On October 4, 2010, the Office of Management and Budget approved a Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration proposed rule that addresses distracted commercial motor vehicle drivers.
Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa Jackson will travel to China from October 9-14, 2010. This is the administrator’s first official visit to China, where she will highlight and build on a wide range of joint efforts aimed at addressing current and emerging environmental challenges, from sustainability to greenhouse gas pollution.
The Department of Defense announces that the Civilian Agency Acquisition Council and the Defense Acquisition Regulations Council are proposing to amend the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to revise 48 CFR 25.702, Prohibition on contracting with entities that conduct restricted business operations in Sudan, to add specific criteria that an agency must address in a waiver request and a waiver consultation process regarding foreign policy aspects of the waiver request for consultations. Comments are due by December 6, 2010.
The State Department has designated Jemaah Islamiya (JI and other aliases) as a Foreign Terrorist Organization pursuant to Section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act, as amended.
The Maritime Administration (MARAD) has issued a warning to ship operators of anticipated increase in piracy attacks in the Gulf of Aden region from October through early December due to the end of monsoon season. More favorable weather conditions allow for small boat activity in the Gulf of Aden, Red Sea, Indian Ocean and waters off the Horn of Africa region. Recent attacks have occurred off the Kenyan and Tanzanian coasts, the Southern Red Sea, Seychelles, and Maldives.
The Department of Transportation is seeking comments on the following information collections for which they have requested or intend to request Office of Management and Budget approval or extension of approval (see notices for specific details):
The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) has issued a notice that revokes an ocean transportation intermediary (OTI) license, as follows:
The Government Accountability Office has sent a letter to Congressional requestors1 on firms reported in open sources to have sold Iran refined petroleum products between January 1, 2009 and June 30, 2010.
The Foreign Agricultural Service announces that the Secretary of Agriculture, in coordination with the U.S. Trade Representative, is considering modifying the existing structure of both the Agricultural Technical Advisory Committees for Trade in Tobacco, Cotton, Peanuts and Planting Seeds and in Grains, Feed and Oilseeds. The Secretary is also soliciting comments as to whether or not there are current interests not adequately represented in the Agricultural Trade Advisory Committee System. Comments are due by November 8, 2010.
On October 1, 2010, APHIS updated its PPQ Export Program Manual. This is an operational manual for Authorized Certification Officials to enable them to inspect and issue Federal Export Certificates for plants and plant products. The Manual also provides information that helps exporters meet the plant quarantine import requirements of foreign countries.