February 14, 2020 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

This final rule amends the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) regulations to reflect the imposition of import restrictions on certain archaeological and ethnological material from Ecuador. These restrictions are being imposed pursuant to an agreement between the United States and Ecuador that has been entered into under the authority of the Convention on Cultural Property Implementation Act. The final rule amends CBP regulations by adding Ecuador to the list of countries which have a bilateral agreement with the United States that imposes cultural property import restrictions. The final rule also contains the designated list that describes the types of archaeological and ethnological material to which the restrictions apply.

We are requesting your comments on the planned consolidation of redundant Coast Guard boat stations. Many stations were established at a time when boats lacked engines and were powered by oars and paddles. With modern boat operating speeds and improved direction finding technology, many calls for Coast Guard assistance can be responded to by multiple units significantly faster than when these boat stations were first established. The combination of significantly improved response times, along with an overall reduction in rescue calls due to boating safety improvements throughout the nation, has resulted in a number of boat stations becoming redundant. This consolidation will result in a more robust response system by increasing staffing levels and capacity at select nearby boat stations. Such a consolidation creates synergy and more opportunities for boat operators to properly train instead of missing training opportunities while standing ready to respond to calls that do not come.

HUD is seeking approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for the information collection described below. In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act, HUD is requesting comment from all interested parties on the proposed collection of information. The purpose of this notice is to allow for 60 days of public comment.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is announcing an opportunity for the public to comment on CMS' intention to collect information from the public. Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (the PRA), federal agencies are required to publish notice in the Federal Register concerning each proposed collection of information (including each proposed extension or reinstatement of an existing collection of information) and to allow 60 days for public comment on the proposed action. Interested persons are invited to send comments regarding our burden estimates or any other aspect of this collection of information, including the necessity and utility of the proposed information collection for the proper performance of the agency's functions, the accuracy of the estimated burden, ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected, and the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology to minimize the information collection burden.

The Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board (``FRTIB'') proposes to allow participants to take hardship withdrawals for expenses related to natural disasters.

This notice announces a meeting of the Environmental Management Site-Specific Advisory Board (EM SSAB), Portsmouth. The Federal Advisory Committee Act requires that public notice of this meeting be announced in the Federal Register.

The Department of State is seeking Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval for the information collection described below. In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, we are requesting comments on this collection from all interested individuals and organizations. The purpose of this notice is to allow 60 days for public comment preceding submission of the collection to OMB.

The Office of Fossil Energy (FE) of the Department of Energy (DOE) gives notice of receipt of a Notification Regarding Change in Control (Notification) filed by Mexico Pacific Limited LLC (MPL) in the above-referenced docket on November 18, 2019, and in a Supplement filed on January 14, 2020. The Notification and Supplement describe changes in MPL's ownership. The Notification and Supplement were filed under section 3 of the Natural Gas Act (NGA).

The Appraisal Subcommittee (ASC) of the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council (FFIEC) is providing notice of its adoption of the Grants Handbook (Handbook). The Handbook is the official repository of the policies and procedures for the administration of grants made by the ASC as authorized by Title XI of the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery, and Enforcement Act of 1989, as amended. The ASC adopted the Handbook in the open session ASC Special Meeting held December 12, 2019.

The Assistant Secretary, Office of Electricity, confirms, approves, and places into effect, on an interim basis, the firm power formula rate for the Provo River Project (Provisional Formula Rate). The existing firm power formula rate under Rate Schedule Provo River Formula Rate PR-1 is set to expire on March 31, 2020. This rate action makes no change to the existing formula rate.

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) announces that the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) Advisory Board will hold an open meeting on Tuesday, March 3, 2020.

The New England Fishery Management Council (Council) is scheduling a public meeting of its Herring Committee to consider actions affecting New England fisheries in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ). Recommendations from this group will be brought to the full Council for formal consideration and action, if appropriate.

Currently, the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) publishes notices of prospective exclusive, co-exclusive or partially exclusive domestic or foreign licenses of Government owned inventions of USDA (including, but not limited to, Agricultural Research Service, Forest Service and Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service) in the Federal Register.

This notice announces the establishment of a categorical exclusion (CE) for the USDA, Forest Service as directed by the amendment of the Healthy Forests Restoration Act (HFRA) of 2003 by the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018. This establishment revises Forest Service policies and procedures for compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), as amended. This CE, as well as others established by Congress, as described below, will be incorporated into the Forest Service Handbook.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service's intention to request a revision to and extension of approval of an information collection associated with the regulations that provide for the payment of compensation to owners of commercial stone fruit orchards and fruit tree nurseries whose trees or nursery stock were destroyed to eradicate plum pox virus.

The Gallatin Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) will meet in Bozeman, Montana. The committee is authorized under the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act (the Act) and operates in compliance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act. The purpose of the committee is to improve collaborative relationships and to provide advice and recommendations to the Forest Service concerning projects and funding consistent with Title II of the Act. RAC information can be found at the following website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/ custergallatin/workingtogether/advisorycommittees.

As part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork burdens, and as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC or the Commission) invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on the following information collection. Comments are requested concerning: Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Commission, including whether the information shall have practical utility; the accuracy of the Commission's burden estimate; ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information collected; ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on the respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology; and ways to further reduce the information collection burden on small business concerns with fewer than 25 employees. The FCC may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid control number. No person shall be subject to any penalty for failing to comply with a collection of information subject to the PRA that does not display a valid Office of Management and Budget (OMB) control number.

Notice is hereby given that NMFS has issued one direct take permit (#14741) pursuant to the Endangered Species Act (ESA) of 1973, as amended, to the Monterey Peninsula Water Management District (District) for the Carmel River Steelhead Rescue and Rearing Enhancement Program (Program) for a five year period (with the opportunity for a five year renewal). On June 4, 2018, NMFS provided notice of our receipt of this permit application and Rescue and Rearing Management Plan (RRMP) in the Federal Register. The RRMP specifies operational methods for South-Central California Coast (S-CCC) steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss) rescue, rearing, and translocation activities associated with the Sleepy Hollow Steelhead Rearing Facility (Facility). The Facility is located on the Carmel River on the Central California Coast.