American Geosciences Institute

Federal Register Summary: August 2018

Bureau of Land Management

Notice of Availability of the Draft Bears Ears National Monument Indian Creek and Shash Jáa Units Monument Management Plans and Associated Environmental Impact Statement, Utah

August 17, 2018—BLM has published resource management plans and associated environmental impact statements for Bears Ears National Monument Indian Creek and Shash Jáa Units Monument. The plans present four alternative management plants of varying levels of conservation and use restrictions. All documents are available for public comment until November 15th or 15 days after the last public meeting, whichever is later. Comments can be submitted via email to blm_ut_monticello_monuments@blm.gov with the name and address of the commenter included. [83 FR 41111]

Notice of Availability of the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument-Grand Staircase, Kaiparowits, and Escalante Canyon Units and Federal Lands Previously Included in the Monument That Are Excluded from the Boundaries Draft Resource Management Plans and Associated Environmental Impact Statement

August 17, 2018—BLM has published resource management plans and associated environmental impact statements for the Grand Staircase, Kaiparowits, and Escalante Canyons Units and the Federal lands recently excluded from the Monument by Proclamation 9682. The documents are open to public comment until November 15. [83 FR 41108]

Notice of Error in Draft Resource Management Plans and Associated Environmental Impact Statement for the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument-Grand Staircase, Kaiparowits, and Escalante Canyon Units and Federal Lands Previously Included in the Monument That Are Excluded From the Boundaries; Extension of Public Comment Period, Utah

August 31,2018—The BLM is modifying the Draft Resource Management Plans and Environmental Impact Statements so that it does not include any Federal lands identified as available for potential disposal under the Federal Land Policy and Management Act. BLM is extending the public comment period until November 30. [83 FR 44659]

Department of Energy (DOE)

National Coal Council

August 13, 2018—The National Coal Council, which provides advice to the Secretary of Energy on policy relating to the coal industry, will hold a meeting September 13. This meeting will include discussing and voting on two reports that will be sent to the Secretary titled “Advancing U.S. Coal Exports: An Assessment of Opportunities to Enhance Exports of U.S. Coal” and “Power Reset: Optimizing the Existing U.S. Coal Fleet to Ensure a Reliable and Resilient Power Grid.” The meeting is open to the public and oral statements are allowed at the meeting with advanced notice. [83 FR 40025]

Environmental Management Advisory Board Meeting

August 21, 2018—The Environmental Management Advisory Board will hold a meeting that will be open to public on Tuesday, September 11. The advisory board provides recommendations to the Assistant Secretary for Environmental Management (EM). The tentative agenda for this meeting includes a public comment period, EM program updates, and discussions on regulatory reform recommendations. [83 FR 42277]

Department of the Interior (DOI)

Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Public Advisory Committee

August 28, 2018—DOI will hold a public meeting of the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill (EVOS) Trustee Council's Public Advisory Committee. Both oral and written public comments will be reviewed during the meeting, which will take place September 26. A final agenda will be posted on the Council website. [83 FR 43897]

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Significant New Use Rules on Certain Chemical Substances

August 1, 2018—The EPA is seeking public comment for its proposed significant new use rules under the Toxic Substances Control Act for 145 chemical substances. The rules would require anyone who intends to manufacture any of these chemicals to notify the EPA 90 days prior. The comment period on the rule closes on August 31. [83 FR 37455]

Notice of Charter Renewal

August 23, 2018—The EPA has renewed the charter of the National Environmental Justice Advisory Council (NEJAC) after determining that the Council is in the public interest in connection with the EPA’s legal duties as an agency. [83 FR 42648]

Release of Risk and Exposure Assessment Plan for the Secondary National Ambient Air Quality Standard for Oxides of Nitrogen, Oxides of Sulfur and Particulate Matter

August 22, 2018—The EPA has published for public review a document titled “Review of the Secondary National Ambient Air Quality Standards for Oxides of Nitrogen, Oxides of Sulfur and Particulate Matter: Risk and Exposure Assessment Planning Document.” The comments on the document should be received by October 22, 2018. [83 FR 42497]

The Safer Affordable Fuel-Efficient (SAFE) Vehicles Rule for Model Years 2021-2026 Passenger Cars and Light Trucks

August 24, 2018—The EPA and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) have issued a notice of proposed rulemaking called “Safer Affordable Fuel-Efficient (SAFE) Vehicles Rule for Model Years 2021-2026 Passenger Cars and Light Trucks.” This rule would amend Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) and tailpipe carbon dioxide emissions standards for passenger cars and light trucks and establish new standards for model years 2021 through 2026.  Currently, the agencies’ preferred rule is to maintain the model year 2020 standards until 2026, but a range of alternatives are presented for public comment. The comment period is open through October 23. [83 FR 42986]

