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.

Proposed Rules Federal Register

35687

Vol. 61, No. 131

Monday, July 8, 1996

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Grain Inspection, Packers and

Stockyards Administration

7 CFR Part 868

RIN 0580–AA48

Fees for Commodity Inspection

AGENCY: Grain Inspection, Packers and

Stockyards Administration, USDA.

ACTION: Proposed rule.

SUMMARY: The Federal Grain Inspection

Service (FGIS), a program of the Grain

Inspection, Packers and Stockyards

Administration (GIPSA), is proposing to

make the following changes to fees

charged for inspection services for

commodities, other than rice, performed

under the Agricultural Marketing Act of

1946: Increase hourly and unit fees;

charge actual travel and per diem costs;

charge for sanitation inspections, preinspection conferences, and related

services; establish hourly fees at time

and one-half for service provided on

Saturdays, Sundays, and Federal

holidays; eliminate the provisions for

entering into a contract for service; and

change in the fee structure for stowage

examinations from an hourly rate to a

unit fee.

These revisions are designed to

generate revenue sufficient to cover, as

nearly as practicable, the projected

operating costs, including related

supervisory and administrative costs,

for commodity inspection services

rendered and to maintain an appropriate

operating reserve.

DATES: Written comments must be

submitted on or before August 7, 1996.

ADDRESSES: Written comments must be

submitted to George Wollam, USDA–

GIPSA–ART, Room 0623—South

Building, 1400 Independence Avenue,

SW., Washington, DC 20090–6454, or

FAX (202) 720–4628. Comments may be

sent by electronic mail or Internet to:

gwollam@fgis.usda.gov.

All comments received will be

available for public inspection during

regular business hours in Room 062—

South Building, 1400 Independence

Avenue, SW., Washington, DC (7 CFR

1.27(b)).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

George Wollam at the address above or

by telephone at (202) 720–0292.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Executive Order 12866

This rule has been determined to be

significant for the purposes of Executive

Order 12866 and, therefore, has been

reviewed by the Office of Management

and Budget. The five changes being

proposed are designed to generate

revenue sufficient to recover the

operating costs for commodity

inspection services and to maintain an

appropriate operating reserve. FGIS is

proposing the following changes: (1)

Increase in the hourly and unit fees for

commodity inspection services, (2)

begin charging actual travel costs for

airlines, rental cars, etc. and per diem

for travel beyond 25 miles of an official

assigned duty location, (3) begin

charging for sanitation inspections, preinspection conferences, and related

services, (4) establish new hourly fees at

time and one-half for service provided

on Saturdays, Sundays, and Federal

holidays, (5) eliminate the provisions

for entering into a contract for service;

and (6) change in the fee structure for

stowage examinations from an hourly

rate to a unit fee.

Fees for commodity inspection

services were last increased on June 28,

1984 (49 FR 26547). For nearly 10 years,

the 1984 fee schedule sufficiently

recovered operating expenses and

maintained a minimum 3-month

operating reserve. However, by fiscal

year (FY) 95, increased operating costs

coupled with reductions in the number

of services requested rendered the 1984

fee schedule inadequate for generating

sufficient revenue to cover operating

expenses. The operating reserve, which

has been funding losses to the

commodity inspection program for the

past 4 years, was drawn down to the

minimum 3-month operating reserve.

Given these conditions, the

Administrator of GIPSA determined that

a fee necessary to meet rising costs and

maintain an adequate reserve balance.

Executive Order 12778

This proposed rule has been reviewed

under Executive Order 12778, Civil

Justice Reform. It is not intended to

have a retroactive effect, nor will this

proposed rule preempt any State or

local laws, regulations, or policies

unless they present irreconcilable

conflict with this rule. No

administrative procedures must be

exhausted prior to any judicial

challenge to provisions of this rule.

Regulatory Flexibility Act Certification

James R. Baker, Administrator,

GIPSA, has determined that this

proposed rule will not have a significant

economic impact on a substantial

number of small entities as defined in

the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C.

601 et seq.) because most users of the

commodity inspection services do not

meet the requirements for small entities.

In addition, FGIS is required by statute

to recover the costs of commodity

inspection services, as nearly as

practicable.

Information Collection and Record

Keeping Requirements

In compliance with the Paperwork

Reduction Act of 1980 (44 U.S.C.

Chapter 35), the previously approved

information collection and

recordkeeping requirements for

applications for inspection services,

including official commodity

inspections, have been approved by the

Office of Management and Budget under

control number 0580–0013.

