June 28, 2021 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

Retirement Services, Office of Personnel Management (OPM) offers the general public and other federal agencies the opportunity to comment on an expiring information collection request (ICR) with minor edits, Request for Change to Unreduced Annuity, RI 20-120.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) proposes a new information collection.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, have received applications for permits to conduct activities intended to enhance the propagation or survival of endangered or threatened species under the Endangered Species Act. We invite the public and local, State, Tribal, and Federal agencies to comment on these applications. Before issuing any of the requested permits, we will take into consideration any information that we receive during the public comment period.

The Colorado River Storage Project Management Center (CRSP MC) of the Western Area Power Administration (WAPA) proposes a new Salt Lake City Area Integrated Projects (SLCA/IP) fixed firm power rates for use December 1, 2021, through December 31, 2023. The existing rates for these services are not set to expire until September 30, 2025; however, CRSP MC is initiating this rate action in response to a 35-percent projected increase to the firm power composite rate caused by a large increase in purchased power costs due to on-going drought conditions and a small increase to Operation, Maintenance, and Replacement (OM&R) expenses. Based on the FY 2021 toll on the Upper Colorado River Basin Fund (Basin Fund) and the drought-induced purchased power projections from the Reclamation May 24-Month Study, existing rates will not sustain a balance in the Basin Fund capable of supporting operations. CRSP MC proposes modifying how purchased power is calculated, and purchased power costs would be assessed on a pass-through-cost basis charged to each customer. CRSP MC proposes modifying language to implement the Cost Recovery Charge (CRC) throughout the year, if warranted, and would be able to implement a CRC if water levels drop below the intake structures at Glen Canyon Dam. Additionally, updated Colorado River Storage Project (CRSP) transmission and ancillary services rate schedules are proposed for use December 1, 2021, through December 31, 2023, with no material change proposed other than updating effective dates.

In accordance with the Privacy Act of 1974, the Department of Transportation (DOT) proposes a new system of records titled ``Entry- Level Driver Training Provider Registry'' (TPR). This system of records will allow DOT to collect and maintain registered training provider information and entry-level driver training certification information. The information in the system will be used to establish training provider accounts, act as a central repository for entry level-driver training (ELDT) certification information and transmit that information to State Driver Licensing Agencies (SDLAs).

The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) seeks information to help improve the effectiveness of Federal scientific integrity policies to enhance public trust in science. The January 27, 2021 Presidential Memorandum on Restoring Trust in Government Through Scientific Integrity and Evidence-Based Policymaking (Memorandum) directs OSTP to convene an interagency task force under the National Science and Technology Council to review the effectiveness of policies developed since the issuance of the Presidential Memorandum on scientific integrity issued on March 9, 2009 in preventing improper political interference in the conduct of scientific research and the collection of data; preventing the suppression or distortion of findings, data, information, conclusions, or technical results; supporting scientists and researchers of all genders, races, ethnicities, and backgrounds; and advancing the equitable delivery of the Federal Government's programs. To support this assessment, OSTP seeks information about: (1) The effectiveness of Federal scientific integrity policies and needed areas of improvement; (2) good practices Federal agencies could adopt to improve scientific integrity, including in the communication of scientific information, addressing emerging technologies and evolving scientific practices, supporting professional development of Federal scientists, and promoting transparency in the implementation of agency scientific integrity policies; and (3) other topics or concerns that Federal scientific integrity policies should address. Please note the purpose of this RFI is not to receive reports on alleged offenses that are in violation of Federal scientific integrity policies. If you have witnessed or experienced any harmful acts that may undermine scientific integrity and you would like to report these allegations, please contact the Scientific Integrity Officer or Office of the Inspector General at the relevant Federal agency.

The Department of Commerce (Commerce) preliminarily determines that sales of certain frozen warmwater shrimp (shrimp) from Thailand have been made below normal value during the period of review (POR), February 1, 2019, through January 31, 2020. We invite interested parties to comment on these preliminary results.

FMCSA announces its decision to renew exemptions for 59 individuals from the vision requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) for interstate commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers. The exemptions enable these individuals to continue to operate CMVs in interstate commerce without meeting the vision requirements in one eye.

This action is being taken under the authority of the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946, as amended (AMA). The United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is revising the method of interpretation for the determination of ``sample grade criteria'' in the Bean Inspection Handbook, pertaining to the class ``Blackeye beans'' in the U.S. Standards for Beans. Stakeholders in the dry bean processing/handling industry requested that AMS amend the definition of sample grade in the Blackeye bean inspection instructions by revising the unit of measurement for the factor ``Insect Webbing or Filth'' (IWOF) and removing ``Clean-Cut Weevil-Bore'' (CCWB) as a sample grade factor. As a result of this action Clean-Cut Weevil-Bore is considered a damage factor only.

The FAA is withdrawing a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) that proposed to supersede airworthiness directive (AD) AD 2015-23-03 for Pacific Aerospace Limited Model 750XL airplanes. The NPRM was prompted by mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by an aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as fatigue cracks on the fin forward pickup plates. Since issuance of the NPRM, the FAA has determined that the actions required by AD 2015-23-03 address the unsafe condition. Accordingly, the NPRM is withdrawn.

Volvo Group North America, LLC (``Volvo''), has determined that certain Model Year (MY) 2015-2021 Volvo VHA, VHD, VNL, VNM, and VNR class 8 trucks and truck-tractors do not fully comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 101, Controls and Displays. Volvo filed a noncompliance report dated March 5, 2021. Subsequently, Volvo petitioned NHTSA on March 26, 2021, for a decision that the subject noncompliance is inconsequential as it relates to motor vehicle safety. This notice announces receipt of Volvo's petition.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing reporting and recordkeeping requirements for Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). In accordance with obligations under TSCA, as amended by the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020, EPA proposes to require certain persons that manufacture (including import) or have manufactured these chemical substances in any year since January 1, 2011, to electronically report information regarding PFAS uses, production volumes, disposal, exposures, and hazards. EPA is requesting public comment on all aspects of this proposed rule and has also identified items of particular interest for public input. In addition to fulfilling statutory obligations under TSCA, this document will enable EPA to better characterize the sources and quantities of manufactured PFAS in the United States.