Federal Register final rules — 1996-09-20

issue-1996-09-20Federal Register final rules — 1996-09-20Regulation

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FR Doc. 96-24273 Migratory Bird Hunting; Seasons and Bag Limits for the 1996-97 Youth Waterfowl Hunting Day
[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 184 (Friday, September 20, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 49638-49643]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-24273]

[[Page 49637]]

_______________________________________________________________________

Part V

Department of the Interior

_______________________________________________________________________

Fish and Wildlife Service

_______________________________________________________________________

50 CFR Part 20

Migratory Bird Hunting; Seasons and Bag Limits for the 1996-97 Youth 
Waterfowl Hunting Day; Final Rule

Federal Register / Vol. 61, No. 184 / Friday, September 20, 1996 / 
Rules and Regulations

[[Page 49638]]

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

50 CFR Part 20

RIN 1018-AD69

Migratory Bird Hunting; Seasons and Bag Limits for the 1996-97 
Youth Waterfowl Hunting Day

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This rule prescribes the hunting seasons, hours, areas, and 
daily bag and possession limits for the youth waterfowl hunting day for 
the 1996-97 duck-hunting season. Taking of migratory birds is 
prohibited unless specifically provided for by annual regulations. This 
rule permits the taking of designated species during the 1996-97 
season. These selections will be published in the Federal Register as 
amendments to Sec. 20.105 of title 50 CFR part 20.

EFFECTIVE DATE: September 21, 1996.

ADDRESSES: Comments received will be available for public inspection 
during normal business hours in room 634, Arlington Square Building, 
4401 N. Fairfax Drive, Arlington, Virginia.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Paul R. Schmidt, Chief, Office of 
Migratory Bird Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Department 
of the Interior, ms 634--ARLSQ, 1849 C Street, NW., Washington, DC 
20240, (703) 358-1714.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Regulations Schedule for 1996

    On March 22, 1996, the Service published in the Federal Register 
(61 FR 11992) a proposal to amend 50 CFR part 20. The proposal dealt 
with the establishment of seasons, limits, and other regulations for 
migratory game birds under Secs. 20.101 through 20.107, 20.109, and 
20.110 of subpart K. On June 13, 1996, the Service published in the 
Federal Register (61 FR 30114) a second document providing supplemental 
proposals for early- and late-season migratory bird hunting regulations 
frameworks, detailing information on the 1996-97 regulatory schedule, 
and announcing the Service Migratory Bird Regulations Committee and 
Flyway Council meetings. On June 14, 1996, the Service published in the 
Federal Register (61 FR 30490) a third document describing the 
Service's proposed regulatory alternatives for the 1996-97 duck hunting 
season and the Service's consideration of a proposed youth waterfowl 
hunting day. On August 15, 1996, the Service published in the Federal 
Register (61 FR 425000) a proposal for the establishment of a special 
youth waterfowl hunting day. On September 18, 1996, the Service 
published the final framework for establishing a youth waterfowl 
hunting day for the 1996-97 migratory bird hunting season from which 
wildlife conservation agency officials from the States selected hunting 
dates, hours, areas, and limits. The final rule described here deals 
specifically with amending subpart K of 50 CFR part 20. It sets hunting 
seasons, hours, areas, and limits for the youth waterfowl hunting day.

NEPA Consideration

    NEPA considerations are covered by the programmatic document, 
``Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement: Issuance of Annual 
Regulations Permitting the Sport Hunting of Migratory Birds (FSES 88-
14),'' filed with EPA on June 9, 1988. The Service published a Notice 
of Availability in the June 16, 1988, Federal Register (53 FR 22582). 
The Service published its Record of Decision on August 18, 1988 (53 FR 
31341). Copies of these documents are available from the Service at the 
address indicated under the caption ADDRESSES.

Endangered Species Act Consideration

    As in the past, the Service designs hunting regulations to remove 
or alleviate chances of conflict between migratory game bird hunting 
seasons and the protection and conservation of endangered and 
threatened species. Consultations have been conducted to ensure that 
actions resulting from these regulations will not likely jeopardize the 
continued existence of endangered or threatened species or result in 
the destruction or adverse modification of their critical habitat. 
Findings from these consultations are included in a biological opinion 
and may have caused modification of some regulatory measures previously 
proposed. The final frameworks reflect any modifications. The Service's 
biological opinions resulting from its Section 7 consultation are 
public documents available for public inspection in the Service's 
Division of Endangered Species and MBMO, at the address indicated under 
the caption ADDRESSES.

Regulatory Flexibility Act; Executive Order (E.O.) 12866 and the 
Paperwork Reduction Act

    In the March 22, 1996, Federal Register, the Service reported 
measures it took to comply with requirements of the Regulatory 
Flexibility Act and E.O. 12866. One measure was to prepare a Small 
Entity Flexibility Analysis (Analysis) documenting the significant 
beneficial economic effect on a substantial number of small entities. 
The Analysis estimated that migratory bird hunters would spend between 
$254 and $592 million at small businesses in 1996. Copies of the 
Analysis are available upon request from the Office of Migratory Bird 
Management. This rule was not subject to review by the Office of 
Management and Budget under E.O. 12866.
    The Service examined these proposed regulations under the Paperwork 
Reduction Act of 1995 and found no information collection requirements.

Regulations Promulgation

    The rulemaking process for migratory game bird hunting must, by its 
nature, operate under severe time constraints. However, the Service 
intends that the public be given the greatest possible opportunity to 
comment on the regulations. Thus, when the proposed rulemaking was 
published, the Service established what it believed were the longest 
periods possible for public comment. In doing this, the Service 
recognized that when the comment period closed time would be of the 
essence. That is, if there were a delay in the effective date of these 
regulations after this final rulemaking, the States and Territories 
would have insufficient time to establish and publicize the necessary 
regulations and procedures to implement their decisions. The Service 
therefore finds that ``good cause'' exists, within the terms of 5 
U.S.C. 553(d)(3) of the Administrative Procedure Act, and these 
regulations will, therefore, take effect immediately upon publication.
    Accordingly, with each conservation agency having had an 
opportunity to participate in selecting the hunting seasons desired for 
its State or Territory on those species of migratory birds for which 
open seasons are now to be prescribed, and consideration having been 
given to all other relevant matters presented, certain sections of 
title 50, chapter I, subchapter B, part 20, subpart K, are hereby 
amended as set forth below.

Unfunded Mandates

    The Service has determined and certifies in compliance with the 
requirements of the Unfunded Mandates Act, 2 U.S.C. 1502 et seq., that 
this rulemaking will not impose a cost of $100 million or more in any 
given year on local or State government or private entities.

[[Page 49639]]

Civil Justice Reform--Executive Order 12988

    The Department, in promulgating this proposed rule, has determined 
that these regulations meet the applicable standards provided in 
Sections 3(a) and 3(b)(2) of Executive Order 12988.

List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 20

    Exports, Hunting, Imports, Reporting and recordkeeping 
requirements, Transportation, Wildlife.

Dated: September 17, 1996
George T. Frampton, Jr
Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks.

PART 20--[AMENDED]

    For the reasons set out in the preamble, title 50, chapter I, 
subchapter B, Part 20, subpart K is amended as follows.
    1. The authority citation for Part 20 is revised to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 703-712; and 16 U.S.C. 742 a--j.

BILLING CODE 4310-55-F
      

[[Page 49640]]

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[FR Doc. 96-24273 Filed 9-19-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-C

Complete official Federal Register PDF

FR Doc. 96-24196 Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone off Alaska; Reallocation of Pacific Cod
[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 184 (Friday, September 20, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 49418-49419]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-24196]

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 960129019-6019-01; I.D. 081696B]

Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone off Alaska; Reallocation 
of Pacific Cod

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Reallocation.

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SUMMARY: NMFS is reallocating the projected unused amount of Pacific 
cod from vessels using trawl gear to vessels using hook-and-line or pot 
gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI) and 
is reallocating Pacific cod from vessels using jig gear to vessels 
using hook-and-line or pot gear in the BSAI. These actions are 
necessary to allow the 1996 total allowable catch (TAC) of Pacific cod 
to be harvested. It is intended to promote the goals and objectives of 
the North Pacific Fishery Management Council.

EFFECTIVE DATE: September 17, 1996.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Andrew N. Smoker, 907-586-7228.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The groundfish fishery in the BSAI exclusive 
economic zone is managed by NMFS according to the Fishery Management 
Plan for the Groundfish Fishery of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands 
Area (FMP) prepared by the North Pacific Fishery Management Council 
under authority of the Magnuson Fishery Conservation and Management 
Act. Fishing by U.S. vessels is governed by regulations implementing 
the FMP at subpart H of 50 CFR part 600 and 50 CFR part 679.

Apportionment from Trawl gear to Hook-and-line or Pot Gear

    On August 27, 1996, NMFS proposed to apportion the projected unused 
amount, 15,000 metric tons (mt) of Pacific cod from vessels using trawl 
gear to vessels using hook-and-line or pot gear and invited public 
comments (61 FR 44033, August 27, 1996). Twenty letters of comment were 
received by NMFS regarding the proposed apportionment, all of which 
supported the action.
    The Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS, has determined that vessels 
using trawl gear will not be able to harvest 15,000 mt of Pacific cod 
allocated to those vessels under Sec. 679.20(a)(7)(i)(A).
    Therefore, in accordance with Sec. 679.20(a)(7)(ii), NMFS 
apportions the projected unused amount, 15,000 mt of Pacific cod from 
vessels using trawl gear to vessels using hook-and-line or pot gear.

Apportionment from Jig Gear to Vessels using Hook-and-line or Pot 
Gear

    In accordance with Sec. 679.20(c)(5), the Pacific cod total 
allowable catch for the BSAI was established by the Final 1996 Harvest 
Specifications of Groundfish (61 FR 4311, February 5, 1996), and 
increased by an apportionment from the

[[Page 49419]]

reserve (61 FR 16085, April 11, 1996) to 270,000 metric tons (mt). Of 
this amount, 5,400 mt was allocated to vessels using jig gear.
    The Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS, has determined that vessels 
using jig gear will not harvest 4,400 mt of Pacific cod by the end of 
the year. Therefore, in accordance with Sec. 679.20(a)(7)(ii) NMFS is 
reallocating the unused amount of 4,400 mt of Pacific cod allocated to 
vessels using jig gear to vessels using hook-and-line or pot gear.

Classification

    This action is taken under 50 CFR 679.20 and is exempt from OMB 
review under E.O. 12866.

    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.

    Dated: September 16, 1996.
Gary Matlock,
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries 
Service.
[FR Doc. 96-24196 Filed 9-17-96; 4:29 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F

Complete official Federal Register PDF

FR Doc. 96-24181 Extension of Great Lakes Load Line Certificate
[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 184 (Friday, September 20, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 49418]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-24181]

=======================================================================
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Coast Guard

46 CFR Part 42

[CGD 96-006]
RIN 2115-AF29

Extension of Great Lakes Load Line Certificate

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT.

