October 2020 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents
Results 301 - 350 of 482
Examination and Copying of PBGC Records
The proposed rule would update and clarify guidance on examining records kept by the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation. The proposed amendments reflect statutory changes to the Freedom of Information Act and recent updates to PBGC's procedures for record examination.
National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants: Municipal Solid Waste Landfills Residual Risk and Technology Review; Correction
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is correcting a final rule that appeared in the Federal Register on March 26, 2020. The EPA finalized the residual risk and technology review (RTR) conducted for the Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) Landfills source category regulated under national emission standards for hazardous air pollutants (NESHAP). This action corrects inadvertent errors in the cross- referencing and formatting in the Federal Register; as well as clarifies two operational and reporting requirements in the March 26, 2020, final rule. This action also revises the heading of 40 CFR part 60, subpart WWW as described in the March 26, 2020, Federal Register document. The corrections and clarifications described in this action do not affect the substantive requirements of the regulations or the results of the RTR conducted for the MSW Landfills source category.
Rule Modifications Reflecting New Address Location of Commission Headquarters
In this document, the Office of Managing Director of the Federal Communications Commission (Commission) adopts an Order that amends the Commission's rules to reflect the upcoming new address of the Commission's headquarters, 45 L Street NE, Washington, DC 20554. It also makes changes to clarify that certain documents are now available for inspection through the Commission's website, removes references to a Commission copy contractor, and performs minor formatting corrections.
Steam Electric Reconsideration Rule
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA or the Agency) is finalizing a regulation to revise the technology-based effluent limitations guidelines and standards (ELGs) for the steam electric power generating point source category applicable to flue gas desulfurization (FGD) wastewater and bottom ash (BA) transport water. This final regulation is estimated to save approximately $140 million annually in after tax compliance costs as a result of less costly FGD wastewater technologies that could be used with the modification of the Steam Electric Power Generating Effluent Guidelines 2015 rule (the 2015 rule) limitations; less costly BA transport water technologies made possible by the revision of the 2015 rule's zero discharge limitations; a two-year extension of compliance time frames for meeting FGD wastewater and BA transport water limitations, and additional subcategories for both FGD wastewater and BA transport water. Participation in the voluntary incentive program would contribute to the reduction in pollutant discharges by these steam electric power plants in FGD wastewater by approximately 26.7 million pounds per year.
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Withdrawal of the Proposed Rule for the North American Wolverine
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, withdraw the proposed rule to list the distinct population segment (DPS) of the North American wolverine (Gulo gulo luscus) occurring in the contiguous United States as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). This withdrawal is based on our conclusion that the factors affecting the species as identified in the proposed rule are not as significant as believed at the time of the proposed rule. We base this conclusion on our analysis of current and future threat factors. We also find that North American wolverines occurring in the contiguous United States do not qualify as a DPS. Therefore, we are withdrawing our proposal to list the wolverine within the contiguous United States as a threatened species.
Import Restrictions Imposed on Archaeological Material From Chile
This final rule amends the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) regulations to reflect the imposition of import restrictions on certain archaeological material from the Republic of Chile (Chile). These restrictions are being imposed pursuant to an agreement between the United States and Chile that has been entered into under the authority of the Convention on Cultural Property Implementation Act. The final rule amends the CBP regulations by adding Chile 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 material to which the restrictions apply.
Facilitating Shared Use in the 3100-3550 MHz Band
In this document, the Commission adopts changes to its rules to prepare the 3.45-3.55 GHz band for commercial wireless services. It removes the secondary, non-federal allocations in the 3.3-3.55 GHz band for radiolocation services and the amateur radio service. These services will continue in alternate spectrum; radiolocation operations will be moved to the 2.9-3.0 GHz band, already home to similar operations, and amateur licensees will be able to relocate their operations to other frequencies already available for amateur operations. Clearing this band of secondary services will allow the Commission to auction the 3.45-3.55 GHz band for commercial wireless services on a co-primary basis with federal radionavigation and radiolocation operations.
