October 27, 2006 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The USDA Forest Service proposes a new fee site that will involve a special recreation permit for each operator using the Ocala National Forest designated off-highway vehicle trail system. There would be a choice between a three-consecutive day permits ($15) or an annual permit (proposed to be between $60 and up to $120 pending final financial and marketing analysis, public input, and agency review). The Forest Service will use funds generated to sustain the trail system, facilities, patrols, and monitoring. The Ocala National Forest is committed to providing quality motorized recreation in balance with what the land can support. The Ocala National Forest recently designated approximately 150 miles of off-highway vehicle trails for motorcycles and unlicensed all-terrain vehicles that consist of mixed-use roads, ATV/motorcycle trails, and motorcycle-only trails. Analysis has begun to consider additional designated trails on the Ocala National Forest which would be included in the fee permit system.

Under the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act of 1972, as amended (5 U.S.C., Appendix) and 41 CFR, parts 102-3 through 102-3.185, the Department of Defense gives notice of changes to several existing DoD-Supporting Federal Advisory Committees. These changes are a result of the Department of Defense's continuing efforts to improve its Federal Advisory Committee Management Program by streamlining the independent advice and recommendations being received by the Secretary of Defense and his senior advisors. Key to the Department of Defense's efforts was the need to provide the Secretary of Defense and his senior advisors a strategic view of issues by establishing a foundation for cross communications and integrated thinking which is centrally funneled to the ultimate decision maker. The specific changes being made are: A. The Department of Defense establishes the Defense Health Board. This Federal Advisory Committee shall advise the Secretary of Defense, through the Under Secretary of Defense (Personnel and Readiness) and the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Health Affairs) on matters pertaining to operational programs, policy development, and research programs and requirements for the treatment and prevention of disease and injury, the promotion of health and delivery of health care services to Department of Defense beneficiaries. B. The Department of Defense disestablishes the following chartered Federal Advisory Committees and reestablishes their functions as subcommittees of the Defense Health Board:

This documents removes Subpart D, ``For Official Use Only'' (FOUO) from 32 CFR part 286, ``DoD Freedom of Information Act Program Regulations'' and reserves that subpart for future use. Removing this from 32 CFR part 286 will eliminate confusion of the authoritative FOUO guidance and who is the authority on FOUO. This removal will alleviate any further uncertainty, avoid duplication of FOUO guidance, and is considered an administrative action.

A Plan of Operation has been submitted by Pete Lien and Sons, Inc., for the purpose of mining for chemical grade limestone within mining claims on National Forest System land. The proposal is to mine within Pennington County totaling approximately 100 acres about one mile north of the northwest boundary of Rapid City, South Dakota.

In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA, 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) and the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (FLPMA, 43 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.), the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has prepared a Proposed Resource Management Plan/ Final Environmental Impact Statement (PRMP/FEIS) for the Coeur d'Alene Field Office, Idaho.

FRA is amending its occupational noise standards for railroad employees whose predominant noise exposure occurs in the locomotive cab. FRA's previous standard (issued in 1980) limited cab employee noise exposure to certain levels based on the duration of their exposure. This rule modifies that standard and also sets out additional requirements. FRA is requiring railroads to conduct noise monitoring and to implement a hearing conservation program for railroad operating employees whose noise exposure equals or exceeds an 8-hour time- weighted average (TWA) of 85 decibels. FRA is also establishing design, build, and maintenance standards for new locomotives and maintenance requirements for existing locomotives. FRA expects that this rule will reduce the likelihood of noise-induced hearing loss for railroad operating employees.