SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Introduction

The NRC is amending its regulations in parts 26, 30, 40, 50, 70, 73, and 110 of title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR) to make miscellaneous corrections. These changes include removing obsolete language and correcting references, an appendix, operating hours, a telephone number, an inconsistency in a definition, and an office title. This document is necessary to inform the public of these non-substantive amendments to the NRC's regulations.

II. Summary of Changes

10 CFR Part 26

Correct an Inconsistency. In § 26.5, this final rule revises the last sentence in the definition of Positive result to correct an inconsistency between the definition and the requirement in § 26.103 by replacing the word “exceeds” with the phrase “is equal to or greater than”.

Remove Obsolete Language. In §§ 26.183(a) and 26.187(a), this final rule revises the language to remove an expired deadline for submission with the original final rule.

10 CFR Parts 30, 40, and 50

Correct Reference. In §§ 30.7, 40.7, and 50.7, this final rule removes the incorrect reference to “10 CFR 19.11(c)” for NRC Form 3 and replaces it with the correct reference to “10 CFR 19.11(e)(1).”

10 CFR Part 50

Correct Missing Reference. In §  50.8(b), this final rule adds § 50.12, in numerical order, to the list of sections in 10 CFR part 50 that contain information collections.

10 CFR Part 70

Correct Reference. In § 70.38(k)(4), this final rule removes the incorrect reference to “§ 70.51(b)(6)” and replaces it with the correct reference to “§ 70.51(a).”

10 CFR Part 73

Correct Appendix F. In appendix F to 10 CFR part 73, this final rule corrects the title of the appendix, updates footnote 1 to reference the International Atomic Energy Agency's website for current information, and corrects the current list of ratified countries and organizations participating in the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material.

10 CFR Part 110

Correct Operating Hours. In § 110.2, this final rule removes the incorrect operating hours of between “8:30 a.m. and 4:15 p.m.” and replaces it with the correct operating hours of between “8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.” for reference service and access to documents requested by telephone as described in the definition for the NRC Public Document Room.

Correct Telephone Number. In § 110.4, this final rule removes the incorrect telephone number “(301) 415-2344” and replaces it with the correct telephone number “301-287-9057” for the Deputy Director of the Office of International Programs.

Correct Office Title. In § 110.6(b), this final rule removes the incorrect Department of Energy (DOE) office title “Office of International Regimes and Agreements” and replaces it with the correct DOE office title “Office of Nonproliferation and Arms Control.”

III. Rulemaking Procedure

Under section 553(b) of the Administrative Procedure Act (5 U.S.C. 553(b)), an agency may waive the requirements for publication in the Federal Register of a notice of proposed rulemaking and opportunity for comment if it finds, for good cause, that it is impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary to the public interest. As authorized by 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(3)(B), the NRC finds good cause to waive notice and opportunity for comment on these amendments, because notice and opportunity for comment is unnecessary. The amendments will have no substantive impact and are of ( printed page 58464) a minor and administrative nature dealing with corrections to certain CFR sections or are related only to management, organization, procedure, and practice. These changes include removing obsolete language and correcting references, an appendix, operating hours, a telephone number, an inconsistency in a definition, and an office title. The Commission is exercising its authority under 5 U.S.C. 553(b) to publish these amendments as a final rule. The amendments are effective December 20, 2018. These amendments do not require action by any person or entity regulated by the NRC, and do not change the substantive responsibilities of any person or entity regulated by the NRC.

IV. Environmental Impact: Categorical Exclusion

The NRC has determined that this final rule is the type of action described in 10 CFR 51.22(c)(2), which categorically excludes from environmental review rules that are corrective or of a minor, nonpolicy nature and do not substantially modify existing regulations. Therefore, neither an environmental impact statement nor an environmental assessment has been prepared for this rule.

V. Paperwork Reduction Act

This final rule does not contain a collection of information as defined in the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.) and, therefore, is not subject to the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.

Public Protection Notification

The NRC may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of information unless the document requesting or requiring the collection displays a currently valid OMB control number.

VI. Plain Writing

The Plain Writing Act of 2010 (Pub. L. 111-274) requires Federal agencies to write documents in a clear, concise, and well-organized manner. The NRC has written this document to be consistent with the Plain Writing Act as well as the Presidential Memorandum, “Plain Language in Government Writing,” published June 10, 1998 (63 FR 31883).

VII. Backfitting and Issue Finality

The NRC has determined that the corrections in this final rule do not constitute backfitting and are not inconsistent with any of the issue finality provisions in 10 CFR part 52. These changes include removing obsolete language and correcting references, an appendix, operating hours, a telephone number, an inconsistency in a definition, and an office title. They impose no new requirements and make no substantive changes to the regulations. The corrections do not involve any provisions that would impose backfits as defined in 10 CFR chapter I or that would be inconsistent with the issue finality provisions in 10 CFR part 52. For these reasons, the issuance of the rule in final form would not constitute backfitting or represent a violation of any of the issue finality provisions in 10 CFR part 52. Therefore, the NRC has not prepared any additional documentation for this correction rulemaking addressing backfitting or issue finality.

