November 6, 2008 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The interagency section 301 Committee is soliciting written comments on possible modifications to the action taken by the United States Trade Representative (``Trade Representative'') in connection with the World Trade Organization (``WTO'') authorization in the EC- Beef Hormones dispute to the United States to suspend concessions and related obligations with respect to the European Communities (``EC''). The EC-Beef Hormones dispute concerned the EC's ban on the import of U.S. meat and meat products produced from animals treated with any of six hormones for growth promotion purposes. Annex I to this notice contains a list of EC products with respect to which the United States is currently imposing increased rates of duty (100 percent ad valorem) pursuant to the WTO's authorization. Annex II to this notice contains a list of potential alternative products under consideration for the imposition of increased duties. Comments are requested with respect to (i) whether products listed in Annex I should be removed from the list or remain on the list (and if a product remains on the list, whether the currently applied rate of duty should be increased), (ii) whether products listed in Annex II should be included on a revised list and be subjected to increased rates of duty, and (iii) the products of which member States of the EC should be subjected to increased rates of duty.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is announcing a public hearing to obtain input on adding additional diseases to the list of tropical diseases recognized under the Food and Drug Administration Amendments Act (FDAAA), which adds a new section to the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (the act). The new section authorizes FDA to award priority review vouchers to sponsors of certain tropical disease product applications that meet the criteria specified by the act. The new section lists diseases considered to be ``tropical diseases'' for the purposes of this legislation, and provides for expansion of the list to include diseases meeting certain criteria. This public meeting is being held to obtain comments from the public on the criteria that should be used to determine whether an infectious disease should be added to the list, and to elicit suggestions for adding specific diseases.

The Coast Guard is withdrawing its notice of proposed rulemaking concerning the operation of the SR 316 Blue Bayou Pontoon Bridge across the GIWW, mile 49.8, near Houma, Lafourche Parish, Louisiana. The notice of proposed rulemaking proposed to allow the bridge to stay closed for school buses to pass when carrying children, but due to mechanical improvements of the bridge, the requester, Lafourche Parish Council, has withdrawn their request.

The Commission is noticing a recently-filed Postal Service request to add Express Mail & Priority Mail Contract 1 to the Competitive Product List. The Postal Service has also filed a related contract. This notice addresses procedural steps associated with these filings.

The Commission is noticing a recently-filed Postal Service request to add Priority Mail Contract 4 to the Competitive Product List. The Postal Service has also filed a related contract. This notice addresses procedural steps associated with these filings.

The Commission requests comments on a channel substitution proposed by Paxson Communications License Company, LLC (``Paxson''), the permittee of WPXD-DT, post-transition DTV channel 31, Ann Arbor, Michigan. Paxson requests the substitution of DTV channel 19 for post- transition DTV channel 31 at Ann Arbor.

PHMSA has established the criteria and competitive procedures that will be used in awarding grants under the Technical Assistance Grants (TAG) program authorized in 49 U.S.C. 60130 and section 2(e) of the Pipeline Inspection, Protection, Enforcement, and Safety Act of 2006. Subject to future appropriations, the TAG program will provide grants to local governments and community groups for engineering and other technical assistance related to pipeline safety matters. This Notice also details PHMSA's plans for awarding the three demonstration grants authorized under the TAG program.

The U.S. Department of Commerce (the Department) preliminarily determines that certain circular welded carbon quality steel line pipe (welded line pipe) from the Republic of Korea (Korea) is being, or is likely to be, sold in the United States at less than fair value (LTFV), as provided in section 733(b) of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (the Act). The estimated margins of sales at LTFV are listed in the ``Suspension of Liquidation'' section of this notice. Interested parties are invited to comment on this preliminary determination in accordance with the time frame explained in the ``Public Comment'' section of this notice.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), this document announces that an Information Collection Request (ICR) has been forwarded to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval. This is a request to renew an existing approved collection. The ICR which is abstracted below describes the nature of the collection and the estimated burden and cost.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), this document announces that an Information Collection Request (ICR) has been forwarded to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval. This is a request to renew an existing approved collection. The ICR, which is abstracted below, describes the nature of the information collection and its estimated burden and cost.

