63850 Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 232 / Wednesday, December 3, 1997 / Rules and Regulations

course, may have the program or course

approved only when the educational

institution meets the requirements of

§§ 21.4252(e), 21.4253, and 21.4279, as

applicable.

(The information collection requirements in

this section have been approved by the Office

of Management and Budget under control

number 2900–0575)

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3672(e))

(2) The application of an educational

institution for approval of a program of

education to be pursued exclusively by

correspondence or the correspondence

portion of a combined correspondenceresidence course must demonstrate that

the program or course is satisfactory in

all elements. The educational institution

must certify to the State approving

agency that at least 50 percent of those

pursuing the program or course require

six months or more to complete it. For

applications for approval that are

pending approval by the State

approving agency on February 2, 1995,

and for applications received by the

State approving agency after that date,

the required certification shall be based

on the experience of students who

completed the program or course during

the six-month period immediately

preceding the educational institution’s

application for approval.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3672(e))

(3) State approving agencies have the

authority to review periodically the

length of time needed to complete each

approved correspondence program or

approved correspondence-residence

course in order to determine whether

the program or course should continue

to be approved. In implementing this

authority, a State approving agency will

examine the results over a prior twoyear period reasonably related to the

date on which such a review is

conducted.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3672(e))

(b) Enrollment agreement. (1) An

educational institution offering a

program of education to be pursued

exclusively by correspondence must

enter into an enrollment agreement with

the veteran, spouse, surviving spouse, or

reservist who wishes to receive

educational assistance from VA while

pursuing the program. The enrollment

agreement shall disclose fully the

obligations of the institution and the

veteran, spouse, surviving spouse, or

reservist, and shall display in a

prominent place on the agreement the

conditions for affirmance, termination,

refund, and payment of the educational

assistance by VA.

(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b); 38 U.S.C.

3686(a)(1), 3686(b))

(2) A copy of the agreement shall be

given to the veteran, spouse, surviving

spouse, or reservist when it is signed.

(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b); 38 U.S.C.

3686(b))

(3) The agreement shall not be

effective unless the veteran, spouse,

surviving spouse, or reservist after the

expiration of 10 days after the

agreement is signed, shall have signed

and submitted to VA a written

statement, with a signed copy to the

institution, specifically affirming the

agreement.

(The information collection requirements in

this section have been approved by the Office

of Management and Budget under control

number 2900–0576)

(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b); 38 U.S.C.

3686(b))

(c) Mandatory refund policy. (1) Upon

notification of the educational

institution by the veteran, spouse,

surviving spouse, or reservist of an

intention not to affirm the enrollment

agreement, any fees paid by the

individual shall be returned promptly in

full to him or her.

(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b); 38 U.S.C.

3686(c))

(2) Upon termination of enrollment

under an affirmed enrollment agreement

for training in the accredited course by

the veteran, spouse, surviving spouse, or

reservist, without having completed any

lessons, a registration fee not in excess

of 10 percent of the tuition for the

course or $50, whichever is less, may be

charged him or her. When the

individual terminates the agreement

after completion of less than 25 percent

of the lessons of the course, the

institution may retain the registration

fee plus 25 percent of the tuition. When

the individual terminates the agreement

after completing 25 percent but less

than 50 percent of the lessons, the

institution may retain the registration

fee plus 50 percent of the tuition for the

course. If 50 percent or more of the

lessons are completed, no refund of

tuition is required.

(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b); 38 U.S.C.

3686(c))

(3) Where the school either has or

adopts an established policy for the

refund of the unused portion of tuition,

fees, and other charges subject to

proration, which is more favorable to

the veteran, spouse, surviving spouse, or

reservist than the pro rata basis as

provided in paragraph (b)(2) of this

section, such established policy will be

applicable.

(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b); 38 U.S.C.

3686(c))

(4) Any institution that fails to

forward any refund due to the veteran,

spouse, surviving spouse, or reservist

within 40 days after receipt of a notice

of termination or disaffirmance, shall be

deemed, prima facie, to have failed to

make a prompt refund as required by

this section.