VIII. Congressional Review Act

This final rule is not a rule as defined in the Congressional Review Act (5 U.S.C. 801-808).

For the reasons set out in the preamble and under the authority of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended; the Energy Reorganization Act of 1974, as amended; and 5 U.S.C. 552 and 553, the NRC is adopting the following amendments to 10 CFR parts 26, 30, 40, 50, 70, 73, and 110:

1. The authority citation for part 26 continues to read as follows:

Authority: Atomic Energy Act of 1954, secs. 53, 103, 104, 107, 161, 223, 234, 1701 (42 U.S.C. 2073, 2133, 2134, 2137, 2201, 2273, 2282, 2297f); Energy Reorganization Act of 1974, secs. 201, 202 (42 U.S.C. 5841, 5842); 44 U.S.C. 3504 note.

2. In § 26.5, in the last sentence of the definition for Positive result, remove the word “exceeds” and add in its place the phrase, “is equal to or greater than”.

3. In § 26.183(a), remove the phrase “By March 31, 2010, the” and add in its place the word “The”.

4. In § 26.187(a), remove the phrase “By March 31, 2010, any” and add in its place the word “Any”.

5. The authority citation for part 30 continues to read as follows:

Authority: Atomic Energy Act of 1954, secs. 11, 81, 161, 181, 182, 183, 184, 186, 187, 223, 234, 274 (42 U.S.C. 2014, 2111, 2201, 2231, 2232, 2233, 2234, 2236, 2237, 2273, 2282, 2021); Energy Reorganization Act of 1974, secs. 201, 202, 206, 211 (42 U.S.C. 5841, 5842, 5846, 5851); 44 U.S.C. 3504 note.

6. In §  30.7(e)(1), remove the reference “ 10 CFR 19.11(c)” and add in its place the reference “10 CFR 19.11(e)(1)”.

7. The authority citation for part 40 continues to read as follows:

Authority: Atomic Energy Act of 1954, secs. 62, 63, 64, 65, 69, 81, 83, 84, 122, 161, 181, 182, 183, 184, 186, 187, 193, 223, 234, 274, 275 (42 U.S.C. 2092, 2093, 2094, 2095, 2099, 2111, 2113, 2114, 2152, 2201, 2231, 2232, 2233, 2234, 2236, 2237, 2243, 2273, 2282, 2021, 2022); Energy Reorganization Act of 1974, secs. 201, 202, 206, 211 (42 U.S.C. 5841, 5842, 5846, 5851); Uranium Mill Tailings Radiation Control Act of 1978, sec. 104 (42 U.S.C. 7914); 44 U.S.C. 3504 note.

8. In §  40.7(e)(1), remove the reference “ 10 CFR 19.11(c)” and add in its place the reference “10 CFR 19.11(e)(1)”.

9. The authority citation for part 50 continues to read as follows:

Authority: Atomic Energy Act of 1954, secs. 11, 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 108, 122, 147, 149, 161, 181, 182, 183, 184, 185, 186, 187, 189, 223, 234 (42 U.S.C. 2014, 2131, 2132, 2133, 2134, 2135, 2138, 2152, 2167, 2169, 2201, 2231, 2232, 2233, 2234, 2235, 2236, 2237, 2239, 2273, 2282); Energy Reorganization Act of 1974, secs. 201, 202, 206, 211 (42 U.S.C. 5841, 5842, 5846, 5851); Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982, sec. 306 (42 U.S.C. 10226); National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4332); 44 U.S.C. 3504 note; Sec. 109, Pub. L. 96-295, 94 Stat. 783.

10. In §  50.7(e)(1), remove the reference “ 10 CFR 19.11(c)” and add in its place the reference “10 CFR 19.11(e)(1)”.

11. In §  50.8(b), remove “§§ 50.30,” and add “§§ 50.12, 50.30,” in its place.

12. The authority citation for part 70 continues to read as follows:

Authority: Atomic Energy Act of 1954, secs. 51, 53, 57(d), 108, 122, 161, 182, 183, 184, 186, 187, 193, 223, 234, 274, 1701 (42 U.S.C. 2071, 2073, 2077(d), 2138, 2152, 2201, 2232, 2233, 2234, 2236, 2237, 2243, 2273, 2282, 2021, 2297f); Energy Reorganization Act of 1974, secs. 201, 202, 206, 211 (42 U.S.C. 5841, 5842, 5846, 5851); Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982, secs. 135, 141 (42 U.S.C. 10155, 10161); 44 U.S.C. 3504 note.