ACTION: Direct final rule; confirmation of effective date.

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SUMMARY: On July 9, 1996, the Coast Guard published a direct final rule 
(61 FR 35963; CGD 96-006). This direct final rule notified the public 
of the Coast Guard's intent to revise the limit on the number of days 
that a Great Lakes Load Line Certificate extension may be granted from 
90 days to 365 days. The Coast Guard has not received an adverse 
comment, or notice of intent to submit an adverse comment, objecting to 
this rule as written. Therefore, this rule will go into effect as 
scheduled.

DATES: The effective date of the direct rule is confirmed as October 7, 
1996.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: LCDR Mark R. DeVries, G-MOC, (202) 
267-1464.

    Dated: September 17, 1996.
J.C. Card,
Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard, Chief, Marine Safety and Environmental 
Protection.
[FR Doc. 96-24181 Filed 9-19-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-14-M

Complete official Federal Register PDF

FR Doc. 96-24178 Amendment of Class E Airspace; Torrington, Wyoming
[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 184 (Friday, September 20, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 49411]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-24178]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 71

[Airspace Docket No. 96-ANM-017]

Amendment of Class E Airspace; Torrington, Wyoming

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action amends Torrington, Wyoming, Class E airspace by 
providing additional controlled airspace to accommodate a 
Nondirectional Beacon (NDB) Standard Instrument Approach Procedure 
(SIAP) to the Torrington Municipal Airport.

EFFECTIVE DATE: 0901 UTC, January 30, 1997.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
James C. Frala, Operations Branch, ANM-532.4, Federal Aviation 
Administration, Docket No. 96-ANM-017, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW, Renton, 
Washington 98055-4056; telephone number: (206) 227-2535.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

History

    On July 10, 1996, the FAA proposed to amend part 71 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 71) to amend Class E airspace at 
Torrington, Wyoming, by providing additional controlled airspace to 
accommodate a NDB SIAP to the Torrington Municipal Airport (61 FR 
36316).
    Interested parties were invited to participate in the rulemaking 
proceeding by submitting written comments on the proposal. No comments 
were received.
    The coordinates for this airspace docket are based on North 
American Datum 83. Class E airspace areas extending upward from 700 
feet or more above the surface of the earth are published in paragraph 
6005 of FAA Order 7400.9D dated September 4, 1996, and effective 
September 16, 1996, which is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1. 
The Class E airspace listed in this document will be published 
subsequently in the Order.

The Rule

    This amendment to part 71 of Federal Aviation Regulations amends 
Class E airspace at Torrington, Wyoming. The FAA has determined that 
this regulation only involves an established body of technical 
regulations for which frequent and routine amendments are necessary to 
keep them operationally current. It, therefore, (1) is not a 
``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866; (2) is 
not a ``significant rule'' under DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures 
(44 FR 11034; February 26, 1979); and (3) does not warrant preparation 
of a regulatory evaluation as the anticipated impact is so minimal. 
Since this is a routine matter that will only affect air traffic 
procedures and air navigation, it is certified that this rule will not 
have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small 
entities under the criteria of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 71

    Airspace, Incorporation by reference, Navigation (air).

Adoption of the Amendment

    In consideration of the foregoing, the FAA amends 14 CFR part 71 as 
follows:

PART 71--[AMENDED]

    1. The authority citation for 14 CFR part 71 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40103, 40113, 40120; E.O. 10854, 24 
FR 9565, 3 CFR, 1959-1963 Comp., p. 389; 14 CFR 11.69.

Sec. 71.1  [Amended]

    2. The incorporation by reference in 14 CFR 71.1 of the Federal 
Aviation Administration Order 7400.9D, Airspace Designations and 
Reporting Points, dated September 4, 1996, and effective September 16, 
1996, is amended as follows:

Pargraph 6005  Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet or 
more above the surface of the earth.

* * * * *

ANM WY E5 Torrington, WY [Revised]

Torrington Municipal Airport, WY
    (Lat. 42 deg.03'52''N, long. 104 deg.09'10''W)

    That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface 
within a 7.7-mile radius of the Torrington Municipal Airport.
* * * * *
    Issued in Seattle, Washington, on September 6, 1996.
Glenn A. Adams III,
Assistant Manager, Air Traffic Division, Northwest Mountain Region.
[FR Doc. 96-24178 Filed 9-19-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-M

Complete official Federal Register PDF

FR Doc. 96-24177 Amendment of Class E Airspace; Blanding, Utah
[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 184 (Friday, September 20, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 49412-49413]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-24177]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 71

[Airspace Docket No. 95-ANM-25]

Amendment of Class E Airspace; Blanding, Utah

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action amends the Blanding, Utah, Class E airspace to 
accommodate a Global Positioning System (GPS) Standard Instrumental 
Approach Procedure (SIAP) to the Blanding Municipal Airport. A 
correction is being made herein by adding language to the legal 
description that will exclude from this action that airspace within 
Federal airways and within the Farmington, NM, Class E airspace area. 
This language was inadvertently omitted from the proposed action.

EFFECTIVE DATE: 0901 UTC, January 30, 1997.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: James C. Frala, Operations Branch, 
ANM-532.4, Federal Aviation Administration, Docket No. 95-ANM-25, 1601 
Lind Avenue S.W., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone number: 
(206) 227-2535.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

History

    On July 29, 1996, the FAA proposed to amend part 71 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 71) to amend Class E airspace at 
Blanding, Utah, to accommodate a new GPS SIAP to the Blanding Municipal 
Airport (61 FR 39370). In the proposed legal description, a statement 
which excludes airspace within Federal airways and the Farmington, NM, 
Class E airspace area from this action was inadvertently omitted. That 
error is corrected herein. Interested parties were invited to 
participate in the rulemaking proceeding by submitting written comments 
on the proposal. No comments were received.
    The coordinates for this airspace docket are based on North 
American Datum 83. Class E airspace areas extending upward from 700 
feet or more above the surface of the earth are published in paragraph 
6005 on FAA Order 7400.9D dated September 4, 1996, and effective 
September 16, 1996, which is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1. 
The Class E airspace listed in this document will be published 
subsequently in the Order.

The Rule

    This amendment to part 71 of Federal Aviation Regulations 
establishes Class E airspace at Blanding, Utah. The FAA has determined 
that this regulation only involves an established body of technical 
regulations for which frequent and routine amendments are necessary to 
keep them operationally current. It, therefore, (1) is not 
``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866; (2) is 
not a ``significant rule'' under DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures 
(44 FR 11034; February 26, 1979); and (3) does not warrant preparation 
of a regulatory evaluation as the anticipated impact is so minimal. 
Since this is a routine matter that will only affect air traffic 
procedures and air navigation, it is certified that this rule will not 
have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small 
entities under the criteria of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 71

    Airspace, Incorporation by reference, Navigation (air).

Adoption of the Amendment

    In consideration of the foregoing, the FAA amends 14 CFR part 71 as 
follows:

PART 71--[AMENDED]

    1. The authority citation for 14 CFR part 71 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40103, 40113, 40120; E.O. 10854, 24 
FR 9565, 3 CFR, 1959-1963 Comp., p 389; 14 CFR 11.69.

Sec. 71.1  [Amended]

    2. The incorporation by reference in 14 CFR 71.1 of the Federal 
Aviation Administration Order 7400.9D, Airspace Designations and 
Reporting Points, dated September 4, 1996, and effective September 16, 
1996, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 6005  Class E airspace areas extending upward from 700 
feet or more above the surface of the earth.

* * * * *

ANM UT E5 Blanding, UT [Revised]

Blanding Municipal Airport, UT
    (Lat. 37 deg.34'59'' N, long. 109 deg.29'00'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface 
within a 6.5-mile radius of the Blanding Municipal Airport, and 
within 5.1 miles either side of the 182 deg. bearing from the 
airport extending from the 6.5-mile radius to 15 miles south of the 
airport; that airspace extending upward from 1,200 feet above the 
surface bounded by a line beginning at lat. 37 deg.42'00'' N, long 
109 deg.42'00'' W; to lat. 37 deg.42'00'' N, long. 109 deg.20'30'' 
W; to lat. 37 deg.52'18'' N, long. 108 deg.58'58'' W; to lat. 
37 deg.45'17'' N, long. 108 deg.51'56'' W; to lat. 37 deg.25'09'' N, 
long.

[[Page 49413]]

109 deg.18'00'' W; to lat. 37 deg.22'45'' N, long. 109 deg.18'00'' 
W; to lat. 37 deg.04'00'' N, long. 108 deg.36'11'' W; to lat. 
37 deg.02'00'' N, long. 108 deg.55'00'' W; to lat. 37 deg.12'26'' N, 
long. 109 deg.18'00'' W; to lat. 37 deg.04'00'' N, long. 
109 deg.18'00'' W; to lat. 37 deg.04'00'' N, long. 109 deg.27'20'' 
W; to lat. 36 deg.30'00'' N, long. 109 deg.34'45'' W; to lat. 
36 deg.30'00'' N, long. 109 deg.46'05'' W; to lat. 37 deg.04'00'' N, 
long. 109 deg.38'45'' W; to lat. 37 deg.04'00'' N, long. 
109 deg.42'00'' W, thence to point of beginning; excluding Federal 
airways and the Farmington, NM, Class E airspace area.
* * * * *
    Issued in Seattle, Washington, on September 9, 1996.
Helen Fabian Parke,
Manager, Air Traffic Division, Northwest Mountain Region.
[FR Doc. 96-24177 Filed 9-19-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-M

Complete official Federal Register PDF

FR Doc. 96-24176 Establishment of Class E Airspace; Canon City, Colorado
[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 184 (Friday, September 20, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 49411-49412]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-24176]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 71

[Airspace Docket No. 96-ANM-018]

Establishment of Class E Airspace; Canon City, Colorado

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action establishes the Canon City, Colorado, Class E 
airspace to accommodate a Global Positioning System (GPS) Standard 
Instrument Approach Procedure (SIAP) to the Fremont County Airport.

EFFECTIVE DATE: 0901 UTC, January 30, 1997.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: James C. Frala, Operations Branch, 
ANM-532.4, Federal Aviation Administration, Docket No. 96-ANM-018, 1601 
Lind Avenue, SW, Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone number: (206) 
227-2535.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

History

    On July 11, 1996, the FAA proposed to amend part 71 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 71) to establish Class E airspace at 
Canon City, Colorado, to accommodate a new GPS SIAP to the Fremont 
County Airport (61 FR 36520). Interested parties were invited to 
participate in the rulemaking proceeding by submitting written comments 
on the proposal. No comments were received.
    The coordinates for this airspace docket are based on North 
American Datum 83. Class E airspace areas extending upward from 700 
feet or more above the surface of the earth are published in paragraph 
6005 of FAA Order 7400.9D dated September 4, 1996, and effective 
September 16, 1996, which is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1. 
The Class E airspace listed in this document will be published 
subsequently in the Order.

