2011 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents
Results 451 - 500 of 6,606
Airworthiness Directives; Pratt & Whitney Division (PW) PW4000 Series Turbofan Engines
We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain PW4000 turbofan engines. This AD was prompted by an updated low-cycle fatigue (LCF) life analysis performed by PW. This AD requires removing certain part number (P/N) high-pressure turbine (HPT) stage 1 and HPT stage 2 airseals and HPT stage 1 airseal rings before their published life limit and establishes a new lower life limit for these parts. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of these parts, which could lead to an uncontained engine failure and damage to the airplane.
Schedule of Fees for Consular Services, Department of State and Overseas Embassies and Consulates
This rule adopts without change the interim final rule published in the Federal Register, 75 FR 28188, on May 20, 2010 (Public Notice 7018). Specifically, the rule proposed changes to the Schedule of Fees for Consular Services (Schedule) for nonimmigrant visa and border crossing card application processing fees. This rulemaking adopts as final the change from $131 to $140 for the fee charged for the processing of an application for most non-petition-based nonimmigrant visas (Machine-Readable Visas or MRVs) and adult Border Crossing Cards (BCCs). The rule also provides new tiers of the application fee for certain categories of petition-based nonimmigrant visas and treaty trader and investor visas. Finally, the rule adopts as final the increase in the BCC fee charged to Mexican citizens under age 15 who apply in Mexico, and whose parent or guardian already has a BCC or is applying for one, from $13 to $14. This latter change results from a congressionally mandated surcharge that went into effect in 2009. The Department of State is adjusting the fees to ensure that sufficient resources are available to meet the costs of providing consular services in light of an independent cost of service study's findings that the U.S. Government is not fully covering its costs for the processing of these visas under the current cost structure. The Department endeavors to recover the cost of providing services that benefit specific individuals, as opposed to the general public. See OMB Circular A-25, section 6(a)(1), (a)(2)(a). For this reason, the Department has adjusted the Schedule.
Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality Implementation Plans; Ohio and Indiana; Redesignation of the Ohio and Indiana Portions Cincinnati-Hamilton Area to Attainment of the 1997 Annual Standard for Fine Particulate Matter
Due to the receipt of an adverse comment, EPA is withdrawing the October 19, 2011 (76 FR 64825), direct final rule approving Ohio's and Indiana's requests to redesignate their respective portions of the Cincinnati-Hamilton nonattainment area (for Ohio: Butler, Clermont, Hamilton, and Warren Counties, Ohio; for Indiana: a portion of Dearborn County) to attainment for the 1997 annual National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS or standard) for fine particulate matter (PM2.5). In the direct final rule, EPA stated that if adverse comments were received by November 18, 2011, the rule would be withdrawn and not take effect. On October 19, 2011, EPA received a comment. EPA interprets this comment as adverse and, therefore, EPA is withdrawing the direct final rule. EPA will address the comment in a subsequent final action based upon the proposed rulemaking action, also published on October 19, 2011 (76 FR 64880). EPA will not institute a second comment period on this action.
Revisions to the Export Administration Regulations (EAR): Control of Gas Turbine Engines and Related Items the President Determines No Longer Warrant Control Under the United States Munitions List (USML)
The Bureau of Industry and Security publishes this proposed rule that describes how military gas turbine engines and related articles that the President determines no longer warrant control under Category VI, VII, or VIII of the United States Munitions List (USML) would be controlled under the Commerce Control List (CCL) in new Export Control Classification Numbers (ECCNs) 9A619, 9B619, 9C619, 9D619 and 9E619. In addition, this proposed rule would control military trainer aircraft turbo prop engines and related items, which are currently controlled under ECCN 9A018.a.2 or .a.3, 9D018 or 9E018, under new ECCN 9A619, 9D619 or 9E619. This rule is one of a planned series of proposed rules that are part of the Administration's Export Control Reform Initiative under which various types of articles presently controlled on the USML under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) would, instead, be controlled on the CCL in accordance with the requirements of the Export Administration Regulations (EAR), if and after the President determines that such articles no longer warrant control on the USML. This proposed rule is being published in conjunction with a proposed rule from the Department of State, Directorate of Defense Trade Controls that would consolidate in USML Category XIX the military gas turbine engines and related articles that would remain on the USML.
