Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Calexico West Port of Entry Expansion/Renovation, Calexico, California, 9825-9826 [E6-2694]

Download as PDF hsrobinson on PROD1PC70 with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 38 / Monday, February 27, 2006 / Notices to raise fees they receive from health plans. The proposed order’s specific provisions are as follows: Paragraph II.A prohibits HAL from entering into or facilitating any agreement between or among any physicians: (1) To negotiate with payors on any physician’s behalf; (2) to deal, not to deal, or threaten not to deal with payors; (3) on what terms to deal with any payor; or (4) not to deal individually with any payor, or to deal with any payor only through an arrangement involving HAL. Other parts of Paragraph II reinforce these general prohibitions. Paragraph II.B prohibits HAL from facilitating exchanges of information between physicians concerning whether, or on what terms, to contract with a payor. Paragraph II.C bars attempts to engage in any action prohibited by Paragraph II.A or II.B, and Paragraph II.D proscribes HAL from inducing anyone to engage in any action prohibited by Paragraphs II.A through II.C. As in other Commission orders addressing providers’ collective bargaining with health care purchasers, certain kinds of agreements are excluded from the general bar on joint negotiations. HAL would not be precluded from engaging in conduct that is reasonably necessary to form or participate in legitimate joint contracting arrangements among competing physicians in a ‘‘qualified risk-sharing joint arrangement’’ or a ‘‘qualified clinically-integrated joint arrangement.’’ The arrangement, however, must not facilitate the refusal of, or restrict, physicians in contracting with payors outside of the arrangement. As defined in the proposed order, a ‘‘qualified risk-sharing joint arrangement’’ possesses two key characteristics. First, all physician participants must share substantial financial risk through the arrangement, such that the arrangement creates incentives for the physician participants jointly to control costs and improve quality by managing the provision of services. Second, any agreement concerning reimbursement or other terms or conditions of dealing must be reasonably necessary to obtain significant efficiencies through the joint arrangement. A ‘‘qualified clinically-integrated joint arrangement,’’ on the other hand, need not involve any sharing of financial risk. Instead, as defined in the proposed order, physician participants must participate in active and ongoing programs to evaluate and modify their clinical practice patterns in order to control costs and ensure the quality of VerDate Aug<31>2005 14:15 Feb 24, 2006 Jkt 208001 services provided, and the arrangement must create a high degree of interdependence and cooperation among physicians. As with qualified risk-sharing arrangements, any agreement concerning price or other terms of dealing must be reasonably necessary to achieve the efficiency goals of the joint arrangement. Paragraph III, for three years, requires HAL to notify the Commission before entering into any arrangement to act as a messenger, or as an agent on behalf of any physicians, with payors regarding contracts. Paragraph III also sets out the information necessary to make the notification complete. Paragraph IV, for three years, requires HAL to notify the Commission before participating in contracting with health plans on behalf of a qualified risksharing joint arrangement, or a qualified clinically-integrated joint arrangement. The contracting discussions that trigger the notice provision may be either among physicians, or between HAL and health plans. Paragraph IV also sets out the information necessary to satisfy the notification requirement. Paragraph V requires HAL to distribute the complaint and order to all physicians who have participated in HAL, and to payors that negotiated contracts with HAL or indicated an interest in contracting with HAL. Paragraph V.D requires HAL, at any payor’s request and without penalty, or, at the latest, within one year after the order is made final, to terminate its current contracts with respect to providing physician services. Paragraph V.D also allows any contract currently in effect to be extended, upon mutual consent of HAL and the contracted payor, to any date no later than one year from when the order became final. This extension allows both parties to negotiate a termination date that would equitably enable them to prepare for the impending contract termination. Paragraph V.E requires HAL to distribute payor requests for contract termination to all physicians who participate in HAL. Paragraphs VI, VII, and VIII of the proposed order impose various obligations on HAL to report or provide access to information to the Commission to facilitate monitoring HAL’s compliance with the order. The proposed order will expire in 20 years. The purpose of this analysis is to facilitate public comment on the proposed order. It is not intended to constitute an official interpretation of the proposed order to modify its terms in any way. PO 00000 Frm 00054 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 9825 By direction of the Commission. Donald S. Clark, Secretary. [FR Doc. E6–2721 Filed 2–24–06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6750–01–P GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Calexico West Port of Entry Expansion/Renovation, Calexico, California Public Buildings Service, GSA Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and Public Scoping Meeting AGENCY: ACTION: SUMMARY: The General Services Administration (GSA) announces its intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the expansion/renovation of the Calexico West Port of Entry (POE), located in Calexico, California. The purpose of the expansion/renovation is to reduce traffic congestion in Calexico and Mexicali city centers caused by vehicles crossing the border, to improve border security; and to provide safe, secure, and efficient operational areas for the public and Federal employees. This