The Rule

    This amendment to part 71 of Federal Aviation Regulations 
establishes Class E airspace at Canon City, Colorado. The FAA has 
determined that this regulation only involves an established body of 
technical regulations for which frequent

[[Page 49412]]

and routine amendments are necessary to keep them operationally 
current. It, therefore, (1) is not a ``significant regulatory action'' 
under Executive Order 12866; (2) is not a ``significant rule'' under 
DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034; February 26, 
1979); and (3) does not warrant preparation of a regulatory evaluation 
as the anticipated impact is so minimal. Since this is a routine matter 
that will only affect air traffic procedures and air navigation, it is 
certified that this rule will not have a significant economic impact on 
a substantial number of small entities under the criteria of the 
Regulatory Flexibility Act.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 71

    Airspace, Incorporation by reference, Navigation (air).

Adoption of the amendment

    In consideration of the foregoing, the FAA amends 14 CFR part 71 as 
follows:

PART 71--[AMENDED]

    1. The authority citation for 14 CFR part 71 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40103, 40113, 40120; E.O. 10854, 24 
FR 9565, 3 CFR, 1959-1963 Comp., p. 389; 14 CFR 11.69.

Sec. 71.1  [Amended]

    2. The incorporation by reference in 14 CFR 71.1 of the Federal 
Aviation Administration Order 7400.9D, Airspace Designations and 
Reporting Points, dated September 4, 1996, and effective September 16, 
1996, is amended as follows:

Paragraph 6005  Class E airspace areas extending upward from 700 
feet or more above the surface of the earth.

 * * * * *

ANM CO E5 Canon City, CO [New]

Fremont County Airport, Canon City, CO
    (Lat. 38 deg.25'47''N, long. 105 deg.06'31''W)

    That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface 
within a 6.5-mile radius of the Fremont County Airport.
 * * * * *
    Issued in Seattle, Washington, on September 6, 1996.
Glenn A. Adams III,
Assistant Manager, Air Force Division, Northwest Mountain Region.
[FR Doc. 96-24176 Filed 9-19-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-M

Complete official Federal Register PDF

FR Doc. 96-24068 Fair Market Rents for the Section 8 Housing Assistance Payments ProgramFiscal Year 1997
[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 184 (Friday, September 20, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 49576-49635]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-24068]

      

[[Page 49575]]

_______________________________________________________________________

Part IV

Department of Housing and Urban Development

_______________________________________________________________________

Office of the Secretary

_______________________________________________________________________

24 CFR Part 888

Fair Market Rents for the Section 8 Housing Assistance Payments 
Program--Fiscal Year 1997; Final Rule

Federal Register / Vol. 61, No. 184 / Friday, September 20, 1996 / 
Rules and Regulations

[[Page 49576]]

DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT

Office of the Secretary

24 CFR Part 888

[Docket No. FR-4134-N-01]

Fair Market Rents for the Section 8 Housing Assistance Payments 
Program--Fiscal Year 1997

AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, HUD.

ACTION: Notice of final Fiscal Year (FY) 1997 Fair Market Rents (FMRs).

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SUMMARY: Section 8(c)(1) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 
requires the Secretary to publish FMRs annually to be effective on 
October 1 of each year. FMRs are used for the Section 8 Rental 
Certificate Program (including space rentals by owners of manufactured 
homes under that program); the Moderate Rehabilitation Single Room 
Occupancy program; housing assisted under the Loan Management and 
Property Disposition programs; payment standards for the Rental Voucher 
program; and any other programs whose regulations specify their use.
    Today's notice provides final FY 1997 FMRs for all areas. It 
includes increased FMRs for 21 areas as a result of HUD-contracted 
Random Digit Dialing (RDD) surveys conducted through August, 1996. It 
also includes increased FMRs in 8 areas that submitted public comments, 
plus 4 areas that submitted manufactured home space rent comments.
    Today's notice also makes effective FMR reductions for 9 areas that 
were proposed for reduction in the May 8, 1996 notice (61 FR 20982), 
based on the results of recent RDD and American Housing Surveys (AHSs).

EFFECTIVE DATE: The FMRs published in this notice are effective on 
October 1, 1996.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gerald Benoit, Operations Division, 
Office of Rental Assistance, telephone (202) 708-0477. For technical 
information on the development of schedules for specific areas or the 
method used for the rent calculations, contact Alan Fox, Economic and 
Market Analysis Division, Office of Economic Affairs, telephone (202) 
708-0590, Extension 328. Hearing- or speech-impaired persons may 
contact the Federal Information Relay Service at 1-800-877-8339 (TTY). 
(Other than the ``800'' TTY number, telephone numbers are not toll 
free.)

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 8 of the United States Housing Act 
of 1937 (the Act) (42 U.S.C. 1437f) authorizes housing assistance to 
aid lower income families in renting decent, safe, and sanitary 
housing. Assistance payments are limited by FMRs established by HUD for 
different areas. In general, the FMR for an area is the amount that 
would be needed to pay the gross rent (shelter rent plus utilities) of 
privately owned, decent, safe, and sanitary rental housing of a modest 
(non-luxury) nature with suitable amenities.

Method Used to Develop FMRs

    FMR Standard: FMRs are gross rent estimates; they include shelter 
rent and the cost of utilities, except telephone. HUD sets FMRs to 
assure that a sufficient supply of rental housing is available to 
program participants. To accomplish this objective, FMRs must be both 
high enough to permit a selection of units and neighborhoods and low 
enough to serve as many families as possible. The level at which FMRs 
are set is expressed as a percentile point within the rent distribution 
of standard quality rental housing units. The current definition used 
is the 40th percentile rent, the dollar amount below which 40 percent 
of standard quality rental housing units rent. The 40th percentile rent 
is drawn from the distribution of rents of units which are occupied by 
recent movers (renter households who moved into their unit within the 
past 15 months). Newly built units less than two years old are 
excluded, and adjustments have been made to correct for the below 
market rents of public housing units included in the data base.
    Data Sources: HUD used the most accurate and current data available 
to develop the FMR estimates. The sources of survey data used for the 
base-year estimates are:
    (1) The 1990 Census, which provides statistically reliable rent 
data for all FMR areas;
    (2) The Bureau of the Census' American Housing Surveys (AHSs), 
which are used to develop between-Census revisions for the largest 
metropolitan areas and which have accuracy comparable to the decennial 
Census; and
    (3) The Random Digit Dialing (RDD) telephone surveys of individual 
FMR areas, which are based on a sampling procedure that uses computers 
to select statistically random samples of rental housing.
    The base-year FMRs are updated using trending factors based on 
Consumer Price Index (CPI) data for rents and utilities, or HUD 
regional rent change factors developed from RDD surveys. Annual average 
CPI data are available individually for 102 metropolitan FMR areas. RDD 
Regional rent change factors are developed annually for the 
metropolitan and nonmetropolitan parts of each of the 10 HUD regions. 
The RDD factors are used to update the base year estimates for all FMR 
areas that do not have their own local CPI survey.
    RDD surveys have a high degree of statistical accuracy; there is a 
95 percent likelihood that the recent mover rent estimates developed 
using this approach are within 3 to 4 percent of the actual rent value. 
Virtually all of the RDD survey FMR estimates will be within 5 percent 
of the actual value.
    State Minimum FMRs: Starting with the FY 1996 FMRs, HUD implemented 
a new minimum FMR policy in response to concerns that FMRs in rural 
areas were too low to operate the program successfully. As a result, 
FMRs are established at the higher of the local FMR or the Statewide 
average of nonmetropolitan counties, subject to a ceiling rent cap. The 
State minimum also affects a small number of metropolitan areas whose 
rents would otherwise fall below the State minimum.

Public Comments

    In response to the May 8, 1996 proposed FMRs, HUD received 53 
public comments covering 37 FMR areas. Rental housing survey 
information was provided for 20 of the FMR areas covered by comments, 
including the 4 requests for manufactured home space rent changes only. 
HUD carefully evaluated all of the survey data submitted and, based on 
that review, is revising the FMRs for 12 of the 20 areas. The 
information submitted for the other 17 FMR areas that did not submit 
rental housing surveys was not considered sufficient to provide a basis 
for revising the FMRs.
    The 8 FMR areas with approved FMR revisions are as follows:

Dover, DE MSA
Sussex County, DE
Reno, NV MSA
Preble County, OH
Box Elder County, UT
Cache County, UT
Iron County, UT
Fond du Lac County, WI

    The 4 manufactured home space survey areas with approved revisions 
are:

Mendocino County, CA
Rochester, NY MSA
Utica-Rome, NY MSA
Portland-Vancouver, OR-WA MSA

    PHAs and other interested parties should be aware that FMR comments

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may be sent to HUD at any time during the year, not just during the 60-
day comment period. Comments received too late for adjusting the 
current year's Final FMRs will be held for use in the following year, 
in which case HUD will trend the survey results to the date of the FMR 
estimate using its standard trending factor. If the PHA is concerned 
that rents are changing rapidly, surveys should be timed to be received 
as close as possible to HUD's deadline for processing, which is usually 
around July 30.

AHS and RDD Surveys

    This notice makes effective the FMRs for 9 areas proposed with 
reductions based on recent RDD or AHS surveys. One of these areas, the 
Portland, ME MSA, submitted information that caused HUD to reduce the 
FMRs less than had been proposed. For the other areas, the lower 
proposed FMRs are, by this notice, being made final. FMR areas with 
reductions based on AHS surveys are Orange County, CA PMSA, and 
Riverside-San Bernardino, CA PMSA. The areas with reductions based on 
RDD surveys include: Danbury, CT PMSA, Portland, ME MSA (see note, 
above), Portsmouth-Rochester, NH-ME PMSA, and Aguadilla, PR MSA, 
Arecibo, PR PMSA, Ponce, PR MSA, and Nonmetropolitan Puerto Rico.
    In addition, by this notice HUD is increasing FMRs for the 
following 21 areas, based on RDDs that were completed after the date of 
the proposed FMR notice; they are:

Abilene, TX MSA
Bloomington-Normal, IL MSA
Boston, MA-NH PMSA
Charlottesville, VA MSA
Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR MSA
Gary, IN PMSA
Greenville, NC MSA
Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH MSA
Iowa City, IA MSA
Kokomo, IN MSA
Lafayette, IN MSA
Lansing-East Lansing, MI MSA
Nashville, TN MSA
Richmond-Petersburg, VA MSA
Sioux City, IA-NE MSA
Springfield, MA MSA
Hall County, NE
Grant County, NM
Luna County, NM
Knox County, OH
Pike County, OH

FMR Area Definition Change

    The May 8, 1996 publication invited comments on HUD's proposal to 
include St. Landry and St. Martin Parishes with the Lafayette, LA FMR 
area, in accordance with OMB's practice. No comments were received on 
this proposed change, and therefore the proposal is being put into 
effect.