13. In §  70.38(k)(4), remove the reference “§ 70.51(b)(6)” and add in its place the reference “§ 70.51(a)”.

14. The authority citation for part 73 continues to read as follows:

Authority: Atomic Energy Act of 1954, secs. 53, 147, 149, 161, 170D, 170E, 170H, 170I, 223, 229, 234, 1701 (42 U.S.C. 2073, 2167, 2169, 2201, 2210d, 2210e, 2210h, 2210i, 2273, 2278a, 2282, 2297f); Energy Reorganization Act of 1974, secs. 201, 202 (42 U.S.C. 5841, 5842); Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982, secs. 135, 141 (42 U.S.C. 10155, 10161); 44 U.S.C. 3504 note.

Section 73.37(b)(2) also issued under Sec. 301, Public Law 96-295, 94 Stat. 789 (42 U.S.C. 5841 note).

15. Revise appendix F to part 73 to read as follows:

Appendix F to Part 73—Countries and Organizations That Are Parties to the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material ^[1]

Countries/Organizations

Afghanistan

Albania

Algeria

Andorra

Antigua and Barbuda

Argentina

Armenia

Australia

Austria

Azerbaijan

Bahamas

Bahrain

Bangladesh

Belarus

Belgium

Bolivia

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Botswana

Brazil

Bulgaria

Burkina Faso

Cabo Verde

Cambodia

Cameroon

Canada

Central African Republic

Chile

China

Colombia

Comoros

Costa Rica

Côte d'Ivoire

Croatia

Cuba

Cyprus

Czech Republic

Democratic Rep. of the Congo

Denmark

Djibouti

Dominica

Dominican Republic

Ecuador

El Salvador

Equatorial Guinea

Estonia

Eswatini

Fiji

Finland

France

Gabon

Georgia

Germany

Ghana

Greece

Grenada

Guatemala

Guinea

Guinea-Bissau

Guyana

Haiti

Honduras

Hungary

Iceland

India

Indonesia

Iraq

Ireland

Israel

Italy

Jamaica

Japan

Jordan

Kazakhstan

Kenya

Korea, Republic of

Kuwait

Kyrgyzstan

Lao P.D.R.

Latvia

Lebanon

Lesotho ( printed page 58466)

Libya

Liechtenstein

Lithuania

Luxembourg

Madagascar

Malawi

Mali

Malta

Marshall Islands

Mauritania

Mexico

Monaco

Mongolia

Montenegro

Morocco

Mozambique

Myanmar

Namibia

Nauru

Netherlands

New Zealand

Nicaragua

Niger

Nigeria

Niue

Norway

Oman

Pakistan

Palau

Panama

Paraguay

Peru

Philippines

Poland

Portugal

Qatar

Republic of Moldova

Romania

Russian Federation

Rwanda

Saint Kitts and Nevis

Saint Lucia

San Marino

Saudi Arabia

Senegal

Serbia

Seychelles

Singapore

Slovakia

Slovenia

South Africa

Spain

Sudan

Sweden

Switzerland

Tajikistan

Thailand

The frmr. Yug. Rep. of Macedonia

Togo

Tonga

Trinidad and Tobago

Tunisia

Turkey

Turkmenistan

Uganda

Ukraine

United Arab Emirates

United Kingdom

United Republic of Tanzania

United States of America

Uruguay

Uzbekistan

Viet Nam

Yemen

Zambia

EURATOM

16. The authority citation for part 110 continues to read as follows:

Authority: Atomic Energy Act of 1954, secs. 11, 51, 53, 54, 57, 62, 63, 64, 65, 81, 82, 103, 104, 109, 111, 121, 122, 123, 124, 126, 127, 128, 129, 133, 134, 161, 170h, 181, 182, 183, 184, 186, 187, 189, 223, 234 (42 U.S.C. 2014, 20710, 2073, 2074, 2077, 2092, 2093, 2094, 2095, 2111, 2112, 2133, 2134, 2139, 2141, 2151, 2152, 2153, 2154, 2155, 2156, 2157, 2158, 2160C, 2160D, 2201, 2210H, 2231, 2232, 2233, 2234, 2236, 2237, 2239, 2273, 2282); Energy Reorganization Act of 1974, secs. 201 (42 U.S.C. 5841); Administrative Procedure Act (5 U.S.C. 552, 553); 42 U.S.C. 2139a, 2155a; 44 U.S.C. 3504 note.

Section 110.1(b) also issued under 22 U.S.C. 2403; 22 U.S.C. 2778a; 50 App. U.S.C. 2401 et seq.

17. In § 110.2 in the definition for NRC Public Document Room, remove the phrase “8:30 a.m. and 4:15 p.m.” and add in its place the phrase “8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.”.

18. In § 110.4, remove the phone number “(301) 415-2344” and add in its place the phone number “301-287-9057”.

19. In § 110.6(b), remove the phrase “Office of International Regimes and Agreements” and add in its place the phrase “Office of Nonproliferation and Arms Control”.