[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 104 (Thursday, June 1, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 25374-25378]
[FR Doc No: 2017-11372]

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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-80796; File No. SR-BatsBZX-2017-37]

Self-Regulatory Organizations; Bats BZX Exchange, Inc.; Notice of
Filing of Proposed Rule Change To Eliminate Requirements That Will Be
Duplicative of CAT

May 26, 2017.
    Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(the ``Act'') \1\ and Rule 19b-4 thereunder,\2\ notice is hereby given
that on May 15, 2017, Bats BZX Exchange, Inc. (the ``Exchange'' or
``BZX'') filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
(``Commission'') the proposed rule change as described in Items I, II,
and III below, which Items have been prepared by the Exchange. The
Commission is publishing this notice to solicit comments on the
proposed rule change from interested persons.
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    \1\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
    \2\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4.
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I. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of Substance
of the Proposed Rule Change

    The Exchange filed a proposal to modify requirements for the
collection of information that is duplicative of information intended
to be collected for the consolidated audit trail (``CAT'') adopted
pursuant to the National Market System Plan Governing the Consolidated
Audit Trail (the ``CAT NMS Plan'' or ``Plan'').\3\ The Exchange will
announce the implementation date of the proposed rule change and
effective date of the retirement of any related systems by Regulatory
Circular that will be published once the options exchanges determine
the thresholds for accuracy and reliability described below have been
met and that the Plan Processor for CAT is sufficiently meeting all of
its obligations under the CAT NMS Plan.
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    \3\ Unless otherwise specified, capitalized terms used in this
rule filing are defined as set forth herein, or in the CAT
Compliance Rule Series or in the CAT NMS Plan.
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    The text of the proposed rule change is available at the Exchange's
Web site at www.bats.com, at the principal office of the Exchange, and
at the Commission's Public Reference Room.

II. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Purpose of, and
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change

    In its filing with the Commission, the Exchange included statements
concerning the purpose of and basis for the proposed rule change and
discussed any comments it received on the proposed rule change. The
text of these statements may be examined at the places specified in
Item IV below. The Exchange has prepared summaries, set forth in
Sections A, B, and C below, of the most significant parts of such
statements.

(A) Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Purpose of, and
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change

1. Purpose
    Bats BYX Exchange, Inc., Bats BZX Exchange, Inc., Bats EDGA
Exchange, Inc., Bats EDGX Exchange, Inc., BOX Options Exchange LLC, C2
Options Exchange, Incorporated, Chicago Board Options Exchange,
Incorporated, Chicago Stock Exchange, Inc., Financial Industry
Regulatory Authority, Inc. (``FINRA''), Investors' Exchange LLC, Miami
International Securities Exchange, LLC, MIAX PEARL, LLC, NASDAQ BX,
Inc., Nasdaq GEMX, LLC, Nasdaq ISE, LLC, Nasdaq MRX, LLC,\4\ NASDAQ
PHLX LLC, The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC, New York Stock Exchange LLC,
NYSE MKT LLC, NYSE Arca, Inc. and NYSE National, Inc.\5\ (collectively,
the ``Participants'') filed with the Commission, pursuant to Section
11A of the Exchange Act \6\ and Rule 608 of Regulation NMS
thereunder,\7\ the CAT NMS Plan.\8\ The Participants filed the Plan to
comply with Rule 613 of Regulation NMS under the Exchange Act. The Plan
was published for comment in the Federal Register on May 17, 2016,\9\
and approved by the Commission, as modified, on November 15, 2016.\10\
The Plan is designed to create, implement and maintain a CAT that would
capture customer and order event information for orders in NMS
Securities and OTC Equity Securities, across all markets, from the time
of order inception through routing, cancellation, modification, or
execution in a single consolidated data source. Pursuant to Appendix C
of the CAT NMS Plan, each Participant is required to conduct analyses
of which of its existing trade and order data rules and systems require
the collection of information that is duplicative of information
collected for the CAT.\11\ In addition, among other things, Section C.9
of Appendix C to the Plan, as modified by the Commission, requires each
Participant to ``file with the SEC the relevant rule change filing to
eliminate or modify its duplicative rules within six (6) months of the
SEC's approval of the CAT NMS Plan.'' \12\ The Plan notes that ``the
elimination of such rules and the retirement of such systems [will] be
effective at such time as CAT Data meets minimum standards of accuracy
and reliability.'' \13\
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    \4\ ISE Gemini, LLC, ISE Mercury, LLC and International
Securities Exchange, LLC have been renamed Nasdaq GEMX, LLC, Nasdaq
MRX, LLC, and Nasdaq ISE, LLC, respectively. See Securities Exchange
Act Rel. No. 80248 (Mar. 15, 2017), 82 FR 14547 (Mar. 21, 2017);
Securities Exchange Act Rel. No. 80326 (Mar. 29, 2017), 82 FR 16460
(Apr. 4, 2017); and Securities Exchange Act Rel. No. 80325 (Mar. 29,
2017), 82 FR 16445 (Apr. 4, 2017).
    \5\ National Stock Exchange, Inc. has been renamed NYSE
National, Inc. See Securities Exchange Act Rel. No. 79902 (Jan. 30,
2017), 82 FR 9258 (Feb. 3, 2017).
    \6\ 15 U.S.C. 78k-1.
    \7\ 17 CFR 242.608.
    \8\ See Letter from the Participants to Brent J. Fields,
Secretary, Commission, dated September 30, 2014; and Letter from
Participants to Brent J. Fields, Secretary, Commission, dated
February 27, 2015. On December 24, 2015, the Participants submitted
an amendment to the CAT NMS Plan. See Letter from Participants to
Brent J. Fields, Secretary, Commission, dated December 23, 2015.
    \9\ Securities Exchange Act Rel. No. 77724 (Apr. 27, 2016), 81
FR 30614 (May 17, 2016).
    \10\ Securities Exchange Act Rel. No. 79318 (Nov. 15, 2016), 81
FR 84696 (Nov. 23, 2016) (``Approval Order'').
    \11\ Appendix C of CAT NMS Plan, Approval Order at 85010.
    \12\ Id.
    \13\ Id.
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    After conducting its analysis of its rules in accordance with the
CAT NMS Plan, the Exchange determined Rules 22.7 and 24.4 require the
reporting of information intended to be collected by the CAT.
Therefore, the Exchange believes those provisions will no longer be
necessary once the CAT is operational and proposes to modify those
Rules as described below. Additionally, the Exchange describes below
additional reporting requirements that it may reduce for which no rule
changes are necessary. These changes will be implemented in accordance
with the timeline described below.

