Federal Register proposed rules — 1995-12-13

issue-1995-12-13Federal Register proposed rules — 1995-12-13Proposed Regulation

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. 95-30400 Implementation of the Shore Protection Act of 1988
[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 239 (Wednesday, December 13, 1995)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 64001]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-30400]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 151

[CGD 89-014]
RIN 2115-AD23

Implementation of the Shore Protection Act of 1988

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of withdrawal.

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SUMMARY: In May 1989, the Coast Guard began rulemaking to incorporate 
into regulation certain elements of the Shore Protection Act. Its 
objective was to help prevent trash, medical debris, and other 
unsightly and potentially harmful materials from being deposited into 
the coastal waters of the United States as a result of sloppy waste-
handling procedures. Because no additional regulations are needed, the 
Coast Guard is discontinuing rulemaking under docket number 89-014.

DATES: This discontinuance is effective on December 13, 1995.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Lieutenant Junior Grade L.V. Kabler, Project Manager, Office of Marine 
Safety, Security, and Environmental Protection (G-MRO-1), (202) 267-
0423.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In a Federal Register document published May 
24, 1989, (54 FR 22546) the Coast Guard contemplated, at some point in 
the future, establishing procedures for a regular permit and for 
suspension-and-revocation proceedings under the Shore Protection Act 
(33 U.S.C. 2601 et seq.). Because the Coast Guard has determined that 
the current procedures implementing the Act are satisfactory, it has 
decided to continue issuing conditional permits to vessels carrying 
waste in the coastal waters of the United States and to discontinue any 
further rulemaking under docket number 89-014. It will, at some point 
in the future, re-examine the necessity of further rulemaking and may, 
at that point, initiate a new rulemaking under a new docket number.

    Dated: December 6, 1995.
Joseph J. Angelo,
Director for Standards.
[FR Doc. 95-30400 Filed 12-12-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-14-M

Complete official Federal Register PDF

FR Doc. 95-30380 New England Fishery Management Council; Meeting
[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 239 (Wednesday, December 13, 1995)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 64014-64015]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-30380]

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Parts 649, 650, and 651

[I.D. 112995F]

New England Fishery Management Council; Meeting

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

ACTION: Public meeting.

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SUMMARY: The New England Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold 
a 2-day meeting to consider actions affecting New England fisheries in 
the exclusive economic zone.

DATES: The meeting will begin on Wednesday, December 13, 1995, at 10 
a.m. and on Thursday, December 14 at 8:30 a.m.

ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at the King's Grant Inn, Route 128 
and Trask Lane, Danvers, MA 01906-1097; telephone: (617) 231-0422.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Douglas G. Marshall, Executive 
Director, New England Fishery Management Council, (617) 231-0422.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

December 13, 1995

    The December 13, 1995, session will include reports from the 
Council's Gear Conflict, Monkfish, and Dogfish Committees. The gear 
conflict discussion will focus on reviewing and possibly approving a 
draft plan amendment document for public hearing purposes that contains 
a framework adjustment procedure to reduce gear conflicts. The intent 
is to amend several fishery management plans for this purpose. The 
Monkfish Committee will update the Council on possible monkfish total 
allowable catches, limited access quotas, and limited access 
qualification criteria within the context of alternatives already 
developed as part of a draft fishery management plan. The Dogfish 
Committee will provide background information on the Mid-Atlantic 
Fishery Management Council's decision to temporarily delay development 
of the joint plan.
    During the afternoon session of the meeting, the Marine Mammal 
Committee will report on its efforts to develop time/area closures to 
reduce the bycatch of harbor porpoise in the Gulf of Maine sink gillnet 
fishery. The Sea Scallop Committee will discuss the development of 
Amendment 5 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Atlantic Sea Scallop 
Fishery (Scallop FMP), a program to allow vessels to consolidate their 
days at sea. The Council may also approve draft Amendment 6 to the 
Scallop FMP for public hearing purposes. The amendment proposes to 
establish a temporary experimental use area 10 miles south of Martha's 
Vineyard for sea scallop research, enhancement, and aquaculture.

Abbreviated Rulemaking--Atlantic Sea Scallops

    At the recommendation of its Scallop Committee, the Council will 
consider initial action on Framework Adjustment 7 to the Scallop FMP 
under the framework for abbreviated rulemaking procedure contained in 
50 CFR 650.40. The Council proposes to extend the current rule 
specifying a maximum crew size of seven until a plan amendment allows 
the consolidation of days at sea now allocated to individual scallop 
vessels, or until the Council changes the crew size through other 
action.

December 14, 1995

    The December 14, 1995, session will begin with an update on the 
future direction of lobster management. The Northeast Multispecies 
(Groundfish) Committee will follow with a report on 

[[Page 64015]]
actions to date to finalize proposed Amendment 7 to the Fishery 
Management Plan for the Northeast Multispecies Fishery (Multispecies 
FMP).

Abbreviated Rulemaking Action--Northeast Multispecies

    The Council will consider action on Framework Adjustment 13 to the 
Multispecies FMP under the framework for abbreviated rulemaking 
procedure contained in 50 CFR 651.40. The Council proposes to require 
exempted fishery status for vessels fishing outside of their allocated 
groundfish or sea scallop days at sea. The Council will consider two 
additional actions under the framework for abbreviated rulemaking 
procedure: Initial action on Framework Adjustment 14 to reduce the 
bycatch of harbor porpoise in the Gulf of Maine sink gillnet fishery 
through time/area closures in the mid-coast and southern New England 
regions during the spring, and initial action on Framework Adjustment 
15 in which the Council proposes to require that all vessels take a 20-
day block of time off from harvesting groundfish during the March 
through May spawning period.
    The Council will consider public comments at a minimum of two 
Council meetings prior to making any final recommendations to the 
Director, Northeast Region, NMFS (Regional Director), under the 
provisions for abbreviated rulemaking cited above. If the Regional 
Director concurs with the measures proposed by the Council, he will 
publish them as a final rule in the Federal Register.
    The Council will address any other outstanding business at the 
conclusion of the agenda items described above.

Special Accommodations

    This meeting is physically accessible to people with disabilities. 
Requests for sign language interpretation or other auxiliary aids 
should be directed to Douglas G. Marshall (see ADDRESSES) at least 5 
days prior to the meeting date.

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

    Dated: December 8, 1995
Richard W. Surdi,
Acting Director, Office of Fisheries Conservation and Management, 
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 95-30380 Filed 12-8-95; 2:17 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F

Complete official Federal Register PDF

FR Doc. 95-30376 Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards; Stability and Control of Medium and Heavy Vehicles During Braking
[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 239 (Wednesday, December 13, 1995)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 64010-64014]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-30376]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

49 CFR Part 571

[Docket No. 92-29; Notice 8]
RIN 2127-AG06

Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards; Stability and Control of 
Medium and Heavy Vehicles During Braking

AGENCY: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This document responds to petitions for reconsideration of a 
March 1995 final rule amending Standard No. 121, Air Brake Systems, to 
require, among other things, the installation of antilock brake systems 
(ABS) on medium and heavy vehicles and the installation of external ABS 
malfunction indicator lamps on trailers and trailer converter dollies. 
This document proposes to amend the Standard to specify the location, 
color, activation protocol, and intensity of the lamps.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before February 12, 1996.
ADDRESSES: Comments should refer to the docket and notice numbers above 
and be submitted to: Docket Section, National Highway Traffic Safety 
Administration, 400 Seventh Street, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20590. 
Docket hours are 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For non-legal issues: Mr. George 
Soodoo, Office of Crash Avoidance, National Highway Traffic Safety 
Administration, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, D.C. 20590 (202) 
366-5892. FAX (202) 366-4329.
    For legal issues: Mr. Marvin L. Shaw, NCC-20, Rulemaking Division, 
Office of Chief Counsel, National Highway Traffic Safety 
Administration, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, D.C. 20590 (202) 
366-2992.

I. Background

    On March 10, 1995, NHTSA published a final rule amending Federal 
Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 121 to require medium and 
heavy vehicles to be equipped with an antilock brake system (ABS) (60 
FR 13216). The final rule also required that these vehicles be equipped 
with lamps to alert their drivers of ABS malfunctions. Trailers 
produced during an interim eight-year period are required to be 

[[Page 64011]]
equipped with an external ABS malfunction indicator lamp. That period 
begins on March 1, 1998, the date on which ABS installation on trailers 
must also begin. The lamp must ``be visible within the driver's forward 
field of view through the rearview mirrors.'' (60 FR 13244-13246). 
Truck tractors and other towing trucks will be required to be equipped 
with two separate in-cab lamps: one indicating malfunctions in the ABS 
of the towing truck and the other indicating malfunctions in the ABS of 
any towed trailer(s) or dolly(ies). All other powered heavy vehicles 
will be required to be equipped with a single in-cab lamp to indicate 
ABS malfunctions.

II. Petitions for Reconsideration

    NHTSA received petitions for reconsideration from the American 
Trucking Associations (ATA), the American Automobile Manufacturers 
Association (AAMA), the Truck Trailer Manufacturers Association (TTMA), 
the Heavy Duty Brake Manufacturers Council (HDBC), the United Parcel 
Service (UPS), vehicle manufacturers, including Chrysler, Navistar, AM 
General, and brake system suppliers, including Midland-Grau, Jenflo, 
AlliedSignal, Rockwell WABCO, Rockwell International, Kelsey-Hayes, and 
Ferodo America.
    The petitioners generally agreed with NHTSA's decision to require 
all heavy vehicles to be equipped with ABS and to comply with the 
stopping distance requirements, and to require truck tractors to comply 
with the braking-in-a-curve performance test requirements. 
Nevertheless, they requested modifications of various aspects of those 
rules.
    This document responds to those petitioners which requested changes 
in the requirements concerning ABS malfunctions indicators. The agency 
is responding to other requests for reconsideration in another document 
published elsewhere in today's Federal Register.
    Midland-Grau and TTMA petitioned NHTSA to delete the requirement 
that the external malfunction indicator lamp on a trailer be visible 
from the driver's seating position ``through the rearview mirrors.'' 
(see S5.2.3.3). Midland-Grau stated that since truck tractor 
manufacturers cannot control where the external lamp would be located, 
requiring tractor manufacturers to ensure that the lamp is visible from 
the cab of the truck tractor is unreasonable. TTMA stated that since 
trailer manufacturers cannot control where mirrors are located on 
tractors, requiring the ABS malfunction lamp on dollies and trailers to 
be visible ``through the rearview mirrors'' is not appropriate. That 
organization also stated that there is no good, practical location for 
such a lamp on a dolly.
    AAMA and TTMA requested that if the agency retains the requirement 
for an external ABS malfunction indicator lamp on the trailer,1 
then the agency should specify the location, color and intensity of the 
lamp in Standard No. 108, Lamps, reflective devices, and associated 
equipment.

     1 ATA and UPS petitioned the agency to delete the 
requirements for an external trailer mounted malfunction lamp. They 
claimed that the external malfunction lamp will lead to less safety 
because drivers will be looking in their mirrors during braking to 
see whether the ABS lamp is functioning, instead of looking at 
traffic conditions ahead of their vehicle.
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III. Agency Response and Proposal

    In a separate notice published elsewhere in today's Federal 
Register, NHTSA has denied requests by several petitioners to rescind 
the requirement for external ABS malfunction lamps on trailers and 
dollies. However, in response to the petitions from Midland-Grau and 
TTMA, NHTSA has decided to propose requirements concerning the 
location, color, activation protocol and intensity of the external ABS 
malfunctions lamps on trailers and dollies.

A. Location

    NHTSA is proposing to specify the location for the external ABS 
malfunction indicator lamp on trailers and dollies. The proposed 
location for trailers is similar to the one proposed by the agency when 
it was considering requiring a low air pressure warning lamp on 
trailers. (55 FR 4453, February 8, 1990) For most trailers, the ABS 
malfunction indicator lamp would be required to be located on the left 
side of each trailer, as close to the front as practicable, and at a 
height as close as practicable to 96 inches above the road surface. (If 
it is impracticable to mount the indicator lamp on the left side of the 
trailer at a height of 60 inches or more above the road surface, the 
lamp shall be mounted on a permanent structure on the front face of the 
trailer as far leftward as practicable and at a height as close as 
practicable to 96 inches above the road surface). For dollies, the 
indicator lamp would be required on a permanent structure of the dolly 
and to be visible to a person standing on the road surface near the 
location of the indicator.
    Standard No. 111, Rearview mirrors, specifies requirements for the 
performance and location of rearview mirrors, but it does not provide a 
requirement for the height of the mirror relative to the ground. A 
location requirement would have given some reference for locating the 
ABS malfunction indicator lamp on the trailer. However, S8.1 of 
Standard No. 111 specifies that ``the mirrors shall be located so as to 
provide the driver a view to the rear along both sides of the vehicle, 
* * * '' This requirement should ensure that the driver would have a 
view of an indicator lamp required to be mounted on the left side of 
the trailer.
    NHTSA is basing its proposal regarding the height of the trailer 
malfunction indicator lamp on a report published by the University of 
Michigan Transportation Research Institute (UMTRI), ``The Influence of 
Truck Driver Eye Position on the Effectiveness of Retroreflective 
Traffic Signs,'' by Sivak, Flannagan, and Gellatly, September 1991. 
This report includes data on driver eye heights for 188 heavy trucks. 
The mean driver eye height above the ground for heavy trucks in that 
study is 2.33 meters or 91.74 inches. Therefore, the location of a side 
rearview mirror for such vehicles is likely to be slightly above or 
below this mean driver eye height to ensure that the average driver 
would be provided ``a view to the rear along both sides of the 
vehicle,'' as required in S8.1 of Standard No. 111.
    NHTSA believes that if the malfunction indicator lamp is located on 
the left side of the trailer, as far forward as practicable and at a 
height as close as practicable to 96 inches above the road surface, it 
would coincide with the mean driver eye height, based on the data from 
the UMTRI report. In that location, the indicator lamp would be likely 
to be visible to the driver.
    NHTSA recognizes that on some trailers, such as flatbed and 
platform trailers, there may be no side structure that is sufficiently 
high to locate the ABS malfunction lamp at or near a height of 96 
inches. If it is impracticable to mount the indicator lamp on the left 
side of the trailer at a height of 60 inches or more above the road 
surface, then locating the lamp on the front face of the trailer would 
be a more appropriate lamp location for such a vehicle. To increase the 
likelihood of a lamp on the front face of the trailer being visible 
through the side rearview mirror, the lamp would be required to be 
positioned as far leftward as practicable and at a height as close as 
practicable to 96 inches above the road surface.
    In response to notices issued on the ABS rulemaking, TTMA and other 

[[Page 64012]]
commenters stated that requiring a lamp to be visible through the 
rearview mirrors would make it necessary for such a lamp to protrude 
from the dolly structure, thereby making it susceptible to damage. They 
recommended that a dolly be required to indicate an ABS malfunction 
only at the ECU mounted on the dolly's frame, on the presumption that 
it would be visible during a walk-around inspection.
    NHTSA concludes that the proposed requirement for specifying the 
location for an ABS malfunction lamp on a dolly must be different from 
the requirement proposed for trailers. The agency agrees with TTMA's 
comment that there is ``no good, practical location for an ABS 
malfunction lamp on a dolly,'' from which the lamp could be viewed by a 
driver looking through the side rearview mirrors.
    Based on the available information, NHTSA proposes that the ABS 
malfunction lamp on dollies be located on a permanent structure of the 
dolly so that it would be visible, with or without a trailer attached 
to the dolly, to a person in a standing position during a walk-around 
inspection. By permanent structure, the agency means a fixed portion of 
the vehicle that is inherently part of the dolly as opposed to 
something that is easily removed. To accomplish this goal, the proposed 
requirement is specified in objective terms by stating that the lamp 
must be located on a permanent structure of the dolly and positioned at 
a height of not less than 15 inches above the road surface. In 
addition, the malfunction lamp would have to be visible when viewed by 
a person standing erect and located no more than 10 feet from the 
dolly. The proposed height of not less than 15 inches for the location 
of the dolly ABS malfunction lamp coincides with the lower height limit 
for side marker lamps on the lower edge of a trailer, as specified in 
Standard 108. Given the differences in dolly configurations and sizes, 
that proposed minimum lamp height is expected to provide dolly 
manufacturers with the flexibility to locate the ABS lamp in a 
protected location. The agency expects that dolly manufacturers would 
locate the lamp below the fifth-wheel to reduce the potential for 
damage to the lamp when the dolly is being connected to a trailer.
    NHTSA believes that locating the malfunction lamp on the ECU of the 
ABS would decrease the ability of the driver or inspectors to see the 
lamp. The ECU is typically placed in a protected location where it 
would not be easily damaged. Such a location would not be conspicuous 
enough to ensure that the ECU, and hence the malfunction lamp, is 
easily seen during a walk-around inspection of the towed vehicle.

B. Color

    TTMA requested that NHTSA require the use of a green lamp for the 
external ABS malfunction lamp on the trailer and the dolly, and that 
the lamp be lit continuously whenever the ECU is powered, but be 
extinguished when there is a malfunction.
    Standard No. 101, Controls and displays, currently requires that 
in-vehicle ABS malfunction lamps be yellow. This color requirement has 
been harmonized with the vehicle standards of other countries. NHTSA 
and regulatory agencies in other countries have historically used a red 
lamp to indicate a critical system failure and a yellow lamp to 
indicate a non-critical malfunction. The International Organization for 
Standardization (ISO) and the Economic Commission for Europe (ECE) 
recently harmonized European braking requirements with American 
requirements, agreeing to specify red to indicate brake failure and 
yellow to indicate ABS malfunction. NHTSA recognizes that these color 
requirements are applicable to instrument panel lamps and do not 
address ABS malfunction indicator lamps on the exterior of a vehicle. 
However, the desirability of having a uniform protocol in this regard 
is clear. The agency concludes that the same requirements should be 
applied to external ABS malfunction lamps since they perform the same 
function as in- vehicle ABS malfunction lamps.
    NHTSA notes that Table I of Standard 108 includes a requirement for 
two amber clearance lamps at the front of a trailer and two red 
clearance lamps at the rear of a trailer. In addition, Standard No. 108 
references the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) Recommended 
Practice J592e (July 1972), Clearance, Side Marker, and Identification 
Lamps. A recent update of this Recommended Practice (SAE J592 JUN92) 
states in Section 5.1.7 that ``the color of light from front clearance 
lamps * * * shall be yellow.'' The agency believes that the color of 
external ABS malfunction lamps should be the same as that used for 
clearance lamps.
    Based on these considerations, NHTSA concludes that the use of a 
green lamp on the exterior of the trailer for indicating a trailer ABS 
malfunction would violate the already established convention for ABS 
malfunction lamps and, therefore, could create confusion among drivers. 
However, there would be no prohibition against supplementing the 
required yellow external malfunction lamp on a trailer with a green 
lamp on the ECU to indicate the status of the trailer ABS. The 
supplemental lamp would not have to conform to any of the color or 
protocol requirements specified for the external ABS malfunction lamp.

C. Lamp Protocol

    TTMA requested a change in the lamp protocol, which would allow the 
lamp to be lit continuously when the ABS is functioning properly and to 
be extinguished when there is a malfunction in the ABS. NHTSA has 
addressed this issue in detail in previous Federal Register notices and 
in the final rule on heavy vehicle ABS rulemaking. In the final rule, 
the agency decided to require that the ABS malfunction lamp be lit when 
a malfunction exists and that it not be lit when the antilock system is 
functioning properly.
    Under the requirement for an external ABS malfunction indicator in 
S5.2.3.3 of Standard 121, NHTSA requires that the trailer ABS 
malfunction lamp be lit during the check-of-lamp function only when the 
vehicle is stationary and power is first supplied to the antilock 
system. This allows the ABS lamp on a trailer that is moving to undergo 
the check of lamp function, without the lamp cycling on and off 
whenever the brakes are applied. This requirement will eliminate any 
potential distractions for the driver or for drivers of other vehicles 
nearby, which might be created by the ABS lamp cycling on and off with 
every brake application. The agency emphasizes that in the event of a 
malfunction in the trailer antilock system, the malfunction indicator 
lamp would be lit whenever power is supplied to the trailer antilock 
system, regardless of whether the vehicle is stationary or moving. 
Accordingly, the agency has decided to deny TTMA's request for a change 
in the ABS malfunction lamp protocol and proposes no change to the 
protocol included in the ABS final rule.

D. Intensity and Photometric Requirements

    AAMA and TTMA petitioned the agency to require that the external 
ABS malfunction lamp have the same photometric requirements as those 
specified in Standard No. 108. Photometric values specify the amount of 
light emitted by a lamp, when measured from a specified distance.
    NHTSA agrees with the petitioners' recommendation, and proposes 
that the ABS malfunction lamps meet the requirements specified by the 
SAE Recommended Practice J592 JUN92 for 

[[Page 64013]]
the clearance lamps. Those requirements are referenced in Standard No. 
108.
    The photometric performance requirements in SAE J592 JUN92 for the 
luminous intensity of side marker lamps specify minimum intensity 
values at test points of 45 degrees along a horizontal axis and 10 
degrees along a vertical axis, when measured from a lamp distance of at 
least three meters. In addition, the agency proposes that the lamp be 
mounted on the trailer in such a manner that its beam is directed 
toward the front of the trailer and rotated so that its top and bottom 
become its sides. Such an orientation of the lamp would ensure that its 
widest light beam is in a vertical plane just outboard of the side of 
the trailer, and hence would be more likely to be visible by the driver 
through the tractor's rearview mirrors.
    In addition to providing general comments regarding this issue, 
commenters are asked to specifically comment on the quantified aspects 
of the proposed location, color, and photometric requirements of the 
ABS malfunction lamp on trailers and dollies.

IV. Costs

    NHTSA has already evaluated the economic impact of requiring 
trailers and dollies to be equipped with an external ABS malfunction 
lamp in the final rule on heavy vehicle ABS published on March 10, 
1995. The agency estimated that the unit cost of requiring an ABS lamp 
on trailers and dollies is $9.43. Since this proposed rule does not 
require additional equipment, but only specifies location, color and 
intensity for the ABS malfunction lamp, the proposal should not have 
any impact on previously estimated costs or benefits.

V. Rulemaking Analyses and Notices

1. Executive Order 12866 (Federal Regulatory Planning and Review) and 
DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures

    This proposal was not reviewed under E.O. 12866. NHTSA has analyzed 
this proposal and determined that it is not ``significant'' within the 
meaning of the Department of Transportation's regulatory policies and 
procedures. The impacts of the rule, if adopted, would be so minimal as 
not to warrant preparation of a full regulation evaluation. As noted 
above, NHTSA has already evaluated the economic impact of requiring an 
external ABS malfunction lamp. For details, see the Final Economic 
Assessment (FEA) titled, ``Final Rules FMVSS Nos. 105 & 121 Stability 
and Control While Braking Requirements and Reinstatement of Stopping 
Distance Requirements for Medium and Heavy Vehicles,'' published in 
June 1994.

2. Regulatory Flexibility Act

    In accordance with the Regulatory Flexibility Act, NHTSA has 
evaluated the effects of this action on small entities. Based upon this 
evaluation, I certify that the proposed amendment would not have a 
significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. 
Vehicle and brake manufacturers typically would not qualify as small 
entities. Further, as noted above, the proposal would have no impacts 
on costs or benefits beyond those addressed in the FEA for the ABS 
final rule. Accordingly, no regulatory flexibility analysis has been 
prepared.

3. Executive Order 12612 (Federalism)

    This action has been analyzed in accordance with the principles and 
criteria contained in Executive Order 12612, and it has been determined 
that the proposed rule would not have sufficient Federalism 
implications to warrant preparation of a Federalism Assessment. No 
State laws would be affected.

4. National Environmental Policy Act

    The agency has considered the environmental implications of this 
proposed rule in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act 
of 1969 and determined that the proposed rule would not significantly 
affect the human environment.

5. Civil Justice Reform

    This proposed rule would not have any retroactive effect. Under 
section 103(d) of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act (49 
U.S.C. 30111), whenever a Federal motor vehicle safety standard is in 
effect, a state may not adopt or maintain a safety standard applicable 
to the same aspect of performance which is not identical to the Federal 
standard. Section 105 of the Act (49 U.S.C. 30161) sets forth a 
procedure for judicial review of final rules establishing, amending or 
revoking Federal motor vehicle safety standards. That section does not 
require submission of a petition for reconsideration or other 
administrative proceedings before parties may file suit in court.

Public Comments

    Interested persons are invited to submit comments on the proposal. 
It is requested but not required that 10 copies be submitted.
    All comments must not exceed 15 pages in length. (49 CFR 553.21). 
Necessary attachments may be appended to these submissions without 
regard to the 15-page limit. This limitation is intended to encourage 
commenters to detail their primary arguments in a concise fashion.
    If a commenter wishes to submit certain information under a claim 
of confidentiality, three copies of the complete submission, including 
purportedly confidential business information, should be submitted to 
the Chief Counsel, NHTSA, at the street address given above, and seven 
copies from which the purportedly confidential information has been 
deleted should be submitted to the Docket Section. A request for 
confidentiality should be accompanied by a cover letter setting forth 
the information specified in the agency's confidential business 
information regulation. 49 CFR Part 512.
    All comments received before the close of business on the comment 
closing date indicated above for the proposal will be considered, and 
will be available for examination in the docket at the above address 
both before and after that date. To the extent possible, comments filed 
after the closing date will also be considered. Comments received too 
late for consideration in regard to the final rule will be considered 
as suggestions for further rulemaking action. The NHTSA will continue 
to file relevant information as it becomes available in the docket 
after the closing date, and it is recommended that interested persons 
continue to examine the docket for new material.
    Those persons desiring to be notified upon receipt of their 
comments in the rules docket should enclose a self-addressed, stamped 
postcard in the envelope with their comments. Upon receiving the 
comments, the docket supervisor will return the postcard by mail.

List of Subjects in 49 CFR Part 571

    Imports, Motor vehicle safety, Motor vehicles, Rubber and

PART 571--[AMENDED]

    In consideration of the foregoing, the agency proposes to amend 
Standard No. 121, Air Brake Systems, in Title 49 of the Code of Federal 
Regulations at Part 571 as follows:

PART 571--FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARDS

    1. The authority citation for Part 571 would continue to read as 
follows:

[[Page 64014]]

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 322, 30111, 30115, 30117, and 30166; 
delegation of authority at 49 CFR 1.50.

    2. Sec. 571.121 would be amended by revising S5.2.3.3, which would 
read as follows:

Sec. 571.121  Standard No. 121; Air Brake Systems.

