September 2016 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is taking final action to partially approve and partially disapprove elements of the State Implementation Plan (SIP) submission from the State of Iowa addressing the applicable requirements of the Clean Air Act (CAA) section 110 for the 2008 ozone NAAQS. Section 110 requires that each state adopt and submit a SIP to support the implementation, maintenance, and enforcement of each new or revised NAAQS promulgated by the EPA. These SIPs are commonly referred to as ``infrastructure'' SIPs. The infrastructure requirements are designed to ensure that the structural components of each state's air quality management program are adequate to meet the state's responsibilities under the CAA.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is issuing this Notice of Data Availability (NODA) in connection with the proposed rule titled, ``Updates to Floodplain Management and Protection of Wetlands Regulations to Implement Executive Order 13690 and the Federal Flood Risk Management Standard'' that was published on August 22, 2016. Through this NODA, FEMA is making available to the public, and soliciting comment on, a draft report, 2016 Evaluation of the Benefits of Freeboard for Public and Nonresidential Buildings in Coastal Areas. The draft report has been added to the docket for the proposed rule.

The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) is issuing a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that would establish standards for identifying whether an indemnification payment by the Federal National Mortgage Association, the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, any of the Federal Home Loan Banks (regulated entities), or the Federal Home Loan Bank System's Office of Finance (OF) to an entity-affiliated party in connection with an administrative proceeding or civil action instituted by FHFA is prohibited or permissible. This proposed rule would not apply to a regulated entity operating in conservatorship or receivership, or to a limited-life regulated entity. It would apply to all regulated entities, each Federal Home Loan Bank, the OF, the Federal National Mortgage Association, and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Association, when not in conservatorship or receivership. This proposed rule takes into account public comments received by FHFA at various stages of the regulation's rulemaking process, including after the initial proposal published in 2009.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) inadvertently approved and codified incorrect entries for final rule actions published in the Federal Register. This technical amendment corrects the entries.

The Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) administers a program to hold retirement benefits for missing participants and beneficiaries in terminated retirement plans and to help those participants and beneficiaries find and receive the benefits being held for them. The program is currently limited to single-employer defined benefit pension plans covered by the pension insurance system under title IV of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA). PBGC proposes to make changes to its existing program and, as authorized by the Pension Protection Act of 2006, to establish similar programs for multiemployer plans covered by title IV, certain defined benefit plans that are not covered by title IV, and most defined contribution plans. PBGC seeks public comment on its proposal.

This rulemaking would revise the regulations that the Department of the Interior (Department) follows in processing records under the Freedom of Information Act in part to comply with the FOIA Improvement Act of 2016. The revisions would clarify and update procedures for requesting information from the Department and procedures that the Department follows in responding to requests from the public.

The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) maintains, as part of its Export Administration Regulations (EAR), the Commerce Control List (CCL), which identifies certain items subject to Department of Commerce jurisdiction. This final rule revises the CCL, as well as corresponding parts of the EAR, to implement changes made to the Wassenaar Arrangement's List of Dual-Use Goods and Technologies (WA List) maintained and agreed to by governments participating in the Wassenaar Arrangement on Export Controls for Conventional Arms and Dual-Use Goods and Technologies (Wassenaar Arrangement, or WA) at the December 2015 WA Plenary Meeting (the Plenary). The Wassenaar Arrangement advocates implementation of effective export controls on strategic items with the objective of improving regional and international security and stability. This rule harmonizes the CCL with the changes made to the WA List at the Plenary by revising Export Control Classification Numbers (ECCNs) controlled for national security reasons in each category of the CCL, as well as making other associated changes to the EAR. The changes to the WA List include raising the Adjusted Peak Performance (APP) for high performance computers. The President's report for High Performance Computers was sent to Congress on June 1, 2016, to set forth the new APP in accordance with the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for FY1998. This rule also makes changes to the EAR that were not agreed to at the WA Plenary. APP parameters are amended in several places in the EAR by this rule, such as APP parameters in the de minimis rules, License Exception APP, and related reporting requirements. BIS is also updating license requirements and policies associated with Category 5Part 2, including revising Export Control Classification Numbers 5A992, 5D992 and 5E992. In addition, this rule removes the Foreign National Review requirement associated with deemed exports under License Exceptions APP and CIV.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) proposes to establish new definitions, a new test procedure for dedicated-purpose pool pumps, new sampling and rating requirements, and new enforcement provisions for such equipment. Specifically, DOE proposes a test procedure for measuring the weighted energy factor (WEF) for certain varieties of dedicated-purpose pool pumps. The proposed test method incorporates by reference certain sections of the industry test standard Hydraulic Institute (HI) 40.6-2014, ``Methods for Rotodynamic Pump Efficiency Testing.'' The proposed definitions, test procedures, certification requirements, enforcement testing procedures, and labeling provisions are based on the recommendations of the dedicated-purpose pool pump (DPPP) Working Group, which was established under the Appliance Standards Rulemaking Federal Advisory Committee (ASRAC).

