FR 2020-27909

Summary of the Document

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, a branch of the Department of Defense, announced a final rule that removes a section titled "Boards, Commissions, and Committees" from the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). This rule, previously included in 33 CFR part 223, mainly addressed internal agency functions related to the Mississippi River Water Control Management Board. Since this section did not oblige public compliance nor had implications for public activity, its removal aligns with efforts to minimize redundancy in federal regulations. The regulation's principles remain applicable only to internal Corps operations and are now incorporated into the Engineer Regulation, with updated guidelines accessible online.

Significant Issues and Concerns

The document indicates that the regulation’s removal is not significant under Executive Order (E.O.) 12866, a guideline for assessing the impact of regulatory actions. However, it does not provide an extensive rationale for this classification. Clearer insight into how decisions such as this are determined to be non-significant could offer readers greater transparency. Additionally, while it is posited that the rule did not impose public burdens or adverse impacts, evidential support or a detailed analysis justifying this conclusion is absent.

Concerns also rise about the assertion that removing the regulation will simplify matters and reduce confusion both for the public and the Corps. While this appears beneficial, the document does not specify instances of confusion caused by the existing rule nor examples of the anticipated benefits. More explicit detail on how the rule's presence had previously complicated internal or public understanding would strengthen this claim.

Impact on the Public Broadly

Given that the regulation mainly affects internal operations within the Corps and does not engage public compliance, its removal is unlikely to have significant public impact. For the general population, this administrative change represents an era of regulatory simplification without altering public rights or obligations.

Impact on Specific Stakeholders

For stakeholders directly involved with or within the Corps, such as Corps members and employees engaged in water management for the Mississippi River, this change in regulation could streamline operational processes. They will now refer to an updated set of guidelines that may provide clearer direction aligned with current practices. This reorganization could potentially enhance efficiency in addressing water control issues within the Mississippi River Basin.

In summary, the document outlines a shift towards internal streamlining within the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, prioritizing efficiency and up-to-date guidance without broad implications for public activities or responsibilities. While the intentions behind the regulatory removal are explained, further elaboration on its classification as non-significant and the specifics of the confusion it aims to resolve would improve the document's effectiveness.