    Initially, the Exchange notes that options exchanges, including the
Exchange, utilize consolidated options audit trail system (``COATS'')
to collect and review data regarding options orders, quotes and
transactions. The Participants have provided COATS technical
specifications to the Plan Processor for the CAT for use in developing
the Technical Specifications for the CAT, and the Participants are
working with the Plan Processor to include the necessary COATS data
elements in the CAT Technical Specifications. Accordingly, although the
Technical Specifications for the CAT have not yet been finalized, the
Exchange and the other options exchanges propose to eliminate COATS in
accordance with the proposed timeline discussed below. The Exchange
notes that it does not have any specific rules or requirements related
to COATS but refers to its retirement below in an effort to provide
transparency.
(1) Market Maker Equity Order Reports
    Rule 22.7(b) requires Market Makers, upon request and in the
prescribed form, report to the Exchange every order entered by the
Market Maker for the purchase or sale of (1) a security underlying
options traded on the Exchange, or (2) a security convertible into or
exchangeable for such underlying security, as well as opening and
closing positions in all such securities held in each account reported
pursuant to Rule 22.7(a). The report pertaining to orders must include
the terms of each order, identification of the brokerage firms through
which the orders were entered, the times of entry or cancellation, the
times report of execution were received and, if all or part of the
order was executed, the quantity and execution price. CAT will require
Market Makers to report order information for such securities.
Therefore, this rule provision as it relates to order reports is
duplicative of CAT requirements, and the Exchange proposes to delete
it. CAT does not require reporting of positions, so the Exchange will
maintain the position reporting requirement in Rule 22.7(b). The
Exchange also proposes a conforming change to the rule name and
Interpretation and Policy .01.
(2) EBS
    Rule 24.4 is the Exchange's rule regarding the automated submission
of specific trading data to the Exchange upon request using the
Electronic Blue Sheet (``EBS'') system. Rule 24.4 requires an Options
Member \14\ to submit requested trade data elements in such automated
format as may be prescribed by the Exchange from time to time, in
regard to a transaction(s) that is the subject of the particular
request for information. The Rule sets forth in paragraphs (b) and (c)
the data elements required if the transaction was a proprietary
transaction or if it was effected for a customer account, respectively.
Paragraph (d) provides an Options Member must submit such other
information as may from time to time be required. Paragraph (e) permits
the Exchange to grant exceptions from these requirements in such cases
and for such time periods as it deems appropriate.
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    \14\ An Options Member is a Member of the Exchange that is
registered to participate in options trading on BZX Options. See
Rule 16.1(a)(38). A Member is a registered broker or dealer that has
been admitted to membership in the Exchange. See Rule 1.5(n).
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    The Exchange proposes to amend Rule 24.4 to state it will request
information under the Rule only if the information is not available in
the CAT because, for example, the transaction(s) in question occurred
before the firm was reporting information to the CAT or involved
securities that are not reportable to the CAT. In essence, under the
proposed rule change, the Exchange will make requests under Rule 24.4
if and only if the information is not otherwise available through the
CAT.
    Once broker-dealer reporting to the CAT has begun, the CAT will
contain the data the Participants would otherwise have requested via
the EBS system for purposes of NMS Securities and OTC Equity
Securities. Consequently, the Exchange will not need to use the EBS
system or request information pursuant to Rule 24.4 for NMS Securities
or OTC Equity Securities for time periods after CAT reporting has begun
if the appropriate accuracy and reliability thresholds are achieved,
including an acceptable accuracy rate for customer and account
information. However, Rule 24.4 cannot be completely eliminated
immediately upon the CAT achieving the appropriate thresholds because
Exchange staff may still need to request information pursuant to Rule
24.4 for trading activity occurring before a member was reporting to
the CAT.\15\ In addition, Rule 24.4 applies to information regarding
transactions involving securities that will not be reportable to the
CAT, such as fixed-income securities; thus, the rule must remain in
effect with respect to those transactions indefinitely or until those
transactions are captured in the CAT.
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    \15\ Firms are required to maintain the trade information for
pre-CAT transactions in equities and options pursuant to applicable
rules, such as books and records retention requirements, for the
relevant time period, which is generally three or six years
depending upon the record. See 17 CFR 240.17a-3(a), 240.17a-4.
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(3) Other Reports
    Various other Exchange Rules require Members to report information
to the Exchange upon request.\16\ While the Exchange believes it is
necessary to retain these Rules to ensure it has access to the
necessary data to perform its regulatory duties and meet its
surveillance obligations, it expects it will need to make fewer
information requests pursuant to these Rule once Members begin
reporting to the CAT and accuracy and reliability standards are met.
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    \16\ See, e.g., Rule 4.2 (Furnishing of Records).
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(4) Timeline for Elimination of Duplicative Rules
    The CAT NMS Plan states that the elimination of rules that are
duplicative of the requirements of the CAT and the retirement of the
related systems should be effective at such time as CAT Data meets
minimum standards of accuracy and reliability.\17\ As discussed in more
detail below, the Exchange believes the Rule provisions and related
systems described above may be retired at a date after all Industry
Members are reporting to the CAT when the proposed error rate
thresholds have been met, and the Exchange has determined that its
usage of the CAT Data has not revealed material issues that have not
been corrected, confirmed that the CAT includes all data necessary to
allow the Exchange to continue to meet its surveillance obligations,
and confirmed that the Plan Processor is sufficiently meeting all of
its obligations under the CAT NMS Plan.
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    \17\ Id. [sic]
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    The Exchange believes the proposed rule changes should not be
effective until all Participants and Industry Members that report data
pursuant to the Rules described above are reporting comparable data to
the CAT. In this way, the Exchange will continue to have access to the
necessary data to perform its regulatory duties.
    The CAT NMS Plan requires that a rule filing to eliminate a
duplicative rule address whether ``the availability of certain data
from Small Industry Members two years after the Effective Date would
facilitate a more expeditious retirement of duplicative systems.'' \18\
The Exchange believes COATS should not be retired until all
Participants and

