2016 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is finalizing general permits for use in Indian country pursuant to the Federal Minor New Source Review (NSR) Program in Indian Country for new or modified minor sources in the following six source categories: concrete batch plants; boilers and emergency engines; stationary spark ignition engines; stationary compression ignition engines; graphic arts and printing operations; and sawmill facilities.

FMCSA amends its commercial driver's license (CDL) regulations to ease the transition of military personnel into civilian careers driving commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) by simplifying the process of obtaining a commercial learner's permit (CLP) or CDL. This final rule extends the period of time for applying for a skills test waiver from 90 days to 1 year after leaving a military position requiring the operation of a CMV. This final rule also allows a State to accept applications from active duty military personnel who are stationed in that State as well as administer the written and skills tests for a CLP or CDL. States that choose to accept such applications are required to transmit the test results electronically to the State of domicile of the military personnel. The State of domicile may issue the CLP or CDL on the basis of those results.

This document contains proposed amendments to the regulations that provide user fees for offers in compromise. The proposed amendments affect taxpayers who wish to pay their liabilities through offers in compromise. The proposed effective date for these proposed amendments to the regulations is for offers in compromise submitted on or after February 27, 2017. This document also provides a notice of public hearing on these proposed amendments to the regulations.

The Department of Commerce (the Department) publishes this proposed rule to request public comments on proposed modifications to the regulations for the Steel Import Monitoring and Analysis (SIMA) System that would extend the system until March, 2022. Extension of the authority for the SIMA System will ensure the Department's ability to track as early as possible certain steel mill imports into the United States and make the import data publicly available approximately five weeks in advance of the full public trade data release by the Bureau of the Census. Having such access to information about steel imports provides the public with greater knowledge to evaluate current market conditions.

This action proposes to modify Class E airspace at Barter Island LRRS Airport, Barter Island, AK because the North Slope Borough is relocating the airport. The FAA found modification of this airspace and adjustment of the airport's geographic coordinates necessary for the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations at the airport.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 737-600, -700, -700C, -800, -900, and -900ER series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of passenger service units (PSUs) becoming detached from the supporting airplane structure in several Model 737 airplane incidents that exceeded the design emergency load requirements for the PSUs. This proposed AD would require modifying the PSUs and life vest panels by removing the existing inboard lanyard and installing two new lanyards on the outboard edge of the PSUs and life vest panels. We are proposing this AD to prevent PSUs and life vest panels from detaching from the supporting airplane structure, which could lead to passenger injuries and impede passenger and crew egress during evacuation.

NMFS issues regulations to modify the recordkeeping and reporting requirements for the groundfish fisheries in the Gulf of Alaska and the Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands management areas. This rule is organized into four actions. Under the first action, NMFS implements a requirement for tender vessel operators to use the applications software ``tLandings'' to prepare electronic landing reports. This action is necessary to improve timeliness and reliability of landing reports for catcher vessels delivering to tender vessels for use in catch accounting and inseason management. Under the second action, NMFS modifies the definition of a buying station. This action is necessary to clarify the different requirements that apply to tender vessels and land-based buying stations. Under the third action, NMFS removes the requirement for buying stations to complete the buying station report because this report is no longer necessary. Under the fourth action, NMFS revises the definition of a mothership to remove unnecessary formatting without changing the substance of the definition. This final rule is intended to promote the goals and objectives of the Magnuson- Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area (BSAI FMP), the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA FMP), and other applicable laws.

The Securities and Exchange Commission (``SEC'' or ``Commission'') is adopting amendments to Rule 17Ad-22 and adding new Rule 17Ab2-2 pursuant to Section 17A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (``Exchange Act'') and the Payment, Clearing, and Settlement Supervision Act of 2010 (``Clearing Supervision Act''), enacted in Title VIII of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 (``Dodd-Frank Act''). Among other things, the rules establish enhanced standards for the operation and governance of those clearing agencies registered with the Commission (``registered clearing agencies'') that meet the definition of ``covered clearing agency.''

This action proposes to remove Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at Ruston Municipal Airport, Ruston, LA, as the airport has closed and controlled airspace is no longer required. Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface would be established at the new Ruston Regional Airport, Ruston, LA, for safety and management of instrument flight rules (IFR) operations at the airport.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for all waters of the Tennessee River beginning at mile marker 646.9 and ending at mile marker 647.1, extending bank to bank. This temporary safety zone is necessary to protect persons and property from potential damage and safety hazard during fireworks displays on or over the navigable waterway. Entry of vessels or persons into this zone is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port Ohio Valley or a designated representative.

