October 20, 2009 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Commission has before it a petition for rulemaking filed by Scripps Howard Broadcasting Company (``SHBC''), the licensee of WCPO-TV, channel 10, Cincinnati, Ohio. SHBC requests the substitution of channel 22 for channel 10 at Cincinnati.

The Commission has before it a petition for rulemaking filed by Fort Myers Broadcasting Company (``FMBC''), the licensee of WINK-TV, channel 9, Fort Myers, Florida. FMBC requests the substitution of channel 50 for channel 9 at Fort Myers.

We, NMFS, have completed a comprehensive status review of the spotted seal (Phoca largha) under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Based on the findings from the status review and consideration of the factors affecting this species, we conclude the spotted seal exists as three (3) distinct population segments (DPS) within the North Pacific Ocean. These are the southern, Okhotsk, and Bering DPSs. Based on consideration of information presented in the Status Review, an analysis of the extinction risk probabilities for each of these DPSs, and assessment of the factors in section 4(a)(1) of the ESA, we have determined the southern DPS is likely to become endangered throughout all or a significant portion of its range in the foreseeable future, and should be listed as a threatened species. The Okhotsk and Bering Sea DPSs are not in danger of extinction nor likely to become endangered throughout all or a significant portion of their ranges in the foreseeable future. Accordingly, we are now issuing a proposed rule to list the southern DPS of the spotted seal as a threatened species. No listing action is proposed for the Okhotsk and Bering Sea DPSs. Because the southern DPS occurs outside the United States, no critical habitat can be designated. We request comments and information related to this proposed rule and finding.

We are advising the public that the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service intends to prepare an environmental impact statement relative to proposed regulatory requirements that are being developed for the movement of plant pests, biological control organisms, and associated articles. This notice identifies potential issues and alternatives that will be studied in the environmental impact statement and requests public comment to further delineate the scope of those issues and alternatives.

This document contains final regulations relating to the amount deductible from a decedent's gross estate for claims against the estate under section 2053(a)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code (Code). In addition, the regulations update the provisions relating to the deduction for certain state death taxes to reflect the statutory amendments made in 2001 to sections 2053(d) and 2058. The regulations primarily will affect estates of decedents against which there are claims outstanding at the time of the decedent's death.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, approve tungsten-iron- fluoropolymer shot alloys for hunting waterfowl and coots. Having completed our review of the application materials, we have concluded that these alloys are very unlikely to adversely affect fish, wildlife, or their habitats. We therefore add this shot type to the list of those approved for hunting waterfowl and coots.

This action proposes to amend Class D airspace at St Louis, MO. Additional controlled airspace is necessary to accommodate new Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPs) at Spirit of St Louis Airport, St Louis, MO. The FAA is taking this action to enhance the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations for SIAPs at Spirit of St Louis Airport.

This action amends the time of designation and using agency of nine restricted areas located in the vicinity of the Fallon Naval Air Station (NAS), Fallon, NV, as part of a Department of the Navy initiative to standardize the operating hours throughout the Fallon Airspace Complex. The times of use are being expanded to meet the critical need of the Navy for additional nighttime training, and the using agency changes are administrative in accordance with a Navy realignment of functions. Additionally, this action modifies the times of use of the four military operation areas (MOAs) in the Fallon Airspace Complex. Unlike restricted areas, which are designated under 14 CFR part 73, MOAs are not rulemaking airspace actions. The MOA changes described here were published in the National Flight Data Digest (NFDD). The Navy requested these airspace changes to provide additional night training time to meet combat readiness requirements currently being carried out in accordance with 14 CFR 99.7.

NMFS has received a request from the U.S. Navy (Navy) for authorization for the Department of Defense (including the Navy, the U.S. Air Force (USAF), and the U.S. Marine Corps (USMC)) to take marine mammals incidental to training activities conducted in the Mariana Islands Range Complex (MIRC) study area for the period of March 2010 through February 2015 (amended from the initial request for January 2010 through December 2014). Pursuant to the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), NMFS is proposing regulations to govern that take and requesting information, suggestions, and comments on these proposed regulations.