October 18, 2016 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Fisheries
Document Number: 2016-25309
Type: Rule
Date: 2016-10-18
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS is transferring 18 metric tons (mt) of Atlantic bluefin tuna (BFT) quota from the Harpoon category and 67 mt from the Reserve category to the General category for the remainder of the 2016 fishing year. These transfers result in adjusted 2016 quotas of 676.7 mt, 20.6 mt, and 8.6 mt for the General, Harpoon, and Reserve category quotas, respectively. NMFS also is adjusting the Atlantic tunas General category BFT daily retention limit from four large medium or giant BFT per vessel per day/trip to two large medium or giant BFT per vessel per day/trip for the remainder of the 2016 fishing year. This action is based on consideration of the regulatory determination criteria regarding inseason adjustments and applies to Atlantic tunas General category (commercial) permitted vessels and Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Charter/Headboat category permitted vessels when fishing commercially for BFT.
Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway (AIWW), Wrightsville Beach, NC and Northeast Cape Fear River, Wilmington, NC
Document Number: 2016-25183
Type: Rule
Date: 2016-10-18
Agency: Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security
The Coast Guard has issued a temporary deviation from the operating schedules that govern the S.R. 74 (Wrightsville Beach) Bridge across the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway (AIWW), mile 283.1, at Wrightsville Beach, NC and the Isabel S. Holmes Bridge across the Northeast Cape Fear River, mile 1.0, at Wilmington, NC. The deviation is necessary to facilitate the 2016 PPD IRONMAN North Carolina ``Beach2Battleship'' Triathlon. This deviation allows these bridges to remain in their closed-to-navigation position.
Participation by Disadvantaged Business Enterprises in Procurements Under EPA Financial Assistance Agreements
Document Number: 2016-25169
Type: Rule
Date: 2016-10-18
Agency: Environmental Protection Agency
Because EPA received comments which could be construed as adverse, we are withdrawing the direct final rule to amend Part 33 Participation by Disadvantaged Business Enterprises in Procurements under EPA Financial Assistance Agreements published on July 28, 2016.
Metaldehyde; Pesticide Tolerances
Document Number: 2016-25166
Type: Rule
Date: 2016-10-18
Agency: Environmental Protection Agency
This regulation establishes tolerances with regional registration for residues of metaldehyde in or on multiple commodities which are identified and discussed later in this document. Interregional Research Project Number 4 (IR-4) requested these tolerances under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA).
National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutant Emissions: Petroleum Refinery Sector
Document Number: 2016-25162
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2016-10-18
Agency: Environmental Protection Agency
On December 1, 2015, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized amendments to the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) Refinery Maximum Achievable Control Technology (MACT) 1 and Refinery MACT 2 regulations and the New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) for petroleum refineries. Subsequently, the EPA received three petitions for reconsideration of the final rules. The EPA is announcing reconsideration and request for public comment on five issues raised in the petitions for reconsideration where petitioners claim that the public was not afforded an opportunity to comment. Additionally, the EPA is proposing amendments to the final rule to clarify a compliance issue raised by stakeholders subject to the final rule and to correct a referencing error. The EPA is seeking comment only on the five identified petition issues and on the proposed compliance issue clarification and referencing error amendments. The EPA will not respond to comments addressing any other issues or any other provisions of the final rule.
Receipt of Several Pesticide Petitions Filed for Residues of Pesticide Chemicals in or on Various Commodities
Document Number: 2016-25146
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2016-10-18
Agency: Environmental Protection Agency
This document announces the Agency's receipt of several initial filings of pesticide petitions requesting the establishment or modification of regulations for residues of pesticide chemicals in or on various commodities.
Order Establishing De Minimis Threshold Phase-In Termination Date
Document Number: 2016-25143
Type: Rule
Date: 2016-10-18
Agency: Commodity Futures Trading Commission, Agencies and Commissions
With respect to the de minimis exception to the swap dealer definition, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (``Commission'' or ``CFTC'') is issuing an order (``Order''), pursuant to the applicable Commission regulation, to establish December 31, 2018 as the de minimis threshold phase-in termination date.