(Authority: 10 U.S.C. 16136(b); 38 U.S.C.

3686(c))

3. In § 21.4279, paragraph (a)

introductory text and paragraph (a)(4)

are revised, and paragraph (a)(5) is

added, to read as follows:

§ 21.4279 Combination correspondenceresidence program.

(a) Requirements for pursuit. A

program of education may be pursued

partly in residence and partly by

correspondence for the attainment of a

predetermined and identified objective

under the following conditions:

* * * * *

(4) The educational institution

offering the course is accredited by an

agency recognized by the Secretary of

Education; and

(5) The State approving agency has

approved the correspondence-residence

course and has verified compliance with

the requirement of 38 U.S.C. 3672(e)

and § 21.4256(a) that at least 50 percent

of those pursuing the correspondenceresidence course require six months or

more to complete it.

(The information collection requirements in

this section have been approved by the Office

of Management and Budget under control

number 2900–0575.)

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3672(e))

* * * * *

[FR Doc. 97–31628 Filed 12–2–97; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 8320–01–P

POSTAL SERVICE

39 CFR Part 111

Domestic Mail Manual; Miscellaneous

Amendments

AGENCY: Postal Service.

ACTION: Final rule.

SUMMARY: This document describes the

numerous amendments consolidated in

the Transmittal Letter for Issue 53 of the

Domestic Mail Manual, which is

incorporated by reference in the Code of

Federal Regulations, see 39 CFR 111.1.

These amendments reflect changes in

mail preparation requirements and other

miscellaneous rules and regulations not

previously published in the Federal

Register.

EFFECTIVE DATE: January 1, 1998.
Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 232 / Wednesday, December 3, 1997 / Rules and Regulations 63851

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Patricia Bennett, (202) 268–6350.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The

Domestic Mail Manual (DMM),

incorporated by reference in title 39,

Code of Federal Regulations, part 111,

contains: the basic standards of the U.S.

Postal Service governing its domestic

mail services; descriptions of the mail

classes and special services and

conditions governing their use; and

standards for rate eligibility and mail

preparation. The document is amended

and republished about every 6 months,

with each issue sequentially numbered.

DMM Issue 53, the next edition of the

DMM, is scheduled for release on

January 1, 1998. That issue will include

changes in Preferred postage rates for

Periodicals and Standard Mail (A). The

final rule containing the rates for these

changes was published on July 25, 1997,

in the Federal Register (62 FR 39946–

39950), as approved on June 2, 1997, by

the Board of Governors pursuant to its

authority under 39 U.S.C. 3625(f), to

implement rate changes effective at

12:01 a.m. on October 5, 1997

(Resolution No. 97–9).

DMM Issue 53 will also include the

new weight limit for Bound Printed

Matter. The final rule to increase the

weight of Bound Printed Matter from 10

pounds to 15 pounds was published on

October 1, 1997, in the Federal Register

(62 FR 51372–51373), as approved on

September 8, 1997, by the Board of

Governors, to implement the Decision of

the Governors of the United States

Postal Service on the Recommended

Decision of the Postal Rate Commission

on the Classification Changes, Bound

Printed Matter, Docket No. MC97–3.

This weight increase takes effect at

12:01 a.m. on October 5, 1997.

DMM Issue 53 will include the

standards for the new Bulk Parcel

Return Service (BPRS) and Shipper Paid

Forwarding (SPF). BPRS, which takes

effect on October 12, 1997, lowers the

average cost of return service for

machinable parcels weighing less than 1

pound. SPF, which allows mailers to

pay forwarding postage directly through

the use of the tracking capabilities of the

existing electronic Address Change

Service, takes effect on January 4, 1998.

The new standards for BPRS and SPF

were published on October 15, 1997, in

the Federal Register (62 FR 53539–

53541) as approved on October 6, 1997,

by the Board of Governors on the

Recommended Decision of the Postal

Rate Commission in Docket No. MC97–

2.

