468 Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 3 / Friday, January 5, 2007 / Rules and Regulations 

procedures; and related management 

systems practices) that are developed or 

adopted by voluntary consensus 

standards bodies. 

This rule does not use technical 

standards. Therefore, we did not 

consider the use of voluntary consensus 

standards. 

Environment 

We have analyzed this rule under 

Commandant Instruction M16475.lD, 

and Department of Homeland Security 

Management Directive 5100.1, which 

guides the Coast Guard in complying 

with the National Environmental Policy 

Act of 1969 (NEPA) (42 U.S.C. 4321–

4370f), and have concluded that there 

are no factors in this case that would 

limit the use of a categorical exclusion 

under section 2.B.2 of the Instruction. 

Therefore, this rule is categorically 

excluded, under figure 2–1, paragraph 

(32)(e) of the Instruction, from further 

environmental documentation. Under 

figure 2–1, paragraph (32)(e), of the 

Instruction, an ‘‘Environmental Analysis 

Check List’’ and a ‘‘Categorical 

Exclusion Determination’’ are not 

required for this rule. 

List of Subjects in 33 CFR Part 117 

Bridges. 

■ For the reasons discussed in the 

preamble, the Coast Guard amends 33 

CFR part 117 as follows: 

PART 117—DRAWBRIDGE 

OPERATION REGULATIONS 

■ 1. The authority citation for part 117 

continues to read as follows: 

Authority: 33 U.S.C. 499; Department of 

Homeland Security Delegation No. 0170.1; 33 

CFR 1.05–1(g); § 117.255 also issued under 

the authority of Pub. L. 102–587, 106 Stat. 

5039. 

■ 2. Amend § 117.261 by revising 

paragraph (w) to read as follows: 

§ 117.261 Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway 

from St. Marys River to Key Largo. 

* * * * * 

(w) Southern Boulevard (SR 700/80) 

bridge, mile 1024.7 at Palm Beach. The 

draw shall open on the quarter and 

three-quarter hour. 

* * * * * 

Dated: December 17, 2006. 

D.W. Kunkel, 

Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard, Commander, 

Seventh Coast Guard District. 

[FR Doc. E6–22555 Filed 1–4–07; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–15–P 

POSTAL SERVICE 

39 CFR Part 111 

New Polywrap Standards for 

Automation-Rate Flat-Size Mail 

AGENCY: Postal Service. 

ACTION: Final rule. 

SUMMARY: The Postal ServiceTM has 

simplified the standards for polywrap 

film on automation-rate flat-size 

mailpieces, so that customers only have 

to meet one set of standards instead of 

the previous two. 

DATES: Effective Dates: February 4, 2007, 

for manufacturers; March 4, 2007, for 

mailers. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bill 

Chatfield, Mailing Standards, U.S. 

Postal Service, 475 L’Enfant Plaza SW., 

RM 3436, Washington, DC 20260–3436; 

202–268–7278. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Postal 

Service automated flat sorting machines 

(AFSM 100s) process the majority of 

non-carrier route flat-size mail. To 

improve our ability to process 

polywrapped pieces on our primary flatmail processing equipment, we 

published a proposed rule in the 

Federal Register on August 22, 2006 (71 

FR 48868), regarding polywrap used on 

automation-rate flat-size mailpieces. 

Our proposed rule included the 

following changes: 

• We removed two characteristics, 

tensile strength and density, because 

they were irrelevant to performance. 

• We removed the ‘‘USPS AFSM 100 

Approved Polywrap’’ endorsement 

requirement. 

• We modified the testing protocol to 

measure the minimum film-to-metal 

coefficient of friction. 

• We increased the allowable film-tofilm coefficient of friction to be more 

compatible with mailer bindery 

operations. 

• We changed the method to measure 

blocking to more closely match the 

environment that mailpieces undergo 

during normal transportation and 

storage. 

The new standards eliminate the 

difference in polywrap specifications for 

mailpieces designed for processing on 

the AFSM 100 and the upgraded flat 

sorting machine (UFSM) 1000. 

