April 2017 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve a State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision submitted by the State of Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. This revision includes regulatory amendments that require gasoline dispensing facilities (GDFs) to decommission their Stage II vapor recovery systems on or before July 1, 2015, and a demonstration that such removal is consistent with the Clean Air Act and EPA guidance. This revision also includes regulatory amendments that strengthen Connecticut's requirements for Stage I vapor recovery systems at GDFs. The intended effect of this action is to propose approval of Connecticut's revised vapor recovery regulations. This action is being taken under the Clean Air Act.

This regulation establishes time-limited tolerances for residues of acetamiprid in or on sugarcane, cane and sugarcane, molasses. This action is associated with the issuance of a crisis exemption under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) authorizing use of the pesticide on sugarcane. This regulation establishes maximum permissible levels for residues of acetamiprid in or on sugarcane, cane and sugarcane, molasses. The time-limited tolerances expire on December 31, 2019.

The U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 7 announces the deletion of 294 residential parcels of the Omaha Lead, Superfund Site (Site) located in Omaha, Nebraska, from the National Priorities List (NPL). The NPL, promulgated pursuant to section 105 of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) of 1980, as amended, is an appendix of the National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan (NCP). This partial deletion pertains to 294 residential parcels. The remaining parcels of the Site will remain on the NPL and are not being considered for deletion as part of this action. The EPA and the State of Nebraska, through the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality, determined that all appropriate Response actions under CERCLA were completed at the identified parcels. However, this deletion does not preclude future actions under Superfund.

The Coast Guard has issued a temporary deviation from the operating schedule that governs the Rock Island Railroad and Highway Drawbridge across the Upper Mississippi River, mile 482.9, at Rock Island, Illinois. The deviation is necessary to allow the Quad City Marathon to cross the bridge. This deviation allows the bridge to be maintained in the closed-to-navigation position for ninety minutes.

This direct final action, taken under the authority of the Clean Air Act (CAA or Act), corrects an error in previously promulgated rules approving certain elements of the North Carolina state implementation plan (SIP). The error relates to the North Carolina SIP's Motor Vehicle Emissions Control Standard rules and the correction removes a provision of the State's otherwise federally-enforceable regulations that could result in infringement upon the sovereign immunity of Federal facilities. The intended effect is to ensure that the North Carolina SIP is correctly identified in the applicable part of the Code of Federal Regulations and to eliminate the possibility of such infringement.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve the State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision submitted by the State of Georgia, through the Georgia Environmental Protection Division on August 6, 2014, pertaining to rule changes for the Georgia Inspection and Maintenance program. EPA is approving this SIP revision as modified by GA EPD through a December 1, 2016, partial withdrawal letter. EPA is proposing this action because the State has demonstrated that these portions of the SIP revision are consistent with the Clean Air Act.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve a revision submitted by the State of Michigan on October 3, 2016. The purpose of this revision is to establish transportation conformity criteria and procedures related to interagency consultation, and enforceability of certain transportation related control and mitigation measures.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is approving the portion of the State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision submitted by the Commonwealth of Kentucky, through the Energy and Environment Cabinet's Division of Air Quality on August 26, 2016, regarding the nonattainment new source review (NNSR) requirements for the 2008 8-hour ozone national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) for the Kentucky portion of the Cincinnati-Hamilton, Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana 2008 8-hour ozone nonattainment area (hereinafter referred to as the ``Cincinnati- Hamilton, OH-KY-IN Area'' or ``Area''). The Area consists of Butler, Clermont, Clinton, Hamilton, and Warren Counties in Ohio; portions of Boone, Campbell, Kenton Counties in Kentucky; and a portion of Dearborn County in Indiana. This action is being taken pursuant to the Clean Air Act (CAA or Act) and its implementing regulations.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is approving revisions to the Washington State Implementation Plan (SIP) that were submitted by the Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology) in coordination with Southwest Clean Air Agency (SWCAA) on December 20, 2016. In the fall of 2014 and spring of 2015, the EPA approved numerous revisions to Ecology's general air quality regulations. However, our approval of the updated Ecology regulations applied only to geographic areas where Ecology, and not a local air agency, had jurisdiction, and statewide, to source categories over which Ecology had sole jurisdiction. Under the Washington Clean Air Act, local clean air agencies may adopt equally stringent or more stringent requirements in lieu of Ecology's general air quality regulations, if they so choose. Therefore, the EPA stated that we would evaluate the general air quality regulations as they applied to local jurisdictions in separate, future actions. This final action approves the submitted SWCAA general air quality regulations to replace or supplement the corresponding Ecology regulations for sources in SWCAA's jurisdiction, including implementation of the minor new source review and nonattainment new source review permitting programs. This action also approves a limited subset of Ecology regulations, for which there are no corresponding SWCAA corollaries, to apply in SWCAA's jurisdiction.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Agusta S.p.A. Model A109S helicopters. This proposed AD is prompted by a report of a cabin liner detaching from the helicopter and hitting the main rotor (M/R) blades during flight. This proposed AD would require adding limitations to the rotorcraft flight manual (RFM). The proposed actions are intended to prevent an unsafe condition on these products.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is approving State Implementation Plan (SIP) submissions from the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (ME DEP), the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NH DES), the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (RI DEM) and the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation (VT DEC). These SIP submissions address provisions of the Clean Air Act that require each state to submit a SIP to address emissions that may adversely affect another state's air quality through interstate transport. The EPA is finding that all four States have adequate provisions to prohibit in-state emissions activities from significantly contributing to nonattainment, or interfering with the maintenance, of the 1997 ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) in other states, and that Rhode Island and Vermont have adequate provisions to prohibit in-state emissions activities from significantly contributing to nonattainment, or interfering with maintenance, of the 1997 fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and 2006 PM2.5 NAAQS in other states. The intended effect of this action is to approve the SIP revisions submitted by Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont. This action is being taken under the Clean Air Act.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 777-200 and -300 series airplanes equipped with Rolls-Royce Model RB211-Trent 800 engines. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of inadequate clearance between the thermal protection system (TPS) insulation blankets and the electronic engine control (EEC) wiring, which resulted in damaged wires. This proposed AD would require repetitive inspections of the EEC wire bundles and clips, and corrective actions if necessary. We are proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This final rule provides the 2017 inflation adjustment to civil penalty amounts that may be imposed for violations of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations and the Hazardous Materials Regulations, as required by the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements Act of 2015. It also finalizes the catch-up inflation adjustment interim final rule required by the same Act.

