61034 Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 202 / Thursday, October 20, 2005 / Rules and Regulations 

because it does not have a substantial 

direct effect on one or more Indian 

tribes, on the relationship between the 

Federal Government and Indian tribes, 

or on the distribution of power and 

responsibilities between the Federal 

Government and Indian tribes. 

Energy Effects 

We have analyzed this rule under 

Executive Order 13211, Actions 

Concerning Regulations That 

Significantly Affect Energy Supply, 

Distribution, or Use. We have 

determined that it is not a ‘‘significant 

energy action’’ under that order because 

it is not a ‘‘significant regulatory action’’

under Executive Order 12866 and is not 

likely to have a significant adverse effect 

on the supply, distribution, or use of 

energy. The Administrator of the Office 

of Information and Regulatory Affairs 

has not designated it as a significant 

energy action. Therefore, it does not 

require a Statement of Energy Effects 

under Executive Order 13211. 

Technical Standards 

The National Technology Transfer 

and Advancement Act (NTTAA) (15 

U.S.C. 272 note) directs agencies to use 

voluntary consensus standards in their 

regulatory activities unless the agency 

provides Congress, through the Office of 

Management and Budget, with an 

explanation of why using these 

standards would be inconsistent with 

applicable law or otherwise impractical. 

Voluntary consensus standards are 

technical standards (e.g., specifications 

of materials, performance, design, or 

operation; test methods; sampling 

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, 

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 (34)(h), of the 

Instruction, from further environmental 

documentation. Special local 

regulations issued in conjunction with a 

regatta or marine event permit are 

specifically excluded from further 

analysis and documentation under those 

sections. Under figure 2–1, paragraph 

(34)(h), 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 100 

Marine safety, Navigation (water), 

Reporting and recordkeeping 

requirements, Waterways. 

■ For the reasons discussed in the 

preamble, the Coast Guard amends 33 

CFR part 100 as follows: 

PART 100—SAFETY OF LIFE ON 

NAVIGABLE WATERS 

■ 1. The authority citation for part 100 

continues to read as follows: 

Authority: 33 U.S.C. 1233, Department of 

Homeland Security Delegation No. 0170.1. 

■ 2. Add temporary § 100.35–T05–098 

to read as follows: 

§ 100.35–T05–098, Willoughby Bay, 

Norfolk, Virginia. 

(a) Regulated area. The regulated area 

is established for the waters of 

Willoughby Bay contained within the 

following coordinates: 

Latitude Longitude 

36°58′36.0′′ North 076°18′42.0′′ West 

36°58′00.0′′ North 076°18′00.0′′ West 

36°57′49.0′′ North 076°18′14.0′′ West 

36°57′36.0′′ North 076°17′55.0′′ West 

36°57′26.0′′ North 076°18′06.0′′ West 

36°58′15.0′′ North 076°19′08.0′′ West 

36°58′36.0′′ North 076°18′42.0′′ West 

All coordinates reference Datum NAD 

1983. 

(b) Definitions: (1) Coast Guard Patrol 

Commander means a commissioned, 

warrant, or petty officer of the Coast 

Guard who has been designated by the 

Commander, Coast Guard Sector 

Hampton Roads. 

(2) Official Patrol means any vessel 

assigned or approved by Commander, 

Coast Guard Sector Hampton Roads 

with a commissioned, warrant, or petty 

officer on board and displaying a Coast 

Guard ensign. 

(3) Participant includes all vessels 

participating in the Hampton Roads 

Sailboard Classic under the auspices of 

the Marine Event Permit issued to the 

event sponsor and approved by 

Commander, Coast Guard Sector 

Hampton Roads. 

(c) Special Local Regulations: (1) 

Except for persons or vessels authorized 

by the Coast Guard Patrol Commander, 

no person or vessel may enter or remain 

in the regulated area. 

(2) The operator of any vessel in the 

regulated area must: 

(i) Stop the vessel immediately when 

directed to do so by any Official Patrol 

and then proceed only as directed. 

(ii) All persons and vessels shall 

comply with the instructions of the 

Official Patrol. 