Amendment to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations: Establishment of U.S. Munitions List Category XIX for Gas Turbine Engines
As part of the President's Export Control Reform effort, the Department of State proposes to amend the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) to establish Category XIX of the U.S. Munitions List (USML) to describe gas turbine engines and associated equipment warranting control on the USML.
Revisions to the Export Administration Regulations (EAR): Control of Military Vehicles and Related Items That the President Determines No Longer Warrant Control on the United States Munitions List
The Bureau of Industry and Security publishes a third proposed rule that describes how articles the President determines no longer warrant control under Category VII (military vehicles and related articles) of the United States Munitions List (USML) would be controlled under the Commerce Control List (CCL). This proposed rule would re-propose, with certain changes, five new Export Control Classification Numbers (ECCNs) on the Commerce Control List (CCL) that were proposed in a proposed rule published on July 15, 2011 (76 FR 41958). The revised ECCNs in this proposed rule are the result of continued deliberations of the Bureau of Industry and Security, the Department of Defense and the Department of State and recommendations of commenters on the July 15 proposed rule. This proposed rule is being published in conjunction with a proposed rule by the Department of State, Directorate of Defense Trade Controls to remove from Category VII of the USML (22 CFR 121.1, Category VII) articles that the President determines no longer warrant control on the USML.
Amendment to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations: Revision of U.S. Munitions List Category VII
As part of the President's Export Control Reform effort, the Department of State proposes to amend the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) to revise Category VII (ground vehicles) of the U.S. Munitions List (USML) to describe more precisely the military ground vehicles warranting control on the USML.
Ex Parte Cease and Desist and Summary Seizure Orders-Multiple Employer Welfare Arrangements
This document contains two proposed rules under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to facilitate implementation of new enforcement authority provided to the Secretary of Labor by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Affordable Care Act). The Affordable Care Act authorizes the Secretary to issue a cease and desist order, ex parte (i.e. without prior notice or hearing), when it appears that the alleged conduct of a multiple employer welfare arrangement (MEWA) is fraudulent, creates an immediate danger to the public safety or welfare, or is causing or can be reasonably expected to cause significant, imminent, and irreparable public injury. The Secretary may also issue a summary seizure order when it appears that a MEWA is in a financially hazardous condition. The first proposed regulation establishes the procedures for the Secretary to issue ex parte cease and desist orders and summary seizure orders with respect to fraudulent or insolvent MEWAs. The second proposed regulation establishes the procedures for use by administrative law judges (ALJs) and the Secretary when a MEWA or other person challenges a temporary cease and desist order.
Filings Required of Multiple Employer Welfare Arrangements and Certain Other Related Entities
This document contains a proposed rule under title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) that, upon adoption, would implement reporting requirements for multiple employer welfare arrangements (MEWAs) and certain other entities that offer or provide health benefits for employees of two or more employers. The proposal amends existing reporting rules to incorporate new provisions enacted as part of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Affordable Care Act) to more clearly address the reporting obligations of MEWAs that are ERISA plans. This regulation is designed to impose the minimal amount of burden on legally compliant MEWAs and entities claiming exception (ECEs) while implementing the Secretary's authority to take enforcement action against fraudulent or abusive MEWAs included in the Affordable Care Act and working to protect health benefits for businesses and their employees. This proposed rule implements the new provisions while preserving the filing structure and provisions of the 2003 regulations which direct plan MEWAs and non-plan MEWAs to report annually and file upon registration or origination. Elsewhere in this edition of the Federal Register, the Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) is publishing a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking related to the Secretary's new enforcement authority with respect to MEWAs and Notices of proposed revisions of the Form M-1 and the Form 5500.
