Federal Register final rules — 1996-08-22

issue-1996-08-22Federal Register final rules — 1996-08-22Regulation

Published Federal Register documents, not public-inspection drafts. The GPO XML/text rendition is a research aid; the linked complete official PDF retains the printed layout and all graphics. Graphics are retained in that PDF and are not independently reproduced in this text rendition. Publication does not establish that every provision remains legally in force.

FR Doc. 96-21478 Alteration of VOR Federal Airways; Texas
[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 164 (Thursday, August 22, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 43310]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-21478]

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

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 71

[Airspace Docket No. 93-ASW-5]
RIN 2120-AA66

Alteration of VOR Federal Airways; Texas

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; correction.

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

SUMMARY: On July 3, 1996, the FAA published a final rule realigning 
eleven Federal airways supporting the Dallas/Fort Worth, TX, Metroplex 
Plan. On August 12, 1996, a correction to the final rule was published 
to correct the airspace designation for Federal Airway V-477. However, 
the description for V-477 inadvertently omitted ``Leona'' from the 
existing route. This action corrects that error.

EFFECTIVE DATE: August 22, 1996.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bil Nelson, Airspace and Rules 
Division, ATA-400, Office of Air Traffic Airspace Management, Federal 
Aviation Administration, 800 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 
20591; telephone: (202) 267-8783.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On August 12, 1996, the FAA published a 
final rule correcting the description of V-477 (61 FR 41736). However, 
the description for V-477 inadvertently omitted ``Leona'' from the 
existing route. This action corrects that error.

Correction of Final Rule

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me, the 
airspace designation for V-477, published in the Federal Register on 
August 12, 1996 (61 FR 41737); Federal Register Document 96-20510, 
Column 1, is corrected as follows:
* * * * *

V-477  [Corrected]

    From Humble, TX, via INT Humble 349 deg. and Leona, TX, 139 deg. 
radials; Leona; to Cedar Creek, TX.
* * * * *
    Issued in Washington, DC, on August 15, 1996.
Jeff Griffith,
Program Director for Air Traffic Airspace Management.
[FR Doc. 96-21478 Filed 8-21-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

Complete official Federal Register PDF

FR Doc. 96-21476 Alteration of VOR Federal Airways; Texas
[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 164 (Thursday, August 22, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 43310]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-21476]

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

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 71

[Airspace Docket No. 93-ASW-4]
RIN 2120-AA66

Alteration of VOR Federal Airways; Texas

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; correction.

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

SUMMARY: On July 3, 1996, the FAA published a final rule realigning 
twelve Federal airways supporting the Dallas/Fort Worth, TX, Metroplex 
Plan. On August 12, 1996, a correction to the final rule was published 
to correct the airspace designations for Federal Airways V-63 and V-94. 
However, the description for V-63 inadvertently referenced the ``Howard 
MOA'' when it should have referenced the ``Howard West MOA.'' This 
action corrects that error.

EFFECTIVE DATE: August 22, 1996.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Bil Nelson, Airspace and Rules Division, ATA-400, Office of Air Traffic 
Airspace Management, Federal Aviation Administration, 800 Independence 
Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20591; telephone: (202) 267-8783.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On August 12, 1996, the FAA published a 
final rule correcting the description of V-63 and V-94 (61 FR 41736). 
However, the description for V-63 inadvertently referenced the ``Howard 
MOA'' when it should have referenced the ``Howard West MOA.'' This 
action corrects that error.

Correction of Final Rule

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me, the 
airspace designation for V-63, published in the Federal Register on 
August 12, 1996 (61 FR 41736); Federal Register Document 96-20511, 
Column 2, is corrected as follows:
* * * * *

V-63  [Corrected]

    From Bonham, TX, via McAlester, OK; Razorback, AR; Springfield, 
MO; Hallsville, MO; Quincy, IL; Burlington, IA; Moline, IL; 
Davenport, IA; Rockford, IL; Janesville, WI; Badger, WI; Oshkosh, 
WI; Stevens Point, WI; Wausau, WI; Rhinelander, WI, to Houghton, MI. 
Excluding that airspace at and above 10,000 feet MSL from 5 NM north 
to 46 NM north of Quincy during the time that the Howard West MOA is 
activated by NOTAM.
* * * * *
    Issued in Washington, DC, on August 15, 1996.
Jeff Griffith,
Program Director for Air Traffic Airspace Management.
[FR Doc. 96-21476 Filed 8-21-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U

Complete official Federal Register PDF

FR Doc. 96-21468 Bureau of Consular Affairs; Passport and Nationality Procedures Persons Authorized to Issue Passports and Adjudicate Nationality Abroad
[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 164 (Thursday, August 22, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 43310-43312]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-21468]

=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF STATE

22 CFR Parts 50 and 51

[Public Notice 2419]

Bureau of Consular Affairs; Passport and Nationality Procedures--
Persons Authorized to Issue Passports and Adjudicate Nationality Abroad

AGENCY: Bureau of Consular Affairs, State.

ACTION: Final rule.

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

SUMMARY: This rule amends existing nationality and passport regulations 
to

[[Page 43311]]

allow designated U.S. citizen employees of the Department of State to 
grant, issue and verify U.S. passports and to adjudicate U.S. 
nationality claims in foreign countries. The extension of this 
responsibility to designated United States citizen Department of State 
employees will enable foreign service posts to provide more efficient 
passport, citizenship and nationality service to the public. Consular 
officers will be able to concentrate on managing consular resources, 
but will still provide passport and citizenship services to U.S. 
citizens as necessary. This rule also updates terminology relating to 
Consular Reports of Birth Abroad of a Citizen of the United States of 
America and clarifies the authority of consular Agents and others to 
administer the oath for passport purposes.

EFFECTIVE DATE: August 22, 1996.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Carmen A. DiPlacido, or Michael Meszaros, Overseas Citizens Services, 
Office of Policy, Review and Interagency Liaison, Department of State, 
202-647-3666.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Secretary of State is authorized by 22 
U.S.C. 211a to issue passports, and to cause passports to be issued in 
foreign countries pursuant to rules prescribed by the President. The 
President's rulemaking authority was delegated to the Secretary of 
State in Executive Order No. 11295 (August 5, 1966) and is routinely 
exercised by the Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs. 
Section 127(a) of the Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 
1994-1995, Pub. L. 103-236 (Apr. 30, 1994), and Section 1(b) of Pub. L. 
103-415 (Oct. 25, 1994), amended 22 U.S.C. 211a to allow the Secretary 
of State to designate certain United States citizen employees of the 
Department of State stationed abroad to grant, issue and verify 
passports in foreign countries. (Until now, these passport and 
adjudicatory functions have been performed abroad only by diplomatic 
and consular officers.) The authority to designate was delegated to the 
Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs in Delegation of 
Authority No. 214 (Sept. 20, 1994), and through these regulations will 
be further delegated to the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Overseas 
Citizens Services.
    The authority to grant, issue and verify passports implicitly 
includes the authority to determine a passport applicant's U.S. 
nationality and U.S. citizenship. Persons designated under the new 
regulations will therefore generally determine claims to U.S. 
nationality/citizenship (acquisition and loss) made by persons abroad 
who apply for passports, registration as a U.S. citizen, cards of 
identity or other travel documents. Designated persons will also 
provide advice to consular officers with respect to issuance of 
Consular Reports of Birth Abroad of a Citizen of the United States of 
America (Consular Report of Birth Abroad).
    Persons designated by the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Overseas 
Citizens Services must meet criteria relating to necessary training and 
experience before authorization to perform adjudication 
responsibilities. Consular officers will supervise all aspects of 
nationality adjudication performed by persons designated under the new 
regulations. The Consular Report of Birth Abroad will continue to be 
solely issued by the consular officer, however, because at present such 
documents are proof of citizenship under 22 U.S.C. section 2705 only 
when so issued. The new authority permitting other U.S. citizen 
employees to perform these functions will relieve consular officers of 
some of their ministerial functions, so that they may focus more effort 
on other demands of managing workloads at our overseas posts. Portions 
of 22 CFR part 50 and 22 CFR part 51 are being amended to reflect this 
new authority.
    The regulations also update the text of regulations relating to the 
issuance of Consular Report of Birth Abroad of a Citizen of the United 
States of America. The Consular Report of Birth Abroad was formerly 
known as a registration of birth abroad. This outdated terminology is 
replaced where it occurs. In addition, for security and anti-fraud 
reasons, the regulation is being amended to limit the persons eligible 
to apply for a Consular Report of Birth Abroad to the citizen's 
parent(s) and the citizen's legal guardian. See 22 CFR 50.5.
    The regulations (51.21) are also being amended to reflect that 
consular agents and overseas notarial officers may administer the oaths 
for passport purposes required by 22 U.S.C. 213, and for the Consular 
Report of Birth Abroad.
    Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. Section 553(b)(A), these rules are being 
promulgated without notice or comment because they are rules of agency 
organization and procedure. These regulations are not expected to have 
a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities 
under the criteria of the Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C. 605(b). 
In addition, they will not impose information collection requirements 
under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act, 44 U.S.C. Chapter 
35. Nor do these final rules have federalism implications warranting 
the preparation of a Federalism Assessment in accordance with E.O. 
12612. These final rules have been reviewed as required by E.O. 12988. 
These rules are exempt from review under E.O. 12866 but have been 
reviewed and found to be consistent with the objectives thereof.

List of Subjects

22 CFR Part 50

    Citizenship and naturalization.

22 CFR Part 51

    Administrative practice and procedure, Passports and visas. 
Accordingly, 22 CFR parts 50 and 51 are amended as follows:

PART 50--NATIONALITY PROCEDURES

    1. The authority citation for part 50 is revised to read as 
follows:

    Authority: Sec. 4, 63 Stat. 111, as amended, secs. 104s, 360, 66 
Stat. 174, 273; 22 U.S.C. 211a, 22 U.S.C. 2658, 2705, 8 U.S.C. 1104, 
1503.

    2. Section 50.1 is amended by adding paragraph (g) to read as 
follows:

Sec. 50.1  Definitions.

* * * * *
    (g) Designated nationality examiner means a United States citizen 
employee of the Department of State assigned or employed abroad 
(permanently or temporarily) and designated by the Deputy Assistant 
Secretary of State for Overseas Citizen Services, to grant, issue and 
verify U.S. passports. A designated nationality examiner may adjudicate 
claims of acquisition and loss of United States nationality and 
citizenship as required for the purpose of providing passport and 
related services. The authority of designated nationality examiners 
shall include the authority to examine, adjudicate, approve and deny 
passport applications and applications for related services. The 
authority of designated nationality examiners shall expire upon 
termination of the employee's assignment for such duty and may also be 
terminated at any time by the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Overseas 
Citizen Services.
    3. Section 50.2 is amended by revising ``registration of birth'' to 
read ``a Consular Report of Birth Abroad of a Citizen of the United 
States of America'' and by adding the following four sentences after 
the existing sentence:

Sec. 50.2  Determination of U.S. nationality of persons abroad.

    * * * Such determinations of nationality may be made abroad by a

[[Page 43312]]

consular officer or a designated nationality examiner. A designated 
nationality examiner may accept and approve/disapprove applications for 
registration and accept and approve/disapprove applications for 
passports and issue passports. Under the supervision of a consular 
officer, designated nationality examiners shall accept, adjudicate, 
disapprove and provisionally approve applications for the Consular 
Report of Birth Abroad. A Consular Report of Birth Abroad may only be 
issued by a consular officer, who will review a designated nationality 
examiner's provisional approval of an application for such report and 
issue the report if satisfied that the claim to nationality has been 
established.
    4. Section 50.3 is amended by revising paragraph (b) to read as 
follows:

Sec. 50.3  Application for registration.

* * * * *
    (b) The applicant shall execute the registration form prescribed by 
the Department and shall submit the supporting evidence required by 
subpart C of part 51 of this chapter. A diplomatic or consular officer 
or a designated nationality examiner shall determine the period of time 
for which the registration will be valid.
    5. Section 50.5 is amended by revising the introductory text to 
read as follows:

Sec. 50.5  Application for Consular Report of Birth Abroad of a Citizen 
of the United States of America.

    Upon application by the parent(s) or the child's legal guardian, a 
consular officer or designated nationality examiner may accept and 
adjudicate the application for a Consular Report of Birth Abroad of a 
Citizen of the United States of America for a child born in their 
consular district. In specific instances, the Department may authorize 
consular officers and other designated employees to adjudicate the 
application for a Consular Report of Birth Abroad of a child born 
outside his/her consular district. Under the supervision of a consular 
officer, designated nationality examiners shall accept, adjudicate, 
disapprove and provisionally approve applications for the Consular 
Report of Birth Abroad. The applicant shall be required to submit proof 
of the child's birth, identity and citizenship meeting the evidence 
requirements of subpart C of part 51 of this subchapter and shall 
include:
* * * * *
    6. Section 50.7 is revised to read as follows:

Sec. 50.7  Consular Report of Birth Abroad of a Citizen of the United 
States of America.