Industry Members that report data to COATS are reporting comparable
data to the CAT. While the early submission of options data to the CAT
by Small Industry Members could expedite the retirement of COATS, the
Exchange believes that it premature [sic] to consider such a change and
that additional analysis would be necessary to determine whether such
early reporting by Small Industry Members would be feasible.
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    \18\ Id.
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    The CAT NMS Plan requires that this rule filing address ``whether
individual Industry Members can be exempted from reporting to
duplicative systems once their CAT reporting meets specified accuracy
and reliability standards, including, but not limited to, ways in which
establishing cross-system regulatory functionality or integrating data
from existing systems and the CAT would facilitate such Individual
Industry Member exemptions.'' \19\ The Exchange believes that a single
cut-over from the reporting requirements described above to CAT is
highly preferable to a firm-by-firm approach and is not proposing to
exempt members from such reporting requirements on a firm-by-firm
basis. The Exchange believes that providing such individual exemptions
to Industry Members would be inefficient, more costly, and less
reliable than the single cut-over. Providing individual exemptions
would require the options exchanges to create, for a brief temporary
period, a cross-system regulatory function and to integrate data from
reports received pursuant to the above requirements and the CAT to
avoid creating any regulatory gaps as a result of such exemptions. Such
a function would be costly to create and would give rise to a greater
likelihood of data errors or other issues. Given the limited time in
which such exemptions would be necessary, the Exchange does not believe
that such exemptions would be an appropriate use of limited resources.
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    \19\ Id.
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    The CAT NMS Plan also requires that a rule filing to eliminate a
duplicative rule to provide ``specific accuracy and reliability
standards that will determine when duplicative systems will be retired,
including, but not limited to, whether the attainment of a certain
Error Rate should determine when a system duplicative of the CAT can be
retired.'' \20\ The Exchange believes that it is critical that the CAT
Data be sufficiently accurate and reliable for the Exchange to perform
the regulatory functions that it now performs using the information it
receives pursuant to the reporting requirements described above.
Accordingly, the Exchange believes that the CAT Data should meet
specific quantitative error rates, as well as certain qualitative
requirements.
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    \20\ Id.
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    The Exchange believes (and the other options exchanges with respect
to COATS and EBS) believe that, before reporting requirements may be
modified or eliminated, as applicable, and related systems may be
retired, the CAT would need to achieve a sustained error rate for a
period of at least 180 days of 5% or lower measured on a pre-correction
or as-submitted basis, and 2% or lower on a post-correction basis
(measured at T+5).\21\ The Exchange proposes to measure the 5% pre-
correction and 2% post-correction thresholds by averaging the error
rate across the period, not require a 5% pre-correction and 2% post-
correction maximum each day for 180 consecutive days. The Exchange
believes that measuring each of the thresholds over the course of 180
days will ensure that the CAT consistently meets minimum accuracy and
reliability thresholds while also ensuring that single-day measurements
do not unduly affect the overall measurements. The Exchange proposes to
measure the appropriate error rates in the aggregate, rather than firm-
by-firm. In addition, with respect to COATS, the Exchange proposes to
measure the error rates for options only, not equity securities, as
only options are subject to COATS. The 2% and 5% error rates are in
line with the proposed retirement threshold for FINRA's Order Audit
Trail System (``OATS'').
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    \21\ The Plan requires that the Plan Processor must ensure that
regulators have access to corrected and linked order and Customer
data by 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time on T+5. See CAT NMS Plan, at C-15.
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    In addition to these minimum error rates before reporting
requirements may be modified or eliminated, as applicable, and related
systems may be retired, the Exchange believes that during the minimum
180-day period during which the thresholds are calculated, the
Exchange's use of the data in the CAT must confirm that (i) usage over
that time period has not revealed material issues that have not been
corrected, (ii) the CAT includes all data necessary to allow the
Exchange to continue to meet its surveillance obligations, and (iii)
the Plan Processor is sufficiently meeting all of its obligations under
the CAT NMS Plan. The Exchange believes this time period to use the CAT
Data is necessary to reveal any errors that may manifest themselves
only after surveillance patterns and other queries have been run and to
confirm that the Plan Processor is meeting its obligations and
performing its functions adequately.
    If the Commission approves the proposed rule change, the Exchange
will announce the date for modification or elimination, as applicable,
of reporting requirements and retirement of related systems and the
implementation date of the proposed rule change via Regulatory Circular
that will be published once the Exchange (and other options exchanges
with respect to COATS and EBS) determines that the thresholds for
accuracy and reliability described above have been met and that the
Plan Processor is sufficiently meeting all of its obligations under the
CAT NMS Plan.
2. Statutory Basis
    The Exchange believes that the proposed rule change is consistent
with the provisions of Section 6(b)(5) of the Exchange Act,\22\ which
requires, among other things, that Exchange Rules must be designed to
prevent fraudulent and manipulative acts and practices, to promote just
and equitable principles of trade, and, in general, to protect
investors and the public interest, and not designed to permit unfair
discrimination between customers, issuers, brokers and dealer. The
Exchange believes that this proposal is consistent with the Exchange
Act because it fulfills the obligation in the CAT NMS Plan for the
Exchange to submit a proposed rule change to eliminate or modify
duplicative rules. In approving the Plan, the SEC noted that the Plan
``is necessary and appropriate in the public interest, for the
protection of investors and the maintenance of fair and orderly
markets, to remove impediments to, and perfect the mechanism of a
national market system, or is otherwise in furtherance of the purposes
of the Act.'' \23\ As this proposal implements the Plan, the Exchange
believes that this proposal furthers the objectives of the Plan, as
identified by the SEC, and is therefore consistent with the Exchange
Act.
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    \22\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
    \23\ Approval Order at 84697.
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    Moreover, the purpose of the proposed rule change is to amend rules
that require the submission of duplicative data to the Exchange. The
elimination of such duplicative requirements will reduce unnecessary
costs and other compliance burdens for the Exchange and its Members,
and therefore, will enhance the efficiency of the securities markets.
Furthermore, the Exchange believes that the approach set forth in the
proposed rule change strikes

the appropriate balance between ensuring that the Exchange is able to
continue to fulfill its statutory obligation to protect investors and
the public interest by ensuring its surveillance of market activity
remains accurate and effective while also establishing a reasonable
timeframe for elimination or modification of its rules that will be
rendered duplicative after implementation of the CAT.