facility serves both vehicular and pedestrian traffic into and out of the Mexican city of Mexicali. The need for this expansion/ renovation derives from the substantial increase in its use by international travelers. The existing POE is not equipped to process this increase within an acceptable level of service consistent with the Federal Inspection Service’s minimum standards. Problems at the current facility are mostly related to inadequate space for inspection operations, equipment, and personnel. The facility also requires seismic retrofitting. The EIS will address potential environmental impacts of the alternatives for the proposed project related to geology and soils, water resources, land use, biological resources, cultural resources, visual resources, infrastructure, traffic, air quality, noise, human health and safety, socioeconomics, and environmental justice. The existing contamination of the New River and traffic congestion have been identified as potential environmental impacts. Information regarding other potential environmental impacts will be gathered during the public scoping process. DATES: The views and comments of the public are necessary in determining the E:\FR\FM\27FEN1.SGM 27FEN1 9826 Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 38 / Monday, February 27, 2006 / Notices scope and content of the environmental analysis in connection with the proposed project. A public scoping meeting for the proposed project will be held on Wednesday, March 8, 2006 from 3 to 6 p.m. at the Calexico City Hall, 608 Heber Avenue in Calexico, California. Interested parties may attend to present questions and concerns that they believe should be addressed in the EIS. Comments and questions can also be submitted to the Point of Contact (see the ADDRESS section below). Due to time limits mandated by Federal law, responses to scoping are requested no later than 45 days after publication of this notice. It is anticipated that the Draft EIS will be available for public review and comment in January of 2007. Submit comments and questions to Mr. Morris Angell, Regional Environmental Quality Advisor, 450 Golden Gate Avenue, 3rd Floor East, San Francisco, California, 94102, 415– 522–3473, morris.angell@gsa.gov. ADDRESSES: If you require additional information regarding the public scoping meeting or the proposed project, or require special assistance to attend the meeting, please contact Morris Angell, GSA Regional Environmental Quality Advisor, (see the ADDRESS section above). FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: GSA is proposing two alternative actions: 1) construct a new vehicle and pedestrian inspection facility on the existing site and federally owned vacant land immediately to the west of the current facility, and 2) a ‘‘no action’’ alternative. Under the ‘‘no action’’ alternative, the existing facilities and their operation will remain unchanged. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Dated: February 10, 2006. Peter G. Stamison, Regional Administrator, Public Buildings Service, Pacific Rim Region. clarity of the information to be collected; 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. Written comments should be received within 60 days of this notice. Dated: February 10, 2006. Jeffrey Neely, Assistant Regional Administrator, Public Buildings Service, Pacific Rim Region. [FR Doc. E6–2694 Filed 2–24–06; 8:45 am] Proposed Project BILLING CODE 6820–YF–S PHS Supplements to the Application for Federal Assistance SF–424 (0920– 0428)—Revision—Office of the Director (OD), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is requesting a threeyear extension for continued use of the Supplements to the Request for Federal Assistance Application (SF–424). DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [60Day–06–0428] Proposed Data Collections Submitted for Public Comment and Recommendations Background and Brief Description The Checklist, Program Narrative, and the Public Health System Impact Statement (third party notification) (PHSIS) are a part of the standard application for State and local governments and for private non-profit and for-profit organizations when applying for financial assistance from PHS grant programs. The Checklist assists applicants to ensure that they have included all required information necessary to process the application. The Checklist data helps to reduce the time required to process and review grant applications, expediting the issuance of grant awards. The PHSIS Third Party Notification Form is used to inform State and local health agencies of community-based proposals submitted by non-governmental applicants for Federal funding. There may be some revisions made to one or more of the forms to allow the respondents easy web-base access. This should not affect the current burden. There is no cost to the respondents other than their time. In compliance with the requirement of Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 for opportunity for public comment on proposed data collection projects, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will publish periodic summaries of proposed projects. To request more information on the proposed projects or to obtain a copy of the data collection plans and instruments, call 404–639–5960 and send comments to Seleda Perryman, CDC Assistant Reports Clearance Officer, 1600 Clifton Road, MS–D74, Atlanta, GA 30333 or send an e-mail to omb@cdc.gov. 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 ESTIMATE OF ANNUALIZED BURDEN TABLE Number of respondents Number of responses/ respondent Average burden/ response (in hrs.) State and local health departments; non-profit and for-profit organizations ... Total .......................................................................................................... hsrobinson on PROD1PC70 with NOTICES Respondents 7,457 ........................ 1 ........................ 5.7255 ........................ VerDate Aug<31>2005 14:15 Feb 24, 2006 Jkt 208001 PO 00000 Frm 00055 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\27FEN1.SGM 27FEN1 Total burden (in hrs.) 42,695 42,695