Notice is hereby given that a petition has been received from the State of New York requesting a determination by the Regional Administrator, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), that adequate facilities for the safe and sanitary removal and treatment of sewage from all vessels are reasonably available for Oyster Bay/Cold Spring Harbor Complex, New York. The waters of the proposed No Discharge Zone fall within the jurisdictions of the Town of Oyster Bay, the Town of Huntington, the Village of Bayville, the Village of Bayville, the Village of Centre Island, the Village of Cove Neck, the Village of Lattingtown, the Village of Laurel Hollow, the Village of Lloyd Harbor, the Village of Mill Neck, the Village of Oyster Bay Cove, the County of Nassau, and the County of Suffolk. These entities submitted an application prepared by Cashin Associates, P.C. for the designation of a Vessel Waste No Discharge Zone. New York State Department of Environmental Conservation certified the need for greater protection of the water quality. EPA published a Tentative Affirmative Determination on July 15, 2008, in the Federal Register. Public comments were solicited for 30 days and the comment period ended on August 14, 2008. Comments were received from three individuals, one stating that EPA should not blame the boaters for water quality problems, one supporting the proposed NDZ and one who finds that pumpout facilities are sometimes inoperable and that fines should be levied against the marinas that cannot provide the pumpout service on which our determinations are based. Regarding the first comment of ``blaming the boaters,'' Section 312(f)(3) of the Clean Water Act allows States to prohibit the discharge of sewage, whether treated or untreated, from vessels for the greater protection and enhancement of water quality. EPA determines whether adequate facilities, for the safe and sanitary removal and treatment of the sewage, are reasonably available. We have found the facilities in the proposed areas are reasonably available and recommend finalizing our determination. Regarding the third comment, the Clean Water Act Section 312(f) does not provide for the assessment of fines against marinas for inoperable pumpouts. In the past, when we have been made aware of inoperable or inaccessible pumpouts we have contacted the State agencies and requested their assistance in resolution of the matter. The situation has always been resolved as expeditiously as possible. EPA will continue to refer complaints about non-operational pumpouts to the appropriate State and local authorities when such complaints are received.

Notice is hereby given that a petition has been received from the State of New York requesting a determination by the Regional Administrator, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, that adequate facilities for the safe and sanitary removal and treatment of sewage from all vessels are reasonably available for Hempstead Harbor, Nassau County, New York. The waters of the proposed No Discharge Zone fall within the jurisdictions of the Town of North Hempstead, the Town of Oyster Bay, the County of Nassau, the City of Glen Cove and the Villages of Sea Cliff, Roslyn Harbor, Roslyn, Flower Point and Sands Point. These entities, through the New York Department of State and the Hempstead Harbor Protection Committee prepared the application for the designation of a Vessel Waste No Discharge Zone, which was submitted by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. EPA published a Tentative Affirmative Determination on July 15, 2008, in the Federal Register. Public comments were solicited for 30 days and the comment period ended on August 14, 2008. Comments were received from three individuals, one stating that EPA should not blame the boaters for water quality problems, one supporting the proposed NDZ and one who finds that pumpout facilities are sometimes inoperable and that fines should be levied against the marinas that cannot provide the pumpout service on which our determinations are based. Regarding the first comment of ``blaming the boaters,'' Section 312(f)(3) of the Clean Water Act allows States to prohibit the discharge of sewage, whether treated or untreated, from vessels for the greater protection and enhancement of water quality. EPA determines whether adequate facilities, for the safe and sanitary removal and treatment of the sewage, are reasonably available. We have found the facilities in the proposed areas are reasonably available and recommend finalizing our determination. Regarding the third comment, the Clean Water Act Section 312(f) does not provide for the assessment of fines against marinas for inoperable pumpouts. In the past, when we have been made aware of inoperable or inaccessible pumpouts we have contacted the State agencies and requested their assistance in resolution of the matter. The situation has always been resolved as expeditiously as possible. EPA will continue to refer complaints about non-operational pumpouts to the appropriate State and local authorities when such complaints are received.

As part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork burden and as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501-3520), the Federal Communications Commission invites the general public and other Federal agencies to comment on the following information collection(s). Comments are requested concerning (a) whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Commission, including whether the information shall have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the Commission's burden estimate; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on the respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology. An agency may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. No person shall be subject to any penalty for failing to comply with a collection of information subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act that does not display a valid OMB control number.

As part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork burden and as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501-3520), the Federal Communications Commission invites the general public and other Federal agencies to comment on the following information collection(s). Comments are requested concerning (a) whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Commission, including whether the information shall have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the Commission's burden estimate; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on the respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology. An agency may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. No person shall be subject to any penalty for failing to comply with a collection of information subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act that does not display a valid OMB control number.

In accordance with section 122(i) of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, as amended (CERCLA), 42 U.S.C. 9622(i), notice is hereby given of a proposed administrative settlement concerning the Chief Supply/Greenway Superfund Site, near Haskell, Wagoner County, Oklahoma. The settlement requires the sixty-six (66) de minimis settling parties to pay a total of $178,442.00 as payment of response costs to the Hazardous Substances Superfund. The settlement includes a covenant not to sue pursuant to sections 106 or 107 of CERCLA, 42 U.S.C. 9606 or 9607. For thirty (30) days beginning the date of publication of this notice, the Agency will receive written comments relating to this notice and will receive written comments relating to the settlement. The Agency will consider all comments received and may modify or withdraw its consent to the settlement if comments received disclose facts or considerations which indicate that the settlement is inappropriate, improper, or inadequate. The Agency's response to any comments received will be available for public inspection at 1445 Ross Avenue, Dallas, Texas 75202-2733.

The Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (Board) has adopted final amendments to its Regulation A to reflect the Board's approval of a decrease in the primary credit rate at each Federal Reserve Bank. The secondary credit rate at each Reserve Bank automatically decreased by formula as a result of the Board's primary credit rate action.

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) hereby gives notice that it has submitted the following information collection request (ICR) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Emergency Processing under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13, 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.). FRA requests that OMB authorize the collection of information identified below on or before November 21, 2008, for 180 days after the date of approval by OMB. A copy of this ICR, with applicable supporting documentation, may be obtained by calling FRA's Clearance Officers, Mr. Robert Brogan (tel. (202) 493-6292) or Ms. Nakia Jackson (tel. (202) 493-6073). These numbers are not toll-free. A copy of this ICR may also be obtained electronically by contacting Mr. Brogan at robert.brogan@dot.gov or by contacting Ms. Jackson at nakia.jackson@dot.gov. Comments and questions about the ICR identified below should be directed to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA), Attn: FRA OMB Desk Officer, 725 17th St., NW., Washington, DC 20503. Comments and questions about the ICR identified below may also be transmitted electronically to OIRA at oira_ submissions@omb.eop.gov.

Pursuant to section 8(c)(2) and section 12(r)(3) of the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act (Act) (45 U.S.C. 358(c)(2) and 45 U.S.C. 362(r)(3), respectively), the Board gives notice of the following: 1. The balance to the credit of the Railroad Unemployment Insurance (RUI) Account, as of June 30, 2008, is $122,524,603.90; 2. The September 30, 2008, balance of any new loans to the RUI Account, including accrued interest, is zero; 3. The system compensation base is $3,596,278,039.12 as of June 30, 2008; 4. The cumulative system unallocated charge balance is ($305,933,872.49) as of June 30, 2008; 5. The pooled credit ratio for calendar year 2009 is zero; 6. The pooled charged ratio for calendar year 2009 is zero; 7. The surcharge rate for calendar year 2009 is 1.5 percent; 8. The monthly compensation base under section 1(i) of the Act is $1,330 for months in calendar year 2009; 9. The amount described in sections 1(k) and 3 of the Act as ``2.5 times the monthly compensation base'' is $3,325 for base year (calendar year) 2009; 10. The amount described in section 4(a-2)(i)(A) of the Act as ``2.5 times the monthly compensation base'' is $3,325 with respect to disqualifications ending in calendar year 2009; 11. The amount described in section 2(c) of the Act as ``an amount that bears the same ratio to $775 as the monthly compensation base for that year as computed under section 1(i) of this Act bears to $600'' is $1,718 for months in calendar year 2009; 12. The maximum daily benefit rate under section 2(a)(3) of the Act is $64 with respect to days of unemployment and days of sickness in registration periods beginning after June 30, 2009.

As required by 43 CFR 2650.7(d), notice is hereby given that an appealable decision approving lands for conveyance pursuant to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act will be issued to Belkofski Corporation. The lands are in the vicinity of Belkofski, Alaska, and are located in: