2017 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

Due to an adverse comment, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is withdrawing the direct final rule for Approval of Implementation Plans; State of Iowa; Elements of the Infrastructure SIP Requirements for the 2010 Sulfur Dioxide National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) published in the Federal Register on September 29, 2017. Infrastructure SIPs address the applicable requirements of Clean Air Act (CAA) section 110, which requires that each state adopt and submit a SIP for the implementation, maintenance, and enforcement of each new or revised NAAQS promulgated by the EPA. These SIPs are commonly referred to as ``infrastructure'' SIPs. 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.

Due to adverse comments, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is withdrawing the direct final rule Approval of Nebraska Air Quality Implementation Plans; Infrastructure SIP Requirements for the 2010 Nitrogen Dioxide and Sulfur Dioxide and the 2012 Fine Particulate Matter National Ambient Air Quality Standards, published in the Federal Register on September 20, 2017. The direct final rule approved elements of a State Implementation Plan (SIP) submission from the State of Nebraska addressing the applicable requirements of Clean Air Act (CAA) section 110 for the 2010 Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) and Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS), and the 2012 Fine Particulate Matter (PM2.5) NAAQS. Section 110 of the CAA requires that each state adopt and submit a SIP to support implementation, maintenance, and enforcement of each new or revised NAAQS promulgated by EPA. These SIPs are commonly referred to as ``infrastructure'' SIPs.

Due to adverse comments received, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is withdrawing the August 28, 2017 direct final rule that approved a revision to the Maryland state implementation plan (SIP) to incorporate by reference a Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) order that establishes an alternative volatile organic compound (VOC) emission standard for National Gypsum Company (NGC) to ensure that it remains a minor VOC source. EPA stated in the direct final rule that if EPA received adverse comments by September 27, 2017, the rule would be withdrawn and not take effect. EPA subsequently received one adverse comment. EPA will address the comment received in a subsequent final action based upon the proposed action also published on August 28, 2017. EPA will not institute a second comment period on this action.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA or Agency) is announcing the availability of a document entitled ``Same Surgical Procedure Exception under 21 CFR 1271.15(b): Questions and Answers Regarding the Scope of the Exception.'' The guidance document provides tissue establishments and health care professionals with FDA's current thinking on the scope of an exception set forth in the human cells, tissues, and cellular and tissue-based products (HCT/Ps) regulations.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bombardier, Inc., Model CL-600-2C10 (Regional Jet Series 700, 701, & 702), CL-600-2D15 (Regional Jet Series 705), CL-600-2D24 (Regional Jet Series 900), and CL-600-2E25 (Regional Jet Series 1000) airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by several incidents of electrical shorting and sparks caused by de-icing fluid leaks between flight deck windshields and side windows. This proposed AD would require water spray tests and general visual inspections for water in the flight compartment, and water removal and sealant application if necessary. We are proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

We, the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE), are approving an amendment to the Texas regulatory program (Texas program) under the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (SMCRA or the Act). Texas proposed revisions to its regulations regarding annual permit fees. Texas revised its program at its own initiative to raise revenues sufficient to cover its anticipated share of costs to administer the coal regulatory program and to encourage mining companies to more quickly reclaim lands and request bond release, thereby fulfilling SMCRA's purpose of assuring the reclamation of mined land as quickly as possible.

The Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection (Bureau or CFPB) is issuing this final rule establishing regulations creating consumer protections for certain consumer credit products and the official interpretations to the rule. First, the rule identifies it as an unfair and abusive practice for a lender to make covered short-term or longer- term balloon-payment loans, including payday and vehicle title loans, without reasonably determining that consumers have the ability to repay the loans according to their terms. The rule exempts certain loans from the underwriting criteria prescribed in the rule if they have specific consumer protections. Second, for the same set of loans along with certain other high-cost longer-term loans, the rule identifies it as an unfair and abusive practice to make attempts to withdraw payment from consumers' accounts after two consecutive payment attempts have failed, unless the consumer provides a new and specific authorization to do so. Finally, the rule prescribes notices to consumers before attempting to withdraw payments from their account, as well as processes and criteria for registration of information systems, for requirements to furnish and obtain information from them, and for compliance programs and record retention. The rule prohibits evasions and operates as a floor leaving State and local jurisdictions to adopt further regulatory measures (whether a usury limit or other protections) as appropriate to protect consumers.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) is proposing to establish a no anchorage restricted area within waters along the Back Bay of Biloxi shoreline of the Keesler Air Force Base (KAFB) located in Biloxi, Mississippi, on behalf of a request by the United States Air Force (USAF) 81st Security Forces Anti-Terrorism Office. The proposed no anchorage restricted area will be established by placing 12 buoys to demarcate the approximately 10,000 feet of shoreline east to west and extend approximately 150 feet from the shoreline of the base. The proposed restricted area is essential to address a major anti-terrorism and safety concern due to the lack of perimeter fencing or physical denial system.

The Corps of Engineers is proposing to establish a permanent restricted area for the U. S. Coast Guard in waters of Curtis Creek and Arundel Cove located in Baltimore, Maryland. The establishment of the restricted area is necessary to reflect the current security needs at U. S. Coast Guard Yard (CG Yard), Baltimore, Maryland, including the protection of Coast Guard-wide military assets. The CG Yard is the Coast Guard's only shipyard and its largest industrial facility. It performs major ship, electronics, and heavy weapons overhaul, repair, and manufacture. The CG Yard is also the host command for various Coast Guard commands supporting local and nationwide Coast Guard missions.