    (a) Upon application and the submission of satisfactory proof of 
birth, identity and nationality, and at the time of the reporting of 
the birth, the consular officer may issue to the parent or legal 
guardian, when approved and upon payment of a prescribed fee, a 
Consular Report of Birth Abroad of a Citizen of the United States of 
America.
    (b) Amended and replacement Consular Reports of Birth Abroad of a 
Citizen of the United States of America may be issued by the Department 
of State's Passport Office upon written request and payment of the 
required fee.
    (c) When it reports a birth under Sec. 50.6, the Department shall 
furnish the Consular Report of Birth Abroad of a Citizen of the United 
States of America to the parent or legal guardian upon application and 
payment of required fees.
    7. Section 50.8 is revised to read as follows:

Sec. 50.8  Certification of Report of Birth Abroad of a United States 
Citizen.

    At any time subsequent to the issuance of a Consular Report of 
Birth Abroad of a Citizen of the United States of America, when 
requested and upon payment of the required fee, the Department of 
State's Passport Office may issue to the citizen, the citizen's parent 
or legal guardian a certificate entitled ``Certification of Report of 
Birth Abroad of a United States Citizen.''
    8. Section 50.9 is revised to read as follows:

Sec. 50.9  Card of identity.

    When authorized by the Department, consular offices or designated 
nationality examiners may issue a card of identity for travel to the 
United States to nationals of the United States being deported from a 
foreign country, to nationals/citizens of the United States involved in 
a common disaster abroad, or to a returning national of the United 
States to whom passport services have been denied or withdrawn under 
the provisions of this part or parts 51 or 53 of this subchapter.
    9. The authority citation for part 51 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 22 U.S.C. 211a, as amended, 22 U.S.C. 2658, 3926, 
sec. 122(d)(3), Pub. L. 98-164, 97 Stat. 1017; 31 U.S.C. 9701, E.O. 
11295, 36 FR 10603; 3 CFR, 1966-70 Comp., p. 570; Pub. L. 100-690, 
sec. 129, Pub. L. 102-138, 105 Stat. 661; sec. 503, Pub. L. 102-140, 
105 Stat. 820; Title V, Pub. L. 103-317, 108 Stat. 1724, unless 
otherwise noted.

    10. Section 51.1 is amended by adding paragraph (h) to read as 
follows:

Sec. 51.1  Definitions.

* * * * *
    (h) Designated nationality examiner means a person designated under 
Sec. 50.1(g) of this subchapter.
    11. Section 51.21 is amended by revising paragraph (b)(6) as 
follows:

Sec. 51.21  Execution of passport application.

* * * * *
    (b) * * *
    (6) A diplomatic officer, a consular officer, an overseas 
nationality examiner, a consular agent or a notarial officer abroad; or
* * * * *
    Dated: July 25, 1996.
Mary A. Ryan,
Assistant Secretary for Consular Affairs.
[FR Doc. 96-21468 Filed 8-21-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710-06-M

Complete official Federal Register PDF

FR Doc. 96-21455 Change in Disease Status of Spain Because of African Swine Fever
[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 164 (Thursday, August 22, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 43305-43307]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-21455]

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

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

9 CFR Part 94

[Docket No. 96-025-2]

Change in Disease Status of Spain Because of African Swine Fever

AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Final rule.

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

SUMMARY: We are amending the regulations by declaring Spain free of 
African swine fever. This action is appropriate because there have been 
no confirmed outbreaks of African swine fever in Spain since September 
1994. This rule relieves restrictions on the importation of pork and 
pork products into the United States from Spain. However, because Spain 
shares common land borders with countries affected by certain swine 
diseases and because

[[Page 43306]]

Spain, as a member state of the European Union, has certain trade 
practices that are less restrictive than are acceptable to the United 
States, the importation into the United States of pork and pork 
products from Spain continues to be subject to certain restrictions.

EFFECTIVE DATE: September 6, 1996.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. John Cougill, Staff Veterinarian, 
Products Program, National Center for Import and Export, VS, APHIS, 
4700 River Road Unit 40, Riverdale, MD 20737-1231, (301) 734-8688; or 
e-mail: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The regulations in 9 CFR part 94 (referred to below as the 
regulations) govern the importation into the United States of specified 
animals and animal products in order to prevent the introduction into 
the United States of various animal diseases, including rinderpest, 
foot-and-mouth disease, bovine spongiform encephalopathy, swine 
vesicular disease, hog cholera, and African swine fever (ASF). These 
are dangerous and destructive communicable diseases of ruminants and 
swine.
    Section 94.8 of the regulations provides that ASF exists or is 
reasonably believed to exist in all the countries of Africa, Brazil, 
Cuba, Haiti, Italy, Malta, Portugal, and Spain. We will consider 
declaring a country to be free of ASF if there have been no reported 
cases of the disease in that country for at least the previous 1-year 
period. The last case of ASF in Spain occurred in September 1994. The 
Government of Spain has requested that the U.S. Department of 
Agriculture (USDA) recognize Spain to be free of ASF.
    On May 29, 1996, we published in the Federal Register (61 FR 26850-
26852, Docket No. 96-025-1) a proposal to amend the regulations by 
removing Spain from the list of countries where ASF exists or is 
reasonably believed to exist. This action would relieve certain 
restrictions on the importation of pork and pork products into the 
United States from Spain, including restrictions on the importation of 
live swine and fresh pork and pork products, and would eliminate 
requirements on the curing time for Spanish hams and other pork 
products offered for importation into the United States from Spain.
    We solicited comments concerning our proposal for 60 days ending 
July 29, 1996. We received 5 comments by that date. They were from 
representatives of industry and a foreign government. All responses 
were in favor of the provisions outlined in the proposed rule.
    Therefore, based on the rationale set forth in the proposed rule, 
we are adopting the provisions of the proposal as a final rule without 
change.

Effective Date

    This is a substantive rule that relieves restrictions and, pursuant 
to the provisions of 5 U.S.C. 553, may be made effective less than 30 
days after publication in the Federal Register. This rule removes Spain 
from the list of countries where ASF exists or is reasonably believed 
to exist. This action relieves certain restrictions on the importation 
of pork and pork products into the United States from Spain, including 
restrictions on the importation of live swine and fresh pork and pork 
products, and eliminates requirements on the curing time for Spanish 
hams and other pork products offered for importation into the United 
States from Spain. We have determined that approximately 2 weeks are 
needed to ensure that the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service 
personnel at ports of entry receive official notice of this change in 
the regulations. Therefore, the Administrator of the Animal and Plant 
Health Inspection Service has determined that this rule should be 
effective 15 days after publication in the Federal Register.

Executive Order 12866 and Regulatory Flexibility Act

    This rule has been reviewed under Executive Order 12866. For this 
action, the Office of Management and Budget has waived its review 
process required by Executive Order 12866.
    In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 601 et seq., we have performed a Final 
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis, which is set out below, regarding the 
impact of this rule on small entities.
    In accordance with 21 U.S.C. 111-113, 114a, 115, 117, 120, 123, and 
134a, the Secretary of Agriculture has the authority to promulgate 
regulations and take measures to prevent the introduction into the 
United States, and the interstate dissemination within the United 
States, of communicable diseases of livestock and poultry.
    This rule amends the regulations in part 94 by removing Spain from 
the list of countries where ASF exists or is reasonably believed to 
exist. This action relieves certain restrictions on the importation of 
live swine, pork, and pork products into the United States from Spain. 
However, because of Spain's proximity to France and Portugal (countries 
affected by serious swine diseases) and Spain's trading practices as a 
member state of the European Union, other requirements continue to 
restrict the importation of pork and pork products from Spain.
    In 1992, the majority (approximately 96.3 percent) of all hog and 
pig farmers in the United States qualified as small entities. However, 
we expect the impact of relieving restrictions on live swine imports 
from Spain on these producers to be minimal because the swine industry 
of Spain is relatively small compared to the market in the United 
States. In 1994, swine production in Spain was estimated to be 26.7 
million head, compared to swine production in the United States of over 
100 million head. Also, in 1994, Spain exported a little more than 0.5 
million live swine, or less than 2 percent of its total swine 
production, and all of those animals were directed to countries in 
Europe.
    Total imports of live swine into the United States are very small 
relative to domestic production. In 1993, only 1.75 million head were 
imported into the United States. Due to transportation costs and other 
factors, nearly all of the live swine imported into the United States 
(more than 99.8 percent in 1993) are from Canada. Most of the live 
swine that are imported from Western Europe into the United States are 
imported in very small numbers, to be used for genetic improvements of 
domestic stock. We expect that the importation of swine embryos and 
semen will not increase as a result of this rule. Movement of swine 
embryos and semen is limited because the technology is not as advanced 
as it is for other species.
    Like domestic swine producers, the majority of pork producers (97 
percent of 1367 meat packing establishments and 98 percent of 1264 
other processing plants, according to 1992 data) qualify as small 
entities. We expect the effect of this rule on these entities will be 
minimal because, while Spain produces a considerable amount of pork 
(2.107 million metric tons in 1994), its total pork production amounts 
to only about 26 percent of the total pork production of the United 
States. Additionally, most of Spain's pork production is consumed 
within Spain, as its population consumes pork at a rate greater than 
1.6 times that of the U.S. population.
    In 1994, Spain exported approximately 83,000 metric tons of pork, 
but more than 97 percent of these exports were to European countries. 
While Spanish exports of pork are growing and its imports of pork are 
declining, Spain has historically been a net importer of pork. From 
1991 to 1993, Spain imported well over twice as

[[Page 43307]]

much pork as it exported. Even if Spain were able to redirect all of 
its exports of pork to the United States, it would constitute a small 
portion of the domestic market, as U.S. pork production was 8 million 
metric tons in 1994.
    Since 1985, the United States has expanded its pork exports by more 
than four times to reach 240,858 metric tons in 1994. Simultaneously, 
the United States has decreased its pork imports, as exemplified by a 
decrease of approximately 34 percent in 1994, and the trend is 
continuing. In an average year, up to 90 percent of pork imported into 
the United States comes from Canada and Denmark.
    Domestic pork producers most likely to be affected by this rule are 
a small number of domestic producers of specific specialty pork 
products. We anticipate increased imports into the United States from 
Spain of dry-cured, ready-to-eat ham; dry-cured, salted, boneless loin; 
and dry-cured sausages, particularly Serrano ham. Most of these 
products are similar to Parma and prosciutto hams and other cured pork 
products being produced domestically and produced in other countries 
for importation into the United States, but Serrano ham is a specialty 
product with unique water content, color, aroma, and flavor.
    Spain currently produces approximately 350,000 metric tons of all 
types of cured ham per year. It is estimated that in 1994 more than 
975,000 metric tons of all types of cured ham were produced in the 
United States. While Spanish production of all types of cured ham 
represents approximately 36 percent of U.S. cured ham production, 
Spain's domestic consumption of cured pork is considerably higher than 
consumption in the United States. About 40 percent of Spain's total 
pork consumption consists of cured pork. In 1994, Spain exported only 
4,135 metric tons of cured ham, which amounts to significantly less 
than 1 percent of total U.S. production of cured pork. These exports 
were directed primarily to France, Argentina, Portugal, and Germany.
    From all indications, only a few of the largest 18 cured pork 
producers in Spain, which account for 50 percent of Spanish production 
of cured pork, have an interest in or a capability for penetrating the 
U.S. market over the foreseeable future. Further, we estimate that the 
maximum amount of cured pork products that Spain can expect to export 
to the United States will likely not exceed 500 metric tons annually, 
and this ceiling will likely not be reached for a period of about 5 
years because the imports arriving in the United States from Spain will 
still be required to meet Food Safety and Inspection Service standards 
before entering the country.
    We estimate that there are approximately 15 companies in the United 
States producing significant amounts of specialty processed pork 
products that will compete with the potential imports from Spain. A 
small portion of these producers are very large, and these specialty 
products constitute only a small fraction of their overall business. 
Therefore, we expect the impact of this rule on these large companies 
will be minimal. However, the small producers may be impacted by 
additional imports. Yet, without specific information on (1) the 
quantity of additional imports generated by the rule change, (2) the 
quantity of domestic production, and (3) the degree to which Spanish 
imports will displace other imports rather than domestic production, 
the impact on small domestic producers cannot be predicted.
    An alternative to this rule was to make no changes in the 
regulations. We rejected this alternative because Spain has had no 
reported cases of ASF since September 1994, and, therefore, we have no 
scientific reason to continue considering Spain to be a country where 
ASF exists.

