2017 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

Due to the receipt of an adverse comment, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is withdrawing the August 16, 2017, direct final rule that approves portions of the South Carolina state implementation plan (SIP) revisions for miscellaneous rules covering air pollution control standards. EPA will address the comment in a subsequent final action based upon the proposed rulemaking action, also published on August 16, 2017. EPA will not institute a second comment period on this action.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is taking final action to approve changes to the Alabama State Implementation Plan (SIP) to revise the definition of ``volatile organic compounds'' (VOCs), correct a typographical error, and remove control of particulate emissions and opacity limits for Talladega County. EPA is approving the SIP revisions submitted by the State of Alabama, through the Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM), on May 19, 2017. This action is being taken pursuant to the Clean Air Act (CAA or Act).

Due to the receipt of an adverse comment, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is withdrawing the August 16, 2017, direct final rule that approves a North Carolina state implementation plan (SIP) revision related to transportation conformity requirements. EPA will address the comment in a subsequent final action based upon the proposed rulemaking action, also published on August 16, 2017. EPA will not institute a second comment period on this action.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (Commission, or CPSC) is proposing a rule to determine that certain untreated and unfinished engineered wood products (EWPs), specifically, particleboard, hardwood plywood, and medium-density fiberboard, made from virgin wood or pre- consumer waste wood would not contain lead, the ASTM F963 elements, or specified phthalates that exceed the limits set forth under the CPSC's statutes for children's products, children's toys, and child care articles. Based on these proposed determinations, the specified EWPs would not be required to have third party testing for compliance with the requirements for lead, ASTM F963 elements, or phthalates for children's products, children's toys, and child care articles.

The Coast Guard is correcting a temporary final rule that appeared in the Federal Register on October 3, 2017. The document issued a temporary safety zone for certain waters of the Patapsco River, Northwest Harbor and Inner Harbor in association with the movement of the historic sloop-of-war USS CONSTELLATION on October 26, 2017 (rain date of October 27, 2017).

In this issue of the Federal Register, the Department of Treasury and the IRS are issuing two sets of temporary regulations related to section 9815 of the Internal Revenue Code. The first set of temporary regulations, as published in TD 9827, amends final regulations published under the provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (the Affordable Care Act) and relates to expanded exemptions to protect religious beliefs for entities and individuals with objections based on religious beliefs whose health plans are subject to a mandate of contraceptive coverage through guidance issued pursuant to the Affordable Care Act. These proposed regulations refer to the second set of temporary regulations, as published in TD 9828, which amends the first set of temporary regulations, as published in TD 9827, to add an exemption to protect moral convictions for entities and individuals with objections based on those beliefs whose health plans are subject to the mandate of contraceptive coverage.

The United States has a long history of providing conscience protections in the regulation of health care for entities and individuals with objections based on religious beliefs and moral convictions. These interim final rules expand exemptions to protect religious beliefs for certain entities and individuals whose health plans are subject to a mandate of contraceptive coverage through guidance issued pursuant to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. These rules do not alter the discretion of the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), a component of the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), to maintain the guidelines requiring contraceptive coverage where no regulatorily recognized objection exists. These rules also leave the ``accommodation'' process in place as an optional process for certain exempt entities that wish to use it voluntarily. These rules do not alter multiple other Federal programs that provide free or subsidized contraceptives for women at risk of unintended pregnancy.

EPA is taking direct final action to notify the public that it has received a negative declaration for hospital/medical/infectious waste incinerator (HMIWI) units within the City of Philadelphia. This negative declaration certifies that HMIWI units subject to the requirements of sections 111(d) and 129 of the Clean Air Act (CAA) do not exist within the jurisdictional boundaries of the Philadelphia Air Management Service (AMS). EPA is accepting the negative declaration in accordance with the requirements of the Clean Air Act (CAA).

EPA published a document in the Federal Register of August 18, 2017 (82 FR 39402) concerning meetings of the Negotiated Rulemaking Committee (Committee). This document cancels the meeting scheduled for October 25-26, 2017. The Committee decided at the September 13-14, 2017, meeting that it could not reach consensus, has concluded its discussions, and that the fourth meeting, scheduled for October 25-26, 2017, is not needed. Though the Committee has concluded its discussions, EPA is providing an opportunity for the public to offer input about approaches that would reduce burden associated with the reporting of inorganic byproducts while maintaining the Agency's ability to receive the information it needs to understand exposure. The docket established for the negotiated rulemaking public meetings will be open to receive public input for 60 days following publication of this document.

The Department of Labor proposes to delay for ninety (90) daysthrough April 1, 2018the applicability of the Final Rule amending the claims procedure requirements applicable to ERISA-covered employee benefit plans that provide disability benefits. The Final Rule was published in the Federal Register on December 19, 2016, and became effective on January 18, 2017. The Final Rule currently is scheduled to apply to claims for disability benefits under ERISA-covered employee benefit plans that are filed on or after January 1, 2018. Following publication of the Final Rule, various stakeholders and members of Congress asserted that it will drive up disability benefit plan costs, cause an increase in litigation, and in so doing impair workers' access to disability insurance benefits. Pursuant to Executive Order 13777, the Department of Labor has concluded that it is appropriate to give the public an additional opportunity to submit comments and data concerning potential impacts of the Final Rule. The Department of Labor will carefully consider the submitted comments and data as part of its effort to examine regulatory alternatives that meet its objectives of ensuring the full and fair review of disability benefit claims while not imposing unnecessary costs and adverse consequences. The Department of Labor accordingly seeks public comment on a proposed 90-day delay of the applicability of the Final Rule in order to solicit additional public input and examine regulatory alternatives. If this proposal is finalized, the amendments made on December 19, 2016, would become applicable to claims for disability benefits that are filed after April 1, 2018, rather than January 1, 2018.

