June 2021 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

This final rule adjusts the level of civil monetary penalties contained in the Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) regulations governing onshore oil and gas operations and coal trespass as required by the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements Act of 2015 and consistent with applicable Office of Management and Budget (OMB) guidance. The oil and gas operations penalty adjustments made by this final rule constitute the 2021 annual inflation adjustments, accounting for 1 year of inflation spanning the period from October 2019 through October 2020. The coal trespass inflation adjustments in this rule include the initial ``catch-up'' adjustment for 2016, and the annual adjustments for years 2017 to 2021.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is issuing this interim final rule to extend the deadline for former members insured under Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (SGLI) to apply for VGLI coverage following separation from service in order to address the inability of former members directly or indirectly affected by the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) public health emergency to purchase VGLI. This rule will be in effect until December 11, 2021.

In this document, the Federal Communications Commission (Commission) seeks comment on a proposal to shorten by one year the STIR/SHAKEN implementation extension for small voice service providers that originate an especially large number of calls, so that such providers must implement STIR/SHAKEN in the IP portions of their networks no later than June 30, 2022. The Commission believes this proposal will protect Americans from illegal robocallsespecially illegally spoofed robocallsby ensuring that voice service providers most likely to be the source of illegal robocalls authenticate calls sooner, allowing terminating voice service providers to know if the caller ID is legitimate and take action as appropriate, including by blocking or labeling suspicious calls. The Commission also seeks comment on how to define which small voice service providers should receive a shortened extension and on ways to monitor compliance.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is approving a state implementation plan (SIP) revision submitted by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The revision pertains to the Commonwealth's plan, submitted by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP), for maintaining the 1997 8-hour ozone national ambient air quality standard (NAAQS) (referred to as the ``1997 ozone NAAQS'') in the Tioga County, Pennsylvania area (Tioga County Area). EPA is approving these revisions to the Pennsylvania SIP in accordance with the requirements of the Clean Air Act (CAA).

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), list two North Carolina species, the Carolina madtom (Noturus furiosus) as endangered, and the Neuse River waterdog (Necturus lewisi) as threatened, under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (Act), as amended. We also issue a rule under section 4(d) of the Act for the Neuse River waterdog, to provide for the conservation of this species. In addition, we designate critical habitat for both species under the Act. For the Carolina madtom, approximately 257 river miles (mi) (414 river kilometers (km)) fall within 7 units of critical habitat in Durham, Edgecombe, Franklin, Granville, Halifax, Johnston, Jones, Nash, Orange, Vance, Warren, and Wilson Counties, North Carolina. For the Neuse River waterdog, approximately 779 river mi (1,254 river km) fall within 18 units of critical habitat in Craven, Durham, Edgecombe, Franklin, Granville, Greene, Halifax, Johnston, Jones, Lenoir, Nash, Orange, Person, Pitt, Wake, Warren, Wayne, and Wilson Counties, North Carolina. This rule extends the Act's protections to these species and their designated critical habitats.

NMFS announces the limited opening of commercial and recreational red snapper in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the South Atlantic for the 2021 fishing year. This notice announces the 2021 red snapper commercial season opening date and the opening and closing dates for the red snapper recreational season, according to the accountability measures (AMs). This season announcement for South Atlantic red snapper allows fishers to maximize their opportunity to harvest the commercial and recreational annual catch limits (ACLs) while also managing harvest to protect the red snapper resource.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain International Aero Engines AG (IAE) V2500 model turbofan engines. This AD was prompted by an analysis performed by the manufacturer after an event involving an uncontained failure of a high- pressure turbine (HPT) 1st-stage disk that resulted in high-energy debris penetrating the engine cowling. This AD requires the performance of an ultrasonic inspection (USI) of the HPT 1st-stage disk and HPT 2nd-stage disk and, depending on the results of the inspections, replacement of the HPT 1st-stage disk or HPT 2nd-stage disk. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This action proposes to amend Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at County Memorial Airport, New Madrid, MO. The FAA is proposing this action as a result of an airspace review caused by the decommissioning of the Malden Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Range collocated with Tactical Air Navigation (VORTAC) navigation aid as part of the VOR Minimum Operational Network (MON) Program. Controlled airspace is necessary for the safety and management of instrument flight rules (IFR) operations in the area.

