Short Takes – 12-30-25 – Federal Register Edition

Safety Zone; Rocket Test Site, Rio Grande River, Boca Chica, TX. Federal Register CG notice of proposed rulemaking. Summary: “The Coast Guard is proposing to establish a permanent safety zone for certain navigable waters of the Rio Grande River. The safety zone is needed to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment from potential hazards created by cryogenics and structural tests of SpaceX rockets at their Massey's test site. This proposed rulemaking would prohibit persons and vessels from being in the safety zone unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port, Sector Corpus Christi. We invite your comments on this proposed rulemaking.” Comments due January 29^th, 2026.

TSCA Section 5 Premanufacture Review of New Chemical Substances and Significant New Use Rules for New and Existing Chemical Substances (Renewal). Federal Register EPA 30-day ICR renewal notice. Summary: “TSCA section 5 requires manufactures (which includes import) of a “new chemical substance” (i.e., a chemical not listed on the TSCA section 8(b) Inventory) must provide a premanufacture notice (PMN) to EPA at least 90 days prior to commencing manufacture of that chemical and that EPA review such notice and take appropriate action. Under TSCA, the term “chemical substance” includes microorganisms; the 90-day notice for microorganisms is a Microbial Commercial Activity Notice (MCAN).” Comments due January 29^th, 2026.

Public Meeting of the National Geospatial Advisory Committee. Federal Register USGS meeting notice. Summary: “In accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) of 1972, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is publishing this notice to announce that a Federal Advisory Committee meeting of the National Geospatial Advisory Committee (NGAC) will take place [on January 28^th and 29^th, 2026] and is open to members of the public.”