2024 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is issuing for public comment two related draft Regulatory Guides (DG) namely DG-1290, Revision 1, "Design-Basis Floods for Nuclear Power Plants," proposed Revision 3 of Regulatory Guide (RG) 1.59 of the same name and DG-1417, "Guidance for Assessment of Flooding Hazards due to Water Control Structure Failures and Incidents," proposed new RG 1.256. DG-1290 provides guidance for applicants for new nuclear power plants (NPPs) on acceptable methods for evaluating design-basis floods and DG-1417 provides guidance for applicants on flooding hazards due to failure or other incidents at man-made water control structures including, but not limited to, dams and levees.

The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2023-08-04, which applies to certain The Boeing Company Model 787-8, 787-9, and 787-10 airplanes. AD 2023-08-04 requires a detailed visual inspection of all door 1 and door 3 lavatory and galley potable water systems for any missing or incorrectly installed clamshell couplings, and applicable on-condition actions. Since the FAA issued AD 2023-08- 04, Boeing has discovered that some couplings did not have the required safety strap and has developed a design solution that replaces the couplings with couplings that have safety straps to address the unsafe condition. This proposed AD would retain the requirements of AD 2023- 08-04 and require a detailed inspection of all clamshell couplings for the presence and correct installation of safety straps at door 1 and door 3 lavatories and galleys with a potable water system, and applicable on-condition actions. The AD would also prohibit the installation of affected parts at inspection locations and remove Model 787-10 airplanes from the applicability. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is approving a State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision submitted by the State of Connecticut on December 14, 2015. This SIP revision includes Connecticut's revised regulations for new motor vehicle emission standards. Connecticut updated its motor vehicle emission regulations to adopt California's Advanced Clean Car (ACC) I program that includes California's low emission vehicle (LEV) III criteria pollutant standards and zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) sales requirements through the 2025 model year, and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions standards that commence in the 2017 model year. Connecticut ensured that its regulations are identical to the California standards for which a waiver has been granted, as required by the Clean Air Act (CAA).

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is taking direct final action on the authorization of changes to North Carolina's hazardous waste program under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), as amended. These changes were outlined in a June 26, 2023, application to the EPA. We have determined that these changes satisfy all requirements needed for final authorization.

The U.S. Department of the Interior (Department), Office of the Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs, proposes to revise the regulations that implement Tribal Self-Governance, as authorized by title IV of the Indian Self Determination and Education Assistance Act. This proposed rule has been negotiated among representatives of Self- Governance and non-Self Governance Tribes and the Department.

SBA is introducing a new pilot loan program within the 7(a) Loan Program called "7(a) Working Capital Pilot" (WCP) to provide SBA 7(a) guaranteed lines of credit up to $5 million that may be used to support domestic and international transactions with SBA fees due from the Lender that operate as a function of time, charging a proportional amount for each year the facility is in use.

This final rule amends the definition of "equipment" to conform with OMB's government-wide Guidance for Federal Financial Assistance affecting Federal grants.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (Commission) is issuing an advance notice of proposed rulemaking presenting potential reforms to implement dynamic line ratings and, thereby, improve the accuracy of transmission line ratings. These potential reforms would require transmission line ratings to reflect solar heating based on the sun's position and forecastable cloud cover and require transmission line ratings to reflect forecasts of wind conditions on certain transmission lines. The potential reforms would also ensure transparency in the development and implementation of dynamic line ratings and enhance data reporting practices related to congestion in non-regional transmission organization/independent system operator regions to identify candidate transmission lines for the requirement to reflect forecasts of wind conditions. The Commission invites all interested persons to submit comments on the potential reforms and in response to specific questions.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), list the Pearl River map turtle (Graptemys pearlensis), a freshwater turtle species from the Pearl River drainage in Mississippi and Louisiana as a threatened species with 4(d) protective regulations under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (Act), as amended. Due to similarity of appearance, we also list the Alabama map turtle (Graptemys pulchra), Barbour's map turtle (Graptemys barbouri), Escambia map turtle (Graptemys ernsti), and Pascagoula map turtle (Graptemys gibbonsi) as threatened species with 4(d) protective regulations under the Act. This rule adds these species to the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife.

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is proposing to amend its spent fuel regulations by revising the Holtec International HI-STORM Flood/Wind Multi-purpose Canister Storage System listing within the "List of approved spent fuel storage casks" to include Amendment No. 7 to Certificate of Compliance No. 1032. Amendment No. 7 revises the certificate of compliance to add a new overpack, add new multi-purpose canisters MPC-44 and MPC-37P, and add new fuel type 10x10J to approved content. Amendment No. 7 also incorporates other technical changes and several editorial changes.

The United States Department of the Interior (Department) seeks input on a proposal to create a conditional, time-limited opportunity for denied petitioners to re-petition for Federal acknowledgment as an Indian Tribe.

