August 2016 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

In this interim final rule, the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) amends the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) to make certain items subject to the EAR and to impose on those items a license requirement for export and reexport to all destinations, except Canada. Specifically, this rule classifies certain specified targets ``specially designed'' for the production of tritium and related ``development'' and ``production'' technology under Export Control Classification Numbers (ECCNs) 0A521 and 0E521, respectively, on the Commerce Control List (CCL). As described in the final rule that established the 0Y521 series and that was published in the Federal Register on April 13, 2012, items are added to the 0Y521 series upon a determination by the Department of Commerce, with the concurrence of the Departments of Defense and State, and other agencies as appropriate, that the items should be controlled for export because the items provide at least a significant military or intelligence advantage to the United States or foreign policy reasons justify control. In this matter, the Department of Energy also concurred in the control imposed. The items identified in this rule are controlled for regional stability (RS) Column 1 reasons. The only license exception available for these items is for exports, reexports, and transfers (in-country) made by or consigned to a department or agency of the U.S. Government.

On May 31, 2016, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) published in the Federal Register a notice of proposed rulemaking (NOPR) that proposed amended energy conservation standards for commercial water heaters. DOE published this NOPR so stakeholders can review and provide input on these proposed revisions. The comment period for the NOPR pertaining to the subject commercial water heating equipment was scheduled to end August 1, 2016. After receiving a number of requests for additional time to comment, DOE has decided to reopen the public comment period until August 30, 2016 for the purposes of submitting comments on the NOPR or any other aspect of the energy conservation standards rulemaking for commercial water heating equipment.

This document contains temporary regulations pursuant to section 1101(g)(4) of the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015 regarding an election to apply the new partnership audit regime enacted by that act to certain returns of a partnership. The regulations provide the time, form, and manner for making this election. The regulations affect any partnership that wishes to elect to have the new partnership audit regime apply to its returns filed for certain taxable years beginning before January 1, 2018.

The Coast Guard is establishing a 100 yard temporary moving safety zone around the M/V Zhenhuan 14 during its inbound and outbound transit as well as all movements in between the Charleston Harbor entrance buoy and the Wando Welch Terminal on the Charleston Harbor, and Wando River, Charleston, SC. The M/V Zhenhuan 14 will be transporting 5 gantry cranes between the dates of August 5, 2016 through August 17, 2016. The safety zone is necessary to protect the public from hazards associated with transporting the large cranes. Persons and vessels are prohibited from entering, transiting through, anchoring in, or remaining within the safety zone unless authorized by the Captain of the Port Charleston or a designated representative.

NMFS closes the northern area Angling category fishery for large medium and giant (``trophy'' (i.e., measuring 73 inches curved fork length or greater)) Atlantic bluefin tuna (BFT). This action is being taken to prevent any further overharvest of the Angling category northern area trophy BFT subquota.

In accordance with the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as amended, and its implementing regulations, we, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, finalize incidental take regulations (ITR) that authorize the nonlethal, incidental, unintentional take of small numbers of Pacific walruses and polar bears during oil and gas industry activities in the Beaufort Sea and adjacent northern coast of Alaska. Industry operations include similar types of activities covered by the previous 5-year Beaufort Sea ITRs effective from August 3, 2011, through August 3, 2016. This rule is also effective for 5 years from the date of issuance.