Migratory Bird Hunting; Proposed 2021-22 Migratory Game Bird Hunting Regulations (Preliminary) With Requests for Indian Tribal Proposals; Notification of Meetings
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service or we) proposes to establish annual hunting regulations for certain migratory game birds for the 2021-22 hunting season. We annually prescribe outside limits (frameworks) within which States may select hunting seasons. This proposed rule provides the regulatory schedule, announces the Service Migratory Bird Regulations Committee (SRC) and Flyway Council meetings, describes the proposed regulatory alternatives for the 2021-22 general duck seasons and preliminary proposals that vary from the 2020-21 hunting season regulations, and requests proposals from Indian tribes that wish to establish special migratory game bird hunting regulations on Federal Indian reservations and ceded lands. Migratory bird hunting seasons provide opportunities for recreation and sustenance; aid Federal, State, and tribal governments in the management of migratory game birds; and permit harvests at levels compatible with migratory game bird population status and habitat conditions.
Identification and Review of Controls for Certain Foundational Technologies; Correction
On August 27, 2020, the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) published the advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPRM), Identification and Review of Controls for Certain Foundational Technologies. This document makes a correction to the August 27 ANPRM to clarify that it is permissible to submit confidential business information in response to the August 27 ANPRM, provided the submitter follows the submission requirements included in the ADDRESSES section of this document. The August 27 ANPRM specified that comments must be received on or before October 26, 2020. This document extends the ANPRM's comment period for fourteen days, so comments must now be received on or before November 9, 2020.
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pollock in Statistical Area 610 in the Gulf of Alaska
NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for pollock in Statistical Area 610 in the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the D season allowance of the 2020 total allowable catch (TAC) of pollock for Statistical Area 610 in the GOA.
Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP)
This final rule adopts, with minor changes, an interim rule published in the Federal Register on November 12, 2019. The interim rule implemented changes to CSP that were necessitated by enactment of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (2018 Farm Bill) or that were required to implement administrative improvements and clarifications. The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) received input from 110 commenters who provided 615 comments in response to the interim rule. This final rule makes permanent those changes appearing in the interim rule, responds to comments, and makes further adjustments in response to some of the comments received. In addition, the rule makes some minor technical corrections.
Exemptions Implemented Under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act of 1991
In this document, the Commission proposes measures to implement section 8 of the Pallone-Thune Telephone Robocall Abuse Criminal Enforcement and Deterrence Act (TRACED Act) and seeks comment on how to best implement it. As directed by the TRACED Act, the Commission seeks to ensure that any exemption the Commission has granted under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) for calls to residential lines or for calls to wireless numbers includes requirements with respect to the classes of parties that may make such calls; the classes of parties that may be called; and the number of such calls that may be made to a particular called party. The Commission also seeks comment on any conditions that are necessary to ensure that the existing exemptions for calls made to residential telephone lines satisfy section 8 of the TRACED Act and proposes to allow residential consumers to opt out of any calls made pursuant to an exemption.
Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes
The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directives (ADs) 2015-14- 07, 2016-07-10, and 2016-24-09. AD 2015-14-07 applied to certain The Boeing Company Model 787-8 airplanes. AD 2016-07-10 and AD 2016-24-09 applied to all The Boeing Company Model 787-8 and 787-9 airplanes. ADs 2015-14-07, 2016-07-10, and 2016-24-09 required actions related to certain flight control module (FCM) software. This AD requires installing flight control electronics (FCE) common block point 5 (CBP5) software, which terminates the requirements of the ADs superseded by this AD. This AD was prompted by certain deficiencies in the FCM software, including a report of an unannunciated dual symmetric inboard slat skew. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Meals and Entertainment Expenses Under Section 274
This document contains final regulations that provide guidance under section 274 of the Internal Revenue Code (Code) regarding certain recent amendments made to that section. Specifically, the final regulations address the elimination of the deduction under section 274 for expenditures related to entertainment, amusement, or recreation activities, and provide guidance to determine whether an activity is of a type generally considered to be entertainment. The final regulations also address the limitation on the deduction of food and beverage expenses under section 274(k) and (n), including the applicability of the exceptions under section 274(e)(2), (3), (4), (7), (8), and (9). The final regulations affect taxpayers who pay or incur expenses for meals or entertainment.
