January 2016 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Wireline Competition Bureau grants in part a request seeking an extension to the comment and reply comment deadlines in the business data services (special access proceeding, Special Access FNPRM.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is considering the establishment of a disaster deductible, requiring a predetermined level of financial or other commitment from a Recipient (Grantee), generally the State, Tribal, or Territorial government, before FEMA will provide assistance under the Public Assistance Program when authorized by a Presidential major disaster declaration. FEMA believes the deductible model would incentivize Recipients to make meaningful improvements in disaster planning, fiscal capacity for disaster response and recovery, and risk mitigation, while contributing to more effective stewardship of taxpayer dollars. For example, Recipients could potentially receive credit toward their deductible requirement through proactive pre-event actions such as adopting enhanced building codes, establishing and maintaining a disaster relief fund or self- insurance plan, or adoption of other measures that reduce the Recipient's risk from disaster events. The deductible model would increase stakeholder investment and participation in disaster recovery and building for future risk, thereby strengthening our nation's resilience to disaster events and reducing the cost of disasters long term. FEMA seeks comment on all aspects of the deductible concept.

We are revising the regulations pertaining to the exportation of livestock from the United States. Among other things, we are removing most of the requirements for export health certifications, tests, and treatments from the regulations, and instead directing exporters to follow the requirements of the importing country regarding such processes and procedures. We are retaining only those export health certification, testing, and treatment requirements that we consider necessary to have assurances regarding the health and welfare of livestock exported from the United States. We also are allowing pre- export inspection of livestock to occur at facilities other than an export inspection facility associated with the port of embarkation, under certain circumstances, and replacing specific standards for export inspection facilities and ocean vessels with performance standards. These changes will provide exporters and the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) with more flexibility in arranging for the export of livestock from the United States while continuing to ensure the health and welfare of the livestock. Additionally, if APHIS knows that an importing country requires an export health certificate endorsed by the competent veterinary authority of the United States for any animal other than livestock, including pets, or for any hatching eggs or animal germplasm, we are requiring that the animal, hatching eggs, or animal germplasm have such a health certificate to be eligible for export from the United States. This change will help ensure that all animals, hatching eggs, and animal germplasm exported from the United States meet the health requirements of the countries to which they are destined. Finally, we are making editorial amendments to the regulations to make them easier to understand and comply with.

DoD, GSA, and NASA are proposing to amend the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to implement a section of the Small Business Jobs Act of 2010. This statute requires contractors to notify the contracting officer in writing if the contractor pays a reduced price to a small business subcontractor, or if the contractor's payment to a small business contractor is more than 90 days past due.

In this document, the Commission seeks comment on a Petition for Rulemaking (Petition) filed by IDT Telecom, Inc. (IDT) requesting that the Commission issue a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) to review and revise its rules and policies on the contribution methodology for the Interstate Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS) Fund to include intrastate revenue within the TRS Fund contribution base. Additionally IDT requests that the Commission remove the rule provision requiring that video relay service (VRS) costs be recovered from only interstate and international revenue.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve a state implementation plan (SIP) revision submitted by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (Pennsylvania) for the purpose of demonstrating attainment of the 2008 lead national ambient air quality standard (NAAQS) in the Lower Beaver Valley 2008 lead nonattainment area (Lower Beaver Valley Area or Area). The attainment plan includes the base year emissions inventory, modeling demonstration of attainment with the lead NAAQS, and an analysis of reasonably available control measures (RACM), reasonably available control technology (RACT), and reasonable further progress (RFP). The attainment plan also includes contingency measures for the Lower Beaver Valley Area which include parts of a Consent Order and Agreement (COA) between Horsehead Corporation (Horsehead) and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP). This action is being taken under the Clean Air Act (CAA).

The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) has adopted a final rule revising its regulations governing Federal Home Loan Bank (Bank) membership. The final rule adopts several key revisions included in the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking. These revisions will prevent the circumvention of the statute's membership restrictions by ineligible entities using captive insurers as conduits for Bank membership by defining the term ``insurance company'' to exclude captive insurers, thereby making them ineligible for Bank membership; permit any Bank that has admitted captives to membership a transition period within which to wind down its affairs with those entities; require a Bank to obtain and review an insurance company's audited financial statements when considering its application for membership; clarify the standards by which a Bank is to determine the ``principal place of business'' for its members, including specific standards for insurance companies and community development financial institutions; and remove obsolete provisions and make numerous non-substantive textual revisions so as to provide greater clarity. The final rule does not implement the proposed rule's provisions with respect to continuing eligibility requirements, in order, as explained below, to avoid compliance burdens that may outweigh the benefits. The specific revisions made, and the rationale for making them, are set forth in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION below.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Fokker Services B.V. Model F.28 Mark 1000, 2000, 3000, and 4000 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a design review, that revealed a hot spot may develop in the main fuel tank under certain failure conditions of the solenoid of the level control pilot valve, the reed switch of the main tank overflow valve, the level float switch of the collector tank, or the solenoid of the main tank fueling shut- off valve. This proposed AD would require installing fuses in the wiring of the solenoid of the level control pilot valve, the reed switch of the main tank overflow valve, the level float switch of the collector tank, and the solenoid of the main tank fueling shut-off valve, as applicable. This proposed AD would also require accomplishing concurrent actions and revising the airplane maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, by incorporating fuel airworthiness limitation items and critical design configuration control limitations (CDCCLs). We are proposing this AD to prevent an ignition source in the main fuel tank vapor space, which could result in a fuel tank explosion and consequent loss of the airplane.

