2021 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Coast Guard is revising a temporary safety zone that was established for certain waters of the Potomac River. This action is necessary to provide for the safety of persons, and the marine environment from the potential safety hazards associated with construction operations at the new Governor Harry W. Nice/Senator Thomas ``Mac'' Middleton Memorial (US-301) Bridge, which will occur from 7 a.m. on November 2, 2021, through 8 p.m. on December 31, 2021. This rule will prohibit persons and vessels from being in the safety zone unless authorized by the Captain of the Port, Sector Maryland- National Capital Region or a designated representative.

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is amending its spent fuel storage regulations by revising the TN Americas LLC, TN-32 Dry Storage Cask listing within the ``List of approved spent fuel storage casks'' to renew, for an additional 40 years, the initial certificate and Amendment No. 1 of Certificate of Compliance No. 1021. The renewal of the initial certificate and Amendment No. 1 revises the certificate of compliance's conditions and technical specifications to address aging management activities related to the structures, systems, and components of the dry storage system to ensure that these will maintain their intended functions during the period of extended storage operations. The scope of the Certificate of Compliance No. 1021 renewal includes spent fuel storage cask models TN-32, TN-32A, and TN-32B.

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2019-05- 06, which applied to certain Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH Model EC135P1, EC135P2, EC135P2+, EC135P3, EC135T1, EC135T2, EC135T2+, and EC135T3 helicopters. AD 2019-05-06 required replacing the retaining ring, inspecting the hoist cable hook assembly, and, if necessary, replacing the elastomeric energy absorber. This AD continues to require the actions specified in AD 2019-05-06, and also requires a modification or replacement of the hoist cable hook assembly that would terminate the repetitive inspections and retaining ring replacements, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is incorporated by reference. This AD was prompted by a report that a hook detached from the hoist cable. 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 A109A, A109A II, A109C, A109E, A109K2, A109S, AW109SP, A119, and AW119 MKII helicopters. This AD was prompted by a report of damage to a rigid connecting link (rod), and loosening of the nut on the upper rod end. This AD requires a visual inspection of the affected rods for damage, cracks, or abnormal play, and corrective actions if necessary, as specified in a European Aviation Safety Agency (now 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 is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Pacific Aerospace Limited Model 750XL airplanes. This AD was prompted by mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) originated by an aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI identifies the unsafe condition as insufficient clearance between the engine mount, the Beta control rod, and the inter-turbine temperature (ITT) sensing probe that could lead to chafing damage. This AD requires inspecting the engine mount, the temperature probe, and the reversing cable for damage, and taking any necessary corrective actions. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation (Gulfstream) Model GV and GV- SP airplanes. This proposed AD results from corrosion of the horizontal stabilizer lower bonded skin assemblies. This proposed AD would require inspecting the horizontal stabilizer lower skin and associated bonded doublers and bonded stringers, repairing the area susceptible to corrosion, and incorporating revisions to the airworthiness limitations section (ALS) in the existing aircraft maintenance manual (AMM). The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all General Electric Company (GE) CF6-80C2A1, CF6-80C2A2, CF6- 80C2A3, CF6-80C2A5, CF6-80C2A5F, and CF6-80C2A8 model turbofan engines with an installed left-hand rear mount link assembly, part number (P/N) 1846M23G01. This proposed AD was prompted by the manufacturer reducing the life limit for the affected left-hand rear mount link assembly. This proposed AD would require revising the Airworthiness Limitations section (ALS) of the GE CF6-80C2 Engine Manual, GEK92451, and the operator's existing approved continuous airworthiness maintenance program (CAMP). The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The Department of State (Department) is amending its regulation governing nonimmigrant visas by amending its rules to remove references to the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and replace them with references to the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve a revision to the California State Implementation Plan (SIP) concerning particulate matter (PM) emissions from heavy-duty (HD) diesel vehicles. We are proposing to approve state rules to regulate these emission sources under the Clean Air Act (CAA or the Act). We are taking comments on this proposal and plan to follow with a final action.

On October 6, 2021, GSA published a final rule to amend the General Services Administration Acquisition Regulation (GSAR) to correct clause and provision designation and prescription errors, correct deviations and alternate identification issues, and to make other updates to the GSAR related to identification and incorporation of GSAR provisions and clauses. This document makes editorial corrections in that rule.

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is issuing an interim rule, with an opportunity for comment, to amend its career and career- conditional employment regulations. The revision is necessary to implement the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year (FY) 2019, which requires OPM to issue regulations, in interim final form, establishing hiring authorities for college graduates into positions at specified grades in the competitive service. The intended effect of the authority is to provide additional flexibility in hiring eligible and qualified individuals.

This interim final rule with comment period revises the requirements that most Medicare- and Medicaid-certified providers and suppliers must meet to participate in the Medicare and Medicaid programs. These changes are necessary to help protect the health and safety of residents, clients, patients, PACE participants, and staff, and reflect lessons learned to date as a result of the COVID-19 public health emergency. The revisions to the requirements establish COVID-19 vaccination requirements for staff at the included Medicare- and Medicaid-certified providers and suppliers.

