2021 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Leonardo S.p.a. Model AW189 helicopters. This AD was prompted by corrosion on the inlet check valve banjo fitting of emergency flotation system (EFS) float assemblies. This AD requires visually inspecting each banjo fitting installed on an affected EFS float assembly, and depending on the results, removing the banjo fitting from service. This AD also requires applying corrosion inhibiting compound and prohibits installing an affected EFS float assembly unless certain requirements have been accomplished 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 superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2016-12- 51, which applied to all Airbus Helicopters Model AS332L2 and Model EC225LP helicopters. AD 2016-12-51 prohibited all further flight of Model AS332L2 and Model EC225LP helicopters. This AD requires replacing certain second stage planet gear assemblies, removing certain epicyclic modules, installing a full flow magnetic plug (FFMP), revising the existing rotorcraft flight manual (RFM) for your helicopter, repetitively inspecting the main gearbox (MGB) particle detectors, repetitively inspecting the MGB oil filter and oil cooler, and corrective action if necessary, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is incorporated by reference. The actions specified in this AD terminate the flight prohibition. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Leonardo S.p.a. Model AB139 and AW139 helicopters with certain main rotor blades installed. This AD was prompted by a report of an in- flight loss of a main rotor blade (MRB) tip cap. This AD requires inspecting the MRB tip cap for disbonding. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This interim final rule implements changes to the Disaster Loan Program regulations. For applications for COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster (COVID EIDL) loans, in this rule SBA is changing the definition of affiliation, the eligible uses of loan proceeds, and application of the size standard to certain hard-hit eligible entities, and is establishing a maximum loan limit for borrowers in a single corporate group. In addition, for all disaster assistance programs, in this rule, SBA is changing which SBA official may make the decision on the appeal of an application that has been declined for a second time.

NMFS has received a request from the St. George Reef Lighthouse Preservation Society (Society) for authorization to take marine mammals over the course of 5 years (2021-2026) incidental to conducting aircraft operations, lighthouse renovation, light maintenance activities, and tour operations on the St. George Reef Lighthouse Station (Station) on Northwest Seal Rock (NWSR). Pursuant to the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), NMFS is proposing regulations to govern that take, and requests comments on the proposed regulations. NMFS will consider public comments prior to making any final decision on the issuance of the requested MMPA authorizations and agency responses will be summarized in the final notification of our decision.

The Office of Indian Economic Development (OIED) is finalizing a new regulation to implement the Native American Business Incubators Program Act. The Indian Business Incubators Program (IBIP), also known as the Native American Business Incubators Program, is a program in which OIED provides competitive grants to eligible applicants to establish and operate business incubators that serve Tribal reservation communities. These regulations establish who is eligible for the program, how to apply, how OIED will evaluate applications and make awards, and how OIED will administer the program.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Robinson Helicopter Company Model R44 and R44 II helicopters. This AD was prompted by reports of cracked tail rotor blades (blades). This AD requires checking each blade for any crack and removing any cracked blade from service. This AD also requires removing all affected blades from service and prohibits installing any affected blade on any helicopter. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This rule invites comments on the proposed termination of the Federal marketing order regulating the handling of Irish potatoes grown in Washington, and the rules and regulations issued thereunder. The marketing order is administered locally by the State of Washington Potato Committee (Committee), which unanimously recommended its termination at a meeting held on June 11, 2020. This recommendation is based on the Committee's determination that the marketing order is no longer an effective marketing tool for the Washington potato industry and that termination would best serve the current needs of the industry by eliminating the cost associated with its operation.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE or the Department) is proposing to amend its current regulations on contractor workplace substance abuse programs at DOE sites to be consistent with the Secretary of Energy's memorandum, dated September 14, 2007, entitled Decisions regarding drug testing for Department of Energy positions that require access authorizations (Security Clearances), and because there is a continued need for these changes. The proposed amendments would decrease the random drug testing rate for individuals in certain testing designated positions, and clarify that all positions requiring access authorizations (security clearances) are included in the testing designated positions. In addition, the proposed amendments would clarify requirements for DOE approval prior to allowing persons in certain testing designated positions to return to work after removal for illegal drug use.

This document contains final regulations modifying regulations relating to IRS administrative proceedings to reflect limitations that are required by the enactment of the Taxpayer First Act of 2019. These final regulations implement new rules regarding the persons who may be provided books, papers, records, or other data obtained pursuant to section 7602 of the Internal Revenue Code (Code) for the sole purpose of providing expert evaluation and assistance to the IRS, and adopt further limitations on the types of non-governmental attorneys to whom, under the authority of section 6103(n) of the Code, any books, papers, records, or other data obtained pursuant to section 7602 may be provided. These final regulations also prohibit any IRS contractors from asking substantive questions of a summoned witness under oath or asking a summoned person's representative to clarify an objection or assertion of privilege. The regulations affect persons who are examined by the IRS and any persons who are questioned by the IRS under oath pursuant to section 7602.