Agencies

General Services Administration

[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 38 (Monday, February 27, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 9825-9826]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-2694]


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GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION


Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for 
the Calexico West Port of Entry Expansion/Renovation, Calexico, 
California

AGENCY: Public Buildings Service, GSA

ACTION: Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement 
(EIS) and Public Scoping Meeting

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The General Services Administration (GSA) announces its intent 
to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the expansion/
renovation of the Calexico West Port of Entry (POE), located in 
Calexico, California. The purpose of the expansion/renovation is to 
reduce traffic congestion in Calexico and Mexicali city centers caused 
by vehicles crossing the border, to improve border security; and to 
provide safe, secure, and efficient operational areas for the public 
and Federal employees. This facility serves both vehicular and 
pedestrian traffic into and out of the Mexican city of Mexicali. The 
need for this expansion/renovation derives from the substantial 
increase in its use by international travelers. The existing POE is not 
equipped to process this increase within an acceptable level of service 
consistent with the Federal Inspection Service's minimum standards. 
Problems at the current facility are mostly related to inadequate space 
for inspection operations, equipment, and personnel. The facility also 
requires seismic retrofitting.
    The EIS will address potential environmental impacts of the 
alternatives for the proposed project related to geology and soils, 
water resources, land use, biological resources, cultural resources, 
visual resources, infrastructure, traffic, air quality, noise, human 
health and safety, socioeconomics, and environmental justice. The 
existing contamination of the New River and traffic congestion have 
been identified as potential environmental impacts. Information 
regarding other potential environmental impacts will be gathered during 
the public scoping process.

DATES: The views and comments of the public are necessary in 
determining the

[[Page 9826]]

scope and content of the environmental analysis in connection with the 
proposed project. A public scoping meeting for the proposed project 
will be held on Wednesday, March 8, 2006 from 3 to 6 p.m. at the 
Calexico City Hall, 608 Heber Avenue in Calexico, California. 
Interested parties may attend to present questions and concerns that 
they believe should be addressed in the EIS. Comments and questions can 
also be submitted to the Point of Contact (see the ADDRESS section 
below). Due to time limits mandated by Federal law, responses to 
scoping are requested no later than 45 days after publication of this 
notice. It is anticipated that the Draft EIS will be available for 
public review and comment in January of 2007.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments and questions to Mr. Morris Angell, Regional 
Environmental Quality Advisor, 450 Golden Gate Avenue, 3rd Floor East, 
San Francisco, California, 94102, 415-522-3473, morris.angell@gsa.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you require additional information 
regarding the public scoping meeting or the proposed project, or 
require special assistance to attend the meeting, please contact Morris 
Angell, GSA Regional Environmental Quality Advisor, (see the ADDRESS 
section above).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: GSA is proposing two alternative actions: 1) 
construct a new vehicle and pedestrian inspection facility on the 
existing site and federally owned vacant land immediately to the west 
of the current facility, and 2) a ``no action'' alternative. Under the 
``no action'' alternative, the existing facilities and their operation 
will remain unchanged.

    Dated: February 10, 2006.
Peter G. Stamison,
Regional Administrator, Public Buildings Service, Pacific Rim Region.

    Dated: February 10, 2006.
Jeffrey Neely,
Assistant Regional Administrator, Public Buildings Service, Pacific Rim 
Region.
[FR Doc. E6-2694 Filed 2-24-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6820-YF-S

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