Railroad Cost Recovery Procedures - Productivity Adjustment

The Surface Transportation Board has presented its calculation for the average change in railroad productivity for the 2020-2024 period, proposing a productivity adjustment factor of 1.015 (1.5% per year) under Docket No. EP 290 (Sub-No. 4). The Board issued this decision on March 31, 2026, with an effective date of April 18, 2026. Comments on any perceived data or computational errors may be filed through April 15, 2026.

Release of Waybill Data

The Surface Transportation Board has received a request from the University of Wisconsin to access confidential Carload Waybill Sample data for railroad shipments of corn, soybeans, and wheat covering 1996-2025. The Board is soliciting objections from interested parties within 14 calendar days under docket WB26-13. The waybill sample contains confidential railroad and shipper data, with release governed by 49 CFR 1244.9.

Center for Scientific Review Notice of Closed Meetings

The NIH Center for Scientific Review published a Federal Register notice announcing five closed meetings scheduled for April 29-30, 2026. The meetings, conducted virtually, will review grant applications including Claude D. Pepper Older Americans Independence Centers, Musculoskeletal/Skin/Oral Sciences PAR Panel, R21/R03 proposals, and neuroscience topics. Meetings are closed pursuant to the Federal Advisory Committee Act to protect confidential trade secrets and personal privacy.

Center for Scientific Review Closed Meeting Notices

The NIH Center for Scientific Review published a Federal Register notice announcing three closed meetings scheduled for April 28-30, 2026. The meetings will review grant applications for research programs including myocardial physiology, fellowships, and microplastic impacts. Meetings are closed under Federal Advisory Committee Act provisions to protect confidential grant information and personal data.

Center for Scientific Review Closed Meeting Notices

The National Institutes of Health Center for Scientific Review announced five closed meetings scheduled for April 28-29, 2026, pursuant to the Federal Advisory Committee Act. The meetings will review grant applications for topics including health services research, basic and translational cancer research, medical technology partnerships, mentored career development awards, and shared-use biomedical research equipment. All meetings will be held virtually.

Center for Scientific Review Notice of Closed Meetings

The NIH Center for Scientific Review published a Federal Register notice announcing four closed meetings scheduled for April 29 through May 1, 2026. The meetings will review grant applications for research in communication/language, biocontainment laboratories, biomaterials/nanoscience, clinical care interventions, and oncology fellowships. All meetings will be held virtually and closed to the public under exemptions for confidential trade secrets and personal privacy.

Delay of Silica Exposure Rule Amendments for Miners

MSHA issued a final rule delaying indefinitely the effective date of conforming amendments to 30 CFR parts 56 and 57 from the 2024 Silica Rule. The delay follows an Eighth Circuit Court order staying the 2024 rule's compliance deadlines pending judicial review. Existing standards under 30 CFR 56.5001, 56.5005, 57.5001, and 57.5005 remain in effect until the judicial stay is terminated.

Forest and Woodland Density Management Categorical Exclusion

The Department of the Interior published a notice proposing to add a new categorical exclusion (CE) for forest and woodland density management to the DOI Handbook of NEPA Implementing Procedures (Appendix 2). The Bureau of Land Management, which manages approximately 248 million surface acres including 58 million forested/woodland acres, would use this CE to streamline NEPA compliance for density management activities. Public comments are being accepted through May 6, 2026.

Proposed NEPA Categorical Exclusion for BLM Timber Salvage Harvest

The Department of the Interior published a notice proposing to restore and amend a categorical exclusion (CE) for timber salvage harvest in the DOI Handbook of NEPA Implementing Procedures. The proposed CE would apply to harvesting dead or dying timber on BLM-managed lands affected by fire, insects, disease, drought, or other disturbances. Comments on the proposal must be submitted by May 6, 2026.

Upper Pecos River Withdrawal Application Cancellation - New Mexico

The Bureau of Land Management and Forest Service announce cancellation of their joint withdrawal application for 163,483 acres of National Forest System lands and 1,327.16 acres of public lands in northern New Mexico. The temporary segregation of these lands from mining and mineral/geothermal leasing will terminate at 8 a.m. local time on May 6, 2026, restoring access to location and entry under the mining laws and leasing under mineral and geothermal leasing laws.