Background

The commodity inspection fees were

last amended effective June 28, 1984 (49

FR 26547). These fees were to cover, as

nearly as practicable, the operating costs

for the program. They presently appear

in § 868.90, Tables 1 and 2, of the

regulations (7 CFR 868.90, Tables 1 and

2).

The majority of processed commodity

inspections performed under the

Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 are

on purchases made by the Farm Service

Agency (FSA) formerly Agricultural Soil

Conservation Service. Historically,

approximately 92 percent of the services

performed have been for FSA purchases.

Defense Personnel Support Center

(DPSC) inspections account for

approximately 2 percent of the

inspections; the remaining 6 percent are

performed under nongovernment

contracts. Approximately 65 percent of

graded commodity inspections are for

government purchases, and the
35688 Federal Register / Vol. 61, No. 131 / Monday, July 8, 1996 / Proposed Rules

remaining 35 percent are for commercial

sales.

Several actions have caused a general

decrease in the number of inspections

performed for both graded and

processed commodities. Beginning in

FY 92, FSA commodity purchases began

to decline as a result of the success of

a market-oriented farm program that

virtually eliminated government-owned

commodity grain stocks and, in turn, the

portion of processed commodities

derived from these stocks. In addition,

in FY 94, responsibility for inspecting

many products for DPSC was transferred

from FGIS to AMS.

Processed commodities comprise

approximately 90 percent of the

program’s revenue. In FY 91, FGIS

inspected 26,218 lots. By FY 92, the

number of inspected lots dropped to

24,004; in FY 93, 17,494 lots were

inspected; and FY 94 saw a slight

increase to 19,664. In FY 95, however,

the total again decreased to 15,065, or a

43 percent reduction from the number

of lots inspected in FY 91.

Corresponding decreases have also been

experienced for graded commodities.

Revenue collected in FY 91 totaled

$6,562,940 and operating costs totaled

$5,987,299 for a positive margin of

$575,570. Revenue in FY 92 dropped to

$5,158,903 due to the decrease in

inspections and resulted in a $179,396

loss to the program. Losses were

incurred in each of the following years:

$1,184,602 in FY 93, $764,865 in FY 94,

and $1,456,944 in FY 95. At the same

time, FGIS reduced operating costs for

the program from $5,987,370 in FY 91

to $5,468,059 in FY 95.

FGIS maintains an operating reserve

specifically to cover the cost of shutting

down the program in case of an

emergency. Agency policy is to

maintain the reserve at a level equal to

3 months operating expenses. In FY 91,

the reserve was $4,942,934, which

represented 10 months of operating

costs. The loss of $179,396 in FY 92 was

covered by this reserve.

In FY 92, FGIS reviewed the

program’s operating reserve to

determine if the fund was being

maintained at an adequate level. The

Agency determined that, while the level

exceeded the three-month reserve

minimum, it would not be prudent to

decrease the reserve because of

anticipated downturns in the number of

service requests and the consequent

need to cover program losses while

restructuring the program.

Again in FY 93, the $1,184,602 loss

was covered by the reserve, which was

drawn down to a year-end total of

$3,889,429. Even with the loss, the fund

still represented an 8.5 month reserve.

By FY 94, the reserve had dropped to

$3,173,033, or the equivalent of 7

months’ operating costs. The losses

incurred in FY 95 reduced the margin

to $1,716,090, which is a 3.2 month

reserve and represents the target level

for the fund.

In FY 94, FGIS responded to the

decline in services requests by initiating

a field restructuring plan that continued

into FY 95. During this time period,

three field offices and one suboffice that

were directly involved with providing

services were closed and consolidated.

This eliminated the cost of maintaining

a field office and streamlined overall

operations. On two separate occasions,

retirement incentives (buyouts) were

offered to employees which reduced the

staffing levels in this program. Other

personnel were transferred to field

offices and redirected to other programs.

In FY 91, approximately 103 staff years

where devoted to this program. By FY

95, the staffing level had been reduced

by 35 percent to 67 staff years. The FY

95 level of 15,065 services performed is

expected to remain fairly constant in the

future. Large numbers of service

requests as seen in the late 1980s and

early 1990s are not forecasted. However,

further losses are projected if

adjustments to the fee schedule are not

made.

Due to reduced and sporadic FSA

purchases, efficiencies gained through

volume inspections have disappeared.

