2021 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

This action extends the Special Federal Aviation Regulation (SFAR) prohibiting certain flights in the specified areas of the Sanaa Flight Information Region (FIR) (OYSC) by all: U.S. air carriers; U.S. commercial operators; persons exercising the privileges of an airman certificate issued by the FAA, except when such persons are operating U.S.-registered aircraft for a foreign air carrier; and operators of U.S.-registered civil aircraft, except when the operator of such aircraft is a foreign air carrier. The FAA finds this action necessary to address hazards to persons and aircraft engaged in such flight operations due to significant, continuing safety-of-flight risks to U.S. civil aviation operations in that airspace associated with the ongoing conflict between the Saudi Arabian-led Coalition and Iranian- aligned Houthi forces. The FAA extends the expiration date of this SFAR from January 7, 2022, until January 7, 2025. Additionally, the FAA republishes the approval process and exemption information for this SFAR, consistent with other recently published flight prohibition SFARs.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve a State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision submitted by the State of Alaska, through the Alaska Department of Environment Conservation, on January 9, 2017. The revision was submitted by Alaska in response to a finding of substantial inadequacy and SIP call published on June 12, 2015, for a provision in the Alaska SIP related to excess emissions during startup, shutdown, and malfunction (SSM) events. EPA is proposing approval of the SIP revision and proposing to determine that such SIP revision corrects the deficiency identified in the June 12, 2015, SIP call.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus SAS Model A319-111, -112, -113, -114, -115, -131, -132, and -133 airplanes; Model A320-211, -212, -214, -216, -231, -232, and - 233 airplanes; and Model A321-111, -112, -131, -211, -212, -213, -231, and -232 airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report that during re- engineering of galley G5, a 9G forward full scale qualification test was performed, and the door of the waste compartment opened before the required load was reached. This AD requires modifying the waste compartment door of each affected galley, as specified in a European 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 The Boeing Company Model 787-8 and 787-9 airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports that shimming requirements were not met during the assembly of certain structural joints, which can result in reduced fatigue thresholds and cracking of the affected structural joints. This AD requires repetitive inspections for cracking of certain areas of the aft wheel well bulkhead (AWWB) body chord and AWWB side fitting and failsafe straps, and repair of any cracking found. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary security zone for navigable waters extending 600 feet, or to the shoreline, whichever is closer, from the outer edge of the Houston Ship Channel. The security zone is required to protect against the interruption of commerce in relation to the 23rd World Petroleum Congress. Entry of vessels or persons into this zone is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port Houston-Galveston.

This regulation establishes tolerances for residues of isoprothiolane in or on banana; rice, bran; rice, husked; and rice, polished rice. Nichino America, Inc. requested these tolerances under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA).

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Leonardo S.p.a. Model AW109SP helicopters. This AD was prompted by reports of an ineligible hydraulic pump being installed on Model AW109SP helicopters. This AD requires inspecting each hydraulic pump for damage and, depending on the inspections results, removing parts from service and accomplishing other corrective actions. This AD also requires removing certain parts from service before they exceed their life limits. The corrective actions are required to be accomplished 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.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain MD Helicopters Inc. (MDHI), Model 369D, 369E, 369F, 369FF, 369H, 369HE, 369HM, 369HS, 500N, and 600N helicopters. This AD was prompted by a report of a spiral crack in the pilot-to-copilot tail rotor torque tube (torque tube). This AD requires a one-time visual and recurring borescope inspections of the torque tube and depending on the results, removing the torque tube from service. 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 Learjet Inc. (Learjet) Model 45 airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of corrosion found on the upper surface of the lower center wing mid spar splice plate. This AD requires repetitively inspecting the center wing area for corrosion and deterioration of protective treatments, removing any corrosion, and treating any deteriorated areas. 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 Schempp-Hirth Flugzeugbau GmbH Model Ventus-2a and Ventus-2b gliders. This proposed 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 describes the unsafe condition as severe corrosion on the inboard flaperon actuation push rods and ball bearing connecting the flaperon push rod to the bell crank inside the wing. This proposed AD would require inspecting the affected parts of the flaperon control in the wings and taking corrective actions if necessary. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This proposed rule would implement a recommendation from the Administrative Committee for Pistachios (Committee) to increase the assessment rate established for 2021-22 and subsequent production years. The proposed assessment rate would remain in effect indefinitely unless modified, suspended, or terminated.