(iii) When authorized to transit the 

regulated area, all vessels shall proceed 

at the minimum speed necessary to 

maintain a safe course that minimizes 

wake near the race course. 

(d) Enforcement period. This section 

will be enforced from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

on October 29 and 30, 2005. 

Dated: October 11, 2005. 

S. Ratti, 

Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Commander, Fifth 

Coast Guard District, Acting. 

[FR Doc. 05–21017 Filed 10–19–05; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–15–P 

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND 

SECURITY 

Coast Guard 

33 CFR Part 100 

[CGD05–05–104] 

RIN 1625–AA08 

Special Local Regulations for Marine 

Events; Spa Creek, Annapolis, MD 

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS. 

ACTION: Final rule. 

SUMMARY: On September 1, 2005, the 

Coast Guard published a notice of 

proposed rulemaking (NPRM) in the 

Federal Register requesting public 

comments regarding establishment of 

permanent special local regulations for 

‘‘Tug-of-War’’, a marine event 

conducted over the waters of Spa Creek 

between Eastport and Annapolis, 

Maryland. These special local 

regulations are necessary to provide for 

the safety of life on navigable waters 

during the event. This action is 

intended to restrict vessel traffic in 

portions of Spa Creek during the event. 

DATES: Effective October 20, 2005. For 

2005 only, this rule is enforced from 

9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. on October 29, 

2005. Thereafter, this rule will be 

enforced annually from 10:30 a.m. to 

2:30 p.m. on the first Saturday in 

November. 

ADDRESSES: Comments and material 

received from the public, as well as 

documents indicated in this preamble as 

being available in the docket, are part of 

docket CGD05–05–104 and are available 

for inspection or copying at Commander 

(oax), Fifth Coast Guard District, 431 

Crawford Street, Portsmouth, Virginia 

Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 202 / Thursday, October 20, 2005 / Rules and Regulations 61035 

23704–5004, between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m., 

Monday through Friday, except Federal 

holidays. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Dennis M. Sens, Project Manager, 

Auxiliary and Recreational Boating 

Safety Branch, at (757) 398–6204. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Regulatory Information 

On September 1, 2005, we published 

a notice of proposed rulemaking 

(NPRM) entitled ‘‘Special Local 

Regulations for Marine Events; Spa 

Creek, Annapolis, MD’’ in the Federal 

Register (70 FR 52054). We received no 

letters commenting on the proposed 

rule. The Coast Guard did receive 

telephonic comments from the 

Annapolis Harbormaster. No public 

meeting was requested, and none was 

held. 

Under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3), the Coast 

Guard finds that good cause exists for 

making this rule effective less than 30 

days after publication in the Federal 

Register. Delaying its effective date 

would be contrary to public interest, 

since immediate action is needed to 

protect event participations, spectator 

craft and other vessels transiting the 

event area. However advance 

notifications will be made to affected 

waterway users via marine information 

broadcasts, local radio stations and area 

newspapers. 

Background and Purpose 

On October 29, 2005, the City of 

Annapolis will sponsor the ‘‘Tug-ofWar’’, across the waters of Spa Creek 

between Eastport and Annapolis, 

Maryland. The event will consist of a 

tug of war between teams on the 

Eastport side of Spa Creek pulling 

against teams on the Annapolis side of 

Spa Creek. The opposing teams will pull 

a floating rope approximately 1700 feet 

in length, spanning Spa Creek. A fleet 

of spectator vessels is anticipated to 

gather nearby to view the competition. 

Due to the need for vessel control while 

the rope is spanned across Spa Creek, 

vessel traffic will be temporarily 

restricted to provide for the safety of 

participants, spectators and transiting 

vessels. 

Discussion of Comments and Changes 

One comment was received in 

response to the notice of proposed 

rulemaking (NPRM) published in the 

Federal Register. 

The Coast Guard received comment 

from the Annapolis, MD Harbormaster 

that recommended a change in the times 

of the event scheduled for October 29, 

2005 than previously announced in the 

notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) 

that was published on September 1, 

2005. This final rule will change the 

time of the special local regulations. For 

2005 only, this special local regulation 

will be enforced from 9:30 a.m. until 12 

p.m. on October 29, 2005. 