Fluctuations in service demand have

increased, even at locations that

routinely requested service on a daily

basis. These changes have impacted on

FGIS’ ability to maintain qualified staff

at some locations and especially those

that are large distances from a field

office. In addition, there has been an

increase in the proportion of inspections

requested by facilities that may need

service only one or two weeks per year.

Many of these locations are far from

field offices. The result is a great deal of

long-distance travel from field offices to

remote locations for one or two week

jobs. Such travel has increased

operating costs and, in some instances,

has offset the savings gained through the

restructuring.

The 1984 fee schedule was designed

to recover all costs associated with

performing commodity inspection

service, including overtime, travel, per

diem, and other related services. For

nearly ten years, the 1984 fee schedule

generated sufficient revenue to cover

operating expenses. This was due, in

large part, to continuously improved

efficiencies in service delivery and

strong market demand for inspection

services. Although additional costs

saving measures were implemented

during fiscal years 94 and 95, operating

expenses and service demand have

reached a level at which the 1984 fee

schedule no longer generates sufficient

revenue to cover costs of providing

service.

Since FY 90, there has been a 40

percent decrease in the amount of

commodity inspections requested. The

commodity inspection program

experienced a $1,642,720 loss (revenue

$4,011,116 and cost $5,468,059) during

FY 95. The commodity program’s

retained earnings are currently

$1,476,487, a 3.8-month operating

reserve. Further losses are projected if

adjustments to the 1984 fee schedule are

not made.

Proposed Action

Section 203 of the AMA (7 U.S.C.

1622) provides for the establishment

and collection of fees that are reasonable

and, as nearly as practicable, cover the

costs of the services rendered. In

accordance with this section, FGIS

proposes the following changes to

maintain the current commodity

inspection program: (1) Increase hourly

and unit fees; (2) charge actual travel

and per diem costs; (3) charge for

sanitation inspections, pre-inspection

conferences, and related services; (4)

establish hourly fees at time and onehalf for service provided on Saturdays,

Sundays, and Federal holidays; (5)

eliminate the provisions for entering

into a contract for service; and (6)

change in the fee structure for stowage

examinations from an hourly rate to a

unit fee.

1. Hourly Rates. The proposed new

hourly rates are divided into two

categories: Regular Workday (Monday

through Friday) and Nonregular

Workday (Saturday, Sunday, and

Holiday). Section 868.90, Tables 1 and

3, currently define Saturday as a Regular

Workday. The revised Table 1 redefines

a Nonregular Workday as a Saturday,

Sunday, and Holiday and the hourly

rate reflects time and one-half paid to

employees. In addition, the two separate

hourly rates for regular and nonregular

workdays contained in Tables 1 and 3

are combined into one set of hourly

rates in a revised Table 1 that covers all

services.

Section 868.90, Tables 1 and 3,

currently provide for reduced hourly

fees for applicants who elect to enter

into a contract with FGIS. No applicants

have used this provision since it was

introduced in 1984. Because the current

trends of decreasing service requests

and increasing demand fluctuations

indicate less likelihood for applicants to

use this provision in the future, it is

eliminated.
Federal Register / Vol. 61, No. 131 / Monday, July 8, 1996 / Proposed Rules 35689

The rate for a Regular Workday will

increase to $33.00 and Nonregular

Workday will increase to $42.80. These

new hourly fees cover FGIS’

administrative and supervisory costs for

the performance of official services.

These costs include personnel

compensation and benefits, rent,

communications, utilities, contractual

services, supplies, and equipment.

2. Unit Rates. Section 868.90, Table 2

currently provides unit fees for the

grading of beans, peas, lentils, hops, and

other nongraded, nonprocessed

commodities. These rates are increased

and the current Table 2 is deleted and

combined with proposal Table 1. The

new unit rates cover FGIS’

administrative and supervisory costs for

performing the official service,

including costs for personnel

compensation and benefits, rent,

communication, utilities, contractual

services, supplies, and equipment.

3. Travel and Per Diem. FGIS is

making changes to § 868.92 of the

regulations concerning the application

of fees covered in Table 1. Specifically,

service, as provided under § 868.90,

Table 1, will include service provided

within 25 miles of the employee’s

assigned duty point. Travel, per diem,

and other related costs will be assessed

for providing service beyond the 25-

mile limit. Section 868.91, Table 1, Fees

for certain Federal rice inspection

services, remain unchanged; travel, per

diem, and other related costs continue

to be included in the hourly rate.

4. Services Other Than Inspections.

FGIS is proposing a change in the fee

structure for stowage examinations from

an hourly fee that recovers all costs to

a service-specific fee structure currently

funded by the hourly rate. The servicespecific fee will be a unit fee and will

apply only to stowage examinations.