This proposed rule would implement a recommendation from the American Pecan Council (Council) to decrease the assessment rate established for the 2021-22 and subsequent fiscal years. The proposed assessment rate would remain in effect indefinitely unless modified, suspended, or terminated.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve certain changes to Wisconsin's State Implementation Plan (SIP). These changes include defining and removing terms, creating a more streamlined process for permit applications and reports submitted electronically, and clarifying rules to create a more efficient permit issuance process. Approving this revision also makes Wisconsin rules consistent with Federal rules.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA, the Agency, or we) is proposing to amend the agricultural water provisions of the produce safety regulation that covered farms have found complex and challenging to implement. This proposal would replace the microbial criteria and testing requirements for pre-harvest agricultural water for covered produce (other than sprouts) with provisions for systems-based agricultural water assessments that are designed to be more feasible to implement across the wide variety of agricultural water systems, uses, and practices, while also being adaptable to future advancements in agricultural water quality science and achieving improved public health protections. Additionally, we are proposing to require expedited mitigation for hazards related to certain activities associated with adjacent and nearby lands, in light of findings from several recent produce outbreak investigations. These proposed revisions to the produce safety regulation, if finalized, would more comprehensively address a known route of microbial contamination that can lead to preventable foodborne illness that is a significant public health problem.

The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) revised and renumbered certain provisions in its regulation establishing uniform administrative requirements, cost principles, and audit requirements for Federal awards to non-Federal entities. This final rule amends the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) regulations on Programs to Help Develop Foreign Markets for Agricultural Commodities (``FMD regulation'') to make technical corrections to reflect the revised OMB regulations. This final rule also makes three minor changes to the FMD regulation: To modify the timing of the evaluation provision; to add one additional exemption for a USA Pavilion waiver request; and to add certain flexibilities to the sample shipment requirements.

This document contains proposed regulations providing that ``minimum essential coverage,'' as that term is used in health insurance-related tax laws, does not include Medicaid coverage that is limited to COVID-19 testing and diagnostic services provided under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act. The proposed regulations also would provide an automatic extension of time for providers of minimum essential coverage (including health insurance issuers, self-insured employers, and government agencies) to furnish individual statements regarding such coverage and would provide an alternative method for furnishing individual statements when the shared responsibility payment amount is zero. Additionally, the proposed regulations would provide an automatic extension of time for ``applicable large employers'' (generally employers with 50 or more full-time or full-time equivalent employees) to furnish statements relating to health insurance that the employer offers to its full-time employees. The proposed regulations would affect some taxpayers who claim the premium tax credit; health insurance issuers, self-insured employers, government agencies, and other persons that provide minimum essential coverage to individuals; and applicable large employers.