(B) Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Burden on Competition

    Section 6(b)(8) of the Exchange Act \24\ requires that Exchange
Rules not impose any burden on competition that is not necessary or
appropriate. The Exchange does not believe that the proposed rule
change will result in any burden on competition that is not necessary
or appropriate in furtherance of the purposes of the Exchange Act. The
Exchange notes that the proposed rule change implements the
requirements of the CAT NMS Plan approved by the Commission regarding
the elimination of rules and systems that are duplicative the CAT, and
is designed to assist the Exchange in meeting its regulatory
obligations pursuant to the Plan. Similarly, all exchanges and FINRA
are proposing the elimination of reporting requirements related to
COATS and EBS, as well as other duplicative rules, to implement the
requirements of the CAT NMS Plan. Therefore, this is not a competitive
rule filing and, therefore, it does not raise competition issues
between and among the self-regulatory organizations and/or their
members.
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    \24\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(8).
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(C) Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Comments on the
Proposed Rule Change Received From Members, Participants, or Others

    Although written comments on the proposed rule change were not
solicited, the Exchange received comments from two commenters, the
Financial Information Forum (``FIF'') and the Securities Industry and
Financial Markets Association (``SIFMA''), regarding the retirement of
systems related to the CAT.\25\ In its comment letters, with regard to
the retirement of duplicative systems more generally, FIF recommended
that the Participants continue the effort to incorporate current
reporting obligations into the CAT in order to replace existing
reportable systems with the CAT. In addition, FIF further recommended
that, once a CAT Reporter achieved satisfactory reporting data quality,
the CAT Reporter should be exempt from reporting to any duplicative
reporting systems. FIF believed that these recommendations ``would
serve both an underlying regulatory objective of more immediate and
accurate access to data as well as an industry objective of reduced
costs and burdens of regulatory oversight.'' \26\ In its comments about
EBS specifically, FIF stated that the retirement of the EBS
requirements should be a high priority, and that the CAT should be
designed to include the requisite data elements to permit the rapid
retirement of EBS.\27\ Similarly, SIFMA stated that ``the establishment
of the CAT must be accompanied by the prompt elimination of duplicative
systems,'' and ``recommend[ed] that the initial technical
specifications be designed to facilitate the immediate retirement of .
. . duplicative reporting systems.'' \28\
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    \25\ Letter from William H. Hebert, FIF, to Participants re:
Milestone for Participants' rule change filings to eliminate/modify
duplicative rules (Apr. 12, 2017) (``FIF Letter''); Letter from
William H. Hebert, FIF, to Brent J. Fields, SEC re: Milestone for
Participants' rule change filings to eliminate/modify duplicative
rules (Apr. 12, 2017); and Letter from Kenneth E. Bentsen, Jr.,
SIFMA, to Participants re: Selection of Thesys as CAT Processor
(Apr. 4, 2017) (``SIFMA Letter'') at 2.
    \26\ FIF Letter at 2.
    \27\ FIF Letter at 2.
    \28\ SIFMA Letter at 2.
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    As discussed above, the Exchange agrees with the commenters that
the reporting requirements proposed to be modified or eliminated should
be replaced by the CAT reporting requirements as soon as accurate and
reliable CAT Data is available. To this end, the Exchange anticipates
that the CAT will be designed to collect the data necessary to permit
the modification or elimination, as applicable, of these reporting
requirements and the retirement of related systems. However, as
discussed above, the Exchange disagrees with the recommendation to
provide individual exemptions to those CAT Reporters who obtain
satisfactory data reporting quality.

III. Date of Effectiveness of the Proposed Rule Change and Timing for
Commission Action

    Within 45 days of the date of publication of this notice in the
Federal Register or within such longer period (i) as the Commission may
designate up to 90 days of such date if it finds such longer period to
be appropriate and publishes its reasons for so finding or (ii) as to
which the Exchange consents, the Commission will: (a) By order approve
or disapprove such proposed rule change, or (b) institute proceedings
to determine whether the proposed rule change should be disapproved.

IV. Solicitation of Comments

    Interested persons are invited to submit written data, views, and
arguments concerning the foregoing, including whether the proposal is
consistent with the Act. Comments may be submitted by any of the
following methods:

Electronic Comments

     Use the Commission's Internet comment form (http://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml); or
     Send an email to<EMAIL_ADDRESS>Please include
File Number SR-BatsBZX-2017-37 on the subject line.

Paper Comments

     Send paper comments in triplicate to Secretary, Securities
and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street NE., Washington, DC 20549-1090.

All submissions should refer to File Number SR-BatsBZX-2017-37. This
file number should be included on the subject line if email is used. To
help the Commission process and review your comments more efficiently,
please use only one method. The Commission will post all comments on
the Commission's Internet Web site (http://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml). Copies of the submission, all subsequent amendments, all
written statements with respect to the proposed rule change that are
filed with the Commission, and all written communications relating to
the proposed rule change between the Commission and any person, other
than those that may be withheld from the public in accordance with the
provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be available for Web site viewing and
printing in the Commission's Public Reference Room, 100 F Street NE.,
Washington, DC 20549, on official business days between the hours of
10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Copies of such filing will also be available
for inspection and copying at the principal office of the Exchange. All
comments received will be posted without change; the Commission does
not edit personal identifying information from submissions. You should
submit only information that you wish to make available publicly. All
submissions should refer to File Number SR-BatsBZX-2017-37 and should
be submitted on or before June 22, 2017.

