February 13, 2020 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus SAS Model A300 B4-600, B4-600R, and F4-600R series airplanes, and Model A300 C4-605R Variant F airplanes (collectively called Model A300-600 series airplanes); and Model A310 series airplanes. This AD was prompted by a determination that new tests are necessary to address potential air leaks in the reservoir air pressurization lines. This AD requires repetitive pressurization tests of the reservoir air pressurization lines for pipe rupture and leaks, and repair or replacement if necessary, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is incorporated by reference. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2016-07-28, which applies to all The Boeing Company Model DC-9-81 (MD- 81), DC-9-82 (MD-82), DC-9-83 (MD-83), and DC-9-87 (MD-87) airplanes, and Model MD-88 airplanes. AD 2016-07-28 requires repetitive eddy current high frequency (ETHF) inspections for any cracking in the left and right side center wing lower skin, and repair if any crack is found. Since the FAA issued AD 2016-07-28, the FAA has determined it is necessary to expand the inspection area to include adjacent stringers with similar stress levels and to perform an inspection with increased sensitivity for crack detection. This proposed AD would retain certain requirements of AD 2016-07-28, expand the inspection area, and require new inspections. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This document sets forth proposed regulations that provide guidance for employers concerning the amount of Federal income tax to withhold from employee's wages, implementing recent changes in the Internal Revenue Code made by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), and reflecting the redesigned 2020 Form W-4 and related IRS publications. These proposed regulations affect employers that pay wages subject to Federal income tax withholding and employees who receive wages subject to Federal income tax withholding.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Bombardier, Inc., Model CL-600-2C10 (Regional Jet Series 700, 701 & 702) airplanes; Model CL-600-2D15 (Regional Jet Series 705) airplanes; Model CL-600-2D24 (Regional Jet Series 900) airplanes; and Model CL- 600-2E25 (Regional Jet Series 1000) airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report of incorrectly installed flight compartment door edge protection plates on both sides of the upper decompression panel. This AD requires revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate a functional check of the flight compartment door decompression latches. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

In accordance with Section 304(e) of the National Marine Sanctuaries Act, as amended (NMSA), the Office of National Marine Sanctuaries (ONMS) of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is initiating a review of the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary (SBNMS or the sanctuary) management plan, to evaluate substantive progress toward implementing the goals of the sanctuary, and to make revisions to the management plan as necessary to fulfill the purposes and policies of the NMSA. NOAA anticipates management plan changes will require preparation of an environmental analysis under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). NOAA will conduct public scoping meetings to gather information and other comments from individuals, organizations, tribes and government agencies on the scope, types, and significance of issues related to the SBNMS management plan and the proper scope of environmental analysis for the management plan review. The scoping meetings are scheduled as detailed in the DATES section.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing approval of a State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision submitted by the State of Missouri on December 3, 2018, and supplemented by letter on May 22, 2019. Missouri requests that the EPA remove a rule related to control of emissions from the application of automotive underbody deadeners in the Kansas City, Missouri area from its SIP. This removal does not have an adverse effect on air quality. The EPA's proposed approval of this rule revision is in accordance with the requirements of the Clean Air Act (CAA).

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing approval of the removal of Nebraska Administrative Code title 129, chapter 8, section 007.06 from Nebraska's State Implementation Plan (SIP) and title V provisions. Nebraska submitted this revision to the EPA on July 19, 2019. Title 129, chapter 8 contains Nebraska's operating permit program and is approved under title V and part 52. The EPA is proposing approval because the removal of the language makes the rule consistent with federal regulations and strengthens the SIP and the title V program.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve a State Implementation Plan (SIP) submitted by the State of New York for purposes of implementing Reasonably Available Control Technology (RACT) in the New York portion of the New York-Northern New Jersey-Long Island NY-NJ-CT nonattainment area (New York Metropolitan Area or NYMA) for the 2008 8-hour ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) as it relates to major sources emitting oxides of nitrogen (NOX), control technique guidelines (CTG) for sources of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and non-CTG major sources of VOCs. In addition, the EPA is proposing to approve portions of the SIP revision submitted by New York to address the 2008 ozone NAAQS that certify that the State has satisfied the requirements for an enhanced vehicle Inspection and Maintenance Program, an emissions statement program, and a nonattainment new source review program. The EPA is also proposing to approve New York's RACT plan as it applies to the CTG for industrial cleaning solvents and to solvent metal cleaning processes. This action is being taken in accordance with the requirements of the Clean Air Act.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for the navigable waters of Hilo Harbor, Hawaii. The temporary safety zone encompasses all waters extending 100 yards in all directions from position 19[deg]44'41.17'' N; 155[deg]05'24.23'' W. The safety zone is needed to protect personnel, vessels and the marine environment from potential hazards associated with ongoing lightering operations of the vessel MIDWAY ISLAND grounded along the northwest side of Hilo Harbor, particularly through helicopter to shore hoisting ops and swimmers in the water. The USCG is overseeing contractor lightering ops to mitigate the pollution threat from the vessel in this area. Entry of vessels or persons into this zone is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port (COTP) Honolulu.