Executive Order 12988

    This rule has been reviewed under Executive Order 12988, Civil 
Justice Reform. This rule: (1) Preempts all State and local laws and 
regulations that are inconsistent with this rule; (2) has no 
retroactive effect; and (3) does not require administrative proceedings 
before parties may file suit in court challenging this rule.

Paperwork Reduction Act

    This rule contains no new information collection or recordkeeping 
requirements under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 
et seq.).

List of Subjects in 9 CFR Part 94

    Animal diseases, Imports, Livestock, Meat and meat products, Milk, 
Poultry and poultry products, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.
    Accordingly, 9 CFR part 94 is amended as follows:

PART 94--RINDERPEST, FOOT-AND-MOUTH DISEASE, FOWL PEST (FOWL 
PLAGUE), VELOGENIC VISCEROTROPIC NEWCASTLE DISEASE, AFRICAN SWINE 
FEVER, HOG CHOLERA, AND BOVINE SPONGIFORM ENCEPHALOPATHY: 
PROHIBITED AND RESTRICTED IMPORTATIONS

    1. The authority citation for part 94 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 7 U.S.C. 147a, 150ee, 161, 162, and 450; 19 U.S.C. 
1306; 21 U.S.C. 111, 114a, 134a, 134b, 134c, 134f, 136, and 136a; 31 
U.S.C. 9701; 42 U.S.C. 4331, and 4332; 7 CFR 2.22, 2.80, and 
371.2(d).

Sec. 94.8  [Amended]

    2. In Sec. 94.8, the introductory text is amended by removing the 
words ``, and Spain'' and by adding the word ``and'' immediately 
preceding the word ``Portugal''.

    Done in Washington, DC, this 16th day of August 1996.
A. Strating,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 96-21455 Filed 8-21-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-34-P

Complete official Federal Register PDF

FR Doc. 96-21391 Fees for Official Inspection and Official Weighing Services
[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 164 (Thursday, August 22, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 43301-43305]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-21391]

========================================================================
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 
week.

========================================================================

Federal Register / Vol. 61, No. 164 / Thursday, August 22, 1996 / 
Rules and Regulations

[[Page 43301]]

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration

7 CFR Part 800

RIN 0580-AA40

Fees for Official Inspection and Official Weighing Services

AGENCY: Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration, USDA.

ACTION: Final rule and Withdrawal of Interim final rule.

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

SUMMARY: The Federal Grain Inspection Service (FGIS), of the Grain 
Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA), is changing 
the way it collects user fees for official inspection and weighing 
services performed in the United States under the United States Grain 
Standards Act (USGSA), as amended. The new fee structure establishes 
fees for specific services using hourly rates and/or unit fees. This 
structure provides customers with information to better assess the cost 
of specific services, and allows FGIS to pass savings (in the form of 
fewer billable hours) to customers who invest in operational 
efficiencies. The new fee structure includes a 4 percent increase to 
recover salary increases.

EFFECTIVE DATE: October 1, 1996.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: George Wollam, USDA, GIPSA, Room 0623 
South Building, STOP 3649, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 
20250-3649, or telephone (202) 720-0292.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Executive Order 12866 and Regulatory Flexibility Act

    This rule has been determined to be significant for the purposes of 
Executive Order 12866 and, therefore, has been reviewed by the Office 
of Management and Budget.
    The change in the way user fees are collected provides customers 
with information to better assess the costs of specific inspection 
services because the fees will be more service specific than under the 
current hourly rate. Further, it allows savings to be passed on to 
users of the service who invest in operational efficiencies. Currently, 
applicants choose only those services they want, but individual service 
costs are supported by hourly rates without segregation. Fiscal year 
1993 financial and volume data were used in developing the new fee 
structure. While certain fees are increased and new fees are 
established, the revenue generated using fiscal year 1993 data is 
equivalent to the $23,192,178 collected that year.
    The new fee structure does include a 4 percent increase to recover 
salary increases since 1993, and would have generated sufficient 
revenue to cover costs for fiscal year 1994 and the costs for fiscal 
year 1995. For information, fiscal year 1994 revenues were $20,662,062 
with obligations of $21,415,400. For fiscal year 1995, revenues were 
$23,382,253 with obligations of $24,015,289, and for the first half of 
fiscal year 1996 revenues were $1,924,516 with obligations of 
$1,916,609. Obligations include buyout costs, along with costs 
associated with office consolidations.
    Presently, users of the inspection service are charged on an hourly 
basis. This hourly rate includes the salary and benefits for each 
service representative providing the service, as well as a portion of 
overhead and program support costs. The overall cost of a wide variety 
of services, e.g., grading, weighing, wheat protein measurement, 
soybean protein and oil measurement, and aflatoxin detection, are 
averaged together and recovered through an hourly service rate. Under 
the new system, customers will be charged a lower base hourly rate plus 
a unit fee to cover the cost of the specific service they request, such 
as wheat protein. Overhead and program costs will be recovered through 
a per-metric-ton volume fee assessed on all grain loaded from a 
facility.
    This rule may have an economic impact on infrequent users of the 
service. FGIS incurs difficulty balancing costs and revenue in some 
locations where customers desire local FGIS service capacity but use 
the service infrequently. The new fee schedule is designed to shift the 
cost of non-revenue producing time to those users responsible for 
incurring it. Consequently, infrequent users of the service may find 
the net effect of the new hourly fees and per-metric-ton administrative 
fee increases their total per-metric-ton cost for inspection service. 
Conversely, highly efficient and/or high-volume users of the service 
may realize a decrease in their per-metric-ton cost for inspection 
service due to the reduced contract hourly rate and the use of an 
administrative fee to cover overhead and program support expenses.
    Most users of the official inspection and weighing services do not 
meet the requirements for small entities. Further, FGIS is required by 
statute to make services available and to recover costs of providing 
such services as nearly as practicable. Therefore, James R. Baker, 
Administrator, GIPSA, has determined that this final rule does not have 
a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities 
as defined in the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.).

Executive Order 12778

    This final rule has been reviewed under Executive Order 12778, 
Civil Justice Reform. This action does not have a retroactive effect. 
The USGSA provides in Sec. 87g that no subdivision may require or 
impose any requirements or restrictions concerning the inspection, 
weighing, or description of grain under the Act. Otherwise, this final 
rule does not preempt any State or local laws, regulations, or policies 
unless they present irreconcilable conflict with this rule. There are 
no administrative procedures which must be exhausted prior to any 
judicial challenge to provisions of this rule.

Information Collection and Recordkeeping Requirements

    In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. Chapter 
3504), the previously approved information collection and recordkeeping 
requirements concerning applications for inspection and weighing 
services have been approved by the Office of Management and Budget 
under control number 0580-0013.

[[Page 43302]]

Background

    On November 30, 1995, FGIS proposed in the Federal Register (60 FR 
61499) to change the way it collects user fees for official inspection 
and weighing services performed under the USGSA.
    The USGSA fees for inspection and weighing services were last 
increased and became effective on May 20, 1991 (56 FR 15803). 
Currently, they appear in 7 CFR Sec. 800.71, Schedule A, Fees for 
Official Inspection, Weighing, and Appeal Inspection Services Performed 
in the United States.
    FGIS is revising Sec. 800.71, Schedule A--Fees for Official 
Inspection, Weighing, and Appeal Inspection Services Performed in the 
United States. Instead of one schedule covering all services, there are 
now three new tables. The new tables are: Table 1, ``Fees for Official 
Services Performed at an Applicant's Facility in an Onsite FGIS 
Laboratory;'' Table 2, ``Services Performed at Other Than an 
Applicant's Facility in an FGIS Laboratory;'' and Table 3, 
``Miscellaneous Services.''
    Schedule A, Table 1. This table covers all services performed 
onsite at an applicant's facility and continues the existing provision 
for using contract and noncontract hourly rates. The hourly rates are 
calculated to include only those costs directly related to labor and do 
not include overhead. The current 1 year contract is retained, but 
provisions are included for 3- and 6-month contracts. FGIS will 
evaluate the use of 3- and 6-month contracts after 1-year to determine 
if they shall be continued. The rate differences between 1-year, 6-
month, and 3-month contracts reflect the costs associated with 
increased staff production under a contract.
1. Hourly Rates
    The new hourly rates are divided into four categories related to 
how FGIS employees are paid: regular time (6 a.m. to 6 p.m.), 10 
percent night differential (6 p.m. to 6 a.m.), overtime at 1\1/2\ the 
regular hourly rate (for applicant-caused or requested overtime), and 
holiday rates at double the regular hourly rate (all hourly rates other 
than those of regular time are calculated using only the average base 
hourly rate; this does not include personnel benefits).
2. Additional Tests
    Additional unit fees for certain tests such as Aflatoxin, 
Vomitoxin, Soybean protein and/or oil, Sunflower oil, Wheat protein, 
Waxy corn, and Class Y weighing are implemented. These fees will 
recover additional costs incurred such as testing materials, equipment, 
and hazardous waste disposal which are not recovered through the hourly 
fee or administrative fee.
3. Administrative Fee
    A per-metric-ton administrative charge is implemented to recover 
the indirect costs of FGIS field offices and headquarters such as the 
salaries and benefits for office management and support staff, and 
rent. This charge is assessed on all outbound grain inspected and/or 
weighed at an applicant's facility. Six levels of fees are implemented 
ranging from 1 metric ton or less to over 7,000,001 metric tons with 
fees decreasing as the number of metric tons inspected increases. The 
charge is assessed in addition to the base hourly rate. At the 
beginning of each fiscal year (October 1), all applicants pay the same 
per-metric-ton fee. Once a level has been reached, the fee for 
additional metric tons is reduced until the maximum volume level is 
reached. Inspections performed on grain that cannot be captured as part 
of the metric ton charge has a unit fee assessed in addition to the 
hourly rate to recover overhead costs. Inspections such as submitted 
samples, factor only, and sacked grain are included.
    Schedule A, Table 2, covers fees for inspection and weighing 
services where FGIS does not have an onsite laboratory at an 
applicant's facility. The fees in this table are a mixture of hourly 
rates and unit fees. They cover a vast array of specific services 
presently provided under the current hourly rates. The hourly rates 
applied in Table 2 are the appropriate rates from Table 1, unless 
specific hourly rates are identified. Unit fees cover the time required 
to perform the service plus a portion for overhead. The types of 
service provided under these fees include inspection for grade and 
factor for specific carriers probe sampled or sampled online, 
additional services and testing (i.e., individual tests), Board appeals 
and appeals, weighing (Class X and Y), and stowage examinations.
    Schedule A, Table 3, provides fees to cover a variety of services 
not included in the previous tables. As with Table 2, the change in the 
fee structure from an hourly fee that recovers all costs to a service-
specific fee structure requires a listing of specific services 
currently funded by the hourly rate. These service-specific fees are a 
mixture of hourly rates and unit fees and apply to Grain Grading 
Seminars, Certification of Diverter Samplers, Special Services, Scale 
Testing and Certification, Evaluation of Weighing and Material Handling 
Systems, National Type Evaluation Program (NTEP) Prototype Evaluation 
(this hourly rate applies to scales, moisture meters and NIR 
analyzers), NTEP Prototype Evaluation of Railroad Track Scales, Mass 
Standards Calibration and Reverification, Special Projects, Foreign 
Travel, Online Customized Data Export Grain Information System (EGIS) 
Service, Samples Provided to Interested Parties, Divided-Lot 
Certificates, Extra Copies of Certificates, Faxing, Special Mailing, 
and Preparing Certificates Onsite.
    Further, FGIS is establishing a unit fee to recover expenses 
incurred when FGIS employees are requested to provide consulting 
services outside the United States. Currently, there is no fee for 
recovering costs of salary, travel, per diem, and related costs which 
is not related to an official service provided on a shipment of grain 
at the time of export from the United States. For example, an exporter 
may ask for an FGIS microbiologist to consult with microbiologists in 
an importing country to resolve adispute on the presence of grain 
fungi; or a USDA cooperator may request an FGIS inspector to conduct 
training for inspectors in an importing country.
    FGIS is also changing Secs. 800.72 and 800.73 of the regulations to 
further clarify the application of fees covered in Schedule A. 
Specifically, service provided under Schedule A covers service provided 
within 25 miles of the employee's assigned duty point. Travel, per 
diem, and other related costs are assessed for providing service beyond 
the 25-mile limit. A minimum fee is established for services identified 
in Table 2 performed outside of normal business hours Monday through 
Friday.

Comment Review

    FGIS received four comments during the 60-day comment period. Two 
comments were from grain handling trade associations, one from a State, 
and one from a steamship association. Both comments from the grain 
handling trade associations were generally supportive of the proposed 
rule; however, one commented that under the current hourly fees FGIS 
field office managers are encouraged to assign more employees to a 
shift than may be prudent. The commentor went on to say that the 
proposed fee structure does promote a more fair allocation of costs, 
but does not go far enough to reduce direct labor costs through job 
consolidation or by assigning supervisory personnel collateral duty for 
performing additional tests in those situations where the shift 
supervisor or journeyman grader are qualified or capable of doing the 
additional test.

