August 2012 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (Board), and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) (collectively, the agencies) are seeking comment on three notices of proposed rulemaking (NPRs) that would revise and replace the agencies' current capital rules. In this NPR (Advanced Approaches and Market Risk NPR) the agencies are proposing to revise the advanced approaches risk-based capital rule to incorporate certain aspects of ``Basel III: A Global Regulatory Framework for More Resilient Banks and Banking Systems'' (Basel III) that the agencies would apply only to advanced approach banking organizations. This NPR also proposes other changes to the advanced approaches rule that the agencies believe are consistent with changes by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (BCBS) to its ``International Convergence of Capital Measurement and Capital Standards: A Revised Framework'' (Basel II), as revised by the BCBS between 2006 and 2009, and recent consultative papers published by the BCBS. The agencies also propose to revise the advanced approaches risk- based capital rule to be consistent with Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 (Dodd-Frank Act). These revisions include replacing references to credit ratings with alternative standards of creditworthiness consistent with section 939A of the Dodd- Frank Act. Additionally, the OCC and FDIC are proposing that the market risk capital rule be applicable to federal and state savings associations, and the Board is proposing that the advanced approaches and market risk capital rules apply to top-tier savings and loan holding companies domiciled in the United States that meet the applicable thresholds. In addition, this NPR would codify the market risk rule consistent with the proposed codification of the other regulatory capital rules across the three proposals.

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (Board), and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) (collectively, the agencies) are seeking comment on three Notices of Proposed Rulemaking (NPR) that would revise and replace the agencies' current capital rules. In this NPR, the agencies are proposing to revise their risk-based and leverage capital requirements consistent with agreements reached by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (BCBS) in ``Basel III: A Global Regulatory Framework for More Resilient Banks and Banking Systems'' (Basel III). The proposed revisions would include implementation of a new common equity tier 1 minimum capital requirement, a higher minimum tier 1 capital requirement, and, for banking organizations subject to the advanced approaches capital rules, a supplementary leverage ratio that incorporates a broader set of exposures in the denominator measure. Additionally, consistent with Basel III, the agencies are proposing to apply limits on a banking organization's capital distributions and certain discretionary bonus payments if the banking organization does not hold a specified amount of common equity tier 1 capital in addition to the amount necessary to meet its minimum risk- based capital requirements. This NPR also would establish more conservative standards for including an instrument in regulatory capital. As discussed in the proposal, the revisions set forth in this NPR are consistent with section 171 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (Dodd-Frank Act), which requires the agencies to establish minimum risk-based and leverage capital requirements. In connection with the proposed changes to the agencies' capital rules in this NPR, the agencies are also seeking comment on the two related NPRs published elsewhere in today's Federal Register. The two related NPRs are discussed further in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.

The NTP Interagency Center for the Evaluation of Alternative Toxicological Methods (NICEATM) announces an ``International Workshop on Alternatives to the Murine Histamine Sensitization Test (HIST) for Acellular Pertussis Vaccines: State of the Science and the Path Forward.'' This workshop, the third in a series of specialized vaccine workshops, will review new methods and approaches for acellular pertussis (aP) vaccine safety testing that incorporate innovations in science and technology. These scientific innovations should improve test accuracy, precision, and efficiency while also reducing or replacing the use of animals in vaccine safety testing. The goal is to address the path toward global validation, acceptance, and implementation of scientifically valid alternative methods for aP vaccines. The workshop is open to the public at no charge with attendance limited only by the available space; however, advance registration is required (see DATES). NICEATM also invites submission of abstracts for scientific posters for display at the workshop (see SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION).

The Central Idaho Resource Advisory Committee will meet in Salmon, Idaho and Challis, Idaho. The committee is authorized under the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act (Pub. L. 110- 343) (the Act) and operates in compliance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act. The purpose of the committee is to improve collaborative relationships and to provide advice and recommendations to the Forest Service concerning projects and funding consistent with the title II of the Act. The meeting is open to the public. The purpose of the meeting is to review and recommend projects to be funded under Public Law 112- 141.

