2018 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

DoD is issuing a final rule amending the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) to remove a clause that is duplicative of an existing Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) clause that requires a contractor to give Government personnel the right of first refusal for employment openings in certain situations.

DoD is issuing a final rule to amend the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) to implement a section of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018 that established a sunset date for restrictions on acquisition of chemical weapons antidote contained in automatic injectors, or the components of such injectors.

DoD is amending the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) to delegate to the head of the contracting activity the decision authorities provided to the head of the agency by sections of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018 that provide new special emergency procurement authorities. This final rule also makes conforming changes to nonstatutory emergency acquisition flexibilities relating to item-unique identification, receipt of only one offer, and limitations on time-and-materials contracts.

DoD is issuing a final rule amending the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) to remove a provision that provided guidelines to offerors when proposing an alternative line item structure in response to a solicitation.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is approving elements of New Jersey's State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision submittal regarding the infrastructure requirements of section 110(a)(1) and (2) of the Clean Air Act (CAA) for the 2008 lead, 2008 ozone, 2010 nitrogen dioxide, 2010 sulfur dioxide, 2011 carbon monoxide, 2006 particulate matter of 10 microns or less (PM10), and 2012 particulate matter of 2.5 microns or less (PM2.5) National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). The EPA is also approving three infrastructure requirements of the 1997 ozone and the 1997 and 2006 PM2.5 NAAQS. 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.

This notice announces a proposed update of the FAA policy regarding approval of the temporary closure of a federally obligated airport for a nonaeronautical purpose. Under Federal law, an airport operator that has accepted Federal grants is obligated to maintain the airport for public aviation use. In a limited exception to the general requirement, an airport operator may temporarily close the airport or part of the airport for a nonaeronautical event, if the FAA approves that closure in advance. The FAA proposes to adopt this policy statement to provide additional guidance to airport operators describing the process and criteria for evaluating airport closure requests, and the required contents of an airport operator's request for approval. The FAA is seeking comments on the proposed statement of policy.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all The Boeing Company Model 727C, 727-100, 727-100C, 727-200, and 727-200F series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by the results of a fleet survey, which revealed cracking in bulkhead frame webs at a certain body station. This proposed AD would require repetitive inspections of the bulkhead frame web at a certain body station and applicable on-condition actions. We are proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This final rule removes DoD's regulation concerning the use of force by Department of the Army personnel engaged in law enforcement and security duties. This part conveys internal Army policy and procedures, and is unnecessary.

The Coast Guard has issued a temporary deviation from the operating schedule that governs the Metro North (Park Avenue) Bridge across the Harlem River, mile 2.1, at Bronx, New York. This temporary deviation is necessary to allow the bridge to open for marine traffic with 24 hour advance notice during construction in the bridge control room.

The Commission is noticing a recent filing requesting that the Commission initiate an informal rulemaking proceeding to consider changes to an analytical method for use in periodic reporting (Proposal One). This notice informs the public of the filing, invites public comment, and takes other administrative steps.

The Department of Homeland Security (``DHS'' or ``Department'') is proposing to remove its regulations pertaining to the international entreprepreneur program, which guided the adjudication of significant public benefit parole requests made by certain foreign entrepreneurs of start-up entities in the United States. After review of all DHS parole programs in accordance with an Executive Order (E.O.) titled, Border Security and Immigration Enforcement Improvements, issued on January 25, 2017, the DHS is proposing to end the IE parole program, and remove or revise the related regulations, because this program is not the appropriate vehicle for attracting and retaining international entrepreneurs and does not adequately protect U.S. investors and U.S. workers employed by or seeking employment with the start-up.

This action modifies five VHF Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal airways (V-12, V-214, V-340, V-467, and V-517) and one low altitude area navigation (RNAV) route (T-213) in the vicinity of Richmond, IN. The FAA is taking this action due to the planned decommissioning of the Richmond, IN, VHF Omnidirectional Range/Tactical Air Navigation (VORTAC) navigation aid (NAVAID) which provides navigation guidance for portions of the affected ATS routes. Overall, this action enhances the safety and management of aircraft within the National Airspace System (NAS).

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is approving a temporary modification of the boundaries of the Massachusetts Bay Dredged Material Disposal Site (MBDS) pursuant to the Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act (MPRSA), as amended. The purpose of this temporary site modification is to allow for the environmental restoration of a particular area adjacent to the MBDS (Potential Restoration Area) by temporarily expanding the boundaries of the existing MBDS. The temporary expansion is a circular area that contains the Potential Restoration Area, which includes most of the historic Industrial Waste Site (IWS). Decades ago, the IWS was used for the disposal of barrels containing industrial, chemical and low-level radioactive waste, as well as for the disposal of munitions, ordnance, construction equipment, and contaminated dredged material. The modification of the disposal site boundary will enable the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to place suitable dredged material generated from the Boston Harbor Deep Draft Navigation Project at the Potential Restoration Area in order to cover the barrels and other wastes disposed there in the past. This is expected to improve environmental conditions at the site. The Deep Draft Navigation Project includes improvement dredging of the main ship channel, which will generate approximately 11 million cubic yards (cy) of dredged material. The existing MBDS will continue to be used for disposal of other dredging projects, as usual. The expansion area will permanently close upon completion of the Boston Harbor Deep Draft Navigation Project, while the existing MBDS will remain open for the disposal of other suitable dredged material. Like the MBDS, however, the expansion area will be subject to ongoing monitoring and management to monitor the recovery of the area and to ensure continued protection of the marine environment.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, propose to open 3 National Wildlife Refuges (NWRs) to hunting, open 1 NWR to sport fishing, increase the hunting activities available at 26 NWRs, increase sport fishing activities at 4 NWRs, and add pertinent refuge-specific regulations for other NWRs that pertain to migratory game bird hunting, upland game hunting, big game hunting, and sport fishing for the 2018- 2019 season. Through these openings and expansions, we are proposing to open or expand an additional 248,000 acres to hunting and sport fishing within the Refuge System resulting in an estimated increase of 17,575 user days yielding approximately $711,000 in recreation-related expenditures. By having ripple effects throughout the economy, these direct expenditures yield a total economic impact of approximately $1.6 million. We also request public comments on the changes we made in our 2017-2018 season final rule concerning adding regulations for upland and big game hunting for Kankakee National Wildlife Refuge in Illinois.