This final rule amends the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) regulations to reflect an extension and amendment of import restrictions on certain archaeological material and the imposition of import restrictions on ethnological material of the Arab Republic of Egypt (Egypt). The restrictions on archaeological material, which were originally imposed by CBP Dec. 16-23, were extended and amended on November 30, 2021. The Acting Assistant Secretary for Educational and Cultural Affairs, United States Department of State, has made the requisite determinations for extending and updating the import restrictions that previously existed, and the Governments of the United States and Egypt entered into a new agreement to reflect the extension of these import restrictions. Additionally, the Acting Assistant Secretary for Educational and Cultural Affairs, United States Department of State, has made the requisite determinations for adding import restrictions on certain categories of ethnological material. The new agreement, which entered into force on November 30, 2021, supersedes the existing Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that became effective on November 30, 2016, and enabled the promulgation of the existing import restrictions. Accordingly, the current import restrictions and new import restrictions will be effective until November 30, 2026, and the CBP regulations are being amended to reflect this extension and imposition. To fulfill the terms of the new MOU, the Designated List of cultural property, which was described in CBP Dec. 16-23, is amended in this document to reflect the addition and revision of categories of archaeological material of Egypt ranging in date from approximately 300,000 B.C. to A.D. 1750, and to include certain ethnological material ranging from A.D. 1517 to 1914.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for a fireworks display on December 4, 2021 from 9 p.m. through 10 p.m. The safety zone is needed to protect people and the environment on these navigable waters of the Tchefuncte River, LA. This proposed rulemaking would prohibit persons and vessels from entering the safety zone unless authorized by the Captain of the Port (COTP) Sector New Orleans or a designated representative.

We are amending the regulations governing the importation of animals and animal products to revise conditions for the importation of live sheep, goats, and certain other non-bovine ruminants, and products derived from sheep and goats, with regard to transmissible spongiform encephalopathies such as bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) and scrapie. We are removing BSE-related import restrictions on sheep and goats and most of their products, and adding import restrictions related to transmissible spongiform encephalopathies for certain wild, zoological, or other non-bovine ruminant species. The conditions we are adopting for the importation of specified commodities are based on internationally accepted scientific literature and will generally align our regulations with guidelines established in the World Organization for Animal Health's Terrestrial Animal Health Code.

This rule amends, suspends, or removes Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPs) and associated Takeoff Minimums and Obstacle Departure Procedures for operations at certain airports. These regulatory actions are needed because of the adoption of new or revised criteria, or because of changes occurring in the National Airspace System, such as the commissioning of new navigational facilities, adding new obstacles, or changing air traffic requirements. These changes are designed to provide for the safe and efficient use of the navigable airspace and to promote safe flight operations under instrument flight rules at the affected airports.

OSHA is extending the period for submitting comments by 30 days to allow stakeholders interested in the ANPRM on Heat Injury and Illness Prevention in Outdoor and Indoor Work Settings additional time to review the ANPRM and collect information and data necessary for comment.

This action proposes to amend the Class D airspace at Fort Worth, TX, and the Class E airspace at Dallas-Fort Worth, TX. The FAA is proposing this action as the result of an airspace review due to the cancellation of the instrument procedures and implementation on new instrument procedures at Granbury Regional Airport, Granbury, TX, contained within the Dallas-Fort Worth, TX, Class E airspace legal description. The geographic coordinates of the Fort Worth Spinks Airport, Fort Worth, TX, would also be updated to coincide with the FAA's aeronautical database.

This action establishes Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface for Fulton Airport, Fulton, KY, to accommodate new area navigation (RNAV) global positioning system (GPS) standard instrument approach procedures (SIAPs) serving this airport. Controlled airspace is necessary for the safety and management of instrument flight rules (IFR) operations in the area.

FHWA amends its regulations governing the accommodation of utilities on the right-of-way (ROW) of Federal-aid or direct Federal highway projects to implement requirements of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018, for broadband infrastructure deployment. The requirements, which will apply to each State that receives Federal funds under Chapter 1 of title 23, United States Code (U.S.C.), aim to facilitate the installation of broadband infrastructure.

NMFS proposes 2022 and 2023 harvest specifications, apportionments, and prohibited species catch allowances for the groundfish fisheries of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands (BSAI) management area. This action is necessary to establish harvest limits for groundfish during the 2022 and 2023 fishing years and to accomplish the goals and objectives of the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area (FMP). The 2022 harvest specifications supersede those previously set in the final 2021 and 2022 harvest specifications, and the 2023 harvest specifications will be superseded in early 2023 when the final 2023 and 2024 harvest specifications are published. The intended effect of this action is to conserve and manage the groundfish resources in the BSAI in accordance with the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act).