September 2012 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

We, the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSM), are announcing receipt of a proposed amendment to the Arkansas regulatory program (Arkansas program) and the Arkansas abandoned mine land reclamation plan (Arkansas plan) under the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (SMCRA or the Act). Arkansas proposes to revise substantial portions of its regulatory program and abandoned mine land reclamation plan, make grammatical changes, correct punctuation, revise dates, and delete and add citations. The proposed amendment consists of substantive changes to Arkansas's regulations regarding: Subchapter AGeneral; Subchapter FAreas Unsuitable for Mining; Subchapter GSurface Coal Mining and Reclamation Operations Permits and Coal Exploration Procedures Systems; Subchapter JBond and Insurance Requirements for Surface Coal Mining and Reclamation Operations; Subchapter KState Program Performance Standards; Subchapter LState Program Inspection and Enforcement Procedures; Subchapter MTraining Programs for Blasters and Members of Blasting Crews, and Certification Programs for Blasters; and Subchapter R Abandoned Mine Land Reclamation. This document provides the times and locations that the Arkansas program, Arkansas plan, and this proposed amendment are available for your review; the comment period during which you may submit written comments on the amendment; and the procedures that we will follow for the public hearing, if one is requested.

This final rule amends the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) mineral resources regulations to update some fees that cover the BLM's cost of processing certain documents relating to its minerals programs and some filing fees for mineral-related documents. These updated fees include those for actions such as lease renewals and mineral patent adjudications.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is amending the animal drug regulations to reflect approval actions for new animal drug applications (NADAs) and abbreviated new animal drug applications (ANADAs) during July 2012. FDA is also informing the public of the availability of summaries of the basis of approval and of environmental review documents, where applicable.

The Coast Guard proposes to revise and update the Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) regulations in 33 CFR part 161. The revision would require participation in the VTS in Port Arthur, Texas, which is now voluntary; consolidate and expand a VTS Special Area in Puget Sound, Washington; update the designated frequencies for the Maritime Mobile Service Identifiers (MMSI) for Louisville and Los Angeles/Long Beach; and update the definitions and references in Sailing Plan requirements. The changes made by this proposed rule are intended to align regulations with the current operating procedures of the VTSs affected, with the benefit of creating regulatory efficiency.

The Commander, Fifth Coast Guard District, has issued a temporary deviation from the regulation governing the operation of the US40-322 (Albany Avenue) Bridge, at NJICW mile 70.0, across Inside Thoroughfare, in Atlantic City, NJ. This deviation is necessary to facilitate the free movement of contestants over the bridge during the 2012 Atlantic City Triathlon. This deviation allows the draw span of the bridge to remain closed-to-navigation during the event.

NMFS has received a request from Port Dolphin Energy LLC (Port Dolphin) for authorization to take marine mammals incidental to port construction and operations at its Port Dolphin Deepwater Port in the Gulf of Mexico, over the course of five years; approximately June 2013 through May 2018. Pursuant to the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), NMFS is proposing regulations to govern that take and requests information, suggestions, and comments on these proposed regulations.

EPA is approving a State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision submitted by the State of West Virginia. This SIP revision addresses the infrastructure program elements specified in Clean Air Act (CAA) section 110(a)(2) necessary to implement, maintain, and enforce the 2008 lead national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS).

The best scientific and commercial data available indicate that gray wolves (Canis lupus) in Wyoming are recovered and are no longer in need of protection as part of an endangered or threatened species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). Therefore, we, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), remove the gray wolf in Wyoming from the Federal List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife. Wyoming's gray wolf population is stable, threats are sufficiently minimized, and a post-delisting monitoring and management framework has been developed. Therefore, this final rule returns management for this species to the appropriate State, Tribal, or Federal agencies; management in National Parks and National Wildlife Refuges will continue to be guided by existing authorizing and management legislation and regulations. Finally, this action makes obsolete and removes the Yellowstone Experimental Population Area established in 1994 to facilitate reintroductions.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone on Lake Michigan near Chicago, IL. This safety zone is intended to restrict vessels from a portion of Lake Michigan for the Red Bull Flugtag event. This temporary safety zone is necessary to protect event participants, the surrounding public, and vessels from the hazards associated with this event.

EPA is proposing to approve a State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision submitted by the Maryland Department of the Environmental (MDE) on April 4, 2012. This revision proposes to defer until July 21, 2014 the application of the Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) permitting requirements to biogenic carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from bioenergy and other biogenic stationary sources in the State of Maryland. This action is being taken under the Clean Air Act (CAA).