NMFS issues regulations to implement management measures described in a framework action to the Fishery Management Plan for the Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf of Mexico (FMP), as prepared by the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council). This final rule revises the commercial quota and annual catch limit (ACL) and the recreational annual catch target (ACT) and ACL for red grouper in the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) exclusive economic zone (EEZ). The purpose of this final rule is to adjust the allowable red grouper harvest to achieve optimum yield (OY) based upon an updated Gulf red grouper stock assessment.

The Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection (Bureau) is making certain clerical and non-substantive corrections to errors it has identified in Regulation E, which implements the Electronic Fund Transfer Act.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is approving State Implementation Plan (SIP) revisions submitted by the State of Wyoming in two submittals on May 28, 2015 and one submittal on November 6, 2015. The final amendments update the version of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) incorporated by reference into the Wyoming Air Quality Standards and Regulations (WAQSR) for Chapter 2, Ambient Standards, Sections 12; Chapter 3, General Emission Standards, Section 9; and Chapter 6, Prevention of Significant Deterioration, Section 4. The EPA also approves the revision in one of the May 28, 2015 submittals that updates a citation to a Federal Register article (i.e., Federal Register notice) under the definition of ``tpy CO2 equivalent emissions (CO2e),'' and lists a new minor source baseline date for fine particulate. The EPA also approves the updates to the primary air quality standards for particulate matter (PM2.5) to reflect federal updates that went into effect in January 2013. The updated primary PM2.5 standard is 12 micrograms per cubic meter ([micro]g/m\3\) annual arithmetic mean concentration, which is lowered from its previous level of 15 [micro]g/ m\3\. The EPA is also approving portions of the State's February 6, 2014 2008 ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) infrastructure certification regarding prevention of significant deterioration (PSD). The EPA is not taking action in this final rule on the Chapter 6, Permitting Requirements, Section 14 portion of a May 24, 2012 submittal or one of the May 28, 2015 submittals because it has been superseded by a November 6, 2015 submittal that the EPA approved in a separate action. The EPA is not taking action on a May 24, 2012 submittal or a March 8, 2013 submittal because they have been superseded by one of the May 28, 2015 submittals.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA or Agency) is amending its regulations on the definition of a custom device so as to include new enumerated statutory requirements for custom devices under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (the FD&C Act) as amended by the Food and Drug Administration Safety and Innovation Act (FDASIA). This new provision, under FDASIA, amends the existing custom device exemption and introduces new concepts and procedures applicable to custom devices. This action is being taken to align the regulations with the FD&C Act.

This final rule describes how articles the President determines no longer warrant control under Category XII (Fire Control, Laser, Imaging, and Guidance Equipment) of the United States Munitions List (USML) of the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) will be controlled under the Commerce Control List (CCL) of the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) by amending Export Control Classification Number (ECCN) 7A611 and creating new ``600 series'' ECCNs 7B611, 7D611, and 7E611. In addition, for certain dual-use infrared detection items, this final rule expands controls for certain software and technology, eliminates the use of some license exceptions, revises licensing policy, and expands license requirements for certain transactions involving military end users or foreign military commodities. This final rule also harmonizes provisions within the EAR by revising controls related to certain quartz rate sensors.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is taking direct final action to approve a revision to the Butte County Air Quality Management District (BCAQMD) portion of the California State Implementation Plan (SIP). This revision concerns emissions of particulate matter (PM) from open burning. We are approving a local rule that regulates these emission sources under the Clean Air Act (CAA or the Act).

This regulation establishes tolerances for residues of S-2200 (here after referred to within this document as mandestrobin) in or on multiple commodities which are identified and discussed later in this document. Valent U.S.A., Corporation requested these tolerances under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA).

The Coast Guard is canceling the temporary deviation concerning the James River Bridge (US17) across the James River, mile 5.0, at Isle of Wight and Newport News, VA. The deviation was necessary to perform bridge maintenance and repairs, which have been completed. The deviation allowed the bridge to remain in the closed-to-navigation position.