EPA is establishing tolerances for residues of tebufenozide in or on multiple commodities, which are identified and discussed later in this document. In addition, EPA is correcting commodity definitions, updating crop group tolerances, and harmonizing U.S. tolerances with Codex. EPA is also removing tolerances for residues of tebufenozide that are no longer needed due to the changes listed. EPA is also amending the existing tolerance for almond, hulls under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA).

The FAA announces the availability of and requests comments on proposed airworthiness criteria for the Unmanned Aircraft System, FlightScan Corporation, Camcopter S-100. This document provides proposed policy for airworthiness criteria to address the designation of applicable regulations and other criteria for special classes of aircraft. In addition to the proposed airworthiness criteria presented in this document, we are also referencing operational considerations that have been used to support the development of the airworthiness criteria. We consider these proposed criteria to be interim because we anticipate the evolution of new operational criteria will necessitate additional airworthiness criteria in order to allow for the operation of the Camcopter S-100 in the National Airspace System. When those additional operational criteria are further established, we will again provide public notice of proposed policy with additional airworthiness criteria along with changes incorporated to these criteria based on the public comments received.

The Coast Guard is establishing temporary safety zones in the navigable waters of the Humboldt Bay Entrance Channel, of Eureka, CA, Noyo River Entrance Channel, of Fort Bragg, CA, and Crescent City Harbor Entrance Channel, of Crescent City, CA to safeguard navigation safety during extreme environmental conditions. These safety zones are established to protect the safety of vessels transiting the areas from the dangers associated with extreme breaking surf and high wind conditions occurring in the Humboldt Bay Bar Channel, Noyo River Entrance Channel, and Crescent City Harbor Entrance Channels. When enforced, entry of persons or vessels into this temporary safety zone is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port (COTP), San Francisco or his designated representative.

The Coast Guard will enforce the subject safety zone for the annual fireworks display that takes place every November on the Ohio River, Monongahela River and Allegheny River extending the entire width of the rivers. The zone is needed to protect vessels transiting the area and event spectators from the hazards associated with the fireworks display. During the enforcement period, entry into, transiting, or anchoring in the safety zone is prohibited to all vessels not registered with the sponsor as participants or official patrol vessels, unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port Marine Safety Unit Pittsburgh (COTP) or a designated representative.

On November 9, 2017, the Coast Guard published a rule establishing temporary safety zones in the Atlantic Ocean, off the coast of Rehoboth Beach, DE and in Breakwater Harbor near Cape Henlopen. The rule was made enforceable from November 6, 2017, through February 28, 2018. However, in regulatory text the February date was mistakenly given as February 28, 2017. This document corrects that error.

We are approving an amendment to the Kentucky regulatory program (hereinafter, the ``Kentucky program'') under the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (SMCRA or the Act). Kentucky submitted a proposed amendment to OSMRE that includes revisions to the Kentucky Revised Statutes (KRS) as authorized by House Bill 385 (HB 385), regarding bonding of surface coal mining and reclamation operations.

This rule establishes initial air quality designations for most areas in the United States, including most areas of Indian country, for the 2015 primary and secondary national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) for ozone. In this action, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is designating 2,646 counties, including Indian Country located in those counties, two separate areas of Indian Country, and five territories as Attainment/Unclassifiable and three counties as Unclassifiable.

On October 10, 2017, the Federal Election Commission reopened the comment period on the Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (``ANPRM'') seeking comment on whether to begin a rulemaking to revise its regulations concerning disclaimers on certain internet communications and, if so, on what changes should be made to those rules. The Commission has decided to extend the comment period for one business day due to technological difficulties.

The Federal Trade Commission has completed its regulatory review of its rule regarding Disposal of Consumer Report Information and Records as part of the Commission's systematic review of all current Commission rules and guides, and has determined to retain the Rule in its current form.

NMFS publishes Fraser River salmon inseason orders to regulate treaty and non-treaty (all citizen) commercial salmon fisheries in U.S. waters. The orders were issued by the Fraser River Panel (Panel) of the Pacific Salmon Commission (Commission) and subsequently approved and issued by NMFS during the 2017 salmon fisheries within the U.S. Fraser River Panel Area. These orders established fishing dates, times, and areas for the gear types of U.S. treaty Indian and all citizen commercial fisheries during the period the Panel exercised jurisdiction over these fisheries.

This final rule implements management measures previously approved for Amendment 6 to the Tilefish Fishery Management Plan and publicizes status quo management measures for 2018. Amendment 6 was developed by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council to establish management measures and 2017 harvest limits for the blueline tilefish fishery north of the Virginia/North Carolina border. The intended effect of this action is to establish permanent management measures for this fishery, consistent with requirements of the Magnuson-Stevens Act.

This document contains corrections to final regulations (TD 9803) that were published in the Federal Register on Friday, December 16, 2016. The final regulations are related to certain transfers of property by United States persons to foreign corporations.

On July 1, 2014, the HEAL Program was transferred from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to the U.S. Department of Education (the Department). To reflect this transfer and to facilitate the servicing of all HEAL loans that are currently held by the Department, the Secretary adds the HEAL Program regulations to the Department's chapter in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR).

This final rule amends the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation's regulation on Benefits Payable in Terminated Single- Employer Plans to prescribe interest assumptions under the regulation for valuation dates in December 2017. The interest assumptions are used for paying benefits under terminating single-employer plans covered by the pension insurance system administered by PBGC.

The National Park Service (NPS) intends to initiate a rulemaking process that will consider changes to regulations applicable to Alaska that were promulgated in October 2015.

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is amending its regulations to make miscellaneous corrections. The amendments include correcting references, an address and a misspelling. The amendments will also make references to persons in one part of the NRC's regulations gender neutral. This document is necessary to inform the public of these non-substantive amendments to the NRC's regulations.