The following excerpt from section

I010, Summary of Changes, of the

transmittal for DMM Issue 53 covers the

minor changes not previously described

in final rules or in other interim or final

rules published in the Federal Register.

Announcements of these minor changes

were first published in various issues of

the Postal Bulletin, an official biweekly

document published by the Postal

Service. In addition, the revised

contents of DMM Issue 53 are also

presented.

Domestic Mail Manual Issue 53

Summary of Changes

Consolidation of Processing of Form

3510

D230.3.11, D230.6.2, E214.3.2,

E214.3.4, E214.3.6, E214.3.7, E214.3.8,

E270.8.1 and E270.9.1 amend the

processing of Form 3510, Application

for Additional Entry, Reentry, or Special

Rate Request for Periodicals Publication.

In order to improve customer

satisfaction and to better utilize

resources, postal processing of Form

3510 is being consolidated at the

Memphis Rates and Classification

Service Center (RCSC). Effective October

9, 1997 (PB 21956 (10–09–97)).

Content Identifier Numbers

Exhibit M032.1.3a changes certain

international mail content identifier

numbers (CINs) for barcoded tray and

sack labels. Effective July 3, 1997 (PB

21949 (7–3–97)).

Envelopes and Pieces Sealed on All

Sides

C810.1.0 and C810.7.5 clarify

acceptable characteristics of automation

letter-size mailpieces. Effective October

23, 1997 (PB 21957 (10–23–97)).

Folded Self-Mailers—Additional

Options

C810.7.2 and C810.7.3 allow mailers

to prepare letter-size self-mailers with

the final fold positioned as the right side

(leading edge) of the piece and to claim

an automation rate. In addition, other

tabbing form designs for self-mailers

have been approved for automation

rates. Effective June 5, 1997 (PB 21947

(6–5–97)).

Labeling List Changes

L002, L003, L005, L601, L602, L603,

L604, and L801 are amended to reflect

changes in mail processing operations.

Effective July 3, 1997 (PB 21949 (7–3–

97)).

L002, L004, L005, L102, L601, L602,

L603, L604, L801, and L803 are

amended to reflect changes in mail

processing operations. Effective October

9, 1997 (PB 21956 (10–9–97)).

Non-Machinable Surcharge—Parcel

Post

E620.2.5 clarifies that a nonmachinable surcharge applies only to

certain listed pieces of Parcel Post if

pieces are mailed at the inter-BMC/ASF

Parcel Post rates and no special

handling fee is paid. Effective August

28, 1997 (PB 21953 (8–28–97)).

Post Office Box and Caller Service—

McLean, VA 22103 ZIP Code

Redesignated as Group C

Exhibit D910.5.3 and Exhibit D920.4.1

remove the entry ‘‘McLean, VA 22103’’

from the Group B category for post

office box service and caller service to

a Group C category. Effective June 8,

1997 (PB 21948 (6–19–97)).

Reusable Mailpieces—Optional

Preparation

C010.6.3 and C010.6.4 incorporate

optional preparation standards for

reusable mailpieces that originate as

permit imprint mailings. Effective

August 14, 1997 (PB 21952 (8–14–97)).

List of Subjects in 39 CFR Part 111

Postal Service.

In consideration of the foregoing, 39

CFR part 111 is amended as set forth

below:

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. The table at the end of § 111.3(f) is

amended by adding at the end thereof

a new entry to read as follows:

§ 111.3 Amendments to the Domestic Mail

Manual.

* * * * *

(e) * * *

Transmittal letter for issue Dated Federal Register publication

* * * * * * *

53 ........................................................................................................................... January 1, 1998 ................. 62 FR [INSERT PAGE NUMBER].
63852 Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 232 / Wednesday, December 3, 1997 / Rules and Regulations

3. Section 111.5 is revised to read as

follows:

§ 111.5 Contents of the Domestic Mail

Manual.

