedule (EX-III), or, if the employee is under a certified performance appraisal system, the rate payable for level II of the Executive Schedule (EX-II). Consistent with this statutory emphasis on performance-based pay, these regulations provide for agencies to set and adjust pay for SL and ST employees based on individual performance, contribution to the agency's performance, or both, as determined under a rigorous performance appraisal system.

In this Second Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (Second Further Notice) the Federal Communications Commission (Commission) seeks comment on a proposed timeframe and several aspects of implementation of text-to-911 service, particularly relating to the technical ability of interconnected text providers to comply with a text-to-911 mandate. Specifically, the Commission seeks comment on a proposal that text-to-911 capability should be made available by all text providers no later than December 31, 2014, and should be provided within a reasonable time after a PSAP has made a valid request for service, not to exceed six months. The Commission also seeks further comment on several issues that we anticipate will be part of the long- term evolution of text-to-911, though it does not propose to require their implementation by a date certain. These include: Developing the capability to provide Phase II-comparable location information in conjunction with emergency texts; delivering text-to-911 over non- cellular data channels; and supporting text-to-911 for consumers while roaming on Commercial Mobile Radio Service (CMRS) networks. The Second Further Notice is adopted with the goal of obtaining information from the public on proposed rules for the implementation of text-to-911.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 777 airplanes. This AD requires, for certain airplanes, replacing radio altimeter transceivers with upgraded units, and, for all airplanes, replacing low range radio altimeter antennas with new antennas. This AD was prompted by operator reports of erratic low range radio altimeter (LRRA) operation while the airplane is airborne. We are issuing this AD to prevent adverse system responses and flight deck effects that could result in loss of controllability of the airplane or landing short of the runway during landing.

This final rule revises the regulations governing the Section 184 Indian Housing Loan Guarantee program (Section 184 program) to conform to a recent statutory change. The 2013 Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act amends section 184(d) of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1992 by authorizing HUD to increase the fee for the guarantee of Section 184 loans up to 3 percent of the principal obligation of the loan and to establish the amount of the fee by publishing a notice in the Federal Register. This final rule amends the Section 184 Indian Housing Loan Guarantee Program regulations to reflect this new authority. By notice published elsewhere in today's Federal Register, HUD is exercising this authority to increase the loan guarantee fee to 1.5 percent of the principal obligation from the current rate of 1 percent.

This rule establishes, amends, suspends, or revokes Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPs) and associated Takeoff Minimums and Obstacle Departure Procedures for operations at certain airports. These regulatory actions are needed because of the adoption of new or revised criteria, or because of changes occurring in the National Airspace System, such as the commissioning of new navigational facilities, adding new obstacles, or changing air traffic requirements. These changes are designed to provide safe and efficient use of the navigable airspace and to promote safe flight operations under instrument flight rules at the affected airports.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), designate critical habitat for the jaguar (Panthera onca) under the Endangered Species Act, as amended. In total, approximately 309,263 hectares (764,207 acres) in Pima, Santa Cruz, and Cochise Counties, Arizona, and Hidalgo County, New Mexico, fall within the boundaries of the critical habitat designation. This designation fulfills our obligations under a settlement agreement. The effect of this regulation is to designate critical habitat for jaguar under the Endangered Species Act.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all The Boeing Company Model 737-100, -200, -200C, -300, -400, and -500 series airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of cracks found in the aft support fitting, the rear spar upper chord, and the rear spar web. This AD requires repetitive inspections for cracking of the aft support fitting for the main landing gear (MLG) beam, and the rear spar upper chord and rear spar web in the area of rear spar station (RSS) 224.14; and repair if necessary. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct such cracks, which could grow and result in a fuel leak and possible fire.