December 20, 2005 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501-3521), this notice announces that the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), has submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) the following emergency proposal for the collection of information under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3507(j)(1)). VA is requesting an emergency clearance for Request for One-VA Identification Card.

The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) 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 information needed to determine a veteran's who uses prosthetic or orthopedic device (including a wheelchair) or is prescribe medication due to a skin condition because of a service connected disability may be eligibility for clothing allowance.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.) and 5 CFR 1320.5(b), this notice announces that new information collections requirements (ICRs) listed below have been approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). These new ICRs pertain to 49 CFR parts 222, 229, and 236. Additionally, FRA hereby announces that other ICRs listed below have been re-approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). These ICRs pertain to Parts 214, 216, 229, 238, and 240. The OMB approval numbers, titles, and expiration dates are included herein under supplementary information.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Marine Fisheries Service (Services) advise interested parties of their intent to conduct public scoping under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) to gather information to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) related to a permit application from the Port of Vancouver, Washington, for the incidental take of listed species. The permit application would be associated with the Port of Vancouver Columbia Gateway Site Habitat Conservation Plan adjacent to the Columbia River in Vancouver, WA.

The U.S. Department of Commerce (Department), pursuant to section 751(c) of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (the Act), has determined that revocation of the antidumping duty order on certain cased pencils (pencils) from the People's Republic of China (PRC) would likely lead to continuation or recurrence of dumping. On December 6, 2005, the International Trade Commission (ITC), pursuant to section 751(c) of the Act, determined that revocation of the antidumping duty order on pencils from the PRC would likely lead to continuation or recurrence of material injury to an industry in the United States within a reasonably foreseeable time. Therefore, pursuant to 19 CFR 351.218(f)(4), the Department is publishing notice of the continuation of the antidumping duty order on pencils from the PRC.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), this document announces that EPA is planning to submit a continuing Information Collection Request (ICR) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). This is a request for an existing approved collection. This ICR is scheduled to expire on April 30, 2006. Before submitting the ICR to OMB for review and approval, EPA is soliciting comments on specific aspects of the proposed information collection as described below.

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has, in response to recent case law, revised its guidelines to be used by USPTO personnel in their review of patent applications to determine whether the claims in a patent application are directed to patent eligible subject matter. The USPTO is requesting comments from the public regarding these interim examination guidelines. Comment Deadline Date: To be ensured of consideration, written comments must be received on or before June 30, 2006. No public hearing will be held.

Pursuant to the authorities in the Federal Advisory Committees Act (Pub. L. 92-463) and under the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000 (Pub. L. 106-393) the Modoc National Forest's Modoc Resource Advisory Committee will meet Monday, January 9th, 2006 and February 6th, 2006 and March 6th in Alturas, California for business meetings. The meetings are open to the public.

Pursuant to section 102(2)(c) of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) will prepare an EIS to evaluate expanding the existing Los Vaqueros Reservoir and alternatives to improve water supply reliability and water quality for Bay Area water users, particularly those receiving water from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta; and contribute to lower cost implementation of the CALFED Environmental Water Account (EWA). Pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act, Contra Costa Water District will prepare an EIR on the proposed project concurrent with the EIS preparation. A joint EIS/EIR document will be prepared. Reclamation was directed in Public Law 108-7, (Omnibus Appropriations Act of 2003) to conduct a feasibility-level investigation of the potential expansion of Los Vaqueros Reservoir.

The Leader, Information Management Case Services Team, Regulatory Information Management Services, Office of the Chief Information Officer invites comments on the submission for OMB review as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.

The public is invited to comment on the following applications to conduct certain activities with endangered species and/or marine mammals.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has submitted the following information collection to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and clearance in accordance with the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. The submission describes the nature of the information collection, the categories of respondents, the estimated burden (i.e., the time, effort and resources used by respondents to respond) and cost, and includes the actual data collection instruments FEMA will use. Title: Exemption of State-Owned Properties Under Self-Insurance Plan. OMB Number: 1660-0013. Abstract: The application for exemption is made to the Federal Insurance Administration by the Governor or other duly authorized official of the State accompanied by sufficient supporting documentation which certifies that the plan of self-insurance upon which the application for exemption is based meets or exceeds the standards set forth in 44 CFR 75.11. Upon determining that the State's plan of self-insurance equals or exceeds the standards, the Administrator then certifies that the State is exempt from the requirements for the purchase of flood insurance for State-owned structures and their contents. Affected Public: Individuals or households; Business or other for- profit; Not-for-profit institutions; Farms; Federal Government: State, Local or Tribal Government. Number of Respondents: 20. Estimated Time per Respondent: 5 hours. Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 100. Frequency of Response: Once. Comments: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments on the proposed information collection to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs at OMB, Attention: Desk Officer for the Department of Homeland Security/FEMA, Docket Library, Room 10102, 725 17th Street, NW., Washington, DC 20503, or facsimile number (202) 395-7285. Comments must be submitted on or before January 19, 2006.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has submitted the following information collection to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and clearance in accordance with the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. The submission describes the nature of the information collection, the categories of respondents, the estimated burden (i.e., the time, effort and resources used by respondents to respond) and cost, and includes the actual data collection instruments FEMA will use. Title: Application for Participation in the National Flood Insurance Program. OMB Number: 1660-0004. Abstract: The NFIP provides flood insurance to communities that apply for participation and make a commitment to adopt and enforce land use control measures that are designed to protect development from future flood damages. The application form will enable FEMA to continue to rapidly process new community applications and to thereby more quickly provide flood insurance protection to the residents of the communities. Participation in the NFIP is mandatory in order for flood related Presidentially-declared communities to receive Federal disaster assistance. Affected Public: State, local or Tribal Governments. Number of Respondents: 150. Estimated Time per Respondent: 4 Hours. Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 600 Hours. Frequency of Response: Once. Comments: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments on the proposed information collection to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs at OMB, Attention: Desk Officer for the Department of Homeland Security/FEMA, Docket Library, Room 10102, 725 17th Street, NW., Washington, DC 20503, or facsimile number (202) 395-7285. Comments must be submitted on or before January 19, 2006.

The information collection requirements described below will be submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (``OMB'') for review, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act (``PRA'') (44 U.S.C. 3501-3520). The FTC is seeking public comments on its proposal to extend through December 31, 2008 the current PRA clearances for information collection requirements contained in four product labeling rules enforced by the Commission. Those clearances expire on December 31, 2005.