Manufactured Home Space Surveys

    HUD also received public comments and survey data from 4 FMR areas 
concerning the manufactured home space FMRs. As a result of a review of 
the data, increased FMRs have been approved for Portland-Vancouver, OR-
WA MSA, Rochester, NY MSA, Utica-Rome, NY MSA, and Mendocino County, 
CA.
    Manufactured home space FMRs are 30 percent of the applicable 
Section 8 Rental Certificate Program two-bedroom FMR. HUD accepts 
public comments requesting modifications of manufactured home space 
FMRs. In order to be accepted as a basis for revising the FMRs, such 
comments must contain statistically valid survey data that show the 
40th percentile space rent (excluding the cost of utilities) for the 
entire FMR area. However, the sampling requirements for manufactured 
home space rent surveys are easier to meet than for regular FMR 
comments, and interested parties should contact HUD for suggestions. 
This program uses the same FMR area definitions as the Section 8 Rental 
Certificate Program. Manufactured home space FMR revisions are 
published as final FMRs in Schedule D. Once approved, the revised 
manufactured home space FMRs establish new base year estimates that are 
updated annually using the same data used to update the Rental 
Certificate program FMRs.

HUD Rental Housing Survey Guides

    HUD recommends the use of professionally-conducted RDD telephone 
surveys to test the accuracy of FMRs for areas where there is a 
sufficient number of Section 8 units to justify the survey cost of 
$10,000-$12,000. Areas with 500 or more program units usually meet this 
criterion, and areas with fewer units may meet it if the actual two-
bedroom FMR rent standard is significantly different than that proposed 
by HUD. In addition, HUD has developed a version of the RDD survey 
methodology for smaller, nonmetropolitan PHAs. This methodology is 
designed to be simple enough to be done by the PHA itself, rather than 
by professional survey organizations, at a cost of about $5,000.
    PHAs in nonmetropolitan areas may, in certain circumstances, do 
surveys of groups of counties. All grouped county surveys must be 
approved in advance by HUD. PHAs are cautioned that the resulting FMRs 
will not be identical for the counties surveyed; each individual FMR 
area will have a separate FMR based on its relationship to the combined 
rent of the group of FMR areas.
    PHAs that plan to use the RDD survey technique may obtain a copy of 
the appropriate survey guide by calling HUD USER on 1-800-245-2691. 
Larger PHAs should request ``Random Digit Dialing Surveys; A Guide to 
Assist Larger Public Housing Agencies in Preparing Fair Market Rent 
Comments.'' Smaller PHAs should obtain ``Rental Housing Surveys; A 
Guide to Assist Smaller Public Housing Agencies in Preparing Fair 
Market Rent Comments.''
    HUD prefers, but does not mandate, the use of RDD telephone 
surveys, or the more traditional method described in the small PHA 
survey guide. Other survey methodologies are acceptable as long as they 
provide statistically reliable, unbiased estimates of the 40th 
percentile gross rent. Survey samples should preferably be randomly 
drawn from a complete list of rental units for the FMR area. If this is 
not feasible, the selected sample must be drawn so as to be 
statistically representative of the entire rental housing stock of the 
FMR area. In particular, surveys must include units of all rent levels 
and be representative by structure type (including single-family, 
duplex and other small rental properties), age of housing unit, and 
geographic location. The decennial Census should be used as a starting 
point and means of verification for determining whether the sample is 
representative of the FMR area's rental housing stock. All survey 
results must be fully documented.
    The cost of an RDD survey may vary, depending on the 
characteristics of the telephone system used in the FMR area. RDDs (and 
simplified telephone surveys) of some non-metropolitan areas have been 
unusually expensive because of telephone system characteristics. A PHA 
or PHA contractor that cannot obtain the recommended number of sample 
responses after reasonable efforts should consult with HUD before 
abandoning its survey; in such situations HUD is prepared to relax 
normal sample size requirements.

FMRs for Federal Disaster Areas

    Under the authority granted in 24 CFR part 899, the Secretary of 
HUD finds good cause to waive the regulatory requirements that govern 
requests for geographic area FMR exceptions for areas that are declared 
disaster areas by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) during 
FY 1997. HUD field offices are authorized to approve exceptions up to 
10 percent above the applicable FMRs for: (1) Single-county

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FMR areas and for individual county parts of multi-county FMR areas 
that qualify as disaster areas under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster 
Relief and Emergency Assistance Act; if (2) the PHA certifies that 
damage to the rental housing stock as a result of the disaster is so 
substantial that it has increased the prevailing rent levels in the 
affected area. Such exceptions must be requested in writing by the 
responsible PHAs. Once approved by HUD, they will remain in effect 
until superseded by the publication of the final FY 1999 FMRs.

Puerto Rico FMRs

    The May 8, 1996 notice proposed 4 areas in Puerto Rico for 
reductions, based on RDD surveys begun in 1995 and completed in 1996. 
HUD has received several written comments on those proposed reductions, 
but no survey data with which to adjust them. Having received no 
comments with valid survey data, FMRs for the following areas are being 
made final: the Aguadilla, Arecibo, and Ponce MSAs, and the 
nonmetropolitan parts of Puerto Rico.

Technical Correction: Santa Rosa, CA

    In the May 8, 1996 notice of proposed FMRs, the full schedule for 
the Santa Rosa, CA PMSA was wrong, although the 2 bedroom figure was 
correct. The corrected final FMRs for FY 1997 are listed in Schedule B.

Other Matters

Environmental Impact

    A Finding of No Significant Impact with respect to the environment 
as required by the National Environmental Policy Act (42 U.S.C. 4321-
4374) is unnecessary, since the Section 8 Rental Certificate Program is 
categorically excluded from the Department's National Environmental 
Policy Act procedures under 24 CFR 50.20(d).

Regulatory Flexibility Act

    The undersigned, in accordance with the Regulatory Flexibility Act 
(5 U.S.C. 605(b)), hereby certifies that this notice does not have a 
significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities, 
because FMRs do not change the rent from that which would be charged if 
the unit were not in the Section 8 Program.

Impact on the Family

    The General Counsel, as the Designated Official under Executive 
Order No. 12606, The Family, has determined that this notice will not 
have a significant impact on family formation, maintenance, or well-
being. The notice amends Fair Market Rent schedules for various Section 
8 assisted housing programs, and does not affect the amount of rent a 
family receiving rental assistance pays, which is based on a percentage 
of the family's income.

Federalism Impact

    The General Counsel, as the Designated Official under section 6(a) 
of Executive Order No. 12611, Federalism, has determined that this 
notice will not involve the preemption of State law by Federal statute 
or regulation and does not have Federalism implications. The Fair 
Market Rent schedules do not have any substantial direct impact on 
States, on the relationship between the Federal government and the 
States, or on the distribution of power and responsibility among the 
various levels of government.

    The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance program number is 
14.156, Lower-Income Housing Assistance Program (Section 8).

    Dated: September 13, 1996.
Henry G. Cisneros,
Secretary.

    Accordingly, the Fair Market Rent Schedules, which will not be 
codified in 24 CFR Part 888, are amended as follows:

Fair Market Rents for the Section 8 Housing Assistance Payments 
Program

Schedules B and D--General Explanatory Notes

1. Geographic Coverage
    a. The FMRs shown in Schedule B incorporate the Office of 
Management and Budget's (OMB) most current definitions of metropolitan 
areas, with the exceptions discussed in paragraph (b). HUD uses the OMB 
Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) and Primary Metropolitan 
Statistical Area (PMSA) definitions for FMR areas because they closely 
correspond to housing market area definitions. FMRs are housing market-
wide rent estimates that are intended to provide housing opportunities 
throughout the geographic area in which rental housing units are in 
direct competition.
    b. The exceptions are counties deleted from seven large 
metropolitan areas whose revised OMB definitions were determined by HUD 
to be larger than the housing market areas. The FMRs for the following 
counties (shown by the metropolitan area) are calculated separately and 
are shown in Schedule B within their respective States under the 
``Metropolitan FMR Areas'' listing:
Metropolitan Area and Counties Deleted
Atlanta, GA--Carroll, Pickens, and Walton Counties.
Chicago, IL--DeKalb, Grundy and Kendall Counties.
Cincinnati-Hamilton, OH-KY-IN--Brown County, Ohio; Gallatin, Grant and 
Pendleton Counties in Kentucky; and Ohio County, Indiana.
Dallas, TX--Henderson County.
Flagstaff, AZ-UT--Kane County, UT.
New Orleans, LA--St. James Parish.
Washington, DC-MD--VA-WV--Berkeley and Jefferson Counties in West 
Virginia; and Clarke, Culpeper, King George and Warren Counties in 
Virginia.

    c. FMRs also are established for nonmetropolitan counties and for 
county equivalents in the United States, for nonmetropolitan parts of 
counties in the New England States and for FMR areas in Puerto Rico, 
the Virgin Islands and the Pacific Islands.
    d. FMRs for the areas in Virginia shown in the table below were 
established by combining the census data for the nonmetropolitan 
counties with the data for the independent cities that are located 
within the county borders. Because of space limitations, the FMR 
listing in Schedule B includes only the name of the nonmetropolitan 
county. The full definitions of these areas, including the independent 
cities, are as follows:

Virginia Nonmetropolitan County FMR Area and Virginia Independent Cities
                          Included With County                          
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  County                               Cities           
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Allegheny.................................  Clifton Forge and Covington.
Augusta...................................  Staunton and Waynesboro.    
Carroll...................................  Galax.                      
Frederick.................................  Winchester.                 
Greensville...............................  Emporia.                    
Henry.....................................  Martinsville.               
Montgomery................................  Radford.                    
Rockbridge................................  Buena Vista and Lexington.  
Rockingham................................  Harrisonburg.               
Southhampton..............................  Franklin.                   
Wise......................................  Norton.                     
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    e. FMRs for Section 8 manufactured home spaces are established at 
30 percent of the two-bedroom Section 8 Rental Certificate program 
FMRs, with the exception of the areas listed in Schedule D whose FMRs 
have been revised on the basis of public comments. Once approved, the 
revised manufactured home space FMRs establish new base-year estimates 
that will be updated annually using the same data used to estimate the 
Rental Certificate program FMRs. The FMR area definitions used for 
manufactured

[[Page 49579]]

home spaces are the same as for the Section 8 Certificate program.
2. Arrangement of FMR Areas and Identification of Constituent Parts
    a. The FMR areas in Schedule B are listed alphabetically by 
metropolitan FMR area and by nonmetropolitan county within each State. 
The exception FMRs for manufactured home spaces in Schedule D are 
listed alphabetically by State.
    b. The constituent counties (and New England towns and cities) 
included in each metropolitan FMR area are listed immediately following 
the listings of the FMR dollar amounts. All constituent parts of a 
metropolitan FMR area that are in more than one State can be identified 
by consulting the listings for each applicable State.
    c. Two nonmetropolitan counties are listed alphabetically on each 
line of the nonmetropolitan county listings.
    d. The New England towns and cities included in a nonmetropolitan 
part of a county are listed immediately following the county name.
    e. The FMRs are listed by dollar amount on the first line beginning 
with the FMR area name.

