March 4, 2013 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

BOEM has prepared a Draft EIS on oil and gas lease sales tentatively scheduled in 2014 and 2016 in the EPA offshore the States of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida. Under the Proposed Final Outer Continental Shelf Oil & Gas Leasing Program: 2012-2017 (Five-Year Program), two annual lease sales are scheduled for the EPA. The proposed EPA lease sales are Lease Sales 225 and 226.

On February 7, 2013, the United States Court of International Trade (``CIT'') sustained the Department of Commerce's (``Department'') results of redetermination, which granted a separate rate to Gem-Year Industrial Co., Ltd. (``Gem-Year''), in the 2008-2010 administrative review of the antidumping duty order on certain steel threaded rod (``steel threaded rod'') from the People's Republic of China (``PRC''),\1\ pursuant to the CIT's remand order in Hubbell Power Systems, Inc. v. United States, Court No. 11-00474, Slip Op. 12-123 (CIT 2012) (``Hubbell''). Consistent with the decision of the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (``CAFC'') in Timken,\2\ as clarified by Diamond Sawblades,\3\ the Department is notifying the public that the final judgment in this case is not in harmony with the Department's Final Results and is amending the Final Results.\4\

The Farm Service Agency (FSA) is issuing this interim rule amending the regulations that specify interest rates on guaranteed farm loans. This rule will tie the maximum interest rate that may be charged on FSA guaranteed farm loans to nationally published indices, specifically the 3-month London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) or the 5-year Treasury note rate, unless the lender uses a formal written risk-based pricing practice for loans, in which case the rate must be at least one risk tier lower than the borrower would receive without the guarantee. These provisions are intended to increase clarity and specificity in the maximum rate requirements, while at the same time setting rates that will work in current credit market conditions.

The Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Office of Administration and Resources Management (OARM), Office of Human Resources (OHR) is giving notice that it proposes to create a new system of records pursuant to the provisions of the Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. 552a). This system of records will contain information used by the Agency to implement and manage its telework program. The records will also be used to prepare and/or conduct telework program evaluations and audits.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA or Agency) Office of External Affairs and Environmental Education Staff Office is soliciting applications, for professionals to serve on the National Environmental Education Advisory Council (NEEAC) sub-committee. There are multiple vacancies on the Advisory Council (sub-committee) that must be filled. Additional avenues and resources may be utilized in the solicitation of applications. In an effort to obtain nominations of diverse candidates, EPA encourages nominations of women and men of all racial and ethnic groups.

NMFS publishes the standard ex-vessel prices and fee percentage for cost recovery under the Central Gulf of Alaska Rockfish Program. This action is intended to provide participants in a rockfish cooperative with the standard prices and fee percentage for the 2012 fishing year, which was authorized from May 1 through November 15. The fee percentage is 1.4 percent. The fee liability payments were due from each rockfish cooperative by February 15, 2013.

The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) has submitted Amendment 9 (Amendment 9) to the Fishery Management Plan for the Shrimp Fishery of the South Atlantic Region (FMP) for review, approval, and implementation by NMFS. Amendment 9 would revise the criteria and procedures by which South Atlantic states may request a concurrent closure of the penaeid shrimp (brown, pink, and white shrimp) commercial sector in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in order to protect overwintering white shrimp. Amendment 9 would also update the current overfished and overfishing status determination criteria for pink shrimp.

In accordance with Section 102(a)(4)(C) of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Reform Act of 1989, this notice announces 28 permanent supportive housing renewal grant awards totaling $32,933,188 from the Department's FY2012 Housing Opportunities for Persons With AIDS (HOPWA) program. The notice announces the selection of 28 renewal grants for permanent supportive housing efforts. This notice makes available the names of the award recipients and grant amounts (reference Appendix A).

It is the policy of the Commission to publish settlements which it provisionally accepts under the Consumer Product Safety Act in the Federal Register in accordance with the terms of 16 CFR 1118.20(e). Published below is a provisionally-accepted Settlement Agreement with Kolcraft Enterprises, Inc., containing a civil penalty of $400,000.00, within twenty (20) days of service of the Commission's final Order accepting the Settlement Agreement.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, propose to revise our regulations regarding the approval of nontoxic shot types to make the regulations easier to understand. The language governing determination of Expected Environmental Concentrations (EECs) in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems is altered to make clear the shot size and number of shot to be used in calculating the EECs. We propose to specify the pH levels to be used in calculating the EEC in water. We also propose to move the requirement for in vitro testing to Tier 1, which will allow us to better assess applications and minimize the need for Tier 2 applications. We propose to add language for withdrawal of alloys that have been demonstrated to have detrimental environmental or biological effects, or for which no suitable field-testing device is available. We expect these changes to reduce the time required for nontoxic shot approvals. Finally, we propose to charge fees to cover our costs in evaluating these applications.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus Model A318-112, A319-111, A319-112, A319-115, A319-132, and A319-133 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a report that a fastener, which connects the cargo door keel beam foot to the circumferential butt-strap and the section 13-14 lower shell panel, was not installed on airplanes during production. This proposed AD would require inspecting forward fuselage frame 24, stringer 39, right hand, to determine if the fastener is missing; measuring the hole dimensions of the five holes surrounding the missing fastener if necessary; and related investigative and corrective actions if necessary. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct the missing fastener, which could result in reduced structural integrity of the airplane.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is publishing an order granting a petition requesting exemption from premarket notification requirements for wheelchair elevator devices commonly known as inclined platform lifts and vertical platform lifts. These devices are used to provide a means for a person with a mobility impairment caused by injury or other disease to move from one level to another, usually in a wheelchair. This order exempts wheelchair elevators, class II devices, from premarket notification and establishes conditions for exemption for this device that will provide a reasonable assurance of the safety and effectiveness of the device without submission of a premarket notification (510(k)). This exemption from 510(k), subject to these conditions, is immediately in effect for wheelchair elevators. All other devices classified under FDA's wheelchair elevator regulations, including attendant-operated stair climbing devices for wheelchairs and portable platform lifts, continue to require submission of 510(k)s. FDA is publishing this order in accordance with the section of the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (the FD&C Act) permitting the exemption of a device from the requirement to submit a 510(k).

