January 2005 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

In the Federal Register notice of April 13, 2004 (69 FR 19644), the Department of Health and Human Services (``HHS'' or ``Department'') published final changes to the Mandatory Guidelines for Federal Workplace Drug Testing Programs. These changes established specimen validity testing standards and reporting procedures for Federal agency urine specimens collected under the Mandatory Guidelines for Federal Workplace Drug Testing Programs. These changes to the Mandatory Guidelines were subject to further comment only on the creatinine criterion that is part of the requirement to report a urine specimen as substituted because the Department based this criterion on information received after the comment period on the proposed changes published on August 21,2001 closed. After reviewing the comments received regarding this issue, the Department has concluded that the 2 mg/dL creatinine criterion established in the April 13, 2004, Federal Register notice (69 FR 19644) for a substituted specimen is the appropriate cutoff concentration to use for reporting a urine specimen as substituted.

The Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), is announcing an opportunity for public comment on the proposed collection of certain information by the agency. Under the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, Federal agencies are required to publish notice in the Federal Register concerning each proposed collection of information, including each proposed extension of a currently approved collection, and allow 60 days for public comment in response to the notice. This notice solicits comments on the information needed to determine whether a claimant served in the Commonwealth Army of the Philippines or in recognized guerrilla organizations.

The USDA Forest Service published a notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) for the Commercial Pack Stock Use Authorizations for the Ansel Adams and John Muir Wildernesses Project in the Federal Register on June 15, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 114, pages 33346-33348). A revised notice of intent is being issued for several reasons. A Trail Management Plan for the Ansel Adams and John Muir Wildernesses, previously under analysis in a separate environmental document, has been combined into this project. The Dinkey Lakes portion of the Trail Management Plan will be conducted in a future analysis. To incorporate the Trail Management Plan, the Purpose and Need and Proposed Action for the project have been revised only to reflect the combination of the two proposals into one. This is described in more detail below. In addition, the decision to be made reflects a change that this proposal will only amend the Ansel Adams and John Muir portions of the 2001 Wilderness Management Plan. No commercial pack stock use will be authorized under this proposal. Finally, the name of the project has been changed to better describe the proposed action and is now ``Trail and Commercial Pack Stock Management in the Ansel Adams and John Muir Wildernesses.''

The BOA to the President, U.S. NWC, will meet to discuss educational, doctrinal, and research policies and programs at the NWC. The meeting will be open to the public.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) announces the availability for public review of the Draft Barton Springs Salamander Recovery Plan (Draft Recovery Plan). The Barton Springs salamander (Eurycea sosorum) is known to occur near four springs outlets that collectively make up Barton Springs in Austin, Texas. The Service solicits review and comment from the public on this Draft Recovery Plan. The Service also announces a 5-year status review of the Barton Springs salamander under section 4(c)(2)(A) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (Act) (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). The purpose of reviews conducted under this section of the Act is to ensure that the classification of the species as threatened or endangered on the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants (List) is accurate. A 5-year review is based on the best scientific and commercial data available at the time of the review. Therefore, we are requesting submission of any such information on the Barton Springs salamander that has become available since its original listing as an endangered species in 1997. If the present classification of this species is not consistent with the best scientific and commercial information available, the Service will recommend whether or not a change is warranted in the Federal classification of Barton Springs salamander. Any change in Federal classification would require a separate rule- making process.

This notice sets forth the schedule and proposed agenda of a forthcoming meeting of the National Board for Education Sciences. Notice of this meeting is required under Section 10(a)(2) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act. This document is intended to notify the general public of their opportunity to attend the open portion of the meeting. Individuals who will need accommodations for a disability in order to attend the meeting (i.e., interpreting services, assistive listening devices, materials in alternative format) should notify Mary Grace Lucier at (202) 219-2253 by January 28. We will attempt to meet requests after this date, but cannot guarantee availability of the requested accommodation. The meeting site is accessible to individuals with disabilities.