[[Page 43303]]

    FGIS does not agree that its field office managers are over 
staffing shifts under the current hourly fees. FGIS further believes 
that direct labor costs will be reduced through the new lower hourly 
rate fee structure which includes a lower hourly rate for online 
supervisory personnel and the recovery of overhead through a per-
metric-ton administrative fee. FGIS does utilize its inspection 
personnel to their maximum potential.
    The comment from the State was entirely supportive and encouraged 
FGIS to adopt a unit fee for direct services provided to the industry 
with minimum hourly rates.
    The comment from the steamship association requested that FGIS 
maintain the current hourly rate with a small increase, that FGIS 
increase the number of hours and personnel available for stowage 
examinations, and that stowage examinations and stowage re-examinations 
will cost more to the steamship line if the inspections are done in 
different parts of the country.
    FGIS has determined that changing the way it collects fees from an 
hourly rate to a combination of reduced hourly rates and unit fees is 
the most equitable way to recover its costs and provide the grain 
industry quality service. FGIS agrees re-examining ship holds will cost 
more to the steamship line if the inspections are done in different 
parts of the country. Therefore, FGIS is modifying the provisions for 
charging for stowage examinations when the initial examination was 
performed at a different port. FGIS will not charge the minimum fee and 
will charge the per hold charge if the ship has moved from one port to 
another.
    While the comment concerning FGIS increasing the hours and 
personnel available for inspection is not within the scope of this 
rulemaking, we do note that stowage examination is conducted generally 
during daylight hours.

Withdrawal of Interim Final Rule

    On January 8, 1993 (58 FR 3213), FGIS published an interim rule, 
which would have implemented fee increases for official inspection and 
weighing services, effective February 1, 1993. On January 21, 1993, 
FGIS published in the Federal Register, a document indefinitely 
postponing the fee increase. This action withdraws the interim final 
rule published at 58 FR 3213.

October 1, 1996, Effective Date

    The changes to the fee schedules made in this final rule are 
effective October 1, 1996. That date corresponds to the beginning of 
the 1997 fiscal year and the start of a new accounting cycle.

List of Subjects in 7 CFR Part 800

    Administrative practice and procedure; Grain.

    For the reasons set out in the preamble, 7 CFR Part 800 is amended 
as follows:

PART 800--GENERAL REGULATIONS

    1. The authority citation for Part 800 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority: Pub. L. 94-582, 90 Stat. 2867, as amended (7 U.S.C. 
71 et seq.)

    2. Section 800.71 is amended by revising Schedule A to read as 
follows:

Sec. 800.71  Fees assessed by the Service.

    (a) * * *
Schedule A.--Fees for Official Inspection and Weighing Services 
Performed in the United States

   Table 1.--Fees for Official Services Performed at an Applicant's Facility in an Onsite FGIS Laboratory \1\   
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                               Monday to    Monday to                           
                                                               Friday  (6   Friday  (6   Saturday,              
                                                               a.m. to  6   p.m. to  6  Sunday, and    Holidays 
                                                                 p.m.)        a.m.)       Overtime              
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------\2\-----------------
                 (1) Inspection and Weighing Services Hourly Rates (per service representative)                 
                                                                                                                
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1-year contract.............................................       $23.00       $24.80       $32.40       $39.00
6-month contract............................................        25.00        26.80        34.40        43.60
3-month contract............................................        28.00        29.80        37.40        46.60
Noncontract.................................................        33.00        35.00        42.80        52.60
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 (2) Additional Tests (cost per test, assessed in addition to the hourly
                                rate) \3\                               
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(i) Aflatoxin (other than Thin Layer Chromatography)...........    $8.50
(ii) Aflatoxin (Thin Layer Chromatography method)..............    20.00
(iii) Soybean protein and oil (one or both)....................     1.50
(iv) Wheat protein (per test)..................................     1.50
(v) Sunflower oil (per test)...................................     1.50
(vi) Vomitoxin (qualitative)...................................     7.50
(vii) Vomitoxin (quantitative).................................    12.50
(viii) Waxy corn (per test)....................................     1.50
(ix) Fees for other tests not listed above will be based on the         
 lowest noncontract hourly rate.                                        
(x) Other services                                                      
    (a) Class Y Weighing (per carrier).........................         
        (1) Truck/container....................................      .30
        (2) Railcar............................................     1.25
        (3) Barge..............................................     2.50
------------------------------------------------------------------------
  (3) Administrative Fee (assessed in addition to all other applicable  
 fees, only one administrative fee will be assessed when inspection and 
          weighing services are performed on the same carrier).         
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(i) All outbound carriers (per-metric-ton) \4\                          
    (a) 1-1,000,000............................................   $0.090
    (b) 1,000,001-1,500,000....................................    0.082
    (c) 1,500,001-2,000,000....................................    0.042
    (d) 2,000,001-5,000,000....................................    0.032
    (e) 5,000,001-7,000,000....................................    0.017

[[Page 43304]]

                                                                        
    (f) 7,000,001-.............................................    0.002
(ii) Additional services (assessed in addition to all other             
 fees) \3\                                                              
    (a) Submitted sample (per sample-grade and factor).........     1.50
    (b) Submitted sample--Factor only (per factor).............    0.70 
\1\ Fees apply for original inspection and weighing, reinspection, and  
  appeal inspection service include, but are not limited to, sampling,  
  grading, weighing, prior to loading stowage examinations, and         
  certifying results performed within 25 miles of an employee's assigned
  duty station. Travel and related expenses will be charged for service 
  outside 25 miles as found in Sec.  800.72(a).                         
\2\ Overtime rates will be assessed for all hours in excess of 8        
  consecutive hours that result from an applicant scheduling or         
  requesting service beyond 8 hours, or if requests for additional      
  shifts exceed existing staffing.                                      
\3\ Appeal and reinspection services will be assessed the same fee as   
  the original inspection service.                                      
\4\ The administrative fee is assessed on an accumulated basis beginning
  at the start of the Service's fiscal year (October 1 each year).      

Table 2.--Services Performed at Other Than an Applicant's Facility in an
                         FGIS Laboratory \1\ \2\                        
(1) Original Inspection and Weighing (Class X) Services                 
  (i) Sampling only (use hourly rates from Table 1)                     
  (ii) Stationary lots (sampling, grade/factor, and                     
   checkloading)                                                        
      (a) Truck/trailer/container (per carrier)..............     $17.60
      (b) Railcar (per carrier)..............................     $27.00
      (c) Barge (per carrier)................................    $173.60
      (d) Sacked grain (per hour per service representative             
       plus an administrative fee per hundredweight) (CWT)...      $0.02
  (iii) Lots sampled online during loading (sampling charge             
   under (i) above plus)                                                
      (a) Truck/trailer container (per carrier)..............      $9.40
      (b) Railcar (per carrier)..............................     $18.80
      (c) Barge (per carrier)................................    $107.60
      (d) Sacked grain (per hour per service representative             
       plus an administrative fee per hundredweight) (CWT)...      $0.02
  (iv) Other services                                                   
      (a) Submitted sample (per sample--grade and factor)....     $10.00
      (b) Warehouseman inspection (per sample)...............     $17.00
      (c) Factor only (per factor--maximum 2 factors)........      $4.10
      (d) Checkloading/condition examination (use hourly                
       rates from Table 1, plus an administrative fee per               
       hundredweight if not previously assessed) (CWT).......      $0.02
      (e) Reinspection (grade and factor only. Sampling                 
       service additional, item (i) above....................     $11.00
      (f) Class X Weighing (per hour per service                        
       representative).......................................     $43.60
  (v) Additional tests (excludes sampling)                              
      (a) Aflatoxin (per test--other than TLC method)........     $25.00
      (b) Aflatoxin (per test--TLC method)...................    $100.50
      (c) Soybean protein and oil (one or both)..............      $7.80
      (d) Wheat protein (per test)...........................      $7.80
      (e) Sunflower oil (per test)...........................      $7.80
      (f) Vomitoxin (qualitative)............................     $25.00
      (g) Vomitoxin (quantitative)...........................     $30.00
      (h) Waxy corn (per test)...............................      $9.00
      (i) Canola (per test--00 dip test)                           $9.00
      (j) Pesticide Residue Testing \3\                                 
        (1) Routine Compounds (per sample)...................    $200.00
        (2) Special Compounds (per service representative)...    $100.00
  (k) Fees for other tests not listed above will be based on            
   the lowest noncontract hourly rate from Table 1.                     
(2) Appeal inspection and review of weighing service.\4\                
  (i) Board Appeals and Appeals (grade and factor)...........     $74.60
      (a) Factor only (per factor--max 2 factors)............     $38.00
      (b) Sampling service for Appeals additional (hourly               
       rates from Table 1)...................................           
  (ii) Additional tests (assessed in addition to all other              
   applicable fees)                                                     
      (a) Aflatoxin (per test, other than TLC)...............     $25.00
      (b) Aflatoxin (TLC)....................................    $110.00
      (c) Soybean protein and oil (one or both)..............     $15.30
      (d) Wheat protein (per test)...........................     $15.30
      (e) Sunflower oil (per test)...........................     $15.30
      (f) Vomitoxin (per test--qualitative)..................     $35.00
      (g) Vomitoxin (per test--quantitative).................     $40.00
      (h) Vomitoxin (per test--HPLC Board Appeal)............    $125.70
  (i) Pesticide Residue Testing \3\..........................           
      (1) Routine Compounds (per sample).....................    $200.00
      (2) Special Compounds (per service representative).....    $100.00
      (j) Fees for other tests not listed above will be based           
       on the lowest noncontract hourly rate from Table 1.              
  (iii) Review of weighing (per hour per service                        
   representative)...........................................     $63.50
(3) Stowage examination (service-on- request)\3\                        
  (i) Ship (per stowage space) (minimum $250 per ship).......     $50.00
  (ii) Subsequent ship examinations (same as original)\5\               
   (minimum $150 per ship)                                              
      (iii) Barge (per examination)..........................     $40.00
      (iv) All other carriers (per examination)..............     $15.00
                                                                        
\1\ Fees apply for original inspection and weighing, reinspection, and  
 appeal inspection service include, but are not limited to, sampling,   
 grading, weighing, prior to loading stowage examinations, and          
 certifying results performed within 25 miles of an employee's assigned 
 duty station. Travel and related expenses will be charged for service  
 outside 25 miles are found in Sec.  800.72 (a).                        
\2\ An additional charge will be assessed when the revenue from the     
 services in Schedule A, Table 2, does not cover what would have been   
 collected at the applicable hourly rate as provided in Sec.  800.72    
 (b).                                                                   
\3\ If performed outside of normal business, 1\1/2\ times the applicable
 unit fee will be charged.                                              
\4\ If, at the request of the Service, a file sample is located and     
 forwarded by the Agency for an official appeal, the Agency may, upon   
 request, be reimbursed at the rate of $2.50 per sample by the Service. 
\5\ If a ship has had, and passed, a stowage examination at one port    
 location but not loaded all holds examined, then moved to another port,
 the subsequent stowage examination shall charged the minimum hold fee  
 but only the per hold unit charge.                                     
                                                                        

                  Table 3.--Miscellaneous Services \1\                  
(1) Grain grading seminars (per hour per service                        
 representative).............................................     $43.60

[[Page 43305]]

                                                                        
(2) Certification of diverter-type mechanical samplers (per             
 hour per service representative)............................     $43.60
(3) Special services (per hour per service representative):..           
    (i) Scale testing and certification......................     $43.60
    (ii) Evaluation of weighing and material handling systems     $43.60
    (iii) NTEP Prototype evaluation (other than Railroad                
     Track Scales)...........................................     $43.60
    (iv) NTEP Prototype evaluation of Railroad Track Scales             
     (usage fee per day for test car)........................    $100.00
    (v) Mass standards calibration and reverification........     $43.60
    (vi) Special projects....................................     $43.60
(4) Foreign travel (per day per service representative)......    $416.00
(5) Online customized data EGIS service                                 
    (i) One data file per week for 1 year....................    $500.00
    (ii) One data file per month for 1 year..................    $300.00
(6) Samples provided to interested parties (per sample)......      $2.50
(7) Divided-lot certificates (per certificate)...............      $1.50
(8) Extra copies of certificates (per certificate)...........      $1.50
(9) Faxing (per page)........................................      $1.50
(10) Special mailing (actual cost)...........................           
(11) Preparing certificates onsite or during other than                 
 normal business hours (use hourly rates from Table 1).                 
                                                                        
\1\ Any requested service that is not listed will be performed at the   
 applicable noncontract hourly rate.                                    
\2\ Regular business hours-Monday thru Friday- service provided at other
 than regular hours charged at the applicable overtime hourly rate.     
                                                                        
                  *        *        *        *        *                 
                                                                        

    3. Section 800.72 is revised to read as follows:

Sec. 800.72  Explanation of additional service fees for services 
performed in the United States only.