International Services Surveys: Amendments to the BE-120, Benchmark Survey of Transactions in Selected Services and Intangible Assets With Foreign Persons
This final rule amends the regulations of the Bureau of Economic Analysis, Department of Commerce (BEA) to set forth the reporting requirements for the BE-120, Benchmark Survey of Transactions in Selected Services and Intellectual Property with Foreign Persons. The amended regulations for the BE-120 include both definition changes and the addition of three schedules to better collect data in accordance with new international economic accounting standards. In addition, this rule changes the BE-120 survey title from ``Benchmark Survey of Transactions in Selected Services and Intangible Assets with Foreign Persons'' to ``Benchmark Survey of Transactions in Selected Services and Intellectual Property with Foreign Persons'' because the term ``intellectual property'' is better understood by U.S. respondents. The BE-120 survey covers transactions in selected services and intellectual property with foreign persons in benchmark years. In non- benchmark years, the universe estimates for these transactions are derived from sample data reported on BEA's follow-on survey, which is the Quarterly Survey of Transactions in Selected Services and Intangible Assets with Foreign Persons (BE-125). The data collected by the BE-120 will be used by BEA to estimate the trade in services component of the U.S. International Transactions Accounts and other economic accounts compiled by BEA. The data are also needed by the U.S. government to monitor U.S. exports and imports of selected services and intellectual property; analyze their impact on the U.S. and foreign economies; support U.S. international trade policy for selected services and intellectual property; and assess and promote U.S. competitiveness in international trade in services. In addition, the data will improve the ability of U.S. businesses to identify and evaluate market opportunities.
National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants: Primary Aluminum Reduction Plants
The EPA is proposing amendments to the national emissions standards for hazardous air pollutants for Primary Aluminum Reduction Plants to address the results of the residual risk and technology review that the EPA is required to conduct by the Clean Air Act. If finalized, these proposed amendments would address previously unregulated emissions (i.e., carbonyl sulfide (COS) emissions from new and existing potlines and polycyclic organic matter (POM) emissions from new and existing prebake potlines and existing pitch storage tanks); remove the vertical stud Soderberg one (VSS1) potline subcategory; reduce the MACT limits for POM emissions from horizontal stud Soderberg (HSS) and VSS2 potlines; eliminate the startup, shutdown and malfunction exemption in accordance with recent actions by the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit; add provisions for facilities to avail themselves of an affirmative defense in the event of a malfunction under certain conditions; and make certain technical and editorial changes. The proposed emissions limits for POM and COS are based on maximum achievable control technology (MACT). While the proposed modifications would result in some reduction in actual emissions of POM from existing pitch storage tanks, reduce the potential emissions of POM from Soderberg potlines, and prevent increases in emissions of COS and sulfur dioxide, the health risks posed by actual emissions from this source category are currently within the acceptable range and would not be reduced appreciably by the proposed modifications.
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; 6-Month Extension of Final Determination for the Proposed Listing of the Dunes Sagebrush Lizard as Endangered
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce a 6-month extension of the final determination of whether to list the dunes sagebrush lizard (Sceloporus arenicolus) (lizard) as endangered and reopen the comment period on the proposed rule to list the species. We are taking this action because there is substantial disagreement regarding the sufficiency or accuracy of the available data relevant to the proposed listing rule, making it necessary to solicit additional information by reopening the comment period for 45 days.
Approval and Promulgation of Implementation Plans; Georgia; 110(a)(1) and (2) Infrastructure Requirements for the 1997 8-Hour Ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards
EPA is proposing to approve the State Implementation Plan (SIP) submission, submitted by the State of Georgia, through the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Environmental Protection Division (EPD), to demonstrate that the State meets the requirements of sections 110(a)(1) and (2) of the Clean Air Act (CAA or Act) for the 1997 8-hour ozone national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS). Section 110(a) of the CAA requires that each state adopt and submit a SIP for the implementation, maintenance and enforcement of each NAAQS promulgated by the EPA, which is commonly referred to as an ``infrastructure'' SIP. EPD certified that the Georgia SIP contains provisions that ensure the 1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS are implemented, enforced, and maintained in Georgia (hereafter referred to as ``infrastructure submission''). Georgia's infrastructure submission, provided to EPA on December 13, 2007, and clarified in a subsequent submission submitted on September 9, 2008, addresses all the required infrastructure elements for the 1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS.