FGIS is revising Footnote 1 to include

provisions for charging for sanitation

examinations, pre-inspection

conferences, and other related services

for which FGIS does not currently

charge.

5. Fees for Laboratory Testing

Services. Fees For Laboratory Test

Services, Table 4, Fees for Official

Laboratory Test Services Performed At

the FGIS Commodity Testing Laboratory

at Beltsville, Maryland, For Processed

Agricultural Products is revised to read:

Table 2—Commodity Testing

Laboratory.

List of Subjects in 7 CFR Part 868

Administrative practice and

procedure, Agricultural commodities.

For reasons set out in the preamble,

7 CFR part 868 is proposed to be

amended as follows:

PART 868—GENERAL REGULATIONS

AND STANDARDS FOR CERTAIN

AGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES

1. The authority citation for part 868

continues to read as follows:

Authority: Secs. 202–208, 60 Stat. 1087, as

amended (7 U.S.C. 1621 et seq.)

2. Section 868.90 is revised to read as

follows:

§ 868.90 Fees for certain Federal

inspection services.

(a) The fees shown in Table 1 apply

to Federal Commodity Inspection

Services specified below.

TABLE 1.—HOURLY RATES 1 3

[Fees for Inspection of Commodities Other Than Rice]

Hourly Rates (per service representative):

Monday to Friday—$33.00

Saturday, Sunday, and Holidays—$42.80

Miscellaneous Processed Commodities 2:

(1) Additional Tests (cost per test, assessed in addition to the hourly rate):

(i) Aflatoxin Test (Thin Layer Chromatography) ..................................................................................................................... $51.40

(ii) Falling Number .................................................................................................................................................................. 12.00

)iii) Aflatoxin Test Kit ............................................................................................................................................................... 7.50

Graded Commodities (Beans, Peas, Lentils, Hops, and Pulses):

(1) Additional Tests—Unit Rates (Beans, Peas, Lentils):

(i) Field run (per lot or sample) .............................................................................................................................................. 22.70

(ii) Other than field run (per lot or sample) ............................................................................................................................ 13.50

(iii) Factor analysis (per factor) ............................................................................................................................................... 5.50

(2) Additional Tests—Unit Rates (Hops)—(i) Lot or sample (per lot or sample) .......................................................................... 29.00

(3) Additional Tests—Unit Rates (Nongraded Nonprocessed Commodities—(i) Factor analysis (per factor) ............................. 5.50

(4) Stowage examination (service-on-request) 4:

(i) Ship (per stowage space) .................................................................................................................................................. 50.00

(minimum

$250 per ship)

(ii) Subsequent ship examinations (same as original)

(minimum

$150 per ship)

(iii) Barge (per examination) ................................................................................................................................................... 40.00

(iv) All other carriers (per examination) .................................................................................................................................. 15.00

1Fees for original commodity inspection and appeal inspection services include, but are not limited to, sampling, grading, weighing, stowage

examinations, pre-inspection conferences, sanitation inspections, and other services requested by the applicant and that are performed within 25

miles of the field office. Travel and related expenses (commercial transportation costs, mileage and per diem) will be assessed in addition to the

hourly rate for service beyond the 25-mile limit. Refer to §§ 868.92, Explanation of service fees and additional fees for all other service fees except travel and per diem. 2When performed at a location other than at the commodity testing laboratory.

3Faxed and extra copies of certificates will be charged at $3.00 per copy.

4 If performed outside of normal business, 11⁄2 times the applicable unit fee will be charged.

(b) In addition to the fees, if any, for

sampling or other requested service, a

fee will be asssessed for each laboratory

test (original, retest, or appeal) listed in

Table 2.

(c) If a requested test is to be reported

on a specified moisture basis, a fee for

a moisture test will also be assessed.
35690 Federal Register / Vol. 61, No. 131 / Monday, July 8, 1996 / Proposed Rules

(d) Laboratory tests referenced in

Table 2 will be charged at the applicable

laboratory fee when performed at field

locations other than at the applicant’s

facility.