* * * * *
    S5.2.3.3  Antilock Malfunction Indicator. (a) In addition to the 
requirements of S5.2.3.2, each trailer and trailer converter dolly 
manufactured on or after March 1, 1998, and before March 1, 2006, shall 
be equipped with an external indicator lamp that meets the requirements 
of paragraphs (b)(1)-(5) and (c).
    (b)(1) The lamp shall be designed to conform to the Society of 
Automotive Engineers (SAE) Recommended Practice J592 JUN92, Clearance, 
Side Marker, and Identification Lamps.
    (i) Except as provided in S5.2.3.3(b)(1)(ii), each trailer that is 
not a trailer converter dolly shall be equipped with an indicator lamp 
mounted on a permanent structure on the left side of the trailer as 
viewed from the rear, as close to the front as practicable and at a 
height as close as practicable to 96 inches above the road surface, 
when measured from the center of the lamp on the trailer at curb 
weight.
    (ii) If it is impracticable to mount the indicator lamp on the left 
side of the trailer at a height of 60 inches or more above the road 
surface, the lamp shall be mounted on a permanent structure on the 
front of the trailer as far leftward as practicable, at a height as 
close as practicable to 96 inches above the road surface, when measured 
from the center of the lamp on the trailer at curb weight.
    (2) The lamp required in S5.2.3.3(b)(1)(i) and S5.2.3.3(b)(1)(ii) 
shall be mounted to provide light toward the front and rotated so that 
its top becomes its side, as specified in SAE J592 JUN92.
    (3) The lamp for a converter dolly shall be mounted on a permanent 
structure of the dolly so that the lamp is at a height above the road 
surface of not less than 15 inches when measured from the center of the 
lamp on the dolly at curb weight. The lamp shall be located such that 
visual access to it, when viewed by a person standing erect and not 
more than 10 feet from the dolly, is not obscured by other structures 
on the dolly.
    (4) The color of the lamp shall be yellow.
    (c) The lamp shall be illuminated whenever power is supplied to the 
antilock brake system and there is a malfunction that affects the 
generation or transmission of response or control signals in the 
trailer's antilock brake system. The lamp shall remain illuminated as 
long as such a malfunction exists and power is supplied to the antilock 
brake system. Each message about the existence of such a malfunction 
shall be stored in the antilock brake system whenever power is no 
longer supplied to the system. The lamp shall be automatically 
reactivated when power is again supplied to the trailer's antilock 
brake system. The lamp shall also be activated as a check of lamp 
function whenever power is first supplied to the antilock brake system 
and the vehicle is stationary. The lamp shall be deactivated at the end 
of the check of lamp function, unless there is a malfunction or a 
message about a malfunction that existed when power was last supplied 
to the antilock brake system.
* * * * *
    Issued on: December 8, 1995.
Barry Felrice,
Associate Administrator for Safety Performance Standards.
[FR Doc. 95-30376 Filed 12-11-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-59-P

Complete official Federal Register PDF

FR Doc. 95-30372 Imidacloprid; Pesticide Tolerances
[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 239 (Wednesday, December 13, 1995)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 64006-64009]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-30372]

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

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
40 CFR Part 180

[PP 5E4598/P638; FRL-4990-5]
RIN 2070-AC18

Imidacloprid; Pesticide Tolerances

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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

SUMMARY: EPA proposes to establish a time-limited tolerance for 
indirect or inadvertent combined residues of the insecticide (1-[6-
chloro-3-pyridinyl)methyl]-N-nitro-2-imidazolidinimine (referred to in 
this document as imidacloprid) and its metabolites resulting from crop 
rotational practices in or on the raw agricultural commodities in the 
cucurbit vegetables crop group. The proposed regulation to establish a 
maximum permissible level for residues of the insecticide was requested 
in a petition submitted by the Interregional Research Project No. 4 
(IR-4) pursuant to the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA). The 
time-limited tolerance would expire on December 31, 1996.

DATES: Comments, identified by the document control number [PP 5E4598/
P638], must be received on or before January 12, 1996.

ADDRESSES: By mail, submit written comments to: Public Response and 
Program Resources Branch, Field Operations Division (7506C), Office of 
Pesticide Programs, Environmental Protection Agency, 401 M St., SW, 
Washington, DC 20460. In person, bring comments to: Rm. 1132, CM #2, 
1921 Jefferson Davis Hwy., Arlington, VA 22202. Comments and data may 
also be submitted electronically by sending electronic mail (e-mail) 
to: [email protected]. Electronic comments must be submitted 
as an ASCII file avoiding the use of special characters and any form of 
encryption. Comments and data will also be accepted on disks in 
WordPerfect 5.1 file format or ASCII file format. All 

[[Page 64007]]
comments and data in electronic form must be identified by the docket 
number [PP 5E4425/P638]. Electronic comments on this proposed rule may 
be filed online at many Federal Depository Libraries. Additional 
information on electronic submissions can be found below in this 
document.
    Information submitted as a comment concerning this document may be 
claimed confidential by marking any part or all of that information as 
``Confidential Business Information.'' CBI should not be submitted 
through e-mail. Information marked as CBI will not be disclosed except 
in accordance with procedures set forth in 40 CFR part 2. A copy of the 
comment that does not contain CBI must be submitted for inclusion in 
the public record. Information not marked confidential may be disclosed 
publicly by EPA without prior notice. All written comments will be 
available for public inspection in Rm. 1132 at the address given above, 
from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal 
holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: By mail: Hoyt L. Jamerson, 
Registration Division (7505W), Office of Pesticide Programs, 
Environmental Protection Agency, 401 M St., SW., Washington, DC 20460. 
Office location and telephone number: Sixth Floor, Crystal Station #1, 
2800 Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington, VA 22202, (703)-308-8783; e-
mail: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Interregional Research Project No. 4 
(IR-4), New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station, P.O. Box 231, 
Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ 08903, has submitted pesticide 
petition (PP) 5E4598 to EPA on behalf of the Agricultural Experiment 
Stations of California, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and Texas. 
The petition requests that the Administrator, pursuant to section 
408(e) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA), 21 U.S.C. 
346a(e), amend 40 CFR 180.472 by establishing a tolerance for indirect 
or inadvertent, combined residues of the insecticide imidacloprid (1-
[(6-chloro-3-pyridinyl)methyl]-N-nitro-2-imidazolidinimine) and its 
metabolites containing the 6-chloropyridinyl moiety, all expressed as 
1-[(6-chloro-3-pyridinyl)-methyl]-N-nitro-2-imidazolidinimine, 
resulting from crop rotational practices in or on the raw agricultural 
commodities in the cucurbit vegetables crop group at 0.2 part per 
million (ppm).
    The proposed tolerance will not support registration for 
imidacloprid on cucurbit vegetables. EPA will not consider applications 
for section 3 or section 24(c) registration of imidacloprid on cucurbit 
vegetables based the proposed time-limited tolerance. The tolerance 
would allow growers to produce cucurbit vegetables in rotation with 
crops that are treated in accordance with registered uses of 
imidacloprid. Imidacloprid registrations prohibit growers from planting 
crops which lack an imidacloprid tolerance on ground treated with the 
insecticide within a 12-month period. In some areas, however, it is a 
common practice for growers to plant back cucurbit vegetables (melons, 
squash, and cucumbers) in fields that have been used to produce 
tomatoes and peppers. Imidacloprid is registered and tolerances are 
established for the fruiting vegetables crop group (including tomatoes 
and peppers). There are no established imidacloprid tolerances, 
however, for the cucurbit vegetables. Crop rotational studies reviewed 
by EPA indicate that plant-back crops grown in fields treated with 
imidacloprid may contain measurable amounts of the pesticide residue, 
if the rotational crop is planted within 12 months of application of 
the pesticide.
    Currently, growers who plan to double crop with cucurbit vegetables 
must not use imidacloprid, or they must not plant back cucurbit 
vegetables in fields treated within 12 months of application with 
imidacloprid. According to the University of Florida Cooperative 
Extension Service, the inability to double crop because of the 
imidacloprid plant-back restriction will have a serious financial 
impact on the South Florida vegetable industry. Approximately 12,000 
acres in South Florida are double cropped with cucurbit vegetables. 
Much of this acreage has been treated with imidacloprid to control 
sweet potato whitefly (silverleaf whitefly) on tomatoes. Prior to 
registration of imidacloprid on tomatoes, EPA approved emergency 
exemptions under Section 18 of Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and 
Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) for its use in California, Florida, South 
Carolina, and Texas to avert significant economic loss from sweet 
potato white fly damage.
    The proposed tolerance, which would expire on December 31, 1996, 
should allow IR-4 sufficient time to submit a permanent tolerance for 
imidacloprid on cucurbit vegetables. IR-4 is developing field residue 
data in support of a permanent tolerance and registration for use of 
imidacloprid on cucurbit vegetables. The permanent tolerance will be 
proposed by IR-4 to cover residues in cucurbit vegetables from 
application to the growing crop, as well as crop rotational practices.
    EPA's policy is to consider tolerance petitions, when requested by 
the registrants or any interested parties, for pesticide residues on 
replacement or rotational crops when residues result from pesticide 
carryover in soil from treatment of previous crops. Such tolerances 
will be set at levels determined to be appropriate based on evaluations 
of toxicity and residue data submitted to the Agency by the petitioner. 
Guidance on how to conduct residue studies on rotation crops can be 
found in the EPA publication ``Pesticide Reregistration Reject Rate 
Analysis Residue Chemistry/Environmental Fate Follow Up Guidance for 
Conducting Rotational Crop Studies,'' February 1993. The procedures for 
filing a petition, as described in 40 CFR 180.7, should be followed, 
and each petition must be accompanied by the appropriate fee, as 
specified in 40 CFR 180.33.
    The toxicological data considered in support of the proposed 
tolerance include:
    1. A 1-year chronic feeding study in dogs fed diets containing 0, 
200, 500, or 1,250/2,500 ppm (average intake was 0, 6.1, 15, or 41/72 
milligrams (mg)/kilogram (kg)/day) with a no-observed-effect level of 
1,250 ppm based on increased plasma cholesterol and liver cytochrome P-
450 levels in dogs at the 2,500-ppm dose level. The high dose was 
increased to 2,500 ppm (72 mg/kg/day) from week 17 onward due to lack 
of toxicity at the 1,250-dose level.
    2. A 2-year feeding/carcinogenicity study in rats fed diets 
containing 0, 100, 300, 900, or 1,800 ppm with a NOEL for chronic 
effects at 100 ppm (5.7 mg/kg/day in males, 7.6 mg/kg/day in females) 
that included decreased body weight gain in females at 300 ppm (24.9 
mg/kg/day) and above; and increased thyroid lesions in males at 300 ppm 
(16.9 mg/kg/day) and above, and in females at 900 ppm (73 mg/kg/day) 
and above. There were no apparent carcinogenic effects under the 
conditions of the study.
    3. A 2-year carcinogenicity study in mice fed diets containing 0, 
100, 330, 1,000, or 2,000 ppm with a NOEL of 1,000 ppm (208 mg/kg/day 
in males, 274 mg/kg/day in females) based on decreased food consumption 
and decreased water intake at the 2,000-ppm dose level. There were no 
apparent carcinogenic effects observed under the conditions of this 
study.
    4. A three-generation reproduction study with rats fed diets 
containing 0, 100, 250, or 700 ppm with a reproductive no-observed-
effect level 

[[Page 64008]]
(NOEL) of 100 ppm (equivalent to 8 mg/kg/day based on decreased pup 
body weight observed at the 250-ppm dose level.
    5. A developmental toxicity study in rat given gavage doses at 0, 
10, 30, or 100 mg/kg/day during gestation days 6 to 16 with a NOEL for 
developmental toxicity at 30 mg/kg/day based on increased wavy ribs 
observed at the 100- mg/kg/day dose level.
    6. A developmental toxicity study in rabbits given gavage doses at 
0, 8, 24, or 72 mg/kg/day during gestation days 6 through 19 with a 
NOEL for developmental toxicity at 24 mg/kg/day based on decreased body 
weight and increased skeletal abnormalities observed at the 72-mg/kg/
day dose level.
    7. Imidacloprid was negative for mutagenic effects in all but two 
of 23 mutagenic assays. Imidacloprid tested positive for chromosome 
aberrations in an in vitro cytogenetic study with human lymphocytes for 
the detection of induced clastogenic effects, and for genotoxicity in 
an in vitro cytogenetic assay measuring sister chromatid exchange in 
Chinese hamster ovary cells.
    Dietary risk assessments for imidacloprid indicate that there is 
minimal risk from established tolerances and the proposed tolerance for 
cucurbit vegetables. A cancer risk assessment is not appropriate for 
imidacloprid since the pesticide is assigned to ``Group E'' (no 
evidence of carcinogenicity) of EPA's cancer classification system. 
Dietary risk assessments for the pesticide were conducted using the 
Reference Dose (RfD) to assess chronic exposure and risk.
    The RfD is calculated at 0.057 mg/kg/of body weight/day based on a 
NOEL of 5.7 mg/kg/day from the 2-year rat feeding/carcinogenicity study 
and 100-fold uncertainty factor. The theoretical maximum residue 
contribution (TMRC) from existing tolerances utilizes less than 15 
percent of the RfD for the general population and less than 30 percent 
of the RfD for nonnursing infants less than 1 year in age. The proposed 
tolerance for cucurbit vegetables would utilize less than 1 percent of 
the RfD for the general population and all population subgroups.
    There is no reasonable expectation that secondary residues will 
occur in milk and eggs, or meat, fat, and meat byproducts of livestock 
or poultry; there are no livestock feed items associated with the 
cucurbit vegetables.
    The metabolism of imidacloprid in plants and livestock is 
adequately understood. The residues of concern are combined residues of 
imidacloprid and its metabolites containing the 6-chloropyridinyl 
moiety, all calculated as imidacloprid. The analytical method is a 
common moiety method for imidacloprid and its metabolites containing 
the 6-chloropyridiyl moiety using a permanganate oxidation, silyl 
derivatization, and capillary GC-MS selective ion monitoring.
    There are currently no actions pending against the continued 
registration of this chemical.
    Based on the information and data considered, the Agency has 
determined that the tolerance established by amending 40 CFR 180 would 
protect the public health. Therefore, it is proposed that the tolerance 
be established as set forth below.
    Any person who has registered or submitted an application for 
registration of a pesticide, under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, 
and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) as amended, which contains any of the 
ingredients listed herein, may request within 30 days after publication 
of this notice in the Federal Register that this rulemaking proposal be 
referred to an Advisory Committee in accordance with section 408(e) of 
the FFDCA.
    A record has been established for this rulemaking under docket 
number [PP 5E4598/P638] (including comments and data submitted 
electronically as described below). A public version of this record, 
including printed, paper versions of electronic comments, which does 
not include any information claimed as CBI, is available for inspection 
from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal 
holidays. The public record is located in Room 1132 of the Public 
Response and Program Resources Branch, Field Operations Division 
(7506C), Office of Pesticide Programs, Environmental Protection Agency, 
Crystal Mall #2, 1921 Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington, VA.
    Electronic comments can be sent directly to EPA at:
    opp-D[email protected]
    Electronic comments must be submitted as an ASCII file avoiding the 
use of special characters and any form of encryption.
    The official record for this rulemaking, as well as the public 
version, as described above will be kept in paper form. Accordingly, 
EPA will transfer all comments received electronically into printed, 
paper form as they are received and will place the paper copies in the 
official rulemaking record which will also include all comments 
submitted directly in writing. The official rulemaking record is the 
paper record maintained at the address in ``ADDRESSES'' at the 
beginning of this document.
    Under Executive Order 12866 (58 FR 51735, Oct. 4, 1993), the Agency 
must determine whether the regulatory action is ``significant'' and 
therefore subject to all the requirements of the Executive Order (i.e., 
Regulatory Impact Analysis, review by the Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB)). Under section 3(f), the order defines ``significant'' as 
those actions likely to lead to a rule (1) having an annual effect on 
the economy of $100 million or more, or adversely and materially 
affecting a sector of the economy, productivity, competition, jobs, the 
environment, public health or safety, or State, local or tribal 
governments or communities (also known as ``economically 
significant''); (2) creating serious inconsistency or otherwise 
interfering with an action taken or planned by another agency; (3) 
materially altering the budgetary impacts of entitlement, grants, user 
fees, or loan programs; or (4) raising novel legal or policy issues 
arising out of legal mandates, the President's priorities, or the 
principles set forth in this Executive Order.
    Pursuant to the terms of this Executive Order, EPA has determined 
that this rule is not ``significant'' and is therefore not subject to 
OMB review.
    Pursuant to the requirements of the Regulatory Flexibility Act 
(Pub. L. 96-354, 94 Stat. 1164, 5 U.S.C. 601-612), the Administrator 
has determined that regulations establishing new tolerances or raising 
tolerance levels or establishing exemptions from tolerance requirements 
do not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of 
small entities. A certification statement to this effect was published 
in the Federal Register of May 4, 1981 (46 FR 24950).

List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 180

    Environmental protection, Administrative practice and procedure, 
Agricultural commodities, Pesticides and pests, Reporting and 
recordkeeping requirements.

    Dated: November 30, 1995.

Stephen L. Johnson,
Director, Registration Division, Office of Pesticide Programs.

    Therefore, it is proposed that 40 CFR part 180 be amended as 
follows:

PART 180--[AMENDED]

    1. The authority citation for part 180 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 21 U.S.C. 346a and 371.

[[Page 64009]]

    2. In Sec. 180.472, by adding new paragraph (f), to read as 
follows:

Sec. 180.472   1-[(6-Chloro-3-pyridinyl)methyl]-N-nitro-2-
imidazolidinimine; tolerances for residues.

 *        *        *        *        *
    (f) Time-limited indirect or inadvertent tolerance: A time-limited 
tolerance, to expire on December 31, 1996, is established for indirect 
or inadvertent combined residues of the insecticide 1-[(6-chloro-3-
pyridinyl)methyl]-N-nitro-2-imidazolidinimine and its metabolites 
containing the 6-chloropyridinyl moiety, all expressed as 1-[(6-chloro-
3-pyridinyl)methyl]-N-nitro-2-imidazolidinimine, when present therein 
as a result of the application of the pesticide to growing crops listed 
in this section and other nonfood crops as follows:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                              Parts per 
                         Commmodity                            million  
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                        
Vegetables, cucurbit.......................................          0.2
                                                                        
------------------------------------------------------------------------

[FR Doc. 95-30372 Filed 12-12-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-F

Complete official Federal Register PDF

FR Doc. 95-30371 Ethane, 1,1,1,2,2-pentafluoro-; Revocation of a Significant New Use Rule
[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 239 (Wednesday, December 13, 1995)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 64009-64010]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-30371]

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

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
40 CFR Part 721

[OPPTS-50601G; FRL-4976-3]

Ethane, 1,1,1,2,2-pentafluoro-; Revocation of a Significant New 
Use Rule

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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

SUMMARY: EPA is proposing to revoke a significant new use rule (SNUR) 
promulgated under section 5(a)(2) of the Toxic Substances Control Act 
(TSCA) for ethane, 1,1,1,2,2-pentafluoro-, based on receipt of new 
data. The data indicate that for purposes of TSCA section 5, the 
substance will not present an unreasonable risk to human health.

DATES: Written comments must be received by January 12, 1996.

ADDRESSES: All comments must be sent in triplicate to: OPPT Document 
Control Officer (7407), Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics, 
Environmental Protection Agency, 401 M Street, SW., Room G-099, East 
Tower, Washington, DC 20460.
    Comments that are confidential must be clearly marked confidential 
business information (CBI). If CBI is claimed, an additional sanitized 
copy must also be submitted. Nonconfidential versions of comments on 
this proposed rule will be placed in the rulemaking record and will be 
available for public inspection. Comments should include the docket 
control number. The docket control number for the chemical substance in 
this SNUR is OPPTS-50601G. Unit III of this preamble contains 
additional information on submitting comments containing CBI.
    Comments and data may also be submitted electronically by sending 
electronic mail (e-mail) to: [email protected],gov. Electronic comments 
must be submitted as ASCII file avoiding the use of special characters 
and any form of encryption. Comments and data will also be accepted on 
disks in WordPerfect in 5.1 file format or ASCII file format. All 
comments and data in electronic form must be identified by the docket 
number (OPPTS-50601G). No CBI should be submitted through e-mail. 
Electronic comments on this proposed rule may be filed online at many 
Federal Depository Libraries. Additional information on electronic 
submissions can be found in Unit IV of this document.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Susan B. Hazen, Director, 
Environmental Assistance Division (7408), Office of Pollution 
Prevention and Toxics, Environmental Protection Agency, Rm. E-543A, 401 
M St., SW., Washington, DC 20460, Telephone: (202) 554-1404, TDD: (202) 
554-0551; e-mail: TSCA-Hotline @epamail.epa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In the Federal Register of September 23, 
1992 (57 FR 44064), EPA issued a SNUR (FRL-4001-2) establishing 
significant new uses for ethane, 1,1,1,2,2-pentafluoro-. Because of 
additional data EPA has received for this substance, EPA is proposing 
to revoke this SNUR.

I. Proposed Revocation

    EPA is proposing to revoke the significant new use and 
recordkeeping requirements for ethane, 1,1,1,2,2-pentafluoro- under 40 
CFR part 721, subpart E. In this unit, EPA provides a brief description 
for the substance, including its premanufacture notice (PMN) number, 
chemical name (generic name if the specific name is claimed as CBI), 
CAS number (if assigned), basis for the revocation of the section 5(e) 
consent order for the substance, and the CFR citation removed in the 
regulatory text section of this proposed rule. Further background 
information for the substance is contained in the rulemaking record 
referenced in Unit IV of this preamble.

PMN Number: P-91-1392

Chemical name: Ethane, 1,1,1,2,2-pentafluoro-.
CAS Registry Number: Not available.
Effective date of revocation of section 5(e) consent order: February 
21, 1995.
Basis for revocation of section 5(e) consent order: The order was 
revoked based on test data submitted under the terms of the consent 
order. Based on the Agency's analysis of the submitted data, EPA can no 
longer support a finding that the manufacture, processing, distribution 
in commerce, use, or disposal of the PMN substance may present an 
unreasonable risk to human health. Accordingly, EPA has determined that 
further regulation under section 5(e) is not warranted at this time.
Toxicity testing results: The PMN substance P-91-1392 was tested in a 
cardiac sensitization study (epinephrine challenge in dogs), a 90-day 
inhalation toxicity study in rats, and a developmental inhalation 
toxicity study (rats and rabbits). The 90-day subchronic study showed 
that there were no observable adverse effects at concentrations up to 
50,000 parts per million (ppm). There were no observed developmental 
toxicity effects at concentrations up to 50,000 ppm in the 
developmental toxicity study. There was evidence of maternal toxicity 
at 50,000 ppm but no maternal effects noted at 15,000 ppm. The PMN 
substance P-91-1392 was found to be a cardiac sensitizer when exposures 
occurred at a 10 percent concentration in air (100,000 ppm) for 10 
minutes. Lower exposures did not elicit a sensitization response.
CFR Number: 40 CFR 721.3240

II. Background and Rationale for Proposed Revocation of the Rule

    During review of the PMN submitted for the chemical substance that 
is the subject of this proposed revocation, EPA concluded that 
regulation was warranted under section 5(e) of TSCA pending the 
development of information sufficient to make a reasoned evaluation of 
the environmental effects of the substance, and that the substance is 
expected to be produced in substantial quantities and there may be 
significant or substantial human exposure. EPA identified the tests 
necessary to make a reasoned evaluation of the risks posed by the 
substance to the human health. Based on these findings, a section 5(e) 
consent order was negotiated with the PMN submitter and a SNUR was 
promulgated.
    EPA reviewed testing conducted by the PMN submitter pursuant to the 

[[Page 64010]]
consent order for the substance and determined that the information 
available was sufficient to make a reasoned evaluation of the health 
effects of the substance. EPA concluded that, for the purposes of TSCA 
section 5, the substance will not present an unreasonable risk and 
consequently revoked the section 5(e) consent order. The proposed 
revocation of SNUR provisions for the substance designated herein is 
consistent with the revocation of the section 5(e) order.
    In light of the above, EPA is proposing a revocation of SNUR 
provisions for this chemical substance. When this revocation becomes 
final, EPA will no longer require notice of any company's intent to 
manufacture, import, or process this substance. In addition, export 
notification under section 12(b) of TSCA will no longer be required.

III. Comments Containing Confidential Business Information

    Any person who submits comments claimed as CBI must mark the 
comments as ``confidential,'' ``trade secret,'' or other appropriate 
designation. Comments not claimed as confidential at the time of 
submission will be placed in the public file. Any comments marked as 
confidential will be treated in accordance with the procedures in 40 
CFR part 2. Any party submitting comments claimed to be confidential 
must prepare and submit a public version of the comments that EPA can 
place in the public file.

IV. Rulemaking Record

    The record for the rule which EPA is proposing to revoke was 
established at OPPTS-50601 (P-91-1392). This record includes 
information considered by the Agency in developing the rule and 
includes the test data that formed the basis for this proposal.
    A record has been established for this rulemaking under docket 
number OPPTS-50601G (including comments and data submitted 
electronically as described below). A public version of this record, 
including printed, paper versions of electronic comments, which does 
not include any information claimed as CBI, is available for inspection 
from 12 noon to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal 
holidays. The public record is located in the TSCA Nonconfidential 
Information Center, Rm. NE-B607, 401 M St., SW., Washington, DC 20460.
    Electronic comments can be sent directly to EPA at: 
[email protected]
    Electronic comments must be submitted as an ASCII file avoiding the 
use of special characters and any form of encryption.
    The official record for this rulemaking, as well as the public 
version, as described above will be kept in paper form. Accordingly, 
EPA will transfer all comments received electronically into printed, 
paper form as they are received and will place the paper copies in the 
official rulemaking record which will also include all comments 
submitted directly in writing. The official rulemaking record is the 
paper record maintained at the address in ``ADDRESSES'' at the 
beginning of this document.

V. Regulatory Assessment Requirements

    EPA is proposing to revoke the requirements of the rule. Any costs 
or burdens associated with the rule will also be eliminated when the 
rule is revoked. Therefore, EPA finds that no costs or burdens must be 
assessed under Executive Order 12866, the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 
U.S.C. 605(b)), or the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et 
seq.).

List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 721

    Environmental protection, Chemicals, Hazardous materials, Reporting 
and recordkeeping requirements, Significant new uses.

    Dated: December 5, 1995.

Charles M. Auer,

Director, Chemical Control Division, Office of Pollution Prevention and 
Toxics.

    Therefore, it is proposed that 40 CFR part 721 be amended as 
follows:

PART 721--[AMENDED]

    1. The authority citation for part 721 would continue to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 15 U.S.C. 2604, 2607, and 2625(c).

Sec. 721.3240  [Removed]

    2. By removing Sec. 721.3240.
[FR Doc. 95-30371 Filed 12-12-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-F

Complete official Federal Register PDF

FR Doc. 95-30370 Establishment of Class E Airspace; Bigfork, MN
[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 239 (Wednesday, December 13, 1995)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 63993-63994]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-30370]

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

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 71

[Airspace Docket No. 95-AGL-20]

Establishment of Class E Airspace; Bigfork, MN

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.

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

SUMMARY: This notice proposes to establish Class E5 airspace at Bigfork 
Municipal Airport, Bigfork, MN, to accommodate a Nondirectional Radio 

[[Page 63994]]
Beacon (NDB) to serve Runway 15. Controlled airspace extending upward 
from 700 to 1200 feet above ground level (AGL) is needed for aircraft 
executing the approach. The intended effect of this proposal is to 
provide segregation of aircraft using instrument approach procedures in 
instrument conditions from other aircraft operating in visual weather 
conditions.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before February 29, 1996.