Air Plan Approval; Texas; Reasonable Further Progress Plan for the Dallas-Fort Worth Ozone Nonattainment Area
Pursuant to the Federal Clean Air Act (CAA or the Act), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve revisions to the Texas State Implementation Plan (SIP) to meet the Reasonable Further Progress (RFP) requirements for the Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) serious ozone nonattainment area for the 2008 ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS). Specifically, EPA is proposing to approve the RFP demonstration and associated motor vehicle emission budgets, contingency measures should the area fail to make RFP emissions reductions or attain the 2008 ozone NAAQS by the applicable attainment date, and a revised 2011 base year emissions inventory for the DFW area.
Energy Conservation Program: Clarifying Amendments to the Error Correction Rule
The Department of Energy (``DOE'' or ``the Department'') proposes amending its procedures for providing public input on possible corrections to pre-publication drafts of energy conservation standard documents, as informed by a decision by the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit regarding the implementation and scope of the existing procedures. This proposal seeks to modify certain aspects of these procedures and to clarify and reflect the Department's intent with regard to the procedures. In particular, the proposal would clarify that although DOE has elected to utilize a distinct error correction process to receive public input on certain pre-publication draft documents, this process does not in any way restrict, limit, diminish, or eliminate the Secretary's discretion to determine whether to establish or amend an energy conservation standard, or to determine the appropriate level at which to amend or establish any energy conservation standard.
Refuge-Specific Regulations; Public Use; Kenai National Wildlife Refuge
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, are reopening the public comment period and announcing a public hearing on our recently published proposed rule to amend our public use regulations for Kenai National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) to allow State-regulated trapping, harvest of brown bears over bait, discharge of firearms along the Kenai and Russian Rivers during certain times of the year in accordance with State law, increased access for the public using bicycles and game carts, and the use of snowmobiles, all-terrain vehicles, and utility task vehicles on certain lakes when there is adequate snow and ice cover. This action will provide all interested parties additional time and opportunity to comment on the proposed rule. Comments previously submitted need not be resubmitted and will be fully considered in preparation of the final rule.
Bureau of Indian Education: National Policy Memorandum on Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (NPM-EDUC-33)
This document announces that the Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) will be conducting consultation meetings by webinar to obtain oral and written comments on the BIE National Policy Memorandum (NPM- EDUC-33), which is an interim policy, applicable to BIE-operated elementary and secondary schools and dormitories, on the nondiscrimination prohibitions based on disability found in Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, and the Department's implementing regulations. The Department will use comments received during consultation to inform its development of a final Section 504 policy for BIE-operated elementary and secondary schools and dormitories.
Approval and Promulgation of Implementation Plans; Utah; Regional Haze 5-Year Progress Report State Implementation Plan
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is approving a regional haze progress report State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision submitted by the State of Utah on March 7, 2016. The revision addresses the requirements for states to submit periodic reports describing progress toward reasonable progress goals established for regional haze and a determination of adequacy of the State's regional haze SIP. The EPA is taking this action pursuant to section 110 of the Clean Air Act (CAA).
HUD's Implementation of the Fair Housing Act's Disparate Impact Standard; Correction
On September 24, 2020, HUD published a final rule amending HUD's disparate impact standard regulation. This document corrects an incorrect amendatory instruction.
Update of Commission's Conciliation Procedures
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC or Commission) proposes amending its procedural rules governing the conciliation process. The Commission believes that providing greater clarity to the conciliation process will enhance the effectiveness of the process and ensure that the Commission meets its statutory obligations.