The Coast Guard has modified the 

time of the event to accommodate local 

waterway users. Accordingly, the Coast 

Guard is establishing permanent special 

local regulations on specified waters of 

Spa Creek. The regulated area will 

include a 400 foot buffer on either side 

of the rope that spans Spa Creek from 

shoreline to shoreline. 

This rule will be enforced annually 

from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on the first 

Saturday in November and will restrict 

general navigation in the regulated area 

during the event. Except for participants 

and vessels authorized by the Coast 

Guard Patrol Commander, no person or 

vessel shall enter or remain in the 

regulated area. The Coast Guard Patrol 

Commander may stop the event to allow 

vessels to transit the regulated area. 

For 2005 only, the enforcement period 

of the regulation will be changed from 

the first Saturday in November to the 

last Saturday in October. 

Regulatory Evaluation 

This rule is not a ‘‘significant 

regulatory action’’ under section 3(f) of 

Executive Order 12866, Regulatory 

Planning and Review, and does not 

require an assessment of potential costs 

and benefits under section 6(a)(3) of that 

Order. The Office of Management and 

Budget has not reviewed it under that 

Order. It is not ‘‘significant’’ under the 

regulatory policies and procedures of 

the Department of Homeland Security 

(DHS). 

We expect the economic impact of 

this permanent rule to be so minimal 

that a full Regulatory Evaluation under 

the regulatory policies and procedures 

of DHS is unnecessary. 

Although this regulation prevents 

traffic from transiting a segment of Spa 

Creek during the event, the impact of 

this regulation will not be significant 

due to the limited duration that the 

regulated area will be in effect and the 

extensive advance notifications that will 

be made to the maritime community via 

marine information broadcasts, local 

radio stations and area newspapers so 

mariners can adjust their plans 

accordingly. 

Small Entities 

Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act 

(5 U.S.C. 601–612), we have considered 

whether this rule would have a 

significant economic impact on a 

substantial number of small entities. 

The term ‘‘small entities’’ comprises 

small businesses, not-for-profit 

organizations that are independently 

owned and operated and are not 

dominant in their fields, and 

governmental jurisdictions with 

populations of less than 50,000. 

The Coast Guard certifies under 5 

U.S.C. 605(b) that this rule will not have 

a significant economic impact on a 

substantial number of small entities. 

This rule will affect the following 

entities, some of which may be small 

entities: The owners or operators of 

vessels intending to transit this section 

of Spa Creek during the event. 

This rule will not have a significant 

economic impact on a substantial 

number of small entities for the 

following reasons. This rule will be in 

effect for only a short period, from 9:30 

a.m. to 12 p.m. on October 29, 2005, and 

annually thereafter from 10:30 a.m. to 

2:30 p.m. on the first Saturday in 

November. Although the regulated area 

will apply to the entire width of Spa 

Creek, traffic may be allowed to pass 

through the regulated area with the 

permission of the Coast Guard Patrol 

Commander. Before the enforcement 

period, we will issue maritime 

advisories so mariners can adjust their 

plans accordingly. 

Assistance for Small Entities 

Under section 213(a) of the Small 

Business Regulatory Enforcement 

Fairness Act of 1996 (Pub. L. 104–121), 

we offered to assist small entities in 

understanding the rule so that they 

could better evaluate its effects on them 

and participate in the rulemaking 

process. If the rule would affect your 

small business, organization, or 

governmental jurisdiction and you have 

questions concerning its provisions or 

options for compliance, please contact 

the address listed under ADDRESSES. The 

Coast Guard will not retaliate against 

small entities that question or complain 

about this rule or any policy or action 

of the Coast Guard. 

Small businesses may send comments 

on the actions of Federal employees 

who enforce, or otherwise determine 

compliance with, Federal regulations to 

the Small Business and Agriculture 

Regulatory Enforcement Ombudsman 

and the Regional Small Business 

Regulatory Fairness Boards. The 

Ombudsman evaluates these actions 

annually and rates each agency’s 

responsiveness to small business. If you 

wish to comment on actions by 

employees of the Coast Guard, call 1–

888–REG–FAIR (1–888–734–3247). 