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA or we) is announcing the effective date for the definition of qualified auditor in the two final rules that appeared in the Federal Register of September 17, 2015.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary 500-yard security zone on the waters adjacent to Rosecliff Mansion and the Newport Marriott Hotel, in Newport, Rhode Island, in conjunction with special events of the U.S. Navy's 22nd International Seapower Symposium. Vessels and people are prohibited from entering these security zones.

We, NMFS, have completed a comprehensive status review under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) for the common guitarfish (Rhinobatos rhinobatos) and the blackchin guitarfish (Rhinobatos cemiculus). We have determined that, based on the best scientific and commercial data available, and after taking into account efforts being made to protect these species, both species meet the definition of a threatened species under the ESA. Therefore, we propose to list both species as threatened species under the ESA. We are not proposing to designate critical habitat for either of the species proposed for listing because the geographical areas occupied by these species are entirely outside U.S. jurisdiction. We are soliciting comments on our proposal to list these two foreign marine guitarfish species.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus Model A319-115, A319-132, A320-214, A320-232, A321-211, A321-213, and A321-231 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a report of certain tie rod assemblies installed on the hinged fairing assembly of the main landing gear (MLG) with no cadmium plating on the rod end threads. This proposed AD would require a detailed inspection of certain tie rod assemblies installed on the hinged fairing assembly of the MLG for the presence of cadmium plating, and replacement of tie rod assemblies without cadmium plating. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct the absence of cadmium plating on the rod end threads of the tie rod assemblies. The absence of cadmium plating could lead to galvanic corrosion of the tie rod end threads, resulting in rod end failure, loss of a MLG door, and consequent damage to the airplane.

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (``Commission'') is adopting enhanced requirements for testing by a derivatives clearing organization (``DCO'') of its system safeguards, as well as additional amendments to reorder and renumber certain paragraphs within the regulations and make other minor changes to improve the clarity of the rule text.

This rule updates policies and responsibilities for basic entrance qualification standards for enlistment, appointment, and induction into the Armed Forces and delegates the authority to specify certain standards to the Secretaries of the Military Departments. It establishes the age, aptitude, character/conduct, citizenship, dependents, education, medical, physical fitness, and other disqualifying conditions that are causes for rejection from military service. Other standards may be prescribed in the event of mobilization or national emergency. This rule sets standards designed to ensure that individuals under consideration for enlistment, appointment, and/or induction are able to perform military duties successfully, and to select those who are the most suitable for Service life.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is approving elements of the state implementation plan (SIP) submission from Ohio regarding the infrastructure requirements of section 110 of the Clean Air Act (CAA) for the 2012 fine particulate matter (PM2.5) National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). The infrastructure requirements are designed to ensure that the structural components of each state's air quality management program are adequate to meet the state's responsibilities under the CAA. The proposed rule associated with this final action was published on June 23, 2016, and we received no comments.

We are superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2005-15-07 for certain Airbus Model A320-111 airplanes and Model A320-200 series airplanes. AD 2005-15-07 required installing insulator and cable ties to the electrical cables of the S routes at the gaps in the raceway in the wing trailing edge and the wing tip and wing root areas. This new AD requires additional modifications in the trailing edges of both wings. This new AD also removes airplanes from the applicability. This AD was prompted by reports of wire chafing in the left-hand wing trailing edge. We are issuing this AD to prevent wire chafing in the trailing edge of the wings, which could result in a short circuit in the vicinity of the fuel tanks, consequently resulting in a potential source of ignition in a fuel tank vapor space and consequent fuel tank explosion.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Viking Air Limited Models DHC-2 Mk. I, DHC-2 Mk. II, and DHC-2 Mk. III airplanes. This AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by an aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as corrosion of the elevator control rod and of the elevator actuating lever on the control column. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct corrosion and/or cracking of the elevator control rod assemblies and the elevator actuating lever, which if not detected and corrected, could cause these components to fail. This failure could result in loss of control.