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[FR Doc. 96-24068 Filed 9-19-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4210-32-C

Complete official Federal Register PDF

FR Doc. 96-24045 Approval and Promulgation of State Implementation Plan, North Carolina: Approval of Cape Industries, Air Permit No. 130R17
[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 184 (Friday, September 20, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 49413-49414]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-24045]

=======================================================================
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Part 52

[NC-43-1-9618a; FRL-5609-1]

Approval and Promulgation of State Implementation Plan, North 
Carolina: Approval of Cape Industries, Air Permit No. 130R17

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Direct final rule.

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SUMMARY: On August 17, 1989, the State of North Carolina issued to Cape 
Industries, located in Wilmington, New Hanover County, North Carolina, 
air permit number 130R11, which set the sulfur dioxide emission limit 
at 2.3 pounds per million British Thermal Units (BTU). The State then 
submitted this permit to EPA on September 21, 1989, for approval as a 
revision to the State implementation plan (SIP). Air permit number 
130R11 expired on October 1, 1991, and was subsequently replaced by the 
current Cape Industries air permit number 130R17 on December 29, 1994. 
Upon review of the permit, EPA finds that the designated limit for Cape 
Industries is adequate to protect the ambient standard and approves 
this permit.

DATES: This action is effective November 19, 1996 unless adverse or 
critical comments are received by October 21, 1996. If the effective 
date is delayed, timely notice will be published in the Federal 
Register.

ADDRESSES: Written comments on this action should be addressed to Mr. 
Randy Terry at the EPA Regional Office listed below.
    Copies of the documents relative to this action are available for 
public inspection during normal business hours at the following 
locations. The interested persons wanting to examine these documents 
should make an appointment with the appropriate office at least 24 
hours before the visiting day.

Air and Radiation Docket and Information Center (Air Docket 6102), US 
Environmental Protection Agency, 443, 401 M Street, SW, Washington DC 
20460
Environmental Protection Agency, Region IV Air Programs Branch, 345 
Courtland Street NE, Atlanta, Georgia 30365
North Carolina Department of Environment, Health, and Natural 
Resources, Division of Environmental Management, P.O. Box 29535, 
Raleigh, North Carolina 27626-0535

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Randy Terry, Regulatory Planning 
and Development Section, Air Programs Branch, Air, Pesticides & Toxics 
Management Division, Region IV Environmental Protection Agency, 345 
Courtland Street NE, Atlanta, Georgia 30365. The telephone number is 
404/347-3555, ext. 4212.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On December 7, 1982 (47 FR 54934), EPA 
announced approval of a revised sulfur dioxide (SO2) emission limit for 
most fuel-burning sources in North Carolina. This revision raised the 
emission limit of SO2 from 1.6 pounds per million BTU to 2.3 
pounds per million BTU. Cape Industries, located in Wilmington, New 
Hanover County, North Carolina, was included in this rulemaking, but 
was not allowed to increase it's emission level until such time that 
appropriate conditions could be applied to ensure that the ambient 
standard was not violated. These conditions included the issuance of an 
air permit. On August 17, 1989, North Carolina Environmental Management 
Commission issued air permit no. 130R11 to Cape Industries. On 
September 21, 1989, the State of North Carolina, through the North 
Carolina Department of Environment, Health and Natural Resources 
submitted this permit to EPA for approval as a revision to the North 
Carolina SIP regarding the SO2 emissions limitation for Cape 
Industries. In a letter dated November 25, 1991, EPA responded to the 
Cape Industries submittal with several comments concerning the 
enforceability of the permit. EPA determined North Carolina's emission 
standards did not contain the specific test method, the test run 
duration, and the averaging time for each emission standard, and was 
therefore unenforceable. EPA also stated that the permit should be 
revised to include the opacity limits of each emission point. EPA 
directed North Carolina to address these sections before the permit 
could be approved. On March 2, 1994, North Carolina submitted a letter 
to EPA which effectively responded to all of EPA's concerns and 
demonstrated that the permit contains adequate recordkeeping and 
testing requirements.
    However, in May, 1994, Cape Industries submitted a modeling 
protocol to EPA requesting a permit modification to remove current fuel 
use and boiler firing limitations which were used as permit conditions 
to avoid an earlier PSD applicability issue. Since the proposed 
modifications would affect the previous permit conditions which were 
used as a basis to demonstrate compliance with the Sulfur Dioxide SIP, 
Cape Industries also submitted this protocol as a Sulfur Dioxide SIP 
revision. This Modeling protocol was not approveable and on July 28, 
1994, EPA responded with a letter outlining the areas that must be 
addressed. On March 14, 1996, in response to the July 28, 1994, EPA 
letter, Cape Industries officially withdrew their request for the 
permit modification. During this time the original Cape Industries air 
permit expired and air permit number 130R17 was issued.

Final Action

    EPA is approving Cape Industries' air permit No. 130R17 submitted 
on August 9, 1996, for incorporation into the North Carolina SIP. The 
EPA is publishing this action without prior proposal because the EPA 
views this as a noncontroversial amendment and anticipates no adverse 
comments. However, in a separate document in this Federal Register 
publication, the EPA is proposing to approve the SIP revision should 
adverse or critical comments be filed. This action will be effective 
October 21, 1996 unless, within 30 days of its publication, adverse or 
critical comments are received.
    If the EPA receives such comments, this action will be withdrawn 
before the effective date by publishing a subsequent document that will 
withdraw the final action. All public comments received will then be 
addressed in a subsequent final rule based on this action serving as a 
proposed rule. The EPA will not institute a second comment period on 
this action. Any parties interested in commenting on this action should 
do so at this time. If no such comments are received, the public is 
advised that this action will be effective November 19, 1996.
    The EPA has reviewed this request for revision of the Federally-
approved SIP

[[Page 49414]]

for conformance with the provisions of the 1990 Amendments enacted on 
November 15, 1990. The EPA has determined that this action conforms 
with those requirements irrespective of the fact that the submittal 
preceded the date of enactment.
    Under section 307(b)(1) of the Clean Air Act (CAA), 42 U.S.C. 
7607(b)(1), petitions for judicial review of this action must be filed 
in the United States Court of Appeals for the appropriate circuit by 
November 19, 1996. Filing a petition for reconsideration by the 
Administrator of this final rule does not affect the finality of this 
rule for purposes of judicial review nor does it extend the time within 
which a petition for judicial review may be filed, and shall not 
postpone the effectiveness of such rule or action. This action may not 
be challenged later in proceedings to enforce its requirements. (See 
section 307(b)(2) of the CAA, 42 U.S.C. 7607 (b)(2)).
    This action has been classified as a Table 3 action for signature 
by the Regional Administrator under the procedures published in the 
Federal Register on January 19, 1989 (54 FR 2214-2225), as revised by a 
July 10, 1995 memorandum from Mary Nichols, Assistant Administrator for 
Air and Radiation. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has 
exempted this regulatory action from E.O. 12866 review.
    Nothing in this action shall be construed as permitting or allowing 
or establishing a precedent for any future request for a revision to 
any SIP. Each request for revision to the SIP shall be considered 
separately in light of specific technical, economic, and environmental 
factors and in relation to relevant statutory and regulatory 
requirements.
    Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C. 600 et. seq., EPA 
must prepare a regulatory flexibility analysis assessing the impact of 
any proposed or final rule on small entities. 5 U.S.C. 603 and 604. 
Alternatively, EPA may certify that the rule will not have a 
significant impact on a substantial number of small entities. Small 
entities include small businesses, small not-for-profit enterprises, 
and government entities with jurisdiction over populations of less than 
50,000.
    SIP approvals under 110 and subchapter I, part D of the CAA do not 
create any new requirements, but simply approve requirements that the 
State is already imposing. Therefore, because the Federal SIP-approval 
does not impose any new requirements, I certify that it does not have a 
significant impact on any small entities affected. Moreover, due to the 
nature of the Federal-state relationship under the CAA, preparation of 
a regulatory flexibility analysis would constitute Federal inquiry into 
the economic reasonableness of state action. The CAA forbids EPA to 
base its actions concerning SIPs on such grounds. Union Electric Co. v. 
U.S. E.P.A., 427 U.S. 246, 256-66 (S.Ct. 1976); 42 U.S.C. section 
7410(a)(2).

Submission to Congress and the General Accounting Office

    Under 5 U.S.C. section 801(a)(1)(A) as added by the Small Business 
Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996, EPA submitted a report 
containing this rule and other required information to the U.S. Senate, 
the U.S. House of Representatives and the Comptroller General of the 
General Accounting Office prior to publication of this rule in today's 
Federal Register. This rule is not a ``major rule'' as defined by 5 
U.S.C. section 804(2).

Unfunded Mandates

    Under Sections 202, 203 and 205 of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act 
of 1995 (``Unfunded Mandates Act''), signed into law on March 22, 1995, 
EPA must undertake various actions in association with proposed or 
final rules that include a Federal mandate that may result in estimated 
costs of $100 million or more to the private sector, or to State, 
local, or tribal governments in the aggregate.
    Through submission of this state implementation plan or plan 
revision, the State and any affected local or tribal governments have 
elected to adopt the program provided for under section 110 of the 
Clean Air Act. These rules may bind State, local and tribal governments 
to perform certain duties. To the extent that the rules being approved 
by this action will impose any mandate upon the State, local or tribal 
governments either as the owner or operator of a source or as a 
regulator, or would impose any mandate upon the private sector. EPA's 
action will impose no new requirements; such sources are already 
subject to these regulations under State law. Accordingly, no 
additional costs to State, local, or tribal governments, or to the 
private sector, result from this action. EPA has also determined that 
this final action does not include a mandate that may result in 
estimated costs of $100 million or more to State, local, or tribal 
governments in the aggregate or to the private sector.

List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 52

    Environmental protection, Air pollution control, Incorporation by 
reference, Intergovernmental relations, Particulate matter, Reporting 
and recordkeeping requirements, Sulfur oxides.

    Dated: June 6, 1996.
Michael V. Peyton,
Acting Regional Administrator.

    Part 52 of chapter I, title 40, Code of Federal Regulations, is 
amended as follows:

PART 52--[AMENDED]

    1. The authority citation for part 52 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 42.U.S.C. 7401-7671q.

Subpart II--North Carolina

    2. Section 52.1770, is amended by adding paragraph (c)(91) to read 
as follows:

Sec. 52.1770  Identification of plan.