Collection of Information 

This rule calls for no new collection 

of information under the Paperwork 

61036 Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 202 / Thursday, October 20, 2005 / Rules and Regulations 

Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501–

3520). 

Federalism 

A rule has implications for federalism 

under Executive Order 13132, 

Federalism, if it has a substantial direct 

effect on State or local governments and 

would either preempt State law or 

impose a substantial direct cost of 

compliance on them. We have analyzed 

this rule under that Order and have 

determined that it does not have 

implications for federalism. 

Unfunded Mandates Reform Act 

The Unfunded Mandates Reform Act 

of 1995 (2 U.S.C. 1531–1538) requires 

Federal agencies to assess the effects of 

their discretionary regulatory actions. In 

particular, the Act addresses actions 

that may result in the expenditure by a 

State, local, or tribal government, in the 

aggregate, or by the private sector of 

$100,000,000 or more in any one year. 

Though this rule will not result in such 

an expenditure, we do discuss the 

effects of this rule elsewhere in this 

preamble. 

Taking of Private Property 

This rule will not effect a taking of 

private property or otherwise have 

taking implications under Executive 

Order 12630, Governmental Actions and 

Interference with Constitutionally 

Protected Property Rights. 

Civil Justice Reform 

This rule meets applicable standards 

in sections 3(a) and 3(b)(2) of Executive 

Order 12988, Civil Justice Reform, to 

minimize litigation, eliminate 

ambiguity, and reduce burden. 

Protection of Children 

We have analyzed this rule under 

Executive Order 13045, Protection of 

Children from Environmental Health 

Risks and Safety Risks. This rule is not 

an economically significant rule and 

does not create an environmental risk to 

health or risk to safety that may 

disproportionately affect children. 

Indian Tribal Governments 

This rule does not have tribal 

implications under Executive Order 

13175, Consultation and Coordination 

with Indian Tribal Governments, 

because it does not have a substantial 

direct effect on one or more Indian 

tribes, on the relationship between the 

Federal Government and Indian tribes, 

or on the distribution of power and 

responsibilities between the Federal 

Government and Indian tribes. 

Energy Effects 

We have analyzed this rule under 

Executive Order 13211, Actions 

Concerning Regulations That 

Significantly Affect Energy Supply, 

Distribution, or Use. We have 

determined that it is not a ‘‘significant 

energy action’’ under that order because 

it is not a ‘‘significant regulatory action’’

under Executive Order 12866 and is not 

likely to have a significant adverse effect 

on the supply, distribution, or use of 

energy. The Administrator of the Office 

of Information and Regulatory Affairs 

has not designated it as a significant 

energy action. Therefore, it does not 

require a Statement of Energy Effects 

under Executive Order 13211. 

Technical Standards 

The National Technology Transfer 

and Advancement Act (NTTAA) (15 

U.S.C. 272 note) directs agencies to use 

voluntary consensus standards in their 

regulatory activities unless the agency 

provides Congress, through the Office of 

Management and Budget, with an 

explanation of why using these 

standards would be inconsistent with 

applicable law or otherwise impractical. 

Voluntary consensus standards are 

technical standards (e.g., specifications 

of materials, performance, design, or 

operation; test methods; sampling 

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, 

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 (34)(h), of the 

Instruction, from further environmental 

documentation. Special local 

regulations issued in conjunction with a 

regatta or marine event permit are 

specifically excluded from further 

analysis and documentation under those 

sections. Under figure 2–1, paragraph 

(34)(h), 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 100 

Marine safety, Navigation (water), 

Reporting and recordkeeping 

requirements, Waterways. 

■ For the reasons discussed in the 

preamble, the Coast Guard amends 33 

CFR part 100 as follows: 

PART 100—SAFETY OF LIFE ON 

NAVIGABLE WATERS 

■ 1. The authority citation for part 100 

continues to read as follows: 

Authority: 33 U.S.C. 1233, Department of 

Homeland Security Delegation No. 0170.1. 

■ 2. Add § 100.534 to read as follows: 

§ 100.534, Tug-of-War; Spa Creek, 

Annapolis, Maryland. 