ADDRESSES: Send comments on the proposal in triplicate to: Federal 
Aviation Administration, Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, AGL-7, 
Rules Docket No. 95-AGL-20, 2300 East Devon Avenue, Des Plaines, 
Illinois 60018.
    The official docket may be examined in the Office of the Assistant 
Chief Counsel, Federal Aviation Administration, 2300 East Devon Avenue, 
Des Plaines, Illinois. An informal docket may also be examined during 
normal business hours at the Air Traffic Division, System Management 
Branch, Federal Aviation Administration, 2300 East Devon Avenue, Des 
Plaines, Illinois.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Eleanor J. Williams, Air Traffic 
Division, System Management Branch, AGL-530, Federal Aviation 
Administration, 2300 East Devon Avenue, Des Plaines, Illinois 60018, 
telephone (708) 294-7568.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Comments Invited

    Interested parties are invited to participate in this proposed 
rulemaking by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as they 
may desire. Comments that provide the factual basis supporting the 
views and suggestions presented are particularly helpful in developing 
reasoned regulatory decisions on the proposal. Comments are 
specifically invited on the overall regulatory, aeronautical, economic, 
environmental, and energy-related aspects of the proposal. 
Communications should identify the airspace docket number and be 
submitted in triplicate to the address listed above. Commenters wishing 
the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments on this notice must 
submit with those comments a self-addressed, stamped postcard on which 
the following statement is made: ``Comments to Airspace Docket No. 95-
AGL-20.'' The postcard will be date/time stamped and returned to the 
commenter. All communications received on or before the specified 
closing date for comments will be considered before taking action on 
the proposed rule. The proposal contained in this notice may be changed 
in light of comments received. All comments submitted will be available 
for examination in the Rules Docket, FAA, Great Lakes Region, Office of 
the Assistant Chief Counsel, 2300 East Devon Avenue, Des Plaines, 
Illinois, both before and after the closing date for comments. A report 
summarizing each substantive public contact with FAA personnel 
concerned with this rulemaking will be filed in the docket.

Availability of NPRM's

    Any person may obtain a copy of the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking 
(NPRM) by submitting a request to the Federal Aviation Administration, 
Office of Public Affairs, Attention: Public Inquiry Center, APA-230, 
800 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, DC 20591, or by calling 
(202) 267-3484. Communications must identify the notice number of this 
NPRM. Persons interested in being placed on a mailing list for future 
NPRM's should also request a copy of Advisory Circular No. 11-2A, which 
describes the application procedure.

The Proposal

    The FAA is considering an amendment to part 71 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 71) to establish Class E5 airspace at 
Bigfork Municipal Airport, Bigfork, MN, to accommodate a Nondirectional 
Radio Beacon (NDB) to serve Runway 15. Controlled airspace extending 
upward from 700 to 1200 feet AGL is needed to contain aircraft 
executing the approach. The intended effect of this action is to 
provide segregation of aircraft using instrument approach procedures in 
instrument conditions from other aircraft operating in visual weather 
conditions. The area would be depicted on appropriate aeronautical 
charts thereby enabling pilots to circumnavigate the area or otherwise 
comply with IFR procedures. Class E airspace designations for airspace 
areas extending upward from 700 feet or more above the surface of the 
earth are published in paragraph 6005 of FAA Order 7400.9C dated August 
17, 1995, and effective September 16, 1995, which is incorporated by 
reference in 14 CFR 71.1. The Class E airspace designation listed in 
this document would be published subsequently in the Order.
    The FAA has determined that this proposed regulation only involves 
an established body of technical regulations for which frequent and 
routine amendments are necessary to keep them operationally current. 
Therefore this, proposed regulation--(1) is not a ``significant 
regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866; (2) is not a 
``significant rule'' under DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 
FR 11034; February 26, 1979); and (3) does not warrant preparation of a 
Regulatory Evaluation as the anticipated impact is so minimal. Since 
this is a routine matter that will only affect air traffic procedures 
and air navigation, it is certified that this proposed rule will not 
have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small 
entities under the criteria of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 71

    Airspace, Incorporation by reference, Navigation (air).

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me, the Federal 
Aviation Administration proposes to amend part 71 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 71) as follows:

PART 71--[AMENDED]

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

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

Sec. 71.1  [Amended]

    2. The incorporation by reference in 14 CFR 71.1 of the Federal 
Aviation Administration Order 7400.9C, Airspace Designations and 
Reporting Points, dated August 17, 1995, and effective September 16, 
1995, is amended as follows:

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

* * * * *

AGL MN E5 Bigfork, MN [New]

Bigfork Municipal Airport, MN
    (lat. 47 deg.46'44.7'' N, long. 93 deg.39'00.6'' W)

    That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface 
within a 7-mile radius of the Bigfork Municipal Airport.
* * * * *
    Issued in Des Plaines, Illinois on November 22, 1996.
Maureen Woods,
Acting Manager, Air Traffic Division.
FR Doc. 95-30370 Filed 12-12-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-M

Complete official Federal Register PDF

FR Doc. 95-30360 Minimum Financial Requirements, Prepayment of Subordinated Debt and Gross Collection of Exchange-Set Margin for Omnibus Accounts
[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 239 (Wednesday, December 13, 1995)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 63994-64000]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-30360]

=======================================================================
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[[Page 63995]]

COMMODITY FUTURES TRADING COMMISSION

17 CFR Part 1

Minimum Financial Requirements, Prepayment of Subordinated Debt 
and Gross Collection of Exchange-Set Margin for Omnibus Accounts

AGENCY: Commodity Futures Trading Commission.

ACTION: Proposed rules.

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SUMMARY: The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (Commission) proposes 
to amend: (1) Rules 1.17(a)(1)(i) and (ii) to (a) increase the minimum 
required dollar amount of adjusted net capital for futures commission 
merchants (FCMs) from $50,000 to $250,000, (b) increase the minimum 
required dollar amount of adjusted net capital for introducing brokers 
(IBs) from $20,000 to $30,000, and (c) make the amount of adjusted net 
capital required by a registered futures association for its member 
FCMs and IBs an element of the Commission's minimum financial 
requirements for FCMs and IBs; (2) Rule 1.17(h)(2)(vii) with respect to 
the procedure to obtain approval for prepayment of subordinated debt; 
and (3) Rule 1.58, which governs gross collection of exchange-set 
margins for omnibus accounts, to make it applicable to omnibus accounts 
carried by FCMs for foreign brokers. The Commission believes that these 
amendments will conform the Commission's rules with those of industry 
self-regulatory organizations (SROs) and therefore should not require 
changes in the operations of most firms.

DATES: Comments on the proposed amendments must be received on or 
before January 12, 1996.

ADDRESSES: Comments should be sent to Jean A. Webb, Secretary of the 
Commission, Commodity Futures Trading Commission, 1155 21st Street, NW, 
Washington, DC 20581. Please refer to ``Financial Rule Amendments.''

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lawrence B. Patent, Associate Chief 
Counsel, Division of Trading and Markets, Commodity Futures Trading 
Commission, 1155 21st Street, NW, Washington, DC 20581. Telephone: 
(202) 418-5439.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Minimum Financial Requirements

A. Minimum Financial Requirements for FCMs

    Rule 1.17(a)(1)(i) requires FCMs to maintain adjusted net capital 
equal to or in excess of the greatest of: (1) $50,000, (2) four percent 
of the sum of the amount of funds required to be segregated under 
Section 4d(2) of the Commodity Exchange Act (Act) 1(i.e., for 
trading in U.S. markets) and the amount of funds required to be set 
aside under Commission Rule 30.7 2 for customers trading foreign 
markets (referred to as the ``secured amount''); or (3) if an FCM is 
also registered as a securities broker-dealer, the amount of net 
capital required by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).3 
The $50,000 minimum dollar requirement was established in 1978 
4and has remained unchanged. On August 27, 1990, the Commission 
approved amendments to Rule 201 of the Chicago Board of Trade (CBT) and 
Section 1 of NFA's Financial Requirements increasing their respective 
FCM members' minimum adjusted net capital requirement to 
$250,000.5 The NFA proposed the minimum adjusted net capital 
increase based upon the growth in trading volume in the 
industry,6the increase in segregated funds per FCM 7and the 
decrease in the value of the dollar that had occurred since 1978. The 
Commission approved these amendments to provide FCM customers with the 
same degree of protection that was provided by the $50,000 minimum 
adjusted net capital requirement when it was originally adopted in 
1978.

    \1\ 7 U.S.C. 6d(2) (1994).
    \2\ 17 CFR 30.7 (1995).
    \3\ Commission Rule 170.15 mandates that each person required to 
register as an FCM become and remain a member of a futures 
association which provides for the membership therein of such FCM 
unless there is no registered futures association. National Futures 
Association (NFA) is the only registered futures association. It has 
an FCM membership category and virtually all FCMs are NFA members. 
However, there are approximately 90 firms registered as FCMs (out of 
a total of approximately 260) that do not handle customer funds and 
therefore are not required to register as FCMs. Accordingly, these 
firms are not required to be NFA members pursuant to Commission Rule 
170.15 but almost all of them are NFA members anyway. However, there 
still are approximately ten registered FCMs that are not members of 
any SRO and thus have a current minimum dollar adjusted net capital 
requirement of $100,000 under Commission Rule 1.17(a)(1)(i)(A). 
Since such a small number of firms are in this category, for ease of 
discussion we shall assume that all registered FCMs currently have a 
minimum dollar requirement of adjusted net capital of $50,000 under 
Commission rules.
    \4\ See 43 FR 39956 (September 8, 1978).
    \5\ On November 24, 1992, the SEC also adopted rule amendments 
to raise its minimum net capital requirement for securities broker-
dealers holding customer funds, which had been $25,000, to $250,000 
in stages. The requirement increased to $100,000 effective July 1, 
1993, $175,000 effective January 1, 1994 and to the current level of 
$250,000 effective July 1, 1994. See 57 FR 56973, 56990 (Dec. 2, 
1992); 17 CFR Sec. 240.15c3-1e(a)(1995).
    \6\ This trend has continued. In fiscal year 1990, 334.2 million 
futures and option contracts were traded on U.S. contract markets, 
and that number increased more than 50 percent in the last five 
years to approximately 504.8 million in fiscal year 1995.
    \7\ In NFA's 1990 submission, it noted that the average amount 
of funds in segregation at each FCM more than tripled from 1980 to 
1985, increasing from $8.7 million to $28.5 million. That amount 
more than tripled again in the last ten years and now exceeds $100 
million.
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    Pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of Commission Rule 1.17, the 
Commission's minimum financial requirements are not applicable to a 
registrant that is a member of an SRO and that conforms to the minimum 
financial standards set by such SRO. As noted above, all persons 
required to register as FCMs are required to be NFA members under 
Commission Rule 170.15. Consequently, when the Com-mission approved 
NFA's amendment of the minimum dollar amount of adjusted net capital 
required of its member FCMs in 1990, the Commission effectively raised 
the dollar level of minimum adjusted net capital for all FCMs to 
$250,000.
    The Commission nonetheless believes that raising the required 
minimum dollar amount of adjusted net capital for FCMs under Commission 
Rule 1.17 to that required by NFA and CBT for their members is 
necessary and appropriate for the following reasons. Section 8c(a)(1) 
of the Act, 7 U.S.C. 12c(a)(1) (1994), authorizes the Commission to 
discipline a member of an exchange in accordance with the rules of that 
exchange if the exchange fails to do so. Section 17(l)(1) of the Act, 7 
U.S.C. 21(1)(1) (1994), authorizes the Commission to suspend a 
registered futures association that has failed to enforce compliance 
with its own rules. However, the Commission does not have the authority 
to discipline an exchange member for violation of an exchange rule in 
the absence of the exchange's failure to act, or to enforce compliance 
with a registered futures association's own rule upon a member thereof. 
This limitation upon the Commission's enforcement remedies in the 
context of SRO rules does not, of course, exist in the context of 
violations of the Act or Commission regulations. Section 6c of the Act, 
7 U.S.C. 13a-1 (1994), authorizes the Commission, whenever it appears 
that a person has engaged, is engaging, or is about to engage in any 
act or practice constituting a violation of any provision of the Act or 
any rule or regulation thereunder, to bring an action to enjoin such 
act or practice, or to enforce compliance with the Act or any rule or 
regulation thereunder.
    The proposed amendment to Rule 1.17(a)(1)(i)(A) thus would permit 
the Commission to use its authority under Section 6c of the Act to 
enforce 

[[Page 63996]]
compliance with what is effectively, for the reasons discussed above, 
the current minimum adjusted net capital requirement applicable to FCMs 
with the benefit of all of the remedies available to it under the Act 
for the enforcement of compliance with any provision of the Act and any 
rule promulgated thereunder. In addition, this amendment would 
harmonize the Commission's minimum dollar requirement for FCMs with the 
prevailing standards established by NFA rules and support the objective 
of assuring that FCMs have a substantial base of liquid capital from 
which to meet their obligations to customers, an objective for which an 
increased requirement appears appropriate given the increase in the 
amount of funds held by FCMs and the change in the value of the dollar 
since 1978.
    The Commission believes it is necessary to clarify its authority to 
require the transfer of positions at such time as a firm is no longer 
in compliance with the NFA rule. The Commission further believes that a 
base minimum adjusted net capital requirement of $250,000 is now 
essential to providing both an adequate stake in doing business in 
accordance with Commission rules and otherwise to provide a cushion 
sufficient with applicable haircuts and segregation of customer funds 
to permit the Commission to act in an emergency.
The Commission also believes that the rule amendment is necessary to 
eliminate any confusion that may have existed as to whether the 
Commission could take action where an FCM's adjusted net capital is 
below $250,000 yet still exceeds $50,000.
    Accordingly, the Commission is proposing to amend Rule 
1.17(a)(1)(i)(A) to increase the minimum dollar amount of adjusted net 
capital for FCMs to $250,000.8 In light of the amount of the 
proposed increase and the fact that, unlike the situation in 1978, very 
few FCMs are not members of any SRO and that those few FCMs in that 
category cannot handle customer funds, the Commission sees no need to 
maintain a higher dollar amount of required adjusted net capital for an 
FCM that is not a member of any SRO. In any event, such FCMs would have 
an increase in their adjusted net capital requirement from the current 
$100,000 to the proposed $250,000 that would apply to all FCMs.

    \8\ The Commission believes, for the reasons discussed above, 
that an increase from $50,000 to $250,000 is necessary and that it 
is unnecessary to phase this in over time as the SEC did in that 
most firms already meet the NFA requirement. The Commission also 
notes that when it adopted the current $50,000 standard in 1978, 
that was also a five-fold, one-step increase in the existing 
standard of $10,000 of working capital originally adopted by the 
Commission's predecessor agency, the Commodity Exchange Authority, 
effective March 17, 1969. 34 FR 599 (Jan. 16, 1969).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Commission further notes that several provisions of the 
Commission's minimum financial rules for FCMs, as well as one provision 
of the financial early warning system, contain cross-references to Rule 
1.17(a)(1)(i)(A). Certain actions are restricted or required if the 
specified levels of adjusted net capital, which in all cases exceed 100 
percent of the minimum dollar amount, are breached. These include Rule 
1.17(e)(1)(i) (restricting the withdrawals of equity capital as well as 
the following paragraphs of Rule 1.17 concerning subordinated debt: 
paragraph (h)(2)(vi)(C)(1) (restricting the parties to a secured demand 
note (SDN) agreement from providing in such agreement that the unpaid 
principal amount of an SDN can be reduced below a floor amount if the 
value of collateral securing the SDN declines below the unpaid 
principal amount); paragraphs (h)(2)(vii)(A)(1) and (B)(1) (restricting 
prepayments and special prepayments); (h)(2)(viii)(A)(1) (requiring 
suspension of repayment); (h)(3)(ii)(A) (requiring notice of maturity 
or accelerated maturity); and (h)(3)(v)(A) (restricting use of 
temporary subordinations). In addition, Rule 1.12(b)(1) establishes the 
``early warning'' minimum dollar level of adjusted net capital as 150 
percent of the minimum dollar requirement, triggering notice and 
follow-up reporting requirements when an FCM's adjusted net capital is 
below that level. Even though the Commission is not amending the 
provisions of Rules 1.12 and 1.17 that cross-reference Rule 
1.17(a)(1)(i)(A), the proposed amendment of the latter will have a 
corresponding impact on the various FCM activities or obligations 
referred to above.9

    \9\ For example, equity capital withdrawals from an FCM 
currently cannot reduce the FCM's adjusted net capital below $60,000 
(120 percent of the minimum amount); if the amendment proposed 
herein to Rule 1.17(a)(1)(i)(A) were adopted, equity capital 
withdrawals would not be permitted to reduce the FCM's adjusted net 
capital below $300,000. Similarly, the ``early warning'' level of 
adjusted net capital would increase from $75,000 to $375,000 despite 
the fact that Rule 1.12(b)(1) itself would not be amended.
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    The Commission held a roundtable on capital on September 18, 1995 
where several issues were discussed pertaining to minimum financial 
requirements. One of the issues discussed was whether the second prong 
of the current requirement, based upon four percent of the sum of 
segregated customer funds and the secured amount, should be amended in 
an effort to make an FCM's minimum adjusted net capital requirement 
reflect more closely the risks to an FCM caused by carrying open 
positions. The Commission may address that issue in a subsequent 
release following a review of empirical data being developed by the 
SROs but is not prepared to do so at this time.

B. Minimum Financial Requirements for IBs

    Rule 1.17 also requires introducing brokers (IBs) 10 to 
maintain certain prescribed minimum amounts of adjusted net capital. 
Pursuant to Rule 1.17(a)(1)(ii), each person registered as an IB must 
maintain adjusted net capital equal to or in excess of the greater of: 
(A) $20,000 ($40,000 for each person registered as an IB who is not a 
member of an SRO); 11 or, (B) if the IB is also a securities 
broker-dealer, the amount of net capital required by the SEC.

    \10\ Section 1a(14) of the Act, 7 U.S.C. 1a(14)(1994), defines 
an IB as ``any person (except an individual who elects to be and is 
registered as an associated person of [an FCM]) engaged in 
soliciting or in accepting orders for the purchase or sale of any 
commodity for future delivery on or subject to the rules of any 
contract market who does not accept any money, securities or 
property (or extend credit in lieu thereof) to margin, guarantee, or 
secure any trades or contracts that result or may result 
therefrom.'' Commission Rule 1.3(mm), 17 CFR 1.3(mm) (1995), also 
includes in the definition of an IB any person required to register 
as such by virtue of Part 33 of the Commission's rules, 17 CFR Part 
33 (1995).
    \11\ As is the case with FCMs discussed above, virtually all 
registered IBs are members of NFA. Any IB that is registered but not 
an NFA member would be precluded from introducing customer accounts 
to an FCM and thus could not act as an IB.
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    On October 6, 1992, the Commission approved NFA rule amendments 
which, among other things, increased the required minimum dollar amount 
of adjusted net capital for member IBs from $20,000 to $30,000. 
However, the Commission did not at that time amend Commission Rule 
1.17(a)(1)(ii)(A) to conform to NFA's rule amendment. The Commission 
believes that since it is now proposing to raise the minimum dollar 
amount of required adjusted net capital for FCMs as discussed above, it 
is appropriate also to propose an increase in the required minimum 
dollar amount of adjusted net capital for IBs. Accordingly, the 
Commission is proposing to amend Rule 1.17(a)(1)(ii)(A) to raise the 
minimum dollar amount of required net capital for a registered IB to 
$30,000. For reasons similar to those discussed above concerning FCMs, 
the Commission would eliminate any higher requirement for an IB that is 
not a member of an SRO. 

[[Page 63997]]

    This proposed amendment, like the proposal applicable to FCMs, 
would conform the Commission's rule to the general industry standard 
established by NFA. Therefore, there should be essentially no impact on 
the operations of IBs as a result of this amendment. In any event, the 
proposed amendment would only affect the minority of IBs who raise 
their own capital. Those IBs who have entered into guarantee agreements 
with FCMs would be unaffected by the proposed amendment.12

    \12\ More than two-thirds of IBs enter into guarantee agreements 
with FCMs in accordance with Commission Rules 1.17(a)(2)(ii) and 
1.10(j) in lieu of raising their own capital.
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C. Conforming Commission and Registered Futures Association Rules

    The Commission also approved NFA rule amendments on October 6, 1992 
which provide that a member IB's minimum adjusted net capital 
requirement, as well as that of a member FCM, can be determined by the 
number of offices it operates and the number of APs it sponsors.13 
When NFA presented these provisions to the Commission, NFA stated that 
the amount of the IB minimum financial requirement should be linked to 
the size of an IB's operation and that it concluded, after studying 
several factors related to an IB's business, that the number of offices 
operated or APs sponsored by an IB were the most relevant factors to be 
used in a formula establishing an IB's minimum financial requirement. 
NFA also stated that an FCM's minimum financial requirement should 
parallel that of an IB in this regard.14 The Commission believes 
that it should incorporate the NFA standards concerning the number of 
offices or APs sponsored into the minimum financial requirements for 
FCMs and IBs in Rule 1.17, and eliminate the necessity to amend Rule 
1.17 each time NFA amends its minimum financial requirements in order 
to avoid a recurrence of the current situation where NFA's minimum 
dollar amount of adjusted net capital for an FCM is $250,000 and the 
Commission's minimum is $50,000. Therefore, the Commission is proposing 
to redesignate paragraphs (a)(1)(i)(C) and (a)(1)(ii)(B) as paragraphs 
(a)(1)(i)(D) and (a)(1)(ii)(C), respectively, of Rule 1.17, and to add 
new paragraphs (a)(1)(i)(C) and (a)(1)(ii)(B) that would provide that 
``the amount of adjusted net capital required by a registered futures 
association of which it is a member'' is an element of the Commission's 
minimum financial requirement for FCMs and IBs. The Commission is also 
proposing conforming amendments to the early warning level of adjusted 
net capital for FCMs,15 the restriction on withdrawals of equity 
capital and the various provisions of Rule 1.17(h) discussed above 
concerning subordinated debt.16

    \13\ Section 9 of NFA's Financial Requirements is entitled 
``Introducing Broker Financial Requirements'' and provides as 
follows:
    Each Member IB, except an IB operating pursuant to a guarantee 
agreement which meets the requirements set forth in CFTC Regulation 
1.10(j), must maintain ``Adjusted Net Capital'' (as defined in 
Schedule A hereto) equal to or in excess of the greatest of:
    (i) $30,000; or,
    (ii) $6,000 per office operated by the IB (including the main 
office); or,
    (iii) $3,000 for each AP sponsored by the IB; or
    (iv) (for securities brokers and dealers), the amount of net 
capital required by Rule 15c3-1(a) of the Securities and Exchange 
Commission (17 CFR 240.15c3-1(a)).
    The corresponding provision for an FCM with respect to offices 
and APs is based upon ``$6,000 for each remote location operated 
(i.e., proprietary branch offices, main office of each guaranteed IB 
and branch offices of each guaranteed IB); or, $3,000 for each AP 
sponsored (including APs sponsored by guaranteed IBs).'' Section 1 
of NFA's Financial Requirements.
    \14\ According to discussions with NFA staff, there are 
currently less than ten FCMs and less than ten IBs whose minimum 
financial requirement is based upon the number of offices operated 
or APs sponsored. As of September 30, 1995, of the registered IBs, 
1,080 operated pursuant to guarantee agreements with an FCM and 388 
were raising their own capital.
    \15\ See proposed new paragraph (b)(3) of Rule 1.12, which is 
based upon 150% of the amount of adjusted net capital required by a 
registered futures association, and is proportional to the other 
elements of Rule 1.12(b).
    \16\ See the following proposed new Rule 1.17(e)(1)(iii) and the 
proposed new paragraphs of Rule 1.17: (h)(2)(vi)(C)(3) (restricting 
reductions in unpaid principal amount of an SDN); (h)(2)(vii)(A)(3) 
(restricting prepayments); (h)(2)(vii)(B)(3) (restricting special 
prepayments); (h)(2)(viii)(A)(3) (requiring suspension of 
repayment); (h)(3)(ii)(C) (requiring notice of maturity or 
accelerated maturity); and (h)(3)(v)(C) (restricting use of 
temporary subordinations). The levels of adjusted net capital set 
forth in the proposed new paragraphs of Rule 1.17 are 120 percent of 
the registered futures association's minimum amount, except for the 
provision concerning special prepayment which would be 200 percent. 
These percentages correspond to the current levels in those rules 
that are based upon the minimum dollar amount.
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II. Prepayment of Subordinated Debt

    For purposes of computing net capital, debt covered by 
``satisfactory subordinated agreements'' can be excluded from 
liabilities.17 Rule 1.17(h)(2)(vii)(A) generally prohibits any 
prepayment of subordinated debt for one year following the date upon 
which the governing subordination agreement became effective. However, 
Rule 1.17(h)(2)(vii)(B) permits special prepayment of subordinated debt 
at any time (even during the first year) provided that, after giving 
effect thereto, the applicant's or registrant's adjusted net capital 
does not fall below certain amounts prescribed in the rule, which are 
approximately one and one-half times the amounts of capital required 
for a normal prepayment. In addition, no prepayment and no special 
prepayment may occur unless the registrant has obtained written 
approval of its designated self-regulatory organization (DSRO), if any, 
and the Commission.18

    \17\ See Commission Rule 1.17(h) for a definition of the term 
``satisfactory subordination agreement''.
    \18\ An applicant for registration must obtain prior written 
approval of NFA.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    On September 10, 1985, the Commission's Division of Trading and 
Markets (Division) advised all registered IBs, FCMs and SROs of its 
intention to recommend to the Commission that Rule 1.17(h)(2)(vii) be 
changed to require only the DSRO's approval for prepayment of 
subordinated debt.19 ``The requirement for dual approval has been 
in effect for approximately seven years'', the Division stated, 
``[d]uring [which] time, the DSROs have gained greater familiarity 
regarding subordinated debt and * * * have demonstrated * * * an 
ability to work together in the area of financial surveillance.'' This 
change would ``make the treatment of prepayment of subordinated debt 
consistent with the treatment of approval of new subordinated debt or 
amendments to subordinated agreements.''

    \19\ CFTC Interpretative Letter No. 85-17, [1984-1986 Transfer 
Binder] Comm. Fut. L. Rep. (CCH) para.22,738 (Sept. 10, 1985).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Commission is proposing to implement the change contemplated in 
Interpretative Letter No. 85-17 by amending Rule 1.17(h)(2)(vii) to 
require submission of a request for approval of prepayment of 
subordinated debt by a registrant to the DSRO only, if any, or to the 
Commission in those rare instances where the registrant is not an SRO 
member. Dual approval by the DSRO and the Commission would be required, 
however, should the requested prepayment or special prepayment result 
in a reduction of 20 percent or more of the registrant's adjusted net 
capital. Therefore, if a firm's subordinated debt amounts to 25 percent 
of its adjusted net capital and the firm wishes to prepay all of it and 
simultaneously enter into new subordinated debt arrangements for the 
same amount, but at a different maturity or interest rate, dual 
approval would not be required since there would be no net effect on 
the firm's adjusted net capital. Similarly, if a firm wanted to convert 
subordinated debt to paid-in-capital, dual approval would not be 
required so 

[[Page 63998]]
long as such conversion did not result in a reduction of 20 percent or 
more of the firm's adjusted net capital.