On April 19, 2018, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (Board) and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) published in the Federal Register a proposal to modify the enhanced supplementary leverage ratio standards for U.S. top-tier bank holding companies identified as global systemically important bank holding companies, or GSIBs, and certain of their insured depository institution subsidiaries. The proposal also included conforming modifications to the Board's total-loss absorbing capacity and long- term debt rules. The Board and the OCC have determined that an extension of the comment period until June 25, 2018, is appropriate.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve a January 4, 2018, request by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (Wisconsin) to revise its state implementation plan (SIP) for fine particulate matter (PM2.5). Wisconsin updated its ambient air quality standards for PM2.5 to be consistent with EPA's 2012 revisions to the PM2.5 national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS). Wisconsin also revised its incorporation by reference rule to update references to the EPA monitoring methods.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all The Boeing Company Model 737-100, -200, -200C, -300, -400, -500 series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by the results of a fleet survey that revealed cracking in the bulkhead frame web at a certain body station. This proposed AD would require repetitive inspections of the bulkhead frame web at a certain station, and repair if necessary. We are proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for navigable waters of Bath Creek near Bath, North Carolina, in support of a fireworks display on May 26, 2018. This temporary safety zone is intended to restrict vessel traffic from a portion of Bath Creek during the Bath Festival fireworks display to protect the life and property of the maritime public and spectators from the hazards posed by aerial fireworks displays. Entry of vessels or persons into this zone is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port (COTP) North Carolina or a designated representative.

NMFS proposes to implement annual management measures and catch limits for the northern subpopulation of Pacific sardine (hereafter, Pacific sardine), for the fishing year from July 1, 2018, through June 30, 2019. The proposed action would prohibit directed commercial fishing for Pacific sardine off the coasts of Washington, Oregon, and California, except in the live bait, tribal, or minor directed fisheries, or as incidental catch in other fisheries. The incidental harvest of Pacific sardine would initially be limited to 40- percent by weight of all fish per trip when caught with other CPS or up to 2 metric tons (mt) when caught with non-CPS. The proposed annual catch limit (ACL) for the 2018-2019 Pacific sardine fishing year is 7,000 mt. This proposed rule is intended to conserve and manage the Pacific sardine stock off the U.S. West Coast.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is approving a State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision submitted by the State of Rhode Island. These revisions include regulations to update the enhanced motor vehicle inspection and maintenance (I/M) program in Rhode Island. The revised program includes a test and repair network consisting of on-board diagnostic (OBD2) testing for model year 1996 and newer vehicles and tailpipe exhaust test, using a dynamometer, for model year 1995 and older vehicles. The intended effect of this action is to approve the revised program into the Rhode Island SIP. This action is being taken in accordance with the Clean Air Act (CAA).

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing action on the ozone attainment portion of a State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision submitted by the State of Connecticut to meet the Clean Air Act (CAA) requirements for attaining the 1997 8-hour ozone national ambient air quality standard (NAAQS). The EPA is proposing to approve Connecticut's demonstration of attainment of the 1997 8-hour ozone NAAQS for the New York-Northern New Jersey-Long Island, NY-NJ-CT moderate 1997 8-hour ozone nonattainment area (hereafter, the NY-NJ-CT area or the NY-NJ-CT nonattainment area). In addition, the EPA is proposing to approve Connecticut's reasonably available control measures (RACM) analysis. This action is being taken under the Clean Air Act.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Defense and Space S.A. Model CN-235, CN-235-100, CN-235-200, and CN-235-300 airplanes; and certain Model C-295 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a report that cracks were found on the stabilizer- to-fuselage rear attachment fitting. This proposed AD would require a detailed inspection of the upper and lower lugs of each horizontal stabilizer-to-fuselage rear attachment fitting, repair if necessary, and a report of findings. We are proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Model A300 series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a revision of a certain airworthiness limitations item (ALI) document, which specifies new or more restrictive instructions and airworthiness limitations. This proposed AD would require revising the maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or revised structural inspection requirements. We are proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

We propose to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2016-25- 03, which applies to certain Airbus Model A300 F4-600R series airplanes. AD 2016-25-03 requires repetitive high frequency eddy current (HFEC) inspections of the aft lower deck cargo door (LDCD) frame forks; a one-time check of the LDCD clearances; and a one-time detailed visual inspection of hooks, eccentric bushes, and x-stops; and corrective actions if necessary. Since we issued AD 2016-25-03, we have determined that accomplishing a new frame fork repair or reinforcement would allow an extension of the repetitive inspection intervals as would a frame fork replacement. This proposed AD would retain the actions required by AD 2016-25-03, with revised corrective actions and compliance times. We are proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The Coast Guard is establishing special local regulations for certain waters of the Chesapeake Bay. This action is necessary to provide for the safety of life on these navigable waters located between Sandy Point, Anne Arundel County, MD and Kent Island, Queen Anne's County, MD, during the Bay Bridge Paddle on June 2, 2018 (alternate date of June 3, 2018). This action will prohibit persons and vessels from being in the regulated area unless authorized by the Captain of the Port MarylandNational Capital Region or Coast Guard Patrol Commander.