June 10, 2019 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The FAA is adopting an airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 737-700C, -800, and -900ER series airplanes. This AD requires a maintenance records check to determine if any main slat track assembly has been removed, an inspection of the main slat track assemblies for a suspect lot number or a lot number that cannot be determined, and applicable on-condition actions. This AD was prompted by a report that certain main slat track assemblies were manufactured incorrectly and are affected by hydrogen embrittlement. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve State Implementation Plan (SIP) revisions submitted by the State of Montana on August 6, 2018. The revisions include an update to incorporate by reference the 2016 version of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) and 2015 version of the United States Code (U.S.C.) within the Adminstrative Rules of Montana (ARM) that are part of the Montana SIP. The revisions also include administrative changes that consolidate the ARM's references to the CFR and U.S.C. and remove two CFR exemptions from incorporation by reference into the ARM. Additional revisions remove incorporation by reference of certain EPA standards for which the state already has delegated authority from the EPA, and correct an internal reference in the ARM.

The Coast Guard is changing the operating schedule that governs the draws of the Union Pacific Railroad bridge, mile 227.0, and the Midsouth Railroad bridge, mile 228.2, across the Red River at Shreveport, LA. This final rule will allow for the drawbridges to remain in the closed-to-navigation position. While there is vessel traffic on the waterway, no one has requested that either drawbridge be open since 2007. Union Pacific Railroad and Midsouth Railroad, the bridge owners, requested to update the operating schedule accordingly.

These special conditions are issued for the Mitsubishi Aircraft Corporation (MITAC), Model MRJ-200 airplanes. These airplanes will have a novel or unusual design feature when compared to the state of technology envisioned in the airworthiness standards for transport category airplanes. These design features are electrical and electronic systems that perform critical functions, the loss of which could be catastrophic to the airplane. The applicable airworthiness regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards for this design features. These special conditions contain the additional safety standards that the Administrator considers necessary to establish a level of safety equivalent to that established by the existing airworthiness standards.

We, the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE), are reopening the public comment period and providing an opportunity for a public hearing on a proposed amendment to the Illinois regulatory program (Illinois program) under the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (SMCRA or the Act) published on May 1, 2019. The public comment period is being reopened and an opportunity for a public hearing is being provided at the request of three Illinois citizen's organizations. The granting of this request affords the public additional time to provide written comment and the opportunity to request to speak at a public hearing. Illinois proposes revisions to its regulations, including allowing the extraction of coal as an incidental part of a government-financed construction project, revising its Ownership and Control rules, and clarifying land use changes requiring a significant permit revision. Illinois intends to revise its program to be as effective as the Federal regulations. This document gives the times and locations where the Illinois program documents and this proposed amendment to that program are available for your inspection, establishes the new comment period during which you may submit written comments on the amendment, and describes the procedures that we will follow for the public hearing, if one is requested.

This rule establishes, amends, suspends, or removes Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPs) and associated Takeoff Minimums and Obstacle Departure Procedures (ODPs) 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.

This action modifies VHF Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal airways V-8, V-92, V-214, and V-438 due to the planned decommissioning of the Grantsville, MD, VOR/DME navigation aid which provides navigation guidance for segments of the routes. The Grantsville VOR/DME is being decommissioned as part of the FAA's VOR Minimum Operational Network (MON) program.

We propose to adopt 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 significant changes made to the airworthiness limitations (AWLs) related to fuel tank ignition prevention and the nitrogen generation system. This AD would require revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to include new or revised AWLs. We are proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board (``FRTIB'') is proposing to amend its regulations to provide TSP participants with additional withdrawal options and flexibility, effective September 15, 2019.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is adopting a new statutory interpretation and making corresponding regulatory changes to allow gasoline blended with up to 15 percent ethanol to take advantage of the 1-pound per square inch (psi) Reid Vapor Pressure (RVP) waiver afforded under the Clean Air Act (CAA). In doing so, EPA is finalizing an interpretive rulemaking which defines gasoline blended with up to 15 percent ethanol as ``substantially similar'' to the fuel used to certify Tier 3 motor vehicles. Finally, EPA is making regulatory changes to modify certain elements of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) compliance system, in order to improve functioning of the renewable identification number (RIN) market and prevent market manipulation.