September 14, 2006 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

On October 20, 2003, NMFS announced its intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and hold scoping meetings in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). On September 7, 2006, the Assistant Administrator for Fisheries decided to withdraw NMFS' intent to prepare an EIS due the increase in the fishing mortality rate since the time of the original notice. The overwhelming public response to the rulemaking - the great majority of whom were in support of maintaining the closure - together with the clear public perception that large trophy sized fish congregate in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), suggests that fishing effort in an opened EEZ might markedly increase striped bass mortality above the already elevated current rates. Therefore, further processing of an EIS is no longer warranted. The notice of intent to prepare an EIS is withdrawn and the NEPA process is hereby terminated.

The EPA proposes revisions to the regulations governing the major NSR programs mandated by parts C and D of title I of the Clean Air Act (CAA). These proposed changes reflect EPA's consideration of the Agency's 2002 Report to the President and its associated recommendations as well as discussions with various stakeholders including representatives of environmental groups, State and local governments, and industry. We propose to change how emissions from emissions units upstream or downstream from the unit(s) undergoing a physical change or change in the method of operation are included in the calculation of an emissions increase for the project. Also, these proposed changes would clarify and codify our policy of when emissions increases from multiple projects are to be aggregated together to determine NSR applicability. Finally, we are clarifying how emissions decreases from a project may be included in the calculation to determine if a significant emissions increase will result from a project. We intend the proposed rules to improve implementation of the program by articulating and codifying principles for determining major NSR applicability that we currently address through guidance only. We are seeking comment on all aspects of this proposed rule. This proposal seeks public comment in accordance with section 307(d) of the CAA and should not be used or cited in any litigation as a final position of the Agency.

This document finalizes, without change, the interim rule published on August 11, 2003, as CBP Decision 03-02, adopting for Customs and Border Protection (CBP), as a component of the Department of Homeland Security, the disclosure procedures that CBP had historically followed as the Customs Service in the Department of the Treasury regarding commercial information that was provided to the agency by a business submitter.

This final rule transfers responsibility for final agency decisions in connection with Post OfficeTM box termination, caller service termination, and denial of service appeals from the Judicial Officer Department to the vice president and Consumer Advocate.

In this document the Commission has amended its Schedule of Application Fees to adjust the fees for processing applications and other filings. Section 8(b) of the Communications Act requires the Commission to adjust its application fees every two years after October 1, 1991 to reflect the net change in the Consumer Price Index for all Urban Consumers (CPI-U). The increased fees reflect the net change in the CPI-U of 7.7 percent, calculated from October 2003 to October 2005.

The Civilian Agency Acquisition Council and the Defense Acquisition Regulations Council (Councils) are proposing to amend the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to be consistent with the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 and the OMB Interim Final Guidance, and to improve clarity of the regulation through improved use of plain language and compliance with FAR drafting conventions.