2014 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

NMFS is reallocating the projected unused amounts of the Aleut Corporation's pollock directed fishing allowance from the Aleutian Islands subarea to the Bering Sea subarea directed fisheries. These actions are necessary to provide opportunity for harvest of the 2014 total allowable catch of pollock, consistent with the goals and objectives of the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all The Boeing Company Model 717-200 airplanes; Model DC-10-10, DC-10-10F, DC-10-15, DC-10-30, DC-10-30F (KC-10A and KDC-10), DC-10-40 and DC-10- 40F airplanes; Model MD-10-10F and MD-10-30F airplanes; Model DC-9-81 (MD-81), DC-9-82 (MD-82), DC-9-83 (MD-83), and DC-9-87 (MD-87) airplanes; Model MD-88 airplanes; and Model MD-90-30 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of latent air data transducer degradation. This proposed AD would require revising the maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate special compliance items (SCIs). We are proposing this AD to prevent erroneous air data information, which could lead to a mid-air collision within reduced vertical separation minimum (RVSM) airspace.

The Commission has before it a petition for rulemaking filed by Ion Media Kansas City License, Inc. (``Ion Media''), the licensee of station KPXE-TV, channel 51, Kansas City, Missouri, requesting the substitution of channel 30 for channel 51 at Kansas City. While the Commission instituted a freeze on the acceptance of full power television rulemaking petitions requesting channel substitutions in May 2011, it subsequently announced that it would lift the freeze to accept such petitions for rulemaking seeking to relocate from channel 51 pursuant to a voluntary relocation agreement with Lower 700 MHz A Block licensees. Ion Media has entered into such a voluntary relocation agreement with T-Mobile USA, Inc. and states that operation on channel 30 would eliminate potential interference to and from wireless operations in the adjacent Lower 700 MHZ A Block.

The Military Compensation and Retirement Modernization Commission (MCRMC) is issuing an interim final rule, establishing procedures for the public to obtain information from MCRMC under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).

This rule amends the Transportation Acquisition Regulation (TAR) to reflect the elevation of the Research and Innovative Technology Administration into the Office of the Secretary, creating the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology. The amendment to TAR allows the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology to have the same authority as the former Research and Innovative Technology Administrator. The change provides the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology (formerly the Research and Innovative Technology Administration) the same authority as an Operating Administration, and provides the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology to have the same authority as a Head of an Operating Administration.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone within the navigable waters of Thompson Bay in Lake Havasu, AZ in support of the Lucas Oil Thunder on the River high speed boat race. This safety zone is established to help ensure the safety of participants, crew, spectators, participating vessels, and other vessels and users of the waterway. Unauthorized persons and vessels are prohibited from entering into, transiting through, or anchoring within this safety zone unless authorized by the Captain of the Port, or their designated representative.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, determine threatened species status under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act), for Arabis georgiana (Georgia rockcress), a plant species in Georgia and Alabama. The effect of this regulation is to add this species to the List of Endangered and Threatened Plants and extend the Act's protections to this species.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for APEX Aircraft Model R 3000/160 airplanes. This AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as small pieces of paint from the engine air intake box blocking the engine carburetor. We are issuing this AD to require actions to address the unsafe condition on these products.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, are finalizing two actions with this rule: We are designating revised critical habitat for the contiguous United States distinct population segment of the Canada lynx (Lynx canadensis) under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended, and we are revising the boundary of the Canada lynx distinct population segment. These revisions fulfill our obligations under two settlement agreements and address issues raised by two courts regarding our previous critical habitat designation. This rule revises critical habitat for the lynx and extends the Endangered Species Act's protections to the species wherever it occurs in the contiguous United States, including New Mexico. The effect of this regulation is to conserve the Canada lynx and its habitats in the contiguous United States under the Endangered Species Act.