    For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets,
pursuant to delegated authority.\29\
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    \29\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
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Eduardo A. Aleman,
Assistant Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2017-11372 Filed 5-31-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 8011-01-P


[Federal Register: May 24, 2010 (Volume 75, Number 99)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 28765-28766]
[DOCID:fr24my10-10]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2010-0498; Airspace Docket No. 10-ASO-26]

Amendment of Class E Airspace; Pine Mountain, GA

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This action proposes to amend Class E Airspace at Pine
Mountain, GA, to accommodate the additional airspace needed for the
Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPs) developed for Harris
County Airport. This action enhances the safety and airspace management
of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations at the airport.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before July 8, 2010.

ADDRESSES: Send comments on this rule to: U.S. Department of
Transportation, Docket Operations, West Building Ground Floor, Room
W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590-0001;
Telephone: 1-800-647-5527; Fax:<PHONE_NUMBER>. You must identify the
Docket Number FAA-2010-0498; Airspace Docket No. 10-ASO-26, at the
beginning of your comments. You may also submit and review received
comments through the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Melinda Giddens, Operations Support
Group, Eastern Service Center, Federal Aviation Administration, P.O.
Box 20636, Atlanta, Georgia 30320; telephone<PHONE_NUMBER>.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    Interested persons are invited to comment on this rule by
submitting such written data, views, or arguments, as they may desire.
Comments that provide the factual basis supporting the views and
suggestions presented are particularly helpful in developing reasoned
regulatory decisions on the proposal. Comments are specifically invited
on the overall regulatory, aeronautical, economic, environmental, and
energy-related aspects of the proposal.
    Communications should identify both docket numbers (FAA Docket No.
FAA-2010-0498; Airspace Docket No. 10-ASO-26) and be submitted in
triplicate to the Docket Management System (see ADDRESSES section for
address and phone number). You may also submit comments through the
Internet at http://www.regulations.gov.
    Comments wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments
on this action must submit with those comments a self-addressed stamped
postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments to Docket
No. FAA-2010-0498; Airspace Docket No. 10-ASO-26.'' The postcard will
be date/time stamped and returned to the commenter.
    All communications received before the specified closing date for
comments will be considered before taking action on the proposed rule.
The proposal contained in this notice may be changed in light of the
comments received. A report summarizing each substantive public contact
with FAA personnel concerned with this rulemaking will be filed in the
docket.

Availability of NPRMs

    An electronic copy of this document may be downloaded from and
comments submitted through http://www.regulations.gov. Recently
published rulemaking documents can also be accessed through the FAA's
Web page at http://www.faa.gov/airports_airtraffic/air_traffic/
publications/airspace_amendments/.
    You may review the public docket containing the proposal, any
comments received, and any final disposition in person in the Dockets
Office (see the ADDRESSES section for address and phone number) between
9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal Holidays. An
informal docket may also be examined during normal business hours at
the office of the Eastern Service Center, Federal Aviation

Administration, room 210, 1701 Columbia Avenue, College Park, Georgia
30337.
    Persons interested in being placed on a mailing list for future
NPRM's should contact the FAA's Office of Rulemaking,<PHONE_NUMBER>,
to request a copy of Advisory Circular No. 11-2A, Notice of Proposed
Rulemaking Distribution System, which describes the application
procedure.

The Proposal

    The FAA is considering an amendment to Title 14, Code of Federal
Regulations (14 CFR) part 71 to amend Class E airspace at Pine
Mountain, GA to provide controlled airspace required to support the
SIAPs for Harris County Airport. The existing Class E airspace
extending upward from 700 feet above the surface would be modified for
the safety and management of IFR operations.
    Class E airspace designations are published in Paragraph 6005 of
FAA order 7400.9T, signed August 27, 2009, and effective September 15,
2009, which is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1. The Class E
airspace designation listed in this document will be published
subsequently in the Order.
    The FAA has determined that this proposed regulation only involves
an established body of technical regulations for which frequent and
routine amendments are necessary to keep them operationally current.
It, therefore, (1) is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under
Executive Order 12866; (2) is not a ``significant rule'' under DOT
Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034; February 26, 1979);
and (3) does not warrant preparation of a Regulatory Evaluation as the
anticipated impact is so minimal. Since this is a routine matter that
will only affect air traffic procedures and air navigation, it is
certified that this proposed rule, when promulgated, would not have a
significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities
under the criteria of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.
    The FAA's authority to issue rules regarding aviation safety is
found in Title 49 of the United States Code. Subtitle I, section 106
describes the authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII,
Aviation Programs, describes in more detail the scope of the agency's
authority. This proposed rulemaking is promulgated under the authority
described in subtitle VII, part, A, subpart I, section 40103. Under
that section, the FAA is charged with prescribing regulations to assign
the use of airspace necessary to ensure the safety of aircraft and the
efficient use of airspace. This proposed regulation is within the scope
of that authority as it would amend Class E airspace at Harris County
Airport, Pine Mountain, GA.

Lists of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 71

    Airspace, Incorporation by reference, Navigation (air).

The Proposed Amendment

    In consideration of the foregoing, the Federal Aviation
Administration amends 14 CFR part 71 as follows:

PART 71--DESIGNATION OF CLASS A, B, C, D, AND CLASS E AIRSPACE
AREAS; AIR TRAFFIC SERVICE ROUTES; AND REPORTING POINTS

    1. The authority citation for part 71 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g); 40103, 40113, 40120; E.O. 10854, 24
FR 9565, 3 CFR, 1959-1963 Comp., p. 389.

Sec.  71.1  [Amended]

    2. The incorporation by reference in 14 CFR 71.1 of Federal
Aviation Administration Order 7400.9T, Airspace Designations and
Reporting Points, signed August 27, 2009, effective September 15, 2009,
is amended as follows:

Paragraph 6005 Class E Airspace Areas Extending Upward From 700
Feet or More Above the Surface of the Earth.

