June 3, 2014 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

On April 8, 2014, we, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announced a reopening of the public comment period on the October 28, 2013, proposal to list the Bi-State distinct population segment (DPS) of greater sage-grouse (Bi-State DPS; Centrocercus urophasianus) as threatened under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended, with a special rule, and the proposed designation of critical habitat. This document announces an extension of the comment period on the proposed critical habitat rule. We also announce the availability of a draft economic analysis (DEA) of the proposed designation of critical habitat for the Bi-State DPS and an amended required determinations section of the proposal. We are extending the comment period to allow all interested parties an opportunity to comment simultaneously on the proposed critical habitat rule, the associated DEA, and the amended required determinations section. Comments previously submitted need not be resubmitted, as they will be fully considered in preparation of the final critical habitat rule. The comment period on the associated proposed listing rule is not being extended and closes on June 9, 2014.

The Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services proposes a priority for the Research Fellowships Program administered by the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR). Specifically, this notice proposes a priority for a Distinguished Residential Policy Fellowship. We take this action to focus attention on an area of national need. We intend the priority to build research capacity by providing support to highly qualified, experienced researchers, including those who are individuals with disabilities, to conduct policy research in the areas of disability and rehabilitation.

In this document, the Federal Communications Commission (Commission) eliminates the effective competitive opportunities test (ECO Test) from its review of international section 214 authority and cable landing license applications, as well as foreign carrier affiliation notifications, filed by foreign carriers or their affiliates that have market power in countries that are not members of the World Trade Organization (WTO). The Commission found that elimination of outdated or unnecessary rules will reduce regulatory costs and enhance its ability to expeditiously review foreign entry that may be advantageous to U.S. consumers, while continuing to protect important interests related to national security, law enforcement, foreign policy, and trade policy.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for all waters of the Ohio River, surface to bottom, extending from Ohio River mile 460.9 to mile 461.3, extending 300 ft. from the state of Ohio shoreline at Cincinnati, Ohio. This temporary safety zone is necessary to protect persons and property from potential damage and safety hazards during the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra fireworks displays. During the period of enforcement, no vessels may be located within this Coast Guard safety zone. Entry into this Coast Guard safety zone is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port Ohio Valley or other designated representative.

The Coast Guard has issued a temporary deviation from the operating schedule that governs the Southern Railroad Drawbridge across the Tennessee River, mile 304.4, at Decatur, Alabama. The deviation is necessary to allow the bridge owner time to replace and adjust the down haul operating ropes that are essential to the continued safe operation of the drawbridge. This deviation allows the bridge to remain in the closed-to-navigation position and not open to vessel traffic.

In this document, we correct an inadvertent omission of the last page of the FY 2014 Application Fee Order. The page that was omitted was a table of application fees involving charges for applications and other filings for the Homeland Services.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Piper Aircraft, Inc. Model PA-31-350 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a report of an engine fire caused by a leak in the fuel pump inlet hose. This proposed AD would require inspecting the fuel hose assembly and the turbocharger support assembly for proper clearance between them, inspecting each assembly for any sign of damage, and making any necessary repairs or replacements. We are proposing this AD to correct the unsafe condition on these products.

In an April 4, 2014 Federal Register Notice, the Federal Trade Commission (``Commission'') proposed amending its Fuel Rating Rule to provide revised rating, certification, and labeling requirements for blends of gasoline and more than 10 percent ethanol (``ethanol blends'') and an additional octane rating method for gasoline. The NPRM requested comments on the proposed amendments, and stated that comments must be received on or before June 2, 2014. In response to a request to extend the comment period received on May 20, 2014, the Commission is extending the comment period from June 2, 2014 to July 2, 2014.

This document contains final and temporary regulations relating to the election of the alternative simplified credit. The final and temporary regulations will affect certain taxpayers claiming the credit. The text of these temporary regulations also serves as the text of the proposed regulations (REG-133495-13) published in the Proposed Rules section in this issue of the Federal Register.