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is publishing an order granting a petition requesting exemption from premarket notification requirements for powered patient transport devices commonly known as stairway chair lifts. These devices are used to assist in the transfer of a person with a mobility impairment caused by injury or other disease up and down flights of stairs. This order exempts stairway chair lifts, class II devices, from premarket notification and establishes conditions for exemption for this device that will provide a reasonable assurance of the safety and effectiveness of the device without submission of a premarket notification (510(k)). This exemption from 510(k), subject to these conditions, is immediately in effect for stairway chair lifts. All other devices classified under FDA's powered patient transport regulations, including attendant-operated portable stair-climbing chairs (which are different from wheelchairs) continue to require submission of 510(k)s. FDA is publishing this order in accordance with the section of the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (the FD&C Act) permitting the exemption of a device from the requirement to submit a 510(k).

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), Employment and Training Administration (ETA), announces the availability of $12 million in grant funds authorized by the Workforce Investment Act to serve adult and youth ex-offenders. Services for ex-offenders will be targeted to females, but must also be open to eligible male ex-offenders. Strategies Targeting Characteristics Common to Female Ex-Offenders grants will be awarded through a competitive process. Under this solicitation, DOL expects to award eight grants up to $1.5 million each to cover a 37-month period of performance. These grants will include an integrated strategy of recruitment and assessment, empowerment and self- development, case management, education and training, workforce development, follow-up, and state/local partnerships. The complete SGA and any subsequent SGA amendments in connection with this solicitation are described in further detail on ETA's Web site at https://www.doleta.gov/grants/ or on https://www.grants.gov. The Web sites provide application information, eligibility requirements, review and selection procedures, and other program requirements governing this solicitation.

The Bureau of Reclamation and California Department of Water Resources intend to prepare an environmental impact statement/ environmental impact report (EIS/EIR) for the implementation of actions I.6.1 and I.7 identified in the National Marine Fisheries Service's 2009 Biological Opinion and Conference Opinion on the Long-term Operation of the Central Valley Project and State Water Project Reasonable and Prudent Alternative. These actions consist of salmonid habitat restoration efforts within the lower Sacramento River basin and fish passage through the Yolo Bypass. We are seeking suggestions and information on the alternatives and topics to be addressed and any other important issues related to the proposed action.

The Caribbean Fishery Management Council's (CFMC) Outreach and Education Advisory Panel (OEAP) will hold a meeting.

The USDA Forest Service, Eldorado National Forest will prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for a proposal to modify vegetation on approximately 7,000 acres of National Forest System land. The purpose of the project is to modify the forest vegetation in order to put it on a trajectory toward the desired conditions for: (1) Reduced tree density; (2) sustained old forest conditions; (3) enhanced wildlife habitat; (4) reduced wildfire risk; (5) improved long-term scenic sustainability; (6) increased recreational opportunities; (7) enhanced riparian conservation areas; and, (8) maximized revenue derived from commercial products to perform essential and costly biomass removal, and to support the retention of local industrial infrastructure. The project area is located south-east of the community of Grizzly Flat, including the area surrounding Leoni Meadows, west of Caldor, and north of Big Mountain. The project is located entirely in El Dorado County, California in T.8N., R.13 E., in all or portions of Sections 1 and 2; T.8N., R.14 E., in all or portions of Sections 4-6; T.9N., R.13E., in portions of Section 1-3, 11-16, 19-30, 33-36; T.9N., R.14E., in all or portions of Sections 5-10, 14-22, 28-33; and T.10 N, R.13E., in all or portions of Sections 35 and 36; M.D.B & M.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. chapter 3501 et seq.), ED is proposing a revision of a currently approved collection.

We, the Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), have waived the 30-day public notice period and have issued an endangered species permit to address emergency veterinary care for an injured green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) published a notice in the Federal Register on February 22, 2013, concerning an announcement of a public meeting and availability of the framework document for packaged terminal air conditioners and heat pumps. This document corrects the date of the public meeting.