Rule Recognizing Privileged Communications Between Clients and Patent Practitioners at the Patent Trial and Appeal Board
Document Number: 2016-25141
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2016-10-18
Agency: Department of Commerce, United States Patent and Trademark Office
This proposed rule would amend the rules of practice before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board to recognize that, in connection with discovery conducted in certain proceedings at the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO or Office), communications between U.S. patent agents or foreign patent practitioners and their clients are privileged to the same extent as communications between clients and U.S. attorneys. The rule would apply to inter partes review, post-grant review, the transitional program for covered business method patents, and derivation proceedings. This rule would clarify the protection afforded to such communications, which is currently not addressed in the rules governing Board proceedings at the USPTO. This new rule will not affect the duty of disclosure and candor before the Office under 37 CFR 1.56.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Ocean Perch in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska
Document Number: 2016-25140
Type: Rule
Date: 2016-10-18
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS is prohibiting retention of the incidental catch allowance for Pacific Ocean perch in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary because the 2016 total allowable catch of Pacific Ocean perch apportioned to the incidental catch allowance in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA has been reached.
Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Northeast Skate Complex; Adjustment to the Skate Bait Inseason Possession Limit
Document Number: 2016-25139
Type: Rule
Date: 2016-10-18
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
We announce the reduction of the commercial per-trip skate bait possession limit from 25,000 lb (11,340 kg) to 9,307 lb (4,222 kg) whole weight through October 31, 2016. This action is required to prevent the skate bait Season 2 quota from being exceeded. This announcement informs the public that the skate bait possession limit is reduced.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Sablefish in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska
Document Number: 2016-25138
Type: Rule
Date: 2016-10-18
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS is prohibiting retention of sablefish by vessels using trawl gear and not participating in the cooperative fishery of the Rockfish Program in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary because the 2016 total allowable catch of sablefish allocated to vessels using trawl gear and not participating in the cooperative fishery of the Rockfish Program in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA has been reached.
Internet Communication Disclaimers; Reopening of Comment Period and Notice of Hearing
Document Number: 2016-25103
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2016-10-18
Agency: Federal Election Commission, Agencies and Commissions
On October 13, 2011, the Federal Election Commission published an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (``ANPRM'') seeking comment on whether to begin a rulemaking to revise its regulations concerning disclaimers on certain internet communications and, if so, on what changes should be made to those rules. The Commission has decided to reopen the comment period to receive additional comments in light of legal and technological developments since that notice was published. The Commission is also announcing a public hearing.
Determination of Rates and Terms for Making and Distributing Phonorecords (Phonorecords III); Comment Period Extension
Document Number: 2016-25075
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2016-10-18
Agency: Copyright Royalty Board, Library of Congress, Library of Congress, Agencies and Commissions
The Copyright Royalty Judges announce that they will accept reply comments in response to comments they received about a proposed rule regarding rates and terms applicable during the upcoming rate period for the section 115 statutory license for making and distributing phonorecords of nondramatic musical works.
Post-Employment Conflict of Interest Restrictions; Revision of Departmental Component Designations
Document Number: 2016-25054
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2016-10-18
Agency: Office of Government Ethics
The U.S. Office of Government Ethics (OGE) is issuing a proposed rule to revise the component designations of two agencies for purposes of the one-year post-employment conflict of interest restriction for senior employees. Specifically, OGE is proposing to revoke two existing component designations and add five new component designations, based on the recommendations of the agencies concerned.
Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Atlantic Shark Management Measures; Proposed Amendment 5b
Document Number: 2016-25051
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2016-10-18
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS is amending the 2006 Consolidated Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Fishery Management Plan (FMP) based on the results of the 2016 stock assessment update for Atlantic dusky sharks. Based on this assessment, NMFS determined that the dusky shark stock remains overfished and is experiencing overfishing. Consistent with the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson- Stevens Act), NMFS is proposing management measures that would reduce fishing mortality on dusky sharks and rebuild the dusky shark population consistent with legal requirements. The proposed measures could affect U.S. commercial and recreational fishermen who harvest sharks in the Atlantic Ocean, including the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea.