We propose to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2010-23- 19, that applies to certain Bombardier, Inc. Model CL-600-2C10 (Regional Jet Series 700, 701, and 702) airplanes, Model CL-600-2D15 (Regional Jet Series 705) airplanes, and Model CL-600-2D24 (Regional Jet Series 900) airplanes. AD 2010-23-19 requires repetitive inspections for damage of the main landing gear (MLG) inboard doors and fairing, and corrective actions if necessary. Since we issued AD 2010- 23-19, we have received reports of the MLG failing to fully extend. This proposed AD would require repetitive inspections for damage of the MLG inboard doors, MLG fairing, and adjacent structures of the MLG inboard doors, and corrective actions if necessary; replacement of the MLG fairing seal; and a terminating action involving increasing the clearances between the MLG fairing and MLG door. This proposed AD would also add one airplane and remove others from the applicability. We are proposing this AD to prevent loss of controllability of the airplane during landing.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is converting a conditional approval of a state implementation plan (SIP) revision submitted by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania on behalf of the Allegheny County Health Department (ACHD) to a full approval. This SIP revision includes amendments to the ACHD Rules and Regulations, Article XXI, Air Pollution Control, and meets the requirement to adopt reasonably available control technology (RACT) for sources covered by EPA's control techniques guidelines (CTG) for the following categories: miscellaneous metal and/or plastic parts surface coating processes; automobile and light-duty truck assembly coatings; miscellaneous industrial adhesives; and fiberglass boat manufacturing materials. Upon review of the submittal, EPA found that the average monomer volatile organic compound (VOC) content limits were referenced but not included in the regulation for fiberglass boat manufacturing materials. ACHD has revised the regulation and submitted the table of VOC content limits for fiberglass boat manufacturing materials to EPA in order to address specific RACT requirements for Allegheny County. Therefore, EPA is converting the conditional approval of the revisions to the Pennsylvania SIP to a full approval in accordance with the requirements of the Clean Air Act (CAA).

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Fokker Services B.V. Model F.28 Mark 1000, 2000, 3000, and 4000 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a design review that revealed no controlled bonding provisions are present on a number of critical locations inside the fuel tanks or connected to the walls of the fuel tanks. This proposed AD would require installing additional and improved bonding provisions in the fuel tanks and revising the airplane maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, by incorporating fuel airworthiness limitation items and critical design configuration control limitations (CDCCLs). We are proposing this AD to prevent an ignition source in the fuel tank vapor space, which could result in a fuel tank explosion and consequent loss of the airplane.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Fokker Services B.V. Model F.28 Mark 0070 and 0100 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by the need for more restrictive fuel airworthiness limitations. This proposed AD would require revising the maintenance program or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate certain fuel system airworthiness limitations. We are proposing this AD to reduce the potential of ignition sources inside fuel tanks, which, in combination with flammable fuel vapors, could result in fuel tank explosions and consequent loss of the airplane.

This action establishes Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at Bowman Regional Airport, Bowman, ND, to accommodate new standard instrument approach procedures for the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations at the airport. Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface would be removed at Bowman Municipal Airport, Bowman, ND, due to closure of the air traffic control tower. The FAA found it necessary to establish airspace at Bowman Regional Airport to accommodate standard instrument approach procedures (SIAPs) at the airport. The FAA is taking this action to enhance the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations at the Bowman Regional Airport.

This action modifies VOR Federal airway V-443, which extends across the United States/Canadian border, in the north central United States. The FAA is taking this action to reflect and accommodate route changes made in Canadian airspace as part of Canada's Windsor-Toronto- Montreal (WTM) airspace redesign project.

This document contains technical amendments to HHS regulations regarding Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards. The regulatory content is being amended to add information that was erroneously omitted, to include updated cross-references within HHS' regulations, and to make grammatical corrections.