Significant New Use Rules on Certain Chemical Substances (20-2.5e)
EPA is proposing significant new use rules (SNURs) under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) for chemical substances that were the subject of premanufacture notices (PMNs). The SNURs require persons who intend to manufacture (defined by statute to include import) or process any of these chemical substances for an activity that is proposed as a significant new use by this rule to notify EPA at least 90 days before commencing that activity. The required notification initiates EPA's evaluation of the use, under the conditions of use for that chemical substance, within the applicable review period. Persons may not commence manufacture or processing for the significant new use until EPA has conducted a review of the notice, made an appropriate determination on the notice, and has taken such actions as are required by that determination.
Representation-Case Procedures: Voter List Contact Information; Absentee Ballots for Employees on Military Leave; Correction
The National Labor Relations Board (``NLRB'' or ``Board'') is correcting a notice of proposed rulemaking that appeared in the Federal Register on July 29, 2020. This notice of proposed rulemaking amends the Board's rules and regulations to eliminate the requirement that employers must, as part of the Board's voter list requirement, provide available personal email addresses and available home and personal cellular telephone numbers of all eligible voters. It also proposes an amendment providing for absentee mail ballots for employees who are on military leave.
Air Plan Approval; West Virginia; 1997 8-Hour Ozone Standard Second Maintenance Plan for the West Virginia Portion of the Parkersburg-Marietta, WV-OH Area Comprising Wood County
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is approving a state implementation plan (SIP) revision submitted by the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (WVDEP) of the State of West Virginia. This revision pertains to West Virginia's plan for maintaining the 1997 8-hour ozone national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) through June 7, 2027 for the West Virginia portion of the Parkersburg-Marietta, WV-OH Area comprising Wood County. EPA is approving these revisions to the West Virginia SIP in accordance with the requirements of the Clean Air Act (CAA).
Wyoming Underground Injection Control Program; Class VI Primacy
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA or Agency) is hereby approving an application from the State of Wyoming under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) to implement an underground injection control (UIC) program for Class VI injection wells to protect underground sources of drinking water located within the state, except within Indian lands. EPA will continue to administer all well classes within Indian lands. Class VI wells are used for the underground injection of carbon dioxide into deep subsurface rock formations for long-term storage.
Minerals Management: Adjustment of Cost Recovery Fees
This final rule updates the fees set forth in the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) mineral resources regulations for the processing of certain minerals program-related actions. It also adjusts certain filing fees for minerals-related documents. These updated fees include those for actions such as lease renewals and mineral patent adjudications.
NASA Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement: Removal of Use of Government Property for Commercial Work
NASA is issuing a final rule to amend the NASA Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Supplement (NFS) to remove the sections governing ``Use of Government property for commercial work'' from NFS as this only affects the internal Agency administrative procedures and has no cost or administrative impact on contractors or prospective contractors.
Guidance Under Sections 951A and 954 Regarding Income Subject to a High Rate of Foreign Tax; Correcting Amendment
This document contains corrections to Treasury Decision 9902, which was published in the Federal Register on Thursday, July 23, 2020. Treasury Decision 9902 contained final regulations under the global intangible low-taxed income and subpart F income provisions of the Internal Revenue Code regarding the treatment of income that is subject to a high rate of foreign tax.
Disclosure of Certain Protected Records Without Written Consent
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) adopts as final with no changes, a proposed rule amending its regulations on disclosure of certain records. Recent changes in law, to include the VA MISSION Act of 2018, now authorize VA to disclose certain protected records to non- VA entities for purposes of providing health care or performing other health care-related activities or functions to include recovering or collecting reasonable charges for care furnished.
Revisions to the Unverified List (UVL)
The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) is amending the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) by removing forty (40) persons from the Unverified List (``UVL'') and adding twenty-six (26) persons to the UVL. The 40 persons are removed from the UVL on the basis that BIS was able to verify their bona fides (i.e., legitimacy and reliability relating to the end use and end user of items subject to the EAR) on the basis of a successful end-use check or because the companies are no longer registered to do business in the country of listing and are no longer involved in U.S. exports. The 26 persons are being added to the UVL on the basis that BIS could not verify their bona fides because an end-use check could not be completed satisfactorily for reasons outside the U.S. Government's control.
