March 30, 2017 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board (Agency) proposes to amend its death benefits regulations to modify the requirements necessary in order for a designation of beneficiary form to be valid.

This amendment adopts miscellaneous amendments to the required IFR (instrument flight rules) altitudes and changeover points for certain Federal airways, jet routes, or direct routes for which a minimum or maximum en route authorized IFR altitude is prescribed. This regulatory action is needed because of changes occurring in the National Airspace System. These changes are designed to provide for the safe and efficient use of the navigable airspace under instrument conditions in the affected areas.

The Coast Guard is adding, amending, and deleting several permanent safety zones located in the Captain of the Port San Francisco zone that are established to protect public safety during annual firework displays. These changes will update listed events to accurately reflect the firework display locations. This regulation prohibits the movement of vessels within the established firework display areas unless authorized by the Captain of the Port (COTP) San Francisco or a designated representative.

These special conditions are issued for the General Electric (GE) GE9X turbofan engine models. These engine models will have novel or unusual design features associated with composite fan blades. The applicable airworthiness regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards for these design features. These special conditions contain the additional safety standards that the Administrator considers necessary to establish a level of safety equivalent to that established by the existing airworthiness standards.

The Coast Guard is establishing a 300 yard temporary security zone in the navigable waters of Elliott Bay, Seattle, WA, around the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter MUNRO at Pier 91 within the Sector Puget Sound Captain of the Port Zone. The security zone is necessary to ensure the security of the USCGC MUNRO from sabotage or other subversive acts during its commissioning ceremony at Pier 91. The safety zone will prohibit any person or vessel from entering or remaining in the safety zone unless authorized by the Captain of the Port or her Designated Representative.

The Coast Guard proposes to establish a permanent special local regulation on Lake Superior within Chequamegon Bay for the annual Washburn Board Across the Bay racing event. This annual event historically occurs within the last 2 weeks of July and lasts for 1 day. This action is necessary to safeguard the participants and spectators on the water in a portion of Chequamegon Bay between Washburn, WI and Ashland, WI. This regulation would functionally restrict all vessel speeds while within a designated no-wake zone, unless otherwise specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port (COTP) Duluth or a designated representative. The area forming the subject of this permanent special local regulation is described below. We invite your comments on this notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

The Coast Guard proposes to establish a permanent special local regulation on Lake Superior within the Keweenaw Waterway for the annual Breakers to Bridge Paddle Festival. This annual event historically occurs within the first 2 weeks of September and lasts for 1 day. This action is necessary to safeguard the participants and spectators on the water in a portion of the Keweenaw Waterway between the North Entry and the Portage Lake Lift Bridge located in Houghton, MI. This regulation would functionally restrict all vessel speeds while within a designated no-wake zone, unless otherwise specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port (COTP) Duluth or a designated representative. The area forming the subject of this permanent special local regulation is described below. We invite your comments on this notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve elements of State Implementation Plan (SIP) submissions from Vermont regarding the infrastructure requirements of the Clean Air Act (CAA or Act) for the 1997 fine particle matter (PM2.5), 1997 ozone, 2006 PM2.5, 2008 lead (Pb), 2008 ozone, 2010 nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and 2010 sulfur dioxide (SO2) National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). We also are proposing to approve two statutes and one Executive Order submitted by Vermont in support of its demonstration that the infrastructure requirements of the CAA have been met. In addition, we are conditionally approving certain elements of Vermont's submittals relating to prevention of significant deterioration (PSD) requirements. Last, we are proposing to update the classification for two of Vermont's air quality control regions for SO2 based on recent air quality monitoring data collected by the state, which will grant the state an exemption from the infrastructure SIP contingency plan obligation for SO2. 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 U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is proposing to amend its regulations that govern the license renewal process for non- power reactors, testing facilities, and other production or utilization facilities, licensed under the authority of Section 103, Section 104a, or Section 104c of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended (AEA), that are not nuclear power reactors. In this proposed rule, the NRC collectively refers to these facilities as non-power production or utilization facilities (NPUFs). The NRC is proposing to: Eliminate license terms for licenses issued under the authority of Sections 104a or 104c of the AEA, other than for testing facilities; define the license renewal process for licenses issued to testing facilities or under the authority of Section 103 of the AEA; require all NPUF licensees to submit final safety analysis report (FSAR) updates to the NRC every 5 years; and provide an accident dose criterion of 1 rem (0.01 Sievert (Sv)) total effective dose equivalent (TEDE) for NPUFs other than testing facilities. The proposed rule also includes other changes, as described in Section III, ``Discussion,'' of this document. The NRC is issuing concurrently draft Regulatory Guide (DG-2006), ``Preparation of Updated Final Safety Analysis Reports for Non-power Production or Utilization Facilities,'' for review and comment. The NRC anticipates the proposed rule and associated draft implementing guidance would result in reduced burden on both licensees and the NRC, and would create a more responsive and efficient regulatory framework that will continue to protect public health and safety, promote the common defense and security, and protect the environment. During the public comment period, the NRC plans to hold a public meeting to promote a full understanding of the proposed rule and facilitate the public's ability to submit comments on the proposed rule.

PHMSA is issuing a final rule to amend the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR) to maintain consistency with international regulations and standards by incorporating various amendments, including changes to proper shipping names, hazard classes, packing groups, special provisions, packaging authorizations, air transport quantity limitations, and vessel stowage requirements. These revisions are necessary to harmonize the HMR with recent changes made to the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code, the International Civil Aviation Organization's Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air, and the United Nations Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous GoodsModel Regulations. Additionally, PHMSA is adopting several amendments to the HMR that result from coordination with Canada under the U.S.-Canada Regulatory Cooperation Council.