Federal Register Highlights – 8/3/16

Unpublished, time-sensitive and proposed rules for August 3, 2016:

TEMPORARY RULE: NMFS implements an accountability measure (AM) for the commercial sector for the lesser amberjack, almaco jack, and banded rudderfish complex (other jacks complex) in the South Atlantic for the 2016 fishing year through this temporary rule. NMFS projects that commercial landings of the other jacks complex will reach their combined commercial annual catch limit (ACL) by August 9, 2016. Therefore, NMFS closes the commercial sector for this complex on August 9, 2016, through the remainder of the fishing year in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the South Atlantic. This closure is necessary to protect the lesser amberjack, almaco jack, and banded rudderfish resources. This rule is effective 12:01 a.m., local time, August 9, 2016, until 12:01 a.m., local time, January 1, 2017.

PROPOSED RULE: NMFS is proposing modifications to the commercial retention limits for blacknose sharks and non-blacknose small coastal sharks (SCS) in the Atlantic region. The action would reduce discards of non-blacknose SCS while increasing the utilization of available Atlantic non-blacknose SCS quota and rebuilding and ending overfishing of Atlantic blacknose sharks. The Agency is proposing a measure that would establish a commercial retention limit of eight blacknose sharks for all Atlantic shark limited access permit holders in the Atlantic region south of 34°00′ N. latitude. In addition, NMFS is proposing to make two small, unrelated administrative changes to existing regulatory text to remove cross- references to an unrelated section and a section that does not exist. These two changes are administrative in nature, and no impacts to the environment or current fishing operations are expected. The proposed action could affect fishermen in the south Atlantic management area who hold commercial shark limited access permits. Written comments must be received by September 20, 2016. (To submit comments, visit www.regulations.gov, reference Docket No, NOAA–NMFS–2016–0095.)

PROPOSED RULE: In this decision, the Board grants in part a petition for rulemaking filed by the National Industrial Transportation League seeking revised reciprocal switching regulations. The Board proposes new regulations governing reciprocal switching in Docket No. EP 711 (Sub-No. 1), which would allow a party to seek a reciprocal switching prescription that is either practicable and in the public interest or necessary to provide competitive rail service. Comments are due by September 26, 2016. Replies are due by October 25, 2016. (To submit comments, visit www.regulations.gov, reference Docket No. EP 711 (Sub-No. 1).)

PROPOSED RULE: The Surface Transportation Board (Board) proposes regulations to implement passenger rail-related dispute resolution provisions of the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act of 2015. Comments on this proposal are due by August 31, 2016; reply comments are due by September 30, 2016. (To submit comments, visit www.regulations.gov, reference Docket No. EP 734.)