August 8, 2013 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

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

The New England Fishery Management Council (Council) is scheduling a public meeting of its Herring Oversight Committee 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.

This action amends Class E Airspace at Factoryville, PA, as the Lake Henry VORTAC has been decommissioned and new standard instrument approach procedures developed for Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations at Seamans Field Airport. This enhances the safety and management of aircraft operations at the airport.

This action amends Class E Airspace at Bedford, PA, as the St. Thomas VORTAC has been decommissioned and new standard instrument approach procedures developed for Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations at Bedford County Airport. This enhances the safety and management of aircraft operations at the airport. This action also updates the geographic coordinates of the airport.

The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) is reopening the rulemaking record for MSHA's existing rule on Refuge Alternatives for the limited purpose of obtaining comments on the frequency for motor task (also known as ``hands-on'' training), decision-making, and expectations training for miners to deploy and use refuge alternatives in underground coal mines. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit remanded a training provision in the Refuge Alternatives rule, directing MSHA to explain the basis for requiring motor task (hands-on), decision-making, and expectations training annually rather than quarterly or to reopen the record and allow public comment. MSHA will review the comments to determine an appropriate course of action for the Agency in response to comments. MSHA will publish its response in the Federal Register addressing the public comments and either explaining the reason that it is leaving the existing rule unchanged or modifying the rule as the result of the public comment process.

DoD is proposing to amend the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) to create an overarching prescription for each set of quality assurance-related provisions/clauses with one or more alternates. In addition, the proposed rule would include the full text of each provision and/or clause alternate.

This rule decreases the assessment rate established for the Washington Cherry Marketing Committee (Committee) for the 2013-2014 and subsequent fiscal periods from $0.18 to $0.15 per ton of sweet cherries handled. The Committee locally administers the marketing order, which regulates the handling of sweet cherries grown in designated counties in Washington. Assessments upon Washington sweet cherry handlers are used by the Committee to fund reasonable and necessary expenses of the program. The fiscal period begins April 1 and ends March 31. The assessment rate will remain in effect indefinitely unless modified, suspended, or terminated.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (Bureau) is proposing a new information collection titled, ``Development of Metrics to Measure Financial Well-being of Working-age and Older American Consumers.''

DoD is proposing to amend the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) to create an overarching prescription for each set of transportation-related provisions/clauses with one or more alternates. The rule also proposes to add a separate prescription for the basic clause as well as each alternate. In addition, the proposed rule would include the full text of each provision and/or clause alternate.

DoD is issuing a final rule amending the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) to implement a revision by the United States Trade Representative (USTR) to the list of least developed countries that are designated countries under the Trade Agreements Act of 1979.

EPA is taking direct final action approving revisions to the Texas State Implementation Plan (SIP). The submitted revisions include a maintenance plan for Victoria County, Texas, developed to ensure continued attainment of the 1997 8-hour National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS or standard). The Maintenance Plan meets the requirements of Section 110(a)(1) of the Federal Clean Air Act (CAA or Act), EPA's rules, and is consistent with EPA's guidance. On March 12, 2008, EPA issued a revised ozone standard. Today's action is being taken to address requirements under the 1997 ozone standard. EPA is approving the revision pursuant to section 110 of the CAA.

EPA is finalizing a partial disapproval of the Arizona State Implementation Plan (SIP) to implement the regional haze program for the first planning period through 2018. Regional haze is caused by emissions of air pollutants from numerous sources located over a broad geographic area. The Clean Air Act (``CAA'' or the ``Act'') and EPA's regulations require states to adopt and submit to EPA SIPs that assure reasonable progress toward the national goal of achieving natural visibility conditions in 156 national parks and wilderness areas designated as Class I areas.

EPA is proposing to approve revisions to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's (Pennsylvania) State Implementation Plan (SIP). One revision consists of an update to the SIP-approved Motor Vehicle Emissions Budgets (MVEBs) for nitrogen oxides (NOX) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) for the 1997 8-Hour Ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) SIP for Lancaster County (also referred to as the ``Lancaster Maintenance Area''). The other SIP revision updates the point source inventory for NOX and VOCs. In the Final Rules section of this Federal Register, EPA is approving the State's SIP submittal as a direct final rule without prior proposal because the Agency views this as a noncontroversial submittal and anticipates no adverse comments. A detailed rationale for the approval is set forth in the direct final rule. If no adverse comments are received in response to this action, no further activity is contemplated. If EPA receives adverse comments, the direct final rule will be withdrawn and all public comments received will be addressed in a subsequent final rule based on this proposed rule. EPA will not institute a second comment period. Any parties interested in commenting on this action should do so at this time.

This action establishes Class D airspace at Bryant Army Airfield (AAF), Anchorage AK. This action provides controlled airspace to improve the safety and management of aircraft operations at the airport due to an increase in the complexity, volume, and variety of aircraft in the immediate vicinity of Bryant AAF.

This action amends Class D airspace at Grand Forks Air Force Base (AFB), ND. Changes to the airspace description are necessary due to changes in air traffic control tower operating hours. The FAA is taking this action to enhance the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rule (IFR) operations at the airport.

This action amends Class D airspace at Sparta, WI. Changes to the airspace description are necessary due to the need to exclude active military restricted airspace at Sparta/ Fort McCoy Airport. The FAA is taking this action to enhance the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rule (IFR) operations at the airport.

This action amends Class E airspace at Commerce, TX. Additional controlled airspace is necessary to accommodate new Area Navigation (RNAV) Standard Instrument Approach Procedures at Commerce Municipal Airport. This action enhances the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rule (IFR) operations at the airport. Geographic coordinates are also updated.

This action amends Class D airspace at Rickenbacker International Airport, Columbus, OH. Changes to the airspace description are necessary due to the closure of South Columbus Airport. The FAA is taking this action to enhance the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rule (IFR) operations at the airport. The airport name and geographic coordinates are also updated.

This action establishes Class E airspace at Walker, MN. Controlled airspace is necessary to accommodate new Area Navigation (RNAV) Standard Instrument Approach Procedures at Walker Municipal Airport. The FAA is taking this action to enhance the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rule (IFR) operations at the airport.

The Board, Bureau, FDIC, FHFA, NCUA, and OCC (collectively, the Agencies) are proposing to amend Regulation Z, which implements the Truth in Lending Act (TILA), and the official interpretation to the regulation. This proposal relates to a final rule issued by the Agencies on January 18, 2013 (2013 Interagency Appraisals Final Rule or Final Rule), which goes into effect on January 18, 2014. The Final Rule implements a provision added to TILA by the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the Dodd-Frank Act or Act) requiring appraisals for ``higher-risk mortgages.'' For certain mortgages with an annual percentage rate that exceeds the average prime offer rate by a specified percentage, the Final Rule requires creditors to obtain an appraisal or appraisals meeting certain specified standards, provide applicants with a notification regarding the use of the appraisals, and give applicants a copy of the written appraisals used. The Agencies are proposing amendments to the Final Rule implementing these requirements; specifically, the Agencies are proposing exemptions from the rules for: transactions secured by existing manufactured homes and not land; certain ``streamlined'' refinancings; and transactions of $25,000 or less.