The Chattooga Wild and Scenic River is located in the Nantahala National Forest in North Carolina, the Sumter National Forest in South Carolina and the Chattahoochee National Forest in Georgia. Forest Service regulations generally prohibit floating activities on the Chattooga Wild and Scenic River unless authorized by a permit. On January 31, 2012, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Forest Service issued decisions to change some of the locations where, and conditions under which, boating would be allowed. Consequently, the Forest Service proposes to amend the regulations to more accurately reflect the new management direction for the Chattooga Wild and Scenic River.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary moving safety zone for navigable waters within a 1000-yards ahead of the Dry-Dock RICHLAND and its towing vessel and 500 yards abeam and 500 yards astern of the dry-dock. The safety zone is needed to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment from potential hazards created by the movement of the drydock from Guam waters. Entry of vessels or persons into this zone is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port Guam.

The United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Grain Inspection, Packers, and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA) is seeking comment from the public regarding the United States (U.S.) Standards for Oats under the United States Grain Standards Act (USGSA). To ensure that standards and official grading practices remain relevant, GIPSA invites interested parties to comment on whether the current oats standards and grading practices need to be changed.

In accordance with the Commission's regulations, the Commission issues this update of its filing fees. This document provides the yearly update using data in the Commission's Financial System to calculate the new fees. The purpose of updating is to adjust the fees on the basis of the Commission's costs for Fiscal Year 2015.

NMFS establishes the annual harvest guideline for the commercial lobster fishery in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands for calendar year 2016 at zero lobsters.

In section 518(e) of the Clean Water Act (CWA), Congress authorized EPA to treat eligible federally recognized Indian tribes in a similar manner as states for purposes of administering section 303 and certain other provisions of the CWA, and directed the agency to promulgate regulations effectuating this authorization. EPA has issued regulations establishing a process for federally recognized tribes to obtain treatment in a similar manner as states (TAS) for several provisions of the CWA; 50 tribes, for example, have obtained TAS authority to issue water quality standards under CWA section 303(c). EPA, however, has not yet promulgated regulations expressly establishing a process for such tribes to obtain TAS authority to administer the water quality restoration provisions of CWA section 303(d), including issuing lists of impaired waters and developing total maximum daily loads (TMDLs) under CWA section 303(d), as states routinely do. EPA is now proposing to remedy this gap. By establishing regulatory procedures for eligible tribes to obtain TAS for the CWA Section 303(d) Impaired Water Listing and TMDL Program, the proposed rule would enable eligible tribes to obtain authority to identify impaired waters on their reservations and to establish TMDLs, which serve as plans for attaining and maintaining applicable water quality standards (WQS). The proposal is comparable to similar regulations that EPA issued in the 1990s for the CWA Section 303(c) WQS and CWA Section 402 and 404 Permitting Programs, and includes features designed to minimize paperwork and unnecessary reviews. EPA requests comments on all aspects of the proposed rule.

This rule finalizes provisions of the proposed rule entitled Review of Major Changes in Program Design and Management Evaluation Systems, which was published May 3, 2011. This final rule amends the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) (formerly the Food Stamp Program) regulations to implement section 4116 of the Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008 (FCEA). Section 4116 of the FCEA, Review of Major Changes in Program Design, requires the United States Department of Agriculture (the Department) to identify standards for major changes in operations of State agencies' administration of SNAP. The provision also requires State agencies to notify the Department if they implement a major change in operations and to collect and report data that can be used to identify and correct problems relating to integrity and access, particularly for certain vulnerable households. This final rule establishes criteria for changes that would be considered ``major changes'' in program operations and identifies the data State agencies must report in order to identify problems relating to integrity and access. It also sets forth when and how State agencies must report on the implementation of a major change. This rule also amends Management Evaluation (ME) Review regulations by modifying the requirements for State reviews. The rule revises the definitions of large, medium and small project areas. Finally, it removes sections of the regulations pertaining to coupons and coupon storage since they are obsolete.

This document announces the withdrawal of pesticide petitions requesting the establishment or modification of tolerances or tolerance exemptions for residues of pesticide chemicals in or on various commodities. The petitions were either withdrawn voluntarily by the petitioners or by the Agency.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Bombardier, Inc. Model DHC-8-400 series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a revision by the manufacturer to the Certification Maintenance Requirements (CMR) of the Airworthiness Limitation Items (ALI), in the Maintenance Requirement Manual (MRM), that introduces a new CMR task that requires repetitive operational checks of the propeller overspeed governor. This proposed AD would require revising the airplane maintenance program or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate a new CMR task. We are proposing this AD to prevent dormant failure of the propeller overspeed governor, which may lead to a loss of propeller overspeed protection and result in high propeller drag in-flight.

In this document, the Commission adopted a number of procedures and procedural changes designed to assist AM broadcasters to better serve the public, thereby advancing the Commission's fundamental goals of localism, competition, and diversity in broadcast media.