* * * * *

ASO GA E5 Pine Mountain, GA [Amended]

Harris County Airport, GA
    (Lat. 32[deg]50'26'' N., long. 84[deg]52'57'' W.)
Pine Mountain NDB, GA
    (Lat. 32[deg]50'34'' N., long. 84[deg]52'22'' W.)

    That airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface
within an 8-mile radius of the Harris County Airport and within 8
miles north and 4 miles south of the 267[deg] bearing from the Pine
Mountain NDB extending from the 8-mile radius of the Harris County
Airport to 16 miles from the Harris County Airport.

    Issued in College Park, Georgia, on May 14, 2010.
Mark D. Ward,
Manager, Operations Support Group, Eastern Service Center, Air Traffic
Organization.
[FR Doc. 2010-12360 Filed 5-21-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P


[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 156 (Tuesday, August 13, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 49278-49280]
[FR Doc No: 2013-19554]

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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Federal Emergency Management Agency

[Docket ID FEMA-2013-0002: Internal Agency Docket No. FEMA-B-1332]

Proposed Flood Hazard Determinations

AGENCY: Federal Emergency Management Agency, DHS.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: Comments are requested on proposed flood hazard
determinations, which may include additions or modifications of any
Base Flood Elevation (BFE), base flood depth, Special Flood Hazard Area
(SFHA) boundary or zone designation, or regulatory floodway on the
Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs), and where applicable, in the
supporting Flood Insurance Study (FIS) reports for the communities
listed in the table below. The purpose of this notice is to seek
general information and comment regarding the preliminary FIRM, and
where applicable, the FIS report that the Federal Emergency Management
Agency (FEMA) has provided to the affected communities. The FIRM and
FIS report are the basis of the floodplain management measures that the
community is required either to adopt or to show evidence of having in
effect in order to qualify or remain qualified for participation in the
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). In addition, the FIRM and FIS
report, once effective, will be used by insurance agents and others to
calculate appropriate flood insurance premium rates for new buildings
and the contents of those buildings.

DATES: Comments are to be submitted on or before November 12, 2013.

ADDRESSES: The Preliminary FIRM, and where applicable, the FIS report
for each community are available for inspection at both the online
location and the respective Community Map Repository address listed in
the tables below. Additionally, the current effective FIRM and FIS
report for each community are accessible online through the FEMA Map
Service Center at www.msc.fema.gov for comparison.
    You may submit comments, identified by Docket No. FEMA-B-1332, to
Luis Rodriguez, Chief, Engineering Management Branch, Federal Insurance
and Mitigation Administration, FEMA, 500 C Street SW., Washington, DC
20472,<PHONE_NUMBER>, or (email<EMAIL_ADDRESS>
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Luis Rodriguez, Chief, Engineering
Management Branch, Federal Insurance and Mitigation Administration,
FEMA, 500 C Street SW., Washington, DC 20472,<PHONE_NUMBER>, or
(email<EMAIL_ADDRESS>or visit the FEMA Map Information
eXchange (FMIX) online at www.floodmaps.fema.gov/fhm/fmx_main.html.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: FEMA proposes to make flood hazard
determinations for each community listed below, in accordance with
section 110 of the Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973, 42 U.S.C.
4104, and 44 CFR 67.4(a).
    These proposed flood hazard determinations, together with the
floodplain management criteria required by 44 CFR 60.3, are the minimum
that are required. They should not be construed to mean that the
community must change any existing ordinances that are more stringent
in their floodplain management requirements. The community may at any
time enact stricter requirements of its own or pursuant to policies
established by other Federal, State, or regional entities. These flood
hazard determinations are used to meet the floodplain management
requirements of the NFIP and also are used to calculate the appropriate
flood insurance premium rates for new buildings built after the FIRM
and FIS report become effective.
    The communities affected by the flood hazard determinations are
provided in the tables below. Any request for reconsideration of the
revised flood hazard information shown on the Preliminary FIRM and FIS
report that satisfies the data requirements outlined in 44 CFR 67.6(b)
is considered an appeal. Comments unrelated to the flood hazard
determinations also will be considered before the FIRM and FIS report
become effective.
    Use of a Scientific Resolution Panel (SRP) is available to
communities in support of the appeal resolution process. SRPs are
independent panels of experts in hydrology, hydraulics, and other
pertinent sciences established to review conflicting scientific and
technical data and provide recommendations for resolution. Use of the
SRP only may be exercised after FEMA and local communities have been
engaged in a collaborative consultation process for at least 60 days
without a mutually acceptable resolution of an appeal. Additional
information regarding the SRP process can be found online at http://floodsrp.org/pdfs/srp_fact_sheet.pdf.
    The watersheds and/or communities affected are listed in the tables
below. The Preliminary FIRM, and where applicable, FIS report for each
community are available for inspection at both the online location and
the respective Community Map Repository address listed in the tables.
Additionally, the current effective FIRM and FIS report for each
community are accessible online through the FEMA Map Service Center at
www.msc.fema.gov for comparison.

I. Non-Watershed-Based Studies

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                             Community map repository
                Community                             address
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 Refugio, Texas, and Incorporated Areas
------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Maps Available for Inspection Online at: http://www.fema.gov/preliminaryfloodhazarddata preliminaryfloodhazarddata
------------------------------------------------------------------------
City of Austwell........................  City Hall, 108 South Gisler
                                           Street, Austwell, TX 77950.
City of Bayside.........................  City Hall, 909 1st Street,
                                           Bayside, TX 78340.
Town of Refugio.........................  Town Hall, 613 Commerce
                                           Street, Refugio, TX 78377.
Town of Woodsboro.......................  Town Hall, 121 North Wood
                                           Avenue, Woodsboro, TX 78393.
Unincorporated Areas of Refugio County..  Refugio County Courthouse, 808
                                           Commerce Street, Refugio, TX
                                           78377.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
              City of Poquoson, Virginia (Independent City)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Maps Available for Inspection Online at: http://www.fema.gov/preliminaryfloodhazarddata preliminaryfloodhazarddata
------------------------------------------------------------------------
City of Poquoson........................  Building Official's Office,
                                           500 City Hall Avenue,
                                           Poquoson, VA 23662.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Gloucester County, Virginia, and Incorporated Areas
------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Maps Available for Inspection Online at: http://www.fema.gov/preliminaryfloodhazarddata preliminaryfloodhazarddata
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Unincorporated Areas of Gloucester        Gloucester County Codes
 County.                                   Compliance Office, 6582 Main
                                           Street, Building 3,
                                           Gloucester, VA 23061.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Mathews County, Virginia, and Incorporated Areas
------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Maps Available for Inspection Online at: http://www.fema.gov/preliminaryfloodhazarddata preliminaryfloodhazarddata
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Unincorporated Areas of Mathews County..  Mathews County Building
                                           Official's Office, 17 Court
                                           Street, Mathews, VA 23109.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance No. 97.022, ``Flood
Insurance.'')