* * * * *
    (91) The North Carolina Department of Environment, Health and 
Natural Resources submitted revisions to the North Carolina State 
Implementation Plan on September 21, 1989. These revisions incorporate 
SO2 limits and permit conditions for Cape Industries.
    (i) Incorporation by reference.
    (A) Permit for Cape Industries (air permit no. 130R17) which was 
issued by the Environmental Management Commission on December 29, 1994.
    (ii) Additional material--none.

[FR Doc. 96-24045 Filed 9-19-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P

Complete official Federal Register PDF

FR Doc. 96-24043 Approval and Promulgation of Implementation Plans State: Approval of Revisions to the State of North Carolina's State Implementation Plan (SIP)
[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 184 (Friday, September 20, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 49414-49418]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-24043]

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
40 CFR Part 52

[NC-78-1-7236a; NC-80-1-2-9631a; FRL-5606-3]

Approval and Promulgation of Implementation Plans State: Approval 
of Revisions to the State of North Carolina's State Implementation Plan 
(SIP)

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Direct final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: EPA is approving revisions to the North Carolina State 
Implementation Plan (SIP) to allow the State air pollution control 
agency and the Forsyth County, North Carolina air pollution control 
agency to utilize exclusionary rules for the purpose of limiting 
potential to emit (PTE) criteria pollutants for certain source 
categories to less than the title V permitting major source thresholds. 
EPA is also approving under section 112(l) of the Clean Air Act several 
source-categories of the submitted regulations for limiting

[[Page 49415]]

PTE of hazardous air pollutants (HAP) to less than title V permitting 
major source thresholds. These exclusionary rules allow facilities to 
compute potential emissions based on actual emissions or raw material 
usage for the following source categories: gasoline service stations 
and dispensing facilities; coating, solvent degreasing, and graphic 
arts operations; dry cleaning facilities, grain elevators, cotton gins, 
and emergency generators. On August 4, 1995, the State of North 
Carolina through the Department of Environment, Health, and Natural 
Resources (DEHNR) submitted a SIP revision fulfilling the requirements 
necessary to utilize exclusionary rules to limit PTE of air pollutants 
in a federally enforceable manner. On December 28, 1995, the Forsyth 
County Department of Environmental Affairs (FCDEA) through the DEHNR 
submitted a SIP revision fulfilling the requirements necessary to allow 
Forsyth County to utilize exclusionary rules to limit PTE of air 
pollutants in a federally enforceable manner. Forsyth County's SIP 
regulations are a verbatim adoption of the State of North Carolina 
exclusionary regulations.

DATES: This action is effective November 19, 1996 unless notice is 
received by October 21, 1996 that someone wishes to submit adverse or 
critical comments. If the effective date is delayed, timely notice will 
be published in the Federal Register.

ADDRESSES: Written comments should be addressed to Scott Miller at the 
EPA Regional office listed below.
    Copies of the material submitted by North Carolina may be examined 
during normal business hours at the following locations:

Air and Radiation Docket and Information Center (Air Docket 6102), U.S. 
Environmental Protection Agency, 401 M Street, SW., Washington, DC 
20460
Environmental Protection Agency, Region 4 Air Planning Branch, 100 
Alabama Street, SW, Atlanta, Georgia 30303
North Carolina Department of Health, Environment, and Natural 
Resources, Air Quality Section, P.O. Box 29535, Raleigh, North Carolina 
27626
Forsyth County Environmental Affairs Department, Air Quality Section, 
537 North Spruce Street, Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27101

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Scott Miller, Air Programs Branch, 
Air, Pesticides & Toxics Management Division, Region 4 Environmental 
Protection Agency, 345 Courtland Street, NE, Atlanta, Georgia 30365. 
The telephone number is 404/347-3555 extension 4153. Reference file 
numbers NC78 and NC80.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On August 4, 1995, and December 28, 1995, 
the State of North Carolina and the FCDEA, respectively, through the 
DEHNR submitted SIP revisions designed to allow the two agencies to 
utilize exclusionary rules for the purpose of limiting PTE for gasoline 
service stations and dispensing facilities; coating, solvent 
degreasing, and graphic arts operations; dry cleaning facilities, grain 
elevators, cotton gins, and emergency generators. Exclusionary rules 
are designed to create federally enforceable limits on a facility's PTE 
in a manner that does not require a facility-specific evaluation of 
emissions and limiting conditions. As such, exclusionary rules are 
appropriate for the purpose of limiting PTE when a facility has one 
type of emission source. EPA is approving all source-category rules 
submitted for purposes of limiting PTE for criteria pollutants. EPA is 
approving under section 112(l) of the CAA, North Carolina regulations 
15A NCAC 2Q.0801, 2Q.0803 through 2Q.0804 and Forsyth County 
regulations 3Q.0801, 3Q.0803 through 3Q.0804 for purposes of limiting 
PTE of HAP. For a description of this and other ways to limit PTE for a 
facility see the EPA guidance document entitled ``Options for Limiting 
the Potential to Emit (PTE) of a Stationary Source Under Section 112 
and Title V of the Clean Air Act (Act)'' dated January 25, 1995, from 
John Seitz to the EPA Regional Air Division Directors.
    North Carolina and FCDEA exclusionary rules were designed to meet 
criteria listed in the EPA guidance memorandum entitled ``Guidance for 
State Rules for Optional Federally Enforceable Emissions Limits Based 
on Volatile Organic Compound Use'' dated October 15, 1993, from D. Kent 
Barry to the EPA Regional Air Division Directors, an EPA guidance 
document entitled ``Approaches to Creating federally-Enforceable 
Emissions Limits'' dated November 3, 1993, and the January 25, 1995, 
guidance memorandum referenced above. These guidance documents set out 
specific guidelines for exclusionary rule development regarding 
applicability, compliance determination and certification, monitoring, 
reporting, recordkeeping, public involvement, practical enforceability, 
and the requirement that a facility cannot rely on emission limits or 
caps contained in a exclusionary rule to justify violation of any rate-
based emission limits or other applicable requirements.
    An exclusionary rule applies to facilities which agree to limit 
their annual emissions to less than major source thresholds for 
criteria and/or hazardous air pollutant (HAP) emissions. An 
exclusionary rule must also provide that a facility owner or operator 
specifically apply for coverage under the exclusionary rule. Regulation 
15A North Carolina Administrative Code (NCAC) 2Q.0801(a) and Forsyth 
County Regulation 3Q.0801(a) provide that certain source categories may 
define and limit their potential emissions to less than 100 tons per 
year of each regulated pollutant, 10 tons per year of each hazardous 
air pollutant, and 25 tons per year of all hazardous air pollutants 
combined. The source categories covered by the exclusionary rules are 
gasoline service stations and dispensing facilities; coating, solvent 
degreasing, and graphic arts operations; dry cleaning facilities, grain 
elevators, cotton gins, and emergency generators. North Carolina 
Regulation 15A NCAC 2Q.0801(c) and Forsyth County Regulation 3Q.0801(c) 
provide that even though a facility is exempted from obtaining a title 
V permit by complying with these exclusionary rules, it may still be 
required to be permitted under the State or local's minor source 
construction and operating permit regulations found at North Carolina 
Regulation 15A NCAC 2Q.0300 and Forsyth County Regulation 3Q.0300. As 
such, these regulations meet the guidelines specified in the October 
15, 1993, and the January 25, 1995, guidance documents that require 
that an exclusionary rule to clearly identify the category of sources 
that qualify for the rule's coverage.
    The October 15, 1993, and the January 25, 1995, guidance documents 
suggest that facilities be required to show compliance with the 
exclusionary rule on a yearly basis by requiring monthly recordkeeping 
of the relevant variable causing emissions and showing compliance using 
the monthly record of the relevant variable affecting emissions. The 
January 25, 1995, guidance document stipulates that where monitoring 
cannot be used to determine emissions directly, limits on appropriate 
operating parameters must be established for the units or source, and 
monitoring must verify compliance with those limits. In the case of the 
State of North Carolina and Forsyth County regulations, a facility is 
required to keep records of the use of or processing of a product or 
substance that produces the emissions. For instance, North Carolina 
Regulation 15A NCAC 2Q.0802 and

[[Page 49416]]