Veterans' Mortgage Life Insurance-Coverage Amendment
Document Number: 2016-25025
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2016-10-18
Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) proposes to amend its regulations governing the Veterans' Mortgage Life Insurance (VMLI) program in order to provide VMLI-eligible individuals the option to lower their premiums by purchasing less than the minimum coverage amount required under current VA regulations. The proposed rule would also amend current VA regulations to reflect that the statutory maximum amount of coverage available under the VMLI program was previously increased to $200,000, to define the term ``eligible individual,'' and to clarify that eligibility for VMLI coverage has been extended to include servicemembers as well as veterans. These additional amendments are necessary to conform the existing regulations to current statutory provisions.
NASA Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement
Document Number: 2016-25014
Type: Rule
Date: 2016-10-18
Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Agencies and Commissions
NASA is making technical amendments to the NASA FAR Supplement (NFS) to provide needed editorial changes.
Amendments to the Regulation Regarding the List of Drug Products That Have Been Withdrawn or Removed From the Market for Reasons of Safety or Effectiveness
Document Number: 2016-25005
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2016-10-18
Agency: Food and Drug Administration, Department of Health and Human Services
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA or the Agency) is proposing to amend its regulations to revise the list of drug products that have been withdrawn or removed from the market because the drug products or components of such drug products have been found to be unsafe or not effective. Drugs appearing on this list may not be compounded under the exemptions provided by sections 503A and 503B of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (the FD&C Act). Specifically, the proposed rule would add three entries to this list of drug products.
Medical Devices; Physical Medicine Devices; Classification of the Upper Extremity Prosthesis Including a Simultaneously Powered Elbow and/or Shoulder With Greater Than Two Simultaneous Powered Degrees of Freedom and Controlled by Non-Implanted Electrical Components
Document Number: 2016-25001
Type: Rule
Date: 2016-10-18
Agency: Food and Drug Administration, Department of Health and Human Services
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is classifying the Upper Extremity Prosthesis Including a Simultaneously Powered Elbow and/or Shoulder with Greater Than Two Simultaneous Powered Degrees of Freedom and Controlled by Non-Implanted Electrical Components into class II (special controls). The special controls that will apply to the device are identified in this order and will be part of the codified language for the upper extremity prosthesis including a simultaneously powered elbow and/or shoulder with greater than two simultaneous powered degrees of freedom and controlled by non-implanted electrical components' classification. The Agency is classifying the device into class II (special controls) in order to provide a reasonable assurance of safety and effectiveness of the device.
New Equipment Contract, RUS Contract Form 395 for Telecommunications and Broadband Borrowers
Document Number: 2016-24945
Type: Rule
Date: 2016-10-18
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Rural Utilities Service
The Rural Utilities Service (RUS), an agency of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), hereinafter referred to as RUS or the Agency, is issuing a final rule to streamline the contractual process for equipment procurement by replacing type-specific equipment contracts, RUS Forms 397, 398, 525, 545, and associated documents (Forms 231, 396, 396a, 517, 525a, 744, 752a, 754, and addenda) with a new, unified Equipment Contract, RUS Contract Form 395 and associated close-out documents (Forms 395a, 395b, 395c and 395d) and by removing construction standards RUS Forms 397b, 397c, 397d, 397f, 397g, 397h. On October 1, 2015, RUS published a Request for Comments in the Federal Register, to establish a new equipment contract and associated policies for Telecommunications and Broadband Borrowers, Equipment Contract, RUS Contract Form 395 (RUS Contract Form 395).
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Proposed Rule for the North American Wolverine
Document Number: 2016-24929
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2016-10-18
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), notify the public that we are reopening the comment period on our February 4, 2013, proposed rule to list the distinct population segment of wolverine (Gulo gulo luscus) occurring in the contiguous United States as threatened, under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). The District Court for the District of Montana vacated our August 13, 2014, withdrawal of our proposed rule to list the distinct population segment of the North American wolverine as threatened under the Act, which effectively returns the process to the stage of the proposed listing rule we published in 2013. We will initiate a new status review of the North American wolverine, to determine whether this distinct population segment meets the definition of an endangered or threatened species under the Act. We request new information regarding the North American wolverine to inform this status review. We may also reopen the comment period should we receive significant new information as a result of this document.