EPA is proposing to approve State Implementation Plan (SIP) revisions submitted by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (VADEQ). These revisions propose to allow the terms and conditions of various elements of the preconstruction program in Virginia to be combined into a single permit, establish limitations for issuance of Plantwide Applicability Limits (PALs), and provide an exemption to Virginia's New Source Review (NSR) Program for the use of alternate fuels. This action is being taken under the Clean Air Act (CAA).

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the Sikorsky Model S-70, S-70A, S-70C, S-70C (M), and S-70C (M1) helicopters with General Electric (GE) T700-GE-401C or T700-GE-701C engines installed. This proposed AD is prompted by a reevaluation of the method for determining the life limit for certain GE engine gas generator turbine (GGT) rotor parts and the determination that these life limits need to be based on low cycle fatigue events instead of hours time-in-service. The proposed actions are intended to establish new fatigue life limits for certain GGT rotor parts to prevent fatigue failure of a GGT rotor part, engine failure, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

This document proposes to increase the maximum civil penalty amounts for violations of motor vehicle safety requirements for the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act, as amended, and violations of bumper standards and consumer information provisions. Specifically, this proposes increases in maximum civil penalty amounts for single violations of motor vehicle safety requirements, a series of related violations of school bus and equipment safety requirements, a series of related violations of bumper standards, and a series of related violations of consumer information regarding crashworthiness and damage susceptibility requirements. This action would be taken pursuant to the Federal Civil Monetary Penalty Inflation Adjustment Act of 1990, as amended by the Debt Collection Improvement Act of 1996, which requires us to review and, as warranted, adjust penalties based on inflation at least every four years.

The Coast Guard will enforce the Special Local Regulation, Hydroplane Races within the Captain of the Port Puget Sound Area of Responsibility for the 2012 Fall Championship hydroplane event in Lake Sammamish, WA from 12 p.m. until 5 p.m. each day from September 28, 2012 through September 30, 2012. This action is necessary to restrict vessel movement in the vicinity of the race courses thereby ensuring the safety of participants and spectators during these events. During the enforcement period non-participant vessels are prohibited from entering the designated race areas. Spectator craft entering, exiting or moving within the spectator area must operate at speeds which will create a minimum wake.

The Coast Guard is seeking public comment regarding criteria for granting medical waivers to mariners who have anti-tachycardia devices or implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs). Current Coast Guard guidance found in Navigation and Vessel Inspection Circular 04-08, Medical and Physical Evaluation Guidelines for Merchant Mariner Credentials (NVIC 04-08), states that anti-tachycardia devices or ICDs are generally not waiverable. The Coast Guard is considering changing that policy. Prior to issuing a policy change on whether to grant waivers for anti-tachycardia devices or ICDs and the criteria for such waivers, the Coast Guard will accept comments from the public on whether the proposed criteria would adequately address safety concerns regarding merchant mariners with ICDs.

This action corrects groundfish regulations that were published in three final rules. The first was published on December 15, 2010, and established various provisions of the trawl rationalization program; the second published on May 11, 2011, and established the 2011-2012 harvest specifications and management measures for groundfish; the third published in December 1, 2011, and made revisions to the trawl program. This rules corrects inadvertent errors that, although they will not modify current fishing practices need to be corrected so that the rule text comports with the intent as expressed in the rules' preambles. This rule includes but is not limited to corrections to coordinates defining depth countours that apply to all fisheries, permit renewal dates, observer requirements, recreational regulations, processor obligations in the MS sector, the forms used to transfer an MS/CV endorsement, and others. Each correction is explained below.

This rule amends the requirements for siting explosives under a license to operate a launch site. It increases flexibility for launch site operators in site planning for the storage and handling of energetic liquids and explosives.

The Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection is publishing for public comment a proposed rule amending Regulation Z (Truth in Lending) to implement amendments to the Truth in Lending Act (TILA) made by the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (Dodd-Frank Act). The proposal would implement statutory changes made by the Dodd- Frank Act to Regulation Z's current loan originator compensation provisions, including a new additional restriction on the imposition of any upfront discount points, origination points, or fees on consumers under certain circumstances. In addition, the proposal implements additional requirements imposed by the Dodd-Frank Act concerning proper qualification and registration or licensing for loan originators. The proposal also implements Dodd-Frank Act restrictions on mandatory arbitration and the financing of certain credit insurance premiums. Finally, the proposal provides additional guidance and clarification under the existing regulation's provisions restricting loan originator compensation practices, including guidance on the application of those provisions to certain profit-sharing plans and the appropriate analysis of payments to loan originators based on factors that are not terms but that may act as proxies for a transaction's terms.