    (a) When transportation of the service representative to the 
service location (at other than a specified duty point) is more than 25 
miles from an FGIS office, the actual transportation cost in addition 
to the applicable hourly rate for each service representative will be 
assessed from the FGIS office to the service point and return. When 
commercial modes of transportation (e.g., airplanes) are required, the 
actual expense incurred for the round-trip travel will be assessed. 
When services are provided to more than one applicant, the travel and 
other related charges will be prorated between applicants.
    (b) In addition to a 2-hour minimum charge for service on 
Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays, an additional charge will be assessed 
when the revenue from the services in Sec. 800.71, Schedule A, Table 2, 
does not equal or exceed what would have been collected at the 
applicable hourly rate. The additional charge will be the difference 
between the actual unit fee revenue and the hourly fee revenue. Hours 
accrued for travel and standby time shall apply in determining the 
hours for the minimum fee.
    4. Section 800.73 is revised to read as follows:

Sec. 800.73  Computation and payment of service fees; general fee 
information.

    (a) Computing hourly rates. The applicable hourly rate will be 
assessed in quarter hour increments for:
    (1) Travel from the FGIS field office or assigned duty station to 
the service point and return;
    (2) The performance of the requested service, less mealtime.
    (b) Application of fees when service is delayed or dismissed by the 
applicant. The applicable hourly rate will be assessed for the entire 
period of scheduled service when:
    (1) Service has been requested at a specified location;
    (2) A service representative is on duty and ready to provide 
service but is unable to do so because of a delay not caused by the 
Service; and
    (3 FGIS officials determine that the service representative cannot 
be utilized to provide service elsewhere without cost to the Service.
    (c) Application of fees when an application for service is 
withdrawn or dismissed. The applicable hourly rate will be assessed to 
the applicant for the entire period of scheduled service if the request 
is withdrawn or dismissed after the service representative departs for 
the service point, or if the service request is not canceled by 2 p.m., 
local time, the business day preceding the date of scheduled service. 
However, the applicable hourly rate will not be assessed to the 
applicant if FGIS officials determine that the service representative 
can be utilized elsewhere or released without cost to the Service.
    (d) To whom fees are assessed. Fees for inspection, weighing, and 
related services performed by service representatives, including 
additional fees as provided in Sec. 800.72, shall be assessed to and 
paid by the applicant for the service.
    (e) Monthly payment of administrative fee. At the option of the 
applicant, an agreement for 12 equal monthly payments may be entered 
into for payment of the administrative fee. These monthly payments will 
be based on the previous fiscal year's volume applied to the current 
year's administrative fee schedule. If the volume of grain inspected is 
more than the amount of grain agreed upon at the beginning of the 
fiscal year, at the point the agreed upon volume is exceeded, the 
current year's administrative fee schedule shall apply to the remaining 
amount of grain for the rest of the fiscal year. If the volume of grain 
inspected is less than the agreed upon amount, any excess monies paid 
to the Service shall be applied to the next fiscal year's 
administrative fee unless a request for a refund is made by the 
applicant.
    (f) Advance payment. As necessary, the Administrator may require 
that fees shall be paid in advance of the performance of the requested 
service. Any fees paid in excess of the amount due shall be used to 
offset future billings, unless a request for a refund is made by the 
applicant.
    (g) Form of payment. Bills for fees assessed under the regulations 
in this part for official services performed by FGIS shall be paid by 
check, draft, or money order, payable to the U.S. Department of 
Agriculture, Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration.

    Dated: August 16, 1996.
Shirley Watkins,
Acting Assistant Secretary, Marketing and Regulatory Programs.
[FR Doc. 96-21391 Filed 8-21-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-EN-P

Complete official Federal Register PDF

FR Doc. 96-21376 Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone off Alaska; Allowing Quota Shares and Individual Fishing Quota To Be Used on Smaller Vessels
[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 164 (Thursday, August 22, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 43312-43315]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-21376]

=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 960612171-6227-02; I.D. 060496A]
RIN 0648-AI57

Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone off Alaska; Allowing 
Quota Shares and Individual Fishing Quota To Be Used on Smaller Vessels

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

ACTION: Final rule.

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

SUMMARY: NMFS issues a final rule to implement Amendment 42 to the 
Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska and 
Amendment 42 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Groundfish Fishery 
of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Area, and a regulatory amendment 
to the Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) Program for fixed gear Pacific 
halibut and sablefish fisheries in and off Alaska. These FMP and 
regulatory amendments will allow quota shares (QS) and their associated 
IFQ assigned to vessels in larger size categories to be used on smaller 
vessels. This action is necessary to increase the flexibility of QS use 
and transfer while maintaining the management goals of the IFQ Program. 
It is intended to relieve certain restrictions in the IFQ Program.

EFFECTIVE DATE: August 16, 1996.

[[Page 43313]]

ADDRESSES: Copies of the final rule and the Environmental Assessment/
Regulatory Impact Review/Final Regulatory Flexibility Analysis (EA/RIR/
FRFA) for this action may be obtained from Fisheries Management 
Division, ATTN: Lori Gravel, Alaska Region, National Marine Fisheries 
Service, P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: James Hale, 907-586-7228.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands and Gulf of Alaska groundfish 
FMPs and their implementing regulations govern the sablefish fisheries 
in Federal waters off Alaska. The FMPs were developed by the North 
Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) under the authority of the 
Magnuson Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson Act). The 
Northern Pacific Halibut Act of 1982 (Halibut Act) authorizes the 
Council to develop, and NMFS to implement, regulations to allocate 
halibut fishing privileges among U.S. fishermen.
    Under these authorities, the Council developed the IFQ Program, a 
limited access system to manage the fixed gear Pacific halibut and 
sablefish fisheries. NMFS approved the IFQ Program in November 1993 and 
fully implemented it beginning in March 1995. The Magnuson Act and the 
Halibut Act authorize amendments to the IFQ Program as necessary to 
conserve and manage these fisheries. These amendments allow QS and IFQ 
assigned to vessels in larger size categories to be used on smaller 
vessels. A description of these amendments follows.
    The IFQ Program assigns QS and IFQ to vessel categories specified 
by length overall (LOA) and authorization to process IFQ species or not 
as follows: Category A--which authorizes an IFQ cardholder to catch and 
process IFQ species on a vessel of any length; Category B--which 
authorizes an IFQ cardholder to catch IFQ species on a vessel greater 
than 60 ft (18.3 m) LOA; Category C--which authorizes an IFQ cardholder 
to catch sablefish on a vessel less than or equal to 60 ft (18.3 m) 
LOA, and catch halibut on a vessel less than or equal to 60 ft (18.3 m) 
but greater than 35 ft (10.7 m) LOA; or Category D--which authorizes an 
IFQ cardholder to catch halibut on a vessel less than or equal to 35 ft 
(10.7 m) LOA. Current regulations at Sec. 679.42(a) require that IFQ be 
fished only on vessels in the category to which the pertinent QS have 
been assigned.
    An exception to this rule allows Category B, C, or D IFQ to be 
fished on a Category A vessel provided its LOA is consistent with the 
vessel category of the IFQ being fished and it neither processes any 
species of fish nor concurrently fishes Category A IFQ with the use of 
Category B, C, or D IFQ (Sec. 679.42(i)(2)(i)). The Council prohibited 
QS transfer across vessel categories to preserve the social and 
cultural character of the small boat fisheries prior to limited access.
    During the first year of fishing under the IFQ Program in 1995, IFQ 
fishermen and their representatives reported to the Council that the 
prohibition against using or transferring QS across vessel categories 
limited their ability to improve the profitability of their operations. 
Many fishermen reported that they had received QS that represented far 
fewer pounds than their recent catch history prior to the IFQ Program. 
Small boat fishermen reported the scarcity of medium- and large-size QS 
blocks greater than or equal to 5,000 lb (2.3 mt) available to smaller 
vessels and requested that the Council enable them to purchase shares 
from QS holders in larger vessel size categories. Also, Category B 
vessel operators reported difficulties in using or marketing small 
Category B blocks and requested the opportunity either to downsize 
operations or to sell smaller QS blocks to owners of smaller vessels.
    These amendments address the above concerns by allowing QS 
initially assigned to a larger vessel category to be used on smaller 
vessels, while continuing to prohibit the use of QS or its associated 
IFQ assigned to smaller vessel categories on larger vessels. QS will 
continue to be assigned to vessel categories by existing criteria at 
Sec. 679.40(a)(5) (i) through (vi) and will retain original vessel 
category assignments. However, halibut and sablefish QS and their 
associated IFQ assigned to vessel Category B can be used on vessels of 
any size; halibut QS assigned to vessel Category C likewise can be used 
on vessels of categories C and D. The regulations continue to prohibit 
the use of QS and IFQ on vessels larger than the maximum LOA of the 
category to which the QS was originally assigned.
    This rule does not apply to halibut in IFQ regulatory areas 2C or 
to sablefish east of 140 deg. W. long. Halibut QS assigned to vessel 
Category B in IFQ regulatory areas 2C and sablefish QS east of 140 deg. 
W. long. are prohibited from use on vessels less than or equal to 60 ft 
(18.3 m) LOA except in QS blocks equivalent to less than 5,000 lb (2.3 
mt) based on the 1996 Total Allowable Catch (TAC).
    For example, an individual who holds two blocks of QS assigned to 
vessel Category B in regulatory area 2C (for halibut) or east of 
140 deg. W. long. (for sablefish)--one block equivalent to 13,000 lb 
(5.9 mt) and the other equivalent to 3000 lb (1.4 mt) (according to the 
1996 TAC)--would be able to transfer the smaller QS block or use its 
resulting IFQ on catcher vessels of any size, because the block is 
equivalent to less than 5,000 lb (2.3 mt). The larger QS block, which 
would result in IFQ of more than 5,000 lb (2.3 mt), would still be 
prohibited from use on any vessel other than one in vessel Category B. 
Unblocked QS of any amount assigned to vessel Category B in areas 2C 
and east of 140 deg. W. long. would continue to be restricted to 
transfer or use on vessels in Category B only.
    Further information on the amendments may be found in the preamble 
to the proposed rule (61 FR 32767, June 25, 1996). Written comments on 
the proposed rule and associated amendments were invited through August 
5, 1996, and August 6, 1996, respectively.

Changes From the Proposed Rule to the Final Rule

    No substantive changes have been made in the final rule from the 
proposed rule. Between publication of the proposed and final rules for 
this action, the regulations governing fisheries in the Exclusive 
Economic Zone off Alaska have been consolidated into one new CFR part 
(50 CFR part 679) as part of the President's Regulatory Reform 
Initiative (see 61 FR 31228, June 19, 1996). This final rule renumbers 
and otherwise adjusts the changes contained herein to be consistent 
with the new disposition of regulations in 50 CFR part 679.

Comments on the Proposed Rule

    Sixteen letters of comment were received by NMFS regarding 
Amendments 42/42. Fourteen letters provided comments in support of the 
amendments. Of these, nine opposed the exception for halibut in 
regulatory areas 2C and for sablefish east of 140 deg. W. long. Seven 
letters requested that NMFS expedite the regulatory review process, 
promoting the opportunity for fishermen with larger QS to take 
advantage of this action during the summer weather. One letter provided 
no comment. One letter indicated that these amendments would increase 
costs for consumers as a result of smaller, rather than larger, vessels 
delivering QS. These comments, which are summarized and responded to 
below,

[[Page 43314]]

were considered in the formulation of this final rule.
    Comment 1: The amendments should improve the profitability of 
operations for fishermen in the IFQ Program.
    Response: NMFS concurs in this comment. These amendments will 
provide small boat owners opportunity to acquire QS initially assigned 
to holders with larger vessels, and the amendments will make smaller 
Category B blocks more marketable.
    Comment 2: The exception for the regulatory areas 2C for halibut 
and east of 140 deg. W. long. is unnecessary.
    Response: The exception is necessary. The imbalance in distribution 
of QS across vessel categories in these regulatory areas, with a 
predominant amount of shares assigned for use on smaller vessels, 
requires the exception to prevent excessive consolidation of QS among 
owners of smaller vessels. This action nevertheless provides some 
additional flexibility by allowing QS blocks equivalent to less than 
5,000 lb (2.3 mt) to be used on smaller vessels.
    Comment 3: These amendments will increase costs for consumers, 
because more small vessels will deliver IFQ catch. The concept of scale 
economies, in which a processing plant can spread its fixed costs over 
more quantity permitting it to sell at better prices, is lost. These 
amendments, therefore, will not be in the best interest of the local 
economy, the region, or the nation.
    Response: Although the commenter may be theoretically correct with 
respect to any one processor, NMFS does not have information to compare 
price information with fixed costs in the aggregate for all processors. 
On balance, these amendments will benefit the Nation. National Standard 
1 of the Magnuson Act requires measures, in part, to achieve the 
optimum yield (OY) from each fishery for the U.S. fishing industry. The 
determination of OY is a decisional mechanism for balancing the various 
interests that comprise the national welfare. Among these interests are 
social factors, including those relevant to small boat fisheries on 
which local Alaskan communities often depend. NMFS finds that these 
amendments promote these social factors, resulting in a positive 
benefit to the Nation.
    Comment 4: The majority of letters implored NMFS to expedite the 
implementation of the amendments.
    Response: NMFS notes the comment.