Base Erosion and Anti-Abuse Tax
This document contains final regulations that provide guidance regarding the base erosion and anti-abuse tax imposed on certain large corporate taxpayers with respect to certain payments made to foreign related parties. The final regulations affect corporations with substantial gross receipts that make payments to foreign related parties.
Regulatory Capital Rule: Temporary Changes to and Transition for the Community Bank Leverage Ratio Framework
The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation are adopting as final the revisions to the community bank leverage ratio framework made under two interim final rules issued in the Federal Register on April 23, 2020. The final rule adopts these interim final rules with no changes. Under the final rule, the community bank leverage ratio will remain 8 percent through calendar year 2020, will be 8.5 percent through calendar year 2021, and will be 9 percent thereafter. The final rule also maintains a two- quarter grace period for a qualifying community banking organization whose leverage ratio falls no more than 1 percentage point below the applicable community bank leverage ratio requirement.
Accelerating Wireline and Wireless Broadband Deployment by Removing Barriers to Infrastructure Investment
Revisions to certain of the Federal Communications Commission's pole attachment rules were published in the Federal Register on September 14, 2018. However, that document incorrectly listed a cross-reference in one section of the Commission's rules, and this document corrects those final regulations.
Pesticides; Exemptions of Certain Plant-Incorporated Protectants (PIPs) Derived From Newer Technologies
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing regulations that would allow for an exemption under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) and the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA) for certain PIPs that are created in plants using biotechnology, as long as their pesticidal substances are found in plants that are sexually compatible with the recipient plant and meet the proposed exemption criteria, ensuring their safety. The current exemption for PIPs is limited to PIPs moved through conventional breeding. EPA's proposed rule would allow certain PIPs created through biotechnology to also be exempt under existing regulations, in cases where those PIPs pose no greater risk than PIPs that meet EPA safety requirements, and could have otherwise been created through conventional breeding. The proposed rule also includes a process through which developers of PIPs based on sexually compatible plants created through biotechnology submit either a self-determination letter or request for EPA confirmation that their PIP meets the criteria for exemption. For increased flexibility in bringing PIPs to market, a developer can also submit both. EPA anticipates several benefits that may result from exempting these PIPs. These include lower costs from reduced regulatory burden, increased research, development, and commercialization of pest control options for farmers, particularly in minor crops, and reduced use of conventional pesticides which could provide environmental benefits.
Implementation of the Revoked 1997 8-Hour Ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards; Updates for Areas that Attained by the Attainment Date
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing updates to the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) to codify its findings that nine areas in four states attained the revoked 1997 8-hour ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards (herein referred to as the 1997 ozone NAAQS) by the applicable attainment dates. The parallel direct final rule is published in the ``Rules and Regulations'' section of this issue of the Federal Register because the Agency views this as a noncontroversial action. If no significant adverse comments are received on the direct final rule, then no further action will be taken on this proposal and the direct final rule will become effective as provided in that action.
Implementation of the Revoked 1997 8-Hour Ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards; Updates to 40 CFR Part 52 for Areas That Attained by the Attainment Date
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is updating part 52 of title 40, chapter 1 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) to codify its findings that nine areas in four states attained the revoked 1997 8-hour ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards (herein referred to as the 1997 ozone NAAQS) by the applicable attainment dates. In February 2019, EPA Regional Offices sent letters to the affected states to communicate the EPA's findings. The areas that timely attained the standards include the Buffalo-Niagara Falls area, and the Jefferson County, Poughkeepsie and Jamestown areas in the state of New York; the Shoreline Sheboygan County and Inland Sheboygan County areas in Wisconsin; the Denver-Boulder-Greeley-Ft. Collins-Loveland area in Colorado; and the San Francisco Bay and Ventura County areas in California. Publishing these determinations in part 52 will document for the public and state air agencies that these areas attained the standards by the applicable attainment dates and are therefore not subject to anti-backsliding consequences for failure to timely attain the standards.