Forsyth County Regulation 3Q.0802 require gasoline service stations and 
gasoline dispensing facilities to keep monthly records of gasoline 
throughput. The gasoline service station and gasoline dispensing 
facility must then show compliance with the 15,000,000 gallon 
exclusionary yearly rule limit on a monthly rolling average of gasoline 
throughput. EPA believes that the exclusionary rules submitted by the 
DEHNR and FCDEA meet guidelines outlined in the October 15, 1993, and 
January 25, 1995, guidance documents for purposes of detailing specific 
compliance monitoring to show compliance with the relevant limit 
resulting from a exclusionary rule.
    The October 15, 1993, guidance document requires that all 
submittals from a source required pursuant to an exclusionary rule be 
certified for truth, accuracy, and completeness. Each facility which 
chooses to be covered by an exclusionary rule submitted by the DEHNR 
and FCDEA must make submissions which are certified by the appropriate 
official as defined under North Carolina Regulation 15A NCAC 2Q.0304(j) 
and Forsyth County Regulation 3Q.0304(j). Regulation 15A NCAC 
2Q.0304(j) and Forsyth County Regulation 3Q.0304(j) require 
certifications to be signed by the following: For corporations, by a 
principal executive officer of at least the level of vice president, or 
his duly authorized representative, if such representative is 
responsible for the overall operation of the facility from which the 
emissions described originates; for partnership or limited partnership, 
by a general partner; for a sole proprietorship, by the proprietor; and 
for municipal, state, Federal, or other public entity, by a principal 
executive officer, ranking elected official, or other duly authorized 
employee. These requirements for the certifying official are similar to 
those requirements found in 40 CFR 70.2 for a responsible official 
which would certify truth, accuracy, and completeness of a part 70 
permit application. Therefore, EPA believes that the exclusionary rules 
submitted by the DEHNR and FCDEA meet requirements outlined in the 
October 15, 1993, guidance document for purposes of certification with 
respect to truth, completeness, and accuracy.
    The October 15, 1993, guidance document recommends that reporting 
requirements should vary based on how close the facility emissions are 
to the relevant major source threshold. For facilities that are close 
to the major source threshold, the guidance recommends that a state or 
local air pollution control agency require more frequent reporting of 
the variable affecting emissions (i.e. gasoline throughput). For 
instance, North Carolina Regulation 15A NCAC 2Q.0802 and Forsyth County 
Regulation 3Q.0802 require that gasoline service stations and gasoline 
dispensing facilities with annual gasoline throughput that exceeds 
10,000,000 gallons per year report gasoline throughput once yearly. For 
those gasoline service stations and gasoline dispensing facilities with 
annual gasoline throughput that exceeds 13,000,000 gallons per year, a 
facility must report gasoline throughput once every six months. EPA 
believes that the exclusionary rules submitted by the DEHNR and FCDEA 
meet requirements outlined in the October 15, 1993, guidance document 
for purposes of reporting the relevant variable affecting emissions 
from the process. The October 15, 1993, guidance document also requires 
that a facility report any exceedance of an exclusionary rule within 
one week after its occurrence. The DEHNR and FCDEA regulations satisfy 
this requirement by a verbatim incorporation of this requirement under 
each exclusionary rule source-category. Therefore, EPA believes that 
the DEHNR and FCDEA regulations meet the requirements set out in the 
above-listed guidance documents for reporting.
    The October 15, 1993, and the January 25, 1995, guidance documents 
specify that recordkeeping is required by a facility to show that the 
facility is eligible for the exclusionary rule and that the facility is 
in compliance with the relevant exclusionary rule. The October 15, 
1993, guidance document requires that recordkeeping shall be maintained 
on site and available to the permitting authority upon demand. The 
October 15, 1993, guidance document also requires that a facility be 
required to retain records for a period sufficient to support 
enforcement efforts. The DEHNR and FCDEA regulations require that 
copies of all records required to be kept for exclusionary rule 
purposes be kept on site and be available to each agency on demand. The 
exclusionary rules submitted by DEHNR and FCDEA require that records be 
kept for a period of three years from the date the records are 
originated. EPA believes that a three year time period is an adequate 
time period for a facility subject to an exclusionary rule to maintain 
records in order to support enforcement efforts.
    The November 3, 1993, guidance document and the January 25, 1995, 
guidance document set out requirements for public involvement in the 
development and application of exclusionary rules. The November 3, 
1993, guidance document states that if exclusionary rules are 
sufficiently reliable and replicable, EPA and the public need not be 
involved with their application to individual sources, as long as the 
protocols themselves have been subject to notice and opportunity to 
comment and have been approved by EPA into the SIP. The January 25, 
1995, guidance document provides that source-category standards 
approved into the SIP or under section 112(l) of the Clean Air Act can 
be used as federally enforceable limits on PTE. Once a specific source 
qualifies under the applicability requirements of the source-category 
rule, additional public participation is not required to make the 
limits federally enforceable as a matter of legal sufficiency since the 
rule itself underwent public participation and EPA review. Both the 
DEHNR and FCDEA exclusionary rules underwent public participation at 
the State and local level when these rules were made State and locally-
effective. EPA believes that with this Federal Register document and 
other public process received at the State and local level that the 
DEHNR and FCDEA exclusionary rules satisfy requirements for public 
participation outlined in the November 3, 1993, and the January 25, 
1995, guidance documents.
    The January 25, 1995, guidance document sets out requirements for 
exclusionary rule conditions to be practically enforceable. These 
requirements stem from past precedence in what the EPA has required for 
a permit to be considered enforceable as a practical matter. See 54 FR 
27274 (June 28, 1989) and a June 13, 1989, EPA policy memorandum 
entitled ``Limiting Potential to Emit in New Source Permitting.'' The 
criteria include clear statements as to the applicability, specificity 
as to the standard that must be met, explicit statements of the 
compliance time frames (e.g. hourly, daily, monthly, or 12-month 
averages, etc.), that the time frame and method of compliance employed 
must be sufficient to protect the standard involved, recordkeeping 
requirements must be specified, and equivalency provisions must meet 
specific requirements. In general, practical enforceability means that 
the provision must specify (1) a technically accurate limitation and 
the portions of the source subject to the limitation; (2) the time 
period for the limitation; (3) the method to determine compliance 
including appropriate monitoring, recordkeeping, and reporting. Each of 
these elements have been discussed prior to this paragraph in this 
Federal Register with the

[[Page 49417]]

exception of (2) above. The DEHNR and FCDEA regulations require 
facilities subject to the exclusionary rule to keep records on a 
monthly basis and to determine compliance with a yearly limit on a 
calendar monthly rolling average basis. This method for determining 
compliance with the exclusionary rule limitation was addressed 
specifically as one practically enforceable way to show compliance with 
a permit limit in the June 13, 1989, guidance document entitled 
``Limiting Potential to Emit in New Source Permitting.'' As such, EPA 
believes the DEHNR and FCDEA exclusionary rule regulations meet the 
requirements necessary for exclusionary rules to be enforceable as a 
practical matter.
    Finally, the October 15, 1993, guidance document stipulates that a 
facility cannot rely on emission limits or caps contained in a 
exclusionary rule to justify violation of any rate-based emission 
limits or other applicable requirements. This requirement is reflected 
by a verbatim incorporation of this provision found at North Carolina 
regulation 15A NCAC 2Q.0801(b) and Forsyth County regulation 
3Q.0801(b). Therefore, EPA believes that the DEHNR and FCDEA 
exclusionary rules meet the requirements listed in the October 15, 
1993, guidance document regarding the use of an exclusionary rule cap 
to justify violation of any rate-based emission limit or other 
applicable requirements.
    Eligibility for federally enforceable exclusionary rule 
certifications extends not only to certifications made after the 
effective date of this rule, but also to certifications issued under 
the State or local current rule prior to the effective date of this 
rulemaking. If the State or local agency followed its own regulation 
meaning that, each source received exclusionary rule certifications 
that established a limiting condition on the facility's PTE, EPA will 
consider all such exclusionary rule certifications as federally 
enforceable upon the effective date of this action.

Final action

    In this action, EPA is approving the State of North Carolina 
exclusionary rules found at 15A NCAC 2Q.0800 through 15A NCAC 2Q.0807 
into the North Carolina SIP. EPA is also approving the Forsyth County 
exclusionary rules found at 3Q.0800 through 3Q.0807 into the Forsyth 
County portion of the North Carolina SIP. EPA is approving North 
Carolina regulations 15A NCAC 2Q.0801, 2Q.0803 through 2Q.0804 and 
Forsyth County regulations 3Q.0801, 3Q.0803 through 3Q.0804 for 
purposes of limiting PTE of HAP under section 112(l) of the CAA. EPA is 
publishing this document without prior proposal because the EPA views 
this as a noncontroversial amendment and anticipates no adverse 
comments. However, in a separate document in this Federal Register 
publication, EPA is proposing to approve the SIP revision should 
adverse or critical comments be filed. This action will be effective 
November 19, 1996, unless within 30 days of its publication, adverse or 
critical comments are received. If EPA receives such comments, this 
action will be withdrawn before the effective date by publishing a 
subsequent document that will withdraw the final action. All public 
comments received will then be addressed in a subsequent final rule 
based on this action serving as a proposed rule. EPA will not institute 
a second comment period on this action. Any parties interested in 
commenting on this action should do so at this time. If no such 
comments are received, the public is advised that this action will be 
effective November 19, 1996.
    EPA has reviewed this request for revision of the federally-
approved SIP for conformance with the provisions of the 1990 Amendments 
enacted on November 15, 1990. EPA has determined that this action 
conforms with those requirements.
    Under section 307(b)(1) of the CAA, 42 U.S.C. 7607 (b)(1), 
petitions for judicial review of this action must be filed in the 
United States Court of Appeals for the appropriate circuit by November 
19, 1996. Filing a petition for reconsideration by the Administrator of 
this final rule does not affect the finality of this rule for purposes 
of judicial review nor does it extend the time within which a petition 
for judicial review may be filed, and shall not postpone the 
effectiveness of such rule or action. This action may not be challenged 
later in proceedings to enforce its requirements. (See section 
307(b)(2) of the CAA, 42 U.S.C. 7607 (b)(2).)
    This action has been classified as a Table 3 action for signature 
by the Regional Administrator under the procedures published in the 
Federal Register on January 19, 1989, (54 FR 2214-2225), as revised by 
a July 10, 1995, memorandum from Mary Nichols, Assistant Administrator 
for Air and Radiation. The Office of Management and Budget has exempted 
this action from review under Executive Order 12866.
    Nothing in this action shall be construed as permitting or allowing 
or establishing a precedent for any future request for a revision to 
any state implementation plan. Each request for revision to the SIP 
shall be considered separately in light of specific technical, 
economic, and environmental factors and in relation to relevant 
statutory and regulatory requirements.
    Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C. 600, EPA must 
prepare a regulatory flexibility analysis assessing the impact of any 
proposed or final rule on small entities. 5 U.S.C. 603 and 604. 
Alternatively, EPA may certify that the rule will not have a 
significant impact on a substantial number of small entities. Small 
entities include small businesses, small not-for-profit enterprises, 
and government entities with jurisdiction over populations of less than 
50,000.
    SIP approvals under section 110 and subchapter I, Part D of the CAA 
do not create any new requirements, but simply approve requirements 
that the State is already imposing. Therefore, because the Federal SIP-
approval does not impose any new requirements, I certify that it does 
not have a significant impact on any small entities affected. Moreover, 
due to the nature of the Federal-state relationship under the CAA, 
preparation of a regulatory flexibility analysis would constitute 
Federal inquiry into the economic reasonableness of state action. The 
CAA forbids EPA to base its actions concerning SIPs on such grounds. 
Union Electric Co. v. U.S. E.P.A., 427 U.S. 246, 256-66 (S.Ct. 1976); 
42 U.S.C. 7410(a)(2) and 7410(k)(3).

D. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995

    Under section 202 of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 
(``Unfunded Mandates Act''), signed into law on March 22, 1995, EPA 
must prepare a budgetary impact statement to accompany any proposed or 
final rule that includes a Federal mandate that may result in estimated 
costs to State, local, or tribal governments in the aggregate, or to 
the private sector, of $100 million or more. Under section 205, EPA 
must select the most cost-effective and least burdensome alternative 
that achieves the objectives of the rule and is consistent with 
statutory requirements. Section 203 requires EPA to establish a plan 
for informing and advising any small governments that may be 
significantly or uniquely impacted by the rule.
    EPA has determined that the direct final approval action 
promulgated today does not include a Federal mandate that may result in 
estimated costs of $100 million or more to State, local, or tribal 
governments in the aggregate, or to the private sector. This Federal 
action approves pre-existing requirements

[[Page 49418]]

under State or local law, and imposes no new Federal requirements. 
Accordingly, no additional costs to State, local, or tribal 
governments, or to the private sector, result from this action.
    Under 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A) as added by the Small Business 
Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996, EPA submitted a report 
containing this rule and other required information to the U.S. Senate, 
the U.S. House of Representatives and the Comptroller General of the 
General Accounting Office prior to publication of the rule in today's 
Federal Register. This rule is not a ``major rule'' as defined by 5 
U.S.C. 804(2).

List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 52

    Environmental protection, Air pollution control, Carbon monoxide, 
Hydrocarbons, Incorporation by Reference, Intergovernmental relations, 
Lead, Nitrogen oxides, Ozone, Particulate matter, Sulfur oxides.

    Dated: August 5, 1996.
A. Stanley Meiburg,
Acting Regional Administrator.