III. Gross Collection of Exchange-Set Margins

    Pursuant to Commission Rule 1.58, each FCM which carries a 
commodity futures or commodity option position for another FCM on an 
omnibus basis must collect, and each FCM for which an omnibus account 
is being carried must deposit, initial and maintenance margin on each 
position reported in accordance with Commission Rule 17.04 at a level 
no less than that established for customer accounts by the rules of the 
applicable contract market. Rule 1.58 was proposed in 1981 20 
following the bankruptcy of three FCMs who cleared trades solely by 
means of omnibus accounts. The Commission was concerned that customer 
funds were ``being held by firms that, in comparison to clearing FCMs, 
generally [had] less capital and [were] less equipped to handle the 
volatility of the commodity markets''.21 It is also the case, as 
demonstrated during the collapse of Barings PLC, that net margining of 
an omnibus account can mask risk to the clearing member. Thus, the 
primary purposes of Rule 1.58 were to ``strengthen the industry and 
enhance customer protection by moving segregated funds into the 
normally better-capitalized hands of a clearing member'' and to provide 
the Commission and the SROs with better information with respect to 
omnibus accounts.22

    \20\ 46 FR 62864 (Dec. 29, 1981).
    \21\ Id.
    \22\ 47 FR 21026 (May 17, 1982).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    As originally adopted and currently, Rule 1.58 does not apply to 
omnibus accounts carried by FCMs on behalf of foreign brokers.23 
On November 16, 1988, the Division issued Financial and Segregation 
Interpretation No. 12 which, among other things, requires FCMs to 
obtain an agreement from customers who desire to have funds held 
offshore whereby such customers authorize the subordination of their 
claims attributable to funds held offshore to the claims of other 
customers should the FCM be placed in bankruptcy or receivership. 
Although the Commission is in the process of reviewing this 
Interpretation from the perspective of certain foreign currency 
deposits in light of the provisions for settlement of certain contracts 
traded on U.S. contract markets by means of foreign currency, certain 
statements made relative to foreign location risk remain relevant 
today. For example, in support of this Interpretation, the Commission 
expressed its concern that ``in the event of an FCM insolvency, 
deposits maintained at a foreign depository might not be handled or 
distributed in accordance with United States bankruptcy law'' and that 
``both the size of the pool of funds available for distribution to 
customers and the size of individual claims against that pool may vary 
from day-to-day.'' The Commission further stated that ``to the extent 
foreign domiciled customers deposit [U.S.] dollars in connection with 
United States futures or options, such funds should be held in the 
United States'' because ``the Commission perceives no administrative 
necessity for FCMs and customers to incur the location risks attendant 
to holding such dollar deposits overseas''.24 Likewise, the 
Commission is concerned that margin deposits maintained by a foreign 
broker at a foreign depository might become unavailable in the event of 
a bankruptcy of the clearing FCM due to differences in bankruptcy law 
among jurisdictions and might be exposed to currency fluctuations 
during the pendency of the bankruptcy. In addition, the Commission has 
observed that in times of turbulent markets, such as occurred in 
October 1987 and October 1989, accounts in the names of owners with 
foreign addresses had greater difficulty meeting margin calls than did 
domestic accounts, undoubtedly to some extent due to time zone 
differences and currency conversion logistics.25 In this context, 
the Commission has recognized that foreign brokers' omnibus accounts 
carried by clearing FCMs can have a substantial impact on the financial 
condition of clearing FCMs. Further, as a result of the collapse of 
Barings PLC in February 1995, the Commission's concern has been 
heightened with respect to FCMs having a clear view of the exposures in 
omnibus accounts and the ability to assure proper handling and 
segregation of customer funds.

    \23\ Neither the proposing release nor the adopting release for 
Rule 1.58 discuss omnibus accounts carried on behalf of foreign 
brokers.
    \24\ See 53 FR 46911 (Nov. 21, 1988), reprinted in 1 Comm. Fut. 
L. Rep. (CCH) para. 7122.
    \25\ See Final CFTC Staff Report, Stock Index Futures and Cash 
Market Activity--October 1987, at pp. 192-193 (Jan. 1988) (reprinted 
in Comm. Fut. L. Rep. (CCH), Special Report No. 321, Feb. 5, 1988) 
and Commodity Futures Trading Commission, Division of Economic 
Analysis, Report on Stock Index Futures and Cash Market Activity 
During October 1989 to the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading 
Commission, at p. 143 (May 1990).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In view of the increasing internationalization of the financial 
markets, and in particular the increasing use of foreign omnibus 
accounts, the Commission believes that foreign broker omnibus accounts 
should be treated in the same manner as omnibus accounts carried for 
domestic FCMs. Thus, FCMs carrying foreign broker omnibus accounts 
would hold a higher level of funds, have less capital exposure and be 
better able to transfer positions from such accounts in the event of a 
financial disruption. Accordingly, the Commission is proposing to 
expand the application of Rule 1.58 to include foreign brokers' omnibus 
accounts carried by FCMs. As is the case with the proposed amendments 
to Rule 1.17 concerning the minimum amount of adjusted net capital for 
FCMs and IBs, the Commission is essentially proposing to conform its 
rule relating to collection of margins for omnibus accounts to the 
industry practice since, as a result of staff recommendations in rule 
enforcement reviews and SRO rule changes, all active U.S. contract 
markets other than the New York Cotton Exchange and the Philadelphia 
Board of Trade require that FCMs collect margin for omnibus accounts of 
foreign brokers as well as other domestic FCMs on a gross basis.

IV. Other Matters

    As noted above, the Commission held a roundtable on capital issues 
on September 18, 1995, during which several matters were discussed. 
Although the Commission is not presenting any specific rule proposals 
at this time related to issues discussed at the roundtable, the 
Commission will be seeking additional information concerning certain of 
the issues discussed with a view towards possible additional rule 
amendments. These issues would include greater harmonization of the 
CFTC/SEC financial requirements in several areas such as reporting 
requirements and cycles, early warning requirements,26 risk 
assessment data elements and the debt-equity ratio requirements with 
respect to a firm's capital.27 The 

[[Page 63999]]
Commission is also considering a rethinking of the no-action relief 
provided to an FCM by the Division with respect to the short options 
value charge,28 and the appropriateness of a concentration charge. 
Separately, the Commission has discussed with the Joint Audit Committee 
the data necessary to evaluate any proposals for a ``risk-based'' 
standard as a component of the minimum adjusted net capital 
requirements. Although the Commission has no specific proposals in any 
of these areas at this time, it nonetheless invites commenters to 
address these matters if they so choose.

    \26\ The Commission has proposed amendments to its Rule 1.12 to: 
(1) make paragraph (g), which requires the reporting of certain 
reductions in adjusted net capital, applicable to all FCMs, rather 
than just those FCMs subject to the risk assessment reporting 
requirements of Rule 1.15; (2) require reporting of a margin call 
that exceeds an FCM's excess adjusted net capital which remains 
unanswered by the close of business on the day following the 
issuance of the call; and (3) require reporting by an FCM whenever 
its excess adjusted net capital is less than six percent of the 
maintenance margin required to support proprietary and noncustomer 
positions carried by the FCM. 59 FR 66822 (Dec. 28, 1994).
    \27\ SEC Rule 15c3-1(d) (17 CFR 240.15c3-1(d) (1995)) requires 
that at least 30 percent of all of a broker-dealer's net capital 
consist of equity capital. See Report of the Technical Committee of 
IOSCO, ``Capital Requirements for Multinational Securities Firms,'' 
XV Annual Conference of the International Organization of Securities 
Commissions (IOSCO), Santiago, Chile 1990. The general international 
standard in this connection, as recommended by Working Party No. 3 
of the Technical Committee of IOSCO, would also apply the debt-
equity requirement to all of a firm's capital. Although the 
Commission originally proposed a debt-equity requirement for an FCM 
that would have been similar to that of a broker-dealer under SEC 
rules (see 42 FR 27166, 27177 (May 26, 1977)), in response to 
comments that ``it would be inappropriate to penalize a firm that 
maintains capital in the form of satisfactory subordination 
agreements, which is in excess of the minimum required by 
regulations'', the Commission revised the required debt-equity total 
to which the 30 percent equity capital requirement applies to mean 
total capital less the excess of the FCM's adjusted net capital, 
i.e., only the required minimum adjusted net capital. See 43 FR 
39956, 39965, 39976 (Sept. 8, 1978).
    \28\ Commission Rule 1.17(c)(5)(iii), 17 CFR 1.17(c)(5)(iii) 
(1995); CFTC Interpretative Letter 95-65, [Current Binder] Comm. 
Fut. L. Rep. (CCH) para. 26,495 (July 26, 1995).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

V. Related Matters

A. Regulatory Flexibility Act

    The Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA), 5 U.S.C. 601 et seq., 
requires that agencies, in proposing rules, consider the impact of 
those rules on small businesses. The rule amendments proposed herein 
would affect FCMs and independent IBs. The Commission has previously 
determined that, based upon the fiduciary nature of FCM/customer 
relationships, as well as the requirement that FCMs meet minimum 
financial requirements, FCMs should be excluded from the definition of 
small entity.29

    \29\ See 47 FR 18618, 18619 (Apr. 30, 1982).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    With respect to IBs, the Commission stated that it is appropriate 
to evaluate within the context of a particular rule proposal whether 
some or all IBs should be considered to be small entities and, if so, 
to analyze the economic impact on such entities at that time.30 
The proposed amendment to Rule 1.17(h)(2)(vii) would generally reduce 
the burden associated with the procedure to obtain approval for 
permissive prepayment of subordinated debt. Accordingly, that amendment 
should impose no additional requirements on an independent IB. In 
addition, the proposed amendment to the minimum adjusted net capital 
requirement for an IB would conform the Commission's requirement to 
that of the NFA and therefore there should be no impact on an IB's 
financial operations. Thus, if adopted, these proposals would not have 
a significant economic impact on a substantial number of IBs. 
Therefore, pursuant to Section 3(a) of the RFA, 5 U.S.C. 605(b), the 
Chairman certifies that these proposed rule amendments will not have a 
significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities.

    \30\ See 48 FR 35248, 35275-78 (Aug. 3, 1983).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

B. Paperwork Reduction Act

    The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1990, (PRA) 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq., 
imposes certain requirements on Federal agencies (including the 
Commission) in connection with their conducting or sponsoring any 
collection of information as defined by the PRA. While the amendments 
proposed herein have no burden,31 Rules 1.12, 1.17 and 1.58 are 
parts of groups of rules with the following burdens.

    \31\ The proposed increase in the dollar amount of minimum 
adjusted net capital for an FCM and an IB would necessitate only a 
change in line item 23E of the Statement of the Computation of 
Minimum Capital Requirements on Form 1-FR-FCM and in line item 15 of 
that Statement on Form 1-FR-IB.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The burden associated with the collection required by Rules 1.12 
and 1.17 (3038-0024), including these proposed amendments, is as 
follows:
    Average Burden Hours Per Response: 1.50.
    Number of FCM Respondents: 165.00.
    Number of IB Respondents: 62.00.
    Frequency of Response: 1.00.
    The burden associated with the collection required by Rule 1.58 
(3038-0026), including these proposed amendments, is as follows:

A. Reporting
    Average Burden Hours Per Response: 0.04.
    Number of Respondents: 100.00.
    Frequency of Response: 50.00.
B. Recordkeeping
    Average Burden Hours Per Response: 1.00.
    Number of Respondents: 300.00.
    Frequency of Response: 1.00.
    Persons wishing to comment on the estimated paperwork burden 
associated with these proposed rule amendments should contact Jeff 
Hill, Office of Management and Budget, Room 3228, NEOB, Washington, DC 
20503, (202) 395-7340. Copies of the information collection submission 
to OMB are available from Joe F. Mink, CFTC Clearance Officer, 1155 
21st Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20581, (202) 418-5170.

List of Subjects in 17 CFR Part 1

    Commodity futures, minimum financial requirements.

    In consideration of the foregoing and pursuant to the authority 
contained in the Commodity Exchange Act and, in particular, Sections 
4f, 4g and 8a(5) thereof, 7 U.S.C. 6f, 6g and 12a(5), the Commission 
hereby proposes to amend Chapter I of Title 17 of the Code of Federal 
Regulations as follows:

PART 1--GENERAL REGULATIONS UNDER THE COMMODITY EXCHANGE ACT

    1. The authority citation for Part 1 continues to read as follows:
    Authority: 7 U.S.C. 1a, 2, 2a, 4, 4a, 6, 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e, 6f, 
6g, 6h, 6i, 6j, 6k, 6l, 6m, 6n, 6o, 6p, 7, 7a, 7b, 8, 9, 12, 12a, 
12c, 13a, 13a-1, 16, 16a, 19, 21, 23 and 24.

    2. Section 1.12 is amended by removing the word ``or'' at the end 
of paragraph (b)(2), by redesignating paragraph (b)(3) as paragraph 
(b)(4), and by adding a new paragraph (b)(3) to read as follows:

Sec. 1.12  Maintenance of minimum financial requirements by futures 
commission merchants and introducing brokers.

* * * * *
    (b) * * *
    (3) 150 percent of the amount of adjusted net capital required by a 
registered futures association of which it is a member; or
* * * * *
    3. Section 1.17 is amended as follows:
    3.1. By revising paragraph (a)(1);
    3.2. By removing the word ``or'' at the end of paragraph 
(e)(1)(ii), by redesignating paragraph (e)(1)(iii) as (e)(1)(iv), and 
by adding a new paragraph (e)(1)(iii);
    3.3. By removing the word ``or'' at the end of paragraph 
(h)(2)(vi)(C)(2), by redesignating paragraph (h)(2)(vi)(C)(3) as 
paragraph (h)(2)(vi)(C)(4), and by adding a new paragraph 
(h)(2)(vi)(C)(3);
    3.4. By removing the word ``or'' at the end of paragraph 
(h)(2)(vii)(A)(2), by redesignating paragraph (h)(2)(vii)(A)(3) as 
paragraph (h)(2)(vii)(A)(4) and, as redesignated, revising it, and by 
adding a new paragraph (h)(2)(vii)(A)(3);
    3.5. By removing the word ``or'' at the end of paragraph 
(h)(2)(vii)(B)(2), by redesignating paragraph (h)(2)(vii)(B)(3) as 
paragraph (h)(2)(vii)(B)(4) and, as redesignated, revising it, and by 
adding new paragraphs (h)(2)(vii)(B)(3) and (h)(2)(vii)(C);
    3.6. By removing the word ``or'' at the end of paragraph 
(h)(2)(viii)(A)(2), by redesignating paragraph (h)(2)(viii)(A)(3) as 
paragraph 

[[Page 64000]]
(h)(2)(viii)(A)(4), and by adding a new paragraph (h)(2)(viii)(A)(3);
    3.7. By removing the word ``or'' at the end of paragraph 
(h)(3)(ii)(B), by redesignating paragraph (h)(3)(ii)(C) as paragraph 
(h)(3)(ii)(D), and by adding a new paragraph (h)(3)(ii)(C); and
    3.8. By redesignating paragraphs (h)(3)(v) (C) and (D) as 
paragraphs (h)(3)(v) (D) and (E) and by adding a new paragraph 
(h)(3)(v)(C). The revised and added paragraphs read as follows:

Sec. 1.17  Minimum financial requirements for futures commission 
merchants and introducing brokers.

    (a)(1)(i) Except as provided in paragraph (a)(2)(i) of this 
section, each person registered as a futures commission merchant must 
maintain adjusted net capital equal to or in excess of the greatest of:
    (A) $250,000;
    (B) Four percent of the following amount: The customer funds 
required to be segregated pursuant to the Act and these regulations and 
the foreign futures or foreign options secured amount, less the market 
value of commodity options purchased by customers on or subject to the 
rules of a contract market or a foreign board of trade: Provided, 
however, That the deduction for each customer shall be limited to the 
amount of customer funds in such customer's account(s) and foreign 
futures and foreign options secured amounts;
    (C) The amount of adjusted net capital required by a registered 
futures association of which it is a member; or
    (D) For securities brokers and dealers, the amount of net capital 
required by Rule 15c3-1(a), of the Securities and Exchange Commission 
(17 CFR 240.15c3-1(a)).
    (ii) Except as provided in paragraph (a)(2) of this section, each 
person registered as an introducing broker must maintain adjusted net 
capital equal to or in excess of the greatest of:
    (A) $30,000;
    (B) The amount of adjusted net capital required by a registered 
futures association of which it is a member; or
    (C) For securities brokers and dealers, the amount of net capital 
required by Rule 15c3-1(a) of the Securities and Exchange Commission 
(17 CFR 240.15c3-1(a)).
* * * * *
    (e) * * *
    (1) * * *
    (iii) 120 percent of the amount of adjusted net capital required by 
a registered futures association of which it is a member; or
* * * * *
    (h) * * *
    (2) * * *
    (vi) * * *
    (C) * * *
    (3) 120 percent of the amount of adjusted net capital required by a 
registered futures association of which it is a member; or
* * * * *
    (vii) * * *
    (A) * * *
    (3) 120 percent of the amount of adjusted net capital required by a 
registered futures association of which it is a member; or
    (4) For an applicant or registrant which is also a securities 
broker or dealer, the amount of net capital specified in Rule 15c3-
1d(b)(7) of the Securities and Exchange Commission (17 CFR 240.15c3-
1d(b)(7)).
    (B) * * *
    (3) 120 percent of the amount of adjusted net capital required by a 
registered futures association of which it is a member; or
    (4) For an applicant or registrant which is also a securities 
broker or dealer, the amount of net capital specified in Rule 15c3-
1d(c)(5)(ii) of the Securities and Exchange Commission (17 CFR 
240.15c3-1d(c)(5)(ii)): Provided, however, That no special prepayment 
shall be made if pre-tax losses during the latest three-month period 
were greater than 15 percent of current excess adjusted net capital.
    (C) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraphs (h)(2)(vii)(A) and 
(h)(2)(vii)(B) of this section, in the case of an applicant, no 
prepayment or special prepayment shall occur without the prior written 
approval of the National Futures Association; in the case of a 
registrant, if the requested prepayment or special prepayment will 
result in the reduction of the registrant's adjusted net capital by 20 
percent or more, no prepayment or special prepayment shall occur 
without the prior written approval of the designated self-regulatory 
organization, if any, and of the Commission, or, if the requested 
prepayment or special prepayment will result in the reduction of the 
registrant's adjusted net capital by less than 20 percent without the 
prior written approval of the designated self-regulatory organization, 
if any, or of the Commission if the registrant is not a member of a 
self-regulatory organization.
    (viii) * * *
    (A) * * *
    (3) 120 percent of the amount of adjusted net capital required by a 
registered futures association of which it is a member; or
* * * * *
    (3) * * *
    (ii) * * *
    (C) 120 percent of the amount of adjusted net capital required by a 
registered futures association of which it is a member; or
* * * * *
    (v) * * *
    (C) 120 percent of the amount of adjusted net capital required by a 
registered futures association of which it is a member;
* * * * *
    4. Section 1.58 is revised to read as follows:

Sec. 1.58  Gross collection of exchange-set margins.

    (a) Each futures commission merchant which carries a commodity 
futures or commodity option position for another futures commission 
merchant or for a foreign broker on an omnibus basis must collect, and 
each futures commission merchant and foreign broker for which an 
omnibus account is being carried must deposit, initial and maintenance 
margin on each position reported in accordance with Sec. 17.04 of this 
chapter at a level no less than that established for customer accounts 
by the rules of the applicable contract market.
    (b) If the futures commission merchant which carries a commodity 
futures or commodity option position for another futures commission 
merchant or for a foreign broker on an omnibus basis allows a position 
to be margined as a spread position or as a hedged position in 
accordance with the rules of the applicable contract market, the 
carrying futures commission merchant must obtain and retain a written 
representation from the futures commission merchant or from the foreign 
broker for which the omnibus account is being carried that each such 
position is entitled to be so margined.

    Issued in Washington, D.C. on December 7, 1995 by the 
Commission.
Jean A. Webb,
Secretary of the Commission.
[FR Doc. 95-30360 Filed 12-12-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6351-01-P

Complete official Federal Register PDF

FR Doc. 95-30354 Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 767 Series Airplanes
[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 239 (Wednesday, December 13, 1995)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 63991-63993]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-30354]

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[[Page 63992]]

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 95-NM-244-AD]

Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 767 Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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

SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to all Boeing Model 767 series 
airplanes. This proposal would require inspections of the components of 
the leading edge outboard slat; replacement of the control rod end, if 
necessary; and various follow-on actions. This proposal is prompted by 
reports of skewed panels of the outboard leading edge slat due to 
either corrosion of the rotary actuator, cracking of the control rod, 
or incorrect clearance of the overtravel stop of the outboard leading 
edge slat. The actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to 
prevent such conditions, which could result in reduced controllability 
of the airplane and damage to or cracking of the leading edge slats or 
the fixed leading edge of the wing.

DATES: Comments must be received by January 24, 1996.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 95-NM-244-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, 
Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this location 
between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays.
    This information may be examined at the FAA, Transport Airplane 
Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kristin Larson, Aerospace Engineer, 
Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft 
Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington; 
telephone (206) 227-1760; fax (206) 227-1181.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the 
proposed rule by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as 
they may desire. Communications shall identify the Rules Docket number 
and be submitted in triplicate to the address specified above. All 
communications received on or before the closing date for comments, 
specified above, will be considered before taking action on the 
proposed rule. The proposals contained in this notice may be changed in 
light of the comments received.
    Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed rule. All 
comments submitted will be available, both before and after the closing 
date for comments, in the Rules Docket for examination by interested 
persons. A report summarizing each FAA-public contact concerned with 
the substance of this proposal will be filed in the Rules Docket.
    Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments 
submitted in response to this notice must submit a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to Docket Number 95-NM-244-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and 
returned to the commenter.
Availability of NPRMs.
    Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request 
to the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103, Attention: Rules 
Docket No. 95-NM-244-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington 
98055-4056.
Discussion
    The FAA has received reports of skewed panels of the outboard 
leading edge slat on several Boeing Model 767 series airplanes. 
Investigation revealed that the cause of the skewed panels is 
attributed to either corrosion of the rotary actuator, cracking of the 
control rod, or incorrect clearance of the overtravel stop of the 
outboard leading edge slat. These conditions, if not detected and 
corrected in a timely manner, could result in reduced controllability 
of the airplane and damage to or cracking of the leading edge slats or 
the fixed leading edge of the wing.
    Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to 
exist or develop on other products of this same type design, the FAA 
has determined that an airworthiness directive (AD) is warranted to 
require the following inspections and follow-on actions of the affected 
airplanes. These actions are necessary in order to ensure that the 
unsafe condition is corrected, and to provide an acceptable level of 
safety:
    1. A visual inspection to verify proper clearance of the overtravel 
stop;
    2. Adjustment of the stop clearance, and replacement of the rotary 
actuator and adjacent offset gearbox, if necessary;
    3. Repetitive visual inspections to detect external signs of 
internal corrosion of the rotary actuator of the outboard leading edge 
slat;
    4. Replacement of a certain earlier model rotary actuator with a 
certain later model rotary actuator, for certain airplanes;
    5. Visual inspection(s) to verify proper installation of the 
control rods of the outboard leading edge slats; and
    6. Tightening of the bolts or installing a new lockwire, if any 
bolt is loose or any lockwire is missing.
    This proposed AD would require that these actions be accomplished 
at specific times and in accordance with the procedures specified in 
the Boeing 767 Airplane Maintenance Manual (AMM), Chapter 27-81-20.
    This is considered to be interim action. The manufacturer has 
advised that it currently is developing a modification that will 
positively address the unsafe condition that is the subject of this AD. 
Once this modification is developed, approved, and available, the FAA 
may consider additional rulemaking.
    There are approximately 612 Model 767 series airplanes of the 
affected design in the worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 213 
airplanes of U.S. registry would be affected by this proposed AD, that 
it would take approximately 14 work hours per airplane to accomplish 
the proposed actions, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work 
hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the proposed AD on 
U.S. operators is estimated to be $178,920, or $840 per airplane, per 
inspection cycle.
    The cost impact figure discussed above is based on assumptions that 
no operator has yet accomplished any of the proposed requirements of 
this AD action, and that no operator would accomplish those actions in 
the future if this AD were not adopted.
    The regulations proposed herein would 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 
proposal would not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant 
the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this proposed 
regulation (1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under 
Executive Order 12866; (2) is not a ``significant rule'' under the DOT 
Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); 
and (3) if

[[Page 63993]]

promulgated, 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 draft regulatory 
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, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend 
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 USC 106(g), 40101, 40113, 44701.

Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

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

Boeing: Docket 95-NM-244-AD.

    Applicability: All Model 767 series airplanes, certificated in 
any category.

    Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the 
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been 
otherwise 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 use the authority 
provided in paragraph (d) of this AD to request approval from the 
FAA. This approval may address either no action, if the current 
configuration eliminates the unsafe condition; or different actions 
necessary to address the unsafe condition described in this AD. Such 
a request should include an assessment of the effect of the changed 
configuration on the unsafe condition addressed by this AD. In no 
case does the presence of any modification, alteration, or repair 
remove any airplane from the applicability of this AD.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent reduced controllability of the airplane and damage to 
or cracking of the leading edge slats or the fixed leading edge of 
the wing, accomplish the following:
    (a) Within 500 hours time-in-service after the effective date of 
this AD, unless previously accomplished within the last 3,000 hours 
time-in-service prior to the effective date of this AD: Perform a 
visual inspection to verify proper clearance of the overtravel stop, 
in accordance with the Boeing 767 Airplane Maintenance Manual (AMM), 
Chapter 27-81-20.
    (1) If proper clearance exists, repeat the inspection for proper 
clearance thereafter at intervals not to exceed 6,000 hours time-in-
service or 18 months, whichever occurs later.
    (2) If clearance exists, but is incorrect, at the next 
convenient maintenance interval, but no later than 500 flight hours 
after accomplishment of the inspection, adjust the stop clearance 
for the slats in accordance with the AMM. Repeat the inspection for 
proper clearance thereafter at intervals not to exceed 6,000 hours 
time-in-service or 18 months, whichever occurs later.
    (3) If no clearance exists (i.e., stop contact), prior to 
further flight, adjust the stop clearance for the slats in 
accordance with the AMM. After the adjustment, within 3,000 hours 
time-in-service or 1,500 flight cycles after accomplishing the 
inspection required by paragraph (a) of this AD, whichever occurs 
later, replace the rotary actuator and adjacent offset gearbox in 
accordance with the AMM. After replacement, repeat the inspection 
for proper clearance at intervals not to exceed 6,000 hours time-in-
service or 18 months, whichever occurs later.
    (b) Within 500 hours time-in-service after the effective date of 
this AD, unless previously accomplished within the last 3,000 hours 
time-in-service prior to the effective date of this AD, perform a 
visual inspection to detect external signs of internal corrosion of 
the rotary actuator of the outboard leading edge slat, in accordance 
with the Boeing 767 Airplane Maintenance Manual (AMM), Chapter 27-
81-20.
    (1) If no sign of internal corrosion is detected, accomplish 
paragraph (b)(1)(i) or (b)(1)(ii) of this AD, as applicable.
    (i) For airplanes on which a rotary actuator having part number 
(P/N) 256T2120-3 or earlier is installed: Within 4,000 flight hours 
after the effective date of this AD, replace that rotary actuator 
with a new rotary actuator having P/N 256T2120-5 or later. After 
replacement, repeat the inspection of the rotary actuator at 
intervals not to exceed 6,000 flight hours or 18 months, whichever 
occurs later.
    (ii) For airplanes on which a rotary actuator having P/N 
256T2120-5 or later is installed: Repeat the inspection of the 
rotary actuator thereafter at intervals not to exceed 6,000 flight 
hours or 18 months, whichever occurs later.
    (2) If any sign of internal corrosion is detected, accomplish 
paragraph (b)(2)(i) or (b)(2)(ii) of this AD, as applicable.
    (i) For airplanes on which a rotary actuator having part number 
(P/N) 256T2120-3 or earlier is installed: Within 4,000 flight hours 
after the effective date of this AD, replace that rotary actuator 
with a new rotary actuator having P/N 256T2120-5 or later. After 
replacement, repeat the inspection of the rotary actuator at 
intervals not to exceed 6,000 flight hours or 18 months, whichever 
occurs later.
    (ii) For airplanes on which a rotary actuator having P/N 
256T2120-5 or later is installed: Within 6,000 flight hours or 18 
months after accomplishing the initial inspection required by 
paragraph (b) of this AD, replace that rotary actuator with a new 
rotary actuator having P/N 256T2120-5 or later. After replacement, 
repeat the inspection required of the rotary actuator at intervals 
not to exceed 6,000 flight hours or 18 months, whichever occurs 
later.
    (c) Within 500 hours time-in-service after the effective date of 
this AD, unless previously accomplished within the last 3,000 hours 
time-in-service prior to the effective date of this AD, perform a 
visual inspection to verify proper installation (including loose 
bolts and missing lockwires) of the control rods of the outboard 
leading edge slats, in accordance with the Boeing 767 Airplane 
Maintenance Manual (AMM), Chapter 27-81-20.
    (1) If all control rods are installed properly, repeat the 
inspection to verify proper installation thereafter at intervals not 
to exceed 6,000 flight hours or 18 months, whichever occurs later.
    (2) If any bolt is loose or any lockwire missing, prior to 
further flight, tighten the bolt or install a new lockwire, in 
accordance with the AMM. Repeat the inspection to verify proper 
installation thereafter at intervals not to exceed 6,000 flight 
hours or 18 months, whichever occurs later.
    (d) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be 
used if approved by the Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification 
Office (ACO), FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate. Operators shall 
submit their requests through an appropriate FAA Principal 
Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the 
Manager, Seattle ACO.

