March 2006 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The designation for Nicaragua for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) will expire on July 5, 2006. This Notice alerts the public that TPS for Nicaragua has been extended for 12-months, until July 5, 2007, and sets forth procedures necessary for nationals of Nicaragua (or aliens having no nationality who last habitually resided in Nicaragua) with TPS to re-register and to apply for an extension of their Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) for the additional 12-month period. Re-registration is limited to persons who registered under the initial designation (which was announced on January 5, 1999) or who ``late initial registered'' and also timely re-registered under each subsequent extension of the designation. In accordance with the original designation, eligible aliens must also have maintained continuous physical presence in the United States since January 5, 1999, and continuous residence in the United States since December 30, 1998. Certain nationals of Nicaragua (or aliens having no nationality who last habitually resided in Nicaragua) who have not previously applied for TPS may be eligible to apply under the late initial registration provisions. Given the large number of Nicaraguans affected by this Notice, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recognizes that many re- registrants may not receive an extension sticker or new EAD until after their current EADs expire on July 5, 2006. Accordingly, this Notice automatically extends the validity of EADs issued under the TPS designation of Nicaragua for 6 months until January 5, 2007, and explains how TPS beneficiaries and their employers may determine which EADs are automatically extended.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces FMCSA's plan to submit the Information Collection Request (ICR) abstracted below to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval. The ICR is related to the current arbitration dispute resolution procedures used to settle loss and damage claims by shippers who have contracted with household goods (HHGs) carriers for interstate transport of their household goods shipments. On October 24, 2005, the agency published a Federal Register notice with a 60-day comment period to solicit the public's views on the information collection pertaining to this subject. One comment was received.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), this notice announces that the Information Collection Request (ICR) abstracted below has been forwarded to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and comment. The ICR describes the nature of the information collections and their expected burden. The Federal Register Notice with a 60-day comment period was published on January 4, 2006.

The Department of the Treasury, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)). Currently, the IRS is soliciting comments concerning an existing final regulation, REG-208172-91 [TD 8787], Basis Reduction Due to Discharge of Indebtedness, (Sec. Sec. 1.108-4,and 1.1017-1).

The Department of the Treasury, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)). Currently, the IRS is soliciting comments concerning Form 8800, Application for Additional Extension of Time To File U.S. Return for a Partnership, REMIC, or for Certain Trusts.

The Department of the Treasury, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)). Currently, the IRS is soliciting comments concerning Form 982, Reduction of Tax Attributes Due to Discharge of Indebtedness (and Section 1082 Basis Adjustment).

The Department of the Treasury, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)). Currently, the IRS is soliciting comments concerning Revenue Procedure 2003-4 (Letter Rulings), Revenue Procedure 2003-5 (Technical Advice), Revenue Procedure 2003-6 (Determination Letters), and Revenue Procedure 2003-8 (User Fees).

The Department of the Treasury, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)). Currently, the IRS is soliciting comments concerning Revenue Procedure 2002-67, Settlement of section 351 Contingent Liability Tax Shelter Cases.

The 2006 inflation adjustment factor and reference prices are used in determining the availability of the credit for renewable electricity production and refined coal production under section 45.

In accordance with the Privacy Act (5 U.S.C. 552a(e)(4)) and (e)(11)), we are issuing public notice of our intent to establish a new system of records, entitled the Representative Payee and Beneficiary Survey Data System, 60-0370, and routine uses applicable to this system of records. Hereinafter, we will refer to the proposed system of records as the RPBSD system. We invite public comment on this proposal.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announces the availability of the Addendum to the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) to support amendments of the regulations governing grazing administration. The Addendum responds to comments received on the Draft EIS.

The National Park Service has evaluated and determined that the Irvine Ranch Land Reserve, located forty-five miles south of downtown Los Angeles, in Orange County, California appears to meet the criteria for national significance and proposes to recommend the site for designation as a National Natural Landmark. The public is invited to comment on this recommendation. The proposal will be considered by the National Park System Advisory Board at a meeting to be held on June 8, 2006 at Zion National Park, in the Majestic View Lodge, 2400 Zion Park Blvd., Springdale, Utah.

The Mobile District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps), intends to prepare a Draft Supplement to the Environmental Impact Statement (DSEIS) to address the potential impacts associated with construction of authorized improvements to the Federal Gulfport Harbor Navigation Project in Harrison County, MS. The DSEIS will be used as a basis for ensuring compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and evaluating the following two alternative plans: ``No Action'' and widening to the authorized project dimensions. Gulfport Harbor is authorized to (a) A channel 38 feet deep by 400 feet wide and about 8 miles long across Ship Island Bar; (b) a channel 36 feet deep by 300 feet wide and about 12 miles long through Mississippi Sound; and (c) a stepped anchorage basin at Gulfport Harbor 32 to 36 feet deep by 1,120 feet wide and 2,640 feet long.

In accordance with the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Huntington District, in cooperation with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Office of Surface Mining and the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection, has prepared a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS). This DEIS evaluates potential impacts to the natural, physical and human environment as a result of the proposed mining activities associated with Mingo Logan Coal Company's (Mingo Logan) Spruce No. 1 Mine. The USACE regulates this proposed project pursuant to Section 404 of the Clean Water Act. The proposed activity would involve the discharge of dredged and fill material into waters of the United States associated with the proosed construction and operation of a surface bituminous coal mine.

In accordance with 37 CFR part 404.6, announcement is made of the availability for licensing of U.S. Patent No. US 7,013,579 B2 entitled ``Article of Footwear with Temperature Regulation Means'' issued March 21, 2006. This patent has been assigned to the United States Government as represented by the Secretary of the Army.

Pursuant to section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, as amended, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) will prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) for a proposed seawall rehabilitation project along the Elliott Bay shoreline in Seattle, WA. The seawall, known as the Alaskan Way Seawall, is experiencing significant decay and deterioration, leading to structural instability along the Seattle waterfront and central business district. Seawall structural instability is putting a tremendous amount of public and private infrastructure, development, and transportation linkages at risk of damage due to wave and tidal erosion, and hence potential for undermining and collapse. In addition, the failure of the seawall would result in a high risk to public safety and substantial environmental degradation. The purpose of the proposed rehabilitation effort is to protect the public facilities and economic activities along the Elliott Bay shoreline from storm damages associated with failure of the existing seawall.

The FAA is issuing this notice to advise the public of a meeting of RTCA Special Committee 147: Minimum Operational Performance Standards for Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance Systems Airborne Equipment.

The Department of State is revising its regulations regarding overpayments from the Foreign Service Retirement and Disability Fund under the Foreign Service Retirement and Disability System (FSRDS) to reflect internal Department restructuring and realignment of responsibilities and the creation of the Foreign Service Pension System (FSPS).

Under section 122(h)(1) of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA), the United States Environmental Protection Agency is proposing to enter into a settlement for the partial reimbursement of past response costs concerning the Davis Refining Superfund Site in Tallahassee, Leon County, Florida.

The Tehama County Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) will meet in Red Bluff, California. Agenda items to be covered include: (1) Introductions, (2) Approval of Minutes, (3) Public Comment, (4) Project Proposals/Possible Action, (5) Chairman's Perspective, (6) General Discussion, (7) Next Agenda.

The Siskiyou County Resource Advisory Committee will meet in Yreka, California, April 17, 2006. The meeting will include routine business and review, discussion, and recommendation of submitted project proposals.