This rule amends, suspends, or removes Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPs) and associated Takeoff Minimums and Obstacle Departure Procedures 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 for the safe and efficient use of the navigable airspace and to promote safe flight operations under instrument flight rules at the affected airports.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation Model G-1159B airplanes. This AD was prompted by a review of airplane maintenance records, which revealed that incorrect rudder assemblies were installed on certain airplanes. This AD requires certain inspections, and replacement or modification of the rudder assembly if necessary. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

NMFS is opening directed fishing for Pacific cod by vessels using pot gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to fully use the A season allowance of the 2017 total allowable catch apportioned to vessels using pot gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), withdraw the proposed rule to list the headwater chub (Gila nigra) and a distinct population segment (DPS) of the roundtail chub (Gila robusta) from the lower Colorado River basin as threatened species under the Endangered Species Act (Act). This withdrawal is based on a thorough review of the best scientific and commercial data available, which indicate that the headwater chub and the roundtail chub DPS are not discrete taxonomic entities and do not meet the definition of a species under the Act. These fish are now recognized as a part of a single taxonomic speciesthe roundtail chub (Gila robusta). Because the entities previously proposed for listing are no longer recognized as species, as defined by the Act, we have determined that they are not listable entities and we are withdrawing our proposed rule to add them to the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife. Section 4(b)(6) of the Act and implementing regulations at 50 CFR 424.17 provide that the Service must, within 1 year of a proposed rule to list, delist, or reclassify species, or to designate or revise critical habitat, withdraw the proposal if the available evidence does not justify the proposed action. The document withdrawing the rule must set forth the basis upon which the proposed rule has been found not to be supported by available evidence. Once withdrawn, the action may not be re-proposed unless sufficient new information is available.

NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by catcher/processors using hook-and-line gear in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the A season allowance of the 2017 Pacific cod total allowable catch apportioned to catcher/processors using hook-and-line gear in the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA.

These special conditions are issued for the Boeing Model 777- 200 airplane. This airplane, as modified by VT DRB Aviation Consultants (VT DRB), will have a novel or unusual design feature when compared to the state of technology envisioned in the airworthiness standards for transport-category airplanes. This design feature is an airbag system installed in shoulder belts. The applicable airworthiness regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards for this design feature. 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.