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

    (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.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on December 7, 1995.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 95-30354 Filed 12-12-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U

Complete official Federal Register PDF

FR Doc. 95-30353 Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 767 Series Airplanes
[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 239 (Wednesday, December 13, 1995)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 63989-63991]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-30353]

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

[[Page 63990]]

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 95-NM-124-AD]

Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 767 Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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

SUMMARY: This document proposes the supersedure of an existing 
airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to certain Boeing Model 767 
series airplanes, that currently requires an inspection of the control 
rods of the outboard leading edge slat, and follow-on actions 
(including repetitive ultrasonic inspections), if necessary. That AD 
also requires replacement of the control rod ends and attach bolts for 
certain airplanes. It also provides for an optional terminating action 
for follow-on repetitive inspections. That AD was prompted by reports 
of cracks and worn attach bolts of the control rods of the leading edge 
outboards slats of the wings due to the high breakout torque in the 
joint of the control rod end. This action would require installation of 
the previously optional terminating action. The actions specified by 
the proposed AD are intended to prevent reduced controllability of the 
airplane and damage in the slat structure or fixed leading edge of the 
wing, as a result of cracks and worn attach bolts.

DATES: Comments must be received by January 24, 1996.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 95-NM-124-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., 
Renton, Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this 
location between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except 
Federal holidays. The service information referenced in the proposed 
rule may be obtained from Boeing Commercial Airplane Group, P.O. Box 
3707, Seattle, Washington 98124-2207. This information may be examined 
at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., 
Renton, Washington.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kristin Larson, Aerospace Engineer, 
Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft 
Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington; 
telephone (206) 227-1760; fax (206) 227-1181.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the 
proposed rule by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as 
they may desire. Communications shall identify the Rules Docket number 
and be submitted in triplicate to the address specified above. All 
communications received on or before the closing date for comments, 
specified above, will be considered before taking action on the 
proposed rule. The proposals contained in this notice may be changed in 
light of the comments received.
    Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed rule. All 
comments submitted will be available, both before and after the closing 
date for comments, in the Rules Docket for examination by interested 
persons. A report summarizing each FAA-public contact concerned with 
the substance of this proposal will be filed in the Rules Docket.
    Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments 
submitted in response to this notice must submit a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to Docket Number 95-NM-124-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and 
returned to the commenter.

Availability of NPRMs

    Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request 
to the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103, Attention: Rules 
Docket No. 95-NM-124-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington 
98055-4056.

Discussion

    On September 5, 1990, the FAA issued AD 90-20-16, amendment 39-6726 
(55 FR 37858, September 14, 1990), applicable to certain Boeing Model 
767 series airplanes, to require a one-time visual inspection to 
determine the date of manufacture of the control rods of the outboard 
leading edge slat, and follow-on actions, if necessary. Certain of the 
follow-on actions entail performing repetitive ultrasonic inspections 
of the control rods. That AD also requires replacement of the control 
rod ends and attach bolts, for certain airplanes. It also provided for 
an optional terminating action for the follow-on repetitive 
inspections. That action was prompted by a report that certain 
airplanes could be operating with control rods of the outboard leading 
edge slat that are subject to cracking. The requirements of that AD are 
intended to prevent the loss of the pilot's ability to control the 
affected slat, which could adversely affect the controllability of the 
airplane.
    Since the issuance of that AD, the FAA has reviewed and approved 
Revision 5 of Boeing Service Bulletin 767-57-0021, dated June 15, 1995. 
The one-time visual inspection and the replacement of the control rod 
ends and attach bolts procedures described in this revision are 
essentially identical to those described in Revision 1 and Revision 2 
of the service bulletin (which were referenced in AD 90-20-16). For 
certain airplanes, Revision 5 of the service bulletin describes 
procedures for replacement of the control rod with a control rod that 
has been manufactured after June 1983. The control rod ends of these 
newer control rods have improved bearings and chrome plated bolts, and 
a lower break-out torque, all of which will reduce wear of the attach 
bolts of the control rods. Accomplishment of this replacement 
eliminates the need for the (follow-on) repetitive ultrasonic 
inspections described in Revision 1 and Revision 2 of the service 
bulletin.
    The FAA has determined that accomplishment of the replacement of 
the control rod with a new control rod that has been manufactured after 
June 1983, will positively address the unsafe condition identified as 
loss of the pilot's ability to control the affected slat, which could 
adversely affect the controllability of the airplane.
    Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to 
exist or develop on other products of this same type design, the 
proposed AD would supersede AD 90-20-16. It would continue to require a 
one-time visual inspection to determine the date of manufacture of the 
control rods of the outboard leading edge slat, and follow-on actions 
(i.e., repetitive ultrasonic inspection), if necessary. The proposed AD 
would also continue to require replacement of the control rod ends and 
attach bolts, for certain airplanes. For operators accomplishing the 
(follow-on) repetitive ultrasonic inspections, the proposed AD would 
require replacement of the control rod with a new control rod 
manufactured after June 1983; this replacement would constitute 
terminating action for the repetitive inspections. The actions would be 
required to be accomplished in accordance with the service bulletins 
described previously.
    There are approximately 271 Model 767 series airplanes of the 
affected design in the worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 193 
airplanes of U.S. 

[[Page 63991]]
registry would be affected by this proposed AD.
    The actions that are currently required by AD 90-20-16 take 
approximately 21 work hours per airplane to accomplish, at an average 
labor rate of $60 per work hour. Required parts cost approximately 
$5,500 per airplane. Based on these figures, the cost impact on U.S. 
operators of the actions currently required is estimated to be 
$1,304,680, or $6,760 per airplane.
    For certain affected airplanes, the new replacement (terminating) 
action that is proposed in this AD would take approximately 1 work hour 
per airplane to accomplish, at an average labor rate of $60 per work 
hour. The cost of required replacement parts is estimated to be $5,500 
per airplane. Based on these figures, the cost impact on U.S. operators 
of the proposed requirements of this AD is estimated to be $5,560 per 
airplane.
    The cost impact figures discussed above are based on assumptions 
that no operator has yet accomplished any of the current or proposed 
requirements of this AD action, and that no operator would accomplish 
those actions in the future if this AD were not adopted.
    The regulations proposed herein would 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 
proposal would not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant 
the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this proposed 
regulation (1) is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under 
Executive Order 12866; (2) is not a ``significant rule'' under the DOT 
Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); 
and (3) if promulgated, 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 draft 
regulatory 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, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend 
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 USC 106(g), 40101, 40113, 44701.

Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

    2. Section 39.13 is amended by removing amendment 39-6726 (55 FR 
37858, September 14, 1990), and by adding a new airworthiness directive 
(AD), to read as follows:

Boeing: Docket 95-NM-124-AD. Supersedes AD 90-20-16, Amendment 39-
6726.

    Applicability: Model 767 series airplanes, as listed in Boeing 
Service Bulletin 767-57-0021, Revision 1, dated September 14, 1989, 
or Revision 5, dated June 15, 1995; certificated in any category.

    Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the 
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been 
otherwise 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 use the authority 
provided in paragraph (c) of this AD to request approval from the 
FAA. This approval may address either no action, if the current 
configuration eliminates the unsafe condition; or different actions 
necessary to address the unsafe condition described in this AD. Such 
a request should include an assessment of the effect of the changed 
configuration on the unsafe condition addressed by this AD. In no 
case does the presence of any modification, alteration, or repair 
remove any airplane from the applicability of this AD.

    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously. To prevent loss of the pilot's ability to control the 
affected slat, which could adversely affect the controllability of 
the airplane, accomplish the following:
    (a) For airplanes having line positions 1 through 235 inclusive: 
Within the next 1,200 landings or 9 months after October 23, 1990 
(the effective date of AD 90-20-16, amendment 39-6726), whichever 
occurs first, unless accomplished within the last 800 landings or 6 
months, whichever occurs later, perform a visual inspection to 
determine the date of manufacture of the control rods of the 
outboard leading edge slat of the wings, in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Service Bulletin 767-57-0021, 
dated August 25, 1988; Revision 1, dated September 14, 1989; 
Revision 2, dated July 26, 1990; or Revision 5, dated June 15, 1995.
    (1) If the date of manufacture (stamped on the control rod) is 
June 1983 or later, no further action is required by this paragraph.
    (2) If the date of manufacture is illegible or is prior to June 
1983, accomplish paragraphs (a)(2)(i) and (a)(2)(ii) of this AD.
    (i) Prior to further flight, perform an ultrasonic inspection to 
detect cracks of the control rods in accordance with Figure 1 of 
Boeing Service Bulletin 767-57-0021, dated August 25, 1988, Revision 
1, dated September 14, 1989, or Revision 2, dated July 26, 1990. If 
any crack or fracture is detected, prior to further flight, replace 
it in accordance with Figure 2 of the service bulletin. Repeat the 
ultrasonic inspection of the control rods manufactured prior to June 
1983 thereafter at intervals not to exceed 2,000 landings or 15 
months, whichever occurs first, until the replacement required by 
paragraph (a)(2)(ii) of this AD is accomplished.
    (ii) Within 3,000 flight hours or 15 months after the effective 
date of this AD, whichever occurs later, replace the control rod 
with a new rod manufactured June 1983 or later, in accordance with 
Boeing Service Bulletin 767-57-0021, Revision 5, dated June 15, 
1995. Accomplishment of this replacement constitutes terminating 
action for the repetitive inspection requirement of paragraph 
(a)(2)(i) of this AD.
    (b) For airplanes having line number 1 through 264 inclusive, 
and 266 through 273 inclusive: Within the next 2,500 landings or 18 
months after October 23, 1990 (the effective date of AD 90-20-16, 
amendment 39-6726, whichever occurs first, replace the control rod 
end and attach bolt with a new configuration control rod end and 
attach bolt on each wing, in accordance with Boeing Service Bulletin 
767-57-0221, Revision 1, dated September 14, 1989; Revision 2, dated 
July 26, 1990; or Revision 5, dated June 15, 1995.
    (c) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be 
used if approved by the Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification 
Office (ACO), FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate. Operators shall 
submit their requests through an appropriate FAA Principal 
Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the 
Manager, Seattle ACO.
    Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Seattle ACO.

    (d) 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.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on December 7, 1995.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 95-30353 Filed 12-12-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U

Complete official Federal Register PDF

FR Doc. 95-30352 Airworthiness Directives; Hamilton Standard 14RF and 14SF Series, and Hamilton Standard/British Aerospace Model 6/5500/F Propellers
[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 239 (Wednesday, December 13, 1995)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 63988-63989]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-30352]

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

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 95-ANE-66]

Airworthiness Directives; Hamilton Standard 14RF and 14SF Series, 
and Hamilton Standard/British Aerospace Model 6/5500/F Propellers

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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

SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to Hamilton Standard 14RF and 14SF 
series, and Hamilton Standard/British Aerospace Model 6/5500/F 
propellers. This proposal would require initial and repetitive 
inspections of critical components, and removal, and replacement with 
serviceable parts, of those critical components that do not meet the 
return to service criteria. This proposal is prompted by failure modes 
effects analysis (FMEA), certification test data, engineering analysis, 
and repair actions performed at overhaul depots. The actions specified 
by the proposed AD are intended to prevent loss of propeller control 
due to failure of critical components, which could result in loss of 
control of the aircraft.

DATES: Comments must be received by February 12, 1996.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), New England Region, Office of the Assistant Chief 
Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 95- ANE-66, 12 New England 
Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803- 5299. Comments may be inspected 
at this location between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through 
Friday, except Federal holidays.
    The service information referenced in the proposed rule may be 
obtained from Hamilton Standard, One Hamilton Road, Windsor Locks, CT 
06096-1010. This information may be examined at the FAA, New England 
Region, Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, 12 New England Executive 
Park, Burlington, MA.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Frank Walsh, Aerospace Engineer, 
Boston Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller 
Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299; 
telephone (617) 238-7158, fax (617) 238-7199.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the 
proposed rule by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as 
they may desire. Communications should identify the Rules Docket number 
and be submitted in triplicate to the address specified above. All 
communications received on or before the closing date for comments, 
specified above, will be considered before taking action on the 
proposed rule. The proposals contained in this notice may be changed in 
light of the comments received.
    Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed rule. All 
comments submitted will be available, both before and after the closing 
date for comments, in the Rules Docket for examination by interested 
persons. A report summarizing each FAA-public contact concerned with 
the substance of this proposal will be filed in the Rules Docket.
    Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments 
submitted in response to this notice must submit a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to Docket Number 95-ANE-66.'' The postcard will be date stamped and 
returned to the commenter.

Availability of NPRMs

    Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request 
to the FAA, New England Region, Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 95-ANE-66, 12 New England Executive Park, 
Burlington, MA 01803-5299.

Discussion

    The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Hamilton Standard 
have identified critical aspects of the transfer tube assembly, 
actuator assembly, and propeller control unit (PCU) for Hamilton 
Standard Models 14RF-9, 14RF-19, 14RF-21; 14SF-5, 14SF-7, 14SF-11, 
14SF-11L, 14SF-15, 14SF-17, 14SF-19, 14SF-23; and Hamilton Standard/
British Aerospace 6/5500/F propellers. A continuous airworthiness 
requirement for inspection of those critical aspects of the transfer 
tube assembly, actuator assembly, and PCU for wear is required to 
ensure continued safe operation between inspections. The inspection 
intervals and inspection criteria have been generated by failure modes 
effects analysis (FMEA), certification test data, engineering analysis, 
and repair actions performed at overhaul depots. This condition, if not 
corrected, could result in loss of propeller control due to failure of 
critical components, which could result in loss of control of the 
aircraft.
    The FAA has reviewed and approved the technical contents of the 
following Hamilton Standard Service Bulletins (SB's), all dated 
November 29, 1995, that describe procedures for initial and repetitive 
inspections of critical components: 14RF-9-61-64, 14RF-19-61-32, 14RF-
21-61-51, 14SF-61-70, and 6/5500/F-61-25.
    Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to 
exist or develop on other products of this same type design, the 
proposed AD would 

[[Page 63989]]
require initial and repetitive inspections of critical aspects of the 
transfer tube assembly, actuator assembly, and PCU for wear. This AD 
would also require, prior to further flight, removing and replacement 
with serviceable parts those critical components that do not meet the 
return to service criteria. The actions would be required to be 
accomplished in accordance with the SB's described previously.
    There are approximately 2,900 propellers of the affected design in 
the worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 1,350 propellers installed 
on aircraft of U.S. registry would be affected by this proposed AD, 
that it would take approximately 4.3 work hours per propeller to 
accomplish the proposed actions, and that the average labor rate is $60 
per work hour. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of the 
proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $348,300.
    The regulations proposed herein would 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 
proposal would not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant 
the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this proposed 
regulation (1) is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under 
Executive Order 12866; (2) is not a ``significant rule'' under the DOT 
Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); 
and (3) if promulgated, 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 draft 
regulatory 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, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend 
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 USC 106(g), 40101, 40113, 44701.

Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

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

Hamilton Standard: Docket No. 95-ANE-66.

    Applicability: Hamilton Standard Models 14RF-9, 14RF-19, 14RF-
21, and 14SF-5, 14SF-7, 14SF-11, 14SF-11L, 14SF-15, 14SF-17, 14SF-
19, 14SF-23 and Hamilton Standard/British Aerospace 6/5500/F 
propellers installed on but not limited to Embraer EMB-120 and EMB-
120-RT; SAAB-SCANIA SF 340B; Aerospatiale ATR42-100, ATR42-300, 
ATR42-320, ATR72; DeHavilland DHC-8-100 series, DHC-8-300 Series; 
Construcciones Aeronauticas SA (CASA) CN-235 series and CN-235-100; 
Canadair CL-215T an CL-415; and British Aerospace ATP Airplanes.

    Note: This airworthiness directive (AD) applies to each 
propeller 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 propellers that 
have been modified, altered, or repaired so that the performance of 
the requirements of this AD is affected, the owner/operator must use 
the authority provided in paragraph (e) to request approval from the 
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). This approval may address 
either no action, if the current configuration eliminates the unsafe 
condition, or different actions necessary to address the unsafe 
condition described in this AD. Such a request should include an 
assessment of the effect of the changed configuration on the unsafe 
condition addressed by this AD. In no case does the presence of any 
modification, alteration, or repair remove any propeller from the 
applicability of this AD.

    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent loss of propeller control due to failure of critical 
components, which could result in loss of control of the aircraft, 
accomplish the following:
    (a) For those propellers with transfer tube assemblies, actuator 
assemblies, and propeller control units (PCU's) with greater than or 
equal to 15,500 hours time in service (TIS), or unknown TIS, on the 
effective date of this AD, inspect for wear within 1,000 hours TIS 
after the effective date of this AD. Perform inspections of the 
critical aspects of these components in accordance with the 
applicable service bulletins (SB's) listed in paragraph (d) of this 
AD. Thereafter, inspect at intervals not to exceed 10,500 hours TIS 
since last inspection. Prior to further flight, remove and replace 
with serviceable parts those components that do not meet the return 
to service criteria defined in the applicable SB's.
    (b) For those propellers with transfer tube assemblies, actuator 
assemblies, and PCU's with greater than or equal to 10,500 hours TIS 
but less than 15,500 hours TIS on the effective date of this AD, 
inspect for wear within 1,000 hours TIS after the effective date of 
this AD, or prior to accumulating 16,500 hours TIS, whichever occurs 
later. Perform inspections of the critical aspects of these 
components in accordance with the applicable SB's listed in 
paragraph (d) of this AD. Thereafter, inspect at intervals not to 
exceed 10,500 hours TIS since last inspection. Prior to further 
flight, remove and replace with serviceable parts those components 
that do not meet the return to service criteria defined in the 
applicable SB's.
    (c) For those propellers with transfer tube assemblies, actuator 
assemblies, and PCU's with less than 10,500 hours TIS on the 
effective date of this AD, inspect for wear within 6,000 hours TIS 
after the effective date of this AD, or prior to accumulating 10,500 
hours TIS, whichever occurs later. Perform inspections of the 
critical aspects of these components in accordance with the 
applicable SB's listed in paragraph (d) of this AD. Thereafter, 
inspect at intervals not to exceed 10,500 hours TIS since last 
inspection. Prior to further flight, remove and replace with 
serviceable parts those components that do not meet the return to 
service criteria defined in the applicable SB's.
    (d) Perform the inspections for wear required by this AD in 
accordance with, and use the return to service criteria defined in, 
the following applicable Hamilton Standard SB's, all dated November 
29, 1995: 14RF-9-61-64, 14RF-19-61-32, 14RF-21-61-51, 14SF-61-70, 
and 6/5500/F-61-2.
    (e) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be 
used if approved by the Manager, Boston Aircraft Certification 
Office. The request should be forwarded through an appropriate FAA 
Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send 
it to the Manager, Boston Aircraft Certification Office.

    Note: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this airworthiness directive, 
if any, may be obtained from the Boston Aircraft Certification 
Office.

    (f) 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 aircraft to a location where 
the inspection requirements of this AD can be accomplished.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on December 6, 1995.
James C. Jones,
Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 95-30352 Filed 12-12-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U

Complete official Federal Register PDF

FR Doc. 95-30351 Amendments to Gas Valuation Regulations for Federal Leases
[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 239 (Wednesday, December 13, 1995)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 64000-64001]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-30351]

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

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Minerals Management Service

30 CFR Parts 202, 206, and 211

RIN 1010-AC02

Amendments to Gas Valuation Regulations for Federal Leases

AGENCY: Minerals Management Service, Interior.

[[Page 64001]]

ACTION: Proposed rule; notice of meeting and extension of comment 
period.

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

SUMMARY: The Minerals Management Service (MMS) is scheduling a public 
meeting to receive comments on a proposed rulemaking, which was 
published in the Federal Register on November 6, 1995 (60 FR 56007). 
MMS is also extending the public comment period for the proposed 
rulemaking. The proposed rule would implement the recommendations of 
the Federal Gas Valuation Negotiated Rulemaking Committee by amending 
the regulations governing the value of gas produced from Federal 
leases. MMS will hold the public meeting in Houston, Texas, on January 
22, and, if necessary on the 23rd, 1996. The meeting will allow 
interested parties an opportunity to provide direct feedback to MMS 
officials regarding the proposed rule. Interested parties are invited 
to attend and participate at this meeting. MMS is also extending the 
comment period for the proposed rule from January 5, 1996, to February 
5, 1996.

DATES: A public meeting will be held on Monday January 22, and if 
necessary, on Tuesday January 23, 1996, from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. 
Comments must be received on or before February 5, 1996.

ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held in Room 104, first floor, at the 
Houston Compliance Division Office, Minerals Management Service, 4141 
North Sam Houston Parkway East, Houston, Texas, 77032. Comments should 
be sent to: David S. Guzy, Chief, Rules and Procedures Staff, Minerals 
Management Service, Royalty Management Program, P.O. Box 25165, MS 
3101, Denver, Colorado 80225-0165, telephone (303) 231-3432, fax (303) 
231-3194, e-Mail David__G[email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David S. Guzy, Chief, Rules and 
Procedures Staff, Minerals Management Service, Royalty Management 
Program, telephone (303) 231-3432, fax (303) 231-3194, e-Mail 
David__G[email protected]. If you plan to attend the meeting, please 
contact Larry Cobb of the Valuation and Standards Division at telephone 
(303) 275-7245, fax (303) 275-7227, e-mail Larry__C[email protected] 
prior to January 12, 1996.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The meeting will be open to the public 
without advance registration. However, anyone that will be attending 
the meeting is encouraged to call Larry Cobb so MMS can arrange the 
room seating requirements. Public attendance may be limited to the 
space available. Members of the public may make statements during the 
meeting, to the extent time permits, and are encouraged to file written 
statements for consideration.

    Dated: December 6, 1995.
Kenneth R. Vogel,
Acting Associate Director for Royalty Management.
[FR Doc. 95-30351 Filed 12-12-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-MR-P

Complete official Federal Register PDF

FR Doc. 95-30343 Student Support Services Program
[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 239 (Wednesday, December 13, 1995)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 64108-64113]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-30343]

[[Page 64107]]

_______________________________________________________________________

Part III

Department of Education

_______________________________________________________________________

34 CFR Part 646

Student Support Services Program; Proposed Rule

Federal Register / Vol. 60, No. 239 / Wednesday, December 15, 1995 / 
Proposed Rules 

[[Page 64108]]

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

34 CFR Part 646

RIN 1840-AC24

Student Support Services Program

AGENCY: Department of Education.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.

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

SUMMARY: The Secretary proposes to amend the regulations governing the 
Student Support Services Program. The proposed regulations clarify and 
simplify requirements governing the program. The selection criteria, 
prior experience criteria, and grantee accountability provisions are 
affected by these proposed changes.
    The Student Support Services Program supports the educational needs 
of students from disadvantaged backgrounds. Performance outcomes for 
the program are designed to demonstrate the progress and performance of 
eligible students in successfully completing their postsecondary 
education.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before January 12, 1996.

ADDRESSES: All comments concerning these proposed regulations should be 
addressed to Richard T. Sonnergren, U.S. Department of Education, 600 
Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20202-5249. Comments may 
also be sent through the Internet to [email protected]
    To ensure that public comments have maximum effect in developing 
the final regulations, the Department urges that each comment clearly 
identify the specific section or sections of the regulations that the 
comment addresses and that comments be in the same order as the 
regulations.
    Comments that concern information collection requirements must be 
sent to the Office of Management and Budget at the address listed in 
the Paperwork Reduction Act section of this preamble. A copy of those 
comments may also be sent to the Department representative named in the 
preceding paragraph.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Virginia A. Mason, Division of Student 
Services, U.S. Department of Education, 600 Independence Avenue, S.W., 
The Portals Building, Suite 600D, Washington, D.C. 20202-5249. 
Telephone: (202) 708-4804. Individuals who use telecommunications 
device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay 
Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., Eastern 
time, Monday through Friday.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The Student Support Services program provides grants to 
institutions of higher education for projects offering support services 
to low-income, first generation, or disabled college students. These 
support services should enhance their academic skills, increase their 
retention and graduation rates, facilitate their entrance into four-
year colleges or graduate and professional programs, and foster an 
institutional climate supportive of the success of low-income and first 
generation college students and students with disabilities.
    Projects assisted under this program may provide: (1) Instruction 
in reading, writing, study skills, mathematics, and other subjects 
necessary for success beyond high school; (2) personal counseling; (3) 
academic advice and assistance in course selection; (4) tutorial 
services and peer counseling; (5) exposure to cultural events and 
academic programs not usually available to disadvantaged students; (6) 
activities designed to assist students participating in the project in 
securing admission and financial assistance for enrollment in graduate 
and professional programs; (7) activities designed to assist students 
currently enrolled in two-year institutions in securing admission and 
financial assistance for enrollment in a four-year program of 
postsecondary education; (8) mentoring programs involving faculty or 
upper class students, or a combination thereof; and (9) programs and 
activities specially designed for students of limited proficiency in 
English.
    These proposed regulations have been revised to address the 
President's regulatory reinvention initiative. Specifically, 
Secs. 646.7, 646.10, 646.20, 646.21, 646.22 and 646.32 simplify the 
selection criteria and increase grantee accountability through revised 
prior experience criteria and stronger project evaluation requirements. 
On October 1, 1993, the Secretary published revisions to the Student 
Support Services Program regulations to implement changes required by 
the Higher Education Amendments of 1992 (58 FR 51521-22). This notice 
of proposed rulemaking proposes program improvements that were not 
covered by the October 1, 1993 regulations. Major changes in the 
current regulations are proposed in the following sections:
     Definitions (Sec. 646.6). These regulations would provide 
definitions for terms used in the program statute and these proposed 
regulations. The following definitions have been added: academic need, 
different campus, different population of participants, combination of 
institutions of higher education, participant, sufficient financial 
assistance. In addition, we have revised the definition of the term 
``limited proficiency in English.'' These definitions are needed to 
provide standard definitions used in data collection instruments and to 
implement changes required by the 1992 Higher Education Amendments. 
Specifically, the definitions for ``academic need'' and ``sufficient 
financial assistance'' are intended to ensure grantees the flexibility 
to customize their projects to meet the special needs of the 
participants served. The definitions for ``different campus'' and 
``different population of participants'' are intended to implement 
policies and practices that have been used in governing the program. 
The term ``limited proficiency in English'' is defined to provide 
clarity and intended to be more practical.
     Selection criteria (Sec. 646.21). The proposed regulations 
would revise the application selection criteria to simplify and clarify 
the requirements and increase grantee accountability by establishing 
performance indicators and a standard for evaluating project services.
     Prior experience (Sec. 646.22). The proposed regulations 
would revise the criteria for the evaluation of a grantee's prior 
experience to focus on project outcomes. The changes are intended to 
eliminate data requested on administrative compliance matters and 
collect only the information necessary to assess the impact of services 
on project outcomes.
     Other requirements of a grantee (Sec. 646.32). The 
proposed regulations would prohibit a grantee from serving any 
individual who is simultaneously receiving services from another 
Federal TRIO program and would clarify provisions for project 
coordination. In addition, the proposed regulations would require 
grantees to track student performance and define the basis for 
determining academic need. These regulations are needed to assist 
projects with the implementation of the statutory provision to 
coordinate services with similar programs and provide parameters for 
collecting the types of information projects need to evaluate services. 
The uniformity in student service delivery and evaluation are expected 
to allow the Secretary to more effectively assess the impact of the 
program. 