A—ADDRESSING

A000 Basic Addressing

A010 General Addressing Standards

A040 Alternative Addressing Formats

A060 Detached Address Labels (DALs)

A800 Addressing for Automation

A900 Customer Support

A910 Mailing List Services

A920 Address Sequencing Services

A930 Other Services

A950 Coding Accuracy Support System

(CASS)

C—CHARACTERISTICS AND CONTENT

C000 General Information

C010 General Mailability Standards

C020 Restricted or Nonmailable Articles

and Substances

C021 Articles and Substances Generally

C022 Perishables

C023 Hazardous Matter

C024 Other Restricted or Nonmailable

Matter

C030 Nonmailable Written, Printed, and

Graphic Matter

C031 Written, Printed, and Graphic

Matter Generally

C032 Sexually Oriented Advertisements

C033 Pandering Advertisements

C050 Mail Processing Categories

C100 First-Class Mail

C200 Periodicals

C500 Express Mail

C600 Standard Mail

C800 Automation-Compatible Mail

C810 Letters and Cards

C820 Flats

C830 OCR Standards

C840 Barcoding Standards

D—DEPOSIT, COLLECTION, AND

DELIVERY

D000 Basic Information

D010 Pickup Service

D020 Plant Load

D030 Recall of Mail

D040 Delivery of Mail

D041 Customer Mail Receptacles

D042 Conditions of Delivery

D070 Drop Shipment

D071 Express Mail and Priority Mail

D072 Metered Mail

D100 First-Class Mail

D200 Periodicals

D210 Basic Information

D230 Additional Entry

D500 Express Mail

D600 Standard Mail

D900 Other Delivery Services

D910 Post Office Box Service

D920 Caller Service

D930 General Delivery and Firm Holdout

E—ELIGIBILITY

E000 Special Eligibility Standards

E010 Overseas Military Mail

E020 Department of State Mail

E030 Mail Sent by U.S. Armed Forces

E040 Free Matter for the Blind and Other

Handicapped Persons

E050 Official Mail (Franked)

E060 Official Mail (Penalty)

E070 Mixed Classes

E080 Absentee Balloting Materials

E100 First-Class Mail

E110 Basic Standards

E120 Priority Mail

E130 Nonautomation Rates

E140 Automation Rates

E200 Periodicals

E210 Basic Standards

E211 All Periodicals

E212 Qualification Categories

E213 Periodicals Mailing Privileges

E214 Reentry

E215 Copies Not Paid or Requested by

Addressee

E216 Publisher Records

E230 Nonautomation Rates

E240 Automation Rates

E250 Destination Entry

E270 Preferred Periodicals

E500 Express Mail

E600 Standard Mail

E610 Basic Standards

E611 All Standard Mail

E612 Additional Standards for Standard

Mail (A)

E613 Additional Standards for Standard

Mail (B)

