April 5, 2005 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) hereby gives notice that no adverse comments were received regarding the direct final rule on Assistance to High Energy Cost Rural Communities, and confirms the effective date of the direct final rule.

NMFS received a petition from Mr. Sam Wright on September 13, 2004, to list Puget Sound (Washington) steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss) as a threatened or endangered species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). NMFS finds that the petition presents substantial scientific and commercial information indicating that the petitioned action may be warranted. Accordingly, NMFS is initiating a status review of the species. To ensure that the status review is complete and based upon the best available scientific and commercial information, NMFS is soliciting information regarding the viability of, and threats to, Puget Sound O. mykiss populations, efforts being made to protect the species, and the names of potential peer reviewers.

This notice sets forth the schedule and proposed agenda of a forthcoming hearing of the Advisory Committee on Student Financial Assistance. Individuals who will need accommodations for a disability in orderto attend the hearing (i.e., interpreting services, assistive listening devices, and/or materials in alternative format) should notify the Advisory Committee no later than Wednesday, April 20, 2005 by contacting Ms. Hope Gray at (202) 219-2099 or via e-mail at Hope.Gray@ed.gov. We will attempt to meet requests after this date, but cannot guarantee availability of the requested accommodation. The hearing site is accessible to individuals with disabilities. This notice also describes the functions of the Advisory Committee. Notice of this hearing is required under Section 10(a)(2) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act. This document is intended to notify the general public.

The National Science Foundation (NSF) is required to publish notice of permit applications received to conduct activities regulated under the Antarctic Conservation Act of 1978. NSF has published regulations under the Antarctic Conservation Act at Title 45 Part 670 of the Code of Federal Regulations. This is the required notice of permit applications received.

This notice announces final agency action on 2 TMDLs prepared by EPA Region 6 for waters listed in Louisiana's Barataria river basin, under section 303(d) of the Clean Water Act (CWA). Documents from the administrative record file for the 2 TMDLs, including TMDL calculations and responses to comments, may be viewed at https://www.epa.gov/region6/ water/tmdl.htm. The administrative record file may be examined by calling or writing Ms. Diane Smith at the following address. Please contact Ms. Smith to schedule an inspection.

The Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Department of the Treasury is adding new part 542 to chapter V of 31 CFR to carry out the purposes of Executive Order 13338 of May 11, 2004, ``Blocking Property of Certain Persons and Prohibiting the Export of Certain Goods to Syria.''

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission is proposing to amend its regulations to clarify the time frame within which individuals must file applications for authorization to hold interlocking positions, and the information provided in certain informational reports required for automatic authorization of certain interlocking positions.

The Fish and Wildlife Service announces that a Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Environmental Assessment for Lake Ophelia National Wildlife Refuge are available for review and comment. The National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966, as amended by the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997, requires the Service to develop a comprehensive conservation plan for each national wildlife refuge. The purpose in developing a comprehensive conservation plan is to provide refuge managers with a 15-year strategy for achieving refuge purposes and contributing toward the mission of the National Wildlife Refuge System, consistent with sound principles of fish and wildlife management, conservation, legal mandates, and Service policies. In addition to outlining broad management direction on conserving wildlife and their habitats, the plan identifies wildlife-dependent recreational opportunities available to the public, including opportunities for hunting, fishing, wildlife observation and photography, and environmental education and interpretation. Significant issues addressed in the draft plan include: Threatened and endangered species; waterfowl management; neotropical migratory birds; bottomland hardwood restoration; agriculture; visitor services (hunting, fishing, wildlife observation, wildlife photography, and environmental education and interpretation); funding and staffing; cultural resources; land acquisition; and forest and fragmentation. The Service developed four alternatives for managing the refuge and chose Alternative 2 as the preferred alternative. Alternatives

The FAA proposes to supersede an existing airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to all Airbus Model A300 B2 and B4 series airplanes; Model A300-600 series airplanes; and Model A310 series airplanes. The existing AD currently requires, among other actions, repetitive tests to detect desynchronization of the rudder servo actuators, and adjustment or replacement of the spring rods of the rudder servo actuators, if necessary. This proposed AD would require new repetitive tests/inspections/analyses of the rudder servo actuators, and related investigative/corrective actions if necessary. Accomplishment of the new actions ends the existing repetitive requirements. This proposed AD is prompted by new reports of desynchronization of the rudder servo actuators. We are proposing this AD to prevent desynchronization of one of the three rudder servo actuators, which, if combined with an engine failure could result in the loss of the related hydraulic system and could cause the loss of one of the two synchronized actuators. This condition could create additional fatigue loading and possible cracking on the attachment fittings and could result in the inability of the remaining synchronized actuator to maintain the commanded rudder deflection, which could result in reduced controllability of the airplane.

The Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.

The Board of Visitors of the Marine Corps University (BOV MCU) will meet to review, develop, and provide recommendations on all aspects of the academic and administrative policies of the University; examine all aspects of professional military education operations; and provide such oversight and advice, as is necessary, to facilitate high educational standards and cost effective operations. The Board will be focusing primarily on the University's curriculum review process and reorganization efforts. The Board will be apprised of recent developments at Marine Corps University, including facilities development and the results of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Off-Site Committee Report. All sessions of the meeting will be open to the public.

The Leader, Information Management Case Services Team, Regulatory Information Management Services, Office of the Chief Information Officer, invites comments on the proposed information collection requests as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.

This final rule changes the interest rate determination for United States Savings Bonds of Series EE issued May 1, 2005, or thereafter.

On July 19, 2004, USDA Inspector General Phyllis K. Fong, pursuant to authority vested in her by the Federal Vacancies Reform Act (5 U.S.C. 3345-3349d) and the Inspector General Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App. 3), issued IG-1313, Change 6, Succession and Delegations of Authority. This directive is a revised Succession and Delegations of Authority for the Office of Inspector General. This directive has been revised to show the lines of succession and delegation and clarifies procedures to be followed in the event the Office of Inspector General (OIG) headquarters must be relocated. This directive provides guidance on the transfer of functions and duties of the Inspector General (IG), as well as other OIG central management functions, regardless of what events necessitate such transfer.