Approval and Promulgation of Implementation Plans; State of Tennessee: Prevention of Significant Deterioration and Nonattainment New Source Review Rules: Nitrogen Oxides as a Precursor to Ozone
EPA is proposing to approve changes to the Tennessee State Implementation Plan (SIP), submitted by the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) through the Division of Air Pollution Control to EPA on May 28, 2009. The proposed SIP revision modifies Tennessee's New Source Review (NSR) Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) and Nonattainment New Source Review (NNSR) programs. Tennessee's May 28, 2009, SIP revision makes several changes for which EPA is proposing approval in this rulemaking. First, the proposed revision addresses requirements promulgated in the 1997 8-Hour Ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) plementation Rule NSR Update Phase II (hereafter referred to as the ``Ozone Implementation NSR Update'' or ``Phase II Rule''). Second, the May 28, 2009, SIP revision includes updates to Tennessee's PSD and NNSR permitting regulations regarding the addition of clean coal technology (CCT) requirements. Lastly, the SIP revision includes clarifying changes and corrections to portions of the Tennessee NSR rule. All changes in the proposed SIP revision are necessary to comply with Federal regulations related to Tennessee's NSR permitting program. EPA is proposing approval of the May 28, 2009, proposed SIP revision because the Agency has preliminarily determined that the changes are in accordance with the Clean Air Act (CAA or Act) and EPA regulations regarding NSR permitting.
Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities Issued at a Premium
This document contains temporary regulations that provide guidance on the tax treatment of Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities issued with more than a de minimis amount of premium. The text of these temporary regulations also serves as the text of the proposed regulations (REG-130777-11) set forth in the Proposed Rules section in this issue of the Federal Register.
Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities Issued at a Premium
In the Rules and Regulations section of this issue of the Federal Register, the IRS is issuing temporary regulations that provide guidance on the tax treatment of Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities issued with more than a de minimis amount of premium. The text of those regulations also serves as the text of these proposed regulations. This document also provides notice of a public hearing on these proposed regulations.
Targeted Populations Under Section 45D(e)(2)
This document contains final regulations relating to how an entity serving certain targeted populations can meet the requirements to be a qualified active low-income community business for the new markets tax credit. The regulations reflect changes to the law made by the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004. The regulations will affect certain taxpayers claiming the new markets tax credit.
Revisions to Distilled Spirits Plant Operations Reports and Regulations
The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) proposes to replace the current four report forms used by distilled spirits plants to report their operations with two new report forms that would be submitted on a monthly or quarterly basis. This proposal would streamline the reporting process and would result in savings for the industry and for TTB by significantly reducing the number of reports that must be completed and filed by industry members and processed by TTB.
Proposed Establishment of the Inwood Valley Viticultural Area
The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) proposes to establish the 28,298-acre ``Inwood Valley'' viticultural area in Shasta County, California. TTB designates viticultural areas to allow vintners to better describe the origin of their wines and to allow consumers to better identify wines they may purchase. TTB invites comments on this proposed addition to its regulations.
Significant New Use Rules on Certain Chemical Substances; Withdrawal of Two Chemical Substances
EPA is withdrawing two significant new use rules (SNURs) promulgated under section 5(a)(2) of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) for chemical substances which were the subject of premanufacture notices (PMNs), i.e., rutile, tin zinc, calcium-doped (PMN P-06-36; CAS No. 389623-01-2) and rutile, tin zinc, sodium-doped (PMN P-06-37; CAS No. 389623-07-8). These chemical substances are subject to TSCA section 5(e) consent orders issued by EPA. EPA received a notice of intent to submit adverse comments on the direct final rule. Therefore, the Agency is withdrawing these SNURs, as required under the expedited SNUR rulemaking process. EPA intends to publish in the near future proposed SNURs for these two chemical substances under separate notice and comment procedures.
Transportation Conformity Rule: MOVES Regional Grace Period Extension
Because EPA received adverse comments, we are withdrawing the direct final rule extending the MOVES Regional Grace Period, published on October 13, 2011. The direct final rule would have extended the grace period to March 2013, before the Motor Vehicle Emission Simulator model (currently MOVES2010a) is required for regional emissions analyses for transportation conformity determinations (``regional conformity analyses'').
Reducing Regulatory Burden
As part of its implementation of Executive Order 13563, ``Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review,'' issued by the President on January 18, 2011, the Department of Energy (Department or DOE) is seeking comments and information from interested parties to assist DOE in reviewing its existing regulations to determine whether any such regulations should be modified, streamlined, expanded, or repealed. The purpose of DOE's review is to make the agency's regulatory program more effective and less burdensome in achieving its regulatory objectives.