Classification

    The Director, Alaska Region, NMFS, determined that Amendment 42 to 
the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska and 
Amendment 42 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Groundfish Fishery 
of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Area are necessary for the 
conservation and management of the groundfish and halibut fisheries off 
Alaska and that they are consistent with the Magnuson Act and other 
applicable laws.
    The Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA finds that this 
final rule relieves a restriction, because fishermen with vessels in 
smaller size categories will be able to harvest, in 1996, QS and its 
associated IFQ assigned to larger vessels prior to the advent of poorer 
weather, thereby harvesting more of the available quota during safer 
fishing conditions. A delayed effectiveness under 5 U.S.C. section 
553(d)(1), therefore, is not required.
    The Council prepared an Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis 
(IRFA) as part of the Regulatory Impact Review (RIR); NMFS prepared an 
FRFA. These documents provide a statement of the need for and 
objectives of this rule as stated in the preamble. A maximum of 8,614 
small entities, including 6,640 halibut quota share holders and 1,974 
sablefish quota share holders, may be affected by this rule. This rule 
does not include any reporting or recordkeeping requirements. It is 
designed to relieve certain restrictions in the IFQ program and open 
new opportunities for owners of smaller vessels to improve the 
profitability of their operations by increasing the quota share 
holdings available for trade by 309 percent and the IFQ pounds 
available for trade by 2,547 percent. The rule is expected to have a 
positive economic impact on small entities consistent with the 
objectives of the ITQ program. Alternative 1 (the status quo) was 
rejected in favor of Alternative 3 (the preferred alternative) because 
Alternative 3 increases the flexibility of the IFQ program and provides 
additional economic opportunities to small entities. Alternative 2 (the 
alternative that would not include the exception for IFQ halibut in 
regulatory area 2C and for IFQ sablefish east of 140 deg. W. long.) was 
rejected in favor of Alternative 3 because the preferred alternative 
would avoid excessive concentration of quota share among owners of 
smaller vessels, consistent with the objectives of the ITQ program; 
nonetheless, Alternative 3 does provide some additional flexibility by 
allowing quota share blocks of certain amounts to be used on smaller 
vessels. Comments were received on the proposed rule, but none 
discussed the IRFA or RIR specifically; those comments and responses to 
them are summarized in the preamble. A copy of the FRFA is available 
from NMFS (see ADDRESSES).
    This rule has been determined to be not significant for purposes of 
E.O. 12866.

List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 679

    Fisheries, Recordkeeping and Reporting.

    Dated: August 16, 1996.
Gary Matlock,
Program Management Officer, National Marine Fisheries Service.

    For the reasons set forth in the preamble, 50 CFR part 679 is 
amended as follows:

PART 679--FISHERIES OF THE EXCLUSIVE ECONOMIC ZONE OFF ALASKA

    1. The authority citation for 50 CFR part 679 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 773 et seq. and 1801 et seq.

    2. In Sec. 679.40, paragraph (a)(5)(ii) is revised to read as 
follows:

Sec. 679.40  Sablefish and halibut QS.

* * * * *
    (a) * * *
    (5) * * *
    (ii) Vessel categories. QS and its associated IFQ assigned to 
vessel categories include:
    (A) Category A QS and associated IFQ, which authorizes an IFQ 
cardholder to harvest and process IFQ species on a vessel of any 
length;
    (B) Category B QS and associated IFQ, which authorizes an IFQ 
cardholder to harvest IFQ species on a vessel of any length;
    (C) Category C QS and associated IFQ, which authorizes an IFQ 
cardholder to harvest IFQ species on a vessel less than or equal to 60 
ft (18.3 m) LOA:
    (D) Category D QS and associated IFQ, which authorizes an IFQ 
cardholder to harvest IFQ halibut on a vessel less than or equal to 35 
ft (10.7 m) LOA;
* * * * *
    3. In Sec. 679.42, paragraph (a) is revised to read as follows:

Sec. 679.42  Limitations on use of QS and IFQ.

    (a) IFQ regulatory area and vessel category. The QS or IFQ 
specified for one IFQ regulatory area must not be used in a different 
IFQ regulatory area. Except as provided in paragraph (k) of this 
section or in Sec. 679.41(i)(1) of this part, the IFQ assigned to one 
vessel category must not be used to harvest IFQ species on a vessel of 
a different vessel category. Notwithstanding Sec. 679.40(a)(5)(ii) of 
this part, IFQ

[[Page 43315]]

assigned to vessel Category B must not be used on any vessel less than 
or equal to 60 ft (18.3 m) LOA to harvest IFQ halibut in IFQ regulatory 
area 2C or IFQ sablefish in the IFQ regulatory area east of 140 deg. W. 
long. unless such IFQ derives from blocked QS units that result in IFQ 
of less than 5,000 lb (2.3 mt), based on the 1996 TAC for fixed gear 
specified for the IFQ halibut fishery and the IFQ sablefish fishery in 
each of these two regulatory areas.
* * * * *
[FR Doc. 96-21376 Filed 8-16-96; 4:22 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P

Complete official Federal Register PDF

FR Doc. 96-21375 Airworthiness Directives; Jetstream Aircraft Limited HP137 Mk1, Jetstream Series 200, and Jetstream Models 3101 and 3201 Airplanes
[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 164 (Thursday, August 22, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 43307-43310]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-21375]

=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 95-CE-94-AD; Amendment 39-9722; AD 96-17-12]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Jetstream Aircraft Limited HP137 Mk1, 
Jetstream Series 200, and Jetstream Models 3101 and 3201 Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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

SUMMARY: This amendment supersedes Airworthiness Directive (AD) 87-07-
01, which currently requires the following on Jetstream Aircraft 
Limited (JAL) HP137 Mk1, Jetstream series 200, and Jetstream Model 3101 
airplanes: repetitively inspecting the nose landing gear (NLG) top cap 
assembly securing bolts for looseness or cracks, retorquing any loose 
security bolt, and replacing any cracked security bolt. AD 87-07-01 
also provides the option of incorporating an NLG modification as 
terminating action for the repetitive inspections. A report of cracked 
and loose bolts found on an airplane with the above-referenced NLG 
modification prompted this action. This action:

[[Page 43308]]

retains the repetitive inspections required by AD 87-07-01; increases 
the AD applicability to include Jetstream Model 3201 airplanes and 
airplanes that have the NLG top cap assembly modified in accordance 
with AD 87-07-01; requires replacing two of the NLG top cap assembly 
securing bolts; and incorporates a new NLG top cap assembly that would 
eliminate the repetitive inspection requirement of the AD. The actions 
specified in this AD are intended to prevent failure of the NLG caused 
by cracked or loose securing bolts, which, if not detected and 
corrected, could lead to NLG collapse and damage to the airplane.

DATES: Effective October 21, 1996.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of October 21, 1996.

ADDRESSES: Service information that applies to this AD may be obtained 
from Jetstream Aircraft Limited, Manager Product Support, Prestwick 
Airport, Ayrshire, KA9 2RW Scotland; telephone (44-292) 79888; 
facsimile (44-292) 79703; or Jetstream Aircraft Inc., Librarian, P.O. 
Box 16029, Dulles International Airport, Washington, DC 20041-6029; 
telephone (703) 406-1161; facsimile (703) 406-1469. This information 
may also be examined at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), 
Central Region, Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, Attention: Rules 
Docket 95-CE-94-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, 
Missouri 64106; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North 
Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Dorenda Baker, Program Officer, 
Brussels Aircraft Certification Division, FAA, Europe, Africa, and 
Middle East Office, c/o American Embassy, B-1000 Brussels, Belgium; 
telephone (322) 508-2715; facsimile (322) 230-6899; or Mr. Jeffrey 
Morfitt, Project Officer, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service, FAA, 1201 Walnut, suite 900, Kansas City, 
Missouri 64106; telephone (816) 426-6932; facsimile (816) 426-2169.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Events Leading to the AD

    A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
CFR part 39) to include an AD that would apply to JAL HP137 Mk1, 
Jetstream series 200, and Jetstream Models 3101 and 3201 airplanes that 
do not have a modified NLG top cap assembly incorporated (Amendment JA 
901040) was published in the Federal Register on March 22, 1996 (61 FR 
11786). The action proposed to supersede AD 87-07-01 with a new AD that 
would:

-- retain the requirement contained in AD 87-07-01 of repetitively 
inspecting the NLG top cap assembly securing bolts for looseness, 
retorquing any loose security bolt, and replacing any cracked security 
bolt;
--require replacing two of the NLG top cap assembly securing bolts and 
checking the other two NLG top cap assembly securing bolts for the 
correct length; and
--require replacing (at a specified time) the NLG top cap assembly with 
a part of improved design (Amendment JA 901040) as terminating action 
for the repetitive inspections.

    Accomplishment of the proposed actions would be in accordance with 
Jetstream Service Bulletin (SB) 32-JA 901040, Revision No. 3, dated 
August 9, 1995, and AP Precision Hydraulics Ltd SB 32-41, which 
incorporates the following pages:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Pages                 Revision level           Date       
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1, 2, 6, 7, 8 and 15............  Revision No. 2....  Mar. 9, 1993.     
4 and 10........................  Revision No. 1....  July 11, 1991.    
3, 5, 9, 11, 12, 13, and 14.....  Original Issue....  Nov. 17, 1990.    
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    A report of cracked and loose bolts found on an airplane with the 
above-referenced NLG modification prompted the proposal.
    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. One comment was received in support of 
the proposed rule and no comments were received regarding the FAA's 
determination of the cost to the public.

FAA's Determination

    After careful review of all available information related to the 
subject presented above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the 
public interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed except for 
minor editorial corrections. The FAA has determined that these minor 
corrections will not change the meaning of the AD and will not add any 
additional burden upon the public than was already proposed.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 150 airplanes in the U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 18 workhours 
(inspection: 6 workhours; replacement: 12 workhours) to accomplish the 
required actions, and that the average labor rate is approximately $60 
an hour. Parts cost approximately $1,200 per airplane. Based on these 
figures, the total cost impact of this AD on U.S. operators is 
estimated to be $342,000 or $2,280 per airplane. This figure only takes 
into account the cost of the required initial inspection and required 
inspection-terminating modification and does not take into account the 
cost of the required repetitive inspections. The FAA has no way of 
determining the number of repetitive inspections each of the owners/
operators would incur over the life of the affected airplanes.
    This figure is also based on the assumption that none of the 
affected airplane owners/operators have accomplished the required 
modification. This action eliminates the repetitive inspections 
required by AD 87-07-01. The FAA has no way of determining the 
operation levels of each individual operator of the affected airplanes, 
and subsequently cannot determine the repetitive inspection costs that 
will be eliminated by this action. The FAA estimates these costs to be 
substantial over the long term.
    In addition, JAL has informed the FAA that parts have been 
distributed to owners/operators to equip approximately 62 of the 
affected airplanes. Assuming that each set of parts has been installed 
on an affected airplane, the cost impact of the required modification 
upon the public will be reduced $141,360 from $342,000 to $200,640.

FAA's Aging Commuter-Class Aircraft Policy

    This action is consistent with the FAA's aging commuter-class 
airplane policy. This policy simply states that reliance on repetitive 
inspections of critical areas on commuter-class airplanes carries an 
unnecessary safety risk when a design change exists that could 
eliminate or, in certain instances, reduce the number of those critical 
inspections.
    The intent of the FAA's aging commuter airplane program is to 
ensure safe operation of commuter-class airplanes that are in 
commercial service without adversely impacting private operators. Of 
the approximately 150 airplanes in the U.S. registry that are affected 
by this AD, the FAA has determined that approximately 95 percent are 
operated in scheduled passenger service by 10 different operators.