NMFS announces that the quotas for the Atlantic surfclam and ocean quahog fisheries for 2020 will remain status quo. NMFS also suspends the minimum size limit for Atlantic surfclams for the 2020 fishing year. Regulations for these fisheries require NMFS to notify the public of the allowable harvest levels for Atlantic surfclams and ocean quahogs from the Exclusive Economic Zone if the previous year's quota specifications remain unchanged.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is proposing to amend and update its VA Acquisition Regulation (VAAR) in phased increments to revise or remove any policy superseded by changes in the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), to remove procedural guidance internal to VA into the VAAM, and to incorporate any new agency specific regulations or policies. These changes seek to streamline and align the VAAR with the FAR and remove outdated and duplicative requirements and reduce burden on contractors. The VAAM incorporates portions of the removed VAAR as well as other internal agency acquisition policy. VA will rewrite certain parts of the VAAR and VAAM, and as VAAR parts are rewritten, will publish them in the Federal Register. VA will combine related topics, as appropriate. This rulemaking revises VAAR coverage concerning Administrative Matters, Publicizing Contract Actions, and Termination of Contracts, as well as an affected part concerning Solicitation Provisions and Contract Clauses.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (Commission) approves Reliability Standard CIP-012-1 (Cyber SecurityCommunications between Control Centers). The North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC), the Commission-certified Electric Reliability Organization, submitted Reliability Standard CIP-012-1 for Commission approval in response to a Commission directive. In addition, the Commission directs NERC to develop modifications to the CIP Reliability Standards to require protections regarding the availability of communication links and data communicated between bulk electric system Control Centers.

Pursuant to the Federal Clean Air Act (CAA or the Act), the United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) is finalizing approval of revisions to the Texas (TX) State Implementation Plan (SIP) submitted on February 22, 2019, that revised the State's New Source Review (NSR) permitting rules contained in Title 30 of the Texas Administrative Code (TAC) Chapter 116 Control of Air Pollution by Air Permits for New Construction or Modification. Our final action on the February 22, 2019, submittal also addresses portions of an April 16, 2014, SIP submittal pertaining to the permitting of Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions that were subsequently invalidated by the U.S. Supreme Court. The February 22, 2019, submittal appropriately removes these provisions from the Texas SIP.

This rule revises U.S. Department of the Interior regulations implementing the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act to provide for annual adjustments of civil penalties to account for inflation under the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements Act of 2015 and Office of Management and Budget guidance. The purpose of these adjustments is to maintain the deterrent effect of civil penalties and to further the policy goals of the underlying statutes.

This interim rule with request for public comment adds a new part to our regulations to implement the Regioinal Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). RCPP enhances conservation and promotes coordination between NRCS and its partners to help producers and landowners increase the restoration and sustainable use of soil, water, and wildlife on a regional or watershed scale. NRCS, an agency of the USDA, administers RCPP, which is funded through CCC. RCCP is reauthorized by the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (the 2018 Farm Bill), which streamlined RCPP administration, including elimination of ``covered program'' financial transfers and replacement of covered program contracts with RCPP contracts and programmatic partnership agreements. Section 2504 of the 2018 Farm Bill authorizes NRCS to implement RCPP through an Availability of Program Funding (APF) announcement in FY 2019 without issuing a regulation. This interim administration authority expired September 30, 2019, and section 1271E(e) of the RCPP statute, as amended, requires NRCS to administer RCPP through a regulation going forward. Therefore, NRCS is publishing this interim rule to incorporate the 2018 Farm Bill changes to RCPP program administration.

The Coast Guard is issuing non-substantive technical, organizational, and conforming amendments to existing regulations in parts 1, 100, 110, and 165 of Title 33 of the Code of Federal Regulations. These amendments update and clarify general regulations in part 1, and update regulations for Field Districts 5, 8, 9, 11, 13, 14, and 17 to reflect the current status of regulated navigation areas, special local regulations, anchorages, safety zones, and security zones. This rule will have no substantive effect on the regulated public.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is taking final action to approve in part and conditionally approve in part revisions to the Imperial County Air Pollution Control District (ICAPCD or ``District'') portion of the California State Implementation Plan (SIP). These revisions concern the ICAPCD's Reasonably Available Control Technology (RACT) requirements for the 2008 8-hour ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) and negative declarations for several source categories. We are approving the local SIP revisions to demonstrate that RACT is implemented as required under the Clean Air Act (CAA or ``the Act'').