April 30, 2012 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

This document proposes to expand the scope of this proceeding to propose a set of technical rules for the operation of unlicensed level probing radars (LPR) in several frequency bands. LPR devices are low-power radars that measure the level (relative height) of various substances in man-made or natural containments. In open-air environments, LPR devices may be used to measure levels of materials such as coal piles or water basin levels. An LPR device also may be installed inside an enclosure, e.g., a tank made of materials such as steel or fiberglass and commonly referred to as a tank level probing radar (TLPR) that could be filled with liquids or granulates. During the pendency of the rulemaking proceeding, but outside this proceeding, the Commission received waiver requests and other inquiries regarding outdoor use on additional frequencies under existing rules for unlicensed devices. To address the apparent need for a comprehensive and consistent approach to LPR devices, the Commission is proposing in this FNPRM rules that would apply to the operation of LPR devices installed in both open-air environments and inside storage tanks in the following frequency bands: 5.925-7.250 GHz, 24.05-29.00 GHz, and 75-85 GHz.

FMCSA harmonizes its regulations with a recent Surface Transportation Board (STB) order that requires certain information about household goods motor carrier liability to appear on the estimates and bills of lading that carriers must provide to individual shippers.

NMFS proposes management measures for the 2012 summer flounder, scup, and black sea bass recreational fisheries. The implementing regulations for these fisheries require NMFS to publish recreational measures for the fishing year and to provide an opportunity for public comment. The intent of these measures is to prevent overfishing of the summer flounder, scup, and black sea bass resources.

The Coast Guard will enforce the Navy Pier Southeast Safety Zone in Chicago Harbor during various periods from July 4, 2012 through July 28, 2012. This action is necessary and intended to ensure safety of life on the navigable waters of the United States immediately prior to, during, and immediately after fireworks events. Enforcement of this safety zone will establish restrictions upon, and control movement of, vessels in a specified area immediately prior to, during, and immediately after various fireworks events. During the enforcement period, no person or vessel may enter the safety zones without permission of the Captain of the Port, Sector Lake Michigan.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is amending the regulations to expand the scope of clinical investigator disqualification. Under this rulemaking, when the Commissioner of Food and Drugs (the Commissioner) determines that an investigator is ineligible to receive one kind of test article (drugs, devices or new animal drugs), the investigator also will be ineligible to conduct any clinical investigation that supports an application for a research or marketing permit for other kinds of products regulated by FDA. This final rule is based in part upon recommendations from the Government Accountability Office (GAO), and is intended to help ensure adequate protection of research subjects and the quality and integrity of data submitted to FDA. FDA also is amending the list of regulatory provisions under which an informal regulatory hearing is available by changing the scope of certain provisions and adding regulatory provisions that were inadvertently omitted.

EPA is taking final action to determine, pursuant to the Clean Air Act (CAA), that the bi-state St. Louis (MO-IL) ozone nonattainment area (``St. Louis area'') attained the 1997 8-hour ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) by the applicable attainment date of June 15, 2010. This determination is based upon complete, quality- assured, and certified ambient air quality data from the 2007-2009 monitoring period which show that the St. Louis area has monitored attainment of the 1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS as of the applicable date.

The EPA is making two separate and independent determinations. First, EPA is determining that the Springfield (Western Massachusetts) serious one-hour ozone nonattainment area did not meet the applicable deadline of December 31, 2003, for attaining the one-hour National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) for ozone. This final determination is based upon complete, quality-assured, certified ambient air monitoring data that show the area had an expected ozone exceedance rate above the level of the now revoked one-hour ozone NAAQS for the 2001-2003 monitoring period. Second, EPA is determining that the Springfield (Western Massachusetts) serious one-hour ozone nonattainment area currently attains the now revoked one-hour NAAQS for ozone, based upon complete, quality-assured, certified ambient air monitoring data for 2009- 2011. The area first attained the one-hour NAAQS during the 2007-2009 monitoring period, and continued in attainment during the 2008-2010, and 2009-2011 monitoring periods.