[[Page 64109]]

Executive Order 12866

Clarity of the Regulations

    Executive Order 12866 requires each agency to write regulations 
that are easy to understand.
    The Secretary invites comments on how to make these regulations 
easier to understand, including answers to questions such as the 
following: (1) Are the requirements in the regulations clearly stated? 
(2) Do the regulations contain technical terms or other wording that 
interferes with their clarity? (3) Does the format of the regulations 
(grouping and order of sections, use of headings, paragraphing, etc.) 
aid or reduce their clarity? Would the regulations be easier to 
understand if they were divided into more (but shorter) sections? (A 
``section'' is preceded by the symbol ``Sec. '' and a numbered heading; 
for example, Sec. 646.20 How does the Secretary decide which new grants 
to make? (4) Is the description of the proposed regulations in the 
``Supplementary Information'' section of this preamble helpful in 
understanding the proposed regulations? How could this description be 
more helpful in making the proposed regulations easier to understand? 
(5) What else could the Department do to make the regulations easier to 
understand?
    A copy of any comments that concern whether these proposed 
regulations are easy to understand should be sent to Stanley Cohen, 
Regulations Quality Officer, U.S. Department of Education, 600 
Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20202-2241.

Regulatory Flexibility Act Certification

    The Secretary certifies that these proposed regulations would not 
have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small 
entities. The small entities that would be affected by these 
regulations are small institutions of higher education that receive 
Federal funds under this program.
    However, the regulations would not have a significant economic 
impact on the small entities affected because the regulations would not 
impose excessive regulatory burdens or require unnecessary Federal 
supervision. The regulations would impose minimal requirements to 
ensure the proper expenditure of program funds.

Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995

    Sections 646.11, 646.21, 646.22, and 646.32 contain information 
collection requirements. As required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 
1995 (44 U.S.C. 3507(d)), the Department of Education has submitted a 
copy of these sections to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for 
its review.
    Collection of Information: Student Support Services Program--
Program Regulations.
    Institutions of higher education and combinations of those 
institutions are eligible to apply for grants under these regulations. 
The information to be collected includes: assurances to meet certain 
statutory requirements; a description of each proposed project; 
specific information regarding each project (such as the need for the 
project, proposed collaboration with similar or related projects; 
criteria to be used to measure progress and outcomes, data regarding 
persons to be served); and information to be included in an annual 
report to the Secretary. The Department needs and uses the information 
to make grants.
    All information is to be collected annually from each applicant. 
Annual reporting and recordkeeping burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 20 hours for each response for 706 
respondents, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching 
existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and 
completing and reviewing the collection of information. Thus, the total 
annual reporting and recordkeeping burden for this collection is 
estimated to be 14,120 hours.
    Organizations and individuals desiring to submit comments on the 
information collection requirement should direct them to the Office of 
Information and Regulatory Affairs, OMB, Room 10235, New Executive 
Office Building, Washington, DC 20503; Attention: Desk Officer for U.S. 
Department of Education.
    The Department considers comments by the public on this proposed 
collection of information in--
     Evaluating whether the proposed collection of information 
is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the 
Department, including whether the information will have practical 
utility;
     Evaluating the accuracy of the Department's estimate of 
the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the 
validity of the methodology and assumptions used;
     Enhancing the quality, usefulness, and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and
     Minimizing the burden of the collection of information on 
those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate 
automated, electronic, mechanical, or other collection techniques or 
other forms of information technology; e.g., permitting electronic 
submission of responses.
    OMB is required to make a decision concerning the collection of 
information contained in these proposed regulations between 30 and 60 
days after publication of this document in the Federal Register. 
Therefore, a comment to OMB is best assured of having its full effect 
if OMB receives it within 30 days of publication. This does not affect 
the deadline for the public to comment to the Department on the 
proposed regulations.

Intergovernmental Review

    This program is subject to the requirements of Executive Order 
12372 and the regulations in 34 CFR Part 79. The objective of the 
Executive Order is to foster an intergovernmental partnership and a 
strengthened federalism by relying on processes developed by State and 
local governments for coordination and review of proposed Federal 
financial assistance.
    In accordance with the order, this document is intended to provide 
early notification of the Department's specific plans and actions for 
this program.

Invitation to Comment

    Interested persons are invited to submit comments and 
recommendations regarding these proposed regulations.
    All comments submitted in response to these proposed regulations 
will be available for public inspection during and after the comment 
period at 1250 Maryland Avenue, SW., The Portals Building, Suite 600D, 
Washington, DC, between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday 
through Friday of each week except Federal holidays.

Assessment of Educational Impact

    The Secretary particularly requests comments on whether the 
proposed regulations in this document would require transmission of 
information that is being gathered by or is available from any other 
agency or authority of the United States.

List of Subjects in 34 CFR Part 646

    Colleges and universities, Disadvantaged students, Educational 
programs, Discretionary grants, Reporting and recordkeeping 
requirements.

(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number 84.042 Student 
Support Services Program.)

 
[[Page 64110]]

    Dated: November 28, 1995.
David A. Longanecker,
Assistant Secretary for Postsecondary Education.

    The Secretary proposes to amend Title 34 of the Code of Federal 
Regulations by revising Part 646 to read as follows:

PART 646--STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES PROGRAM

Subpart A--General

Sec.
646.1 What is the Student Support Services Program?
646.2 Who is eligible to receive a grant?
646.3 Who is eligible to participate in a Student Support Services 
project?
646.4 What activities and services may a project provide?
646.5 How long is a project period?
646.6 What regulations apply?
646.7 What definitions apply?

Subpart B--How Does One Apply for an Award?

646.10 How many applications for a Student Support Services award 
may an eligible applicant submit?
646.11 What assurances must an applicant include in an application?

Subpart C--How Does the Secretary Make a Grant?

646.20 How does the Secretary decide which new grants to make?
646.21 What selection criteria does the Secretary use?
646.22 How does the Secretary evaluate prior experience?
646.23 How does the Secretary set the amount of a grant?

Subpart D--What Conditions Must Be Met by a Grantee?

646.30 What are allowable costs?
646.31 What are unallowable costs?
646.32 What other requirements must a grantee meet?

    Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1070a-11 and 1070a-14, unless otherwise 
noted.

Subpart A--General

Sec. 646.1  What is the Student Support Services Program?

    The Student Support Services Program provides grants for projects 
designed to--
    (a) Provide support services to eligible students to enhance their 
academic skills, increase their retention and graduation rates, and, as 
appropriate, facilitate their entrance into four-year colleges or 
graduate and professional programs; and
    (b) Foster an institutional climate supportive of the success of 
low-income and first generation college students and individuals with 
disabilities through services such as those described in Sec. 646.4.

(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1070a-11 and 1070a-14)

Sec. 646.2  Who is eligible to receive a grant?

    An institution of higher education or a combination of institutions 
of higher education are eligible to receive a grant to carry out a 
Student Support Services project.

(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1070a-14)

Sec. 646.3  Who is eligible to participate in a Student Support 
Services project?

    A student is eligible to participate in a Student Support Services 
project if the student meets all of the following requirements:
    (a) Is a citizen or national of the United States or meets the 
residency requirements for Federal student financial assistance.
    (b) Is enrolled at the grantee institution or accepted for 
enrollment in the next academic term at that institution.
    (c) Has a need for academic support, as determined by the grantee, 
in order to pursue successfully a postsecondary educational program.
    (d) Is--
    (1) A low-income individual;
    (2) A first generation college student; or
    (3) An individual with disabilities.

(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1070a-14)

Sec. 646.4  What activities and services may a project provide?

    A Student Support Services project may provide the following 
services:
    (a) Instruction in reading, writing, study skills, mathematics, and 
other subjects necessary for success beyond secondary school.
    (b) Personal counseling.
    (c) Academic advice and assistance in course selection.
    (d) Tutorial services and counseling and peer counseling.
    (e) Exposure to cultural events and academic programs not usually 
available to disadvantaged students.
    (f) Activities designed to acquaint students participating in the 
project with the range of career options available.
    (g) Activities designed to secure admission and financial 
assistance for enrollment in graduate and professional programs.
    (h) Activities designed to assist students currently enrolled in 
two-year institutions in securing admission and financial assistance 
for enrollment in a four-year program of postsecondary education.
    (i) Mentoring programs involving faculty or upper class students, 
or any combination of faculty members and upper class students.
    (j) Programs and activities as described in paragraphs (a) through 
(i) of this section that are specifically designed for students of 
limited English proficiency.
    (k) Other activities designed to meet the purposes of the Student 
Support Services Program stated in Sec. 646.1.

(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1070a-14)

Sec. 646.5  How long is a project period?

    (a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, a project 
period under the Student Support Services program is four years.
    (b) The Secretary approves a project period of five years for 
applicants that score in the highest ten percent of all applicants 
approved for new grants under the criteria in Sec. 646.21.

(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1070a-11)

Sec. 646.6  What regulations apply?

    The following regulations apply to the Student Support Services 
Program:
    (a) The Education Department General Administrative Regulations 
(EDGAR) in 34 CFR parts 74, 75, 77, 79, 82, 85 and 86; and
    (b) The regulations in this part 646.

(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1070a-11 and 1070a-14)

Sec. 646.7  What definitions apply?

    (a) Definitions in the Act. The following terms used in this part 
are defined in sections 402(A)(g), 481, or 1201(a) of the Higher 
Education Act (HEA) of 1965, as amended.
    First generation college student.
    Institution of higher education.
    Low-income individual.
    (b) Definitions in EDGAR. The following terms used in this part are 
defined in 34 CFR 77.1:

Applicant
Application
Award
Budget
Budget Period
Department
EDGAR
Equipment
Facilities
Fiscal year
Grant
Grantee
Grant Period
Project
Project period
Public
Secretary
Supplies

    (c) Other definitions. The following definitions also apply to this 
part:
    Academic need with reference to a student means a student whom the 
grantee determines needs one or more of 

[[Page 64111]]
the services stated under Sec. 646.4 to succeed in a postsecondary 
educational program.
    Cohort rate means a statistical measure used to compare the 
characteristics or outcomes of a specified group of students over time 
with other groups for which similar rates have been calculated.
    Combination of institutions of higher education means two or more 
institutions of higher education that have entered into a cooperative 
agreement for the purpose of carrying out a common objective, or an 
entity designated or created by a group of institutions of higher 
education for the purpose of carrying out a common objective on their 
behalf.
    Different campus means an institutional site that is geographically 
apart from and independent of the main campus of the institution. The 
Secretary considers a location of an institution to be independent of 
the main campus if the location--
    (1) Is permanent in nature;
    (2) Offers courses in educational programs leading to a degree, 
certificate, or other recognized educational credential;
    (3) Has its own faculty and administrative or supervisory 
organization; and
    (4) Has its own budgetary and hiring authority.
    Different population of participants means a group of either--
    (1) Low-income, first-generation college students; or
    (2) Disabled students.
    Individual with disabilities means a person who has a diagnosed 
physical or mental impairment that substantially limits that person's 
ability to participate in the educational experiences and opportunities 
offered by the grantee institution.
    Limited proficiency in English with reference to an individual 
means an individual whose native language is other than English and who 
has sufficient difficulty speaking, reading, writing, or understanding 
the English language to deny that individual the opportunity to learn 
successfully in classrooms in which English is the language of 
instruction.
    Participant means an individual who--
    (1) Is determined to be eligible to participate in the project 
under Sec. 646.3; and
    (2) Receives project services on a continual basis for a period of 
more than one full grading period at the grantee institution.
    Sufficient financial assistance means the amount of financial aid 
offered a Student Support Services student, inclusive of Federal, 
State, local, private, and institutional aid which, together with 
parent or student contributions, is equal to the cost of attendance as 
determined by a financial aid officer at the institution.

(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1070a-11 and 1070a-14)

Subpart B--How Does One Apply for an Award?

Sec. 646.10  How many applications for a Student Support Services award 
may an eligible applicant submit?

    The Secretary accepts more than one application from an eligible 
applicant so long as each additional application describes a project 
that serves a different campus, or a different population of 
participants who cannot readily be served by a single project.

(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1070a-11 and 1070a-14)

Sec. 646.11  What assurances must an applicant include in an 
application?

    An applicant shall assure in its application that--
    (a) At least two-thirds of the students it will serve in its 
Student Support Services project will be--
    (1) Low-income individuals who are first generation college 
students; or
    (2) Individuals with disabilities;
    (b) The remaining students it will serve will be low-income 
individuals, first generation college students, or individuals with 
disabilities;
    (c) Not less than one-third of the individuals with disabilities 
will be low-income individuals; and
    (d) Each student participating in the project will be offered 
sufficient financial assistance to meet that student's full financial 
need.

(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1070a-14)

Subpart C--How Does the Secretary Make a Grant?

Sec. 646.20  How does the Secretary decide which new grants to make?

    (a) The Secretary evaluates an application for a new grant as 
follows:
    (1) (i) The Secretary evaluates the application on the basis of the 
selection criteria in Sec. 646.21.
    (ii) The maximum score for all the criteria in Sec. 646.21 is 00 
points. The maximum score for each criterion is indicated in 
parentheses with the criterion.
    (2) (i) If an application for a new grant proposes to continue to 
serve substantially the same population or campus that the applicant is 
serving under an expiring grant, the Secretary evaluates the 
applicant's prior experience in delivering services under the expiring 
grant on the basis of the criteria in Sec. 646.22.
    (ii) The maximum score for all the criteria in Sec. 646.22 is 15 
points. The maximum score for each criterion is indicated in 
parentheses with the criterion.
    (b) The Secretary makes new grants in rank order on the basis of 
the applications' total scores under paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) of 
this section.
    (c) If the total scores of two or more applications are the same 
and there is insufficient money available to fully fund them both after 
funding the higher-ranked applications, the Secretary chooses among the 
tied applications so as to serve geographic areas that have been 
underserved by the Student Support Services Program.
    (d) The Secretary does not make grants to applicants that carried 
out a Federal TRIO program project that involved the fraudulent use of 
funds.

(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1070a-11 and 1070a-14)

Sec. 646.21  What selection criteria does the Secretary use?

    The Secretary uses the following criteria to evaluate an 
application for a new grant:
    (a) Need for the project (24 points). The Secretary evaluates the 
need for a Student Support Services project proposed at the applicant 
institution on the basis of the extent to which the application 
contains clear evidence of--
    (1) A high number or percentage, or both, of students enrolled or 
accepted for enrollment at the applicant institution who meet the 
eligibility requirements of Sec. 646.3;
    (2) The academic and other problems that eligible students 
encounter at the applicant institution; and
    (3) Students eligible for Student Support Services projects who are 
less likely to succeed as compared to the total enrollment at the 
applicant institution based upon the following indicators:
    (i) Retention and graduation rates.
    (ii) Grade point averages.
    (iii) Graduate and professional school enrollment rates (four-year 
colleges only).
    (iv) Transfer rates from two-year to four-year institutions (two-
year colleges only).
    (b) Objectives (8 points). The Secretary evaluates the quality of 
the applicant's proposed project objectives on the basis of the extent 
to which they--
    (1) Include both process and outcome objectives relating to each of 
the 

[[Page 64112]]
purposes of the Student Support Services Program stated in Sec. 646.1;
    (2) Address the needs and aspirations of the proposed project 
participants;
    (3) Are clearly described, specific, and measurable; and
    (4) Are ambitious but attainable within each budget period and the 
project period given the project budget and other resources.
    (c) Plan of operation (30 points). The Secretary evaluates the 
quality of the applicant's plan of operation on the basis of the 
following:
    (1) (3 points) The plan to inform the institutional community 
(students, faculty and staff) of the goals, objectives, and services of 
the project and the eligibility requirements for participation in the 
project.
    (2) (3 points) The plan to identify, select and retain project 
participants with academic need and ensure their participation without 
regard to race, color, national origin, or gender.
    (3) (4 points) The plan for assessing individual participants' need 
for specific services and monitoring their academic progress.
    (4) (10 points) The plan to provide services that address the goals 
and objectives of the project.
    (5) (10 points) The applicant's plan to ensure proper and efficient 
administration of the project, including the organizational placement 
of the project; the time commitment of key project staff; the specific 
plans for financial management, student records management, and 
personnel management; and, where appropriate, its plan for coordination 
with other programs for disadvantaged students.
    (d) Institutional commitment (16 points). The Secretary evaluates 
the institutional commitment to the proposed project on the basis of 
the extent to which the applicant has--
    (1) (6 points) Committed facilities, equipment, supplies, 
personnel, and other resources to supplement the grant and enhance 
project services;
    (2) (6 points) Established administrative and academic policies 
that enhance participants' retention at the institution and improve 
their chances of graduating from the institution;
    (3) (2 points) Demonstrated a commitment to minimize the dependence 
on student loans in developing financial aid packages for project 
participants by committing institutional resources to the extent 
possible; and
    (4) (2 points) Assured the full cooperation and support of the 
Admissions, Student Aid and Registrar functional components of the 
institution.
    (e) Quality of personnel (9 points). To determine the quality of 
personnel the applicant plans to use, the Secretary looks for 
information that shows--
    (1) The qualifications required of the project director, including 
formal education and training in fields related to the objectives of 
the project, and experience in designing, managing, or implementing 
Student Support Services or similar projects;
    (2) The qualifications required of other personnel to be used in 
the project, including formal education, training, and work experience 
in fields related to the objectives of the project; and
    (3) The quality of the applicant's plan for employing personnel who 
have succeeded in overcoming barriers similar to those confronting the 
project's target population.
    (f) Budget (5 points). The Secretary evaluates the extent to which 
the project budget is reasonable, cost-effective, and adequate to 
support the project.
    (g) Evaluation plan (8 points). The Secretary evaluates the quality 
of the evaluation plan for the project on the basis of the extent to 
which the applicant's methods of evaluation--
    (1) Are appropriate to the project and include both quantitative 
and qualitative evaluation measures;
    (2) Examine in specific and measurable ways, using appropriate 
baseline data, the success of the project in improving academic 
achievement, retention and graduation of project participants; and
    (3) Compares project outcomes with institutional data on student 
cohorts not served by the project.

(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1070a-14)

Sec. 646.22  How does the Secretary evaluate prior experience?

    (a) In the case of an application described in 
Sec. 646.20(a)(2)(i), the Secretary reviews information relating to an 
applicant's performance under its expiring Student Support Services 
project. This information may come from performance reports, site visit 
reports, project evaluation reports, and any other verifiable 
information submitted by the applicant.
    (b) The Secretary evaluates the applicant's prior experience in 
achieving the goals of the Student Support Services Program on the 
basis of the following criteria:
    (1) (4 points) The extent to which project participants persisted 
toward completion of the academic programs in which they were enrolled.
    (2) (4 points) The extent to which project participants met 
academic performance levels required to stay in good academic standing 
at the grantee institution.
    (3) (4 points) The extent to which project participants graduated 
from the grantee institution.
    (4) (3 points) The extent to which project participants either 
transferred from two-year to four-year institutions (two-year colleges 
only) or enrolled in graduate or professional schools (four-year 
colleges only).

(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1070a-11 and 1070a-14)

Sec. 646.23  How does the Secretary set the amount of a grant?

    (a) The Secretary sets the amount of a grant on the basis of--
    (1) 34 CFR 75.232 and 75.233, for new grants; and
    (2) 34 CFR 75.253, for the second and subsequent years of a project 
period.
    (b) If the circumstances described in section 402A(b)(3) of the HEA 
exist, the Secretary uses the available funds to set the amount of the 
grant beginning in fiscal year 1995 at the lesser of--
    (1) $170,000; or
    (2) The amount requested by the applicant.

(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1070a-11)

Subpart D--What Conditions Must Be Met By a Grantee?

Sec. 646.30  What are allowable costs?

    The cost principles that apply to the Student Support Services 
Program are in 34 CFR part 74, subpart Q. Allowable costs include the 
following if they are reasonably related to the objectives of the 
project:
    (a) Cost of remedial and special classes if--
    (1) These classes are not otherwise available at the grantee 
institution;
    (2) Are limited to eligible project participants; and
    (3) Project participants are not charged tuition for instruction 
paid for the classes.
    (b) Courses in English language instruction for students of limited 
proficiency in English if these classes are limited to eligible project 
participants and not otherwise available at the grantee institution.
    (c) In-service training of project staff.
    (d) Activities of an academic or cultural nature, such as field 
trips, special lectures, and symposiums, that have as their purpose the 
improvement of the participants' academic progress and personal 
development at the institution.
    (e) Transportation of participants and staff to and from approved 
educational 

[[Page 64113]]
and cultural activities sponsored by the project.
    (f) Purchase of computer hardware, computer software, or other 
equipment to be used for student development, student records and 
project administration if the applicant demonstrates to the Secretary's 
satisfaction that the equipment is required to meet the objectives of 
the project more economically or efficiently.
    (g) Professional development travel for staff if directly related 
to the project's overall purpose and activities, except that these 
costs may not exceed four percent of total project salaries. The 
Secretary may adjust this percentage if the applicant demonstrates to 
the Secretary's satisfaction that a higher percentage is necessary and 
reasonable.

(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1070a-14)

Sec. 646.31  What are unallowable costs?

    Costs that may not be charged against a grant under the Student 
Support Services Program include, but are not limited to, the 
following:
    (a) Costs involved in recruiting students for enrollment at the 
institution.
    (b) Tuition, fees, stipends, and other forms of direct financial 
support for staff or participants.
    (c) Research not directly related to the evaluation or improvement 
of the project.
    (d) Construction, renovation, or remodeling of any facilities.

(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1070a-14)

Sec. 646.32  What other requirements must a grantee meet?

    (a) Eligibility of participants. (1) A grantee shall determine the 
eligibility of each participant in the project when the individual is 
selected to participate. The grantee does not have to revalidate a 
participant's eligibility after the participant's initial selection.
    (2) A grantee shall determine the low-income status of an 
individual on the basis of the documentation described in section 
402A(e) of the Higher Education Act.
    (3) A grantee shall not serve any individual who is receiving 
services from another Federal TRIO Program.
    (b) Recordkeeping. A grantee shall maintain participant records 
that show--
    (1) The basis for the grantee's determination that each participant 
is eligible to participate in the project under Sec. 646.3;
    (2) The grantee's basis for determining the academic need for each 
participant;
    (3) The services that are provided to each participant; and
    (4) The performance and progress of each participant for the 
duration of the participant's attendance at the grantee institution.
    (c) Project director. (1) A grantee shall employ a full-time 
project director unless paragraph (c)(3) of this section applies.
    (2) The grantee shall give the project director sufficient 
authority to administer the project effectively.
    (3) The Secretary waives the requirement in paragraph (c)(1) of 
this section if the applicant demonstrates that the requirement will 
hinder coordination--
    (i) Among the Federal TRIO Programs; or
    (ii) Between the programs funded under sections 404A through 410 of 
the Higher Education Act and similar programs funded through other 
sources.
    (d) Project coordination. (1) The Secretary encourages grantees to 
coordinate project services with other programs for disadvantaged 
students operated by the grantee institution provided the Student 
Support Services grant funds are not used to support activities 
reasonably available to the general student population.
    (2) To the extent practical, the grantee may share staff with 
programs serving similar populations provided the grantee maintains 
appropriate records of staff time and effort and does not comingle 
grant funds.
    (3) Costs for special classes and events that would benefit Student 
Support Services students and participants in other programs for 
disadvantaged students may be proportionately divided among the 
projects that receive the benefits.

(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1070a-11 and 1070a-14)

[FR Doc. 95-30343 Filed 12-12-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P

Complete official Federal Register PDF

FR Doc. 95-30334 Constraint Level for Air Emissions of Radionuclides
[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 239 (Wednesday, December 13, 1995)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 63984-63987]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-30334]

=======================================================================
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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

10 CFR Part 20

RIN 3150-AF31

Constraint Level for Air Emissions of Radionuclides

AGENCY: Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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SUMMARY: The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is proposing to 
establish a constraint of 10 mrem/yr total effective dose equivalent 
(TEDE) for dose to members of the public from air emissions of 
radionuclides from NRC licensed facilities other than power reactors. 
This proposed rule is necessary to provide assurance to the 
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that future emissions from NRC 
licensees will not exceed levels that will provide an ample margin of 
safety. This action is expected to be the final step in providing EPA 
with a basis upon which to rescind its Clean Air Act (CAA) regulations 
for NRC licensed facilities (other than power reactors) and Agreement 
State licensees, thereby relieving these licensees from unnecessary 
dual regulations.

DATES: Submit comments by March 12, 1996. Comments received after this 
date will be considered if it is practical to do so, but the Commission 
is able to assure consideration only for comments received on or before 
this date.

