2017 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is correcting a final rule that appeared in the Federal Register on August 8, 2017. That rule approved the ``Nevada Regional Haze 5-Year Progress Report'' as a revision to the Nevada Regional Haze State Implementation Plan (SIP) and re-codified our prior approval of the Nevada Regional Haze SIP.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) proposes to add a regulation governing the Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (SGLI) and Veterans' Group Life Insurance (VGLI) programs to provide that certain SGLI, Family SGLI (FSGLI) and VGLI applications, elections, and beneficiary designations required by statute to be ``written'' or ``in writing'' would include those submitted via an agency approved electronic means that are digitally or electronically signed.

We are superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2011-03-08, which applied to certain Bombardier, Inc., Model CL-215-1A10 (CL-215), CL-215-6B11 (CL-215T Variant), and CL-215-6B11 (CL-415 Variant) airplanes. AD 2011-03-08 required an inspection to determine the number of flight cycles accumulated by certain accumulators installed on the airplane, and repetitive inspections of the accumulators for cracks, and replacement if necessary. This AD retains those inspections and the accumulator replacement if necessary, and adds a new terminating action to address the identified unsafe condition. This AD was prompted by the development of a terminating action for the repetitive inspections. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is amending the Cotton Board Rules and Regulations, increasing the value assigned to imported cotton for the purposes of calculating supplemental assessments collected for use by the Cotton Research and Promotion Program. This amendment is required each year to ensure that assessments collected on imported cotton and the cotton content of imported products will be the same as those paid on domestically produced cotton. In addition, AMS is updating the Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) statistical reporting numbers that were amended since the last assessment adjustment in 2016.

This final rule clarifies procedures for waiver of documentary requirements due to an unforeseen emergency for nonimmigrants seeking admission to the United States.

NMFS is reallocating the projected unused amount of Pacific cod from vessels using jig gear and catcher vessels greater than or equal to 60 feet (18.3 meters) length overall (LOA) using hook-and-line gear to 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.

We are amending the black stem rust quarantine and regulations by adding 15 varieties to the list of rust-resistant Berberis species and varieties and 2 varieties to the list of rust-resistant Mahonia species and varieties. This action will allow for the interstate movement of these newly developed varieties without unnecessary restrictions.

The Coast Guard is modifying the operating schedule of four bridges across the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway (GICW); Stickney Point Drawbridge, mile 68.6, Siesta Drive Drawbridge, mile 71.6, Cortez Drawbridge, mile, 87.4, and Anna Maria Drawbridge, mile 89.2, in Sarasota, FL. The request was made to the Coast Guard to change the operation of four drawbridges due to an increase in vehicle traffic throughout these areas at all times of the year. This rulemaking would change the bridges' operating schedules from a three times an hour opening schedule to a twice an hour opening schedule throughout the year.

The Coast Guard is modifying the operating schedule that governs the CSX Railroad Bridge across the Rice Creek, mile 0.8, in Palatka, Putnam County, FL. This rule will change the existing open on demand during the day and 24 hour advance notice for a bridge opening during the night, to 24 hour advance notice for an opening at all times.

This document contains corrections to the temporary regulations (T.D. 9814) that were published in the Federal Register on Thursday, January 19, 2017 (82 FR 7582). The regulations address transfers of appreciated property by United States persons to partnerships with foreign partners related to the transferor. The regulations override the rules providing for nonrecognition of gain on a contribution of property to a partnership in exchange for an interest in the partnership under section 721(a) of the Internal Revenue Code (Code) pursuant to section 721(c) unless the partnership adopts the remedial method and certain other requirements are satisfied.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is finalizing action on a revision to the Imperial County Air Pollution Control District (ICAPCD or District) portion of the California State Implementation Plan (SIP). We are finalizing a conditional approval of one rule. This rule updates and revises the District's New Source Review (NSR) permitting program for new and modified sources of air pollution.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Defense and Space S.A. Model CN-235, CN-235-100, CN-235-200, CN- 235-300, and C-295 airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of excessive play between bushings and their respective fitting housings at certain elevator fittings. This AD requires a one-time detailed inspection and repetitive eddy current inspections of the elevator hinge fitting and bracket assembly, and corrective actions if necessary. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The Tennessee Valley Authority issues this final rule amending its Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) regulations to incorporate the statutory changes made to the FOIA by the FOIA Improvement Act of 2016 (Act). The TVA's FOIA regulations provide the procedures by which the public may request records from TVA, and the policies and procedures by which TVA provides such records to the public upon written request. TVA is updating its regulations to incorporate the procedural requirements of the Act.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for multiple fireworks events launched in the vicinity of Penn's Landing in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania for the waters of Delaware River, Philadelphia, PA. Enforcement of this safety zone is necessary and intended to enhance safety of life on navigable waters immediately prior to, during, and immediately after these fireworks events. During the enforcement periods, no vessel may enter in or transit this regulated area without approval from the Captain of the Port or a designated representative.

NMFS is prohibiting retention of the incidental catch allowance for Pacific ocean perch in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary because the 2017 total allowable catch of Pacific ocean perch apportioned to the incidental catch allowance in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA has been reached.