(a) Regulated area. A regulated area is 

established for the waters of Spa Creek 

from shoreline to shoreline, extending 

400 feet from either side of a rope 

spanning Spa Creek from a position at 

latitude 38°58′36.9′′ N, longitude 

076°29′03.8′′ W on the Annapolis 

shoreline to a position at latitude 

38°58′26.4′′ N, longitude 076°28′53.7′′ W 

on the Eastport shoreline. All 

coordinates reference Datum NAD 1983. 

(b) Definitions: (1) Coast Guard Patrol 

Commander means a commissioned, 

warrant, or petty officer of the Coast 

Guard who has been designated by the 

Commander, Coast Guard Sector 

Baltimore. 

(2) Official Patrol means any vessel 

assigned or approved by Commander, 

Coast Guard Sector Baltimore with a 

commissioned, warrant, or petty officer 

on board and displaying a Coast Guard 

ensign. 

(3) Participant means all vessels 

participating in the ‘‘Tug of War’’ under 

the auspices of the Marine Event Permit 

issued to the event sponsor and 

approved by Commander, Coast Guard 

Sector Baltimore. 

(c) Special Local Regulations: (1) No 

person or vessel may enter or remain in 

the regulated area unless participating 

in the event or authorized by the Patrol 

Commander. The Patrol Commander 

may intermittently authorize general 

navigation to pass through the regulated 

area. Notice of these opportunities will 

be given via marine safety radio 

broadcast on VHF–FM marine band 

radio, channel 16 (156.8 MHz) and 

channel 22 (157.1 MHz). 

(2) The operator of any vessel in the 

regulated area must: 

(i) Stop the vessel immediately when 

directed to do so by any Official Patrol 

and then proceed only as directed. 

(ii) All persons and vessels shall 

comply with the instructions of the 

Official Patrol. 

Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 202 / Thursday, October 20, 2005 / Rules and Regulations 61037 

(iii) When authorized to transit the 

regulated area, all vessels shall proceed 

at the minimum speed necessary to 

maintain a safe course. 

(d) Enforcement period. This section 

will be enforced annually from 10:30 

a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on the first Saturday 

in November. In 2005 the section will be 

enforced from 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. on 

October 29, instead of the first Saturday 

in November. 

Dated: October 11, 2005. 

S. Ratti, 

Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Commander, Fifth 

Coast Guard District, Acting. 

[FR Doc. 05–21018 Filed 10–19–05; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–15–P 

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION 

34 CFR Parts 668, 674, 682, and 685 

Federal Student Aid Programs 

(Student Assistance General 

Provisions, Federal Perkins Loan 

Program, Federal Direct Loan Program, 

Federal Family Education Loan 

Program) 

AGENCY: Office of Postsecondary 

Education, Department of Education. 

ACTION: Notice extending the expiration 

date for the waivers and modifications 

of statutory and regulatory provisions 

pursuant to the Higher Education Relief 

Opportunities for Students (HEROES) 

Act of 2003, Public Law 108–76. 

SUMMARY: We extend the expiration date 

for the waivers and modifications of 

statutory and regulatory provisions 

issued by the Secretary pursuant to the 

HEROES Act of 2003 and announced in 

a notice published in the Federal 

Register on December 12, 2003 (68 FR 

69312). 

EFFECTIVE DATE: September 30, 2005. 

The waivers and modifications 

announced in the December 12, 2003 

Federal Register notice expire on 

September 30, 2007. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Wendy Macias, Office of Postsecondary 

Education, U.S. Department of 

Education, 1990 K Street, NW., room 

8017, Washington, DC 20006–8544. 

Telephone: (202) 502–7526 or by e-mail: 

wendy.macias@ed.gov. 

If you use a telecommunications 

device for the deaf (TDD), you may call 

the Federal Relay Service (FRS) at 1–

800–877–8339. 

