March 21, 2006 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

NMFS proposes regulations implementing Amendment 20 to the Fishery Management Plan for Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands (BSAI) King and Tanner crabs (FMP). This proposed action would amend the BSAI Crab Rationalization Program (hereinafter referred to as the Program). If approved, Amendment 20 and this action would modify the allocation of harvesting shares and processing shares for Bering Sea Tanner crab Chionoecetes bairdi (Tanner crab) to allow this species to be managed as two separate stocks. This proposed action is necessary to increase resource conservation and economic efficiency in the crab fisheries that are subject to the Program. This action is intended to promote the goals and objectives of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act), the FMP, and other applicable law.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSM) is announcing that the information collection request for 30 CFR part 783, Underground Mining Permit ApplicationsMinimum Requirements for Information on Environmental Resources has been forwarded to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and comment. The information collection request describes the nature of the information collection and the expected burden and cost.

This rule revises the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) to clarify certain provisions or to update technical information. The Bureau of Industry and Security identified these revisions through internal review or questions from the public.

The Defense Information Systems Agency proposes to add a system of records notice to its inventory of record systems subject to the Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. 552a), as amended.

The Defense Finance and Accounting Service is proposing to alter a system of records notice in its existing inventory of records systems subject to the Privacy Act of 1974, (5 U.S.C. 552a), as amended.

The Southwest Washington Province Advisory Committee will meet on Thursday, April 13, 2006, at the Gifford Pinchot National Forest Headquarters, 10600 NE., 51st Circle, Vancouver, WA 98682. The meeting will begin at 9:30 a.m. and continue until 4 p.m. The purpose of the meeting is to share information and receive feedback on: Efforts to quantify and monitor biodiversity under the Northwest Forest Plan; the Yakama Nation's timber program; the Gifford Pinchot National Forest's monitoring program, and to share information among Committee members. All Southwest Washington Province Advisory Committee meetings are open to the public. Interested citizens are encouraged to attend. The ``open forum'' provides an opportunity for the public to bring issues, concerns, and discussion topics to the Advisory Committee. The ``open forum'' is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Interested speakers will need to register prior to the open forum period. The committee welcomes the public's written comments to Committee business at any time.

The Fish and Wildlife Service announces that a Final Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Finding of No Significant Impact for the Theodore Roosevelt National Wildlife Refuge are available for distribution. The plan was prepared pursuant to the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997, and in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, and describes how these refuges will be managed for the next 15 years.

This final rule amends 49 CFR Parts 661 and 663 as required by the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) [Pub. L. 109-59, August 10, 2005]. The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) proposed certain changes to the Buy America requirements on November 21, 2005 (70 FR 71246). This final rule addresses fewer issues than were proposed in the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) because of the complexity of a number of recommendations and issues presented during the comment period. Thus, FTA is publishing a final rule on those issues that received little or no public comment. FTA will publish a new NPRM in the Federal Register and hold a public meeting to address the issues raised in the NPRM published on November 21, 2005, but not addressed herein. Thereafter, FTA will publish a final rule with respect to such issues.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) proposes to rule and invites public comment on the release of approximately 16 acres of airport property at Sedona Airport, Sedona, Arizona from the airport- use restrictions of conveyance deed dated October 31, 1996. The purpose of the release is to authorize leasing of the property at fair market value in order to permit the airport to earn revenue from non-aviation uses of the airport land.

This document confirms the effective date of the direct final rule which revises Class E airspace at Gothenburg, Quinn Field, NE.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is considering a proposal to authorize the release of a portion of the airport property. The City of Faribault, MN is proposing to release for sale 29.72 acres of existing airport land for the development of an Army Reserve and Minnesota National Guard Readiness Center. The acreage being released is not needed for aeronautical use as currently identified on the Airport Layout Plan. The acreage comprising this parcel was originally acquired with local funds in 1944 and 1945. The City of Faribault (Minnesota), as airport owner, has concluded that the subject airport is not needed for expansion of airport facilities. There are no impacts to the airport by allowing the airport to dispose of the property. The appraised value is $830,000 and the Airport will receive that amount. Approval does not constitute a commitment by the FAA to financially assist in the disposal of the subject airport property nor a determination of eligibility for grant-in-aid funding from the FAA. The disposition of proceeds from the disposal of the airport property will be in accordance with FAA's Policy and Procedures Concerning the Use of Airport Revenue, published in the Federal Register on February 16, 1999. In accordance with section 47107(h) of title 49, United States Code, this notice is required to be published in the Federal Register 30 days before modifying the land-use assurance that requires the property to be used for an aeronautical purpose.

The National Science Foundation (NSF) has submitted the following information collection requirement to OMB for review and clearance under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Pub. L. 104-13. This is the second notice for public comment; the first was published in the Federal Register at 70 FR 75228, and twenty-six (26) comments were received. NSF is forwarding the proposed renewal submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for clearance simultaneously with the publication of this second notice. Comments regarding (a) whether the collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimated of burden including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information to be collected; (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to responded, including through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology should be addressed to: Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs of OMB, Attention: Desk Officer for National Science Foundation, 725-17th Street, NW., Room 10235, Washington, DC 20503, and to Suzanne H. Plimpton, Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation, 4201 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 295, Arlington, Virginia 22230 or send e-mail to splimpto@nsf.gov. Comments regarding these information collections are best assured of having their full effect if received within 30 days of this notification. Copies of the submission(s) may be obtained by calling 703-292-7556. NSF may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information unless the collection of information displays a currently valid OMB control number and the agency informs potential persons who are to respond to the collection of information that such persons are not required to respond to the collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number.

DoD has adopted as final, with changes, an interim rule amending the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) to implement Section 801 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2004. Section 801 places restrictions on the consolidation of two or more requirements of a DoD department, agency, or activity into a single solicitation and contract with a total value exceeding $5,000,000.

DoD has adopted as final, with changes, an interim rule amending the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) to implement Section 801(b) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2002 and Section 854 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2005. Section 801(b) requires DoD to establish and implement a management structure for the procurement of services. Section 854 requires DoD agencies to comply with certain review and approval requirements before using a non-DoD contract to procure supplies or services in amounts exceeding the simplified acquisition threshold.

DoD has issued a final rule amending the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) to remove procedures for breaking out components of end items for future acquisitions. These procedures have been relocated to the new DFARS companion resource, Procedures, Guidance, and Information. This final rule is a result of a transformation initiative undertaken by DoD to dramatically change the purpose and content of the DFARS.

DoD has issued a final rule amending the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) to update and clarify requirements for competition in the placement of orders under Federal Supply Schedules and multiple award contracts.

This final rule provides the cost methodology that public housing agencies (PHAs) are required to use under HUD's regulations governing required and voluntary conversion of public housing developments to tenant-based assistance. Both programs require PHAs, before undertaking any conversion activity, to compare the cost of providing tenant-based assistance with the cost of continuing to operate the development as public housing.