We are revising an earlier proposed airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica S.A. (Embraer) Model EMB-135 airplanes and Model EMB-145, -145ER, -145MR, -145LR, -145MP, and -145EP airplanes. The NPRM proposed to require a detailed inspection for chafing on the electrical harness of each electrical fuel pump in the fuel tanks, replacement of the affected electrical fuel pump with a new or serviceable pump if necessary, and installation of clamps on the fuel pump electrical harnesses. The NPRM was prompted by a report of chafing found between the fuel pump electrical harness and the fuel pump tubing during scheduled maintenance. This action revises the NPRM by expanding the proposed applicability and revising the compliance time for the detailed inspection. We are proposing this supplemental NPRM (SNPRM) to detect and correct chafing of the fuel pump harnesses with other parts inside the fuel tank, which could present a potential ignition source that could result in a fire or fuel tank explosion. Since certain actions impose an additional burden over those proposed in the NPRM, we are reopening the comment period to allow the public the chance to comment on these proposed changes.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Model A300 series airplanes; and Airbus Model A300 B4-600, B4- 600R, and F4-600R series airplanes, and Model A300 C4-605R Variant F airplanes (collectively called Model A300-600 series airplanes). This proposed AD was prompted by reports of cracks in certain pins in the main landing gear (MLG). This proposed AD would require repetitive detailed visual inspections of the pins for cracks, and replacing the MLG leg if necessary. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct cracking of certain pins in the MLG, which could result in a MLG collapse, and consequent damage to the airplane and injury to the airplane occupants.

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 battery chargers. In this notice, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) proposes new energy conservation standards for uninterruptible power supplies, a class of battery chargers, and also announces a public meeting to receive comment on these proposed standards and associated analyses and results.

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (Commission or CFTC) is proposing to amend certain of its regulations applicable to the Annual Report that each person registered or required to be registered as a commodity pool operator (CPO) must distribute for each commodity pool that it operates (Proposal). Specifically, the Proposal addresses the use of additional alternative generally accepted accounting principles, standards or practices, and the Annual Report audit requirement where the first fiscal year of a pool consists of a period of three months or less from the date of formation of the pool.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA or the Agency) is proposing to extend for certain inactive coal combustion residuals (CCR) surface impoundments the compliance deadlines established by the regulations for the disposal of CCR under subtitle D of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). These revisions are being proposed in response to a partial vacatur ordered by the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit (D.C. Circuit) on June 14, 2016.

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (``Commission'') is proposing to amend one of its regulations. The proposed amendment would amend the conditions under which persons located outside the United States (``U.S.'') acting in the capacity of a futures commission merchant (``FCM''), an introducing broker (``IB''), commodity trading advisor (``CTA''), or commodity pool operator (``CPO'') in connection with commodity interest transactions solely on behalf of persons located outside the U.S., or on behalf of certain international financial institutions, would qualify for an exemption from registration with the Commission.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service or FWS), are amending regulations for National Wildlife Refuges (NWRs) in Alaska that govern predator control and public participation and closure procedures. The amendments to the regulations are designed to clarify how our existing mandates for the conservation of natural and biological diversity, biological integrity, and environmental health on refuges in Alaska relate to predator control; prohibit several particularly effective methods and means for take of predators; and update our public participation and closure procedures. This rule does not change Federal subsistence regulations or restrict the taking of fish or wildlife for subsistence uses under Federal subsistence regulations.

The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is amending the Cotton Board Rules and Regulations, decreasing the value assigned to imported cotton for the purposes of calculating supplemental assessments collected for use by the Cotton Research and Promotion Program. This amendment is required each year to ensure that assessments collected on imported cotton and the cotton content of imported products will be the same as those paid on domestically produced cotton.

NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for northern rockfish in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 2016 total allowable catch of northern rockfish in the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA.

The Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) requires that NMFS periodically review existing regulations that have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities, such as small businesses, small organizations, and small governmental jurisdictions. This plan describes how NMFS will perform this review and describes the regulations that are being proposed for review during the current review cycle.

