2019 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

This action proposes to remove VHF Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal airway V-104, and modify V-322, due to the planned decommissioning of the Berlin, NH, VOR/DME navigation aid which provides navigation guidance for segments of the routes. The Berlin VOR/DME is being decommissioned as part of the FAA's VOR Minimum Operational Network (MON) program.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposes to approve Colorado's regional haze progress report, submitted as a revision to its State Implementation Plan (SIP) by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE). Colorado's SIP revision addresses requirements of the Clean Air Act (CAA) and the EPA's rules that require states to submit periodic reports describing progress toward Reasonable Progress Goals (RPGs) established for regional haze and a determination of the adequacy of the state's existing plan addressing regional haze. Colorado's progress report explains that Colorado has implemented the measures in the regional haze plan due to be in place by the date of the progress report and that visibility in mandatory federal Class I areas affected by emissions from Colorado sources is improving. The EPA is proposing approval of Colorado's determination that the State's regional haze plan is adequate to meet RPGs for the first implementation period, which extended through 2018 and requires no substantive revision at this time.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve the Maintenance Plan, submitted by the State of Montana to the EPA on October 28, 2018, for the East Helena Lead (Pb) nonattainment area (East Helena NAA) and concurrently redesignating the East Helena NAA to attainment of the 1978 Pb National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS). The EPA is taking this action pursuant to the Clean Air Act (CAA).

This action proposes to amend VHF Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal airway V-37 in the northeast United States to reflect changes being made in Canadian airspace. The modification is necessary due to the planned decommissioning of the Aylmer, Canada, VOR navigation aid (NAVAID), which provides navigation guidance for portions of V-37. The Aylmer VOR is being decommissioned as part of NAV CANADA's NAVAID Modernization Program.

This action proposes to remove VHF Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal airway V-369 in its entirety between Navasota, TX, and Dallas- Fort Worth, TX. The FAA is proposing this action due to the planned decommissioning of the Groesbeck, TX (GNL), VOR navigation aid (NAVAID) which provides navigation guidance for portions of the affected ATS routes. The Groesbeck VOR is being decommissioned in support of the FAA's VOR Minimum Operational Network (MON) program.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is updating a portion of the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Air Regulations. Requirements applying to OCS sources located within 25 miles of states' seaward boundaries must be updated periodically to remain consistent with the requirements of the corresponding onshore area (COA), as mandated by section 328(a)(1) of the Clean Air Act (CAA). The portion of the OCS air regulations that is being updated pertains to the requirements for OCS sources for which Maryland is the designated COA. The State of Maryland's requirements discussed in this document, and listed in the appendix to the Federal OCS air regulations, are approved for incorporation into the compilation of state provisions that is incorporated by reference.

The Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security (``DOJ,'' ``DHS,'' or collectively, ``the Departments'') are adopting an interim final rule (``interim rule'' or ``rule'') governing asylum claims in the context of aliens who enter or attempt to enter the United States across the southern land border after failing to apply for protection from persecution or torture while in a third country through which they transited en route to the United States. Pursuant to statutory authority, the Departments are amending their respective regulations to provide that, with limited exceptions, an alien who enters or attempts to enter the United States across the southern border after failing to apply for protection in a third country outside the alien's country of citizenship, nationality, or last lawful habitual residence through which the alien transited en route to the United States is ineligible for asylum. This basis for asylum ineligibility applies only prospectively to aliens who enter or arrive in the United States on or after the effective date of this rule. In addition to establishing a new mandatory bar for asylum eligibility for aliens who enter or attempt to enter the United States across the southern border after failing to apply for protection from persecution or torture in at least one third country through which they transited en route to the United States, this rule would also require asylum officers and immigration judges to apply this new bar on asylum eligibility when administering the credible-fear screening process applicable to stowaways and aliens who are subject to expedited removal under section 235(b)(1) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. The new bar established by this regulation does not modify withholding or deferral of removal proceedings. Aliens who fail to apply for protection in a third country of transit may continue to apply for withholding of removal under the Immigration and Nationality Act (``INA'') and deferral of removal under regulations issued pursuant to the legislation implementing U.S. obligations under Article 3 of the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.

The Coast Guard is proposing to establish a temporary safety zone for certain waters of the Ohio River from Mile Marker (MM) 355.8 to MM 356.8. This action is necessary to provide for the safety of life on these navigable waters near Portsmouth, OH, during a firework display on September 1, 2019. This proposed rulemaking would prohibit persons and vessels from being in the safety zone unless otherwise authorized by the Captain of the Port Ohio Valley or designated representative. We invite your comments on this proposed rulemaking.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is approving the request from the District of Columbia (the District) to redesignate to attainment their respective portion of the Washington, DC-MD-VA nonattainment area (hereafter ``the Washington Area'' or ``the Area'') for the 2008 8-hour ozone national ambient air quality standard (NAAQS or standard) (also referred to as the ``2008 ozone NAAQS'') as the District's portion of the Area meets the statutory requirements for redesignation under the Clean Air Act (CAA). EPA is therefore redesignating the District of Columbia to attainment for the 2008 ozone NAAQS in accordance with the CAA.

This rule implements a recommendation from the California Olive Committee (Committee) to increase the assessment rate for California olives handled under Marketing Order No. 932. The assessment rate will remain in effect indefinitely unless modified, suspended, or terminated.

This document directs that a referendum be conducted among eligible almond growers to determine whether they favor continuance of the marketing order regulating the handling of almonds grown in California.

The Commission is acknowledging a recent filing requesting the Commission initiate a rulemaking proceeding to consider changes to analytical principles relating to periodic reports (Proposal Three). This document informs the public of the filing, invites public comment, and takes other administrative steps.