In accordance with section 6(f)(1) of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), as amended, EPA is issuing a notice of receipt of request for amendments by registrants to delete uses in certain pesticide registrations. Section 6(f)(1) of FIFRA provides that a registrant of a pesticide product may at any time request that any of its pesticide registrations be amended to delete one or more uses. FIFRA further provides that, before acting on the request, EPA must publish a notice of receipt of any request in the Federal Register.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is amending the food additive regulations to provide for the safe use of vitamin D2 bakers yeast as a source of vitamin D2 and as a leavening agent in yeast-leavened baked products at levels not to exceed 400 International Units (IU) of vitamin D2 per 100 grams (g) in the finished food. This action is in response to a petition filed by Lallemand, Inc. (Lallemand).

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) established the Clean Air Act Advisory Committee (CAAAC) on November 19, 1990, to provide independent advice and counsel to EPA on policy issues associated with implementation of the Clean Air Act of 1990. The Committee advises on economic, environmental, technical, scientific, and enforcement policy issues. Dates & Addresses: Open meeting notice: Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. App. 2 Section 10(a)(2), notice is hereby given that the Clean Air Act Advisory Committee will hold its next open meeting on September 20, 2012 from 8 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. at the Hilton Crystal City at Washington Reagan National Airport located at 2399 Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington, VA 22202. Seating will be available on a first come, first served basis. The Permits, New Source Review and Toxics Subcommittee will meet at the same location on September 19, 2012 from 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. The agenda for the CAAAC full committee meeting on September 20, 2012 will be posted on the Clean Air Act Advisory Committee Web site at https://www.epa.gov/oar/caaac/. Inspection of Committee Documents: The Committee agenda and any documents prepared for the meeting will be publicly available at the meeting. Thereafter, these documents, together with CAAAC meeting minutes, will be available by contacting the Office of Air and Radiation Docket and requesting information under docket EPA-HQ-OAR- 2004-0075. The Docket office can be reached by email at: a-and-r- Docket@epa.gov or Fax: 202-566-9744.

EPA is proposing approval of a permitting rule submitted for the South Coast Air Quality Management District (District) portion of the California State Implementation Plan (SIP). The State is required under Part C of title I of the Clean Air Act (CAA or Act) to adopt and implement a SIP-approved Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) permit program. This SIP revision proposes to incorporate District Rule 1714Prevention of Significant Deterioration for Greenhouse Gases, into the SIP to establish a PSD permit program for pre-construction review of certain new and modified major stationary sources that emit or may emit greenhouse gases (GHGs). Because the State does not currently have a SIP-approved PSD program within the District, the District will continue to be subject to the Federal Implementation Program (FIP) for pollutants other than GHGs that are also subject to the PSD program. Currently, the District issues PSD permits according to the FIP through a delegation agreement with EPA. We are soliciting public comments on this proposal and plan to follow with a final action after consideration of comments received.

