Search Results for keywords:"Defense Operations

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve updates to a rule that manages emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from graphic arts printing operations in the Yolo-Solano area of California. This update aims to ensure that the local rule is in line with the Clean Air Act and helps reduce pollution that contributes to smog and poor air quality. The EPA is inviting public comments on this proposal until March 29, 2021, and plans to incorporate this new rule into the federal plan when finalized. The proposed rule does not impose additional requirements but seeks to align state and federal standards.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has finalized a rule allowing non-geostationary satellite orbit (NGSO) fixed-satellite services (FSS) to operate in the 17.3-17.8 GHz band for space-to-Earth communications. This decision, part of their Report and Order, aims to promote efficient spectrum usage by sharing the band primarily with existing geostationary satellites and allowing coexistence with terrestrial services. The FCC has also established technical safeguards, such as specific power limits, to prevent interference with current operators and ensure reliable high-speed internet services, especially in underserved areas. The changes align the U.S. frequency allocations with international standards to facilitate improved satellite telecommunications for American consumers.

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) proposes a rule to update brake system safety standards for trains that use an electronic air brake slip (eABS) system. This new system would allow certain rail cars to travel longer distances between brake tests, specifically up to 2,500 miles rather than the current 1,500 miles, provided the cars meet specific criteria. The proposal includes maintaining extended records of the cars' brake tests and allowing the swapping of blocks of cars in trains without additional tests. This initiative aims to improve efficiency and reduce employee injury risks while still ensuring train safety.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) released a correction to a previous rule from November 21, 2024, concerning pilot certification and operations for powered-lift aircraft. The correction addresses duplicated tables and a wrong paragraph citation in the initial rule, aiming to clarify and correct those errors. These changes take effect on January 21, 2025, and are intended to ensure accurate regulatory text and citations.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is proposing to issue a permit that would allow for the unintentional capturing or harming of certain endangered marine mammals during commercial fishing activities, specifically in the California thresher shark/swordfish drift gillnet fishery. This permit is valid for three years and would authorize incidental takes of humpback and sperm whales, ensuring they meet criteria related to negligible impact and recovery plans. NMFS is seeking public comments on the proposed permit, and detailed information is available for review online.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has accepted Wingtra AG's proposal as one valid method for ensuring small unmanned aircraft (sUA) in Category 3 can safely operate over people without causing harm or safety issues. This decision is part of the requirements under Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations, which outlines necessary safety standards for these aircraft. However, Wingtra's proposal is not the only way to meet FAA standards; other methods can be submitted for approval. Any changes to Wingtra AG's accepted proposal must also be reviewed and accepted by the FAA.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has issued a permit to allow certain commercial fisheries to incidentally capture endangered marine mammals, specifically targeting humpback whale stocks, under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). This permit, effective for three years, applies to the sablefish pot fishery in Washington, Oregon, and California. The permit includes the requirement that these fisheries have a monitoring program and adhere to a take reduction plan, all of which are in place or being developed to ensure that incidental harm to the whales has minimal impact on their populations. Concerns from environmental groups about the effect of the permit and the lack of certain safeguards have been considered, but the NMFS has determined that the fisheries' operations, as regulated, meet the necessary conditions to minimize harm.

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) has issued a final rule that updates the maximum daily civil penalties for violations related to the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA) and the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA). These updates adjust for inflation, applying a 2025 multiplier set at 1.02598, which reflects inflation from October 2023 through October 2024. The adjusted penalties now stand at $55,764 for OCSLA and $59,114 for OPA violations. These changes, effective January 13, 2025, ensure BOEM penalties maintain their deterrent effect and comply with the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act. The adjustments are automatic and exempt from the usual rulemaking procedures like public commentary.

The Department of Labor (DOL) is asking for public comments on a proposed information collection concerning blasting operations and the use of explosives. This notice is part of a process where the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) seeks approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under the Paperwork Reduction Act. The DOL emphasizes that this collection is important for employee safety, ensuring accountability for explosives, and maintaining compliance with federal regulations. They want feedback on whether the information collection is necessary, the accuracy of their burden estimates, and suggestions to minimize the impact on businesses.

In 2020, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Bureau of Reclamation, and Bonneville Power Administration completed an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the operations of fourteen dams in the Columbia River System. Now, due to new circumstances, these agencies plan to update and supplement this EIS. This includes examining the environmental effects of proposed changes and new information affecting the dams' operations. The aim is to ensure the dams are managed in a way that considers regional energy, tribal needs, and environmental impacts, with public input being sought through virtual meetings and comments.