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is requesting comment on a regulatory basis to support a rulemaking that would amend the NRC's regulations to develop specific physical security requirements for advanced reactors, which refers to light-water small modular reactors and non-light-water reactors. The NRC is proposing a limited-scope rulemaking that would provide a clear set of alternative, performance-based requirements and guidance for advanced reactor physical security that would reduce the need for exemptions to current physical security requirements when applicants request permits and licenses. This rulemaking would provide additional benefits for advanced reactor applicants by establishing greater regulatory stability, predictability, and clarity in the licensing process. The NRC plans to hold a public meeting to discuss the regulatory basis and facilitate public participation.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposes to approve revisions to the Oregon State Implementation Plan (SIP) submitted on December 11, 2018. The revisions update the SIP to allow for electronic public notice of proposed major stationary source permits, add references to stationary source sampling requirements, make use of plain language, and correct errors. The EPA reviewed the submitted revisions and proposes to find they are consistent with Clean Air Act requirements.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is taking final action to approve portions of a revision to the North Carolina State Implementation Plan (SIP) submitted by the State of North Carolina through the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (formerly the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources (NCDENR)), Division of Air Quality, on January 31, 2008. The revision includes changes to emission control standards and open burning regulations. The changes are part of North Carolina's strategy to meet and maintain the national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS). This action is being taken pursuant to the Clean Air Act (CAA or Act) and its implementing regulations.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) received a petition from the Competitive Enterprise Institute (CEI) to define a new product class under the Energy Policy and Conservation Act, as amended (EPCA), for residential dishwashers. The new product class would cover dishwashers with a cycle time for the normal cycle of less than one hour from washing through drying. DOE published this petition and request for comments in the Federal Register on April 24, 2018. Based upon its evaluation of the petition and careful consideration of the public comments, DOE has decided to grant this petition for rulemaking and propose a dishwasher product class with a cycle time for the normal cycle of less than one hour. DOE intends to consider appropriate energy and water use limits for such a product class, if adopted, in a separate rulemaking.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is approving a request from Wisconsin to revise the designation for the Sheboygan nonattainment area for the 1997 primary and secondary ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) and the 2008 primary and secondary ozone NAAQS, by splitting the existing area into two distinct nonattainment areas that together cover the identical geographic area of the existing nonattainment area. This revised designation is supported by air quality data, emissions and emissions-related data, meteorology, geography/topography, and jurisdictional boundaries. Both areas will retain their nonattainment designation and Moderate classification. In this action, EPA is also making a clean data determination for one of the two separate areas for the 2008 ozone NAAQS.

The Coast Guard is proposing to establish a temporary safety zone for certain waters of the Patapsco River. This action is necessary to provide for the safety of life on these navigable waters of the Inner Harbor at Baltimore, MD, on September 21, 2019 and on November 10, 2019 (with alternate date of November 11, 2019) during fireworks displays. This proposed rulemaking would prohibit persons and vessels from entering the safety zone unless authorized by the Captain of the Port Maryland-National Capital Region or a designated representative. We invite your comments on this proposed rulemaking.

This final rule removes an obsolete Army acquisition regulation for government-furnished property. This rule has been made obsolete by updated higher-level regulation.

This final rule removes an obsolete Army acquisition regulation which was codified to provide Army-specific procedures for industrial preparedness production planning. This rule has been made obsolete by time and change in process.

This proposed rule would remove the regulatory text that sets forth the current required process for states to document whether Medicaid payments in fee-for-service systems are sufficient to enlist enough providers to assure beneficiary access to covered care and services consistent with the Medicaid statute. States have raised concerns over the administrative burden associated with the current regulatory requirements. While we believe the process described in the current regulatory text is a valuable tool for states to use to demonstrate the sufficiency of provider payment rates, we believe mandating states to collect the specific information as described excessively constrains state freedom to administer the program in the manner that is best for the state and Medicaid beneficiaries in the state.

The Coast Guard will enforce a safety zone on the Illinois River in Morris, IL. This action is necessary and intended to promote the safety of life and property on navigable waters before, during, and immediately after a shore-based firework display. During the enforcement period listed below, vessels and persons are prohibited from transiting through, mooring, or anchoring within this safety zone without approval from the Captain of the Port, Lake Michigan or his or her designated representative.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 787-8 and 787-9 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a report that a passenger entry door assist handle became detached during use. This proposed AD would require a detailed inspection of all passenger and service entry door assist handles for correct installation and applicable on-condition actions. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to amend the Federal Minor New Source Review (NSR) Program in Indian Country and the Federal Implementation Plan (FIP) for True Minor Sources in Indian Country in the Oil and Natural Gas Production and Natural Gas Processing Segments of the Oil and Natural Gas Sector (National O&NG FIP). The amendment would potentially reduce, by up to 30 days, the time between a source owner/operator's submission of required Endangered Species Act (ESA)/National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) screening documents and beginning construction. Specifically, the amendment would allow for concurrent, rather than sequential, submission of two sets of documents: Part 1 Registration Form (Part 1 Form) to register applicability under the National O&NG FIP, and documentation supporting completed screening procedures (screening procedures documentation) for the evaluation of potential impacts of their proposed projects on threatened or endangered species and historic properties (protected resources). The proposal also seeks to further clarify the 30-day period before construction may begin, and the potential forms of written notification by the EPA Regional Office to source owner/operators. Finally, this proposal addresses minor edits to correct incorrect citations and cross references.

This final rule amends the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation's regulation on Benefits Payable in Terminated Single- Employer Plans to prescribe certain interest assumptions under the regulation for plans with valuation dates in August 2019. These interest assumptions are used for paying certain benefits under terminating single-employer plans covered by the pension insurance system administered by PBGC.