May 2014 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

To comply with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), the Office of Natural Resources Revenue (ONRR) is inviting comments on the renewal of a collection of information that we will submit to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval. This Information Collection Request (ICR) covers the paperwork requirements in the regulations under 30 CFR part 1218.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) proposes to issue regulations to implement provisions of the Public Health Service Act authorizing the NIH Undergraduate Scholarship Program Regarding Professions Needed by National Research Institutes (UGSP). The purpose of the program is to recruit appropriately qualified undergraduate students from disadvantaged backgrounds to conduct research in the intramural research program as employees of the NIH by providing scholarship support.

This proposed rule would amend regulations of the Department of Commerce's Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) to reinstate the reporting requirements for the BE-13, Survey of New Foreign Direct Investment in the United States, which was discontinued in 2009. BEA is proposing to reinstate this survey to better measure Commerce Department efforts through the ``Build It Here, Sell It Everywhere'' initiative to expand foreign business investment in the United States and to ensure complete coverage of BEA's other foreign direct investment statistics. This survey will collect information on the acquisition or establishment of U.S. business enterprises by foreign investors, which was collected on the previous BE-13 survey, and information on expansions by existing U.S. affiliates of foreign companies, which was not previously collected. This mandatory survey would be conducted under the authority of the International Investment and Trade in Services Survey Act (the Act). Unlike other BEA surveys conducted pursuant to the Act, a response would be required from persons subject to the reporting requirements of the BE-13, Survey of New Foreign Direct Investment in the United States, whether or not they are contacted by BEA, in order to insure that respondents subject to the requirements for foreign direct investments in the U.S. are identified.

The FHWA is extending the comment period for a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) and request for comments, which was published on March 28, 2014. The original comment period is set to close on May 27, 2014. The extension is based on concern expressed by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) that the May 27 closing date does not provide sufficient time to review and provide comprehensive comments on the HSIP NPRM, considering all related rulemaking activities including the FHWA/FTA Statewide and Nonmetropolitan Transportation Planning; Metropolitan Transportation Planning NPRM (FHWA RIN 2125-AF52; FTA RIN 2132-AB10). The FHWA recognizes that others interested in commenting may have similar concerns and agrees that the comment period should be extended. Therefore, the closing date for comments is changed to June 30, 2014, which will provide AASHTO and others interested in commenting additional time to discuss, evaluate, and submit responses to the docket.

DoD is making technical amendments to the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) to provide needed editorial changes.

DoD is issuing a final rule amending the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) to align it with revisions to the DoD Instruction on operational contract support.

This Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Assessment (Notice) is being published as an initial step to involve Federal agencies, states, tribes, local governments, and the public in an early and transparent process to prepare an Environmental Assessment (EA) in accordance with the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq., and the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) regulations implementing NEPA, 40 CFR parts 1500-1508. This process includes determining the scope of issues and identifying potentially significant issues related to a proposed project on the OCS offshore New York. This public and expert input will help inform BOEM decision-making with regard to issuing leases and approving site assessment activities. In consultation with other Federal agencies and BOEM's New York Intergovernmental Renewable Energy Task Force, BOEM has identified an area for consideration for potential future wind energy leasing offshore New York (Call Area). The Call Area is identified in Commercial Leasing for Wind Power on the Outer Continental Shelf Offshore New YorkCall for Information and Nominations (Call), which is being published concurrently with this Notice. The leasing process provides several opportunities for public involvement before leasing can occur, including the publication of a Call and proposed sale notice. A commercial lease gives the lessee the exclusive right, subsequently, to seek BOEM approval for the development of the leasehold. The lease does not grant the lessee the right to construct any facilities; rather, the lease grants the lessee the right to use the leased area to develop its plans, which BOEM must approve before the lessee can move on to the next stage of the process. (See 30 CFR 585.600 and 585.601.) BOEM intends to prepare an EA to consider the environmental consequences associated with issuing commercial wind leases, associated site characterization activities (i.e., biological, archeological, geological and geophysical surveys and core samples), and approving site assessment activities on those leases within the Call Area. If a lessee proposes commercial wind development activity, the specific proposal will be subject to an environmental review at that time. At a minimum, the EA will consider the alternatives of (1) no action (i.e., no issuance of a lease) and (2) the issuance of a lease, associated site characterization activities and approval of certain site assessment activities within the lease area, such as installation of a fixed meteorological tower and/or deployment of a meteorological buoy. With this notice, BOEM requests comments and input from Federal, state, and local government agencies; tribal governments; and other interested parties on environmental issues and alternatives that may be appropriate for consideration in the EA. BOEM also requests information pertaining to measures (e.g., limitations on activities based on technology, siting, or timing) that would minimize the impacts to environmental resources and socioeconomic conditions that could result from the proposed activity. Additionally, as part of its compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (16 U.S.C. 470f), and its implementing regulations (36 CFR part 800), BOEM is seeking public comment and input regarding the identification of historic properties or potential effects to historic properties from leasing and site assessment activities in the proposed lease area.

