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The Rural Housing Service (RHS), part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, proposes changes to the Single-Family Housing Self-Help Technical Assistance Grant Program to improve flexibility, reduce regulatory burdens, and better serve rural communities by providing more decent, safe, and sanitary housing options. The proposed rule includes updates to outdated references, revises program objectives, and suggests changes to processes like grant application and approval, aiming to streamline various aspects for applicants and grant recipients. The RHS seeks public comments on these changes to ensure they align with the program’s mission and do not impose unnecessary burdens.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) issued a final rule to establish harvest specifications and management measures for the 2025-26 Pacific Coast groundfish fishery. This rule sets limits on how much groundfish can be caught each year and revises management measures to prevent overfishing and help rebuild stock. Key changes include implementing a rebuilding plan for California quillback rockfish and updating allocation frameworks and fishing regulations. The rule also introduces a new permit system for the directed open access fishery and includes technical corrections and modifications to existing regulations.

The Department of Education has announced the opening of applications for the 2025 fiscal year Supporting Effective Educator Development (SEED) program. This program aims to fund projects that enhance educator skills through evidence-based practices, focusing on increasing educator diversity and providing quality professional development. Applicants, including institutions of higher education and nonprofit organizations, need to demonstrate a 25% cost match from non-federal sources and will be assessed based on their project's design, significance, management plan, and evaluation methods. The grants range between $1,000,000 and $6,000,000 annually, with applications due by March 18, 2025.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has issued new regulations for managing the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. This final rule is part of NOAA's Restoration Blueprint initiative and aims to extend the sanctuary's boundaries, update general and specific marine zones, and redefine what activities are permitted there. NOAA's regulations include measures to protect and restore coral reefs, seagrass beds, and other habitats, prevent environmental threats, and address concerns such as grounded and derelict vessels. The changes also emphasize updated procedures for permits and collaboration with military and state bodies to ensure compliance and effective management of sanctuary resources.

The Rural Housing Service (RHS) of the Department of Agriculture announced updates to the competitive process for lenders submitting applications for the Section 538 Guaranteed Rural Rental Housing Program (GRRHP). The updates include new scoring criteria focusing on priorities like maturing mortgages and Qualified Contract waivers, adjustments in scoring points, and changes to the application process such as requiring lenders to include closing dates and details about commercial spaces. Applications are being accepted continuously, and funding will depend on allocations provided by the Appropriations Act each fiscal year. The goal of the GRRHP is to increase affordable rental housing in rural areas by supporting partnerships between private lenders and public agencies.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve West Virginia's plan to address visibility issues caused by air pollution in national parks and wilderness areas, known as Class I areas. This decision reverses a previous proposal to disapprove the state's plan. The approval is based on West Virginia's measures to control emissions and the conclusion that no further actions are needed to improve visibility during the specified period. The EPA's decision reflects a change in their policy, suggesting that if current air conditions are below a certain improvement mark, states are meeting progress requirements.

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is updating its rules on indemnity payments for losses due to Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in poultry. New requirements mandate that premises either at risk or affected by HPAI must undergo biosecurity audits to receive indemnity payments. These audits will verify that proper safety measures to prevent disease spread are in place and maintained. Virtual audits will generally suffice for buffer zones, while previously affected premises need in-person audits, unless there are exceptions.

The Department of Education is inviting applications for the Charter Schools Program's Charter Management Organization (CMO) Grants for fiscal year 2025. These grants aim to help charter management organizations replicate or expand high-quality charter schools that can support a diverse student body, including underserved students. Applicants are encouraged to collaborate with traditional public schools and offer programs that promote multilingualism. Applications are due by April 21, 2025, and further details are available on the Department's website. Applications will be evaluated based on criteria like the quality of the applicant, the project design, evaluation plan, and management plan.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is proposing to update the classification of the West Indian manatee by distinguishing between its two subspecies, listing the Florida manatee as a threatened species and the Antillean manatee as an endangered species under the Endangered Species Act. This proposal involves removing the West Indian manatee from the list and replacing it with the two subspecies to provide them with distinct protections. The Florida manatee faces threats like habitat loss, watercraft collisions, and climate change, whereas the Antillean manatee is endangered by factors like poaching, low genetic diversity, and ineffective regulatory enforcement in some areas. Public comments are invited on this proposed rule until March 17, 2025.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has finalized a Federal Implementation Plan (FIP) under the Clean Air Act for the Mojave Desert Air Quality Management District in California. This new rule includes stricter guidelines for New Source Review (NSR) in nonattainment areas where air quality standards are not met. The FIP aims to regulate the construction of new major sources and modifications of existing sources, addressing deficiencies in the existing Mojave Desert program. An important aspect of this rule is the EPA's disapproval of a Mojave Desert District rule regarding emissions offsets, following a court decision questioning the EPA's previous approval of that rule.