Comments Received 

We received comments and questions 

on the proposed rule from two 

customers. One customer suggested that 

we allow successful testing of the 

thinnest gauge of a specific polywrap 

film to suffice for certification of all 

thicknesses of the same film. We made 

that change in the final standards. 

Another customer raised several 

questions. One question pertained to 

how the Postal Service would process 

UFSM 1000 pieces in the future. Pieces 

with polywrap meeting either the old 

specifications or the new specifications 

may be processed on a UFSM 1000 

machine. Another question was about 

how the changes would impact the 

standard that requires a ‘‘Periodicals’’

endorsement for mailpieces with a 

wrapper. This rule does not change any 

standards for Periodicals, but, as 

information, the ‘‘Periodicals’’

endorsement may be placed on either 

the mailpiece contents or the polywrap. 

Another question was about polywrap 

film meeting all of the new 

specifications except haze when the 

address information is on the outside of 

the film. Such a film will remain 

eligible as it is under current standards. 

A customer commented about the 

testing specification, USPS–T–3204, 

Test Procedures for Automatable 

Polywrap Films, listed on our Rapid 

Information Bulletin Board System 

(RIBBS). The specification indicated 

that the tests were required for 

polywrap film used on AFSM 100- 

qualifying pieces, whereas the proposed 

rule stated that the new standards 

would apply for polywrap used on all 

automation-rate flats. We revised the 

testing specification to indicate that the 

new specifications apply to polywrap 

used on all automation-rate flats. The 

customer also questioned if the 

supplementary testing indicated in the 

specification would be required in 

addition to the American Society for 

Testing and Materials (ASTM) tests. As 

noted in the testing specification, some 

of the testing methods required are 

necessary supplements to each other. 

New Test Procedures 

To ensure that all manufacturers use 

the same criteria in meeting the new 

specifications, we developed USPS–T–

3204, Test Procedures for Automatable 

Polywrap Films. Manufacturers may 

obtain the new test procedures at 

http://ribbs.usps.gov (click on 

‘‘Polywrap Manufacturers’’ in the left 

frame) or by contacting the Postal 

Service’s Engineering office at: 

Engineering, Flat Mail Technology, U.S. 

Postal Service, 8403 Lee Hwy, 

Merrifield VA 22082–8101. 

The specification describes exact test 

procedures and acceptable values for 

polywrap film characteristics. If the 

manufacturer lacks the facilities or 

experience to conduct each of the test 

procedures in USPS–T–3204, the 

specification also provides a list of 


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Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 3 / Friday, January 5, 2007 / Rules and Regulations 469 

testing laboratories that have experience 

in conducting these tests. 

Polywrap Certification 

Currently, manufacturers must 

provide us with a certificate stating that 

their film complies with polywrap 

specifications before we include the 

film in the list of approved polywrap for 

flat-size mailpieces mailed at 

automation rates. 

We will require manufacturers to 

provide an updated certificate of 

conformance on their letterhead to the 

Postal Service’s Mailing Standards 

office after verifying that each polywrap 

film meets the new characteristics. The 

certificate of conformance must state the 

values of the six characteristics for each 

film to be listed as approved. 

Implementation 

As of February 4, 2007, polywrap not 

meeting the new standards will no 

longer be listed as approved for 

automation rates, but we will allow 

mailpieces presented with ‘‘old’’

polywrap on automation-rate flats 

through March 3, 2007. The conditions 

for mailing are as follows: 

• Mailpieces with polywrap approved 

for AFSM 100 pieces under the ‘‘old’’

standards will be accepted at 

automation flat rates through March 3, 

2007. 

• Beginning March 4, 2007, mailers 

who present polywrapped flats that do 

not meet the new standards for 

polywrap may request an exception to 

the new standards in writing. Requests 

will be handled on a case-by-case basis. 

We will incorporate the following 

revisions into the next printed version 

of Mailing Standards of the United 

States Post Service, Domestic Mail 

Manual (DMM) and into the next 

monthly update of the online DMM 

available via Postal Explorer at 

pe.usps.com. We encourage 

manufacturers to certify their polywrap 

under the new standards as soon as 

possible, but no later than February 3, 

2007. We encourage mailers to use 

polywrap meeting the new 

specifications on their mailpieces as 

soon as practical. Beginning March 4, 

2007, all polywrap films used an 

automation-rate flat-size mailpieces 

must meet the new standards. 