Air Plan Approval; Ohio; Removal of Gasoline Vapor Recovery Requirements
Document Number: 2016-24912
Type: Rule
Date: 2016-10-18
Agency: Environmental Protection Agency
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is approving, as a revision under the Clean Air Act (CAA) to the Ohio state implementation plan (SIP), submittals from the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (Ohio EPA) dated July 15, 2015, and February 29, 2016. The revision addresses the state's Stage II vapor recovery (Stage II) program for the Cleveland, Cincinnati, and Dayton ozone areas in Ohio. The revision removes Stage II requirements for the three areas as a component of the Ohio ozone SIP. The revision also includes a demonstration that addresses emission impacts associated with the removal of the Stage II program. EPA proposed to approve the state's submittal on June 30, 2016, and received no comments.
Revisions to Public Notice Provisions in Clean Air Act Permitting Programs
Document Number: 2016-24911
Type: Rule
Date: 2016-10-18
Agency: Environmental Protection Agency
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is revising the public notice rule provisions for the New Source Review (NSR), title V and Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) permit programs of the Clean Air Act (CAA or Act) and corresponding onshore area (COA) determinations for implementation of the OCS air quality regulations. This final rule removes the mandatory requirement to provide public notice of a draft air permit (as well as certain other program actions) through publication in a newspaper. Instead, this final rule requires electronic notice (e-notice) for EPA actions (and actions by permitting authorities implementing the federal permitting rules) and allows for e-notice as an option for actions by permitting authorities implementing EPA-approved programs. When e-notice is provided, the final rule requires, at a minimum, electronic access (e-access) to the draft permit. However, this final rule does not preclude a permitting authority from supplementing e-notice with newspaper notice and/or additional means of notification to the public. The EPA anticipates that e-notice, which is already being practiced by many permitting authorities, will enable permitting authorities to communicate permitting and other affected actions to the public more quickly and efficiently and will provide cost savings over newspaper publication. The EPA further anticipates that e-access will expand access to permit- related documents.
Cross-Border Application of the Registration Thresholds and External Business Conduct Standards Applicable to Swap Dealers and Major Swap Participants
Document Number: 2016-24905
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2016-10-18
Agency: Commodity Futures Trading Commission, Agencies and Commissions
The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (``Commission'' or ``CFTC'') is publishing for public comment proposed rules and interpretations (``Proposed Rule'') addressing the cross-border application of certain swap provisions of the Commodity Exchange Act (``CEA''). Specifically, the proposed rule defines key terms for purposes of applying the CEA's swap provisions to cross-border transactions and addresses the cross-border application of the registration thresholds and external business conduct standards for swap dealers and major swap participants, including the extent to which they would apply to swap transactions that are arranged, negotiated, or executed using personnel located in the United States.
Energy Conservation Program: Energy Conservation Standards for General Service Lamps
Document Number: 2016-24865
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2016-10-18
Agency: Department of Energy
On March 17, 2016, DOE published a notice of proposed rulemaking (NOPR) proposing standards for general service lamps (GSLs) pursuant to the Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975 (EPCA), as amended. During the subsequent public meeting and in written comments, stakeholders provided additional data and raised concerns regarding the expansion of scope in the proposed GSL definition and DOE's approach to analyzing the 22 general service incandescent lamp exemptions. In response to several of those comments, DOE collected additional data and is publishing this document to propose a revised definition of GSL; announce the availability of National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) data and supplemental data collected by DOE; request public comment on proposed definitions and compiled data; and request any additional data that stakeholders may have in support of this evaluation.
Airworthiness Directives; Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation Helicopters
Document Number: 2016-24738
Type: Rule
Date: 2016-10-18
Agency: Federal Aviation Administration, Department of Transportation
We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation (Sikorsky) Model S-92A helicopters. This AD requires altering the fire bottle inertia switch wiring and performing a cartridge functional test of the fire extinguishing system. This AD was prompted by the inadvertent tripping of inertia-switches that has led to unintentional discharging of the fire bottles, leaving the helicopter's auxiliary power unit and engines without fire protection. The actions are intended to prevent unintentional and undetected fire bottle discharges and subsequent unavailability of fire suppression in case of a fire.
Agricultural Conservation Easement Program
Document Number: 2016-24504
Type: Rule
Date: 2016-10-18
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Commodity Credit Corporation
NRCS published an interim rule, with request for comments, on February 27, 2015, to implement the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) that was authorized by the Agricultural Act of 2014. NRCS received 1,055 comments from 102 respondents to the interim rule. In this document, NRCS responds to comments, makes adjustments to the rule in response to some of the comments received, and issues a final rule for ACEP implementation.
Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; National Standard Guidelines
Document Number: 2016-24500
Type: Rule
Date: 2016-10-18
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
This final action revises the guidelines for National Standards (NS) 1, 3, and 7 of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA or The Act) and to the General section of the NS guidelines. This action is necessary to improve and clarify the guidance within the NS guidelines. The purpose of this action is to facilitate compliance with requirements of the MSA to end and prevent overfishing, rebuild overfished stocks, and achieve optimum yield (OY).
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Airplanes
Document Number: 2016-23647
Type: Rule
Date: 2016-10-18
Agency: Federal Aviation Administration, Department of Transportation
We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Model A330-200 Freighter, -200, and -300 series airplanes; and Airbus Model A340-200, -300, -500, and -600 series airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of fuel leaking through fuel pump electrical connectors and of fuel pump electrical connector damage caused by the build-up of moisture behind the electrical connectors. This AD requires an inspection of the fuel pumps to identify their part numbers and replacement of affected pumps. We are issuing this AD to prevent a potential ignition source and a fuel leak through damaged fuel pump electrical connectors, which creates a flammability risk in an area adjacent to the fuel tank.
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Airplanes
Document Number: 2016-23261
Type: Rule
Date: 2016-10-18
Agency: Federal Aviation Administration, Department of Transportation
We are superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 95-21-09 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). AD 95- 21-09 required repetitive inspections for cracking of the No. 2 flap beams, and replacement of the flap beams, if necessary; and provided optional modifications for extending certain inspection thresholds, and an optional terminating modification for certain inspections. This new AD requires reduced compliance times for inspections and also reduces the number of airplanes affected. This AD was prompted by a determination that the compliance times must be reduced. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct cracking of the No. 2 flap beams, which could result in rupture of the flap beams and reduced structural integrity of the airplane.
Review of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards for Lead
Document Number: 2016-23153
Type: Rule
Date: 2016-10-18
Agency: Environmental Protection Agency
Based on the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) review of the air quality criteria and the national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) for lead (Pb), the EPA is retaining the current standards, without revision.
Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes
Document Number: 2016-23076
Type: Rule
Date: 2016-10-18
Agency: Federal Aviation Administration, Department of Transportation
We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 767-200, -300, and -400ER series airplanes. This AD was prompted by an evaluation by the design approval holder (DAH) indicating that the skin lap splice is subject to widespread fatigue damage (WFD). This AD requires repetitive external detailed and surface high frequency eddy current (HFEC) inspections of the outer skin for cracking around fastener heads common to the inboard fastener row of the skin lap splice and corrective action. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct fatigue cracking of the skin lap splice, which could grow and result in possible rapid decompression and reduced structural integrity of the airplane.
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Airplanes
Document Number: 2016-22837
Type: Rule
Date: 2016-10-18
Agency: Federal Aviation Administration, Department of Transportation
We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus Model A318 and A319 series airplanes; Model A320-211, -212, - 214, -231, -232, and -233 airplanes; and Model A321 series airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report of cracks found during maintenance inspections on certain lugs of the 10VU rack side fittings in the cockpit. This AD requires repetitive inspections for cracking of the lugs on the 10VU rack side fittings, and repair of any cracking. We are issuing this AD to prevent reading difficulties of flight-critical information displayed to the flightcrew during a critical phase of flight, such as an approach or takeoff, which could result in loss of airplane control at an altitude insufficient for recovery.
Airworthiness Directives; Dassault Aviation Airplanes
Document Number: 2016-22832
Type: Rule
Date: 2016-10-18
Agency: Federal Aviation Administration, Department of Transportation
We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Dassault Aviation Model MYSTERE-FALCON 50, MYSTERE-FALCON 900, FALCON 900EX, FALCON 2000, and FALCON 2000EX airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report of an in-flight lightning strike to the WHELEN anti- collision light located on the top of the vertical fin tip that caused severe damage and resulted in the loss of some airplane functions. This AD requires modification of the anti-collision light bonding. We are issuing this AD to prevent loss of electrical power and essential airplane functions, and possible reduced control of the airplane.
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