    Part 52 of chapter I, title 40, Code of Federal Regulations, is 
amended as follows:

PART 52--[AMENDED]

    1. The authority citation for part 52 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 42. U.S.C. 7401-7671q.

    2. Section 52.1770 is amended by adding paragraph (c)(89) to read 
as follows:

Sec. 52.1770  Identification of plan.

* * * * *
    (c) * * *
    (89) Exclusionary rules for the State of North Carolina Department 
of Environment, Health, and Natural Resources and the Forsyth County 
Department of Environmental Affairs submitted by the North Carolina 
Department of Environment, Health, and Natural Resources on August 8, 
1995, and December 28, 1995, respectively, as part of the North 
Carolina SIP.
    (i) Incorporation by reference.
    (A) Regulations 15A NCAC 2Q.0801 through 15A NCAC 2Q.0807 of the 
North Carolina SIP as adopted by the North Carolina Environmental 
Management Commission on June 8, 1995, and which became effective on 
August 1, 1995.
    (B) Regulations Subchapter 3Q.0801 through Subchapter 3Q.0807 of 
the Forsyth County portion of the North Carolina SIP as adopted and 
made effective by the Forsyth County Board of Commissioners on November 
13, 1995.
    (ii) Other material. None.
* * * * *
[FR Doc. 96-24043 Filed 9-19-96; 8:45 am]
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Complete official Federal Register PDF

FR Doc. 96-23851 Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 757 Series Airplanes
[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 184 (Friday, September 20, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 49409-49411]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-23851]

========================================================================
Rules and Regulations
                                                Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________

This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains regulatory documents 
having general applicability and legal effect, most of which are keyed 
to and codified in the Code of Federal Regulations, which is published 
under 50 titles pursuant to 44 U.S.C. 1510.

The Code of Federal Regulations is sold by the Superintendent of Documents. 
Prices of new books are listed in the first FEDERAL REGISTER issue of each 
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Federal Register / Vol. 61, No. 184 / Friday, September 20, 1996 / 
Rules and Regulations

[[Page 49409]]

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 96-NM-223-AD; Amendment 39-9764; AD 96-19-17]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 757 Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that 
is applicable to certain Boeing Model 757 series airplanes. This action 
requires a one-time inspection to detect discrepancies of the main 
battery shunt, and replacement with a serviceable part, if necessary. 
This action also requires inspection of certain wires, washers, and 
brass jam nuts to detect any discrepancy, and replacement with a 
serviceable part, if necessary. Additionally, this action requires 
inspection, and adjustment if necessary, of the torque and resistance 
of the installation of the main battery ground stud. This amendment is 
prompted by a report of interruption of electrical power during flight 
due to improper installation of the main battery shunt and ground stud 
connection of the main battery. The actions specified in this AD are 
intended to prevent such electrical power interruptions, which could 
result in loss of battery power to the source of standby power for the 
airplane.

DATES: Effective October 7, 1996.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of October 7, 1996.
    Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or 
before November 19, 1996.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 96-NM-223-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., 
Renton, Washington 98055-4056.
    The service information referenced in this AD may be obtained from 
Boeing Commercial Airplane Group, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle, Washington 
98124-2207. This information may be examined at the FAA, Transport 
Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at 
the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., 
suite 700, Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Stephen S. Oshiro, Aerospace Engineer, 
Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft 
Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; 
telephone (206) 227-2793; fax (206) 227-1181.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FAA recently has received reports 
indicating that interruptions of electrical power have occurred during 
flight, which resulted in the loss of battery power to the hot battery 
bus (HBB) on a Boeing Model 767 series airplane. The HBB is the source 
of standby power to the airplane. Investigation revealed that the 
reported loss of power to the HBB occurred due to cracked shunts, 
improper installation of fasteners on the shunt studs, and improper 
torque of shunt fasteners. It appears that the improper installation of 
fasteners on the shunt studs and improper torque of shunt fasteners 
occurred during manufacture.
    Loose fasteners on the shunt studs can create an open circuit or 
high resistance in the connection of the main battery ground stud, 
which can cause an interruption of the battery charger and the loss of 
the HBB. The loss of the HBB and associated loads will cause multiple 
advisory level Engine Indication and Crew Alerting System (EICAS) 
messages; loss of power to the standby buses/loads during standby 
operation; and the potential loss of center bus power. Such loss of 
standby power could adversely affect the function of the following 
systems:
    1. the captain's standby instruments,
    2. flight control electronics,
    3. Very High Frequency (VHF) communications,
    4. thrust reverser control,
    5. standby ignition,
    6. passenger oxygen,
    7. fire detection and extinguishing, and
    8. wing and engine anti-ice systems, among others.
    Improper installation of the main battery shunt and ground stud 
connection of the main battery, if not corrected, could cause an 
interruption of electrical power and loss of battery power to the HBB 
during flight.
    The main battery shunts of the main equipment center on the Boeing 
Model 767 series airplanes are identical to those installed on the 
Boeing Model 757 series airplanes; therefore, both of these models may 
be subject to this same unsafe condition. The FAA has addressed this 
unsafe condition in Model 767 series airplanes with the issuance of AD 
96-19-10, amendment 39-9757, on September 6, 1996.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    The FAA has reviewed and approved Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 
757-24A0079, dated August 8, 1996, which describes procedures for 
inspection of the main battery shunt to detect contaminated fasteners, 
missing pressure washers or washers having an incorrect part number, or 
damage to the terminal posts or to the plastic base, and replacement of 
the main battery shunt, if necessary. The alert service bulletin also 
describes inspection of certain wires, washers, and brass jam nuts to 
detect any discrepancy, and replacement of any discrepant part with a 
serviceable part.
    Additionally, the alert service bulletin describes procedures for 
an inspection of the main battery ground stud to verify the torque and 
resistance, and adjustment of the torque and resistance, if necessary.

Explanation of the Requirements of the Rule

    Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to 
exist or develop on Boeing Model 757 series airplanes, this AD is being 
issued to prevent interruption of electrical power during flight, which 
could result in loss of battery power to the source of standby power 
for the airplane. This AD requires inspection of the main battery

[[Page 49410]]

shunt to detect contaminated fasteners, missing pressure washers or 
washers having an incorrect part number, or damage to the terminal 
posts or to the plastic base, and replacement of the main battery 
shunt, if necessary. This AD also requires inspection of certain wires, 
washers, and brass jam nuts to detect any discrepancy, and replacement 
of any discrepant part with a serviceable part. Additionally, this AD 
requires an inspection of the main battery ground stud to verify the 
torque and electrical resistance, and adjustment of the torque and 
resistance, if necessary. The actions are required to be accomplished 
in accordance with the alert service bulletin described previously.

Determination of Rule's Effective Date

    Since a situation exists that requires the immediate adoption of 
this regulation, it is found that notice and opportunity for prior 
public comment hereon are impracticable, and that good cause exists for 
making this amendment effective in less than 30 days.

Comments Invited

    Although this action is in the form of a final rule that involves 
requirements affecting flight safety and, thus, was not preceded by 
notice and an opportunity for public comment, comments are invited on 
this rule. Interested persons are invited to comment on this rule by 
submitting such written data, views, or arguments as they may desire.
    Communications shall identify the Rules Docket number and be 
submitted in triplicate to the address specified under the caption 
ADDRESSES. All communications received on or before the closing date 
for comments will be considered, and this rule may be amended in light 
of the comments received. Factual information that supports the 
commenter's ideas and suggestions is extremely helpful in evaluating 
the effectiveness of the AD action and determining whether additional 
rulemaking action would be needed.
    Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might 
suggest a need to modify the rule. All comments submitted will be 
available, both before and after the closing date for comments, in the 
Rules Docket for examination by interested persons. A report that 
summarizes each FAA-public contact concerned with the substance of this 
AD will be filed in the Rules Docket.
    Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments 
submitted in response to this rule must submit a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to Docket Number 96-NM-223-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and 
returned to the commenter.

Regulatory Impact

    The regulations adopted herein will not have substantial direct 
effects on the States, on the relationship between the national 
government and the States, or on the distribution of power and 
responsibilities among the various levels of government. Therefore, in 
accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this final 
rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the 
preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
    The FAA has determined that this regulation is an emergency 
regulation that must be issued immediately to correct an unsafe 
condition in aircraft, and that it is not a ``significant regulatory 
action'' under Executive Order 12866. It has been determined further 
that this action involves an emergency regulation under DOT Regulatory 
Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979). If it is 
determined that this emergency regulation otherwise would be 
significant under DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures, a final 
regulatory evaluation will be prepared and placed in the Rules Docket. 
A copy of it, if filed, may be obtained from the Rules Docket at the 
location provided under the caption ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends part 39 of 
the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

    1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.

Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

    2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new 
airworthiness directive:

96-19-17  Boeing: Amendment 39-9764. Docket 96-NM-223-AD.

    Applicability: Model 757 series airplanes, as listed in Boeing 
Alert Service Bulletin 757-24A0079, dated August 8, 1996; 
certificated in any category.

    Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the 
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been 
modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the 
requirements of this AD. For airplanes that have been modified, 
altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of 
this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an 
alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (b) of 
this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of 
the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition 
addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been 
eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to 
address it.

    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent interruptions of electrical power during flight, 
which could result in loss of battery power to the source of standby 
power for the airplane, accomplish the following:
    (a) Within 45 days after the effective date of this AD, 
accomplish the actions specified in paragraphs (a)(1), (a)(2) and 
(a)(3) of this AD, in accordance with Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 
757-24A0079, dated August 8, 1996.
    (1) Perform an inspection of the main battery shunt, to detect 
any contaminated fasteners, missing pressure washers or washers 
having an incorrect part number, or damage to terminal posts or to 
the plastic base. If any discrepancy is found, prior to further 
flight, replace the main battery shunt, in accordance with the alert 
service bulletin.
    (2) Perform an inspection of the wires, washers, and brass jam 
nuts to detect any contamination or damage. If any discrepancy is 
found, prior to further flight, replace the discrepant part with a 
serviceable part, in accordance with the alert service bulletin.
    (3) Inspect the torque and electrical resistance of the 
installation of the main battery ground stud, and adjust the torque 
and resistance of the ground stud, in accordance with the alert 
service bulletin.
    (b) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be 
used if approved by the Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification 
Office (ACO), FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate. Operators shall 
submit their requests through an appropriate FAA Principal 
Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the 
Manager, Seattle ACO.

    Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Seattle ACO.

    (c) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where 
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
    (d) The actions shall be done in accordance with Boeing Alert 
Service Bulletin 757-24A0079, dated August 8, 1996. This 
incorporation by reference was approved by the Director of the 
Federal Register in

[[Page 49411]]

accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be 
obtained from Boeing Commercial Airplane Group, P.O. Box 3707, 
Seattle, Washington 98124-2207. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
Washington; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North 
Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
    (e) This amendment becomes effective on October 7, 1996.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on September 11, 1996.
James V. Devany,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 96-23851 Filed 9-19-96; 8:45 am]
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