May 2006 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The U.S. Arctic Research Commission is drafting its biennial report to the President an Congress on goals for the U.S. Arctic research program, due in January 2007. This notice is an invitation to the Arctic research community and the public at large to provide recommendations to the Commission for consideration in its ``Report on Goals and Objectives 2007.'' Arctic research is conducted by 15 agencies of the United States government and is coordinated by the Interagency Arctic Research Policy Committee (IARPC) chaired by the National Science Foundation. Recent focus of U.S. Arctic research spans a number of goals and objectives including the study of Arctic climate change, geophysics, health of Arctic ecosystems, health of Arctic residents, assessment of Arctic resources, and studies of Arctic infrastructure. Under the Arctic Research and Policy Act of 1984, the seven citizen members of the U.S. Arctic Research Commission provide goals for that program which, if approved by the President, are incorporated into the nation's five year Arctic Research Plan. In its last report in 2005, submitted to the President and Congress, the Commission sought five broad research objectives for programs integrated across Federal agencies. The Commission also made specific recommendations to Federal agencies for work within their own programs, for international coordination of research and for investment in Arctic research infrastructure. The public is invited to participate in the Commission's formulation of its recommendations for the 2007 Goals Report. We invite your comments and recommendations regarding the future U.S. Arctic research program and the Arctic research priorities of the Federal agencies. Comments should be addressed to Kathy Farrow at the Commission offices by e-mail at k.farrow@arctic.gov (in the subject line please insert ``goals report'') or by fax 1-703-525-0114, and should be received at the Commission's Arlington, Virginia office by no later than 1 July 2006. The Commission will meet to hear public comment and invited testimony regarding the future U.S. Arctic research program on the following dates:

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (Commission) is issuing this Order to clarify that, in the event of a grid disturbance, a Transmission Provider may communicate to an affiliated nuclear power plant specific information about transmission system conditions on a real-time basis.

The FAA is superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD), which applies to certain BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Model BAe 146 and Avro 146-RJ airplanes. That AD currently requires a one- time inspection to detect corrosion of the flap structure and machined ribs, corrective actions if necessary, and reprotection of the rib boss bores. This new AD requires a records review of the results of that inspection, and an additional inspection and related investigative/ corrective action if necessary. This AD results from the development of an improved inspection for corrosion in the subject area. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct corrosion in the flap structure and machined ribs, which could result in reduced structural integrity of the airplane.

The proposed rule clarifies the terms Congress used to define Class II gaming under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, 25 U.S.C. 2701, et seq. (``IGRA'' or ``Act''). First, the proposed rule further revises the definitions for ``electronic or electromechanical facsimile'' and ``other games similar to bingo'' that appear in part 502 of Commission regulations (25 CFR part 501 et seq.). The Commission defined these terms in 1992, revised the definitions in 2002, and proposed further revisions to the term ``electronic or electromechanical facsimile'' separate from this proposed revision. The proposed rule offers further revision that would incorporate the new part 546 into the definitions. The Commission adds a new Part to its regulations (part 546) that explains the basis for determining whether a game of bingo or lotto, ``other game similar to bingo,'' or a game of pull-tabs or ``instant bingo,'' meets the IGRA statutory requirements for Class II gaming, when such games are played electronically, primarily through an ``electronic, computer or other technologic aid,'' while distinguishing them from Class III ``electronic or electromechanical facsimiles.'' This new part also establishes a process for assuring that such games are Class II before placement of the games in a Class II tribal gaming operation. This process contains information collection requirements subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. The Commission has submitted the information collection request to OMB for approval.

An open meeting of the Area 3 Taxpayer Advocacy Panel will be conducted (via teleconference). The Taxpayer Advocacy Panel is soliciting public comments, ideas, and suggestions on improving customer service at the Internal Revenue Service.

In response to requests from interested parties, the Department of Commerce is conducting an administrative review of the antidumping duty order on stainless steel bar from India for the period February 1, 2005, through January 31, 2006. The Department intends to rescind this review with respect to Viraj Alloys, Ltd., Viraj Forgings, Ltd., Viraj Impoexpo, Ltd., Viraj Smelting, Viraj Profiles, and VSL Wires, Ltd., after concluding that there were no entries of merchandise subject to the order during the period of review.

The Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (OAR) published a notice in the Federal Register on April 10, 2006 announcing availability of funds to establish a Northern Gulf of Mexico (NGOM) Cooperative Institute (CI). That notice contained an error in the description of how proposals on cost-sharing would be evaluated. This notice corrects the error.

NOAA Research (OAR) publishes this notice on behalf of the NOAA Science Advisory Board (SAB) to announce the availability of the preliminary report of the SAB Hurricane Intensity Research Working Group (here called the HIRWG) external review of NOAA's Hurricane Intensity Research and Development Enterprise for public comment. The preliminary report of the HIRWG has been prepared pursuant to the request from the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere to the SAB to conduct an external review of NOAA's Hurricane Intensity research and development enterprise.

Pursuant to the Federal Advisory Committee Act, 5 U.S.C. app. 2, notice is hereby given that the Visiting Committee on Advanced Technology (VCAT), National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), will meet Tuesday, June 13, from 8:45 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Wednesday, June 14, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. The Visiting Committee on Advanced Technology is composed of fifteen members appointed by the Director of NIST who are eminent in such fields as business, research, new product development, engineering, labor, education, management consulting, environment, and international relations. The purpose of this meeting is to review and make recommendations regarding general policy for the Institute, its organization, its budget, and its programs within the framework of applicable national policies as set forth by the President and the Congress. The agenda will include updates on NIST's activities, safety, strategic planning, and the NIST U.S. Measurement System project; a presentation on the vision for the Center for Nanoscale Science and Technology; a presentation on the NIST reconnaissance of Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita; a VCAT Panel on How to Maximize NIST Impact on U.S. Innovation; and selected laboratory tours. The agenda may change to accommodate Committee business. The final agenda will be posted on the NIST Web site at https://www.nist.gov/director/vcat/agenda.htm.