E620 Nonautomation Nonpresort Rates

E630 Nonautomation Presort Rates

E640 Automation Rates

E650 Destination Entry

E651 Regular, Nonprofit, and Enhanced

Carrier Route Standard Mail

E652 Parcel Post

E670 Nonprofit Standard Mail

F—FORWARDING AND RELATED

SERVICES

F000 Basic Services

F010 Basic Information

F020 Forwarding

F030 Address Correction, Address Change,

FASTforwardSM, and Return Services

G—GENERAL INFORMATION

G000 The USPS and Mailing Standards

G010 Basic Business Information

G011 Post Offices and Postal Services

G013 Trademarks and Copyrights

G020 Mailing Standards

G030 Postal Zones

G040 Information Resources

G041 Postal Business Centers

G042 Rates and Classification Service

Centers

G043 Address List for Correspondence

G090 Experimental Classifications and

Rates

G091 Barcoded Small Parcels

G092 Nonletter-Size Business Reply Mail

G900 Philatelic Services

L—LABELING LISTS

L000 General Use

L002 3-Digit ZIP Code Prefix Matrix

L003 3-Digit ZIP Code Prefix Groups—3-

Digit Scheme Sortation

L004 3-Digit ZIP Code Prefix Groups—ADC

Sortation

L005 3-Digit ZIP Code Prefix Groups—SCF

Sortation

L100 First-Class Mail

L102 ADCs—Presorted Priority Mail

L600 Standard Mail

L601 BMCs—Machinable Parcels

L602 BMCs—DBMC Rates

L603 ADCs—Irregular Parcels

L604 Originating ADCs—Irregular Parcels

L800 Automation Rate Mailings

L801 AADCs—Letter-Size Mailings

L802 BMC/ASF Entry—Periodicals and

Standard Mail (A)

L803 Non-BMC/ASF Entry—Periodicals

and Standard Mail (A)

M—MAIL PREPARATION AND

SORTATION

M000 General Preparation Standards

M010 Mailpieces

M011 Basic Standards

M012 Markings and Endorsements

M013 Optional Endorsement Lines

M014 Carrier Route Information Lines

M020 Packages and Bundles

M030 Containers

M031 Labels

M032 Barcoded Labels

M033 Sacks and Trays

M040 Pallets

M041 General Standards

M045 Palletized Mailings

M050 Delivery Sequence

M070 Mixed Classes

M071 Basic Information

M072 Express Mail and Priority Mail

Drop Shipment

M073 Combined Mailings of Standard

Mail Machinable Parcels

M074 Plant Load Mailings

M100 First-Class Mail (Nonautomation)

M120 Priority Mail

M130 Presorted First-Class Mail

M200 Periodicals (Nonautomation)

M500 Express Mail

M600 Standard Mail (Nonautomation)

M610 Single-Piece and Nonautomation

Standard Mail (A)

M620 Enhanced Carrier Route Standard

Mail

M630 Standard Mail (B)

M800 All Automation Mail

M810 Letter-Size Mail

M820 Flat-Size Mail

P—POSTAGE AND PAYMENT METHODS

P000 Basic Information

P010 General Standards

P011 Payment
Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 232 / Wednesday, December 3, 1997 / Rules and Regulations 63853

P012 Documentation

P013 Rate Application and Computation

P014 Refunds and Exchanges

P020 Postage Stamps and Stationery

P021 Stamped Stationery

P022 Adhesive Stamps

P023 Precanceled Stamps

P030 Postage Meters and Meter Stamps

P040 Permit Imprints

P070 Mixed Classes

P100 First-Class Mail

P200 Periodicals

P500 Express Mail

P600 Standard Mail

P700 Special Postage Payment Systems

P710 Manifest Mailing System (MMS)

P720 Optional Procedure (OP) Mailing

System

P730 Alternate Mailing Systems (AMS)

P750 Plant-Verified Drop Shipment (PVDS)

P760 First-Class or Standard Mail Mailings

With Different Payment Methods

R—RATES AND FEES

R000 Stamps and Stationery

R100 First-Class Mail

R200 Periodicals

R500 Express Mail

R600 Standard Mail

R900 Services

S—SPECIAL SERVICES

S000 Miscellaneous Services

S010 Indemnity Claims

S020 Money Orders and Other Services

S070 Mixed Classes

S500 Special Services for Express Mail

S900 Special Postal Services

S910 Security and Accountability

S911 Registered Mail

S912 Certified Mail

S913 Insured Mail

S914 Certificate of Mailing

S915 Return Receipt

S916 Restricted Delivery

S917 Return Receipt for Merchandise

S920 Convenience

S921 Collect on Delivery (COD) Mail

S922 Business Reply Mail (BRM)

S923 Merchandise Return Service

S924 Bulk Parcel Return Service

S930 Handling

I—INDEX INFORMATION

I000 Information

I010 Summary of Changes

I020 References

I021 Forms Glossary

I022 Subject Index

Stanley F. Mires,

Chief Counsel, Legislative.