In this document, the Commission seeks comment on: potential improvements to the voluntary Wireless Network Resiliency Cooperative Framework (Framework), including evaluating what triggers its activation, its scope of participants, whether existing Framework elements can be strengthened, any gaps that need to be addressed, and whether the public would benefit from codifying some or all of the Framework; ways to enhance the information available to the Commission through the Network Outage Reporting System (NORS) and Disaster Information Reporting System (DIRS) during disasters and network outages to improve situational awareness; and communications resiliency strategies for power outages, including improved coordination between communications service providers and power companies and deploying onsite backup power or other alternative measures to reduce the frequency, duration, or severity of power-related disruptions to communications services.

The National Labor Relations Board (``NLRB,'' ``Agency,'' or ``Board'') seeks public input on the use of videoconference technology to conduct, in whole or in part, all aspects and phases of unfair labor practice and representation case hearings and on potential amendments to its procedural rules regarding the use of videoconference technology. The Board's current Rules and Regulations provide for the taking of a single witness's testimony via video in an unfair labor practice proceeding upon a showing of good cause based on compelling circumstances. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Board, through adjudication, sanctioned entirely remote hearings in both unfair labor practice and representation cases. The Board has no intention to permanently replace in-person hearings with virtual hearings. To the contrary, once conditions permit, the Board intends to resume conducting in-person hearings. But, based on the Board's experience during the pandemic, the Board is considering whether to retain virtual hearings as an option for future use. Accordingly, the Board solicits responses to targeted questions regarding, among other things, stakeholders' experiences with remote hearings during the pandemic; the benefits and/or drawbacks of using videoconference technology to conduct remote hearings; and the need for, and content of, potential amendments to the Board's rules regarding use of videoconference technology to conduct remote hearings.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Honda Aircraft Company LLC (Honda) Model HA-420 airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report that the flap pushrod assemblies are susceptible to corrosion. This AD requires removing and cleaning the inner diameter of the flap control pushrods and repetitively applying corrosion inhibiting compound (CIC) to this area. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This action establishes Class E airspace, designated as an extension to a Class D or Class E surface area, at Portland-Troutdale Airport, Portland, OR. This action also implements numerous administrative updates to the Class D and Class E2 text headers, and airspace descriptions. This action ensures the safety and management of instrument flight rule (IFR) operations at the airport.

This action proposes to establish Class E airspace at Monticello Airport, Monticello, UT. The establishment of airspace supports the airport's transition from visual flight rules to instrument flight rule (IFR) operations. This action would ensure the safety and management of IFR operations at the airport.

This action proposes to establish Class E airspace at Joseph State Airport, Joseph, OR. The establishment of airspace supports the airport's transition from visual flight rules to instrument flight rule (IFR) operations. This action would ensure the safety and management of IFR operations at the airport.

This document amends the Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) regulations governing the submission and processing of requests for information under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary special local regulation for power boat races. This action is necessary to ensure safety of life on navigable waters on the waters of the Key West Main Ship Channel, Key West Turning Basin, and Key West Harbor Entrance in Key West, FL. This regulation prohibits persons and vessels from entering, transiting through, anchoring in, or remaining within the regulated area without permission from the Captain of the Port Key West or a designated representative.

With the issuance of this final order, the Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration is permanently placing N,N-diethyl- 2-(2-(4-isopropoxybenzyl)-5-nitro-1H-benzimidazol-1-yl)ethan- 1-amine (commonly known as isotonitazene), including its isomers, esters, ethers, salts, and salts of isomers, esters, and ethers whenever the existence of such isomers, esters, ethers, and salts is possible within the specific chemical designation, in schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act. This scheduling action discharges the United States' obligations under the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs (1961). This action continues to impose the regulatory controls and administrative, civil, and criminal sanctions applicable to schedule I controlled substances on persons who handle (manufacture, distribute, import, export, engage in research or conduct instructional activities with, or possess), or propose to handle isotonitazene.

The Federal Communications Commission (Commission) announces that the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved, for a period of three years, the information collection requirements associated with the amendment of the Commission's rules governing standards for hearing aid-compatible handsets. This document is consistent with the Report and Order, which stated that the Commission would publish a document in the Federal Register announcing OMB approval and the effective date of the information collection requirements.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for certain navigable waters within a 600 foot radius of the fireworks launch site which is located on the Hudson River, Manhattan, NY, in the vicinity of the Hudson River Park and Pier 76. This safety zone is needed to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment from the potential hazards during a fireworks display on November 18, 2021. Entry of vessels or persons into, transiting through, mooring, or anchoring within this zone are prohibited unless authorized by the Captain of the Port New York.

The U.S. Department of Energy (``DOE'') proposes to establish a test procedure for a category of cooking products, i.e., conventional cooking tops, under a proposed new appendix. The proposed test procedure would adopt the latest version of the relevant industry standard with modifications to adapt the test method to gas cooking tops, offer an optional method for burden reduction, normalize the energy use of each test cycle, include measurement of standby mode and off mode energy use, update certain test conditions, and provide certain clarifying language. This NOPR also proposes to retitle the existing cooking products test procedure for microwave ovens only. DOE is seeking comment from interested parties on the proposal.

DoD, GSA, and NASA are issuing a final rule amending the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to implement a section of the William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 that modified the Small Business Act maximum award price for manufacturing contracts to $7 million.