February 20, 2013 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Secretary proposes to waive the requirements in 34 CFR 75.250 and 75.261(a) and (c)(2) of the Education Department General Administrative Regulations that, respectively, generally prohibit project periods exceeding five years and project period extensions involving the obligation of additional Federal funds. The proposed waiver and extension of the project period would enable the currently funded National Dropout Prevention Center for Students with Disabilities to receive funding from October 1, 2013, through September 30, 2014.

EPA is proposing to approve submissions from Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee for inclusion into each state's implementation plan. This proposal pertains to the infrastructure state implementation plans (SIPs) for these States as they relate to certain Clean Air Act (CAA or Act) requirements for the 1997 annual and 2006 24-hour fine particulate matter (PM2.5) National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). The CAA requires that each state adopt and submit a SIP for the implementation, maintenance, and enforcement of each NAAQS promulgated by EPA. These plans are commonly referred to as an ``infrastructure'' SIPs. Specifically, EPA is proposing to approve the submissions for Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee that relate to the infrastructure SIP requirement to protect visibility in another state. All other applicable infrastructure requirements for the 1997 annual and 2006 24-hour PM2.5 NAAQS associated with these States are being addressed in separate rulemakings.

The Coast Guard is establishing a new anchorage area on the Lower Mississippi River, Above the Head of Passes (AHP), located at the Belmont Light extending from Mile Marker (MM) 152.9 to 154 on the Left Descending Bank (LDB) of the river. The anchorage will double the available anchorage areas in this section of the river, which is necessary to help accommodate increased vessel volume and improve navigational safety for vessels transiting this river section. As discussed below, the Coast Guard decided not to establish a second anchorage at Bayou Goula, as had been proposed.

NMFS proposes specifications for the 2013 and 2014 Atlantic bluefish fishery, including an annual catch limit, total allowable landings, a commercial quota and recreational harvest limit, and a recreational possession limit. The intent of this action is to establish the allowable 2013 and 2014 harvest levels and other management measures to achieve the target fishing mortality rate, consistent with the Atlantic Bluefish Fishery Management Plan.

This document contains corrections to the final regulations which were published in the Federal Register on Thursday, December 27, 2012. The regulations related to size and eligibility for the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs.

EPA proposes to approve the State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision submitted by the state of Missouri on March 17, 2011. This revision proposes to amend the rule restricting emissions of particulate matter from industrial sources by providing an alternative compliance method for wet corn milling drying operations. The revision to Missouri's rule does not have an adverse affect on air quality. EPA's approval of this SIP revision is being done in accordance with the requirements of the Clean Air Act (CAA).

NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by catcher vessels (CVs) using trawl gear in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the A season allowance of the 2013 Pacific cod total allowable catch apportioned to CVs using trawl gear in the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA.

EPA is taking direct final action to approve a revision to the Tennessee State Implementation Plan (SIP), submitted to EPA on December 13, 2012, by the State of Tennessee, through the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC). Tennessee's December 13, 2012, SIP revision includes changes to the maintenance plan for the Knox County 1-hour ozone area submitted on August 26, 1992, and approved by EPA on September 27, 1993, and a subsequent SIP revision approved by EPA on August 5, 1997. The Knox County 1-hour ozone area was comprised of Knox County in its entirety. The December 13, 2012 SIP revision proposes to increase the safety margin allocated to motor vehicle emissions budgets (MVEB) for nitrogen oxides (NOX) and volatile organic compounds (VOC) for Knox County to account for changes in the emissions model and vehicle miles traveled (VMT) projection model. EPA is approving this SIP revision because the State has demonstrated that it is consistent with the Clean Air Act (CAA or Act).

This regulation establishes an exemption from the requirement of a tolerance for residues of the biochemical pesticide, 3-decen-2- one, in or on potatoes when applied as a postharvest potato sprout inhibitor and used in accordance with label directions and good agricultural practices. On behalf of AMVAC Chemical Corporation (AMVAC), Technology Sciences Group, Inc. (TSG) submitted a petition to EPA under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA), requesting an exemption from the requirement of a tolerance. This regulation eliminates the need to establish a maximum permissible level for residues of 3-decen-2-one under the FFDCA.

EPA is taking direct final action to approve revisions to the Kansas State Implementation Plan (SIP) submitted by the State of Kansas on July 27, 2010. The revision includes two new rules which implement restrictions on the idling of heavy duty diesel vehicles and reduce nitrogen oxide (NOX) emissions at stationary sources in the Kansas portion of the Kansas City Maintenance Area for ozone. EPA is approving this revision because the standards and requirements set by the rules will strengthen the Kansas SIP. EPA's approval of this SIP revision is being done in accordance with the requirements of the Clean Air Act (CAA).

The National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC) proposes to amend its minimum internal control standards for Class II gaming under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act to add standards for the drop and count and surveillance of kiosks.