On July 9, 2012, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (Bureau) published on its Web site and transmitted to the Federal Register a notice requesting comment on proposed rules and forms to integrate certain disclosure requirements of the Truth in Lending Act (TILA) and the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA) for most closed-end consumer credit transactions secured by real property, as required by the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (Dodd-Frank Act). The proposed rule, which would amend Regulation X (RESPA) and Regulation Z (TILA), was published in the Federal Register on August 23, 2012. See 77 FR 51116 (Aug. 23, 2012). Comments on the integrated rules and forms are due November 6, 2012. However, the proposed rule set a comment deadline of September 7, 2012 on two issues: Proposed changes to the definition of the finance charge; and whether to delay implementation of certain disclosure requirements added to TILA and RESPA by title XIV of the Dodd-Frank Act. Because of the relationship of the proposed changes to other ongoing Bureau rulemakings and the Bureau's request for data on the potential impact of the proposed changes to the finance charge on those rulemakings, the Bureau has determined that an extension of the comment period until November 6, 2012 is appropriate. This extension applies solely to the proposed changes to the definition of the finance charge.

On July 9, 2012, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (Bureau) published on its Web site and transmitted to the Federal Register a notice requesting comment on, among other things, proposed changes to Regulation Z (Truth in Lending) to implement amendments to the Truth in Lending Act made by the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act that expand the types of mortgage loans that are subject to the protections of the Home Ownership and Equity Protection Act of 1994 (HOEPA) (the HOEPA Proposal). The proposed rule was published in the Federal Register on August 15, 2012. See 77 FR 49089 (Aug. 15, 2012). The proposed rule set a comment deadline of September 7, 2012. In a separate rulemaking published on the Bureau's Web site on July 9, 2012 and published in the Federal Register on August 23, 2012 (see 77 FR 51116 (Aug. 23, 2012)), the Bureau proposed changes to the definition of the finance charge, which would result in a simpler, more inclusive definition of the finance charge (TILA-RESPA Integration Proposal). In light of these proposed changes, the HOEPA Proposal seeks comment on whether and how to account for the implications of a more inclusive finance charge on the scope of HOEPA coverage. Although the TILA-RESPA Integration Proposal set an initial comment deadline regarding the proposed changes to the finance charge definition of September 7, 2012, by separate notice, the Bureau is extending that deadline to November 6, 2012. For the same reasons discussed in that notice, the Bureau has determined that an extension of the comment period until November 6, 2012 for the portion of the HOEPA Proposal regarding whether and how to account for the implications of a more inclusive finance charge on the scope of HOEPA coverage is appropriate. This extension does not apply to any other aspect of the HOEPA Proposal.

In the Rules and Regulations section of this issue of the Federal Register, the IRS and the Treasury Department are issuing temporary regulations (TD 9598) under section 988(d) of the Internal Revenue Code. These regulations address certain integrated transactions that involve a foreign currency denominated debt instrument and multiple associated hedging transactions. The text of the temporary regulations also serves as the text of these proposed regulations.

NMFS is reallocating the projected unused amount of Pacific cod from catcher vessels using trawl gear to vessels using jig gear in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska management area. This action is necessary to allow the 2012 total allowable catch of Pacific cod to be harvested.

NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by catcher/processors (C/Ps) using trawl gear in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 2012 Pacific cod total allowable catch apportioned to C/ Ps using trawl gear in the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA.

DHS is correcting a final rule that appeared in the Federal Register of August 22, 2012. As published, the final rule incorrectly uses the word (DATE) in several places in part 3052 of title 48 of the Code of Federal Regulations. We are correcting each instance of (DATE) to correctly state the appropriate date of ``(SEP 2012)''. The final rule amended multiple sections of the Homeland Security Acquisition Regulation (HSAR) to align existing content with the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR); implemented Section 695 of the Post- Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act of 2006 by restricting the length of certain noncompetitive contracts entered into by the Department of Homeland Security to facilitate the response to or recovery from a natural disaster, act of terrorism, or other manmade disaster; clarified agency acquisition regulations; and made editorial corrections.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all The Boeing Company Model 727, 727C, 727-100, 727-100C, 727-200, and 727-200F series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a structural re-evaluation by the manufacturer, which identified elements within the wing trailing edge flap area that qualify as structural significant items (SSI). This proposed AD would require revising the maintenance inspection program to include inspections that will give no less than the required damage tolerance rating for certain SSIs, and repairing cracked structure. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct fatigue cracking of the wing trailing edge structure, which could result in compromised structural integrity of the airplane.