March 14, 2012 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Coast Guard is establishing special local regulations on the waters of the New River between the Esplanade Park and slightly east of the South Andrews Avenue Bascule Bridge in Fort Lauderdale, Florida for the Red Bull Candola rowing event. The event is scheduled to take place on April 14, 2012. The temporary special local regulation is necessary for the safety of the event participants, participant vessels, and the general public during the event. Persons and vessels are prohibited from entering, transiting through, anchoring in, or remaining within the regulated area unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port Miami or a designated representative.

EPA is amending the transportation conformity rule to finalize provisions that were proposed on August 13, 2010. These amendments restructure several sections of the transportation conformity rule so that they apply to any new or revised National Ambient Air Quality Standards. EPA is also finalizing several clarifications to improve implementation of the rule. EPA is not taking a final action at this time on the proposal that areas analyze a near-term analysis year when using the budget test. The Clean Air Act requires federally supported transportation plans, transportation improvement programs, and projects to be consistent with (conform to) the purpose of the state air quality implementation plan. EPA consulted with the U.S. Department of Transportation and they concur in the development of this final rule.

The North Pacific Fishery Management Council submitted Amendment 86 to the Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area (BSAI) and Amendment 76 to the FMP for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA), (collectively referred to as the FMPs) to NMFS for review. If approved, Amendments 86 and 76 would add a funding and deployment system for observer coverage to the existing North Pacific Groundfish Observer Program (Observer Program) and amend existing observer coverage requirements for vessels and processing plants at 50 CFR 679.50. The new funding and deployment system would allow NMFS to determine when and where to deploy observers according to management and conservation needs, with funds provided through a system of fees based on the ex-vessel value of groundfish and halibut in fisheries covered by the new system. This action is necessary to resolve data quality and cost equity concerns with the Observer Program's existing funding and deployment structure. This action is intended to promote the goals and objectives of the Magnuson- Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA), the FMPs, and other applicable law.

The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), with the concurrence of the Office of Government Ethics (OGE), seeks comments on the proposed amendments to HUD's Supplemental Standards of Ethical Conduct, which are regulations for HUD officers and employees that supplement the Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees of the Executive Branch (Standards) issued by OGE. To ensure a comprehensive and effective ethics program at HUD, and to address ethical issues unique to HUD, the proposed rule reflects statutory changes that were enacted subsequent to the promulgation of HUD's Supplemental Standards of Conduct regulation in 1996; significantly, the transfer of general regulatory authority over the Federal National Mortgage Association and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation from HUD to the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA). In addition, the proposed rule revises definitions used in HUD's Supplemental Standards of Conduct to reflect updated titles and positions and clarifies existing prohibitions on certain financial interests and outside employment to better guide employee conduct, while upholding the integrity of HUD in the administration of its programs.

The Coast Guard is establishing two safety zones to remain in effect throughout the duration of the construction and renewal of the Sellwood Bridge on the Willamette River, in Portland, OR. This action is necessary to ensure the safety of vessels transiting in close proximity to cranes, barges, and temporary structures associated with this construction project. During the effective period, all vessels will be required to remain outside the prescribed safe distance from the construction area while transiting in the vicinity of the Sellwood Bridge project; however, the establishment of these safety zones does not entirely close this section of the Willamette River. The section of the Willamette River between the safety zones will remain open for vessel transits, and it will have a minimum channel width of 138 feet at all times.

The Department of Education (Department or Education) provides notice of its interpretation of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Department's implementing regulations, which prohibit discrimination on the basis of disability in federally assisted programs and activities (Education's Section 504 regulations). Among other things, Education's Section 504 regulations address the accessibility and usability of a recipient's facilities by persons with disabilities. This document explains that for new construction and alterations commenced on or after September 15, 2010, we will permit recipients of Federal financial assistance from the Department to use an additional alternative accessibility standard in lieu of the Uniform Federal Accessibility Standards (UFAS) for the purpose of complying with Section 504. Specifically, we will permit the use of the U. S. Department of Justice's 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design as defined in the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Title II regulation (referred to in this notice as the 2010 Title II ADA Standards) except that Exception (1) to Section 206.2.3 does not apply. Use of the 2010 Title II ADA Standards will not be required as a means of compliance with Section 504, however, until the Department revises its Section 504 regulations to formally adopt the 2010 Title II ADA Standards in lieu of UFAS.

This document contains proposed regulations that provide rules requiring any person assigned an employer identification number (EIN) to provide updated information to the IRS in the manner and frequency prescribed by forms, instructions, or other appropriate guidance. These proposed regulations affect persons with EINs and will enhance the IRS's ability to maintain accurate information as to persons assigned EINs.

NMFS announces final 2012 and 2013 harvest specifications, apportionments, and Pacific halibut prohibited species catch limits for the groundfish fishery of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to establish harvest limits for groundfish during the 2012 and 2013 fishing years and to accomplish the goals and objectives of the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the GOA. The intended effect of this action is to conserve and manage the groundfish resources in the GOA in accordance with the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act.

The Coast Guard is changing the regulation that governs the operation of the CSX Railroad Vertical Lift Bridge across the Anacostia River, mile 3.4, at Washington, DC. The change will alter the eight hour advance notice requirement for a bridge opening to a 48 hour advance notice requirement for a bridge opening. The operating regulation change gives more notice for trains and vessels to adjust their schedules accordingly to ensure safe and efficient transits across and under the bridge.

The Coast Guard is temporarily changing the enforcement periods of special local regulations for recurring marine events in the Fifth Coast Guard District. These regulations apply to three recurring marine events that conduct a rowing regatta and power boat races. Special local regulations are necessary to provide for the safety of life on navigable waters during these events. This action is intended to restrict vessel traffic in a portion of the Severn River at Annapolis, MD, the Nanticoke River at Sharptown, MD, and Prospect Bay at Kent Island, MD during the events.

This document amends the delegations of authority within the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to reflect the delegation of authorities related to civil rights from the Secretary of Agriculture directly to the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR). Previously, these authorities were delegated to the Assistant Secretary for Administration and re-delegated to the ASCR.

EPA is taking final action to approve the state implementation plan (SIP) revision submitted by the State of Tennessee, through the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC), to demonstrate that the State meets the requirements of sections 110(a)(1) and (2) with respect to sections 110(a)(2)(C) and (J), 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 state implementation plan (SIP) for the implementation, maintenance, and enforcement of each NAAQS promulgated by EPA, which is commonly referred to as an ``infrastructure'' SIP. TDEC certified that the Tennessee SIP contains provisions that ensure the 1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS are implemented, enforced, and maintained in Tennessee (hereafter referred to as ``infrastructure submission''). Tennessee's infrastructure submission, provided to EPA on December 14, 2007, and clarified in a subsequent May 28, 2009, submission, addressed the required infrastructure elements for the 1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS, however the subject of this notice is limited to infrastructure elements 110(a)(2)(C) and (J). All other applicable Tennessee infrastructure elements will be addressed in a separate rulemaking.