February 21, 2013 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) is changing the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP or Program) regulations pertaining to SNAP client benefit use, participation of retail food stores and wholesale food concerns in SNAP, and SNAP client participation in the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR). These changes to SNAP regulations address mandatory provisions of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008, Public Law 110-246 (hereinafter referred to as ``the 2008 Farm Bill'') to allow for the disqualification of a SNAP client who intentionally obtains cash by purchasing, with SNAP benefits, products that have container deposits, subsequently discarding the product, and returning the container(s) in exchange for cash refund of deposit(s); or who intentionally resells or exchanges products purchased with SNAP benefits for purposes of obtaining cash and/or other non-eligible items. Through existing authority under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, FNS is also stipulating penalties for certain Program abuses committed by retailers. These abuses include stealing of SNAP benefits, by retailers, without client complicity, and other forms of trafficking through complicit arrangements between the retailer and the SNAP client. Examples of the latter would be the purchase, by retailers, of products originally purchased by clients with SNAP benefits and re-sold to stores in exchange for cash or other non-eligible items; or retailers taking possession of SNAP client cards and PINs, using the SNAP benefits to purchase stock for the store, and subsequently returning the card and PIN to the client with cash or other non- eligible items provided in exchange for having used the SNAP benefit. FNS is also addressing the mandatory 2008 Farm Bill provisions requiring disqualification in SNAP when an individual is disqualified from FDPIR, and under existing authority, clarifying the prohibition against dual participation in SNAP and FDPIR.

The EPA is announcing a public hearing to be held for the proposed rule ``Regulation of Fuels and Fuel Additives: 2013 Renewable Fuel Standards,'' which was published separately in the Federal Register on February 7, 2013. (78 FR 9282.) The hearing will be held in Ann Arbor, Michigan on March 8, 2013. EPA is also extending the comment period on the proposed rule to April 7, 2013. The proposed rule would amend the renewable fuel standard program regulations to establish annual percentage standards for cellulosic biofuel, biomass-based diesel, advanced biofuel, and renewable fuels that would apply to all gasoline and diesel produced in the U.S. or imported in the year 2013. The proposal is based in part on EPA's proposed projection of cellulosic biofuel production in 2013, and its proposed determination that the applicable volumes of advanced biofuel and total renewable fuel specified in the statute should not be modified in 2013.

The comment period for the notice of public meeting and availability of the Framework Document pertaining to the development of energy conservation standards for commercial and industrial pumps published on February 1, 2013, is extended to May 2, 2013.

This action proposes to modify Class D airspace and the Class E airspace areas at Pueblo Memorial Airport, Pueblo, CO. Controlled airspace is necessary to accommodate aircraft using VHF Omni- Directional Radio Range/Distance Measuring Equipment (VOR/DME) standard instrument approach procedures at Pueblo Memorial Airport. The FAA is proposing this action to enhance the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations in the vicinity of the Pueblo Memorial Airport. This action also would make an adjustment to the geographic coordinates of the airport.

NMFS proposes regulations to implement management measures described in a regulatory amendment to the Fishery Management Plan for the Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf of Mexico (FMP), as prepared by the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council). If implemented, this rule would (1) establish a closure date for the 2013 recreational sector for gag harvest based on the projected annual catch target (ACT), and (2) reduce the geographic extent of the recreational shallow-water grouper (SWG) fixed seasonal closure, which are in place to prevent overfishing of gag, and to reduce fishing pressure on other SWG species. The reduction in the geographic extent of the closure still would provide some spawning season protection for several SWG species, but provides a better opportunity for the recreational sector to achieve optimum yield (OY) from the stocks in the SWG complex in the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf). This proposed rule is intended to help achieve OY for the Gulf gag and other SWG resources and prevent overfishing from the stocks in the SWG complex.

In this document the Commission requests comment on a petition filed by Wendolyn Tellez (``Petitioner''), licensee of FM Station KSAG, Channel 277A, Pearsall, Texas. Petitioner proposes to amend the FM Table of Allotments by substituting Channel 277A for vacant Channel 227A, at Pearsall. The proposal is part of a contingently filed ``hybrid'' application and rule making petition. Channel 277A can be allotted at Pearsall, Texas, in compliance with the Commission's minimum distance separation requirements 28-56-40 NL and 99-11-44 WL, at a site 11.4 km (7.1 miles) northwest of Pearsall. Concurrence by the Government of Mexico is required because Pearsall, Texas, is located within 320 kilometers (199 miles) of the U.S.-Mexican border. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION infra.

This document announces the effective date of rules published in the Federal Register on June 23, 2004. The final rules revised broadcast and multichannel video programming distributor (MVPD) equal employment opportunity (EEO) requirements.

This document announces the effective date of rules published in the Federal Register on December 6, 1994. The final rules revised to provide cable operators with additional incentives to expand their facilities and services in a way that both ensures that cable rates are reasonable and expands the opportunities for cable programmers to reach viewers.

The Coast Guard will enforce the Sitcum Waterway Security Zone in Commencement Bay, Tacoma, Washington from 6 a.m. on February 23, 2013, through 11:59 p.m. on March 4, 2013, unless cancelled sooner by the Captain of the Port. This action is necessary for the security of Department of Defense assets and military cargo in the navigable waters of Puget Sound and adjacent waters. Entry into this zone is prohibited unless otherwise exempted or excluded under 33 CFR 165.1321 or unless authorized by the Captain of the Port or his Designated Representative.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the reopening of the public comment period on two proposed rules: one to list the hyacinth macaw (Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus), and one to list the military macaw (Ara militaris) and great green macaw (Ara ambiguus) as endangered under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). Both rules were published in the Federal Register on July 6, 2012. We are reopening the comment periods to allow all interested parties an opportunity to provide additional comments on these proposed rules and to submit information on the status of the species. Comments previously submitted need not be resubmitted, as they will be fully considered in preparation of the final rule.

EPA is updating the materials submitted by the State of Hawaii that are incorporated by reference (IBR) into the Hawaii State Implementation Plan (SIP). The regulations affected by this update have been previously submitted by the State of Hawaii and approved by EPA. This update affects the SIP materials that are available for public inspection at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), the Air and Radiation Docket and Information Center located at EPA Headquarters in Washington, DC, and the EPA Regional Office.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Reims Aviation S.A. Model F406 airplanes. This AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by an aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as improper material used in nose landing gear (NLG) attachment brackets could lead to failure of the NLG bracket with consequent damage to the airplane while landing. We are issuing this AD to require actions to address the unsafe condition on these products.