    Dated: July 26, 2013.
Roy E. Wright,
Deputy Associate Administrator for Mitigation, Department of Homeland
Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency.
[FR Doc. 2013-19554 Filed 8-12-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-12-P


[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 72 (Monday, April 15, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 15214-15216]
[FR Doc No: 2019-07418]

=======================================================================
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[EPA-HQ-OPP-2019-0161; FRL-9991-80]

FIFRA Scientific Advisory Panel; Notice of Public Meetings

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: There will be a 4-day, in-person public meeting of the Federal
Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) Scientific Advisory
Panel (SAP), augmented with additional experts to provide independent
scientific advice to the EPA on proposed guidelines for Efficacy
Testing of Topically Applied Pesticides Used Against Certain
Ectoparasitic Pests on Pets. Preceding the in-person meeting, there
will be a public half-day preparatory virtual meeting to consider the
scope and clarity of the draft charge questions for this peer review.

DATES:
    Meeting: The 4-day in-person public meeting will be held June 11 to
14, 2019, from 9:00 a.m. to approximately 5:00 p.m. (EDT). The date,
time, and registration instructions for the preparatory virtual public
meeting will be announced on the FIFRA SAP website (http://www.epa.gov/sap) by late-April. You may also subscribe to the following listserv
for alerts when notices regarding this and other SAP-related activities
are published: https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/USAEPAOPPT/subscriber/new?topic_id=USAEPAOPPT_101.
    Comments: The Agency encourages written comments and requests for
oral comments be submitted on or before May 17, 2019. However, written
comments and requests to make oral comments may be submitted until the
date of the in-person meeting, but anyone submitting such comments and
requests after May 17, 2019, should contact the Designated Federal
Official (DFO) listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. For
additional instructions, see Unit I.C. and Unit I.D. of the
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.
    Special accommodations: For information on access or services for
individuals with disabilities, and to request accommodation of a
disability, please contact the DFO listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
CONTACT at least 10 days prior to the meeting to give EPA as much time
as possible to process your request.

ADDRESSES:
    In-Person Meeting: This public meeting will be held at the EPA
Conference Center, Lobby Level, One Potomac Yard (South Bldg.), 2777 S
Crystal Dr., Arlington, VA 22202. This meeting may also be viewed via
webcast. Please refer to the FIFRA SAP website at https://www.epa.gov/sap for information on how to access the webcasts. Please note that
this webcast is a supplementary public process provided only for
convenience. If difficulties arise resulting in webcasting

outages, the in-person meeting will continue as planned.
    Webcast: The preparatory virtual meeting is open to the public and
will be conducted via webcast using Adobe Connect and telephone.
Registration is required to participate during the preparatory virtual
meeting. Please refer to the FIFRA SAP website at https://www.epa.gov/sap for additional information including how to register.
    Requests to present oral comments and requests for special
accommodations. Submit such requests to the DFO listed under FOR
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.
    Comments. Submit your comments, identified as docket identification
(ID) number EPA-HQ-OPP-2019-0161, by one of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov.
Follow the online instructions for submitting comments. Do not submit
electronically any information you consider to be Confidential Business
Information (CBI) or other information that disclosure is restricted by
statute.
     Mail: OPP Docket, Environmental Protection Agency Docket
Center (EPA/DC), (28221T), 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC
20460-0001.
     Hand Delivery: To make special arrangements for hand-
delivery or delivery of boxed information, please follow the
instructions at http://www.epa.gov/dockets/contacts.html. Additional
instructions on commenting or visiting the docket, along with more
information about dockets generally, is available at http://www.epa.gov/dockets.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Suhair Shallal, DFO, Office of
Science Coordination and Policy (7201M), Environmental Protection
Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20460-0001; telephone
number:<PHONE_NUMBER>; email address: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. General Information

A. Does this action apply to me?

    This action is directed to the public in general. This action may
be of interest to persons who are or may be required to conduct testing
of chemical substances regulated under the Federal Insecticide,
Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). Since other entities may also
be interested in this guidance, the Agency has not attempted to
describe all the specific entities that may be affected by this action.

B. What should I consider as I prepare my comments for EPA?

    1. Submitting CBI. Do not submit CBI information to EPA through the
website regulations.gov or by email. If your comments contain any
information that you consider to be CBI or otherwise protected, please
contact the DFO listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT to obtain
special instructions before submitting your comments.
    2. Tips for preparing your comments. When preparing and submitting
your comments, see Tips for Effective Comments at http://www.epa.gov/dockets/comments.html.

C. How may I participate in the in-person meeting?

    You may participate in the in-person meeting by following the
instructions in this unit. To ensure proper receipt by EPA, it is
imperative that you identify docket ID number EPA-HQ-OPP-2019-0161 in
the subject line on the first page of your request.
    1. Written comments. The Agency encourages written comments be
submitted, using the instructions in ADDRESSES and Unit I.B., on or
before May 17, 2019, to provide FIFRA SAP the time necessary to
consider and review the written comments. Written comments are accepted
until the date of the meeting, but anyone submitting written comments
after May 17, 2019, should contact the DFO listed under FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION CONTACT. Anyone submitting written comments at the meeting
should bring 30 copies for distribution to the FIFRA SAP by the DFO.
    2. Oral comments. The Agency encourages each individual or group
wishing to make brief oral comments to the FIFRA SAP during the in-
person meeting to submit their request to the DFO listed under FOR
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT on or before May 17, 2019, in order to be
included on the meeting agenda. Requests to present oral comments will
be accepted until the date of the in-person meeting and, to the extent
that time permits, the Chair of the FIFRA SAP may permit the
presentation of oral comments at the in-person meeting by interested
persons who have not previously requested time. The request should
identify the name of the individual making the presentation, the
organization (if any) the individual will represent, and any
requirements for audiovisual equipment. Oral comments before the FIFRA
SAP during the in-person meeting are limited to approximately 5 minutes
unless arrangements have been made prior to May 17, 2019. In addition,
each speaker should bring 30 copies of his or her comments and
presentation for distribution to the FIFRA SAP during the meeting by
the DFO.
    3. Seating at the meeting. Seating at the meeting will be open and
on a first-come basis.