Accredited Investor Definition
We are adopting amendments to the definition of ``accredited investor'' in our rules to add new categories of qualifying natural persons and entities and to make certain other modifications to the existing definition. The amendments are intended to update and improve the definition to identify more effectively investors that have sufficient knowledge and expertise to participate in investment opportunities that do not have the rigorous disclosure and procedural requirements, and related investor protections, provided by registration under the Securities Act of 1933. We are also adopting amendments to the ``qualified institutional buyer'' definition in Rule 144A under the Securities Act to expand the list of entities that are eligible to qualify as qualified institutional buyers.
Order Designating Certain Professional Licenses as Qualifying Natural Persons for Accredited Investor Status
The Commission is issuing an order designating the General Securities Representative license (Series 7), the Private Securities Offerings Representative license (Series 82), and the Investment Adviser Representative license (Series 65) as qualifying natural persons for accredited investor status.
Strengthening the H-1B Nonimmigrant Visa Classification Program
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS or the Department), is amending certain DHS regulations governing the H-1B nonimmigrant visa program. Specifically, DHS is: Revising the regulatory definition of and standards for a ``specialty occupation'' to better align with the statutory definition of the term; adding definitions for ``worksite'' and ``third-party worksite''; revising the definition of ``United States employer''; clarifying how U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will determine whether there is an ``employer-employee relationship'' between the petitioner and the beneficiary; requiring corroborating evidence of work in a specialty occupation; limiting the validity period for third-party placement petitions to a maximum of 1 year; providing a written explanation when the petition is approved with an earlier validity period end date than requested; amending the general itinerary provision to clarify it does not apply to H-1B petitions; and codifying USCIS' H-1B site visit authority, including the potential consequences of refusing a site visit. The primary purpose of these changes is to better ensure that each H-1B nonimmigrant worker (H-1B worker) will be working for a qualified employer in a job that meets the statutory definition of a ``specialty occupation.'' These changes are urgently necessary to strengthen the integrity of the H-1B program during the economic crisis caused by the COVID-19 public health emergency to more effectively ensure that the employment of H-1B workers will not have an adverse impact on the wages and working conditions of similarly employed U.S. workers. In addition, in strengthening the integrity of the H-1B program, these changes will aid the program in functioning more effectively and efficiently.
Notification of Submission to the Secretary of Agriculture; Pesticides; Agricultural Worker Protection Standard; Revision of the Application Exclusion Zone Requirements
This document notifies the public as required by the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) that the EPA Administrator has forwarded to the Secretary of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) a draft regulatory document concerning ``Pesticides; Agricultural Worker Protection Standard; Revision of the Application Exclusion Zone Requirements (RIN 2070-AK49).'' The draft regulatory document is not available to the public until after it has been signed and made available by EPA.
Airworthiness Directives; General Electric Company Turbofan Engines
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all General Electric Company GE90-110B1 and GE90-115B model turbofan engines. This AD was prompted by an in-service occurrence of loss of engine thrust control resulting in uncommanded high thrust. This AD prohibits dispatch of an airplane if certain status messages are displayed on the engine indicating and crew alerting system (EICAS) and if certain conditions are present per the manufacturer's service information. As a terminating action, this AD requires revision of the existing FAA-approved minimum equipment list (MEL) by incorporating into the MEL the dispatch restrictions listed in this AD. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus Helicopters Model SA-365N, SA-365N1, AS-365N2, AS 365 N3, EC 155B, EC155B1, AS350B3, AS355F, AS355F1, AS355F2, AS355N, AS355NP, EC130B4, and EC130T2 helicopters. This AD requires inspecting the main rotor (M/R) servo actuators, and depending on the inspection results, replacing the affected part, applying a slippage mark, and reporting information. This AD was prompted by an incident of a sudden, strong nose-up attitude followed by intensive vibrations and increased loads on the flight controls during a cruise flight. The actions of this AD are intended to address an unsafe condition on these products.