TABLE 2.—FEES FOR LABORATORY TEST SERVICES 1

Laboratory tests Fees

(1) Alpha monoglycerides ........................................................................................................................................................................ $18.00

(2) Aflatoxin test (other than TLC or Minicolumn method) ...................................................................................................................... 22.50

(3) Aflatoxin (TLC) ................................................................................................................................................................................... 48.00

(4) Aflatoxin (Minicolumn method) ........................................................................................................................................................... 25.00

(5) Appearance & odor ............................................................................................................................................................................ 3.00

(6) Ash ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... 8.50

(7) Bacteria count .................................................................................................................................................................................... 10.00

(8) Baking test (cookies) .......................................................................................................................................................................... 28.00

(9) Bostwick (cooked) .............................................................................................................................................................................. 12.60

(10) Bostwick (uncooked/cook test/dispersibility) .................................................................................................................................... 6.50

(11) Brix ................................................................................................................................................................................................... 8.00

(12) Calcium ............................................................................................................................................................................................. 12.50

(13) Carotenoid color ............................................................................................................................................................................... 12.50

(14) Cold test (oil) .................................................................................................................................................................................... 10.00

(15) Color test (syrups) ............................................................................................................................................................................ 6.50

(16) Cooking test (other than corn soy blend) ........................................................................................................................................ 7.00

(17) Crude fat ........................................................................................................................................................................................... 10.00

(18) Crude fiber ........................................................................................................................................................................................ 13.00

(19) Dough handling (baking) .................................................................................................................................................................. 8.50

(20) E. coli ................................................................................................................................................................................................ 19.00

(21) Falling number .................................................................................................................................................................................. 12.00

(22) Fat (acid hydrolysis) ......................................................................................................................................................................... 14.00

(23) Fat stability (A.O.M.) ........................................................................................................................................................................ 27.00

(24) Flash point (open & close cup) ........................................................................................................................................................ 14.00

(25) Free fatty acid .................................................................................................................................................................................. 12.00

(26) Hydrogen ion activity (ph) ................................................................................................................................................................ 9.50

(27) Iron enrichment ................................................................................................................................................................................ 15.00

(28) Iodine number/value ......................................................................................................................................................................... 9.50

(29) Linolenic acid (fatty acid profile) ...................................................................................................................................................... 50.00

(30) Lipid phosphorous ............................................................................................................................................................................ 47.00

(31) Livibond color ................................................................................................................................................................................... 10.00

(32) Margarine (nonfat solids) ................................................................................................................................................................. 23.60

(33) Moisture ............................................................................................................................................................................................ 6.00

(34) Moisture average (crackers) ............................................................................................................................................................ 4.00

(35) Moisture & volatile matter ................................................................................................................................................................ 8.50

(36) Performance test (prepared bakery mix) ......................................................................................................................................... 32.00

(37) Peroxide value ................................................................................................................................................................................. 13.50

(38) Phosphorus ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 14.00

(39) Popcorn kernels (total defects) ........................................................................................................................................................ 19.00

(40) Popping ratio/value popcorn ............................................................................................................................................................ 19.00

(41) Potassium bromate .......................................................................................................................................................................... 20.00

(42) Protein .............................................................................................................................................................................................. 7.50

(43) Rope spore count ............................................................................................................................................................................. 31.50

(44) Salmonella ........................................................................................................................................................................................ 40.00

(45) Salt or sodium content ..................................................................................................................................................................... 12.50

(46) Sanitation (filth light) ......................................................................................................................................................................... 24.00

(47) Sieve test .......................................................................................................................................................................................... 5.00

(48) Smoke point ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 22.00

(49) Solid fat index ................................................................................................................................................................................... 85.00

(50) Specific volume (bread) ................................................................................................................................................................... 21.80

(51) Staphylococcus aureus .................................................................................................................................................................... 24.50

(52) Texture ............................................................................................................................................................................................. 6.50

(53) Tilletia controversa kuhn (TCK) (Qualitative) ................................................................................................................................... 25.20

(54) Tilletia controversa kuhn (TCK) (Qualitative) ................................................................................................................................... 76.00

(55) Unsaponifiable matter ...................................................................................................................................................................... 25.00

(56) Urease activity .................................................................................................................................................................................. 12.50

(57) Visual exam (hops pellet) ................................................................................................................................................................. 7.50

(58) Visual exam (insoluble impurities oils & shortenings) ..................................................................................................................... 5.00

(59) Visual exam (pasta) ......................................................................................................................................................................... 10.50

(60) Visual exam (processed grain products) ......................................................................................................................................... 12.00

(61) Visual exam (total foreign material other than cereal grains) .......................................................................................................... 6.50

(62) Vitamin enrichment ........................................................................................................................................................................... 7.00

(63) Vomitoxim (TLC) .............................................................................................................................................................................. 40.00