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is issuing final regulations to give agencies, in individual hiring processes, the discretion to select and reinstate certain former Federal employees, to fill vacancies at any grade level or with promotion potential for which the individual is qualified, notwithstanding the grade of the position the individual had previously held on a permanent basis in the competitive service. An agency will be able to effectuate such reinstatements non-competitively, pursuant to a job opportunity announcement open to outside candidates, provided the former employee qualifies for the position as posted. The regulations will help agencies to recruit former Federal employees who have developed more enhanced or higher-level skill-sets than they had when they left government to apply for agency vacancies at grade levels appropriate to their current knowledge, skills, and abilities. Previously, an agency could reinstate an individual, without competition, only to a position at a grade level that was no higher than the grade level of a position the individual had held on a permanent basis in the competitive service. Reinstatement to a higher-graded position, or to a position with greater promotion potential, required competition. The intended effect of this hiring authority is to broaden the choices available to agencies when filling vacant positions and to promote a workforce in which individuals who have developed their competencies through extended service in the Federal Government and individuals who have developed their competencies in the private or non-profit sectors can enhance each other's strengths by sharing knowledge and perspectives.

The FAA is withdrawing a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) that proposed to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation (Gulfstream) Model GVII-G600 airplanes. The NPRM was prompted by a report that a failure mode in the data concentration network (DCN) software causes the pitch attitude value to freeze on the primary flight display (PFD) for up to 20 seconds. The NPRM proposed to require updating the DCN and flight deck master operating system (MOS) software. Since issuance of the NPRM, the FAA has determined that there is not an unsafe condition because all affected airplanes have updated software. Accordingly, the NPRM is withdrawn.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Leonardo S.p.a. Model AB139 and AW139 helicopters with 3-stretcher kit part number 139084-501 installed. This AD was prompted by a report of a design deficiency which affects the primary stretcher unit of the 3- stretcher kit. This AD requires installing a placard on the primary stretcher. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The Surface Transportation Board (Board) grants a petition filed by the Association of American Railroads (AAR) to initiate a rulemaking proceeding to establish a new class exemption for emergency temporary trackage rights. The Board also proposes certain other related changes to the class exemptions for trackage rights and temporary trackage rights.

The Coast Guard is proposing to establish temporary special local regulation for certain waters of the Patuxent River. This action is necessary to provide for the safety of life on these navigable waters located at Solomons, MD, during a high-speed power boat racing event on August 29, 2021. This proposed rulemaking would prohibit persons and vessels from entering the regulated area unless authorized by the Captain of the Port Maryland-National Capital Region or the Coast Guard Event Patrol Commander. We invite your comments on this proposed rulemaking.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all The Boeing Company Model 747-100, -100B, -100B SUD, -200B, - 200C, -200F, -300, -400, -400D, -400F, 747SR, and 747SP airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of cracks found in the front spar shear tie and at the intercostal lug fitting at certain locations. This proposed AD would require repetitive detailed and surface high frequency eddy current (HFEC) inspections of the front spar shear tie and intercostal lug fitting at certain locations for any cracking, and applicable on-condition actions. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

On May 10, 2021, the Drug Enforcement Administration published a final rule designating three chemicals, known as PMK glycidate, PMK glycidic acid, and APAA, as list I chemicals under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). In an amendatory instruction, information specifying the precise location for entries added to a table was inadvertently omitted, which makes enactment of the amendment unworkable. This document corrects that omission.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for navigable waters within a 500-foot radius of a fireworks display. The safety zone is needed to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment from potential hazards created by repair work on the bridge. Entry of vessels or persons into this zone is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port Sault Sainte Marie.

The Coast Guard is proposing to establish special local regulations for certain waters of the Choptank River. This action is necessary to provide for the safety of life on navigable waters located at Cambridge, MD, during a high-speed power boat racing event on July 24, 2021, and July 25, 2021. This proposed rulemaking would prohibit persons and vessels from being in the regulated area unless authorized by the Captain of the Port Maryland-National Capital Region or Coast Guard Event Patrol Commander. We invite your comments on this proposed rulemaking.