List of Subjects in 39 CFR Part 111 

Administrative practice and 

procedure, Postal Service. 

PART 111—[AMENDED] 

■ 1. The authority citation for 39 CFR 

part 111 continues to read as follows: 

Authority: 5 U.S.C. 552(a); 39 U.S.C. 101, 

401, 403, 404, 3001–3011, 3201–3219, 3403–

3406, 3621, 3626, 5001. 

■ 2. Amend the following sections of 

Mailing Standards of the United States 

Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual 

(DMM), as explained below: 

300 Discount Flats 

301 Physical Standards 

* * * * * 

3.0 Physical Standards for Automation 

Flats 

* * * * * 

3.5 Polywrap Coverings 

3.5.1 Polywrap Films 

[Revise 3.5.1 by changing the 

introduction and removing items a and 

b to eliminate the distinction between 

polywrap used on pieces qualifying for 

the AFSM 100 and the UFSM 1000, as 

follows:] 

Polywrapped flat-size mailpieces 

claimed at automation rates must meet 

the standards in 3.5 Film approved for 

use under 3.5.4 and 3.5.5 must meet the 

specifications in Exhibit 3.5.1. If mailers 

affix the address label to the outside of 

the polywrap, the film need not meet 

the haze property. 

[Revise title of Exhibit 3.5.1 as 

follows:] 

Exhibit 3.5.1 Polywrap Specifications 

[Revise Exhibit 3.5.1 by changing the 

introduction, eliminating the distinction 

between AFSM 100 and UFSM 1000 

pieces, removing current properties 4 

and 5 and renumbering current 

properties 6 through 8 as new properties 

4 through 6, changing the specifications 

and testing methods for coefficients of 

friction, revising the comments for 

‘‘blocking,’’ and specifying testing 

methods, as follows:] 

Effective March 4, 2007, mailers who 

polywrap automation-rate flats must use 

polywrap that meets all of the properties 

in this exhibit. 

Property Requirement Test methods in 

USPS T–3204 Comment 

1. Kinetic Coefficient of Friction, MD: 

a. Film on Stainless Steel with No. 8 (Mirror) 

Finish.

<0.45 ................ USPS–T–3204. 

Section 4.5.2. 

b. Film on Film .................................................... 0.20 to 0.55 ...... USPS–T–3204. 

Section 4.5.1. 

2. Haze ...................................................................... <70 ................... USPS–T–3204 ..

Section 4.5.3. 

Affixing address labels to outside of polywrap is an 

alternative to meeting this requirement. 

3. Secant Modulus, 1% elongation:.

a. TD ................................................................... >50,000 psi ....... USPS–T–3204. 

Section 4.5.4. 

b. MD .................................................................. >40,000 psi ....... USPS–T–3204. 

Section 4.5.4. 

4. Nominal Gauge ...................................................... >0.001 in .......... USPS–T–3204. 

Section 4.5.5. 

5. Static Charge ......................................................... <2.0 kV ............. USPS–T–3204. 

Section 4.5.7. 

6. Blocking ................................................................. <15 g ................ USPS–T–3204 ..

Section 4.5.6. 

To be conducted at 140 (±3.6°) degrees Fahrenheit. 

* * * * * 

[Delete 3.5.4 to remove the 

requirement for markings on polywrap.] 

[Renumber current 3.5.5 as new 3.5.4 

and revise the title and text to require 

polywrap meeting new standards as of 

March 4, 2007, as follows:] 

3.5.4 Polywrap on Mailpieces 

Effective March 4, 2007, mailers 

claiming automation flat rates for 

polywrapped pieces must use polywrap 

that meets the new specifications in 

3.5.1. Only products listed on the USPS 

RIBBS Web site (http://ribbs.usps.gov) 

may be used on automation-rate flats. 

[Add new 3.5.5 to specify the 


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470 Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 3 / Friday, January 5, 2007 / Rules and Regulations 

certification process for polywrap 

manufacturers, as follows:] 

3.5.5 Polywrap Certification Process 

for Manufacturers 

To ensure that all polywrap 

manufacturers use the same criteria in 

meeting the new specifications, the 

Postal Service developed specification 

USPS–T–3204, Test Procedures for 

Automatable Polywrap Films. This 

specification describes exact test 

procedures and acceptable values for 

polywrap film characteristics. 