In response to requests from interested parties, the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) is extending the comment period on the Agency's Request for Information (RFI) on Refuge Alternatives for Underground Coal Mines. This extension gives interested parties additional time to review research reports and other relevant information.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Agusta Model A109A, A109A II, A109C, A109E, A109K2, A109S, AW109SP, A119, and AW119 MKII helicopters. This AD requires inspecting and replacing certain part-numbered main rotor swashplate support nuts. This AD is prompted by a report of two cracked nuts found on an A109S helicopter. These actions are intended to detect a cracked nut and prevent failure of the main rotor system, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

This action proposes special conditions for the Bombardier Aerospace Models BD-500-1A10 and BD-500-1A11 series airplanes. These airplanes will have a novel or unusual design feature associated with the use of carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) for most of the wing fuel tank structure, which, when impacted by tire debris, may resist penetration or rupture differently from aluminum wing skins. The applicable airworthiness regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards for this design feature. These proposed special conditions contain the additional safety standards that the Administrator considers necessary to establish a level of safety equivalent to that established by the existing airworthiness standards.

NMFS proposes regulations to implement Amendment 8 to the Fishery Management Plan for Coral, Coral Reefs, and Live/Hard Bottom Habitats of the South Atlantic Region (FMP) (Amendment 8), as prepared by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council). If implemented, this rule would expand portions of the northern and western boundaries of the Oculina Bank habitat area of particular concern (HAPC) (Oculina Bank HAPC) and allow transit through the Oculina Bank HAPC by fishing vessels with rock shrimp onboard; modify vessel monitoring systems (VMS) requirements for rock shrimp fishermen transiting through the Oculina Bank HAPC; expand a portion of the western boundary of the Stetson Reefs, Savannah and East Florida Lithotherms, and Miami Terrace Deepwater Coral HAPC (CHAPC) (Stetson- Miami Terrace CHAPC), including modifications to the shrimp access area A, which is proposed to be renamed ``shrimp access area 1''; and expand a portion of the northern boundary of the Cape Lookout Lophelia Banks Deepwater CHAPC (Cape Lookout CHAPC). In addition, this proposed rule makes a minor administrative change to the names of the shrimp fishery access areas. The purpose of this rule is to increase protections for deepwater coral based on new information for deepwater coral resources in the South Atlantic.

The Rural Business-Cooperative Service (RBS) amends its regulations for the Intermediary Relending Program (IRP). This action is critical to immediately address three major items. First, the Agricultural Act of 2014 incorporates the IRP into the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (Con Act). Therefore the IRP will now be subject to the Con Act, Section 343(a)(13) ``rural and rural area'' definition. Second, the Agency is making the following changes based on an Office of Inspector General (OIG) audit: Removing part of the definition of revolved funds to eliminate public confusion on its applicability; providing stronger guidance on items that should be taken into consideration when approving subsequent loans; defining what is meant by promptly relending collections from loans made from the revolving loan fund account; and providing clarification when prior Agency concurrence is needed to make loans. Finally, the Agency is removing provisions for Rural Development Loan Fund (RDLF) servicing as there are no longer any active RDLF accounts.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), designate critical habitat for Ivesia webberi (Webber's ivesia) under the Endangered Species Act (Act). In total, approximately 2,170 acres (879 hectares) in Plumas, Lassen, and Sierra Counties in northeastern California, and in Washoe and Douglas Counties in northwestern Nevada, fall within the boundaries of the critical habitat designation. The effect of this regulation is to conserve I. webberi's critical habitat under the Act.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) published a final rule in the Federal Register on October 2, 2013, which amended its regulations governing small business prime contracting by implementing provisions of the Small Business Jobs Act of 2010. That rule was published with inadvertent errors in two of the regulatory sections. Those errors are corrected in this document.

As provided under the Agriculture Act of 2014 (2014 Farm Bill), the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is amending the National Sheep Industry Improvement Center (NSIIC) regulations. This interim rule redesignates the statutory authority from section 375 of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946, amends the definition of the Act in the regulations consistent with the redesignated statutory authority, and amends the regulations by increasing the administrative cap for the use of the fund from 3 percent to 10 percent.

The Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975 (EPCA), as amended, prescribes energy conservation standards for various consumer products and certain commercial and industrial equipment, including walk-in coolers and walk-in freezers. EPCA also requires the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to determine whether more-stringent standards would be technologically feasible and economically justified, and would save a significant amount of energy. In this final rule, DOE is adopting more-stringent energy conservation standards for some classes of walk-in cooler and walk-in freezer components and has determined that these standards are technologically feasible and economically justified and would result in the significant conservation of energy.