September 15, 2017 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture announces its stakeholder listening initiative ``NIFA Listens: Investing in Science to Transform Lives.'' This stakeholder listening opportunity informs the research, extension and education priorities of NIFA, which has the mission of investing in and advancing agricultural research, education and extension to solve societal challenges. These investments in transformative science directly support the long-term prosperity and global pre-eminence of U.S. agriculture. This listening opportunity allows stakeholders to provide feedback on the following questions: ``What is your top priority in food and agricultural research, extension or education that NIFA should address?'' and ``What are the most promising science opportunities for advancement of food and agricultural sciences?'' This effort to obtain input on NIFA's science priorities will be carried out through online and in-person submission mechanisms. Stakeholder input received from the two mechanisms is treated equally. The priorities and opportunities obtained from this effort will be evaluated in conjunction with input from NIFA staff. This information will be critical for NIFA's evaluation of existing science emphasis areas to identify investment opportunities and gaps in the current portfolio of programs. The information obtained through this iterative analysis and synthesis will help to ensure the strategic positioning and relevancy of NIFA's investments in advancing agricultural research, education and extension.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposes to approve the Clean Air Act (CAA) section 111(d)/129 negative declaration for the United States Virgin Islands for other solid waste incineration units. Other solid waste incineration (OSWI) unit means either a very small municipal waste combustion unit or an institutional waste incineration unit. This negative declaration certifies that existing OSWI units subject to sections 111(d) and 129 of the CAA do not exist within the jurisdiction of the United States Virgin Islands. The EPA is accepting the negative declaration in accordance with the requirements of the CAA.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is announcing a request for public comment on an interim list of peer review candidates and materials that relate to the expert peer review to support EPA's Safe Drinking Water Act decision making for perchlorate. This request is one of two Federal Register notices being published concurrently, seeking public comment on two separate sets of materials. This notice requests comments to be sent to EPA's contractor, Versar, Inc., on the interim list of peer review candidates and the draft charge questions. Versar, Inc., will consider the comments received on this notice in selecting the final peer review panel, which will collectively provide appropriate expertise spanning the subject matter areas covered by the draft report and, to the extent feasible, best provide a balance of perspectives. EPA will consider comments received on this notice to help inform the final peer review panel's charge. The companion notice requests comments (to be sent to EPA) on a draft report entitled ``Draft Report: Proposed Approaches to Inform the Derivation of a Maximum Contaminant Level Goal for Perchlorate in Drinking Water'' (draft MCLG Approaches Report).

This notice announces that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued Federal operating permits to Great Lakes Gas Transmission Limited Partnership (Great Lakes Gas), NRG Reliability Solutions, LLC, Mille Lacs Corporate Ventures dba Grand Casino Hinckley (Mille Lacs Corporate Ventures), and Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community of Minnesota (SMSC). EPA also issued a Federal construction permit to Mille Lacs Corporate Ventures.

Ohio has applied to EPA for Final Authorization of the changes to its hazardous waste program under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). EPA has reviewed Ohio's application with regards to federal requirements, and is proposing to authorize the state's changes.

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.

The Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on the proposed information collection, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.

The Secretary publishes a list of persons who may be named to serve on the Performance Review Board that oversees the evaluation of performance appraisals for Senior Executive Service members of the Department.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is announcing the renewal of the Nonprescription Drugs Advisory Committee by the Commissioner of Food and Drugs (the Commissioner). The Commissioner has determined that it is in the public interest to renew the Nonprescription Drugs Advisory Committee for an additional 2 years beyond the charter expiration date. The new charter will be in effect until August 27, 2019.