This notice describes a proposed order through which the Federal Aviation Administration plans to designate a certain category of information as protected from public disclosure pursuant to a Voluntary Disclosure Reporting Program. The Federal Aviation Administration is required to protect the information from disclosure to the public, including disclosure required by statute, such as the Freedom of Information Act, following issuance of an order designating the information as protected. The instant designation is intended to encourage participation in the Voluntary Disclosure Reporting Program.

In this proposed rule, SBA is making changes to its Early Stage Small Business Investment Company (SBIC) initiative, which was launched in 2012 as a 5-year effort as part of President Obama's Startup America Initiative. The intent of the initiative was to license and provide SBA-guaranteed leverage to Early Stage SBICs that would focus on making investments in early stage small businesses. Although 62 investment funds applied to the program, few satisfied SBA's licensing criteria. To date, SBA has only licensed five Early Stage SBICs. In an attempt to attract more qualified early stage fund managers, this rule proposes changes to the initiative with respect to licensing, non-SBA borrowing, and leverage eligibility. These proposed changes are based in part on feedback SBA received on an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) that was published in March 2015. In addition, this rule reflects SBA's intention to continue licensing and providing SBA-guaranteed leverage to Early Stage SBICs beyond the 5- year term of the initiative, and proposes certain technical changes to SBA's Early Stage regulations.

This regulation establishes an exemption from the requirement of a tolerance for residues of ammonium persulfate (CAS Reg. No.7727- 54-0) when used as an inert ingredient (preservative) in pesticide formulations applied to growing crops and raw agricultural commodities after harvest, etc.) at a concentration not to exceed 0.05% by weight. Exponent, Inc., on behalf of Becker Underwood, Inc. submitted a petition to EPA under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA), requesting establishment of an exemption from the requirement of a tolerance. This regulation eliminates the need to establish a maximum permissible level for residues of ammonium persulfate under the approved conditions.

On September 2, 2016, the Department of Defense published a final rule (81 FR 61068-61098) titled TRICARE; Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Treatment. DoD is making a technical amendment due to the discovery of two errors. We noted in the preamble of the final rule that we had removed the requirements regarding capacity (30 percent) and length of time licensed and at full operational status (6 months) for substance use disorder rehabilitation facilities (SUDRFs). However, we did not remove the necessary sentence in the regulatory text. In a response to a public comment in the preamble of the final rule, we said that TRICARE will require opioid treatment programs (OTPs) to be licensed and operate in substantial compliance with state and federal regulations. However, we did not make the necessary change in the regulatory text. This technical amendment corrects those errors.

This regulation establishes temporary exemptions from the requirement of a tolerance for residues of Aspergillus flavus strains TC16F, TC35C, TC38B, and TC46G in or on the food and feed commodities of corn, field; corn, pop; and corn, sweet when used in accordance with the terms of Experimental Use Permit (EUP) No. 91163-EUP-1. Interregional Research Project Number 4 (IR-4) submitted a petition to EPA under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA), requesting these temporary tolerance exemptions. This regulation eliminates the need under FFDCA to establish a maximum permissible level for residues of Aspergillus flavus strains TC16F, TC35C, TC38B, and TC46G when used under the terms of EUP No. 91163-EUP-1. The temporary tolerance exemptions expire on June 30, 2020.

NMFS is exchanging allocations of Amendment 80 cooperative quota (CQ) for Amendment 80 acceptable biological catch (ABC) reserves. This action is necessary to allow the 2016 total allowable catch of flathead sole, rock sole, and yellowfin sole in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area to be harvested.

The Coast Guard is establishing a special local regulation for all waters of the Ohio River, surface to bottom, extending from Ohio River mile 557.5 to 558.5 in Madison, IN on September 17 and September 18, 2016. This action is necessary to provide for the safety of life on these navigable waters near Madison, IN during the high-speed boat race on September 17 and September 18, 2016. This regulation prohibits persons and vessels from being in the regulated area unless authorized by the Captain of the Port Ohio Valley or a designated representative.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA or we) is announcing that we have filed a petition, submitted by McCormick & Company, Inc., proposing that the color additive regulations be amended to provide for the safe use of spirulina extract to color shell eggs at levels consistent with good manufacturing practice.