This final rule amends the existing Tribal Transportation Program Bridge Program, formerly known as the Indian Reservation Road (IRR) Bridge Program, by renaming it the Tribal Transportation Facility Bridge Program (TTFBP) to comply with the changes made in the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21), carried on through the Fixing America's Surface Transportation (FAST) Act, and the recent changes made by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), enacted as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). It also removes references to terms such as structurally deficient, functionally obsolete, and sufficiency rating. These updates aligned the TTFBP terminology for bridge conditions with the terminology used for State departments of transportation (State DOT) in the Federal-aid highway program. This change established consistent terminology for classifying and referring to bridge conditions.

The Department of State (the Department) publishes a final rule revising the Code of Federal Regulations to amend requirements for accreditation and approval by the United States to provide adoption services in intercountry adoption cases. This rule amends regulations to provide clarification, updates, or other adaptation of familiar accreditation and approval standards for intercountry adoption. It also includes a new section with alternative procedures for primary providers that apply in intercountry adoption by relatives. The new regulations for adoption by relatives simplify and streamline the adoption process by limiting the number of adoption services the primary provider must provide. The final rule emphasizes that accredited agencies and approved persons comply with all applicable laws in foreign countries where they provide adoption services.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for all navigable waters of the Captain of the Port Zone from the Mexico/US Border north to the Colorado Locks as defined in 33 CFR 3.40-35. This safety zone is being established to safeguard vessels, ports and waterfront facilities from damage due to Hurricane Beryl. Entry of vessels or persons into this zone is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port, Sector Corpus Christi, or a designated representative.

This action decreases the assessment rate established for the 2024 fiscal year and subsequent fiscal years for California olives as recommended by the California Olive Committee. The assessment rate will remain in effect indefinitely unless modified, suspended, or terminated.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary special local regulation in the navigable waters of San Francisco Bay for the San Francisco Sail Grand Prix, Season 4 race periods on July 12, 2024, through July 14, 2024. This special local regulation is necessary to ensure the safety of mariners transiting the area from the dangers associated with high-speed sailing activities. This rule temporarily prohibits entering, transiting through, anchoring, blocking, or loitering within the event area near the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz Island, unless authorized.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Dassault Aviation Model FALCON 7X airplanes. This AD was prompted by a determination that non-conforming washers may have been installed in production on engine 1 and 3 forward yokes. This AD requires a one-time inspection for non-conforming washers and, depending on findings, related investigative and corrective actions, 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 Coast Guard will enforce a safety zone near Dyes Inlet, WA for an annual firework display in the Captain of the Port, Sector Puget Sound area of responsibility on July 26, 2024, to provide for the safety of life on navigable waterways during this event. Our regulation for marine events within the Thirteenth Coast Guard District identifies the regulated area for this event near Dyes Inlet, WA. No vessel operator may enter, transit, moor, or anchor within the safety zone, except for vessels authorized by the Captain of the Port, Sector Puget Sound or a Designated Representative.

This final rule implements interim annual harvest specifications and management measures for the northern subpopulation of Pacific sardine (hereafter, Pacific sardine), pursuant to an order issued on June 28, 2024, by the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California in Oceana, Inc., v. Raimondo, et al., No. 5:21- cv-05407-VKD (N.D. Cal., filed July 14, 2021). Specifically, this rule re-instates the annual specifications and management measures that were in place for the 2023-2024 fishing year in whole, until August 1, 2024.

On October 2, 2023, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) published a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) and supplementary policy that proposed to implement the Federal Flood Risk Management Standard (FFRMS) and update the agency's 8-step decision- making process for floodplain reviews by changing how FEMA defines a floodplain with respect to certain actions and how FEMA uses natural systems, ecosystem processes, and nature-based approaches when developing alternatives to locating a proposed action in the floodplain. After a careful review of the public comments received, FEMA is now issuing a final rule that implements the proposed rule, with some minor amendments.

The Coast Guard will enforce special local regulations for the annual Bayview Yacht Club Port Huron to Mackinac Race. This special local regulation is necessary to safely control vessel movements in the vicinity of the race and provide for the safety of the general boating public and commercial shipping. During this enforcement period, no person or vessel may enter the regulated area without the permission of the Coast Guard Patrol Commander (PATCOM).

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve most of a State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision submitted by the State of New Hampshire. This revision updates the State regulation containing ambient air quality standards. EPA is proposing to approve all the State's updated standards, except the primary annual fine particle (PM2.5) standard, which we propose to conditionally approve because it does not match EPA's current National Ambient Air Quality Standard for PM2.5. This action is being taken under the Clean Air Act (CAA).

The FAA invites public comment on the agency's draft policy statement PS-AIR-21.17-02, "Special Class Rotorcraft." This proposed policy would identify certain rotorcraft as special class.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all The Boeing Company Model 737-8, 737-9, and 737-8200 airplanes and Model 737-700, -800, and -900ER series airplanes. This AD was prompted by multiple reports of passenger service unit (PSU) oxygen generators shifting out of position within their associated PSU assemblies because of a retention failure. This AD requires a general visual inspection of the PSU oxygen generator installation to determine the configuration of the thermal pads of the retention straps and applicable on-condition actions. This AD also prohibits the installation of affected parts. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA or Agency) is announcing the termination of the Allergenic Products Advisory Committee, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research. This document announces the reasons for termination and removes the Allergenic Products Advisory Committee from the Agency's list of standing advisory committees.