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) has notified the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that it has adopted amendments to its spark-ignited (SI) Small Off-Road Engines (SORE) regulation (2008 SORE amendments). By letter dated December 2, 2013, ARB asked that EPA authorize these amendments pursuant to section the Clean Air Act. CARB seeks confirmation that the amendments are within the scope of a prior authorization issued by EPA, or, in the alternative, that the amendments merit full authorization. This notice announces that EPA has tentatively scheduled a public hearing to consider California's authorization request for the 2008 SORE amendments, and that EPA is now accepting written comment on the request.

The Federal Trade Commission amends its Regulations under the Fur Products Labeling Act to update the Fur Products Name Guide, provide more labeling flexibility, incorporate Truth in Fur Labeling Act provisions, and conform the guaranty provisions to those governing textiles. The Commission does not change the required name for nyctereutes procyonoides fur products. Labels will continue to describe this animal as ``Asiatic Raccoon.''

The Office of Fossil Energy (FE) of the Department of Energy (DOE) gives notice of receipt of an application (Application), filed on May 13, 2013, by Venture Global LNG, LLC (Venture Global), requesting long-term, multi-contract authorization to export domestically produced liquefied natural gas (LNG) \1\ in a volume up to 5 million metric tons per year (mtpa), which is equivalent to approximately 243.6 billion cubic feet per year (Bcf/yr) of natural gas, or 0.67 Bcf per day (Bcf/ d).\2\ Venture Global seeks authorization to export the LNG by vessel \3\ from the proposed Venture Global LNG Project (Project), a natural gas liquefaction and LNG export terminal to be located along the Calcasieu Ship Channel in Cameron Parish, Louisiana. Venture Global requests authorization to export this LNG for a 25-year term commencing on the earlier of the date of first export or eight years from the date the authorization is granted.

The Financial Stability Oversight Council (the ``Council'') invites members of the public and affected agencies to comment on proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)). The Council is soliciting comments concerning its collection of information related to its authority to designate financial market utilities as systemically important. Section 804 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection (the ``Dodd- Frank Act'') provides the Council the authority to designate a financial market utility (``FMU'') that the Council determines is or is likely to become systemically important because the failure of or a disruption to the functioning of the FMU could create, or increase, the risk of significant liquidity or credit problems spreading among financial institutions or markets and thereby threaten the stability of the United States financial system. On July 27, 2011, the Council published in the Federal Register a final rule (12 CFR part 1320) that describes the criteria that will inform and the processes and procedures established under the Dodd-Frank Act for the Council's designation of FMUs as systemically important under the Dodd-Frank Act. On July 18, 2012, the Council designated eight FMUs as systemically important under Title VIII of the Dodd-Frank Act. The collection of information under 12 CFR 1320.11 affords FMUs that are under consideration for designation, or rescission of designation, an opportunity to submit written materials to the Council in support of, or in opposition to, designation or rescission of designation. The collection of information under 12 CFR 1320.12 affords FMUs an opportunity to contest a proposed determination of the Council by requesting a hearing and submitting written materials (or, at the sole discretion of the Council, oral testimony and oral argument). The collection of information in 12 CFR 1320.14 affords FMUs an opportunity to contest the Council's waiver or modification of the notice, hearing, or other requirements contained in 12 CFR 1320.11 and 1320.12 by requesting a hearing and submitting written materials (or, at the sole discretion of the Council, oral testimony and oral argument). The information collected from FMUs under 12 CFR 1320.20 will be used by the Council to determine whether to designate an additional FMU or to rescind the designation of a designated FMU.

This action proposes to amend Class D airspace at Wichita, McConnell AFB, KS. The closure of nearby Derby, Hamilton Field has necessitated the need to amend Class D airspace at McConnell AFB. This action would enhance the safety and management of aircraft operations at the airport.

The Coast Guard will enforce the Biotechnology Industry Organization firework display safety zone on June 23, 2014. This marine event occurs on the navigable waters of San Diego Bay, immediately to the west of the USS MIDWAY, in San Diego, California. This action is necessary to provide for the safety of the participants, crew, spectators, safety vessels, and general users of the waterway. During the enforcement period, persons and vessels are prohibited from entering into, transiting through, or anchoring within this regulated area unless authorized by the Captain of the Port, or his designated representative.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Office of the Science Advisor announces a public meeting of the Human Studies Review Board to advise the Agency on the ethical and scientific reviews of EPA research with human subjects.

The Regional Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)New England Region, has determined that adequate facilities for the safe and sanitary removal and treatment of sewage from all vessels are reasonably available for the remaining state coastal waters of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

The Environmental Protection Agency is planning to submit an information collection request (ICR), (See item specific ICR title, EPA ICR Number, and OMB Control Number provided in the text) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.). Before doing so, EPA is soliciting public comments on specific aspects of the proposed information collection as described below. This is a proposed extension of the ICR, see expiration date for each ICR provided in the text. An Agency may not conduct or sponsor and a person is not required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number.