Accessibility Guidelines for Pedestrian Facilities in the Public Right-of-Way; Reopening of Comment Period
The Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board (Access Board) is reopening until February 2, 2012, the comment period for the notice entitled ``Accessibility Guidelines for Pedestrian Facilities in the Public Right-of-Way,'' that appeared in the Federal Register on July 26, 2011. In that notice, the Access Board proposed guidelines for accessible public rights-of-way and requested comments by November 23, 2011. The Access Board is taking this action to allow interested persons additional time to submit comments.
General Administrative Regulations; Mutual Consent Cancellation; Food Security Act of 1985, Implementation; Denial of Benefits; and Ineligibility for Programs Under the Federal Crop Insurance Act
The Federal Crop Insurance Corporation (FCIC) proposes to amend the General Administrative Regulations to revise Subpart U Ineligibility for Programs under the Federal Crop Insurance Act to eliminate redundancies, improve clarity, remove or update obsolete references, and add references to other provisions regarding ineligibility for Federal crop insurance. In addition, FCIC proposes to remove Subpart CGeneral Administrative Regulations; Mutual Consent Cancellation and Subpart FFood Security Act of 1985, Implementation; Denial of Benefits. The changes will apply for the 2013 and succeeding crop years.
Common Crop Insurance Regulations; Prune Crop Insurance Provisions
The Federal Crop Insurance Corporation (FCIC) proposes to amend the Common Crop Insurance Regulations, Prune Crop Insurance Provisions to remove the quality adjustment provisions for substandard prunes and to make other changes to clarify policy provisions. The intended effect of this action is to provide policy changes, to clarify existing policy provisions to better meet the needs of the producers, and to reduce vulnerability to program fraud, waste, and abuse. The changes will apply for the 2013 and succeeding crop years.
International Product and Price Changes
The Postal Service is revising Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, International Mail Manual (IMM[supreg]), to reflect the prices, product features, and classification changes to Competitive Services, as established by the Governors of the Postal Service.
Streamlining Inherited Regulations
The Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection (the Bureau) is requesting specific suggestions from the public for streamlining regulations it recently inherited from other Federal agencies. This document asks the public to identify provisions of the inherited regulations that the Bureau should make the highest priority for updating, modifying, or eliminating because they are outdated, unduly burdensome, or unnecessary. This document discusses several specific requirements that may warrant review. It also seeks suggestions for practical measures to make complying with the regulations easier.
Emergency Planning Guidance for Nuclear Power Plants
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is issuing Supplement 3, ``Guidance for Protective Action Strategies,'' to NUREG- 0654/FEMA-REP-1, Revision 1, ``Criteria for Preparation and Evaluation of Radiological Emergency Response Plans and Preparedness in Support of Nuclear Power Plants;'' NSIR/DPR-ISG-01, ``Interim Staff Guidance Emergency Planning for Nuclear Power Plants;'' and NUREG/CR-7002, ``Criteria for Development of Evacuation Time Estimate Studies;'' all dated November, 2011. These documents update implementation guidance regarding, and support recent changes to, the NRC's emergency preparedness regulations.
Prior Label Approval System: Generic Label Approval
The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is proposing to amend the meat and poultry products inspection regulations to expand the circumstances in which FSIS will generically approve the labels of meat and poultry products. The Agency also is proposing to combine the regulations that provide for the approval of labels for meat products and poultry products into a new CFR part.
Homeless Emergency Assistance and Rapid Transition to Housing: Defining “Homeless”
The Homeless Emergency Assistance and Rapid Transition to Housing Act of 2009 (HEARTH Act), enacted into law on May 20, 2009, consolidates three of the separate homeless assistance programs administered by HUD under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act into a single grant program, revises the Emergency Shelter Grants program and renames the program the Emergency Solutions Grants program, and creates the Rural Housing Stability program to replace the Rural Homelessness Grant program. The HEARTH Act also codifies in law the Continuum of Care planning process, long a part of HUD's application process to assist homeless persons by providing greater coordination in responding to their needs. This final rule integrates the regulation for the definition of ``homeless,'' and the corresponding recordkeeping requirements, for the Shelter Plus Care program, and the Supportive Housing Program. This final rule also establishes the regulation for the definition ``developmental disability'' and the definition and recordkeeping requirements for ``homeless individual with a disability'' for the Shelter Plus Care program and the Supportive Housing Program.
Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Model EC 120B Helicopters
This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the Eurocopter France Model EC 120B helicopters. This AD requires modifying the pilot cyclic control friction device by replacing a certain thrust washer with two thrust washers. This AD is prompted by an incident in which the pilot encountered a sudden restriction of the cyclic control movement during flight. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent jamming of a pilot cyclic control stick and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
Homeless Emergency Assistance and Rapid Transition to Housing: Emergency Solutions Grants Program and Consolidated Plan Conforming Amendments
The Homeless Emergency Assistance and Rapid Transition to Housing Act of 2009 (HEARTH Act), enacted into law on May 20, 2009, consolidates three of the separate homeless assistance programs administered by HUD under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act into a single grant program, and revises the Emergency Shelter Grants program and renames it as the Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) program. The HEARTH Act also codifies into law the Continuum of Care planning process, a longstanding part of HUD's application process to assist homeless persons by providing greater coordination in responding to their needs. This interim rule revises the regulations for the Emergency Shelter Grants program by establishing the regulations for the Emergency Solutions Grants program, which replaces the Emergency Shelter Grants program. The change in the program's name, from Emergency Shelter Grants to Emergency Solutions Grants, reflects the change in the program's focus from addressing the needs of homeless people in emergency or transitional shelters to assisting people to quickly regain stability in permanent housing after experiencing a housing crisis and/or homelessness.
Revisions to the California State Implementation Plan, Placer County Air Pollution Control District
EPA is taking direct final action to approve revisions to the Placer County Air Pollution Control District (PCAPCD) portion of the California State Implementation Plan (SIP). These revisions concern volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions from architectural coatings and automotive refinishing operations. We are approving local rules that regulate these emission sources under the Clean Air Act as amended in 1990 (CAA or the Act).
Revisions to the California State Implementation Plan, Placer County Air Pollution Control District
EPA is proposing to approve revisions to the Placer County Air Pollution Control District (PCAPCD) portion of the California State Implementation Plan (SIP). These revisions concern volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions from architectural coatings and automotive refinishing operations. We are proposing to approve two local rules to regulate these emission sources under the Clean Air Act as amended in 1990 (CAA or the Act).
Revising Standards Referenced in the Acetylene Standard
In this notice of proposed rulemaking, the Agency is proposing to revise its Acetylene Standard for general industry by updating a reference to a standard published by a standards developing organization (``SDO standards''). OSHA also is publishing a direct final rule in today's Federal Register taking this same action. This rulemaking is a continuation of OSHA's ongoing effort to update references to SDO standards used throughout its rules.
Revising Standards Referenced in the Acetylene Standard
In this direct final rule, the Agency is revising its Acetylene Standard for general industry by updating a reference to a standard published by a standards-developing organization (``SDO standards''). This rulemaking is a continuation of OSHA's ongoing effort to update references to SDO standards used throughout its rules.
Farm Loan Programs Loan Making Activities
The Farm Service Agency (FSA) is amending the Farm Loan Programs (FLP) loan making regulations to implement a new program and to amend existing regulations for direct and guaranteed loans as required by the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (the 2008 Farm Bill). This rule establishes the loan making and servicing regulations for the new Land Contract (LC) Guarantee Program. The amendments change the farm experience requirements in the regulations for direct Farm Operating Loans (OL) and direct Farm Ownership Loans (FO), and make certain equine farmers and certain equine losses eligible for Emergency Loans (EM).
Autopsies at VA Expense
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) proposes to amend its regulation that governs the performance of autopsies on veterans. The proposed rule would correct a cross-reference to VA regulations that authorize certain outpatient and ambulatory care. The proposed rule would also clarify that consent for an autopsy will be implied if 6 months has passed since the decedent's death and there are no objections from the decedent's surviving spouse or next of kin. The proposed rule would also modify current regulations to make the laws of the jurisdiction in which the autopsy will be performed the controlling laws for purposes of determining who has authority to grant permission for the autopsy. The proposed rule would also clarify the authorized purposes of a VA autopsy. Lastly, the proposed rule would clarify that the authority to order an autopsy includes transporting the body at VA's expense to the autopsy facility.
Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Spiny Lobster Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic; Amendment 10
NMFS issues this final rule to implement Amendment 10 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Spiny Lobster Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic (FMP), as prepared and submitted by the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic Fishery Management Councils (Councils). This rule revises the lobster species contained within the fishery management unit; establishes an annual catch limit (ACL) for Caribbean spiny lobster; revises the Federal spiny lobster tail-separation permit requirements; revises the regulations specifying the condition of spiny lobster landed during a fishing trip; modifies the undersized attractant regulations; modifies the framework procedures and the protocol for cooperative management with Florida; and authorizes the removal of derelict traps in Federal waters off Florida through Florida's trap cleanup program. Additionally, this rule revises codified text to reflect updated contact information for the state of Florida and regulatory references for the Florida Administrative Code. The intent of this final rule is to specify ACLs for spiny lobster while maintaining catch levels consistent with achieving optimum yield (OY) for the resource.
Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance Traumatic Injury Protection Program-Genitourinary Losses
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is issuing this interim final rule that amends the regulations governing the Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance Traumatic Injury Protection (TSGLI) program by adding certain genitourinary (GU) system losses to the TSGLI Schedule of Losses and defining terms relevant to these new losses. This amendment is necessary to make qualifying GU losses a basis for paying GU-injured Servicemembers TSGLI benefits. The intended effect is to expand the list of losses for which TSGLI payments can be made.
United States Navy Restricted Area, SUPSHIP Bath Maine Detachment Mobile at AUSTAL, USA, Mobile, AL; Restricted Area
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) is proposing to amend an existing restricted area to reflect changes in responsible parties for the restricted area around the AUSTAL, USA shipbuilding facility located in Mobile, Alabama. The Supervisor of Shipbuilding, Conversion and Repair, United States Navy (USN), Gulf Coast (SUPSHIP Gulf Coast) assumed the duties of administering new construction contracts at AUSTAL USA in Mobile, Alabama, on October 9, 2011, replacing Supervisor of Shipbuilding, Conversion, and Repair, USN, Bath (SUPSHIP Bath). Therefore, the Department of the Navy has requested an amendment to the regulation to reflect the change in responsible parties. There are no other changes proposed for this restricted area.
Restricted Areas and Danger Zones at Eglin Air Force Base, FL
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) is amending its restricted area/danger zone regulations to update and revise several existing danger zone and restricted area descriptions and restrictions, remove one existing restricted area and establish four new restricted areas within the Eglin Air Force Base (AFB) facilities and along the Eglin AFB facility shoreline in Florida. The Eglin AFB and Eglin Reservation span over 724 square miles with over 150 miles of waterway boundary. This amendment to the existing regulation is necessary to update Eglin AFB water safety and water boundary security in order to provide adequate protection to Eglin AFB personnel and resources in concert with changing mission goals and multi-service/agency special testing and operation needs.
Table Saw Blade Contact Injuries; Notice of Extension of Time for Comments
The Consumer Product Safety Commission (``CPSC'' or ``Commission'' or ``we'') is considering whether a new performance safety standard is needed to address an unreasonable risk of injury associated with table saws. We are conducting this proceeding under the authority of the Consumer Product Safety Act (``CPSA''), 15 U.S.C. 2051-2084. In the Federal Register of October 11, 2011 (76 FR 62678), we published an advance notice of proposed rulemaking (``ANPR''), inviting written comments concerning the risk of injury associated with table saw blade contact, regulatory alternatives, other possible means to address this risk, and other topics or issues. In response to a request from the Power Tool Institute, Inc., we are announcing an extension of the comment period for 60 days.
Safety Zone; Container Crane Relocation, Cooper and Wando Rivers, Charleston, SC
The Coast Guard is establishing a 100 yard temporary moving safety zone around a barge transporting two container cranes on the Cooper and Wando Rivers during their relocation from berth 3 at Columbus Street Terminal to berth 1 at Wando Welch Terminal in Charleston, South Carolina on Monday, December 5, 2011. The safety zone is necessary to protect the public from hazards associated with transporting the large cranes by barge. Persons and vessels are prohibited from entering, transiting through, anchoring in, or remaining within the safety zone unless authorized by the Captain of the Port Charleston or a designated representative.
