Agencies and Commissions December 13, 2010 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Federal Communications Commission published a document in the Federal Register of November 22, 2010, concerning a request for comment on technical rules for satellite systems in the 37.5-42.5 GHz band. The document contained incorrect proceeding numbers and incorrect language regarding the filing of comments on information collection requirements.

Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, as amended (42 U.S.C. 4321, et seq.); the Council on Environmental Quality Regulations for Implementing the Procedural Provisions of NEPA (40 CFR Parts 1500-1508); and NASA policy and procedures (14 CFR part 1216, subpart 1216.3); NASA has made a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) with respect to its proposed increase in scientific balloon launches at the Columbia Scientific Balloon Facility (CSBF). CSBF would launch up to 10 additional scientific balloons per year from CSBF Fort Sumner, New Mexico, while launches from CSBF Palestine, Texas would remain at current levels.

This notice is provided in accordance with the Council on Environmental Quality's regulations (40 CFR 1500 to 1508) and TVA's procedures for implementing the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). TVA has prepared the Douglas and Nolichucky Tributary Reservoirs Land Management Plan for the 3,191 acres of TVA-managed public land on these reservoirs in northeastern Tennessee. On November 4, 2010, the TVA Board of Directors (TVA Board) approved the plan, implementing the Preferred Alternative (Alternative C, Modified Land Use Alternative) identified in the final environmental impact statement (FEIS). Under the plan adopted by the TVA Board, TVA-managed public land on Douglas and Nolichucky tributary reservoirs has been allocated into broad use categories or ``zones,'' including Project Operations (Zone 2), Sensitive Resource Management (Zone 3), Natural Resource Conservation (Zone 4), Industrial (Zone 5), Developed Recreation (Zone 6), and Shoreline Access (Zone 7). Allocations were made in a manner consistent with TVA's 2006 Land Policy.

Pursuant to Section 102(2)(c) of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, the Council on Environmental Quality Final Regulations (40 CFR Parts 1500 through 1508), and the United States Section`s Operational Procedures for Implementing Section 102 of NEPA, published in the Federal Register September 2, 1981, (46 FR 44083); the USIBWC hereby gives notice of availability of the Final Environmental Assessment and FONSI for Arroyo Colorado South Levee Rehabilitation Project located in Cameron and Hidalgo Counties, Texas are available. An environmental impact statement will not be prepared.

Currently, a security index futures contract traded on, or subject to the rules of, a foreign board of trade may be offered or sold to persons located within the United States pursuant to a staff no-action letter confirming that the contract satisfies the requirements enumerated in Section 2(a)(1)(C)(ii) of the Commodity Exchange Act (the ``CEA'' or ``Act''). The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (``Commission'') is hereby proposing new requirements which would establish a Commission certification procedure applicable to the offer or sale, to persons in the U.S., of a security index futures contract traded on a foreign board of trade; the new certification procedure will replace the existing staff no-action process. Additionally, this proposed rule would establish a procedure for a foreign board of trade to request and receive a Commission certification on an expedited basis. Under this expedited procedure, a security index futures contract of qualifying foreign boards of trade could be offered or sold in the U.S. forty-five (45) days after submission of such request, absent a contrary action (or an extension of time) by the Commission.

This document makes amendments to the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) in order to make editorial changes.

The Civilian Agency Acquisition Council and the Defense Acquisition Regulations Council (the Councils) are issuing an interim rule amending the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to implement section 815 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010. Section 815 extends the flowdown of the restriction on subcontracting to lower tier subcontractors that have been suspended or debarred, with some exceptions for contracts for the acquisition of commercial items and commercially available off-the-shelf items.

The Civilian Agency Acquisition Council and the Defense Acquisition Regulations Council (Councils) are issuing an interim rule amending the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to implement provisions regarding, the Duncan Hunter National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2009 requirements for preventing abuse of interagency contracts.

The Civilian Agency Acquisition Council and the Defense Acquisition Regulations Council (Councils) are issuing an interim rule to amend the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to implement Executive Order 13496, Notification of Employee Rights Under Federal Labor Laws, as implemented by the Department of Labor (DoL). This Executive Order requires contractors to display a notice to employees of their rights under Federal labor laws, and the DoL has determined that the notice shall include employee rights under the National Labor Relations Act.