This document extends for 60 days the applicability date of the final regulation, published on April 8, 2016, defining who is a ``fiduciary'' under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. It also extends for 60 days the applicability dates of the Best Interest Contract Exemption and the Class Exemption for Principal Transactions in Certain Assets Between Investment Advice Fiduciaries and Employee Benefit Plans and IRAs. It requires that fiduciaries relying on these exemptions for covered transactions adhere only to the Impartial Conduct Standards (including the ``best interest'' standard), as conditions of the exemptions during the transition period from June 9, 2017, through January 1, 2018. Thus, the fiduciary definition in the rule (Fiduciary Rule or Rule) published on April 8, 2016, and Impartial Conduct Standards in these exemptions, are applicable on June 9, 2017, while compliance with the remaining conditions in these exemptions, such as requirements to make specific written disclosures and representations of fiduciary compliance in communications with investors, is not required until January 1, 2018. This document also delays the applicability of amendments to Prohibited Transaction Exemption 84-24 until January 1, 2018, other than the Impartial Conduct Standards, which will become applicable on June 9, 2017. Finally, this document extends for 60 days the applicability dates of amendments to other previously granted exemptions. The President, by Memorandum to the Secretary of Labor dated February 3, 2017, directed the Department of Labor to examine whether the Fiduciary Rule may adversely affect the ability of Americans to gain access to retirement information and financial advice, and to prepare an updated economic and legal analysis concerning the likely impact of the Fiduciary Rule as part of that examination. The extensions announced in this document are necessary to enable the Department to perform this examination and to consider possible changes with respect to the Fiduciary Rule and PTEs based on new evidence or analysis developed pursuant to the examination.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is taking final action to approve portions of the State Implementation Plan (SIP) submission, submitted by the State of South Carolina, through the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SC DHEC), on December 18, 2015, to demonstrate that the State meets the infrastructure requirements of the Clean Air Act (CAA or Act) for the 2012 Annual Fine Particulate Matter (PM2.5) national ambient air quality standard (NAAQS). The CAA requires that each state adopt and submit a SIP for the implementation, maintenance and enforcement of each NAAQS promulgated by EPA, which is commonly referred to as an ``infrastructure'' SIP. SC DHEC certified that the South Carolina SIP contains provisions that ensure the 2012 Annual PM2.5 NAAQS is implemented, enforced, and maintained in South Carolina. EPA has determined that portions of South Carolina's SIP satisfy certain required infrastructure elements for the 2012 Annual PM2.5 NAAQS.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published a final rule in the Federal Register on December 19, 2016, approving a state request to EPA to make minor administrative revisions to rules in the Michigan State Implementation Plan entitled ``Emissions Limitations and ProhibitionsMiscellaneous.'' An error in the amendatory instruction is identified and corrected in this action.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is approving a State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision submitted by the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (Ohio EPA) on December 19, 2016, concerning the state's gasoline volatility standards in the Cincinnati and Dayton areas. The revision removes the 7.8 pounds per square inch (psi) low Reid Vapor Pressure (RVP) fuel requirements for the two areas as a component of the Ohio ozone SIP. The submittal also includes a section 110(l) demonstration as required by the Clean Air Act (CAA) that addresses emissions impacts associated with the removal of the program. EPA proposed to approve the state's submittal on February 15, 2017.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is determining that the Cincinnati, Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana area is attaining the 2008 ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS or standard) and approving a request from the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) to redesignate the Indiana portion of the Cincinnati area to attainment for the 2008 ozone NAAQS because the request meets the statutory requirements for redesignation under the Clean Air Act (CAA). The Cincinnati area includes Lawrenceburg Township in Dearborn County, Indiana; Butler, Clermont, Clinton, Hamilton, and Warren Counties in Ohio; and, Boone, Campbell, and Kenton Counties in Kentucky. IDEM submitted this request on February 23, 2016, and supplemented that submittal with a revised emissions inventory on May 4, 2016. EPA is also approving, as a revision to the Indiana State Implementation Plan (SIP), the state's plan for maintaining the 2008 ozone standard through 2030 in the Cincinnati area. Additionally, EPA finds adequate and is approving the states' 2020 and 2030 volatile organic compound (VOC) and oxides of nitrogen (NOX) Motor Vehicle Emission Budgets (MVEBs) for the Indiana and Ohio portion of the Cincinnati area. Finally, EPA is approving the 2011 base year emissions inventory submitted by IDEM as meeting the base year emissions inventory requirement of the CAA for the Indiana portion of the Cincinnati area.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve a site-specific state implementation plan revision in Washington County, Minnesota, for Saint Paul Park Refining Co. LLC (Saint Paul Park). This revision includes changes to the ownership and facility name, removal of the ability to burn refinery oil, addition of a new unit, and updates to the modeling parameters for the facility. EPA is approving the SIP revision because it meets Clean Air Act (CAA) section 110(l) requirements.