March 12, 2015 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

We are amending the gypsy moth regulations by adding areas in Minnesota, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin to the list of generally infested areas based on the detection of infestations of gypsy moth in those areas. As a result of this action, the interstate movement of regulated articles from those areas is restricted. This action is necessary to prevent the artificial spread of the gypsy moth to noninfested areas of the United States.

The Coast Guard has issued a temporary deviation from the operating schedule that governs the Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) Railway Bridge across the Columbia River, mile 105.6, at Vancouver, WA. This deviation is necessary to accommodate maintenance to replace movable rail joints. This deviation allows the bridge to remain in the closed position during maintenance activities.

The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is amending its regulations regarding nonprocurement debarment and suspension to revise the designation of the Agency official who will serve as the Agency's Suspending Official and Debarring Official and also to revise the designation of the individual who may grant an exception to let an excluded person participate in a covered transaction.

Parties to claims arising under the Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act and its extensions (LHWCA or Act) and entities required to have insurance pursuant to the Act frequently correspond with the Office of Workers' Compensation Programs (OWCP) and each other. The current regulations require that some of these communications be made in paper form via a specific delivery mechanism such as certified mail, U.S. mail or hand delivery. As technologies improve, other means of communicationincluding electronic methodsmay be more efficient and cost-effective. Accordingly, this rule broadens the acceptable methods by which claimants, employers, and insurers can communicate with OWCP and each other.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 777-200 and -300 series airplanes equipped with Rolls-Royce Trent 800 series engines. This proposed AD was prompted by a report of multiple cases of heat damage to the strut aft fairing heat shield primary seal, as well as heat and wear damage to the heat shield insulation blankets. This proposed AD would require repetitive inspections for heat damage to the strut aft fairing lower spar web structure (a flammable fluid zone barrier and fire wall) and heat shield primary seal, and heat and wear damage to heat shield insulation blankets; and related investigative and corrective actions if necessary. This proposed AD would also provide optional terminating action for the repetitive inspections. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct heat damage to the strut aft fairing lower spar web structure and heat shield primary seal, as well as heat and wear damage to the heat shield insulation blankets, which could lead to through- cracks in the aft fairing web structure and heating of the aft fairing web structure, and consequent uncontrolled fire in the aft fairing, fuel tank ignition or possible departure of the engine, and subsequent loss of the airplane.

NASA is issuing a final rule amending the NASA Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (NFS) with the goal of eliminating unnecessary regulation, streamlining overly-burdensome regulation, clarifying language, and simplifying processes where possible.