Pursuant to section 102(2)(c) of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) intends to prepare an EIS to evaluate Contra Costa Water District's (CCWD's) proposed Alternative Intake Project. The project purpose is to protect and improve water quality for CCWD's customers. The proposed action includes the construction of a new intake and fish screen in the Central Delta, a pumping plant, and an associated pipeline from the new intake to CCWD's Old River Pumping Plant on Old River. The proposed action would involve adding a new point of diversion to certain existing water rights held by CCWD and by Reclamation. In addition to the proposed action, other alternatives will be evaluated that may include different intake locations, desalination, and other treatment options. Potential Federal involvement may include the approval of an additional point of diversion pursuant to CCWD's water service contract with Reclamation, and operational changes. The EIS will be combined with an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) prepared by CCWD pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13), this notice announces that the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) intends to submit to the Office of Management and Budget a request for clearance of these information collections: Questionnaire for Non-Sensitive Positions, Standard Form 85 (SF 85); Questionnaire for Public Trust Positions, Standard Form 85P (SF 85P); Supplemental Questionnaire for Selected Positions, Standard Form 85P-S (SF 85P-S); Questionnaire for National Security Positions, Standard Form 86 (SF 86); Continuation Sheet for Questionnaires SF 86, 85P, and 85, Standard Form 86A (SF 86A); Certification Statement for SF 86, Standard Form SF 86C (SF 86C); and Parallel, electronic versions of the SF 85, SF 85P, and SF 86, including accompanying releases, housed in a system named e-QIP (Electronic Questionnaires for Investigations Processing) These information collections are completed by applicants for, or incumbents of, Government positions, or positions for the Government under contract, or by military personnel. The collections are used as the basis of information for background investigations to establish that such persons are suitable for: Employment or retention in employment; Employment or retention as contractor; or eligible for: A public trust position; or Employment or retention as a Federal employee, Federal contractor or military personnel in a sensitive or national security position requiring access to classified national security information or special nuclear information or material. When use is necessary, the SF 86A is used in lieu of blank paper as a continuation of the form with which its use is associated and not for any unique purpose exclusive from the associated form. Comments are particularly invited on: Whether this collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of functions of the Office of Personnel Management and its Center for Federal Investigative Services, which administers background investigations; Whether our estimate of the public burden of this collection is accurate, and based on valid assumptions and methodology; and Ways in which we can minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, through use of the appropriate technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology. Ways in which we can enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected. The SF 85, SF 85P, SF 85P-S, SF 86, SF 86A, and SF 86C are completed by both employees of the Federal Government and individuals not employed with the Federal Government, including Federal contractors, and military personnel. Federal employees are defined as those individuals who are employed as civilian or military personnel with the Federal Government. Non- Federal employees include members of the general public and all individuals employed as Federal and military contractors, or individuals otherwise not directly employed by the Federal Government. It is estimated that 17,000 non-Federal individuals will complete the SF 85 annually. Each form takes approximately 30 minutes to complete. The estimated annual public burden is 8,500 hours. It is estimated that 49,000 non-Federal individuals will complete the SF 85P annually. Each form takes approximately 60 minutes to complete. The estimated annual burden is 49,000 hours. It is estimated that 3,600 non-Federal individuals will complete the SF 85P-S annually. Each form takes approximately 10 minutes to complete. The estimated annual burden is 600 hours. It is estimated that 56,000 non-Federal individuals will complete the SF 86 annually. Each form takes approximately 90 minutes to complete. The estimated annual burden is 84,000 hours. It is estimated that 16,000 non-Federal individuals will complete the SF 86A annually. When this continuation form is used, however, no public burden estimate is provided as it is included with the time computed with the associated security questionnaire. It is estimated that 1,200 non-Federal individuals will complete the SF 86C annually. Each form takes approximately 15 minutes to complete. The estimated annual burden is 300 hours. e-QIP (Electronic Questionnaires for Investigations Processing) is a Web-based system application that houses or will house electronic versions or the SF 86, SF 85P, SF 85P-S, and SF 85. The SF 86 is in full production and the SF 85P, SF 85P-S and SF 85 will be available for full production by early 2005. This Internet data collection tool is used in place ofnot in addition tothe paper versions of these forms. Individuals using the e-QIP versions will enjoy more convenience, faster processing time, and immediate data validation to ensure accuracy of their personal history information. The data requested on these forms is consistent with that requested on their paper counterparts. e-QIP is a newly implemented system, which accounts for approximately 5% of all security forms submitted at this time. As implementation among Federal agencies expands, it is anticipated that the percentage of all security forms processed through e-QIP will exceed 50% by 2006. While e-QIP will significantly enhance the processing of security questionnaires for processing of background investigations, we do not expect an immediate discernable change to the public burden hours from those cited above for identical paper versions of the forms. For copies of this proposal, contact Mary Beth Smith-Toomey on (202) 606-8358, Fax (202) 418-3251, or e-mail at mbtoomey@opm.gov. Please be sure to include a mailing address with your request.

The National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB) is developing its first 5-year strategic plan (2005-2009), and invites the public to provide input regarding NIBIB's areas of scientific emphasis, operational emphasis, and strategic priorities. The public is invited to provide comments via the NIBIB Web site.

This notice sets forth the schedule and proposed agenda of the forthcoming public meeting of the National Advisory Committee on Violence Against Women (hereinafter ``the Committee'').

The Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation (SLSDC) and the St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation (SLSMC) of Canada, under international agreement, jointly publish and presently administer the St. Lawrence Seaway Regulations and Rules (Practices and Procedures in Canada) in their respective jurisdictions. Under agreement with the SLSMC, the SLSDC is proposing to amend the joint regulations by updating the Seaway Regulations and Rules in various categories. The proposed changes would update the following sections of the Regulation and Rules: Condition of Vessels; Preclearance and Security for Tolls; Seaway Navigation; Dangerous Cargo; Toll Assessment and Payment; Information and Reports; and General. These amendments are necessary to take account of updated procedures and/or technology and will enhance the safety of transits through the Seaway.

NOAA and the Office of the Secretary, Department of the Interior (DOI), on July 23, 2003, jointly proposed criteria, definitions, and data fields that will be used in development of an Inventory of U.S. Marine Managed Areas (MMAs). The MMA Inventory will provide information that will lead to the fulfillment of requirements of Executive Order (E.O.) 13158 on Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). This action provides the final criteria and data fields that will be used to develop and complete the MMA Inventory and summarizes and responds to comments received on the notice of July 23rd. This will allow the completion of Phase I, development of the MMA Inventory, to be followed by the development of criteria for and the List of MPAs (Phase II) called for in E.O. 13158.

The purpose of this notice is to inform the public and interested State and local government officials of the filing of Plats of Survey in Nevada.

The proposed information collection requirement described below has been submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act. The Department is soliciting public comments on the subject proposal. HUD is requesting approval be reinstated for post award reporting on SHOP grant funding. SHOP provides for funds to purchase home sites and develop/improve infrastructure to support sweat equity and volunteer-based homeownership programs for low-income persons and families. This information collection is to measure performance goals and demonstrate the success of the program.