The Department of Energy (DOE or Department) proposes to revise its regulations to provide that DOE will issue an export authorization upon receipt of any complete application that seeks to export natural gas, including liquefied natural gas (LNG), to countries with which the United States has not entered into a free trade agreement (FTA) requiring national treatment for trade in natural gas and with which trade is not prohibited by U.S. law or policy (non-FTA countries), provided that the application satisfies the following two criteria: The application proposes to export natural gas in a volume up to and including 0.14 billion cubic feet (Bcf) per day (Bcf/d), and DOE's approval of the application does not require an environmental impact statement (EIS) or an environmental assessment (EA) under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA). In proposing this revision, DOE is interpreting the phrase ``public interest'' set forth in the Natural Gas Act (NGA). DOE proposes that applications that satisfy these criteria are requesting authorization for ``small-scale natural gas exports'' and, as such, the exports are deemed to be consistent with the public interest under the NGA. DOE's regulations regarding notice of applications and procedures conducted on applications would no longer apply to applications that satisfy these criteria. The proposed regulation is intended to expedite DOE's processing of these applications, thereby reducing administrative burdens for the small-scale natural gas export market.

The Coast Guard has issued a temporary deviation from the operating schedule that governs the Smith Point Bridge across Narrow Bay, mile 6.1, at Brookhaven, New York. This deviation is necessary in order to facilitate the annual 5K Run for Literacy and allows the bridge to remain in the closed position for one hour.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is amending its regulations that govern the Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) Program. This rulemaking clarifies VA's procedures for continuing to fund SSVF Program services in communities that have lost grants due to the non-renewal or termination of services of an existing award to a grantee. VA can now award the non-renewed or deobligated funds to other existing SSVF grantees in or near the affected community. This award of non-renewed or deobligated funds prevents potential access issues associated with grant termination. This rulemaking also reduces the number of satisfaction surveys grantees are required to provide to participants in order to reduce the burden on grantees and participants.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain General Electric Company (GE) CF34-8 model turbofan engines. This AD was prompted by analysis that resulted in the reduction of the life of the affected fan blades. This AD requires inspections of the affected fan blades until their removal. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The Coast Guard has issued a temporary deviation from the operating schedule that governs the Morrison Bridge across the Willamette River, mile 12.8, at Portland, Oregon. The deviation is necessary to accommodate Multnomah County's (bridge owner) replacement of the bridge decking. This deviation allows the bridge to only open half of the span, single leaf, to allow for the replacement of bridge decking. The deviation also allows the vertical clearance to be reduced due to the project's containment system.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a rule in the Federal Register on November 6, 2015, 80 FR 68795 that proposed amending its regulations governing the VA's Veteran-Owned Small Business (VOSB) Verification Program. The Verification Program has been the subject of reports from both the Government Accountability Office and VA's Office of Inspector General stating that despite VA's Verification Program, fraud still exists in the Veterans First Contracting Program. Some stakeholder feedback has been that the current regulation is too open to interpretation and is unnecessarily more rigorous than similar certification programs run by the United State Small Business Administration (SBA). The proposed rule sought to clarify the eligibility requirements for businesses to obtain ``verified'' status, added and revised definitions, reordered requirements, redefined the definition of ``control,'' and provided explanatory information on VA's examination and review processes and procedures. The proposed rule additionally sought to implement new changes to community property restrictions, unconditional ownership, and day-to-day requirements and full-time requirements. An exception for majority, supermajority, unanimous, and other voting provisions for extraordinary business decisions were also proposed. Comments to the proposed rule were to be provided to the Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization on or before January 5, 2016. Due to the nature of the adverse comments received, VA has determined not to pursue implementation of the rule as originally proposed. Accordingly, this document withdraws the proposed rule.

In this document, the Federal Communications Commission seeks additional comment on a range of possible actions that may advance the Commission's goal of increasing the number of rural Americans with access to wireless communications services. In order to encourage investment in wireless networks, facilitate access to scarce spectrum resources, and promote the rapid deployment of mobile services to rural Americans, the Commission seeks comment on additional, reasonable construction obligations during renewal terms that are targeted to reach rural areas that lack adequate service.

This emergency rule removes the 2017 southern windowpane flounder accountability measures for non-groundfish trawl vessels that were triggered as a result of a 2015 quota overage. The rule is necessary because new information indicates 2016 catch did not exceed the quota. This rule is intended to mitigate negative economic impacts to non-groundfish vessels, while maintaining conservation benefits for the southern windowpane flounder stock.

In this document, the Commission addresses several petitions for reconsideration regarding recent decisions regarding wireless microphones. Specifically, the Commission makes technical revisions to the spurious emission limits that it had adopted for licensed wireless microphone operations in several frequency bands, and for unlicensed wireless microphone operations in the TV bands and in the 600 MHz guard band and duplex gap. The Commission also clarifies output power measurements and how certain antenna-related part 15 rules apply with respect to unlicensed wireless microphones, and revises and clarifies requirements for existing and legacy unlicensed wireless microphones during and after the post-incentive auction transition period. This action promotes the Commission's goal of accommodating wireless microphone users' needs through access to spectrum resources following the incentive auction and reconfiguration of the TV bands.