This action removes Class E airspace in Red Hook, NY, as Skypark Airport has been abandoned, and controlled airspace is no longer required. This action would enhance the safety and management of controlled airspace within the national airspace system.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG (RRD) Trent XWB-75, Trent XWB-79, Trent XWB-79B, and Trent XWB-84 model turbofan engines. This AD was prompted by reports of cracks in the intermediate-pressure compressor (IPC) rotor 1 (R1) blades installed on certain Trent XWB model turbofan engines. This AD requires initial and repetitive borescope inspections (BSIs) of the affected IPC R1 blades and, depending on the results of the inspections, replacement of all 34 IPC R1 blades. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This action proposes to amend the Class E airspace at Monmouth Municipal Airport, Monmouth, IL, contained within the Galesburg, IL, airspace legal description. The FAA is proposing this action as the result of airspace reviews caused by the decommissioning of the Galesburg very high frequency (VHF) omnidirectional range (VOR) as part of the VOR Minimal Operational Network (MON) Program.

The Coast Guard is proposing to establish a temporary special local regulation for navigable waters of the Tennessee River from mile 452.0 to 454.5. This action is necessary to provide for the safety of life on these navigable waters near Chattanooga, TN, during a swimming event on October 9, 2021. This proposed rulemaking would prohibit persons and vessels from being in the special local regulation unless authorized by the Captain of the Port Sector Ohio Valley or a designated representative. We invite your comments on this proposed rulemaking.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), propose to designate critical habitat for the Miami tiger beetle (Cicindelidia floridana) under the Endangered Species Act (Act). In total, approximately 1,977 acres (ac) (800 hectares (ha)) in Miami-Dade County, Florida, fall within the boundaries of the proposed critical habitat designation. If we finalize this rule as proposed, it would extend the Act's protections to this species' critical habitat. We also announce the availability of a draft economic analysis of the proposed designation of critical habitat for the Miami tiger beetle.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce our 90-day finding in response to a petition to revise critical habitat for the jaguar (Panthera onca) pursuant to the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). The petition requests the Service to revise the existing critical habitat designation by removing approximately 20,234 hectares (50,000 acres) of land in the northern Santa Rita Mountains in Arizona and an adjoining critical habitat subunit, including land containing the proposed Rosemont Mine. Our 90-day finding is that the petition does not present substantial scientific information indicating that the requested revision to the critical habitat designation may be warranted.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bell Textron Canada Limited Model 429 helicopters. This AD was prompted by three reports of unexpected forces or uncommanded inputs to the directional (yaw) control system. This AD requires revising the existing Rotorcraft Flight Manual (RFM) for your helicopter. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA is revising a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking SNPRM that applied to certain Airbus Helicopters Model EC225LP helicopters. This action revises the SNPRM by proposing to require the installation of an improved part, which would also provide a terminating action for the proposed requirements. The FAA is proposing this airworthiness directive (AD) to address the unsafe condition on these products. Since these actions would impose an additional burden over those in the SNPRM, the agency is requesting comments on this SNPRM.

On September 2, 2020, the Department of Education (Department) published in the Federal Register a final rule to amend the general, establishing eligibility, maintaining eligibility, and losing eligibility sections of the Institutional Eligibility regulations issued under the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (HEA), related to distance education and innovation, as well as the Student Assistance General Provisions regulations issued under the HEA (Distance Education and Innovation Rule). This document corrects the text in the regulations.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is amending one of the rules interpreting the anti-retaliation provision of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (OSH Act or Act) to clarify that the test for showing a nexus between protected activity and adverse action is ``but-for'' causation.

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is issuing an interim final rule to expand eligibility for enrollment in the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program to additional tribal employees. The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (FY21 CAA) amended section 409 of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act and expanded entitlement to Indian tribes or tribal organizations carrying out programs under the Tribally Controlled Schools Act of 1988 (TCSA) to purchase coverage, rights, and benefits under the FEHB Program for their employees.

This final rule revises regulations under authority of the United States Grain Standards Act (USGSA) by implementing a standardized formula model for calculating Federal Grain Inspection Service (FGIS) supervision fees. The revision enables FGIS to adjust supervision fees annually in order to maintain an appropriate operating reserve as required by the USGSA. As with other Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) fee-based programs, AMS will publish annual FGIS fee updates in the Federal Register and post updated fee schedules on its website. The revision also eliminates or revises certain registration and duplication fees charged by FGIS.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is taking final action to approve a revision to the San Diego County Air Pollution Control District (SDCAPCD or ``District'') portion of the California State Implementation Plan (SIP). This revision concerns emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from gasoline transfers into underground stationary storage tanks at gasoline dispensing facilities. We are approving a local rule that regulates these emission sources under the Clean Air Act (CAA or ``Act'').

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is approving the state plan submitted by New York State to implement and enforce Emission Guidelines (EG) for existing large municipal waste combustor (MWC) units. The state plan is consistent with the amended EG promulgated by the EPA on May 10, 2006. New York's plan establishes emission limits and other requirements for the purpose of reducing emissions of lead, mercury, cadmium, organics, hydrogen chloride, and other air pollutants from large MWC units throughout the state. New York submitted its plan to fulfill the requirements of certain sections of the Clean Air Act.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is giving concurrent notice of a newly established system of records pursuant to the Privacy Act of 1974 for the ``DHS/Office of the Immigration Detention Ombudsman (OIDO)-001 Office of the Immigration Detention Ombudsman System of Records'' and this proposed rulemaking. In this proposed rulemaking, the Department proposes to exempt portions of the system of records from one or more provisions of the Privacy Act because of criminal, civil, and administrative enforcement requirements.