[[Page 43309]]

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.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (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) will not have a 
significant economic impact, positive or negative, on a substantial 
number of small entities under the criteria of the Regulatory 
Flexibility Act. A copy of the final evaluation prepared for this 
action is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained 
by contacting 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 removing Airworthiness Directive 
(AD) 87-07-01, Amendment 39-5582, and adding a new AD to read as 
follows:

96-17-12 Jetstream Aircraft Limited: Amendment 39-9722; Docket No. 
95-CE-94-AD. Supersedes AD 87-07-01, Amendment 39-5582.

    Applicability: The following airplane models and serial numbers, 
certificated in any category, that do not have a modified nose 
landing gear (NLG) top cap assembly incorporated (Amendment JA 
901040) in accordance with Jetstream Service Bulletin (SB) 32-JA 
901040, Revision No. 3, dated August 9, 1995:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   Model                           Serial numbers       
------------------------------------------------------------------------
HP137 Mk1.................................  All serial numbers;         
Jetstream series 200......................  All serial numbers;         
Jetstream Model 3101......................  All serial numbers; and     
Jetstream Model 3201......................  Serial numbers 790 through  
                                             854.                       
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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 (f) 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 in the body of this AD, unless 
already accomplished.
    To prevent failure of the NLG caused by cracked or loose 
securing bolts, which, if not detected and corrected, could lead to 
NLG collapse and damage to the airplane, accomplish the following:

    Note 2: The paragraph structure of this AD is as follows:

    Level 1: (a), (b), (c), etc.
    Level 2: (1), (2), (3), etc.
    Level 3: (i), (ii), (iii), etc.

    Level 2 and Level 3 structures are designations of the Level 1 
paragraph they immediately follow.
    (a) Within the next 300 landings accumulated on the NLG after 
the effective date of this AD, accomplish the following in 
accordance with the applicable portion of the ACCOMPLISHMENT 
INSTRUCTIONS section of Jetstream SB 32-JA 901040, Revision No. 3, 
dated August 9, 1995, and AP Precision Hydraulics Ltd SB 32-41, 
which incorporates the following pages:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Pages                 Revision level           Date       
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1, 2, 6, 7, 8 and 15............  Revision No. 2....  Mar. 9, 1993.     
4 and 10........................  Revision No. 1....  July 11, 1991.    
3, 5, 9, 11, 12, 13, and 14.....  Original Issue....  Nov. 17, 1990.    
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (1) Replace two of the NLG top cap assembly securing bolts, and 
check the other two for correct length in accordance with part 1A of 
the ACCOMPLISHMENT INSTRUCTIONS section of AP Precision Hydraulics 
Ltd SB 32-41. Prior to further flight, replace any NLG top securing 
bolt that is not the length specified in AP Precision Hydraulics Ltd 
SB 32-41.
    (2) Check the tightness of the four NLG top cap assembly 
securing bolts and ensure that these bolts are not broken in 
accordance with part 1b of the ACCOMPLISHMENT INSTRUCTIONS section 
of AP Precision Hydraulics Ltd SB 32-41.
    (i) Prior to further flight, retorque any bolts with incorrect 
torque values.
    (ii) If any bolts are broken or gaps are found as specified in 
paragraph A.(4) of part 1b of the ACCOMPLISHMENT INSTRUCTIONS 
section of AP Precision Hydraulics Ltd SB 32-41, prior to further 
flight, replace the NLG in accordance with the applicable 
maintenance manual.
    (b) Within 1,200 landings after the actions required by 
paragraph (a) of this AD (all paragraph designations), and 
thereafter at intervals not to exceed 1,200 landings, until the 
modification required by paragraph (c) of this AD is incorporated, 
check the tightness of the four NLG top cap assembly securing bolts 
and ensure that these bolts are not broken in accordance with part 
1b of the ACCOMPLISHMENT INSTRUCTIONS section of AP Precision 
Hydraulics Ltd SB 32-41.
    (1) Prior to further flight, retorque any bolts with incorrect 
torque values.
    (2) If any bolts are broken or gaps are found as specified in 
paragraph A.(4) of part 1b of the ACCOMPLISHMENT INSTRUCTIONS 
section of AP Precision Hydraulics Ltd SB 32-41, prior to further 
flight, replace the NLG in accordance with the applicable 
maintenance manual.
    (c) Upon accumulating 20,000 landings on the NLG or within the 
next 2,500 landings accumulated on the NLG after the effective date 
of this AD, whichever occurs later, install a new NLG top cap 
assembly or modify the existing NLG top cap assembly in accordance 
with Part 2 of the ACCOMPLISHMENT INSTRUCTIONS section of AP 
Precision Hydraulics Ltd SB 32-41, which incorporates the following 
pages:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Pages                 Revision level           Date       
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1, 2, 6, 7, 8 and 15............  Revision No. 2....  Mar. 9, 1993.     
4 and 10........................  Revision No. 1....  July 11, 1991.    
3, 5, 9, 11, 12, 13, and 14.....  Original Issue....  Nov. 17, 1990.    
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (d) Incorporating the modification required by paragraph (c) of 
this AD is considered terminating action for the repetitive torque 
checks required by this AD and may be incorporated at any time prior 
to 20,000 landings on a NLG or within the next 2,500 landings 
accumulated on the NLG after the effective date of this AD, 
whichever occurs later (at which time it must be incorporated).
    (e) 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.
    (f) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
initial or repetitive compliance times that provides an equivalent 
level of safety may be approved by the Manager, Brussels Aircraft 
Certification Division, Europe, Africa, Middle East office, FAA, c/o 
American Embassy, 1000 Brussels,

[[Page 43310]]

Belgium. The request should be forwarded through an appropriate FAA 
Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the 
Manager, Brussels Aircraft Certification Division. Alternative 
methods of compliance approved in accordance with AD 87-07-01 
(superseded by this action) are not considered approved as 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD.

    Note 3: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Brussels Aircraft Certification Division.

    (g) The replacements, check, retorque, and installation required 
by this AD shall be done in accordance with Jetstream Service 
Bulletin 32-JA 901040, Revision No. 3, dated August 9, 1995, and AP 
Precision Hydraulics Ltd Service Bulletin 32-41, which incorporates 
the following pages:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Pages                 Revision level           Date       
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1, 2, 6, 7, 8 and 15............  Revision No. 2....  Mar. 9, 1993.     
4 and 10........................  Revision No. 1....  July 11, 1991.    
3, 5, 9, 11, 12, 13, and 14.....  Original Issue....  Nov. 17, 1990.    
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    This incorporation by reference was approved by the Director of 
the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR 
part 51. Copies may be obtained from Jetstream Aircraft Limited, 
Manager Product Support, Prestwick Airport, Ayrshire, KA9 2RW 
Scotland; or Jetstream Aircraft Inc., Librarian, P.O. Box 16029, 
Dulles International Airport, Washington, DC. Copies may be 
inspected at the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Assistant Chief 
Counsel, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri, or at 
the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., 
suite 700, Washington, DC.
    (h) This amendment (39-9722) supersedes AD 87-07-01, Amendment 
39-5582.
    (i) This amendment (39-9722) becomes effective on October 21, 
1996.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on August 15, 1996.
Carolanne L. Cabrini,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 96-21375 Filed 8-21-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

Complete official Federal Register PDF

FR Doc. 96-21167 Deletion of Outdated References and Minor Change
[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 164 (Thursday, August 22, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 43406-43408]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-21167]

      

[[Page 43405]]

_______________________________________________________________________

Part III

Nuclear Regulatory Commission

_______________________________________________________________________

10 CFR Parts 2 and 51

Domestic Licensing: Technical Amendments; Final Rule and Proposed Rule

Federal Register / Vol. 61, No. 164 / Thursday, August 22, 1996 / 
Rules and Regulations

[[Page 43406]]

NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

10 CFR Parts 2 and 51

RIN 3150-AF43

Deletion of Outdated References and Minor Change

AGENCY: Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

ACTION: Direct final rule.

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

SUMMARY: The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is amending its 
regulations to delete all references to Appendix C, of 10 CFR Part 2. 
Appendix C ``General Statement of Policy and Procedures for Enforcement 
Actions,'' was removed from the Code of Federal Regulations because it 
is a Policy Statement, not a regulation, and the enforcement policy was 
published as a Policy Statement on June 30, 1995. This direct final 
rule also provides that the NRC may use discretion when determining 
whether to require a written explanation or statement in reply to a 
notice of violation. When the NRC believes that the licensee or other 
person who receives the notice of violation has already adequately 
addressed all the issues contained in that notice, at the discretion of 
the NRC, further written responses may not be required.

DATES: This final rule is effective on October 21, 1996, unless 
significant adverse comments are received by the NRC. Comments should 
be submitted by September 23, 1996. If the effective date is delayed, 
timely notice will be published in the Federal Register.

ADDRESSES: Mail written comments to: Secretary, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory 
Commission, Washington, DC, 20555-0001. ATTN: Docketing and Service 
Branch.
    Hand deliver comments to: 11555 Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD, 
between 7:30 am and 4:15 pm Federal workdays.
    For information on submitting comments electronically, see the 
discussion under Electronic Access in the Supplementary Information 
Section.
    Copies of comments received may be examined or copies for a fee, at 
the NRC Public Document Room, 2120 L Street NW. (Lower Level), 
Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: M.L. Au, Office of Nuclear Regulatory 
Research, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555-
0001, telephone (301) 415-6181. E-Mail: INTERNET:[email protected]

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The NRC has removed Appendix C, ``General Statement of Policy and 
Procedures for NRC Enforcement Actions,'' from 10 CFR Part 2 (60 FR 
34380; June 30, 1995) inasmuch as the Enforcement Policy is a Policy 
Statement, not a regulation. The enforcement policy, ``General 
Statement of Policy and Procedures for NRC Enforcement Actions--
Enforcement Policy,'' was published as a Policy Statement on June 30, 
1995 (60 FR 34381). It was also published as NUREG-1600 in July 1995. 
There are two sections (10 CFR 2.8(b) and 51.10(d)) in the Commission's 
regulations that still reference Appendix C to Part 2. This rulemaking 
deletes both outdated references.
    This rulemaking also amends Sec. 2.201, ``Notice of Violation,'' to 
provide that the NRC may use discretion when determining whether to 
require a written explanation or statement in reply to a notice of 
violation. When the NRC believes that the licensee or other person who 
received the notice of violation has already adequately addressed all 
the issues contained in that notice, further written responses may not 
be required.

Discussion

I. Deletion of Outdated Reference to Appendix C to 10 CFR Part 2

Section 2.8  Information Collection Requirements: OMB Approval

    Section 2.8(a) currently states that the Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB) has approved the information collection requirements 
contained in Part 2. Section 2.8(b) states that the approved 
information collection requirements appear in Appendix C to 10 CFR Part 
2. Because Appendix C has been removed from Part 2, there are no longer 
any information collection requirements in this part. Thus, Sec. 2.8 is 
amended to state that there are no information collection requirements 
contained in this part. It should be noted that any burden for the 
information collections related to enforcement actions is currently 
associated with the policy statement (June 30, 1995; 60 FR 34380), 
rather than with Part 2.

Section 51.10  Purpose and Scope of Subpart; Application of Regulations 
of Council on Environmental Quality

    Section 51.10(d) currently states, ``These actions include issuance 
of notices, orders, and denials of requests for action pursuant to 
Subpart B of Part 2 of this chapter, matters covered by Part 15 and 
Part 160 of this chapter, and any other matters covered by Appendix C 
to Part 2 of this chapter.'' Because Appendix C to 10 CFR Part 2 has 
been deleted, this sentence is incorrect. Thus, Sec. 51.10(d) is 
amended by deleting the reference to Appendix C to 10 CFR Part 2. 
Enforcement-related actions identified in the former Appendix C to 10 
CFR Part 2 will be added as examples to the list of actions in 
Sec. 51.10(d).

II. Grant of Discretion to Commission To Require a Written 
Explanation in Reply to a Notice of Violation

Section 2.201  Notice of Violation

    Section 2.201(a) states that, in response to a notice of violation, 
a licensee or other person subject to the jurisdiction of the 
Commission to whom a notice of violation has been sent will be required 
to submit a written statement in reply, including corrective steps that 
have been taken, and the date when full compliance will be achieved. 
However, when a licensee or other person has already adequately 
addressed the issues contained in the notice of violation in writing, 
the licensee or other person has already, in effect, responded to the 
violation and a further written statement may be unnecessary. 
Therefore, Sec. 2.201(a) is amended to replace the existing phrase 
``will require'' with ``may require.'' This change grants the NRC 
discretion when determining whether to require the submittal of a 
written explanation or statement when the NRC believes that a licensee 
or other person has already adequately addressed all the issues 
contained in that notice of violation.