ADDRESSES: Send comments to: U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, 
Washington, DC 20555-0001, ATTN: Docketing and Services Branch. Hand 
deliver comments to: 11555 Rockville Pike, Rockville, Maryland, between 
7:45 a.m. and 4:15 p.m. Federal workdays.
    Comments may be submitted electronically, in either ASCII text or 
Wordperfect format (version 5.1 or later), by calling the NRC 
Electronic Rulemaking Bulletin Board (BBS) on FEDWORLD.
    The BBS is an electronic information system operated by the 
National Technical Information Service of the Department of Commerce. 
The purpose of this bulletin board BBS is to facilitate public 
participation in the NRC regulatory process, particularly rulemakings. 
With publication of this notice, proposed rulemakings and appropriate 
supporting documents will be available for review and comment on the 
BBS. These same documents are also available for review and comment at 
the NRC's Public Document Room, 2120 L Street NW. (Lower Level), 
Washington, DC. The BBS may be accessed using a personal computer, a 
modem, and one of the commonly available communications software 
packages, or directly via Internet.
    The NRC rulemaking bulletin board (rulemaking subsystem) on 
FEDWORLD can be accessed directly by using a personal computer and 
modem, dialing the toll free number at 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 rulemaking subsystem can then be accessed by 
selecting the ``Rules Menu'' option from the ``NRC Main Menu.'' For 
further information 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 databases also have a ``Help/Information Center'' 
option that is tailored to the particular subsystem.
    The NRC subsystem on FEDWORLD also can be accessed by a direct dial 
phone number for the main FEDWORLD BBS at 703-321-3339; or by using 
Telnet via Internet: fedworld.gov. Using the 703 number 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 the 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, then 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, then 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. If you contact FEDWORLD using FTP, all files 
can be accessed and downloaded, but uploads are not allowed, and all 
you will see is a list of files without descriptions (normal Gopher 
look). An index file listing all files within a subdirectory, with 

[[Page 63985]]
descriptions, is available. There is a 15-minute time limit for FTP 
access.
    Although FEDWORLD also can be accessed through the World Wide Web 
as well, 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, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory 
Commission, Washington, DC 20555, telephone (301) 415-5780; e-mail 
AXD[email protected].
    Comments received on this proposed rule may be examined and/or 
copied for a fee at the NRC Public Document Room, 2120 L Street NW. 
(Lower Level), Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Charleen T. Raddatz, Office of Nuclear 
Regulatory Research, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 
20555-0001, telephone (301) 415-6215; e-mail [email protected]

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The EPA promulgated National Emission 
Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAPs) for radionuclides on 
October 31, 1989. Subpart I of 40 CFR 61 was promulgated to implement 
the CAA and limit doses to members of the public from air emissions of 
radionuclides (other than Radon-222) from all NRC licensees other than 
licensees possessing only sealed sources, high-level waste repositories 
and uranium mill tailings piles that have been disposed of in 
accordance with 40 CFR Part 192 and are subject to the requirements of 
Subpart I. Initially, Radon-222 emissions from tailings were covered by 
40 CFR 61, Subparts T and W. Subpart T was rescinded for NRC licensees 
after Appendix A to Part 40 was amended by the Commission to conform to 
changes EPA issued to 40 CFR 192 that adopted the provisions of subpart 
T (Subpart W still applies to NRC licensees). Since Radon-222 is 
adequately addressed in Appendix A to Part 40 and other provisions of 
Part 20 it is not covered in this proposed rulemaking.
    Under Subpart I, emissions of radionuclides must be limited so that 
no member of the public would receive an effective dose equivalent of 
greater than 10 mrem/yr 1.

    \1\ Subpart I expresses dose in effective dose equivalent (EDE). 
NRC expresses dose in total effective dose equivalent (TEDE). These 
terms are essentially equivalent. For the sake of consistency, this 
paper will refer to all doses in terms of TEDE.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In 1990, Congress enacted amendments to the CAA. Section 112(d)(9) 
of these amendments to the CAA (the Simpson amendment) states:

    No standard for radionuclide emissions from any category or 
subcategory of facilities licensed by the Nuclear Regulatory 
Commission (or an Agreement State) is required to be promulgated 
under this section if the Administrator determines, by rule, and 
after consultation with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, that the 
regulatory program established by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission 
pursuant to the Atomic Energy Act for such category or subcategory 
provides an ample margin of safety to protect the public health.

    Upon issuance, the effectiveness of Subpart I for all NRC licensees 
was immediately stayed by EPA pending further evaluation. During the 
stay period, EPA conducted two studies of the air emissions from NRC 
and Agreement State materials licensees. The first was a survey of 367 
randomly selected nuclear materials licensees. EPA determined that the 
highest estimated dose to a member of the public from air emissions 
from these facilities was 8 mrem/yr, based on very conservative 
modeling. In addition, 98 percent of the facilities surveyed reported 
doses to members of the public resulting from air emissions less than 1 
mrem/yr. The second study evaluated dose from air emissions from 43 
additional facilities that were selected because of their potential for 
air emissions resulting in significant public exposures. EPA found that 
75 percent of these licensees had air emissions resulting in an 
estimated maximum public dose less than 1 mrem/yr. For the licensees 
evaluated, none exceeded 10 mrem/yr.
    In its initial proposal to rescind Subpart I for NRC licensees 
other than power reactors, EPA stated that:

    Based on the result of the survey undertaken by EPA and the 
commitments made by NRC in the MOU, EPA has made an initial 
determination that the NRC program under the Atomic Energy Act 
provides an ample margin of safety to protect the public health (57 
FR 56880; December 1, 1992).

    However, EPA continued to express concern regarding the adequacy of 
the measures to ``assure EPA that future emissions from NRC licensees 
will not exceed levels that will provide an ample margin of safety.'' 
The stay on Subpart I expired on November 15, 1992, and Subpart I 
became effective on November 16, 1992. Subsequently, in July of 1993, 
the EPA Administrator determined that there was insufficient basis at 
that time to rescind Subpart I. Consequently, NRC and Agreement State 
licensed facilities are currently subject to dual regulation of air 
emissions of radionuclides under both the AEA and the CAA, including 
regulatory oversight by EPA (or authorized State) and NRC (or Agreement 
State).
    NRC licensees subject to Subpart I are also subject to NRC dose 
limits for members of the public contained in 10 CFR Part 20, Subpart D 
entitled ``Radiation Dose Limits for Individual Members of the Public'' 
(Subpart D). Under Subpart D, licensees shall ensure that doses to 
members of the public are less than 100 mrem/yr from all pathways 
(including air emissions) and all sources associated with the 
licensee's operation. In addition, doses to members of the public must 
be kept as low as is reasonably achievable (ALARA). Based on the 
aforementioned studies conducted by EPA and licensee reporting of doses 
to members of the public from air emissions to EPA, it is evident that 
less than 10 mrem/yr to the maximally exposed member of the public from 
air emissions is reasonably achievable.
    NRC power reactor licensees subject to 10 CFR 50.34a must keep 
doses to members of the public from air emissions consistent with the 
numerical guidelines in Appendix I to 10 CFR Part 50. In addition, 
these licensees have for many years reported estimated doses to members 
of the public from air emissions well below the Subpart I value. Based 
on the combination of a continuing regulatory basis for reduced air 
emissions and documented proof of the effectiveness of the NRC program 
for these licensees, EPA has already proposed to rescind Subpart I for 
power reactors licensed by NRC (56 FR 37196; August 5, 1991).
    The NRC is proposing to establish a constraint of 10 mrem/yr TEDE 
for dose to members of the public from air emissions of radionuclides 
from NRC licensed facilities other than power reactors as a part of its 
program to maintain doses ALARA. The rulemaking being proposed would 
codify numerical values for NRC's application of ALARA guidelines on 
radioactive air emissions from its licensees, other than power 
reactors. For power reactors, ALARA guidelines have already been 
established within 10 CFR 50 and facility licensing conditions. This 
regulatory action would ensure that air emissions are maintained at a 
very low level and, taking into consideration the elimination of dual 
regulation, at little or no cost. This action would also bring 
consistency between EPA's dose standard and the NRC's ALARA 
application, thereby providing EPA with a basis upon which to rescind 
Subpart I as it applies to NRC licensed facilities other than power 
reactors. This action is expected to be the final step in providing EPA 
with a basis upon which to rescind Subpart I for NRC licensees other 
than power reactors. 

[[Page 63986]]

    NRC has been working cooperatively with EPA over the last several 
years to support rescission of EPA's standards in Subpart I of 40 CFR 
Part 61 in accordance with Section 112(d)(9) of the CAA. The 
fundamental objective of this effort has been to eliminate unnecessary 
duplicative regulations that provide no incremental benefit in terms of 
public and environmental protection.
    The regulatory framework within which NRC proposes to provide a 
basis for rescission of Subpart I consists of the requirements in 10 
CFR Part 20 to limit doses to members of the public to 100 mrem/yr, to 
maintain these doses as far below this limit as is reasonably 
achievable (ALARA), and to constrain dose to members of the public from 
air emissions of radioactive materials from a single source to 10 mrem/
yr.
    If the licensee estimates or measures a dose to a member of the 
public expected to receive the highest dose from air effluents to be 
less than 10 mrem/yr, the licensee would be required to record the dose 
and the assumption used to calculate it consistent with the 
requirements of Sec. 20.2103. This data would be made available to 
inspectors upon request. If the licensee estimates or measures a dose 
to the member of the public expected to receive the highest dose from 
air effluents to be greater than 10 mrem/yr, the licensee would be 
required to report the dose to NRC in writing within 30 days. In 
addition, the licensee would be required to include in that report the 
circumstances that led to the greater than 10 mrem/year dose, a 
description of the corrective steps the licensee has taken or proposes 
to take to ensure that the constraint is not again exceeded, a 
timetable for implementing the corrective steps, and the expected 
results.
    The constraint on dose from air emissions is different than a 
limit. Exceeding this constraint would not result in a Notice of 
Violation (NOV). Rather, a NOV would be issued only upon failure to 
report that actual or estimated doses, from air effluent releases from 
a facility, have exceeded the constraint value and/or failure to 
institute appropriate measures to correct and prevent further emissions 
in excess of those which would result in dose exceeding the constraint 
level.
    The proposed rule would apply to airborne releases, other than 
Radon-222, from all NRC licensees except power reactors. Power reactors 
are exempt from this proposed rule because they are already required 
under 10 CFR 50.34a to identify, in their application, design 
objectives and the means to be employed for keeping doses to members of 
the public from air effluents ALARA. Appendix I to Part 50 contains the 
numerical guidelines to meet this requirement.
    In addition to the discussion above, the Commission is soliciting 
comments on the question of whether the 10 mrem constraint should be 
established in 10 CFR Part 20, as proposed, or whether it should be 
established separately in each appropriate Part of Title 10 instead.

Regulatory Guide

    Regulatory Guide 8.37, ALARA Levels for Effluents From Materials 
Facilities, is being modified to reflect the introduction of the 
constraint on air emissions in the proposed rule and to identify those 
methods acceptable to the NRC for implementing the rule. To afford 
members of the public with an opportunity to comment on the rule and 
guide as a complete package, publication of the guide for comment is 
expected to be coincident with publication of the proposed rule, or 
within a few weeks of the date of publication of the proposed rule.

Agreement State Compatibility

    Section 116 of the CAA authorizes individual States to establish 
more restrictive requirements than those presented in Subpart I. In 
view of the CAA precedent, the NRC staff is recommending that this rule 
be a Division 2 matter of compatibility under the existing 
compatibility policy. As such, Agreement States could choose to adopt a 
rule which is more restrictive but no less restrictive than the one 
approved by the Commission.
    The NRC is in the process of revising its compatibility policy and 
has issued a proposed policy for public comment (59 FR 37269; July 21, 
1994). Although the compatibility policy has not yet been finalized, 
the NRC anticipates that a similar level of Agreement State 
compatibility will be required for air emissions under the new policy 
as is required under a Division Level 2 designation.

Finding of No Significant Environmental Impact

    The Commission has determined under the National Environmental 
Policy Act of 1969, as amended, and the NRC's regulations in Subpart A 
of 10 CFR Part 51, that this rule, if adopted, would not be a major 
Federal action significantly affecting the quality of the human 
environment and therefore an environmental impact statement is not 
required. This action is not expected to have any significant 
environmental impact because the programs would provide equivalent 
protection. Actual air emissions are not expected to change. The 
changes would be procedural methods for demonstrating compliance and 
inspection procedures. The environmental assessment and finding of no 
significant impact on which this determination is based are available 
for inspection and photocopying for a fee at the NRC Public Document 
Room, 2120 L Street NW. (Lower Level), Washington, DC.

Paperwork Reduction Act Statement

    This proposed rule amends information collection requirements that 
are subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et 
seq). This rule has been submitted to the Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB) for review and approval of the information collection 
requirements.
    The public reporting burden for this collection of information is 
estimated to average 80 hours per response, including the time for 
reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and 
maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the 
collection of information. The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission is 
seeking public comment on the potential impact of the collection of 
information contained in the proposed rule and on the following issues:
    1. Is the proposed collection of information necessary for the 
proper performance of the functions of the NRC, including whether the 
information will have practical utility?
    2. Is the estimate of burden accurate?
    3. Is there a way to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of 
the information to be collected?
    4. How can the burden of the collection of information be 
minimized, including the use of automated collection techniques?
    Send comments on any aspect of this proposed collection of 
information, including suggestions for reducing the burden, to the 
Information and Records Management Branch (T-6 F33), U.S. Nuclear 
Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555-001, and to the Desk 
Officer, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, NEOB-10202 
(3150-0014), Office of Management and Budget, Washington, DC 20503.
    Comments to OMB on the collections of information or on the above 
issues should be submitted by January 12, 1996. Comments received after 
this date will be considered if it is practical to do so, but assurance 
of consideration cannot be given to comments received after this date. 

[[Page 63987]]

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

    The Commission has prepared a draft regulatory analysis on this 
proposed regulation. The analysis examines the costs and benefits of 
the alternatives considered by the Commission. The draft analysis is 
available for inspection in the NRC Public Document Room, 2120 L Street 
NW. (Lower Level), Washington, DC. Single copies of the analysis may be 
obtained from Charleen T. Raddatz, (301) 415-6215.
    The Commission requests public comment on the draft analysis. 
Comments on the draft analysis may be submitted to the NRC as indicated 
under the Addresses heading.

Regulatory Flexibility Certification

    In accordance with the Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980 (5 U.S.C. 
605(b)), the Commission certifies that this rule, if adopted, will not 
have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small 
entities. This rule only impacts NRC licensees with emissions of 
significant quantities of radioactive material. This category of 
licensee includes only a few small businesses.

Backfit Analysis

    The NRC has determined that the backfit rule, 10 CFR 50.109, does 
not apply to this proposed rule because it does not apply to power 
reactor licensees, and therefore, that a backfit analysis is not 
required for this proposed rule because these amendments do not involve 
any provisions which would impose backfits as defined in 10 CFR 
50.109(a)(1).

List of Subjects In 10 CFR Part 20

    Byproduct material, Criminal penalties, Licensed material, Nuclear 
materials, Nuclear power plants and reactors, Occupational safety and 
health, Packaging and containers, Radiation protection, Reporting and 
recordkeeping requirements, Source material, Special nuclear material, 
Waste treatment and disposal.

    For the 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. 553, the NRC is proposing to 
adopt the following amendments to 10 CFR Part 20.

PART 20--STANDARDS FOR PROTECTION AGAINST RADIATION

    1. The authority citation for Part 20 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: Secs. 53, 63, 65, 81, 103, 104, 161, 182, 186, 68 
stat. 930, 933, 935, 936, 937, 948, 953, 955, as amended, sec. 1701, 
106 Stat. 2951, 2952, 2953 (42 U.S.C. 2073, 2093, 2095, 2111, 2133, 
2134, 2201, 2232, 2236, 2297f); secs. 201, as amended, 202, 206, 88 
stat. 1242, as amended, 1244, 1246 (42 U.S.C. 5841, 5842, 5846).

    2. In Sec. 20.1003, the definition of Constraint is added to read 
as follows:

Sec. 20.1003  Definitions.

* * * * *
    Constraint (dose constraint) means a value above which specified 
licensee actions are required.
* * * * *
    3. In Sec. 20.1101 paragraph (d) is added to read as follows:

Sec. 20.1101  Radiation protection programs

* * * * *
    (d) To implement the ALARA requirements of Sec. 20.1101(b), and 
notwithstanding the requirements in Sec. 20.1301 of this part, 
licensees other than those subject to Secs. 50.34a or 50.36b, shall 
constrain air emissions of radioactive materials other than radon-222 
so that the individual member of the public likely to receive the 
highest dose will not be expected to receive a dose in excess of 10 
mrem/yr TEDE from these emissions. If a licensee subject to this 
requirement exceeds this dose constraint, the licensee shall report the 
exceedence as provided in Sec. 20.2203 and promptly take appropriate 
corrective action to ensure against recurrence.
    4. In Sec. 20.2203 a new paragraph (a)(2)(vi) is added and the 
section heading and paragraph (b)(1)(iv) are revised to read as 
follows:

Sec. 20.2203  Reports of exposures, radiation levels, and 
concentrations of radioactive material exceeding the constraints or 
limits.

    (a) * * *
    (2) * * *
    (vi) The ALARA constraints for air emissions established under 
Sec. 20.1101(c); or
    (b) * * *
    (1) * * *
    (iv) Corrective steps taken or planned to ensure against a 
recurrence, including the schedule for achieving conformance with 
applicable limits, ALARA constraints, generally applicable 
environmental standards, and associated license conditions.
* * * * *
    Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 7th day of December, 1995.

    For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
John C. Hoyle,
Secretary of the Commission.
[FR Doc. 95-30334 Filed 12-12-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7590-01-P

Complete official Federal Register PDF

FR Doc. 95-30328 Small Business Size Standards; Waiver of the Nonmanufacturer Rule
[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 239 (Wednesday, December 13, 1995)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 63987-63988]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-30328]

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

SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION

13 CFR Part 121

Small Business Size Standards; Waiver of the Nonmanufacturer Rule

AGENCY: Small Business Administration.

ACTION: Notice of intent to waive the nonmanufacturer rule for 
minicomputers.

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

SUMMARY: The Small Business Administration (SBA) is considering 
granting a waiver of the Nonmanufacturer Rule for Minicomputers. A 
Minicomputer is ``a digital computer whose price and capability lies 
above that of a personal computer or workstation, and below that of a 
mainframe computer'' as defined by the Ralston and Reilly Encyclopedia 
of Computer Science Third Edition. The SBA adds that most Minicomputers 
are run in a closed-shop environment, with the user acting as operator, 
programmer, and application analyst. The basis for a waiver of the 
Nonmanufacturer Rule for this product is that there are no small 
business manufacturers or processors available to supply these products 
to the Federal Government. The effect of a waiver would be to allow 
otherwise qualified regular dealers to supply other than the product of 
a domestic small business manufacturer or processor on a Federal 
contract set aside for small businesses or awarded through the SBA 8(a) 
Program. The purpose of this notice is to solicit comments and 
potential source information from interested parties.

DATES: Comments and sources must be submitted on or before December 29, 
1995.

ADDRESSES: David Wm. Loines, Procurement Analyst, U.S. Small Business 
Administration, 409 3rd Street S.W., Washington, DC 20416.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David Wm. Loines, 202-205-6475.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Public law 100-656, enacted on November 15, 
1988, incorporated into the Small Business Act the previously existing 
regulation that recipients of Federal contracts set-aside for small 
businesses or the SBA 8(a) Program procurement must provide the product 
of a small business manufacturer or processor, if the recipient is 
other than the actual 

[[Page 63988]]
manufacturer or processor. This requirement is commonly referred to as 
the Nonmanufacturer Rule. The SBA regulations imposing this requirement 
are found at 13 CFR 121.906(b) and 121.1106(b). Section 303(h) of the 
law provides for waiver of this requirement by SBA for any ``class of 
products'' for which there are no small business manufacturers or 
processors in the Federal market. To be considered available to 
participate in the Federal market on these classes of products, a small 
business manufacturer must have submitted a proposal for a contract 
solicitation or received a contract from the Federal Government within 
the last 24 months. The SBA defines ``class of products'' based on two 
coding systems. The first is the Office of Management and Budget 
Standard Industrial Classification Manual. The second is the Product 
and Service Code established by the Federal Procurement Data System.
    The Small Business Administration is currently processing a request 
for a waiver of the Nonmanufacturer Rule for Minicomputers (SIC 3571, 
PSC 7010) and invites the public to comment or provide information on 
potential small business sources for this product.
    In an effort to identify potential small business sources, the SBA 
has searched the Procurement Automated Source System (PASS) and Thomas 
Register, and the SBA will publish a notice in the Commerce Business 
Daily. The public is invited to comment or provide source information 
to SBA on the proposed waiver of the Nonmanufacturer Rule for this 
class of products.

    Dated: November 6, 1995.
Judith A. Roussel,
Associate Administrator for Government Contracting.
[FR Doc. 95-30328 Filed 12-12-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8025-01-P

Complete official Federal Register PDF

FR Doc. 95-30260 National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants for: Chromium Emissions From Hard and Decorative Chromium Electroplating and Chromium Anodizing Tanks; Ethylene Oxide Commercial Sterilization and Fumigation Operations; Perchloroethylene Dry Cleaning Facilities; and Secondary Lead Smelting
[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 239 (Wednesday, December 13, 1995)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 64002-64006]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-30260]

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

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
40 CFR Part 63

[AD-FRL-5344-4]

National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants for: 
Chromium Emissions From Hard and Decorative Chromium Electroplating and 
Chromium Anodizing Tanks; Ethylene Oxide Commercial Sterilization and 
Fumigation Operations; Perchloroethylene Dry Cleaning Facilities; and 
Secondary Lead Smelting

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Proposed rule: amendment.

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

SUMMARY: This action proposes amendments to certain sections of the 
following promulgated standards: ``National Emission Standards for 
Chromium Emissions from Hard and Decorative Chromium Electroplating and 
Chromium Anodizing Tanks; Final Rule'' (subpart N); ``National Emission 
Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants for Ethylene Oxide Commercial 
Sterilization and Fumigation Operations'' (subpart O); ``National 
Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants for Source Categories: 
Perchloroethylene Dry Cleaning Facilities'' (subpart M); and ``National 
Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants from Secondary Lead 
Smelting'' (subpart X). Except in the case of subpart X, today's action 
proposes to amend the Final Rules' requirement that nonmajor sources 
obtain title V operating permits. The action being taken today will 
substantially reduce the unnecessary and undue regulatory burden for 
States and local agencies, EPA Regional Offices, and the industry 
during a time when tremendous resources are necessary for the initial 
implementation of the title V permit program. Because sources are still 
required to meet all applicable emission control requirements 
established by the respective MACT standards, this action is not 
expected to have adverse environmental results. The amendment to 
subpart X will confirm that existing nonmajor secondary lead smelting 
facilities will be subject to title V permit requirements.

DATES: Comments. Comments must be received on or before January 12, 
1996, unless a hearing is requested by December 26, 1995. If a hearing 
is requested, written comments must be received by January 29, 1996.
    Public Hearing. Anyone requesting a public hearing must contact the 
EPA no later than December 26, 1995. If a hearing is held, it will take 
place on December 28, 1995, beginning at 10:00 a.m.

ADDRESSES: Comments. Comments should be submitted (in duplicate, if 
possible) to: Air and Radiation Docket and Information Center (6102), 
Attention Docket No. A-88-02 (subpart N), or Attention Docket No. A-88-
03 (subpart O), or Attention Docket No. A-95-16 (subpart M), or 
Attention Docket No. A-92-43 (subpart X), as applicable, (see docket 
section below), room M-1500, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 401 
M Street, SW, Washington, D.C. 20460. The EPA requests that a separate 
copy also be sent to the contact person listed below.
    Public Hearing. If a public hearing is held, it will be held at the 
EPA's Office of Administration Auditorium, Research Triangle Park, 
North Carolina. Persons interested in attending the hearing or wishing 
to present oral testimony should notify Marguerite Thweatt, U.S. 
Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, N.C. 27711, 
telephone (919) 541-5607.
    Docket. Docket No. A-88-02, containing the supporting information 
for the original subpart N NESHAP and this action, Docket No. A-88-03, 
containing the supporting information for the original subpart O 
NESHAP, Docket No. A-88-11, containing the supporting information for 
the original subpart M NESHAP, and Docket No. A-92-43, containing the 
supporting information for the original subpart X NESHAP, are available 
for public inspection and copying between 8:00 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, at the EPA's Air and Radiation Docket and 
Information Center, Waterside Mall, room M-1500, first floor, 401 M 
Street SW, Washington, DC 20460, or by calling (202) 260-7548. A 
reasonable fee may be charged for copying.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Lalit Banker, Emission Standards 
Division (MD-13), Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards, U.S. 
Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 
27711, telephone number (919) 541-5420.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    Title V of the Clean Air Act (Act), as amended in 1990, requires 
States to develop programs for issuing operating permits to major 
stationary sources (including major sources of hazardous air pollutants 
listed in section 112 of the Act), sources covered by New Source 
Performance Standards (NSPS), sources covered by emission standards for 
hazardous air pollutants pursuant to section 112 of the Act, and 
affected sources under the acid rain program. Section 502(a) of the Act 
requires that major and nonmajor sources subject to 111 and 112 
standards obtain operating permits. However, the Administrator may 
exempt certain categories of nonmajor sources from the requirement to 
obtain a permit ``if the Administrator finds that compliance with such 
requirements is impracticable, infeasible, or unnecessarily burdensome 
on such categories.* * *''
    On July 21, 1992, EPA published in the Federal Register 
implementing regulations for the title V permit program (40 CFR part 
70). In Sec. 70.3(b)(1), EPA opted to allow States to temporarily 
exempt nonmajor sources (except for affected sources and solid waste 
incineration units), including those which were subject to section 111 
or 112 standards promulgated as of July 21, 1992, from the requirement 
to obtain a permit.
    This temporary exemption was allowed for several reasons. Under 
part 70, permitting authorities will process applications and issue 
permits for tens of thousands of major sources during the early years 
of the program. The EPA considered it ``unnecessarily burdensome'' to 
also require permitting authorities to issue permits to a larger 
population of nonmajor sources within the same time frame. Such a 
requirement would stress the permitting 

[[Page 64003]]
system at its most vulnerable time, and hinder timely issuance of 
permits to both major and nonmajor emitters.
    Additionally, the great majority of nonmajor sources are small 
businesses, and many are not currently subject to State air permit 
programs. Many small businesses will require greater assistance from 
the permitting authorities because of a relative lack of technical and 
legal expertise, resources, and experience in dealing with 
environmental regulation. If permitting authorities are overburdened 
from a backlog of permits to be processed, nonmajor sources will be 
unable to obtain technical and procedural assistance necessary to help 
them file timely and complete applications. This likely scenario 
constitutes an unnecessary burden on nonmajor sources, especially 
considering that by definition they emit less than major sources and 
that deferring permitting requirements does not defer a source's 
obligation to comply with the applicable requirements of the Act. [The 
preamble to the final part 70 regulations (57 FR 32261) provides a more 
exhaustive discussion of EPA's decision to allow States to temporarily 
exempt nonmajor sources from title V permitting.]
    The part 70 regulations specify that this temporary exemption will 
expire at such time as EPA completes a rulemaking to determine how the 
part 70 program should be structured for nonmajor sources. In addition, 
the rulemaking will consider whether to grant permanent exemptions to 
any source categories for which there is a sufficient record to support 
such an exemption.
    The part 70 regulations also address applicability for nonmajor 
sources subject to section 111 or 112 standards promulgated after July 
21, 1992. Section 70.3(b)(2) specifies that for nonmajor sources that 
are subject to a standard or other requirement promulgated under either 
section 111 or 112 of the Act after July 21, 1992, the Administrator 
will determine whether to exempt any or all such sources from the 
requirement to obtain a part 70 permit at the time that the new 
standard is promulgated. Thus, decisions regarding permitting 
exemptions were to be made as each new standard covering nonmajor 
sources was published. With regard to section 112, EPA has published 
since July 21, 1992 (in 40 CFR part 63) hazardous air pollutant 
standards that apply to nonmajor sources in the following five source 
categories: perchloroethylene dry cleaning facilities (September 22, 
1993; 58 FR 49353), halogenated solvent cleaning (December 2, 1994; 59 
FR 61801--amended June 5, 1995; 60 FR 29484), ethylene oxide commercial 
sterilization and fumigation operations (December 6, 1994; 59 FR 
62585), hard and decorative chromium electroplating and chromium 
anodizing tanks (January 25, 1995; 60 FR 4948), and secondary lead 
smelters (May 31, 1995; 60 FR 32587). Of these five, only the standard 
for halogenated solvent cleaning contained a temporary permitting 
exemption. In this standard, States were given the option of 
permanently exempting small cold cleaners and temporarily exempting all 
other nonmajor solvent cleaners from title V permit requirements.
    The remaining standards did not offer any exemptions from 
permitting, although the preamble to the dry cleaning standard did 
state an intention to allow States to defer permitting of nonmajor 
sources subject to that standard. Nonetheless, in the absence of 
specific language in that regulation granting States the option to 
exempt or temporarily exempt nonmajor sources from permit requirements, 
the General Provisions (subpart A) of part 63 apply, which by default 
extend the permitting requirement to nonmajor sources subject to post-
July 21, 1992, MACT standards.