We are proposing to amend the Animal Welfare Act (AWA) regulations in response to a 2014 Farm Bill amendment to the Act that provides the Secretary of Agriculture with the authority to determine that animal dealers and exhibitors are not required to obtain a license under the Act and regulations if the size of the business conducting AWA-related activities is determined to be de minimis by the Secretary. The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has reviewed past compliance with the Animal Welfare Act of currently-regulated facilities and has determined that de minimis businesses, as defined in the rule are capable of providing adequate care and treatment of the animals involved in regulated business activities. We also propose amending the regulations in response to a 2013 amendment to the Act that excludes from the definition of ``exhibitor'' some owners of household pets that are exhibited occasionally, generate less than a substantial portion of income, and reside exclusively with the owner. Dealers and exhibitors operating at or below the thresholds determined for their particular AWA-related business activity would be exempted from Federal licensing requirements established under the Act and regulations. Our proposed actions would amend the regulations to be consistent with the Act while continuing to ensure the humane care and treatment of animals covered under the AWA.

This rule establishes, amends, suspends, or removes Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPs) and associated Takeoff Minimums and Obstacle Departure Procedures (ODPs) for operations at certain airports. These regulatory actions are needed because of the adoption of new or revised criteria, or because of changes occurring in the National Airspace System, such as the commissioning of new navigational facilities, adding new obstacles, or changing air traffic requirements. These changes are designed to provide safe and efficient use of the navigable airspace and to promote safe flight operations under instrument flight rules at the affected airports.

This rule establishes, amends, suspends, or removes Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPs) and associated Takeoff Minimums and Obstacle Departure Procedures (ODPs) for operations at certain airports. These regulatory actions are needed because of the adoption of new or revised criteria, or because of changes occurring in the National Airspace System, such as the commissioning of new navigational facilities, adding new obstacles, or changing air traffic requirements. These changes are designed to provide safe and efficient use of the navigable airspace and to promote safe flight operations under instrument flight rules at the affected airports.

NMFS is implementing final specifications for the 2016-2018 bluefish fishery, including catch restrictions for commercial and recreational fisheries. This action is necessary to comply with the implementing regulations for the Bluefish Fishery Management Plan that require us to publish specifications. The intent of this action is to implement specifications necessary to constrain harvest of this species within scientifically sound recommendations to prevent overfishing.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is approving portions of revisions to the Louisiana New Source Review (NSR) State Implementation Plan (SIP) submitted by the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality. These revisions to the Louisiana SIP provide updates to the minor NSR and nonattainment new source review (NNSR) permit programs in Louisiana contained within the Chapter 5 Permit Procedures and Chapter 6 Regulations on Control of Emissions through the Use of Emission Reduction Credits (ERC) Banking rules.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), determine the critical habitat for the marbled murrelet (Brachyramphus marmoratus), as designated in 1996 and revised in 2011, meets the statutory definition of critical habitat under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). The current designation includes approximately 3,698,100 acres (1,497,000 hectares) of critical habitat in the States of Washington, Oregon, and California.

On July 12, 2016, we published in the Federal Register a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) for Ensuring Program Uniformity at the Hearing and Appeals Council Levels of the Administrative Review Process. We provided a 30-day comment period ending on August 11, 2016. We are extending the comment period for 15 days.

This rule establishes a marketing agreement and order (order) for pecans grown in the states of Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Carolina, and Texas. The order provides authority to collect industry data and to conduct research and promotion activities. In addition, the order provides authority for the industry to recommend grade, quality and size regulation, as well as pack and container regulation, subject to approval by the Department of Agriculture (USDA). The program will be financed by assessments on handlers of pecans grown in the production area and will be locally administered, under USDA oversight, by a Council of seventeen growers and shellers (handlers) nominated by the industry and appointed by USDA.

The Surface Transportation Board (STB or Board) is adopting a final rule to define ``on time'' and specify the formula for calculating ``on-time performance'' for purposes of Section 213 of the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2008. The Board will use these regulations only for the purpose of determining whether the ``less than 80 percent'' threshold that Congress set for bringing an on-time performance complaint has been met. In light of comments received on the Board's notice of proposed rulemaking issued on December 28, 2015, the proposed rule has been modified to deem a train's arrival at, or departure from, a given station ``on time'' if it occurs no later than 15 minutes after its scheduled time and to adopt an ``all-stations'' calculation of ``on-time performance.''