The Safer Affordable Fuel-Efficient (SAFE) Vehicles Rule for Model Years 2021-2026 Passenger Cars and Light Trucks

August 24, 2018—The EPA and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) have announced joint public hearings on the proposed Safer Affordable Fuel-Efficient (SAFE) Vehicle Rule and its accompanying NHSTA Draft Environmental Impact Statement. The meetings will be held in Fresno, California, on September 24, Dearborn, Michigan, on September 25, and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on September 26. To submit an oral testimony, attendees must contact with the personnel directed in the Federal Register notice at least ten days in advance. [83 FR 42817]

Forest Service (USFS)

Revision of the Land Management Plan for El Yunque National Forest

August 24, 2018—USFS has issued a notice of the opportunity to object to the Final Revised Land Management Plan for El Yunque National Forest prior to its approval. The comment period will last for 60 days after it is officially published in El Nuevo Dia, the newspaper of record for El Yunque National Forest. [83 FR 42862]

National Aeronautics and Space Agency (NASA)

NASA Advisory Council; Meeting

August 14, 2018—The NASA advisory council will hold a meeting on August 29 and August 30. This meeting is open to the public. [83 FR 40340]

NASA Advisory Council; Science Committee; Meeting

August 8, 2018—NASA will hold a meeting of the Science Committee of the NASA Advisory Council (NAC) on August 27 and August 28. The meeting will be held for the purpose of soliciting scientific and technical information relevant to program planning from the scientific community and others. [83 FR 39132]

Planetary Science Advisory Committee; Meeting

August 29,2018—NASA will hold a meeting of the Planetary Science Advisory Committee (PAC) on September 26, 2018. The purpose of this meeting is to discuss Planetary Science Division updates solicit scientific and technical information relevant to program planning from the planetary science community and other individuals. [83 FR 44067]

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

Expressions of Interest in Conducting Collaborative Research and Development on Innovative Approaches for Exploiting Environmental Data

August 9, 2018—NOAA is seeking private firms that are interested in entering into a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) to conduct collaborative research and development on processing, exploiting and disseminating space-based Earth and space weather observations from NOAA satellites. Comments must be received by September 24 and questions regarding this Request for Information must be received by August 24. [83 FR 39428]

Notice of Availability of a Programmatic Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National Data Buoy Center

August 9, 2018—NOAA recently published a Programmatic Environmental Assessment of its National Data Buoy Center, which deploys data-collecting buoys throughout the world’s ocean. NOAA found no significant environmental impact resulting from this program. This Finding and PEA will be available for 30 days after their publishing. [83 FR 39429]

Science Advisory Board; Solicitation for Members of the NOAA Science Advisory Board

August 29, 2018—NOAA is soliciting nominations for members of the Science Advisory Board by October 15. The agency is particularly is looking for members with expertise in cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and data management; weather modeling and data assimilation; remote/autonomous sensing technology; ocean exploration science and technology; and `omics science. Individuals with expertise in other NOAA mission areas are also welcome to apply. [83 FR 44028]

National Parks Service (NPS)

Special Regulations, Areas of the National Park System, National Capital Region, Special Events and Demonstrations

August 15, 2018—NPS is proposing revisions to regulations pertaining to the permitting process for demonstrations and special events at certain national park units. The rule identifies locations where activities are allowed, not allowed, or subject to restrictions. Public comments will be accepted until October 15. [83 FR 40460]

Notice of Establishment and Call for Nominations for the Bears Ears National Monument Advisory Committee

August 30, 2018—BLM is establishing a Bears Ears National Monument Advisory Committee and is requesting nominations for members. Nominations must be received by October 1. [83 FR 44302] 

National Science Foundation (NSF)

STEM Education Advisory Panel; Notice of Meeting

August 16, 2018—The NSF issued a notice that the Stem Education Advisory Panel will meet September 12 to provide advice and recommendations to the Committee of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Education (CoSTEM) and identify priority areas for the following year. The meeting is partially open to the public. [83 FR 40792]

United States Geological Survey (USGS)

Notice of Renewal of the Advisory Committee on Water Information

August 13, 2018—The USGS issued a notice stating that the charter of the Advisory Committee on Water Information has been renewed. The committee functions as an advisory body and represents the interests of water information users. [83 FR 40081]

Public Meeting of the National Geospatial Advisory Committee

August 22—The USGS will hold a public meeting of the National Geospatial Advisory Committee on September 5 and 6. [83 FR 42525]