February 6, 2009 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

In accordance with the January 20, 2009, memorandum ``Regulatory Review,'' signed by Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel, we, the U.S. Forest Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, withdraw our proposed rule published January 29, 2009, to establish regulations for hunting and trapping seasons, harvest limits, methods, and means related to taking of wildlife for subsistence uses in Alaska during the 2010-11 and 2011-12 regulatory years.

NMFS issues this proposed rule to implement Amendment 16 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic Region (FMP)(Amendment 16), as prepared and submitted by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council). This proposed rule would establish a seasonal closure of the recreational and commercial fisheries for gag and associated grouper species; establish a seasonal closure of the recreational fishery for vermilion snapper; reduce the aggregate bag limit for grouper and tilefish; reduce the bag limit for gag or black grouper combined; reduce the bag limit for vermilion snapper; prohibit captain and crew of a vessel operating as a charter vessel or headboat from retaining any fish under the aggregate bag limit for grouper and tilefish or the vermilion snapper bag limit; establish semiannual quotas for the commercial vermilion snapper fishery; establish a quota for the commercial gag fishery; establish restrictions on the possession, sale, and purchase of gag and associated grouper species after the gag commercial quota is reached; and require possession of a venting tool and dehooking device on board a vessel when fishing for South Atlantic snapper-grouper and use of such tools as needed to accomplish release of fish with minimum injury. In addition, Amendment 16 proposes, for both gag and vermilion snapper, to revise the definitions of maximum sustainable yield (MSY) and optimum yield (OY), specify total allowable catch (TAC), and establish interim allocations of TACs for the recreational and commercial sectors. Amendment 16 also proposes to specify a minimum stock size threshold (MSST) for gag and, for the new assessment, for vermilion snapper. The intended effects of this proposed rule are to end overfishing of gag and vermilion snapper, protect shallow-water grouper during their spawning season, and reduce bycatch of snapper-grouper species in the South Atlantic.

This action implements 2009 specifications and management measures for Atlantic mackerel, squid, and butterfish (MSB), and modifies existing management measures. Specifically, this action maintains quotas for Atlantic mackerel (mackerel), Illex squid (Illex), and butterfish at the same levels as 2008, while increasing the quota for Loligo squid (Loligo). Additionally, this action increases the incidental possession limit for mackerel and allows for the possibility of an inseason adjustment to increase the mackerel quota, if landings approach harvest limits. These specifications and management measures promote the utilization and conservation of the MSB resource.

The Commission grants a petition for rulemaking filed by Barrington Amarillo License LLC, the permittee of station KVIH-DT, to substitute DTV channel 12 for its assigned post-transition DTV channel 20 at Clovis, New Mexico.

On December 23, 2008, the Commission addressed the June 25, 2008 request by Sprint Nextel Corporation (Sprint) to defer the 800 MHz rebanding financial ``true-up'' process until after rebanding is completed. The Commission concluded that the true-up should be deferred until additional progress in rebanding has occurred, and therefore postponed the true-up date from December 26, 2008 to July 1, 2009. The Commission also directed the 800 MHz Transition Administrator (TA) to file a report by May 1, 2009, with its recommendation on whether the true-up should be conducted on July 1, 2009 or postponed to a later date.

Because EPA received adverse comment, we are withdrawing the provision for the allowance of an alternative test method for olefins in gasoline of the direct final, published on December 8, 2008.

On January 29, 2009, the Postal Service published a proposed rule to provide mailing standards that would accompany new prices for mailing services in 2009 and 2010. Upon further review, the Postal Service has determined that it is appropriate to make certain changes in its initial proposal. In particular, language has been inserted to clarify that proposed new standards relating to static charge and coefficient of friction standards for automation and machinable letters would be recommended, not mandatory, and a proposal to revise the standards for window envelopes on letter-size envelopes has been removed. For purposes of clarity and convenience, the entire revised version of the proposed rule is being published for comment.

The Commander, Fifth Coast Guard District, has approved a temporary deviation from the regulations governing the operation of the SR 36 Bridge, at mile 0.5, across Cedar Creek, in Cedar Beach, Delaware. Under this temporary deviation, the drawbridge will be allowed to operate on an advance notice basis on particular dates and times. The deviation is necessary to perform inspections of the electrical and mechanical systems.

The Commission is adding Express Mail Contract 3 to the Competitive Product List. This action is consistent with changes in a recent law governing postal operations and a recent Postal Service request. Republication of the lists of market dominant and competitive products is also consistent with new requirements in the law.

In light of the continuing unusual and exigent circumstances in the financial markets, the Board has adopted a regulatory exemption for member banks from certain provisions of section 23A of the Federal Reserve Act and the Board's Regulation W. The exemption increases the capacity of member banks, subject to certain conditions designed to help ensure the safety and soundness of the banks, to enter into securities financing transactions with affiliates.