This document contains proposed amendments to the regulation relating to the requirements for making a valid election under section 754 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (Code), as amended. The proposed regulation affects partnerships and their partners by removing a regulatory burden in making an election to adjust the basis of partnership property.

The Coast Guard has established a temporary safety zone for certain waters within the Sector Key West Captain of the Port (COTP) Zone. Vessels are prohibited from entering into, anchoring, loitering, or movement within a safety zone around salvage or pollution removal vessels in the Florida Keys. These temporary regulations are necessary for the safety of persons, vessels, and property due to the large volume of debris, sunken vessels and salvage operations associated with Hurricane Irma. We invite your comments on this rulemaking.

This document contains proposed rules that would codify in the regulations and strengthen the Susquehanna River Basin Commission's (Commission) Access to Records Policy providing rules and procedures for the public to request and receive the Commission's public records.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is taking the following four actions regarding the Alabama State Implementation Plan (SIP): Approving the portion of Alabama's October 26, 2015, SIP submittal seeking to change reliance from the Clean Air Interstate Rule (CAIR) to the Cross-State Air Pollution Rule (CSAPR) for certain regional haze requirements; converting EPA's limited approval/limited disapproval of Alabama's July 15, 2008, regional haze SIP to a full approval; approving the visibility prong of Alabama's infrastructure SIP submittals for the 2012 Fine Particulate Matter (PM2.5), 2010 Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2), and 2010 Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS); and converting EPA's disapproval of the visibility portion of Alabama's infrastructure SIP submittal for the 2008 Ozone NAAQS to an approval.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is approving a South Carolina State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision, submitted by the State of South Carolina through the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SC DHEC) on December 28, 2012. South Carolina's December 28, 2012, SIP revision (``Progress Report'') addresses requirements of the Clean Air Act (CAA or ``Act'') and EPA's rules that require states to submit periodic reports describing progress towards reasonable progress goals (RPGs) established for regional haze and a determination of the adequacy of the State's existing SIP addressing regional haze (``regional haze plan''). EPA is finalizing approval of South Carolina's Progress Report on the basis that it addresses the progress report and adequacy determination requirements for the first implementation period for regional haze.

Due to the receipt of adverse comments, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is withdrawing the August 24, 2017, direct final rule that approves an Alabama state implementation plan (SIP) revision related to the Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) permitting regulations. EPA will address the comments in a subsequent final action based upon the proposed rulemaking action, also published on August 24, 2017. EPA will not institute a second comment period on this action.

Due to the receipt of an adverse comment, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is withdrawing the August 17, 2017, direct final rule that approves an Alabama state implementation plan (SIP) revision related to transportation conformity requirements. EPA will address the comment in a subsequent final action based upon the proposed rulemaking action, also published on August 17, 2017. EPA will not institute a second comment period on this action.

Due to an adverse comment, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is withdrawing the direct final rule for ``Air Plan Approval; Iowa; Amendment to the Administrative Consent Order, Grain Processing Corporation, Muscatine, Iowa,'' published in the Federal Register on August 25, 2017.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) publishes its proposed List of Fisheries (LOF) for 2018, as required by the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). The LOF for 2018 reflects new information on interactions between commercial fisheries and marine mammals. NMFS must classify each commercial fishery on the LOF into one of three categories under the MMPA based upon the level of mortality and serious injury of marine mammals that occurs incidental to each fishery. The classification of a fishery on the LOF determines whether participants in that fishery are subject to certain provisions of the MMPA, such as registration, observer coverage, and take reduction plan (TRP) requirements.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Pratt & Whitney Division (PW) PW4052, PW4056, PW4060, PW4062, PW4062A, PW4152, PW4156A, PW4158, PW4460, and PW4462 turbofan engine models, including engines identified with suffixes -1C, -1E, -3, -3A, or -3B. This proposed AD was prompted by the discovery of multiple cracked 4th stage low-pressure turbine (LPT) air seals in the fleet. This proposed AD requires removal from service of certain air seals. We are proposing this AD to correct the unsafe condition on these products.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all The Boeing Company Model 737-300, -400, and -500 series airplanes. This AD was prompted by a determination that supplemental inspections are required for timely detection of fatigue cracking for certain structural significant items (SSIs). This AD requires revising the maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to add supplemental inspections. This AD also requires inspections to detect cracks in each SSI, and repair of any cracked structure. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

NMFS is reallocating the projected unused amount of Pacific cod from catcher vessels equal to or greater than 60 feet (18.3 meters) length overall (LOA) using pot gear to catcher/processors using pot gear and catcher vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 meters) LOA using hook-and-line or pot gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area. This action is necessary to allow the 2017 total allowable catch of Pacific cod to be harvested.

NMFS implements an accountability measure (AM) for commercial king mackerel in the western zone of the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) exclusive economic zone (EEZ) through this temporary rule. NMFS has determined that the commercial quota for king mackerel in the western zone of the Gulf EEZ will be reached by October 7, 2017. Therefore, NMFS closes the western zone of the Gulf EEZ to commercial king mackerel fishing on October 7, 2017. This closure is necessary to protect the Gulf king mackerel resource.

This final rule sets out the Department of the Treasury's (Treasury) rules for implementing the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, as amended (the Act). The Act prohibits discrimination on the basis of age in programs and activities receiving Federal financial assistance. The Act, which applies to persons of all ages, permits the use of certain age distinctions and factors other than age that meet the Act's requirements. This final rule follows publication of an August 4, 2015, proposed rule and takes into account the comments received.

The Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB or the Board) is amending its rules of practice and procedure in this part to reflect the relocation of its Western Regional Office.