June 19, 2006 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

An open meeting of the Ad Hoc Committee of the 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.

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 1041-Q, U.S. Income Tax Return for Qualified Funeral Trusts.

The surface owner of the lands described in this notice, aggregating approximately 5,290.90 acres, has filed an application for the purchase of the Federally owned mineral interests in the lands. Publication of this notice temporarily segregates the mineral interest from appropriation under the public land laws, including the mining law.

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 and the FinCEN are soliciting comments concerning Form 8300, Report of Cash Payments Over $10,000 Received in a Trade or Business.

Pursuant to section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 and in response to an application filed by the artists Christo and Jeanne-Claude, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Royal Gorge Field Office, announces its intention to prepare an EIS and conduct public scoping. The artists propose to hang fabric panels over a portion of the Arkansas River as an artistic exhibition. The reason for preparing an EIS is based upon several factors, including a specific request from the applicants; the increasing complexity of the project; the level of controversy related to the project; and the level of involvement during the scoping process.

It has been determined by the NRCS State Conservationist for Virginia that changes must be made in the NRCS State Technical Guide specifically in practice standards: 390, Riparian Herbaceous Buffer, 394, Fire Break, 422, Hedgerow Plant, 472, Use Exclusion and 592, Feed Management. These practices will be used to plan and install conservation practices on cropland, pastureland, woodland, and wildlife land.

The Bureau of Land Management announces the availability of the Environmental Assessment (EA) for the BNI Coal, Ltd.'s (BNI) Federal Coal Lease Application NDM 95104 and requests public comment on the associated Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI), Fair Market Value (FMV), and Maximum Economic Recovery (MER) of the coal resources subject to the lease application. The land included in Coal Lease Application NDM 95104 is adjacent to BNI's Center Mine, located in Oliver County, North Dakota, and is described as follows:

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 8453-T, Transmittal for Certain Corporations Required to e-file.

Technical information or comments are requested on the proposed Base (1% annual-chance) Flood Elevations (BFEs) and proposed BFE modifications for the communities listed below. The BFEs and modified BFEs are the basis for the floodplain management measures that the community is required either to adopt or to show evidence of being already in effect in order to qualify or remain qualified for participation in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).

Base (1% annual-chance) Flood Elevations (BFEs) and modified BFEs are made final for the communities listed below. The BFEs and modified BFEs are the basis for the floodplain management measures that each community is required either to adopt or to show evidence of being already in effect in order to qualify or remain qualified for participation in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).

FMCSA announces its plan to request the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) approval of an information collection (IC) associated with the Agency's Medical Examiner Performance Study. This information collection effort would gather survey, on-site observation, and interview data on the decisionmaking process of medical examiners (MEs) (which include, but are not limited to, medical doctors, doctors of osteopathy, doctors of chiropractic, physician assistants, and advanced practice nurses) who conduct FMCSA physical examinations of commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers. The survey would consist of a sample of the several different practitioner types for the purpose of assessing ME knowledge of key elements required for CMV interstate driver certification. The survey would also provide these medical practitioners with an opportunity to report perceived difficulties associated with the CMV driver physical examination process. Site visits would allow for the interview and observation of medical examiners during the actual physical examination and certification decisionmaking process.

Technical information or comments are requested on the proposed Base (1% annual-chance) Flood Elevations (BFEs) and proposed BFE modifications for the communities listed below. The BFEs and modified BFEs are the basis for the floodplain management measures that the community is required either to adopt or to show evidence of being already in effect in order to qualify or remain qualified for participation in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).

Permit 1535 was issued on January 10, 2006. Permits 1533 and 1548 were issued on April 11, 2006. All modifications were issued on February 3, 2006. Application 1550 was withdrawn on December 5, 2005. The research actions and the species they affect are listed in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section below.

Notice is hereby given that NMFS has received six scientific research permit application requests relating to Pacific salmon. The proposed research is intended to increase knowledge of species listed under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and to help guide management and conservation efforts.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) announces the availability of the Long Island National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) Complex Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) and Environmental Assessment (EA). It describes how we intend to manage the Long Island NWR Complex during the next 15 years. We prepared this Draft CCP/EA in conformance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act, as amended.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act), have determined that it is appropriate to remove Agave arizonica (Arizona agave) from the Federal List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants. This determination is based on a thorough review of all available data, which indicate that this plant is not a discrete taxonomic entity and does not meet the definition of a species under the Act. Evidence collected subsequent to the listing indicates that plants attributed to Agave arizonica do not constitute a distinct species but rather are individuals that have resulted from recent and sporadic instances of hybridization between two species. Current taxonomic practice is not to recognize such groups of individuals as a species. Since Agave arizonica is not recognized as a species, it no longer qualifies for protection under the Act.

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, Public Law 104-13. This is the second notice for public comment; the first was published in the Federal Register at 71 FR 4382, and no 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 estimate 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; or (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, 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 Catherine Hines, Acting Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation, 4201 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 295, Arlington, Virginia 22230 or send e-mail to chines@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 703-292-4414.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announces its findings on the noise compatibility program submitted by the City of Scottsdale, Arizona under the provisions of Title I of the Aviation Safety and Noise Abatement Act, as amended, (Public Law 96-193) (hereinafter referred to as ``the Act'') and 14 CFR part 150. These findings are made in recognition of the description of Federal and nonfederal responsibilities in Senate Report No. 96-52 (1980). On January 21, 2005, the FAA determined that the noise exposure maps submitted by the City of Scottsdale under Part 150 were in compliance with applicable requirements.