Individuals with disabilities may 

obtain this document in an alternative 

format (e.g., Braille, large print, 

audiotape, or computer diskette) on 

request to the program contact person 

listed in this section. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In 

accordance with the requirements of the 

HEROES Act of 2003, on December 12, 

2003, the Secretary announced in a 

notice published in the Federal 

Register, the waivers or modifications of 

statutory or regulatory provisions that 

were appropriate to assist individuals 

who are applicants and recipients of 

student financial assistance under Title 

IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, 

as amended (HEA), and who—

• Are serving on active duty during a 

war or other military operation or 

national emergency; 

• Are performing qualifying National 

Guard duty during a war or other 

military operation or national 

emergency; 

• Reside or are employed in an area 

that is declared a disaster area by any 

Federal, State, or local official in 

connection with a national emergency; 

or 

• Suffered direct economic hardship 

as a direct result of a war or other 

military operation or national 

emergency, as determined by the 

Secretary. 

Under the terms of the HEROES Act 

of 2003, these waivers and 

modifications were scheduled to expire 

on September 30, 2005. However, on 

September 30, 2005, the President 

signed into law Pub. L. 109–78, which 

extended the expiration date of the 

HEROES Act of 2003, from September 

30, 2005 to September 30, 2007. As a 

result, we are extending the waivers and 

modifications announced in the 

December 12, 2003, Federal Register 

notice through September 30, 2007. 

Electronic Access to This Document: 

You may view this document, as well as 

all other documents of this Department 

published in the Federal Register, in 

text or Adobe Portable Document 

Format (PDF) on the Internet at the 

following site: http://www.ed.gov/news/ 

fedregister. 

To use PDF you must have Adobe 

Acrobat Reader, which is available free 

at this site. If you have questions about 

using PDF, call the U.S. Government 

Printing Office (GPO), toll free, at 1–

888–293–6498; or in the Washington, 

DC, area at (202) 512–1530. 

Note: The official version of this document 

is the document published in the Federal 

Register. Free Internet access to the official 

edition of the Federal Register and the code 

of Federal Regulations is available on GPO 

Access at: http://www.gpoaccess.gov/nara/ 

index.htm1. 

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance 

Numbers: 84.007 Federal Supplemental 

Educational Opportunity Grant Program; 

84.032 Federal Family Education Loan 

Program; 84.032 Federal PLUS Program; 

84.033 Federal Work Study Program; 84.038 

Federal Perkins Loan Program; and 84.268 

William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan 

Program. 

Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1071, 1082, 

1087a, 1087aa, Pub. L. 108–76, Pub. L. 109–

78. 

Dated: October 14, 2005. 

Sally L. Stroup, 

Assistant Secretary for Postsecondary 

Education. 

[FR Doc. 05–21012 Filed 10–19–05; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4000–01–P 

POSTAL SERVICE 

39 CFR Part 111 

Address Visibility on Bundles of FlatSize and Irregular Parcel Mail 

AGENCY: Postal Service. 

ACTION: Final rule. 

SUMMARY: The Postal ServiceTM is 

adopting new mailing standards to 

ensure that address and presort 

information on bundles of flat-size and 

irregular parcel mail remains visible and 

readable during processing. The new 

standards apply only to bundles of 

Periodicals, Standard Mail, and Package 

Services mail intended for processing 

on our Automated Package Processing 

System equipment. 

EFFECTIVE DATE: October 27, 2005. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bill 

Chatfield, Mailing Standards, U.S. 

Postal Service, at (202) 268–7278 or 

Susan Hawes, Operational 

Requirements and Integration, U.S. 

Postal Service, at (202) 268–8980. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background 

The Postal Service uses automated 

equipment whenever possible to reduce 

mail processing costs and help maintain 

stable postage rates. Our new 

Automated Package Processing System 

(APPS) for bundles of flat-size and 

irregular parcel mail has optical 

character reader (OCR) technology, 

enabling it to read delivery information 

and process mail more efficiently. APPS 

will replace many of our small parcel 

and bundle sorters. 

We published a proposed rule in the 

Federal Register on September 2, 2004 

(69 FR 53666), concerning address 

visibility on bundles of flat-size and 

irregular parcel mail. Our proposed rule 

included the following changes in 

mailing standards for bundles of 

Periodicals, Standard Mail, and Package 

Services mailpieces intended for 

processing on APPS equipment: