December 5, 2006 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

This notice announces our decision on a request for a determination of valid existing rights (VER) under section 522(e) of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (SMCRA or the Act). We have determined that Sturgeon Mining Company, Inc. (Sturgeon Mining or Sturgeon) possesses VER for a coal haulroad within the boundaries of the Daniel Boone National Forest in Owsley County, Kentucky. This decision will allow Sturgeon to obtain a Kentucky surface coal mining and reclamation permit for the road in question and to use the road to access and haul coal from a surface mine located on adjacent private lands.

The Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight (OFHEO) is providing notice to all of its employees, former employees, and applicants for employment about the rights and remedies that are available to them under the Federal antidiscrimination laws and whistleblower protection laws. This notice fulfills OFHEO's notification obligations under the Notification and Federal Employees Antidiscrimination Retaliation Act, as implemented by Office of Personnel Management regulations.

As authorized by Public Law 105-383 and Public Law 107-295, the Secretary of Transportation, as represented by the Maritime Administration (MARAD), is authorized to grant waivers of the U.S.- build requirement of the coastwise laws under certain circumstances. A request for such a waiver has been received by MARAD. The vessel, and a brief description of the proposed service, is listed below. The complete application is given in DOT docket 2006-26479 at https:// dms.dot.gov. Interested parties may comment on the effect this action may have on U.S. vessel builders or businesses in the U.S. that use U.S.-flag vessels. If MARAD determines, in accordance with Public Law 105-383 and MARAD's regulations at 46 CFR Part 388 (68 FR 23084; April 30, 2003), that the issuance of the waiver will have an unduly adverse effect on a U.S.-vessel builder or a business that uses U.S.-flag vessels in that business, a waiver will not be granted. Comments should refer to the docket number of this notice and the vessel name in order for MARAD to properly consider the comments. Comments should also state the commenter's interest in the waiver application, and address the waiver criteria given in Sec. 388.4 of MARAD's regulations at 46 CFR Part 388.

As authorized by Public Law 105-383 and Public Law 107-295, the Secretary of Transportation, as represented by the Maritime Administration (MARAD), is authorized to grant waivers of the U.S.- build requirement of the coastwise laws under certain circumstances. A request for such a waiver has been received by MARAD. The vessel, and a brief description of the proposed service, is listed below. The complete application is given in DOT docket 20xx-xxxx at https:// dms.dot.gov. Interested parties may comment on the effect this action may have on U.S. vessel builders or businesses in the U.S. that use U.S.-flag vessels. If MARAD determines, in accordance with Public Law 105-383 and MARAD's regulations at 46 CFR Part 388 (68 FR 23084; April 30, 2003), that the issuance of the waiver will have an unduly adverse effect on a U.S.-vessel builder or a business that uses U.S.-flag vessels in that business, a waiver will not be granted. Comments should refer to the docket number of this notice and the vessel name in order for MARAD to properly consider the comments. Comments should also state the commenter's interest in the waiver application, and address the waiver criteria given in Sec. 388.4 of MARAD's regulations at 46 CFR Part 388.

As authorized by Public Law 105-383 and Public Law 107-295, the Secretary of Transportation, as represented by the Maritime Administration (MARAD), is authorized to grant waivers of the U.S.- build requirement of the coastwise laws under certain circumstances. A request for such a waiver has been received by MARAD. The vessel, and a brief description of the proposed service, is listed below. The complete application is given in DOT docket 2006-26483 at https:// dms.dot.gov. Interested parties may comment on the effect this action may have on U.S. vessel builders or businesses in the U.S. that use U.S.-flag vessels. If MARAD determines, in accordance with Public Law 105-383 and MARAD's regulations at 46 CFR Part 388 (68 FR 23084; April 30, 2003), that the issuance of the waiver will have an unduly adverse effect on a U.S.-vessel builder or a business that uses U.S.-flag vessels in that business, a waiver will not be granted. Comments should refer to the docket number of this notice and the vessel name in order for MARAD to properly consider the comments. Comments should also state the commenter's interest in the waiver application, and address the waiver criteria given in Sec. 388.4 of MARAD's regulations at 46 CFR Part 388.

Notice is hereby given that, pursuant to 19 CFR 151.12 and 151.13, SGS North America Inc., 1212 North 39th Street, Suite 330, Tampa, Florida 33605, has been re-approved to gauge petroleum and petroleum products, organic chemicals and vegetable oils, and to test petroleum and petroleum products for customs purposes, in accordance with the provisions of 19 CFR 151.12 and 151.13.

This action changes the using agency of Restricted Areas R- 2202A, R-2202B, and R-2202C from ``U.S. Army, Commander, Cold Regions Test Activity, Fort Greely, AK'' to ``U.S. Army, Commander, Cold Regions Test Center Fort Greely, AK''. The FAA is taking this action in response to a request from the United States Army to reflect an administrative title change. There are no changes to the boundaries; designated altitudes; time of designation; or activities conducted within the affected restricted areas.

This action will revise the Class E airspace at Sheridan, WY. Additional controlled airspace is necessary to accommodate aircraft executing a new Area Navigation (RNAV) Global Positioning System (GPS) approach procedure at Sheridan County Airport. This action will improve the safety of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) aircraft executing this new procedure at Sheridan County Airport, Sheridan, WY.

This document denies a petition for rulemaking requesting that the agency amend Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 208, ``Occupant crash protection,'' to include belted test dummies in the rear seats of the dynamic crash tests, and to include a cargo test for occupant protection.

The Commander, Eighth Coast Guard District, has issued a temporary deviation from the regulation governing the operation of the SR 46 (St. Claude Avenue) bridge across the Inner Harbor Navigation Canal, mile 0.5 (GIWW mile 6.2 East of Harvey Lock) in New Orleans, Orleans Parish, Louisiana. This deviation provides for the bridge to remain closed to navigation for approximately 11 consecutive hours to conduct scheduled maintenance to the drawbridge.

EPA proposes to approve the State Implementation Plan (SIP) and operating permits program revision submitted by the State of Missouri to update the ambient air quality standards, sampling methods, definitions, and common reference methods and tables. The update also includes references to implement the 8-hour ozone and PM2.5 National Ambient Air Quality Standards that were finalized on July 18, 1997.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce a 90-day finding on a petition to remove the threatened Sacramento Mountains thistle (Cirsium vinaceum) (thistle) from the Federal List of Threatened and Endangered Plants, under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). We find the petition does not present substantial information indicating that delisting of the thistle may be warranted. Therefore, we will not initiate a further 12-month status review in response to this petition under section 4(b)(3)(B) of the Act. However, we are initiating a 5-year review of this species under section 4(c)(2)(A) of the Act to consider information that has become available since we listed the species as threatened on June 16, 1987 (52 FR 22933). This will provide the public an opportunity to submit new information on the status of the species. We invite all interested parties to submit comments or information regarding this species.

The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is announcing receipt of a petition from Hormel Foods to establish a definition for the voluntary claim ``natural'' and to delineate the conditions under which the claim can be used on the labels of meat and poultry products. The use of the claim ``natural'' is an issue of significant interest to the Agency, to industry, and to the public. Therefore, the Agency is inviting comments on the issue generally and on the petition and, to facilitate the comment process, is announcing that it will hold a public meeting to discuss the petition. After the comment period closes, FSIS will initiate rulemaking on the claim ``natural.'' The Agency has decided to initiate rulemaking because it is the most appropriate, open, and transparent method to deal with issues surrounding the definition and use of the claim ``natural.''

The Malheur National Forest is planning to increase fees at numerous campgrounds as well as begin charging fees at other campgrounds. Funds from fees collected will be used for the continued operation and maintenance of fee campgrounds on the Malheur National Forest.

The Department of Defense is preparing to draft new consumer protection rules. Public Law 109-364, the John Warner National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2007, Sec. 670, ``Limitations on Terms of Consumer Credit Extended to Service Members and Dependents,'' (October 17, 2006), created 10 U.S.C. 987 and requires the Secretary of Defense to prescribe regulations to implement the protections covered by the law. The Department of Defense views this requirement as an opportunity to ensure the protections included in the statute do not create unintended limitations on Service members and their families obtaining favorable credit products. Submitted comments and recommendations will be carefully considered as the regulation is being drafted. An opportunity to review the proposed regulation will be provided during a subsequent period for public comment.

In accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act, the California Bay-Delta Public Advisory Committee (Committee) will meet on December 14, 2006. This meeting will be held jointly with the California Bay-Delta Authority. The agenda for the joint meeting will include discussions with State and Federal agency representatives on end of Stage 1 decisions and planning for Stage 2 actions for the CALFED Bay-Delta Program (Program); and recommendations on Year 6 Program Performance and Accomplishments, Year 7 Priorities and Program Plans, and Program Performance and Balance. The meeting will also include reports form the Lead Scientist and the Independent Science Board, along with updates on the Delta Vision, Delta Risk Management Strategy, Pelagic Organisms Decline Action Plan, and Program Performance and Tracking.

Under the provisions of Title 49, U.S.C. Section 47153(c), notice is being given that the FAA is considering a request from the City of Concord to waive the requirement that approximately 0.66-acres of airport property, located at the Concord Regional Airport, be used for aeronautical purposes.