In accordance with 10 U.S.C. 9355, the United States Air Force Academy (USAFA) Board of Visitors (BoV) will hold a meeting in Harmon Hall at the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado on 14-15 Sep 12. The meeting sessions on 14 Sep will begin at 4 p.m. and the meeting sessions on 15 Sep will begin at 7:45 a.m. The purpose of this meeting is to review morale and discipline, social climate, curriculum, instruction, infrastructure, fiscal affairs, academic methods, and other matters relating to the Academy. Specific topics for this meeting include the Status of the Climate Survey; Superintendent's Update; Character Update; USAFA Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Program; Critical Thinking Assessment Tool; and the Diversity in the Dean's Faculty brief. In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552b, as amended, and 41 CFR 102-3.155, one session of this meeting be closed to the public because it will involve matters covered by 5 U.S.C. 552b subsection (c)(6). Public attendance at the open portions of this USAFA BoV meeting shall be accommodated on a first-come, first-served basis up to the reasonable and safe capacity of the meeting room. In addition, any member of the public wishing to provide input to the USAFA BoV should submit a written statement in accordance with 41 CFR 102-3.140(c) and section 10(a)(3) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act and the procedures described in this paragraph. Written statements must address the following details: the issue, discussion, and a recommended course of action. Supporting documentation must also be included as needed to establish the appropriate historical context and provide any necessary background information. Written statements can be submitted to the Designated Federal Officer (DFO) at the Air Force address detailed below at any time. However, if a written statement is not received at least 10 calendar days before the first day of the meeting which is the subject of this notice, then it may not be provided to, or considered by, the BoV until its next open meeting. The DFO will review all timely submissions with the BoV Chairperson and ensure they are provided to members of the BoV before the meeting that is the subject of this notice. For the benefit of the public, rosters that list the names of BoV members and any releasable materials presented during the open portions of this BoV meeting shall be made available upon request. If, after review of timely submitted written comments, the BoV Chairperson and DFO deem appropriate, they may choose to invite the submitter of the written comments to orally present the issue during an open portion of the BoV meeting that is the subject of this notice. Members of the BoV may also petition the Chairperson to allow specific personnel to make oral presentations before the BoV. In accordance with 41 CFR 102-3.140(d), any oral presentations before the BoV shall be in accordance with agency guidelines provided pursuant to a written invitation and this paragraph. Direct questioning of BoV members or meeting participants by the public is not permitted except with the approval of the DFO and Chairperson.

The Department of Commerce (``Department'') hereby publishes a list of scope rulings and anticircumvention determinations completed between April 1, 2012, and June 30, 2012. We intend to publish future lists after the close of the next calendar quarter.

EPA has authorized grantee organizations under the Senior Environmental Employment (SEE) Program and their enrollees access to information which has been submitted to EPA under the environmental statutes administered by the Agency. Some of this information may be claimed or determined to be confidential business information (CBI).

The Department of the Navy, after carefully weighing the operational, scientific, technical, and environmental implications of the alternatives considered, announces its decision to employ up to four Surveillance Towed Array Sensor System Low Frequency Active (SURTASS LFA) sonar systems with certain geographical restrictions and monitoring mitigation designed to reduce potential adverse effects on the marine environment. This decision, which pertains to the employment of up to four SURTASS LFA sonar systems (as originally analyzed in the 2001 Final Overseas Environmental Impact Statement and Environmental Impact Statement [FOEIS/EIS] for SURTASS LFA Sonar) initially augmented in the 2007 Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement [FSEIS]), and further augmented on the 2012 Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement/Overseas Environmental Impact Statement (FSEIS/SOEIS) implements the preferred alternative, Alternative 2, identified in the 2012 FSEIS/SOEIS for SURTASS LFA sonar.

The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council will hold a public meeting.

The New England Fishery Management Council (Council) is scheduling a public meeting of its Scallop Advisory Panel to consider actions affecting New England fisheries in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ). Recommendations from this group will be brought to the full Council for formal consideration and action, if appropriate.

NMFS will hold a 3-day Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Advisory Panel (AP) meeting in September 2012. The intent of the meeting is to consider options for the conservation and management of Atlantic HMS. The meeting is open to the public.

In accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act, this notice advises interested persons that the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) Technological Advisory Council will hold a meeting on Monday, September 24, 2012 in the Commission Meeting Room, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Federal Communications Commission, 445 12th Street SW., Washington, DC 20554.

This study is intended to assist the Department in making decisions about how to structure future grant competitions; how to support evaluation and performance reporting activities among funded grantees, including technical assistance to improve the quality of evaluations and performance reporting; and how to make the best possible use of grantee evaluation findings.

The Preauthorized Debit Account (PDA) Application is used to establish electronic debiting for individuals who have requested to have their defaulted federal education debt payments debited from their bank accounts.

The Department of Labor (DOL) is submitting the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) sponsored information collection request (ICR) titled, ``International Price Program U.S. Export and Import Price Indexes to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval for continued use in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.).

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the availability of a draft comprehensive conservation plan (CCP) and environmental assessment (EA) for the Hamden Slough National Wildlife Refuge (Refuge, NWR) for public review and comment. In this draft CCP/ EA we describe how we propose to manage the refuge for the next 15 years.