Electronic Access

    Comments may be submitted electronically, in either ASCII text or 
WordPerfect format (version 5.1 or later), by calling the NRC 
Electronic Bulletin Board (BBS) on FedWorld. The bulletin board may be 
accessed using a personal computer, a modem, and one of the commonly 
available communications software packages, or directly via Internet.
    If using a personal computer and modem, the NRC rulemaking 
subsystem on FedWorld can be accessed directly by dialing the toll free 
number 1-800-303-9672. Communication software parameters should be set 
as follows: parity to none, data bits to 8, and stop bits to 1 (N,8,1). 
Using ANSI or VT-100 terminal emulation, the NRC NUREGs and RegGuides 
for Comment subsystem can then be accessed by selecting the ``Rules 
Menu'' option from the ``NRC Main Menu.'' For further information

[[Page 43407]]

about options available for NRC at FedWorld, consult the ``Help/
Information Center'' from the ``NRC Main Menu.'' Users will find the 
``FedWorld Online User's Guides'' particularly helpful. Many NRC 
subsystems and data bases also have a ``Help/Information Center'' 
option that is tailored to the particular subsystem.
    The NRC subsystem on FedWorld can also be accessed by a direct dial 
phone number for the main FedWorld BBS, 703-321-3339, or by using 
Telnet via Internet: fedworld.gov. If using 703-321-3339 to contact 
FedWorld, the NRC subsystem will be accessed from the main FedWorld 
menu by selecting the ``Regulatory, Government Administration and State 
Systems,'' then selecting ``Regulatory Information Mall.'' At that 
point, a menu will be displayed that has an option ``U.S. Nuclear 
Regulatory Commission'' that will take you to the NRC Online main menu. 
The NRC Online area also can be accessed directly by typing ``/go nrc'' 
at a FedWorld command line. If you access NRC from FedWorld's main 
menu, you may return to FedWorld by selecting the ``Return to 
FedWorld'' option from the NRC Online Main Menu. However, if you access 
NRC at FedWorld by using NRC's toll-free number, you will have full 
access to all NRC systems but you will not have access to the main 
FedWorld system.
    If you contact FedWorld using Telnet, you will see the NRC area and 
menus, including the Rules menu. Although you will be able to download 
documents and leave messages, you will not be able to write comments or 
upload files (comments). If you contact FedWorld using FTP, all files 
can be accessed and downloaded but uploads are not allowed; all you 
will see is a list of files without descriptions (normal Gopher look). 
An index file listing all files within a subdirectory, with 
descriptions, is included. There is a 15-minute limit for FTP access.
    Although FedWorld can be accessed through the World Wide Web, like 
FTP, that mode only provides access for downloading files and does not 
display the NRC Rules Menu.
    For more information on NRC bulletin boards call Mr. Arthur Davis, 
Systems Integration and Development Branch, NRC, Washington, DC 20555, 
telephone (301) 415-5780; e-mail AXD[email protected].

Procedural Background

    Because NRC considers this action noncontroversial and routine, we 
are approving it without seeking public comments on proposed 
amendments. This action will become effective on October 21, 1996. 
However, if the NRC receives significant adverse comments by September 
23, 1996, then the NRC will publish a document that withdraws this 
action and will address the comments received in response to the 
requested revisions which have been proposed for approval and are being 
concurrently published in the proposed rules section of this Federal 
Register. Comments will be addressed in the final rule on this 
proposal. The NRC will not initiate a second comment period on this 
action.

Environmental Impact: Categorical Exclusion

    The NRC has determined that this direct final rule is the type of 
action described as a categorical exclusion in Secs. 51.22(c)(1) and 
51.22(c)(2). Therefore, neither an environmental impact statement nor 
an environmental assessment has been prepared for this direct final 
rule.

Paperwork Reduction Act Statement for Direct Final Rule

    This direct final rule does not contain a new or amended 
information collection requirement subject to the Paperwork Reduction 
Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.). Existing information collections 
were approved by the Office of Management and Budget, approval numbers 
3150-0136 and 3150-0021.

Public Protection Notification

    The NRC may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to 
respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a currently 
valid OMB control number.

Regulatory Analysis

    This direct final rule deletes outdated references to an appendix 
which previously has been deleted from the Commission regulations and 
provides that the NRC may use discretion regarding the submittal of a 
written response from a licensee if the NRC believes that the licensee 
or other person has already adequately addressed all the issues 
contained in a notice of violation. Deleting the outdated references 
will have no impact on licensees, the NRC, or the public. The NRC's 
discretion on requiring reports responding to a notice of violation 
will reduce the burdens of preparing unnecessary reports by licensees 
and of reviewing these reports by the NRC without compromising the 
public health and safety. However, it is impossible to quantify the 
amount of reduction in burden because the number of discretions to be 
authorized cannot be estimated. Therefore, the burden under the direct 
final rule would be at most equal, but probably less than, the burden 
under the existing regulations. This constitutes the regulatory 
analysis for the direct final rule.

Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Act

    In accordance with the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement 
Fairness Act of 1996, the NRC has determined that this action is not a 
major rule and has verified this determination with the Office of 
Information and Regulatory Affairs of OMB.

Backfit Analysis

    The NRC has determined that the backfit rule, 10 CFR 50.109, does 
not apply to this rule, because these amendments do not involve any 
provisions that would impose backfits as defined in 10 CFR 
50.109(a)(1). Therefore, a backfit analysis is not required for this 
direct final rule.

List of Subjects

10 CFR Part 2

    Administrative practice and procedure, Antitrust, Byproduct 
material, Classified information, Environmental protection, Nuclear 
materials, Nuclear power plants and reactors, Penalties, Sex 
discrimination, Source material, Special nuclear material, Waste 
treatment and disposal.

10 CFR Part 51

    Administrative practice and procedure, Environmental Impact 
statement, Nuclear power plants and reactors, Reporting and 
recordkeeping requirements.
    For reasons set out in the preamble and under the authority of the 
Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended, the Energy Reorganization Act of 
1974 as amended, and 5 U.S.C. 552 and 553, the NRC is adopting the 
following amendments to 10 CFR parts 2 and 51.

PART 2--RULES OF PRACTICE FOR DOMESTIC LICENSING PROCEEDINGS AND 
ISSUANCE OF ORDERS

    1. The authority citation for part 2 is revised as follows:

    Authority: Secs. 161, 181, 68 Stat. 948, 953, as amended (42 
U.S.C. 2201, 2231); sec. 191, as amended, Pub. L. 87-615, 76 Stat. 
409 (42 U.S.C. 2241); sec. 201, 88 Stat. 1242, as amended (42 U.S.C. 
5841); 5 U.S.C. 552.

    Section 2.101 also issued under secs. 53, 62, 63, 81, 103, 104, 
105, 68 Stat. 930, 932, 933, 935, 936, 937, 938, as amended (42 
U.S.C. 2073, 2092, 2093, 2111, 2133, 2134, 2135); sec. 114(f), Pub. 
L. 97-425, 96 Stat. 2213, as amended (42 U.S.C. 10134(f)); sec.

[[Page 43408]]

102, Pub. L. 91-190, 83 Stat. 853, as amended (42 U.S.C. 4332); sec. 
301, 88 Stat. 1248 (42 U.S.C. 5871). Sections 2.102, 2.103, 2.104, 
2.105, 2.721 also issued under secs. 102, 103, 104, 105, 183, 189, 
68 Stat. 936, 937, 938, 954, 955, as amended (42 U.S.C. 2132, 2133, 
2134, 2135, 2233, 2239). Section 2.105 also issued under Pub. L. 97-
415, 96 Stat. 2073 (42 U.S.C. 2239). Sections 2.200-2.206 also 
issued under secs. 161b, i, o, 182, 186, 234, 68 Stat. 948-951, 955, 
83 Stat. 444, as amended (42 U.S.C. 2201(b),(i),(o), 2236, 2282); 
sec. 206, 88 Stat. 1246 (42 U.S.C. 5846). Sections 2.600-2.606 also 
issued under sec. 102, Pub. L. 91-190, 83 Stat. 853, as amended (42 
U.S.C. 4332). Sections 2.700a, 2.719 also issued under 5 U.S.C. 554. 
Sections 2.754, 2.760, 2.770, 2.780 also issued under 5 U.S.C. 557. 
Section 2.764 also issued under secs. 135, 141, Pub. L. 97-425, 96 
Stat. 2232, 2241 (42 U.S.C. 10155, 10161). Section 2.790 also issued 
under sec. 103, 68 Stat. 936, as amended (42 U.S.C. 2133) and 5 
U.S.C. 552. Sections 2.800 and 2.808 also issued under 5 U.S.C. 553. 
Section 2.809 also issued under 5 U.S.C. 553 and sec. 29, Pub. L. 
85-256, 71 Stat. 579, as amended (42 U.S.C. 2039). Subpart K also 
issued under sec. 189, 68 Stat. 955 (42 U.S.C. 2239); sec. 134, Pub. 
L. 97-425, 96 Stat. 2230 (42 U.S.C. 10154). Subpart L also issued 
under sec. 189, 68 Stat. 955 (42 U.S.C. 2239). Appendix A also 
issued under sec. 6, Pub. L. 91-560, 84 Stat. 1473 (42 U.S.C. 2135). 
Appendix B also issued under sec. 10, Pub. L. 99-240, 99 Stat. 1842 
(42 U.S.C. 2021b et seq.).

    2. Section 2.8 is revised to read as follows:

Sec. 2.8  Information collection requirements: OMB approval.

    This part contains no information collection requirements and 
therefore is not subject to requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act 
(44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.).
    3. In Sec. 2.201, paragraph (a) is revised to read as follows:

Sec. 2.201  Notice of violation.

    (a) In response to an alleged violation of any provision of the Act 
or this chapter or the conditions of a license or an order issued by 
the Commission, the Commission may serve on the licensee or other 
person subject to the jurisdiction of the Commission a written notice 
of violation; a separate notice may be omitted if an order pursuant to 
Sec. 2.202 or demand for information pursuant to Sec. 2.204 is issued 
that otherwise identifies the apparent violation. The notice of 
violation will concisely state the alleged violation and may require 
that the licensee or other person submit, within 20 days of the date of 
the notice or other specified time, a written explanation or statement 
in reply if the Commission believes that the licensee has not already 
addressed all the issues contained in the notice of violation, 
including:
    (1) Corrective steps which have been taken by the licensee or other 
person and the results achieved;
    (2) Corrective steps which will be taken; and
    (3) The date when full compliance will be achieved.
* * * * *

PART 51--ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION REGULATIONS FOR DOMESTIC 
LICENSING AND RELATED REGULATORY FUNCTIONS

    4. The authority citation for Part 51 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: Sec. 161, 68 Stat. 948, as amended, sec. 1701, 106 
Stat. 2951, 2952, 2953, (42 U.S.C. 2201, 2297f); secs. 201, as 
amended, 202, 88 Stat. 1242, as amended, 1244 (42 U.S.C. 5841, 
5842). Subpart A also issued under National Environmental Policy Act 
of 1969, secs. 102, 104, 105, 83 Stat. 853-854, as amended (42 
U.S.C. 4332, 4334, 4335); and Pub. L. 95-604, Title II, 92 Stat. 
3033-3041; and sec. 193, Pub. L. 101-575, 104 Stat. 2835 (42 U.S.C. 
2243). Sections 51.20, 51.30, 51.60, 51.80, and 51.97 also issued 
under secs. 135, 141, Pub. L. 97-425, 96 Stat. 2232, 2241, and sec. 
148, Pub. L. 100-203, 101 Stat. 1330-223 (42 U.S.C. 10155, 10161, 
10168). Section 51.22 also issued under sec. 274, 73 Stat. 688, as 
amended by 92 Stat. 3036-3038 (42 U.S.C. 2021) and under Nuclear 
Waste Policy Act of 1982, sec. 121, 96 Stat. 2228 (42 U.S.C. 10141). 
Sections 51.43, 51.67, and 51.109 also under Nuclear Waste Policy 
Act of 1982, sec. 114(f), 96 Stat. 2216, as amended (42 U.S.C. 
10134(f)).

    5. In Sec. 51.10, paragraph (d) is revised to read as follows:

Sec. 51.10  Purpose and scope of subpart: Applications of regulations 
of Council on Environmental Quality.

* * * * *
    (d) Commission actions initiating or relating to administrative or 
judicial civil or criminal enforcement actions or proceedings are not 
subject to Section 102(2) of NEPA. These actions include issuance of 
notices of violation, orders, and denials of requests for action 
pursuant to subpart B of part 2 of this chapter; matters covered by 
part 15 and part 160 of this chapter; and issuance of confirmatory 
action letters, bulletins, generic letters, notices of deviation, and 
notices of nonconformance.

    Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 8th day of August, 1996.

    For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
James M. Taylor,
Executive Director for Operations.
[FR Doc. 96-21167 Filed 8-21-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7590-01-P

Complete official Federal Register PDF

Continua la tua ricerca in ChatGPT o Claude

Collega Omnilex per cercare nel corpus legale dal tuo assistente IA.