Agencies and Commissions March 2005 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The consent agreement in this matter settles alleged violations of federal law prohibiting unfair or deceptive acts or practices or unfair methods of competition. The attached Analysis to Aid Public Comment describes both the allegations in the draft complaint that accompanies the consent agreement and the terms of the consent orderembodied in the consent agreementthat would settle these allegations.

In accordance with Section 612(b) of the Millennium Challenge Act of 2003 (Pub. L. 108-199, Division D), the Millennium Challenge Corporation is making its first quarterly report available to the public. The following report covers the quarter beginning October 1, 2004 and ending December 31, 2004.

OPM is publishing notice of its computer matching program with the Social Security Administration (SSA) to meet the reporting requirements of Pub. L. 100-503. The purpose of this match is for SSA to establish the conditions under which the SSA agrees to disclose tax return information to the Office of Personnel Management (OPM). The SSA records will be used in a matching program in which OPM will match SSA's tax return records with OPM's records on disability retirees under age 60, disabled adult child survivors, certain retirees in receipt of a supplemental benefit under the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS), and certain annuitants receiving a discontinued service retirement benefit under the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS).

The Federal Communications Commission, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork burden invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on the following information collection(s), as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, Public Law 104-13. An agency may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid 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 (PRA) that does not display a valid control number. 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.

Notice is hereby given of the regular meeting of the Farm Credit System Insurance Corporation Board (Board). Date and Time: The meeting of the Board will be held at the offices of the Farm Credit Administration in McLean, Virginia, on March 21, 2005, from 9 a.m. until such time as the Board concludes its business.

On March 11, 2005, the Department of Commerce published notice in the Federal Register of a negative final determination of subsidies in connection with the subject investigation (70 FR 12186). Accordingly, pursuant to section 207.40(a) of the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure (19 CFR 207.40(a)), the countervailing duty investigation concerning live swine from Canada (investigation No. 701- TA-438 (Final)) is terminated.

The General Services Administration (GSA) announces its intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 to assess the potential impacts of the construction of a New Border Station Facility on Interstate 91 in Derby Line, Vermont (the ``Proposed Action''). At the request of the US Customs and Border Protection, the GSA is proposing to construct a new border station facility on Interstate Highway 91 at Derby Line, Vermont. The existing facilities are undersized and obsolete, and consequently incapable of providing the level of security now required. The Proposed Action has been defined and will likely include: (a) identification of land requirements, including acquisition of adjoining land if appropriate; (b) demolition of all existing government structures at the border station; (c) construction of a main administration building and ancillary support buildings; and (d) relocation a portion of the I-91 roadway and interchange and consequent potential alterations to secondary roads. The location of the new border station facility is set by the requirement that the facility be located at the intersection of the interstate highway and the U. S. Border. Therefore, alternatives to be studied will identify alternative locations for the components of the border station including the main administration and ancillary support buildings, the roadway and interchange. A No Action alternative will also be studied that will evaluate the consequences of not constructing the new border station facility. This alternative is included to provide a basis for comparison to the action alternatives described above as required by NEPA regulations (40 CFR 1002.14(d)). GSA invites individuals, organizations and agencies to submit comments concerning the scope of the EIS. The public scoping period starts with the publication of this notice in the Federal Register and will continue for forty five (45) days from the date of this notice. GSA will consider all comments received or postmarked by that date in defining the scope of the EIS. GSA expects to issue a Draft EIS in summer 2005 at which time its availability will be announced in the Federal Register and local media. A public comment period will commence upon publication of the Notice of Availability. The GSA will consider and respond to comments received on the Draft EIS in preparing the Final EIS.

The National Science Foundation (NSF) is announcing plans to request renewed clearance of this collection. In accordance with the requirement of section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, we are providing opportunity for public comment on this action. After obtaining and considering public comment, NSF will prepare the submission requesting OMB clearance of this collection for no longer than 3 years. Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Agency, including whether the information shall have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the Agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

This gives notice of OPM decisions granting authority to make appointments under Schedules A, B and C in the excepted service as required by 5 CFR 6.6 and 213.103.

This action adds to the Procurement List a service to be furnished by a nonprofit agency employing persons who are blind or have other severe disabilities.

In this document, the Commission proposes amendments of its rules to facilitate more flexible use of the 199 channels allocated to the Business and Industrial Land Transportation (B/ILT) Pools in the 896-901/935-940 MHz (900 MHz) bands, by permitting any use of the B/ILT channels in the 900 MHz band that is consistent with the band's fixed and mobile allocations. In addition, the Commission proposes to license the remaining spectrum using a geographic area licensing scheme, and to adopt service rules, including licensing, technical and operational rules for the new geographic licensees. Further, the Commission seeks comment on competitive bidding rules and procedures to be used in the event that mutually exclusive applications are filed for the 900 MHz proposed geographic licenses.

The Federal Communications Commission has renewed the charter for the Technological Advisory Council (``TAC'') for a 2-year period, through November 19, 2006. The Council is a federal advisory committee under the Federal Advisory Committee Act (Pub. L. 92-463).

This document contains a correction to the final regulation (47 CFR Part 73), which the Federal Communications Commission published in the Federal Register on February 6, 2001 (66 FR 9038). The rule change related to a change to the DTV Table of Allotments reflecting the substitution of DTV channel 45c for DTV channel 9 at Hazleton. However, DTV channel 45 was inadvertently published without the ``c'' designation. This document corrects that amendment contained in Sec. 73.622(b) of the Commission's Rules.

In accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act, Public Law 92-463, as amended, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration announces a meeting of the NASA International Space Station Strategic Roadmap Committee.