NMFS proposes regulations under the Tuna Conventions Act to implement provisions of two Resolutions adopted by the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC) in 2016: Resolution C-16-01 (Collection and Analyses of Data On Fish-Aggregating Devices) and Resolution C-16-06 (Conservation Measures for Shark Species, with Special Emphasis on the Silky Shark (Carcharhinus Falciformis) for the Years 2017, 2018, and 2019). Per Resolution C-16-01, these regulations would require the owner or operator of a U.S. purse seine vessel to ensure characters of a unique code be marked indelibly on each fish aggregating device (FAD) deployed or modified on or after January 1, 2017, in the IATTC Convention Area. The vessel owner or operator would also be required to record and submit information about the FAD, as described in Annex I of the Resolution C-16-01. Per Resolution C-16-06, these regulations would prohibit the owner or operator of a U.S. purse seine vessel from retaining on board, transshipping, landing, or storing, in part or whole, carcasses of silky sharks caught by purse- seine vessels in the IATTC Convention Area. These regulations would also provide limits on the retained catch of silky sharks caught in the IATTC Convention Area. This proposed rule is necessary for the United States to satisfy its obligations as a member of the IATTC.

This determination of acceptability expands the list of acceptable substitutes pursuant to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Significant New Alternatives Policy (SNAP) program. This action lists as acceptable additional substitutes for use in the refrigeration and air conditioning sector and fire suppression and explosion protection sectors.

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is taking direct final action to approve revisions to Missouri's State Implementation Plan (SIP), Operating Permits Program, and 112(l) Plan. The April 6, 2016, request from Missouri revises fees for permitting services provided by the air quality program, including construction permit applications and operating permit applications. Missouri also removed the basic operating permit requirement in their ``Operating Permits'' rule for incinerators with emissions less than the de minimis levels. While EPA has never approved the basic operating permit program into Missouri's SIP or Missouri's Operating Permits Program, one statement on incinerators in the approved SIP and Operating Permits Program is removed by the submission. This statement applied the ``Operating Permits'' rule to all incinerators within the State. Any permittees with incinerators already required to have either Intermediate State Operating Permits or part 70 Operating Permits will still have the same permitting requirements. This revision does not exempt any incinerators from appropriate permitting. Likewise, any future permittees with incinerators under the former version of the SIP and Operating Permits Program would have required either an Intermediate State Operating Permit or a part 70 Operating Permit will still have the same permitting requirement under the revised SIP and Operating Permits Program. Finally the submission from Missouri makes non-substantive style changes.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is taking direct final action to approve revisions to the District of Columbia state implementation plan (SIP). The revision pertains to the update of the District of Columbia Municipal Regulations (DCMR) to lower the sulfur content of fuel oil. This action is being taken under the Clean Air Act (CAA).

The Department of Homeland Security (Department or DHS) is seeking comments from the public on specific existing significant DHS regulations that the Department should consider as candidates for streamlining or repeal. These efforts will help us ensure that DHS satisfies its statutory obligations and achieves its regulatory objectives without imposing unwarranted costs. DHS is seeking this input pursuant to the process identified in DHS's Final Plan for the Retrospective Review of Existing Regulations. According to the Final Plan, DHS will initiate its retrospective review process, on a three-year cycle, by seeking input from the public. Input that will be most helpful to DHS is input that identifies specific regulations and includes actionable data supporting the nomination of specific regulations for retrospective review.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Defense and Space S.A. Model C-212 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by multiple reports of damaged and cracked rudder torque tube shafts. This proposed AD would require repetitive general visual and high frequency eddy current (HFEC) inspections of the inner rudder torque tube shaft for cracks, deformation, and damage; repetitive detailed inspections, and HFEC inspections if necessary, of the inner and outer rudder torque tube shaft for cracks, deformation, and damage; and corrective actions if necessary. This proposed AD also provides a modification which terminates the repetitive inspections. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct damaged and cracked rudder torque tube shafts, which could lead to structural failure of the affected rudder torque tube shaft and possible reduced control of the airplane.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), propose threatened species status under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (Act), as amended, for Sideroxylon reclinatum ssp. austrofloridense (Everglades bully), Digitaria pauciflora (Florida pineland crabgrass) and Chamaesyce deltoidea ssp. pinetorum (pineland sandmat), and endangered species status for Dalea carthagenensis var. floridana (Florida prairie-clover). All four plants are from south Florida. If we finalize this rule as proposed, it would extend the Act's protections to these plants. The effect of this regulation will be to add these species to the List of Endangered and Threatened Plants.