The Wage and Hour Division (WHD) of the U.S. Department of Labor (the Department) is issuing this notice to announce the applicable minimum wage rate to be paid to workers performing work on or in connection with Federal contracts covered by Executive Order 13658, beginning January 1, 2018. Executive Order 13658, Establishing a Minimum Wage for Contractors (the Executive Order or the Order), was signed on February 12, 2014, and raised the hourly minimum wage paid by contractors to workers performing work on covered Federal contracts to: $10.10 per hour, beginning January 1, 2015; and beginning January 1, 2016, and annually thereafter, an amount determined by the Secretary of Labor (the Secretary) in accordance with the methodology set forth in the Order. See 79 FR 9851. The Secretary's determination of the Executive Order minimum wage rate also affects the minimum hourly cash wage that must be paid to tipped employees performing work on or in connection with covered contracts. See 79 FR 9851-52. The Secretary is required to provide notice to the public of the new minimum wage rate at least 90 days before such rate is to take effect. See 79 FR 9851. The applicable minimum wage under Executive Order 13658 is currently $10.20 per hour, in effect since January 1, 2017. See 81 FR 64513. The applicable minimum cash wage that generally must be paid to tipped employees performing work on or in connection with covered contracts is currently $6.80 per hour, in effect since January 1, 2017. Id. Pursuant to Executive Order 13658 and its implementing regulations at 29 CFR part 10, notice is hereby given that beginning January 1, 2018, the Executive Order minimum wage rate that generally must be paid to workers performing work on or in connection with covered contracts will increase to $10.35 per hour. Notice is also hereby given that, beginning January 1, 2018, the required minimum cash wage that generally must be paid to tipped employees performing work on or in connection with covered contracts will increase to $7.25 per hour.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for all navigable waters of the Tombigbee River from mile marker (MM) 215.5 to MM 216.5, near Demopolis, AL. This action is necessary to protect persons and property on navigable waters during a fireworks display taking place on or over the waterway. Entry into or transiting in this zone is prohibited to all vessels, mariners, and persons unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port Sector Mobile (COTP) or a designated representative.

The Economic Development Administration (EDA) has received petitions for certification of eligibility to apply for Trade Adjustment Assistance from the firms listed below. Accordingly, EDA has initiated investigations to determine whether increased imports into the United States of articles like or directly competitive with those produced by each of these firms contributed importantly to the total or partial separation of the firm's workers, or threat thereof, and to a decrease in sales or production of each petitioning firm.

The U.S. Congress has directed the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE or Department), as part of the Grid Modernization Initiative, to conduct a study of the cost and benefit considerations of net metering to utilities (utility business perspective), ratepayers (consumer perspective), and the electrical grid (technical/operational perspective). There have been numerous studies assessing the impacts of net metering in states across the United States. As part of this study, DOE seeks stakeholder input on existing studies (2012-present) assessing the costs and benefits of net metering, and the availability of data that can be used in conducting such studies. DOE expects to use this input to help inform its report to Congress.

The New England Fishery Management Council (Council) is scheduling a public meeting of its Habitat Committee to consider actions affecting New England fisheries in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ). Recommendations from this group will be brought to the full Council for formal consideration and action, if appropriate.

The subcommittees listed below are part of AHRQ's Health Services Research Initial Review Group Committee. Grant applications are to be reviewed and discussed at these meetings. Each subcommittee meeting will commence in open session before closing to the public for the duration of the meeting.

The Department of Justice (DOJ), Office of Justice Programs, National Institute of Justice, will be submitting the following information collection request to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.

NHTSA is releasing new voluntary guidance on automated driving systemsAutomated Driving Systems: A Vision for Safety. The new voluntary guidance is based on public comments received on the Federal Automated Vehicles Policy (FAVP) released in September 2016. The purpose of this new voluntary guidance is to support industry innovators, States and other key stakeholders as they consider and design best practices relative to the testing and deployment of automated vehicle technologies, while informing and educating the public and improving roadway safety. NHTSA invites public comment on the voluntary guidance and additional ways to improve its usefulness. This new voluntary guidance is an important part of DOT's multi- modal efforts to support the introduction of automation technologies that hold the promise of fulfilling NHTSA's mission of reducing the number of injuries and fatalities on our roads. As an update to the FAVP this new voluntary guidance serves as NHTSA's current operating guidance for Automated Driving Systems (ADSsSAE International Automation Levels 3-5). NHTSA intends to continue to revise and refine the guidance periodically to reflect continued public input, experience, research, and innovation, and will address significant comments in preparing future iterations of the guidance. This guidance supports that effort.

The U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) is publishing the names of persons whose property and interests in property have been unblocked pursuant to Executive Order 13581 of July 24, 2011, ``Blocking Property of Transnational Criminal Organizations.''

Notice is hereby given, pursuant to the provisions of the rules and regulations of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights (Commission) and the Federal Advisory Committee Act that the Alabama Advisory Committee (Committee) will hold a meeting on Thursday, September 28, 2017, at 11:00 a.m. (Central) for the purpose of orientation and a discussion on civil rights topics affecting the state.

Pursuant to the provisions of the ``Government in the Sunshine Act'', notice is hereby given of the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board's (Board) public business meeting described below.