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2014-25-04 for all Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. (Pilatus) Model PC-6, PC-6-H1, PC-6-H2, PC-6/350, PC-6/350-H1, PC-6/350-H2, PC-6/A, PC-6/A-H1, PC-6/A-H2, PC-6/ B-H2, PC-6/B1-H2, PC-6/B2-H2, PC-6/B2-H4, PC-6/C-H2, and PC-6/C1-H2 airplanes. AD 2014-25-04 required incorporating revised airworthiness limitations into the aircraft maintenance manual (AMM) for your FAA- approved maintenance program. This AD requires incorporating new airworthiness limitations and an eddy current inspection of each fuselage wing fitting if an earlier version of the service information was accomplished. This AD was prompted by a determination that the new life limits, revised airworthiness limitations, and new inspection procedures are necessary. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Leonardo S.p.a. Model AW169 helicopters. This AD was prompted by reports of failed nose landing gear (NLG) retraction actuators during the acceptance test procedures on the ground on the final assembly line. This AD requires depending on the helicopter configuration, various modifications, installation checks, inspections of the NLG and main landing gear (MLG) retraction actuators and of the plungers of the NLG and MLG up down lock actuators, and corrective actions if necessary. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Helicopters Model EC225LP helicopters. This AD was prompted by reports of an oil leak from the main gearbox (MGB) during engine start up. This AD requires modifying and performing subsequent repetitive function testing of the MGB emergency lubrication (EMLUB) system as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is incorporated by reference (IBR). The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

EPA is amending significant new use rules (SNURs) issued under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) for certain chemical substances identified herein, which were the subject of premanufacture notices (PMNs) and significant new use notices (SNUNs). This action would amend the SNURs to allow certain new uses reported in the SNUNs without additional notification requirements and modify the significant new use notification requirements based on the actions and determinations for the SNUN submissions. EPA is issuing these amendments based on review of new and existing data for the chemical substances.

EPA is issuing significant new use rules (SNURs) under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) for chemical substances which were the subject of premanufacture notices (PMNs). This action requires persons to notify EPA at least 90 days before commencing manufacture (defined by statute to include import) or processing of any of these chemical substances for an activity that is designated as a significant new use by this rule. This action further requires that persons not commence manufacture or processing for the significant new use until they have submitted a Significant New Use Notice (SNUN), EPA has conducted a review of the notice, made an appropriate determination on the notice, and has taken any risk management actions as are required as a result of that determination.

EPA is issuing significant new use rules (SNURs) under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) for chemical substances which were the subject of premanufacture notices (PMNs). This action requires persons to notify EPA at least 90 days before commencing manufacture (defined by statute to include import) or processing of any of these chemical substances for an activity that is designated as a significant new use by this rule. This action further requires that persons not commence manufacture or processing for the significant new use until they have submitted a Significant New Use Notice (SNUN), EPA has conducted a review of the notice, made an appropriate determination on the notice, and has taken any risk management actions as are required as a result of that determination.

This action modifies the Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at Delano Municipal Airport, Delano, CA. The airspace is designed to support instrument flight rules (IFR) operations at the airport.

In the Rules and Regulations section of this Federal Register, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is granting a request by the California Air Resources Board (CARB or ``State'') to voluntarily reclassify the Eastern Kern nonattainment area (``Eastern Kern'') from ``Serious'' to ``Severe'' for the 2008 8-hour ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) under section 181(b)(3) of the Clean Air Act (CAA). In this action, the EPA is proposing a schedule for the State to submit revisions to the state implementation plan (SIP) addressing Severe area requirements and to submit revisions to the title V operating permit rules for this area. Under the EPA's proposed schedule, California would be required to submit SIP revisions addressing Severe area requirements for Eastern Kern, including revisions to New Source Review (NSR) rules, no later than 18 months from the effective date of the EPA's final rule reclassifying Eastern Kern to Severe. Submittal of any corresponding revisions to the title V rules that apply in Eastern Kern would be due within six months of the effective date of the reclassification. Lastly, the EPA is proposing a deadline for implementation of new Reasonably Available Control Technology (RACT) rules as expeditiously as practicable but no later than 18 months from the date when the Severe area RACT SIP will be due.