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The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), has proposed a rule to designate critical habitat for the Beringia distinct population segment of the bearded seal under the Endangered Species Act. The proposed critical habitat includes marine areas in the Bering, Chukchi, and Beaufort seas, and focuses on sea ice habitat essential for the species' survival, such as areas for whelping, nursing, molting, and breeding communication. Public comments on this proposal are being requested, and considerations include potential impacts on existing activities and economic factors. The ultimate goal is to protect the areas critical for the conservation of these seals.

This document from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) corrects technical and typographical mistakes in a previous rule published in November 2024. It involves Medicare and Medicaid Programs, particularly regarding payment systems, quality reporting programs, and various health policies. The corrections ensure accurate implementation of payment methodologies without changing any policy decisions made in the original rule, with the goal of making sure health providers receive correct payments promptly. As these are minor technical fixes, CMS has skipped the usual public notice and comment stages to enable quick implementation.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is seeking public comments on its information collection activities related to the U.S. Pacific Highly Migratory Hook and Line Logbook. These activities require U.S. fishermen who hold a permit to complete and submit logbooks documenting their fishing activities. The public has 60 days to provide input on this collection process, which aims to assess and minimize the reporting burden on respondents. The information gathered will support fisheries management and negotiations with foreign nations on highly migratory species.

The Department of Commerce, alongside the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), is seeking public comments on a proposed information collection activity. This involves a new registration form for workshops focused on the safe handling, release, and identification of protected species in the Hawaii and American Samoa longline fisheries. Participation in these workshops is essential for vessel operators to comply with regulations and maintain their fishing permits. The public has 60 days to comment on the necessity and impact of this information collection process before it is formally submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for approval.

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), part of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), is seeking public comments on a proposed new information collection initiative. This initiative involves gathering applicants' social media identifiers to enhance identity verification and national security screening as directed by Executive Order 14161. The public can submit comments on this proposal within the 60-day period ending on May 5, 2025, through the regulations.gov website. The initiative estimates a total of approximately 285,999 hours of public burden, yet no additional costs are anticipated for respondents beyond current requirements.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing changes to the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) for the Cyanide Chemicals Manufacturing source category. These changes stem from a review under the Clean Air Act to ensure the current standards are effective in protecting public health and addressing any emission risks. While the EPA found current emissions pose acceptable risks, they are proposing updated standards for process wastewater and emphasizing electronic reporting. The aim is to enhance monitoring, compliance, and data accuracy without expecting significant changes in emissions or economic impacts for the industry.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has proposed new regulations to implement conservation measures for tropical tuna fishing in the Eastern Pacific Ocean, following international agreements made by the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC) for the years 2025-2026. These rules include fishing restrictions for U.S. vessels involved in catching bigeye, yellowfin, and skipjack tuna, which are necessary to maintain sustainable fish populations and meet international obligations. Key measures involve closure days for purse seine vessels exceeding specific catch limits and restrictions on the use of fish aggregating devices. Public comments on the proposal are invited until January 6, 2025.

The U.S. Census Bureau, under the Department of Commerce, is seeking public comments on the extension of an existing survey called the Current Population Survey, School Enrollment Supplement. This survey collects data on school and college enrollment, as well as demographics of students, to help policymakers make informed decisions. They are inviting comments on the necessity and efficiency of this survey until February 24, 2025. People interested can email or submit them online, and all submissions will become part of the public record.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is planning to submit an information collection request to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) concerning the Clean Water Act Section 404 State-Assumed Programs. This request, aimed at extending a currently approved information collection, allows states and tribes to manage their own permit programs for certain water discharges. The EPA seeks public comments on the necessity and accuracy of this proposed information gathering, which involves significant hours of work for applicants and states. The total estimated cost for the programs is over $5 million, and the collected information will be available for public review.

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is proposing changes to its fee schedules for fiscal year 2025 to comply with the Nuclear Energy Innovation and Modernization Act, which mandates recovering nearly all of its annual budget through fees. The updates include amendments to licensing, inspection, and annual fees, and introducing a reduced hourly rate for advanced nuclear reactor applicants and pre-applicants. This reduced rate is set to encourage the development and application of versatile, advanced nuclear technologies, aligning with recent legislative acts. Public comments on these proposals are invited until March 21, 2025.