II. Proposed Changes to Subpart N, Subpart O, and Subpart M

A. State Option to Defer Nonmajor Sources

    The final rules, that is subparts N, O, and M, required all 
affected nonmajor sources to obtain a title V permit from the 
appropriate permitting authority. All affected nonmajor sources in the 
above source categories are required to apply for a title V permit 
within 12 months of the later of the following dates: the effective 
date of the respective MACT standard or the effective date of a title V 
program to which an affected source in the above source categories is 
subject. Major sources in the above source categories are required to 
apply for and obtain permits according to the transition plans outlined 
in the title V programs submitted by the State and local permitting 
authorities for EPA approval.
    Several comments were received regarding the title V permit 
requirements for area sources in the Chromium Electroplating rule 
(subpart N) before promulgation. The commenters believed that the costs 
for nonmajor sources to obtain title V permits would be overly 
burdensome, and the emissions from such sources may be insignificant. 
However, in responding to these comments in the final rule, EPA 
believed that requiring area sources to obtain title V permits was 
important because of the toxicity of chromium compounds and the close 
proximity of many of these sources to residential areas. Following 
promulgation of these final rules, discussions were held with States 
and EPA Regions regarding their permitting strategies for nonmajor 
sources. As a result, EPA concluded that the Chromium Final Rule 
imposes an undue burden on the States in requiring the permitting of 
nonmajor Chromium sources without deferral. In particular, EPA found 
that permitting such sources during the early stages of the title V 
program would be particularly burdensome to permitting authorities. In 
addition to ensuring compliance with the requirements of the standard, 
permitting authorities would also need to contact and educate owners or 
operators of nonmajor sources regarding title V requirements. Following 
the submittal of applications, permitting authorities would then begin 
processing such applications in conjunction with major source 
applications. Given that the vast number of Chromium sources (about 
5,000 nationwide) are nonmajor sources, requiring a permitting 
authority to permit nonmajor sources during the early years of 
implementing a title V program imposes an undue burden.
    The EPA believes that the Final Rule as promulgated will also 
impose an undue hardship on a majority of owners or operators of 
nonmajor sources because this burden on permitting authorities 
translates into a burden on sources subject to the program. To require 
that owners or operators of nonmajor sources meet the requirement of 
filing a timely and complete application prior to or within the initial 
implementation period of the Chromium Electroplating MACT Standard 
would place an undue burden on these sources. As a result, the EPA has 
concluded that the burden associated with permitting outweighs the 
enhancement to the enforceability of this standard that would result 
from inclusion in a title V permit. Therefore, the Final Rule is being 
amended to allow States to defer for five (5) years all nonmajor 
Chromium sources from being subject to the requirements of a title V 
permit program.
    The 5-year deferral is determined with respect to the effective 
date of the first State or local program to defer nonmajor sources from 
title V permitting. Washington State and local programs within the 
State of Washington were the first programs approved by EPA which 
deferred nonmajor sources. Final action on these programs was published 
on November 9, 1994, and the programs became 

[[Page 64004]]
effective on December 9, 1994. As a result, the 5-year deferral ends on 
December 9, 1999, with Chromium sources becoming subject to title V on 
that date. Applications from nonmajor Chromium sources are to be filed 
within 12 months of becoming subject to title V (by December 9, 2000). 
This also applies to nonmajor sources in subparts O and M for similar 
reasons. The EPA emphasizes that this deferral applies to nonmajor 
sources.
    The sole standard which will not offer temporary exemptions from 
part 70 permitting requirements is the secondary lead smelter standard 
(subpart X, promulgated on May 31, 1995 (60 FR 32587)). In contrast to 
the hundreds or thousands of sources in the four other source 
categories, there are a total of only 16 secondary lead smelters and 
only five of these are nonmajor sources. Additionally, the five 
nonmajor lead smelters are owned by relatively large companies. These 
companies should be better equipped to handle the part 70 permitting 
process than the small businesses characterizing the other source 
categories. For these reasons, EPA concludes that requiring the five 
sources to obtain part 70 permits without delay will not be 
impracticable or infeasible for the State or local permitting 
authorities involved and will not unnecessarily burden the five 
companies.

B. Proposed Permanent Exemption of Certain Decorative Chromium 
Electroplating and Chromium Anodizing Operations

    Section 502(a) of the Act expressly gives the Administrator the 
discretion to exempt one or more nonmajor source categories (in whole 
or in part) from the requirement to obtain a permit ``if the 
Administrator finds that compliance with such requirements is 
impracticable, infeasible, or unnecessarily burdensome on such 
categories.'' 42 U.S.C. section 7661a (a). One factor that EPA 
considers as part of the unnecessarily burdensome criteria is the 
degree to which the standard is implementable outside of a title V 
permit, such that the title V permit will provide minimal additional 
benefit with regard to source-specific tailoring of the standard. To 
the extent such benefit is minimal, it supports the finding that the 
burden imposed is ``unnecessary.'' This factor was analyzed when EPA 
evaluated decorative chrome plating (using hexavalent chromium baths) 
and chromium anodizing processes that use fume suppressant technology 
to reduce chromium emissions during operation. The fume suppressant 
technology inhibits emissions at the source by reducing the surface 
tension of the plating solution. The standard requires that the surface 
tension be kept below 45 dynes per centimeter (dynes/cm) in order to 
comply. In addition, the surface tension must be measured at a certain 
specified time interval to ensure continuous compliance. This measure 
of compliance (45 dynes/cm) is directly stated in the standard and is 
directly enforceable. No judgment or negotiation is required in 
establishing a directly enforceable monitoring value during a 
performance test as is the case with the other chromium sources covered 
by the rule which use add-on controls. Also included in this permitting 
exemption are the decorative chrome plating operations using the 
trivalent chrome baths which incorporate the use of wetting agents 
which inhibit chromium emissions as a bath component. The standard does 
not have any additional requirements for these sources except for 
recordkeeping of chemicals bought.
    Although sources using fume suppressant technology could be 
permitted through general permits, thereby reducing the administrative 
permitting burden for these sources, EPA believes this would add 
minimally to enforceability of the rule. This is because the reporting, 
recordkeeping, and annual compliance certification requirements of the 
rule already approximate those which would be imposed through title V, 
and which constitute a primary value added by a general title V permit.
    Therefore, for the reasons stated above, the EPA is proposing to 
permanently exempt all hexavalent decorative plating and chromium 
anodizing operations that use fume suppressants as an emission 
reduction technology and all trivalent decorative plating operations 
incorporating wetting agents as a bath component from the requirement 
of obtaining a title V permit. This is based upon EPA's determination 
that it will be unnecessarily burdensome for these sources to obtain 
permits.
    All the requirements listed in the final standards (subparts N, O, 
and M) will continue to be applicable per the schedule that is provided 
in the respective rules. For example, all sources still must comply 
with the compliance schedule within the rule, perform monitoring of the 
required parameters for ensuring compliance, and follow the reporting 
and recordkeeping requirements. The Administrator or a delegated State 
or local authority will enforce the requirements of the final rules 
through appropriate means, and will not be handicapped by the temporary 
or permanent exemptions from the title V permit requirements. The EPA 
believes that through the implementation of the final rules, the 
primary goal of significant reductions in chromium, ethylene oxide, and 
perchloroethylene emissions will be achieved.

III. Possible Additional Permanent Exemptions

    Although this action proposes temporary exemptions for the subject 
source categories (except for proposed permanent exemptions for two 
subcategories within the chrome plating category), EPA will consider 
promulgating additional permanent exemptions for any of these source 
categories or subcategories within these source categories if 
warranted. The EPA specifically solicits comment on whether any of the 
source categories for which temporary exemptions are being proposed 
should be permanently exempted from title V requirements and the 
reasons for such permanent exemptions. Comments should address the 
Clean Air Act criteria for exempting categories from permitting 
requirements, which are that it would be ``impracticable, infeasible, 
or unnecessarily burdensome on such source categories.'' Any comments 
received and additional information obtained by EPA after this proposal 
will be considered in determining whether sufficient justification 
exists to promulgate permanent exemptions.

IV. Typographical Correction

    A minor typographical error was discovered in section 63.344 of the 
subpart N. It is being amended here to correctly present our intention.

V. Administrative Requirements

A. Public Hearing

    A public hearing will be held, if requested, to provide opportunity 
for interested persons to make oral presentations regarding the 
proposed amendments in accordance with section 307(d)(5) of the Act. 
Persons wishing to make oral presentation on the proposed amendments 
should contact the EPA at the address given in the ADDRESSES section of 
this preamble. Oral presentations will be limited to 15 minutes each. 
Any member of the public may file a written statement before, during, 
or within 30 days after the hearing. Written statements should be 
addressed to the Air Docket Section at the address given in the 
ADDRESSES section of this preamble and should refer to the applicable 
docket number.
    A verbatim transcript of the hearing and written statements will be 
available 

[[Page 64005]]
for inspection and copying during normal business hours at the EPA's 
Air Docket Section in Washington, D.C. (see ADDRESSES section of the 
preamble).

B. Paperwork Reduction Act

    The information collection requirements of the previously 
promulgated National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants 
(NESHAP) were submitted to and approved by the Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB). Today's proposed changes to the NESHAP would not increase 
the information collection burden estimates made previously. In fact, 
they are expected to reduce the required paperwork by providing the 
opportunity for delays for some sources and exemptions for others from 
requirements to obtain a title V permit.

C. Executive Order 12866

    Under Executive Order 12866, the Agency must determine whether a 
regulatory action is ``significant'' and therefore subject to OMB 
review and the requirements of the Executive Order. The Order defines 
``significant regulatory action'' as one that is likely to result in a 
rule that may:
    (1) Have an annual effect on the economy of $100 million or more, 
or adversely affect in a material way the economy, a sector of the 
economy, productivity, competition, jobs, the environment, public 
health or safety, or State, local, or tribal governments or 
communities;
    (2) Create a serious inconsistency or otherwise interfere with an 
action taken or planned by another agency;
    (3) Materially alter the budgetary impact of entitlements, grants, 
user fees, or loan programs or the rights and obligations of recipients 
thereof; or
    (4) Raise novel legal or policy issues arising out of legal 
mandates, the President's priorities, or the principles set forth in 
the Executive Order.
    Pursuant to the terms of the Executive Order, the OMB has notified 
the EPA that it does not consider this to be a ``significant regulatory 
action'' within the meaning of the Executive Order. Therefore, the EPA 
did not submit this action to the OMB for review.

D. Regulatory Flexibility Act

    The Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.) requires EPA 
to consider potential impacts of proposed regulations on small business 
``entities.'' A regulatory flexibility analysis (RFA) is required if 
preliminary analysis indicates ``a significant economic impact on a 
substantial number of small entities.'' As explained earlier in this 
notice, the proposed amendments would reduce the impacts on small 
businesses by allowing States to delay some and exempt others from the 
requirement to obtain a title V permit.

E. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act

    Section 202 of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (``unfunded 
Mandates Act'') (signed into law on March 22, 1995) requires that the 
Agency prepare a budgetary impact statement to accompany any proposed 
or final rule that includes a Federal mandate that may result in 
expenditure by State, local, and tribal governments, in the aggregate, 
or by the private sector, of $100 million or more in any 1 year. 
Section 203 requires the Agency to establish a plan for obtaining input 
from and informing, educating, and advising any small governments that 
may be significantly or uniquely affected by the rule.
    As explained earlier in this notice, the proposed amendments would 
reduce the cost to State, local, and tribal governments and the private 
sector by allowing States to delay some and exempt others from the 
requirement to obtain a title V permit. Therefore, EPA has not prepared 
a budgetary impact statement for the proposed amendments.

List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 63

    Environmental protection, Air pollution control, Hazardous 
substances, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

    Dated: December 1, 1995.
Carol M. Browner,
Administrator.

    For the reasons set out in the preamble, title 40, chapter I, part 
63 of the Code of Federal Regulations are proposed to be amended as set 
forth below:

PART 63--[AMENDED]

    1. The authority citation for part 63 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.

Subpart N--[Amended]

    2. Section 63.340 is amended by revising paragraph (e) to read as 
follows:

Sec. 63.340  Applicability and designation of sources.

* * * * *
    (e)(1) The Administrator has determined, pursuant to the criteria 
under section 502(a) of the Act, that an owner or operator of the 
following types of operations that are not by themselves major sources 
and that are not located at major sources, as defined under 40 CFR 
70.2, is permanently exempt from title V permitting requirements for 
that operation:
    (i) Any decorative chromium electroplating operation or chromium 
anodizing operation that uses fume suppressants as an emission 
reduction technology; and
    (ii) Any decorative chromium electroplating operation that uses a 
trivalent chromium bath that incorporates a wetting agent as a bath 
ingredient.
    (2) An owner or operator of any other affected source subject to 
the provisions of this subpart is subject to title V permitting 
requirements. These affected sources, if not major or located at major 
sources as defined under 40 CFR 70.2, may be deferred by the applicable 
title V permitting authority from title V permitting requirements for 5 
years after the date on which the EPA first approves a part 70 program 
(i.e., until December 9, 1999). All sources receiving deferrals shall 
submit title V permit applications within 12 months of such date (by 
December 9, 2000). All sources receiving deferrals still must meet the 
compliance schedule as stated in section 63.343.
    3. Section 63.342 is amended by revising the first sentence of 
paragraph (c)(2)(i)(B) and introductory text of paragraph (f)(3)(i) to 
read as follows:

Sec. 63.342  Standards.

* * * * *
    (c) * * *
    (2) * * *
    (i) * * *
    (B) By accepting a Federally-enforceable limit on the maximum 
cumulative potential rectifier capacity of a hard chromium 
electroplating facility and by maintaining monthly records in 
accordance with Sec. 63.346(b)(12) to demonstrate that the limit has 
not been exceeded. * * *
* * * * *
    (f) * * *
    (3) * * *
    (i) The owner or operator of an affected source subject to the work 
practices of paragraph (f) of this section shall prepare an operation 
and maintenance plan to be implemented no later than the compliance 
date. The plan shall be incorporated by reference into the source's 
title V permit, if and when a title V permit is required. The plan 
shall include the following elements:
* * * * *

Sec. 63.344  [Amended]

    4. In Sec. 63.344, paragraphs (e)(3)(v) and (e)(4)(iv) are amended 
by revising the word ``less'' to read ``more.'' 

[[Page 64006]]

    5. Section 63.347 is amended by revising the introductory text in 
paragraph (e)(2) and paragraph (f)(1) to read as follows:

Sec. 63.347  Reporting requirements.

* * * * *
    (e) * * *
    (2) If the State in which the source is located has not been 
delegated the authority to implement the rule, each time a notification 
of compliance status is required under this part, the owner or operator 
of an affected source shall submit to the Administrator a notification 
of compliance status, signed by the responsible official (as defined in 
Sec. 63.2) who shall certify its accuracy, attesting to whether the 
affected source has complied with this subpart. If the State has been 
delegated the authority, the notification of compliance status shall be 
submitted to the appropriate authority. The notification shall list for 
each affected source:
* * * * *
    (f) * * *
    (1) If the State in which the source is located has not been 
delegated the authority to implement the rule, the owner or operator of 
an affected source shall report to the Administrator the results of any 
performance test conducted as required by Sec. 63.7 or Sec. 63.343(b). 
If the State has been delegated the authority, the owner or operator of 
an affected source should report performance test results to the 
appropriate authority.
* * * * *
    6. Table 1 to subpart N of Part 63 is amended by revising the entry 
for ``63.5(a)'' to read as follows:

                 Table 1 to Subpart N of Part 63--General Provisions Applicability to Subpart N                 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      General provisions reference            Applies to subpart N                      Comment                 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                                
*                  *                  *                  *                  *                  *                
                                                        *                                                       
63.5(a).................................  Yes........................  Except replace the term ``source'' and   
                                                                        ``stationary source'' in Sec.  63.5(a)  
                                                                        (1) and (2) of subpart A with ``affected
                                                                        sources.''                              
                                                                                                                
*                  *                  *                  *                  *                  *                
                                                        *                                                       
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Subpart O--[Amended]

    7. Section 63.360 is amended by revising paragraph (f) to read as 
follows:

Sec. 63.360  Applicability.

* * * * *
    (f) The owner or operator of a source, subject to the provisions of 
the title 40, chapter I, part 63 subpart O, using 1 ton (see 
definition) is subject to title V permitting requirements. These 
affected sources, if not major or located at major sources as defined 
under 40 CFR 70.2, may be deferred by the applicable title V permitting 
authority from title V permitting requirements for 5 years after the 
date on which the EPA first approves a part 70 program (i.e., until 
December 9, 1999). All sources receiving deferrals shall submit title V 
permit applications within 12 months of such date (by December 9, 
2000). All sources receiving deferrals still must meet compliance 
schedule as stated in this Sec. 63.360.
* * * * *

Subpart M--[Amended]

    8. Section 63.320 is amended by adding paragraph (k) to read as 
follows:

Sec. 63.320  Applicability.

* * * * *
    (k) The owner or operator of any source subject to the provisions 
of this subpart M is subject to title V permitting requirements. These 
affected sources, if not major or located at major sources as defined 
under 40 CFR 70.2, may be deferred by the applicable title V permitting 
authority from title V permitting requirements for 5 years after the 
date on which the EPA first approves a part 70 program (i.e., until 
December 9, 1999). All sources receiving deferrals shall submit title V 
permit applications within 12 months of such date (by December 9, 
2000). All sources receiving deferrals still must meet compliance 
schedule as stated in this Sec. 63.320.

Subpart X--[Amended]

    9. Section 63.541 is amended by adding paragraph (c) to read as 
follows:

Sec. 63.541  Applicability.

* * * * *
    (c) The owner or operator of any source subject to the provisions 
of the title 40, chapter I, part 63 subpart X is required to obtain a 
title V permit from the applicable permitting authority in which the 
affected source is located.

[FR Doc. 95-30260 Filed 12-12-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P

Complete official Federal Register PDF

FR Doc. 95-30108 Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality Implementation Plans; Pennsylvania; Approval of Stage II Vapor Recovery Requirements
[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 239 (Wednesday, December 13, 1995)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 64001-64002]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-30108]

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

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Part 52

[PA 081-4012b; FRL-5326-6]

Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality Implementation Plans; 
Pennsylvania; Approval of Stage II Vapor Recovery Requirements

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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

SUMMARY: EPA proposes to approve the State Implementation Plan (SIP) 
revision submitted by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for the purpose 
of approving supplemental provisions that would correct deficiencies in 
the Pennsylvania Stage II vapor recovery rule that were previously 
identified by EPA. In the Final Rules section of this Federal Register, 
EPA is approving the State's SIP revision as a direct final rule 
without prior proposal because the Agency views this as a 
noncontroversial SIP revision and anticipates no adverse comments. A 
detailed rationale for the approval is set forth in the direct final 
rule. If no adverse comments are received in response to this proposed 
rule, no further activity is contemplated in relation to this rule. If 
EPA receives adverse comments, the direct final rule will be withdrawn 
and all public comments received will be addressed in a subsequent 
final rule based on this proposed rule. EPA will not institute a second 
comment period on this action. Any parties interested in commenting on 
this action should do so at this time.

DATES: Comments must be received in writing by January 12, 1996.

ADDRESSES: Written comments on this action should be addressed to 
Marcia L. Spink, Associate Director, Air Programs, Mailcode 3AT00, U.S. 
Environmental Protection Agency, Region III, 841 Chestnut Building, 
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19107. Copies of the documents relevant to 
this action are available for public inspection during normal business 
hours at the Air, Radiation, and Toxics Division, U.S. Environmental 
Protection Agency, Region III, 841 Chestnut Building, Philadelphia, 
Pennsylvania 19107; and the Pennsylvania Department of 

[[Page 64002]]
Environmental Protection, Bureau of Air Quality, P.O. Box 8468, 400 
Market Street, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17105.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Cynthia H. Stahl, (215) 597-9337, at 
the EPA Region III address above.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: See the information provided in the Direct 
Final action of the same title (Pennsylvania; Approval of Stage II 
Vapor Recovery Requirements) which is located in the Rules and 
Regulations Section of this Federal Register.

List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 52

    Environmental protection, Air pollution control, Hydrocarbons, 
Incorporation by reference, Intergovernmental relations, Ozone, 
Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

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

    Dated: October 31, 1995.
W. Michael McCabe,
Regional Administrator, Region III.
[FR Doc. 95-30108 Filed 12-12-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P

Complete official Federal Register PDF

FR Doc. 95-30018 Regulatory Reform Initiative
[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 239 (Wednesday, December 13, 1995)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 63983-63984]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-30018]

========================================================================
Proposed Rules
                                                Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________

This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.

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

Federal Register / Vol. 60, No. 239 / Wednesday, December 13, 1995 / 
Proposed Rules

[[Page 63983]]

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Commodity Credit Corporation

7 CFR Parts 1487, 1491, 1492 and 1495

Regulatory Reform Initiative

AGENCY: Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC), USDA.

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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

SUMMARY: In response to the President's Regulatory Reform Initiative, 
the Commodity Credit Corporation is proposing to amend its regulations 
to eliminate the following programs: Noncommercial Risk Assurance 
Program (GSM-101); CCC Intermediate Credit Export Sales Program for 
Breeding Animals (GSM-201); CCC Intermediate Credit Export Sales 
Program for Foreign Market Development Facilities (GSM-301); and 
Disposition of Agricultural Commodities under the CCC Barter Program 
(Barter Program).
    These programs are inactive or obsolete and have not been used in 
15 years or more.

DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before January 12, 1996.

ADDRESSES: All comments concerning these proposed regulations should be 
addressed to L.T. McElvain, Director, CCC Operations Division, Foreign 
Agricultural Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, AG Box 1035, 
Washington, D.C., 20250-1035; FAX (202) 720-2949. All comments received 
will be available for public inspection at the above address during 
regular business hours.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: L.T. McElvain, Director, CCC 
Operations Division, at the address stated above. Telephone (202) 720-
6211. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits 
discrimination in its programs on the basis of race, color, national 
origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs and marital 
or familial status. Persons with disabilities who require alternative 
means for communication of program information (braille, large print, 
audiotape, etc.) should contact the USDA Office of Communications at 
(202) 720-5881 (voice) or (202) 720-7808 (TDD).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Executive Order 12866

    This proposed rule is issued in conformance with Executive Order 
12866. It has been determined to be neither significant nor 
economically significant for the purposes of E.O. 12866 and, therefore, 
has not been reviewed by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).

Regulatory Flexibility Act

    It has been determined that the Regulatory Flexibility Act is not 
applicable to this proposed rule since CCC is not required by 5 U.S.C. 
553 or any other provision of law to publish a notice of rulemaking 
with respect to the subject matter of this rule.

Executive Order 12372

    These programs are not subject to the provisions of Executive Order 
12372, which requires intergovernmental consultation with State and 
local officials. See notice related to 7 CFR part 3015, subpart V, 
published at 48 FR 29115 (June 24, 1983).

Environmental Evaluation

    It has been determined by an environmental evaluation that this 
action will not have a significant impact on the quality of the human 
environment. Therefore, neither an Environmental Assessment nor an 
Environmental Impact Statement is needed.

Paperwork Reduction Act

    The amendment to 7 CFR parts 1487, 1491, 1492 and 1495 set forth in 
this proposed rule does not contain information collections that 
require clearance by the OMB under the provisions of 44 U.S.C. 35.

Executive Order 12778

    This proposed rule has been reviewed under Executive Order 12778, 
Civil Justice Reform. The proposed rule would not have preemptive 
effect with respect to any state or local laws, regulations, or 
policies which conflict with such provisions or which otherwise impede 
their full implementation. The rule would not have retroactive effect.
    The Department of Agriculture is committed to carrying out its 
statutory and regulatory mandates in a manner that best serves the 
public interest. Therefore, where legal discretion permits, the 
Department actively seeks to promulgate regulations that promote 
economic growth, create jobs, are minimally burdensome, and are easy 
for the public to understand, use or comply with. In short, the 
Department is committed to issuing regulations that maximize net 
benefits to society and minimize costs imposed by those regulations.

Request for Public Comment

    Comments are requested with respect to this proposed rule and such 
comments shall be considered in developing the final rule.

Background

    In response to the President's Regulatory Reform Initiative, the 
Commodity Credit Corporation is proposing to amend Title 7 of the Code 
of Federal Regulations to remove the following parts:
     Part 1487--Noncommercial Risk Assurance Program (GSM-101);
     Part 1491--CCC Intermediate Credit Export Sales Program 
for Breeding Animals (GSM-201);
     Part 1492--CCC Intermediate Credit Export Sales Program 
for Foreign Market Development Facilities (GSM-301); and
     Part 1495--Disposition of Agricultural Commodities under 
the CCC Barter Program (Barter Program).

Reasons for Removal

    CCC proposes to remove these parts for the following reasons:
     GSM-101--This risk assurance program, implemented in 1979, 
covered only non-commercial or political risk and became obsolete when 
the CCC Export Credit Guarantee Program (GSM-102) was introduced in 
1980 to cover political and commercial risk. The GSM-101 program was 
last used in 1981.
     GSM-201--This direct credit program has been used only 
once (a transaction for livestock exports to Spain in 1979). The terms 
available under the program--3 to 10 year direct credits--could be made 
available under a modified GSM-5 Program (7 CFR Part 1488) Financing of 
Sales of Agricultural Commodities Program. 

[[Page 63984]]

     GSM-301--This direct credit program was intended to 
facilitate commodity exports which would be sold to generate funds to 
finance the construction of a market development project. The program 
was used only once (in connection with a bulk grain discharge and 
storage facility developed at Ashdod, Israel). That project began in 
1978 and was completed in the early 1980's. For a number of years, 
funding has not been made available for this program.
     Barter Program--From 1950 through 1973, CCC exchanged CCC-
owned agricultural commodities for strategic and critical materials for 
the National Defense Stockpile. The program could also be used to 
obtain foreign-produced supplies and services used in Department of 
Defense construction projects and Agency for International Development 
projects. The program was terminated in 1973 when CCC stocks were 
depleted. The National Defense Stockpile is now liquidating many 
strategic materials. Also, CCC has authority, which it has at times 
used, to enter into direct barter arrangements under the CCC Charter 
Act in order to obtain strategic materials for defense stock piles.

List of Subjects

7 CFR Part 1487

    Agricultural commodities, Exports, Insurance, Reporting and 
recordkeeping requirements.

7 CFR Parts 1491 and 1492

    Exports, Livestock, Loan programs-agriculture, Reporting and 
recordkeeping requirements.

7 CFR Part 1495

    Agricultural commodities, Exports, Government procurement, 
Strategic and critical materials.

PARTS 1487, 1491, 1492, 1495--[REMOVED]

    For the reasons set out in the preamble under the authority at 5 
U.S.C. Section 552(a)(1)(E), it is proposed to amend 7 CFR Chapter XIV 
by removing parts 1487, 1491, 1492 and 1495.

    Signed at Washington, DC, on December 1, 1995.
Christopher E. Goldthwait,
General Sales Manager and Vice President, Commodity Credit Corporation.
[FR Doc. 95-30018 Filed 12-12-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-10-P

Complete official Federal Register PDF

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