Independent testing laboratories may 

certify products for manufacturers who 

do not have the facilities or experience 

to conduct each of the test procedures 

in specification USPS–T–3204. The 

specification includes a list of 

laboratories experienced in conducting 

these tests. Customers may obtain the 

new test procedures by contacting USPS 

Engineering (see 608.8.1 for address) or 

on the USPS RIBBS Web site (http:// 

ribbs.usps.gov). Effective February 4, 

2007, manufacturers must submit a 

letter, on their letterhead, indicating the 

value for each of the specifications in 

3.5.1 for each polywrap film, to USPS 

Mailing Standards (see 608.8.1 for 

address). Manufacturers are encouraged 

to submit the certificate of conformance 

before February 4, 2007. When USPS 

receives the certificate of conformance, 

films with values meeting the standards 

will be listed on http://ribbs.usps.gov. 

Manufacturers should follow this 

process before submitting the letter 

certifying compliance with the 

specifications: 

a. Test each film according to 

procedures listed in USPS–T–3204, Test 

Procedures for Automatable Polywrap 

Films. 

b. Test each surface treatment 

separately. Manufacturers may test the 

thinnest film of one product with 

identical surface treatment and 

characteristics. If the thinnest film 

satisfactorily meets the characteristics 

after being tested, USPS will list the 

product as approved for all gauges of 

that product that also meet the gauge 

test. 

* * * * * 

Neva R. Watson, 

Attorney, Legislative. 

[FR Doc. 06–9979 Filed 1–4–07; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 7710–12–M 

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE 

National Oceanic and Atmospheric 

Administration 

50 CFR Part 648 

[Docket No. 051104293–5344–02; I.D. 

122806A] 

Fisheries of the Northeastern United 

States; Atlantic Bluefish Fishery; 

Quota Transfers 

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries 

Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 

Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), 

Commerce. 

ACTION: Temporary rule; inseason quota 

transfer. 

SUMMARY: NMFS announces that the 

Commonwealth of Massachusetts is 

transferring 20,000 lb (9,072 kg) of 

commercial bluefish quota to the State 

of Rhode Island from its 2006 quota. By 

this action, NMFS adjusts the quotas 

and announces the revised commercial 

quota for each state involved. 

DATES: Effective December 29, 2006 

through December 31, 2006, unless 

NMFS publishes a superseding 

document in the Federal Register. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Douglas Potts, Fishery Management 

Specialist, (978) 281–9341, fax (978) 

281–9135. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Regulations governing the Atlantic 

bluefish fishery are found at 50 CFR part 

648. The regulations require annual 

specification of a commercial quota that 

is apportioned among the coastal states 

from Florida through Maine. The 

process to set the annual commercial 

quota and the percent allocated to each 

state are described in § 648.160. 

Two or more states, under mutual 

agreement and with the concurrence of 

the Administrator, Northeast Region, 

NMFS (Regional Administrator), can 

transfer or combine bluefish commercial 

quota under § 648.160(f). The Regional 

Administrator is required to consider 

the criteria set forth in § 648.160(f)(1) in 

the evaluation of requests for quota 

transfers or combinations. 

Massachusetts has agreed to transfer 

20,000 lb (9,072 kg) of its 2006 

commercial quota to Rhode Island. The 

Regional Administrator has determined 

that the criteria set forth in 

§ 648.160(f)(1) have been met for each of 

these transfers. The revised quotas for 

calendar year 2006 are: Rhode Island, 

622,101 lb (282,180 kg) and 

Massachusetts, 514,823 lb (233,520 kg). 

Classification 

This action is taken under 50 CFR 

part 648 and is exempt from review 

under Executive Order 12866. 

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

Dated: December 28, 2006. 

Alan D. Risenhoover, 

Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, 

National Marine Fisheries Service. 

[FR Doc. 06–9994 Filed 12–29–06; 1:29 pm] 

BILLING CODE 3510–22–S 


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