(64) Vomitoxin (Qualitative) ..................................................................................................................................................................... 30.00

(65) Vomitoxin (Quantitative) ................................................................................................................................................................... 40.00

(66) Water activity .................................................................................................................................................................................... 20.00

(67) Wiley melting point ........................................................................................................................................................................... 12.50
Federal Register / Vol. 61, No. 131 / Monday, July 8, 1996 / Proposed Rules 35691

TABLE 2.—FEES FOR LABORATORY TEST SERVICES 1—Continued

Laboratory tests Fees

(68) Other laboratory tests ....................................................................................................................................................................... (2)

1When laboratory test service is provided for GIPSA by a private laboratory, the applicant will be assessed a fee which, as nearly as practicable, covers the costs to GIPSA for the service provided. 2Fees for other laboratory tests not referenced above will be based on the noncontract hourly rate listed in Table 1.

3. Section 868.92 (a)(2) is revised to

read as follows:

§ 868.92 Explanation of service fees and

additional fees.

(a) * * *

(2) The cost of per diem, subsistence,

mileage, or commercial transportation to

perform the service for rice inspection

only in § 868.91, Table 1, Fees for

certain Federal rice inspection services.

See § 868.90, Table 1, footnote 1 for Fees

for Inspection of Commodities Other

Than Rice.

* * * * *

Dated: June 25, 1996.

Michael V. Dunn,

Assistant Secretary, Marketing and

Regulatory Programs.

[FR Doc. 96–16853 Filed 7–5–96; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3410–EN–M

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 95–NM–247–AD]

RIN 2120–AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier

Model CL–600–2B16 (CL–601–3A and

–3R) and CL–600–2B19 (Regional Jet

Series 100) 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

certain Bombardier Model CL–600–

2B16 and CL–600–2B19 series airplanes.

This proposal would require a one-time

inspection of the spring bungee

assembly of the nose landing gear (NLG)

to ensure proper torque of the collar and

correct clearance between the collar and

the body of the bungee, and replacement

of the spring bungee assembly with a

serviceable unit, if necessary. This

proposal is prompted by reports of

failure of the NLG to extend when the

landing gear selector was placed in the

‘‘DOWN’’ position, and failure of the

NLG doors to open when the NLG door

switch was set in the ‘‘SAFETY/DOOR

OPEN’’ position; these conditions may

have been caused by a reduced stroke of

the spring bungee. The actions specified

by the proposed AD are intended to

prevent improper operation of the NLG

door and consequent inability to extend

the NLG due to a reduced stroke of the

spring bungee.

DATES: Comments must be received by

August 16, 1996.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in

triplicate to the Federal Aviation

Administration (FAA), Transport

Airplane Directorate, ANM–103,

Attention: Rules Docket No. 95–NM–

247–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

Bombardier, Inc., Canadair, Aerospace

Group, P.O. Box 6087, Station Centreville, Quebec H3C 3G9, Canada. This

information may be examined at the

FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate,

1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,

Washington; or at the FAA, Engine and

Propeller Directorate, New York Aircraft

Certification Office, 10 Fifth Street,

Third Floor, Valley Stream, New York.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Danko Kramar, Aerospace Engineer,

Systems and Flight Test Branch, ANE–

172, FAA, New York Aircraft

Certification Office, Engine and

Propeller Directorate, 10 Fifth Street,

Third Floor, Valley Stream, New York;

telephone (516) 256–7509; fax (516)

568–2716.

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–247–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–247–AD, 1601 Lind Avenue,

SW., Renton, Washington 98055–4056.

Discussion

Transport Canada Aviation, which is

the airworthiness authority for Canada,

recently notified the FAA that an unsafe

condition may exist on certain

Bombardier Model CL–600–2B16 (CL–

601–3A and –3R), and CL–600–2B19

(Regional Jet Series 100) series

airplanes. Transport Canada Aviation

advises that it received reports

indicating that, during flight of a Model

CL–600–2B19 series airplane, the nose

landing gear (NLG) did not extend when

the landing gear selector was placed in

the ‘‘DOWN’’ position. The NLG did

extend following cycling of the selector

valve. Transport Canada Aviation also

advises that it received a report

indicating that, during a pre-flight check

of a Model CL–600–2B16 series

airplane, the NLG doors did not open

when the NLG door switch was set in

the ‘‘SAFETY/DOOR OPEN’’ position.

The cause of these occurrences has been

attributed to a defective spring bungee

assembly of the NLG door mechanism.

Investigation revealed that the spring