NMFS proposes to revise the regulations governing transshipment and international port inspection for vessels with Atlantic highly migratory species (HMS) permits to implement recommendations adopted at recent meetings of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT). The proposed rule would expand the current prohibition on transfer at sea to include any tuna, tuna-like species, or other Atlantic HMS both at sea and in port inside the Atlantic Ocean, and also prohibit the transfer of Atlantic HMS by U.S. vessels outside of the Atlantic Ocean and its surrounding seas. However, tuna purse seine vessels would still be allowed to transfer Atlantic bluefin tuna from the catcher vessel to the receiving vessel in certain limited circumstances. Additionally, the proposed rule would revise current regulations for U.S.-permitted vessels landing tuna, tuna-like species, or other HMS in foreign ports or making port calls in foreign ports to update information and reporting procedures. NMFS is also notifying vessels with HMS permits of a proposed requirement that they provide an International Maritime Organization (IMO)/Lloyd's Registry (LR) number on their permit application by no later than January 1, 2016. The purpose of this proposed rule is to ensure U.S. compliance with ICCAT recommendations and to facilitate implementation of international monitoring, control, and surveillance measures for Atlantic HMS.

The Commission is issuing a set of final rules addressing Postal Service filings concerning market tests of experimental products. The rules address the contents of market test filings, review of filings, and related matters. Relative to the proposed rules, some of the changes are substantive and others are minor and non- substantive.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is initiating this rulemaking and data collection process to consider amending energy conservation standards for commercial prerinse spray valves. To inform interested parties and to facilitate this process, DOE has prepared a Framework Document that details the analytical approach and preliminary scope of coverage for the rulemaking, and identifies several issues on which DOE is particularly interested in receiving comments. DOE will hold a public meeting to discuss and receive comments on its planned analytical approach and issues it will address in this rulemaking proceeding. DOE welcomes written comments and relevant data from the public on any subject within the scope of this rulemaking. A copy of the Framework Document is available at: https://www1.eere.energy.gov/ buildings/appliancestandards/rulemaking.aspx?ruleid=100.

The Coast Guard proposes to change the operating schedule that governs the Amtrak Bridge across the Thames River, mile 3.0, at New London, Connecticut. Under this notice of proposed rulemaking the bridge would open to 75 feet above mean high water instead of the full open position of 135.3 feet unless a full bridge opening is requested. It is expected that this change to the regulations will create efficiency in drawbridge operations while continuing to meet the reasonable needs of navigation.

We propose to supersede airworthiness directive (AD) 2013-15- 10 that applies to certain Rolls-Royce (RR) RB211 turbofan engines. AD 2013-15-10 requires inspecting the intermediate-pressure compressor (IPC) rotor shaft rear balance land for cracks. This AD eliminates a terminating action, expands one inspection and eliminates others. This proposed AD would require inspecting the IPC rotor shaft rear balance land for cracks and eliminate certain other inspections. We are proposing this AD to detect cracking on the IPC rotor shaft rear balance land, which could lead to uncontained engine failure and damage to the airplane.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain serial number Lycoming Engines reciprocating engines. This proposed AD was prompted by events of propeller governor shaft set screws coming loose due to improper installation, which could result in engine oil loss, damage to the engine, and damage to the airplane. This proposed AD would require application of Loctite 290, or equivalent, to the threads of the propeller governor shaft set screw at each installation of the set screw in addition to the peening of crankcase hole threads. We are proposing this AD to prevent the propeller governor shaft set screw from coming loose, causing damage to the engine, and damage to the airplane.

On June, 25, 2014, HUD published a document implementing statutory changes made by the Department of Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Act, 2014 to certain programs administered by HUD's Office of Housing and HUD's Office of Public and Indian Housing. In the discussion of implementation of the new definition of ``extremely low-income'' applicable to multifamily projects administered by HUD's Office of Housing, the document referred to ``contract administrators'' and it should have referenced ``owners.'' This document makes that correction.