Express Mail Domestic Postage Refund Policy and Waiver of Signature
The Postal Service is revising Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM[supreg]) throughout various sections to modify the policy for filing claims for domestic Express Mail[supreg] postage refunds from 90 days to 30 days after the date of mailing, and to change the Express Mail ``waiver of signature'' standard for domestic items by obtaining an addressee's signature only when the mailer selects the ``signature required'' option on the Express Mail label.
Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Vessel Monitoring Systems
The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is finalizing requirements for fishermen to replace currently required Mobile Transmitting Unit (MTU) Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) units with Enhanced Mobile Transmitting Unit (E-MTU) VMS in Atlantic HMS fisheries. The key difference between MTU and E-MTU VMS units is that the E-MTU VMS units are capable of two-way communication. The purpose of this final action is to facilitate enhanced communication with HMS vessels at sea, provide HMS fishery participants with an additional means of sending and receiving information at sea, ensure that HMS VMS units are consistent with the current VMS technology and type approval requirements that apply to newly installed units, and to provide NMFS enforcement with additional information describing gear onboard and target species. This rule affects all HMS pelagic longline (PLL), bottom longline (BLL), and shark gillnet fishermen who are currently required to have VMS onboard their vessels.
Fatigue Tolerance Evaluation of Metallic Structures
This rule amends the airworthiness standards for fatigue tolerance evaluation (FTE) of transport category rotorcraft metallic structures. This revises the FTE safety requirements to address advances in structural fatigue substantiation technology for metallic structures. This provides an increased level of safety by avoiding or reducing the likelihood of the catastrophic fatigue failure of a metallic structure. These increased safety requirements will help ensure that should serious accidental damage occur during manufacturing or within the operational life of the rotorcraft, the remaining structure could withstand, without failure, any fatigue loads that are likely to occur, until the damage is detected or the part is replaced. Besides improving the safety standards for FTE of all principal structural elements (PSEs), the amendment is harmonized with international standards.
Establishment of Class D and E Airspace; Frederick, MD
This action establishes Class D and E airspace at Frederick, MD, to accommodate new Area Navigation (RNAV) Global Positioning System (GPS) Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPs) at Frederick Municipal Airport. This action enhances the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations for SIAPs at the airport.
Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality Implementation Plans; Louisiana; Revisions To Control Volatile Organic Compound Emissions for Surface Coatings and Graphic Arts
EPA is approving State Implementation Plan (SIP) revisions for control of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) adopted by Louisiana on June 20, 2009 and August 20, 2010, and submitted to EPA on August 31, 2010. EPA is also approving, by parallel processing, a SIP revision for control of emission of organic compounds which was proposed by Louisiana on January 10, 2011 and adopted on April 20, 2011. EPA issued Control Techniques Guidelines (CTGs) in 2006, 2007 and 2008; Louisiana's rule revisions being approved in this action were developed in response to these CTGs. EPA is approving these revisions because they meet the requirements of Reasonably Available Control Technology (RACT) as set forth in the Clean Air Act (CAA) as well as the requirements of EPA's regulations, and they are consistent with EPA's guidance. This action is being taken under section 110 and part D of the CAA.
Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality Implementation Plans; West Virginia and Ohio; Determinations of Attainment of the 1997 Annual Fine Particle Standard for the Parkersburg-Marietta and Wheeling Nonattainment Areas
EPA is making determinations that the Parkersburg-Marietta, West Virginia-Ohio (WV-OH) fine particle (PM2.5) nonattainment area and the Wheeling, WV-OH PM2.5 nonattainment area (hereafter referred to as ``Areas'') have attained the 1997 annual PM2.5 National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) by their applicable attainment date of April 5, 2010. These determinations are based upon complete, quality-assured, and certified ambient air monitoring data for the 2007-2009 monitoring period. EPA is finding these Areas to be in attainment, in accordance with the requirements of the Clean Air Act (CAA).
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