[FR Doc. 97–31599 Filed 12–2–97; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 7710–12–P

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

AGENCY

40 CFR Part 80

[FRL–5931–3]

Petition by the Commonwealth of the

Northern Mariana Islands for

Exemption From Anti-Dumping and

Detergent Additization Requirements

for Conventional Gasoline

AGENCY: Environmental Protection

Agency.

ACTION: Notice of direct final decision.

SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection

Agency (‘‘EPA’’ or ‘‘the Agency’’) is

granting a petition by the

Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana

Islands (‘‘CNMI’’) for exemption from

the anti-dumping requirements for

gasoline sold in the United States after

January 1, 1995. This action is being

taken because of CNMI’s unique

geographic location and economic

factors. If the gasoline anti-dumping

exemption were not granted, CNMI

would be required to import gasoline

from a supplier meeting the antidumping requirements adding a

considerable expense to gasoline

purchased by the CNMI consumer.

CNMI is in full attainment with the

national ambient air quality standard for

ozone. This action is not expected to

cause harmful environmental effects to

the citizens of CNMI. EPA is not

granting CNMI’s petition for exemption

from the fuel detergent additization

requirements that all gasoline sold in

the U.S. after January 1, 1995 contain

fuel detergents. CNMI did not show that

these requirements were unreasonable

or infeasible due to any unique local

factors. The fuel detergent additization

requirements are designed to prevent

the build-up of deposits in gasoline

engines and fuel supply systems. By

controlling such desposits in CNMI’s

vehicles, harmful engine exhaust

emissions will be reduced.

This action is being taken as a direct

final decision because EPA believes that

this decision is noncontroversial. The

effects of this decision are limited to the

Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana

Islands.

DATES: This action will be effective on

February 2, 1998, unless the Agency

receives adverse or critical comments by

January 2, 1998. If the Agency receives

adverse comments, EPA will publish in

the Federal Register timely notice

withdrawing this action. In a separate

action published in the Federal Register

today, EPA is concurrently proposing

approval of CNMI’s petition for reasons

discussed in this document. All

correspondence should be directed to

the addresses shown below.

ADDRESSES: Any persons wishing to

submit comments should submit them

(in duplicate, if possible) to the two

dockets listed below, with a copy

forwarded to Marilyn Winstead McCall,

U. S. Environmental Protection Agency,

Fuels and Energy Division, 401 M

Street, S.W. (Mail Code: 6406J),

Washington, DC 20460.

Materials relevant to this petition are

available for inspection in public docket

A–96–11 at the Air Docket Office of the

EPA, room M–1500, 401 M Street, SW.,

Washington, DC 20460, (202) 260–7548,

between the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 5:30

p.m. Monday through Friday. A

duplicate public docket, A–NM–96 has

been established at U.S. EPA Region IX,

75 Hawthorne Street, (Mail Code: A–2–

1), 17th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94105,

(415) 744–1225, and is available

between the hours of 8:30 a.m. to noon,

and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through

Friday. As provided in 40 CFR part 2,

a reasonable fee may be charged for

copying services.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Marilyn Winstead McCall at (202) 564–

9029.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

A. Regulated Entities

Entities potentially affected by this

action are those involved with the

production, distribution, and sale of

conventional gasoline and gasoline

detergent additives for gasoline used in

CNMI. Regulated categories and entities

include:

Category Examples of regulated entities

Industry Gasoline refiners and importers,

gasoline terminals, detergent

blenders, gasoline truckers, gasoline retailers and wholesale

purchaser-consumers.

This table is not intended to be

exhaustive, but rather provides a guide

for readers regarding entities likely to be

affected by this action. This table lists

the types of entities that EPA is now

aware could potentially be affected by

this decision. Other types of entities not

listed could also be affected. To

determine whether your organization is

affected by this decision, you should

carefully examine the applicability

requirements in § 80.90, § 80.125, and

§ 80.161, Subparts E, F, and G of title 40

of the Code of Federal Regulations

(CFR). If you have any questions

regarding the applicability of this action

to a particular entity, consult the person