This action modifies two jet routes and three VOR Federal airways and removes three jet routes in the north central United States. The FAA is taking this action due to the scheduled decommissioning of the Peck, MI, VHF Omnidirectional Range (VOR) navigation aid (NAVAID), which provides navigation guidance for portions of the affected routes. The amendments for one jet route (J- 38) and one VOR Federal airway (V-337) that were addressed in the notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) are withdrawn from this final rule as they are being amended in a separate rulemaking action. This action promotes flight safety and the efficient management of aircraft operating within the National Airspace System (NAS).

To minimize customer confusion and ensure consistent administration, the Postal Service proposes to change the total annual volume thresholds required for USPS Return Services products to qualify for Commercial Plus[supreg] pricing. A minimum volume of 50,000 will be established for these products across the board to simplify the product and make it easier for customers to do business with the Postal Service.

The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) is issuing a proposed rule with request for comments regarding the housing goals for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (the Enterprises). The Federal Housing Enterprises Financial Safety and Soundness Act of 1992, as amended, (the Safety and Soundness Act) requires FHFA to establish annual housing goals for mortgages purchased by the Enterprises. The housing goals include separate categories for single-family and multifamily mortgages on housing that is affordable to low-income and very low- income families, among other categories. The existing housing goals for the Enterprises remain in effect through the end of 2014. This proposed rule would update the benchmark levels for each of the housing goals and subgoals for 2015 through 2017. The proposed rule would also establish a new housing subgoal for small multifamily properties affordable to low-income families. The proposed rule presents three alternatives for determining whether an Enterprise has met the single-family housing goals. The first option would keep the current approach, which compares the performance of the Enterprise both to a benchmark level and to a retrospective market level. The second option would use a benchmark level only, and the third option would use a retrospective market level only. The proposed rule would also revise a number of other provisions in order to provide greater clarity on the mortgages eligible for goal or subgoal categories. Specific changes include rules for counting shared living spaces such as student housing and rules for skilled nursing and seniors housing units. In addition, the proposed rule would make a number of clarifying and conforming changes, including revisions to the definitions of ``rent'' and ``utilities'' and to the rules for determining affordability of both single-family and multifamily units. FHFA also plans to require more detailed Enterprise reporting on their purchases of mortgages on single-family rental housing. Finally, the proposed rule would establish more transparent agency procedures if FHFA issues guidance on the housing goals in the future.

The Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board (Agency) proposes to amend its regulations to explain the Board's procedures for responding to tax levies and criminal restitution orders that comply with the statutory requirements.

We are amending the bovine tuberculosis regulations to advance the status of Antrim, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Crawford, Emmet, Otsego, and Presque Isle Counties in Michigan from modified accredited advanced to accredited-free. We have determined that these counties meet the criteria for accredited-free status. This action relieves certain restrictions on the interstate movement of cattle and bison from these areas of Michigan.

This action proposes to establish Class D airspace and amend Class E airspace at Selma, AL, to accommodate the new air traffic control tower at Craig Field Airport. Controlled airspace is necessary for the safety and management of instrument flight rules (IFR) operations at the airport.

NMFS is closing commercial fishing for Pacific bluefin tuna in the eastern Pacific Ocean (EPO) because the catch limit is expected to be reached by the effective date of this action. This action is necessary per the intentions of the final rule (May 16, 2014), that implements the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission Resolution C-13- 02 on conservation and management measures for Pacific bluefin tuna in the EPO.

The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is affirming without changes its interim rule (79 FR 12037) to amend the procedures to Request a Referendum at 7 CFR Part 1220 by removing the specific number of soybean producers eligible to request a referendum under the Soybean Promotion, Research, and Consumer Information program, commonly known as the Soybean Checkoff Program. The number of soybean producers will be replaced with language that allows the Secretary of Agriculture (Secretary) to update this number based on information provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Additionally, this rule removes specific USDA and Farm Service Agency (FSA) Web site and office addresses and replaces them with more flexible language. These changes will enable AMS to announce future Requests for Referendum without engaging in additional informal rulemaking.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is classifying dengue virus nucleic acid amplification test reagents into class II (special controls). The Agency is classifying the device into class II (special controls) because special controls, in addition to general controls, will provide a reasonable assurance of safety and effectiveness of the device.