New regs for Friday: National forests, truck drivers, toxic pesticide

Friday’s edition of the Federal Register contains new rules for amateur radio operators, truck drivers suffering from daytime sleepiness, a toxic pesticide used by farmers, coal disposal landfills and protections for national forests.

Here’s what is happening:

Landfills: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is moving forward with new regulations for the disposal of coal combustion residuals at landfills.

{mosads}The EPA says certain coal combustion residuals (CCR) “warrant regulatory controls” because they pose a risk to human health and the environment.

The rules will apply to new and existing CCR landfills, surface impoundments and lateral expansions.

“It also requires the closure of any CCR landfill or CCR surface impoundment that cannot meet the applicable performance criteria for location restrictions or structural integrity,” the EPA wrote.

The rule goes into effect in 180 days.

Radio: The Federal Communications Commission is proposing new privacy rules for historical amateur radio operators.

Under the proposed rules, these amateur radio operators would not be required to provide address information for public inspection.

“The commission found that amending these rules will enhance amateur radio operators’ privacy without undermining the public interest in knowing who is authorized to operate on amateur spectrum,” the FCC wrote.

The public has 60 days to comment.

Truck drivers: The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is considering exempting certain truck drivers with narcolepsy from rules that would otherwise prohibit them from operating a commercial motor vehicle. 

Three truck drivers who are seeking medical treatment for narcolepsy have applied for exemptions so they can drive. Narcolepsy causes daytime sleepiness. 

“If granted, the exemption would enable these individuals who have been diagnosed with narcolepsy and are receiving medical treatment to operate (trucks) for two years in interstate commerce,” the agency wrote.

The public has 30 days to comment.

Pesticides: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will allow farmers to use small amounts of a toxic pesticide known as carbofuran to protect their crops from insects.

The EPA revoked the tolerances for carbofuran in 2009, but was overruled in federal court. So the agency is reinstating the tolerances, which will allow farmers to use up to a certain amount of the pesticide.

The changes go into effect immediately.

Forests: The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is moving forward with new protections for geological research on National Forest System lands.

The rule will protect paleontological resources found in federal forests and ensure “these resources are available for current and future generations to enjoy as part of America’s national heritage.”

The rule goes into effect in 30 days.