D. How may I participate in the preparatory virtual meeting?

    Registration for the preparatory virtual meeting is required. To
participate by listening or making a comment during this meeting,
please visit:https://www.epa.gov/sap to register. Registration online
will be confirmed by email that will include the webcast meeting Adobe
Connect link and audio teleconference information.
    1. Written comments. Written comments for the preparatory virtual
meeting should be submitted, using the instructions in ADDRESSES and
Unit I.B., on or before May 17, 2019.
    2. Oral comments. Registration is required to participate in the
preparatory virtual meeting. Please visit the FIFRA SAP website at:
https://www.epa.gov/sap to register online. Each individual or group
wishing to make brief oral comments to the FIFRA SAP during the
preparatory virtual meeting should submit their request when
registering online or with the DFO listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
CONTACT on or before noon May 17, 2019. Oral comments before the FIFRA
SAP during the preparatory webcast are limited to approximately 5
minutes due to the time constraints of this webcast.
    3. Webcast. The preparatory meeting will be webcast only. Please
refer to the FIFRA SAP website at https://www.epa.gov/sap for
information on how to access the webcast. Registration is required.

II. Background

A. Purpose of the FIFRA SAP

    The FIFRA SAP serves as one of the primary scientific peer review
mechanisms of EPA's Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention
(OCSPP) and is structured to provide independent scientific advice,
information and recommendations to the EPA Administrator on pesticides
and pesticide-related issues as to the impact of regulatory actions on
human health and the environment. The FIFRA SAP is a federal advisory
committee established in 1975 under FIFRA that operates in accordance
with requirements of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C.
Appendix). The FIFRA SAP is composed of a permanent panel consisting of
seven members who are appointed by the EPA

Administrator from nominees provided by the National Institutes of
Health (NIH) and the National Science Foundation (NSF). FIFRA
established a Science Review Board (SRB) consisting of at least 60
scientists who are available to FIFRA SAP on an ad hoc basis to assist
in reviews conducted by the FIFRA SAP. As a scientific peer review
mechanism, the FIFRA SAP provides comments, evaluations, and
recommendations to improve the effectiveness and quality of analyses
made by Agency scientists. Members of FIFRA SAP are scientists who have
sufficient professional qualifications, including training and
experience, to provide expert advice and recommendation to the Agency.

B. Public Meeting

    EPA-registered pesticide products are an important part of pest
management programs to control invertebrate pests of public health
importance including fleas, ticks, mosquitoes, and biting flies that
can vector diseases to pets and humans. The Agency has multiple
guidelines intended to assist in the development of appropriate
protocols to test product efficacy. EPA Product Performance Test
Guideline OPPTS 810.3300 Treatments to Control Pests of Humans and Pets
published in March 1998. To increase clarity and consistency in
efficacy testing and to include current scientific standards, the
Agency is revising this product performance guideline.
    The proposed guideline applies to products in any topically applied
formulation, such as a spray, spot-on, collar, shampoo, or dust, if
intended to be directly applied to pets for a pesticidal purpose such
as to kill, repel, or control ticks, fleas, mosquitoes, and biting
flies. This guideline does not apply to those products exempt from
FIFRA Registration under 40 CFR 152.25, products applied to humans or
livestock, or product performance testing described in other Agency
guidelines. In addition to guidance for testing efficacy against fleas,
ticks, mosquitoes, and biting flies, the proposed guideline also
includes testing methods for evaluating efficacy under simulated
environmental conditions. The Agency is seeking advice and
recommendations from the SAP on scientific issues associated with the
proposed revised EPA guideline. The Agency believes the current draft
guideline represents the state of the science with regard to efficacy
testing for these products. EPA is committed to reducing the use of
animals in testing (https://www.regulations.gov/document?D=EPA-HQ-OPP-2016-0093-0003). However, at this time no reliable non-animal
alternatives are available to avoid the use of animals for efficacy
testing of fleas, ticks, mosquitoes and biting flies. As part of the
SAP, EPA is soliciting comment from the panel on approaches that may,
in the future, support the replacement or reduction of animal use in
efficacy testing of ectoparasitic pests on pets.

C. FIFRA SAP Documents and Meeting Minutes

    The EPA's background paper, the supporting materials, and draft
charge/questions to the FIFRA SAP will be available by mid-April 2019.
In addition, a list of candidates under consideration as prospective ad
hoc panelists for this meeting will be available for a 15-day public
comment period by early to mid-April 2019. The Agency will provide
additional background documents (e.g., the meeting agenda) as the
materials become available. You may obtain electronic copies of these
documents, and certain other related documents that might be available,
at http://www.regulations.gov in docket EPA-HQ-OPP-2019-0161 and on the
FIFRA SAP website at https://www.epa.gov/sap.
    The FIFRA SAP will prepare meeting minutes summarizing its
recommendations to the Agency approximately 90 days after the meeting.
The meeting minutes will be posted on the FIFRA SAP website at https://www.epa.gov/sap or may be obtained from the OPP Docket at http://www.regulations.gov.

    Authority:  5 U.S.C Appendix 2 et seq.; 7 U.S.C. 136 et seq.; 21
U.S.C. 301 et seq.

    Dated: April 9, 2019.
Hayley Hughes,
Director, Office of Science Coordination and Policy.
[FR Doc. 2019-07418 Filed 4-12-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6560-50-P