July 19, 2017 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Secretary of Homeland Security (``Secretary''), in consultation with the Secretary of Labor, has decided to increase the numerical limitation on H-2B nonimmigrant visas to authorize the issuance of up to an additional 15,000 through the end of Fiscal Year (FY) 2017. This is a one-time increase based on a time-limited statutory authority and does not affect the H-2B program in future fiscal years. The Departments are promulgating regulations to implement this determination.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce a 6-month extension of the final determination of whether to list the Chorizanthe parryi var. fernandina (San Fernando Valley spineflower), a plant species from southern California, as a threatened species. Along with this announcement to extend the final determination, we are also reopening the comment period on the proposed rule to list the species, for an additional 30 days. We are taking this action to extend the final determination based on substantial disagreement regarding the potential impact of Argentine ant invasion on the pollination ecology of C. parryi var. fernandina and scientific uncertainty related to establishment of C. parryi var. fernandina using introduction of seed into suitable, unoccupied areas. Comments previously submitted need not be resubmitted as they are already incorporated into the public record and will be fully considered in the final rule. We will submit a final listing determination to the Federal Register on or before March 15, 2018.

This action proposes regulations to implement an Omnibus Framework Adjustment to the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council acceptable biological catch setting process. This proposed rule is necessary to provide the public with an opportunity to review and comment on the measures recommended by the Mid-Atlantic Council to the National Marine Fisheries Service for implementation. The intended effect of these measures would help bring stability to quotas while accounting for year-to-year changes in stock size projections, and allow the Mid-Atlantic Council's Fishery Management Plans to automatically incorporate the best available scientific information when calculating acceptable biological catches. This action also proposes to revise regulatory language to clarify the Mid-Atlantic Council's acceptable biological catch control rule assessment level designations.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve a State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision submitted by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (Maine DEP). The SIP revision consists of an Alternative Control Plan (ACP) for the control of volatile organic compound emissions from Reckitt Benckiser's Air Wick Air Freshener Single Phase Aerosol Spray, issued pursuant to Maine's consumer products rule. This action is being taken in accordance with the Clean Air Act.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is approving a State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision submitted by the State of Maine Department of Environmental Protection (Maine DEP) on August 28, 2015. This SIP revision includes a revised motor vehicle fuel volatility regulation that has been updated to be consistent with existing Federal regulations which require retailers to sell reformulated gasoline (RFG) in the counties of York, Cumberland, Sagadahoc, Androscoggin, Kennebec, Knox, and Lincoln, as of June 1, 2015. The intended effect of this action is to approve of this amendment into the Maine SIP. This action is being taken under the Clean Air Act.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is issuing a final rule to amend the Environmental Protection Agency Acquisition Regulation (EPAAR) to make administrative updates, corrections and minor edits. EPA does not anticipate any adverse comments.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Model A321 series airplanes. This AD was prompted by a determination from fatigue testing that cracks could develop in the cabin floor beam junction at certain fuselage frame locations. This AD requires repetitive inspections for cracking in the cabin floor beam junction at certain fuselage frame locations, and repair if necessary. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Fokker Services B.V. Model F28 Mark 0100 airplanes. This AD was prompted by an evaluation by the design approval holder (DAH) indicating that certain wing fuel tank access panels are subject to widespread fatigue damage (WFD). This AD requires replacement of affected access panels and modification of the coamings of the associated access holes. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.