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes
The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2018-17- 05, which applied to all Airbus SAS Model A350-941 and -1041 airplanes. AD 2018-17-05 required a check of the insulation resistance of the direct drive solenoid valve (DDSOV) of each affected electro-hydrostatic actuator (EHA) and applicable corrective actions. Since the FAA issued AD 2018-17-05, it was determined that certain EHA part numbers can be modified and re- identified as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which could inadvertently remove certain part numbers from the applicability in other EHA-related ADs including AD 2018-17-05. This AD was prompted by reports of EHA units that were returned to the manufacturer with degraded insulation resistance in the DDSOV; investigation results revealed that moisture ingress, due to incorrect sealing application, had caused this degradation. This AD was also prompted by a report of a technical issue detected on EHAs installed on inboard ailerons and elevators, causing potential erroneous monitoring of those actuators. This AD requires a check of the insulation resistance of the DDSOV of each affected EHA and applicable corrective actions, and modification or replacement of certain EHAs; as specified in two EASA ADs, which are incorporated by reference. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus Helicopters Model AS-365N2, AS 365N3, EC 155B, EC155B1, and SA-365N1 helicopters. This AD requires modifying the main gearbox (MGB) tail rotor (T/R) drive flange installation. This AD was prompted by several reported occurrences of loss of tightening torque of the Shur-Lok nut, which serves as a retainer of the T/R drive flange. The actions of this AD are intended to address an unsafe condition on these products.
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus SAS Model A330-202, -203, -223, -223F, -243, -243F, - 302, -303, -323, -343, and -941 airplanes; and Model A340-313, -541, and -642 airplanes. This AD was prompted by the results of laboratory tests on non-rechargeable lithium batteries installed in emergency locator transmitters (ELTs), which highlighted a lack of protection against currents of 28 volts DC or 115 volts AC that could lead to thermal runaway and a battery fire. This AD requires modifying a certain ELT by installing a diode between the ELT and the terminal block, 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.
Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Atlantic Bluefish Fishery; Quota Transfer From NH to NC
NMFS announces that the State of New Hampshire is transferring a portion of its 2020 commercial bluefish quota to the State of North Carolina. This quota adjustment is necessary to comply with the Atlantic Bluefish Fishery Management Plan quota transfer provisions. This announcement informs the public of the revised commercial bluefish quotas for New Hampshire and North Carolina.
Strengthening Wage Protections for the Temporary and Permanent Employment of Certain Aliens in the United States
The Department of Labor (DOL or the Department) is amending Employment and Training Administration (ETA) regulations governing the prevailing wages for employment opportunities that United States (U.S.) employers seek to fill with foreign workers on a permanent or temporary basis through certain employment-based immigrant visas or through H-1B, H-1B1, or E-3 nonimmigrant visas. Specifically, DOL is amending its regulations governing permanent labor certifications and Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) to incorporate changes to the computation of wage levels under the Department's four-tiered wage structure based on the Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) wage survey administered by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The primary purpose of these changes is to update the computation of prevailing wage levels under the existing four-tier wage structure to better reflect the actual wages earned by U.S. workers similarly employed to foreign workers. This update will allow DOL to more effectively ensure that the employment of immigrant and nonimmigrant workers admitted or otherwise provided status through the above-referenced programs does not adversely affect the wages and job opportunities of U.S. workers.
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Reclassification of the Red-Cockaded Woodpecker From Endangered to Threatened With a Section 4(d) Rule
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), propose to reclassify the red-cockaded woodpecker (Dryobates (= Picoides) borealis) as a threatened species with a rule issued under section 4(d) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (Act), as amended. If we finalize this rule as proposed, it would reclassify the red-cockaded woodpecker from endangered to threatened on the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife (List). This proposal is based on a thorough review of the best available scientific and commercial data, which indicate that the species' status has improved such that it is not currently in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range. We are also proposing a rule under the authority of section 4(d) of the Act that provides measures that are necessary and advisable to provide for the conservation of the red-cockaded woodpecker. In addition, we correct the List to reflect that Picoides is not the current scientifically accepted generic name for this species. We seek information, data, and comments from the public regarding this proposal.
Periodic Reporting
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 Six). This document informs the public of the filing, invites public comment, and takes other administrative steps.
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