November 2006 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents
Results 551 - 600 of 2,394
Medicare Program; Listening Session on a Plan for Medicare Hospital Value-Based Purchasing-January 17, 2007
This notice announces a listening session being conducted as part of the development of a plan for Medicare hospital value-based purchasing, as authorized by the section 5001(b) of the Deficit Reduction Act (DRA) of 2005. The purpose of the listening session is to solicit comments on the range of design issues being considered for plan development. Hospitals, hospital associations, and all interested parties are invited to attend and make comments in person. It will also be possible to participate by teleconference, although due to time constraints, telephone participants will not be able to make verbal comments. Written comments are welcomed. The perspectives expressed during this session and in writing will assist us in drafting the plan. An issues paper outlining the design questions to be discussed and further information about the January listening session will be posted no later than January 3, 2007 on the CMS Web site, Hospital Center, under Spotlights at https://www.cms.hhs.gov/center/hospital.asp.
Medicare Program; Decisions Affecting Medicare Advantage Plans Deemed by Joint Commission for the Accreditation of Health Care Organizations
This notice announces our decisions regarding deemed status of Joint Commission for the Accreditation of Health Care Organization- accredited Medicare Advantage plans. These decisions follow business decisions made by Joint Commission for the Accreditation of Health Care Organization in late 2005 which affect its deeming operations beginning January 1, 2006 and continue until Joint Commission for the Accreditation of Health Care Organization's deeming authority expires on March 24, 2008.
Notice of Availability of the Proposed Resource Management Plan (PRMP) for Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument and Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS), New Mexico
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, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has prepared a Proposed Resource Management Plan/Final Environmental Impact Statement (PRMP/FEIS) for the Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument.
Medicare Program; Rechartering of the Advisory Panel on Ambulatory Payment Classification Groups
This notice announces the rechartering of the Advisory Panel on Ambulatory Payment Classification (APC) Groups (the Panel) by the Secretary of DHHS (the Secretary) for a 2-year period with the new Charter effective until November 21, 2008.
Rate Adjustments for Indian Irrigation Projects
The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) owns, or has an interest in, irrigation facilities located on various Indian reservations throughout the United States. We are required to establish rates to recover the costs to administer, operate, maintain, and rehabilitate those facilities. We request your comments on the proposed rate adjustments.
Medicare Program; Request for Nominations to the Advisory Panel on Ambulatory Payment Classification Groups
This notice invites nominations of members to the Advisory Panel on Ambulatory Payment Classification (APC) Groups (the Panel). One vacancy presently exists on the Panel due to a Panel member's retirement in June 2006. There will be six more vacancies on the Panel between January 1 and September 30, 2007. Consequently, this solicitation is for seven new members. The purpose of the Panel is to review the APC groups and their associated weights and to advise the Secretary, DHHS, (the Secretary) and the Administrator, CMS, (the Administrator) concerning the clinical integrity of the APC groups and their associated weights. The advice provided by the Panel will be considered as we prepare our annual updates of the hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS) through rulemaking. The Secretary rechartered the Panel in 2004 for a 2-year period through November 21, 2006. The new Panel Charter will be effective through November 21, 2008. Nominations: We will consider nominations if they are received no later than 5 p.m. on December 18, 2006. Please mail or deliver nominations to the following address: CMS; Attn: Shirl Ackerman-Ross, Designated Federal Official (DFO), Advisory Panel on APC Groups; Center for Medicare Management, Hospital & Ambulatory Policy Group, Division of Outpatient Care; 7500 Security Boulevard, Mail Stop C4-05-17; Baltimore, MD 21244-1850. Web Site: For additional information on the APC Panel and updates to the Panel's activities, search our Web site at the following: http:/ /www.cms.[fxsp0]hhs.gov/FACA/05 [fxsp0]AdvisoryPanelonAmbulatory[fxsp0]PaymentClassificationG roups.[fxsp 0]asp#TopOfPage. Advisory Committees' Information Lines: You may also refer to the CMS Federal Advisory Committee Hotlines at 1-877-449-5659 (toll-free) or 410-786-9379 (local) for additional information.
Documents Required for Travelers Departing From or Arriving in the United States at Air Ports-of-Entry From Within the Western Hemisphere
This rule finalizes the first phase of a joint Department of Homeland Security and Department of State plan, known as the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, to implement new documentation requirements for certain United States citizens and nonimmigrant aliens entering the United States. As a result of this final rule, with limited exceptions discussed below, beginning January 23, 2007, all United States citizens and nonimmigrant aliens from Canada, Bermuda, and Mexico departing from or entering the United States from within the Western Hemisphere at air ports-of-entry will be required to present a valid passport. This final rule differs from the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) published in the Federal Register on August 11, 2006, by finalizing new documentation requirements for only travelers arriving in the United States by air. The portion of the NPRM that proposed changes in documentation requirements for travelers arriving by sea will not be finalized under this rule. Requirements for United States citizens and nonimmigrant aliens from Canada, Bermuda, and Mexico departing from or entering the United States at land and sea ports-of-entry will be addressed in a separate, future rulemaking.
Taking and Importing Marine Mammals; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Conducting Precision Strike Weapons Testing and Training by Eglin Air Force Base in the Gulf of Mexico
NMFS, upon application from Eglin Air Force Base (Eglin AFB), is issuing regulations to govern the unintentional takings of marine mammals incidental to conducting Precision Strike Weapons (PSW) testing and training in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM). Issuance of regulations and Letters of Authorization (LOAs) under these regulations governing the unintentional incidental takes of marine mammals in connection with particular activities is required by the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) when the Secretary of Commerce (Secretary), after notice and opportunity for comment, finds, as here, that such takes will have a negligible impact on the species and stocks of marine mammals and will not have an unmitigable adverse impact on the availability of them for subsistence uses. These regulations do not authorize Eglin AFB's PSW activities as such authorization is not within the jurisdiction of the Secretary. Rather, NMFS' regulations together with a Letter of Authorization (LOA) authorize the unintentional incidental take of marine mammals in connection with this activity and prescribe methods of taking and other means of effecting the least practicable adverse impact on marine mammal species and their habitat, and on the availability of the species for subsistence uses.
Federal Consistency Appeal by Boyer Towing, Inc. From an Objection by the Alaska Department of Natural Resources
This announcement provides notice that Boyer Towing, Inc. (``Boyer Towing'') has filed an administrative appeal with the Department of Commerce asking that the Secretary override the Alaska Department of Natural Resources (ADNR) objection to the construction of two proposed log raft mooring buoys inside of the small cover locally referred to as the ``Pothole,'' on the eastern shore of Woewodski Island in Wrangell Narrows, near Ketchikan, Alaska.
Chief of Engineers Environmental Advisory Board
In accordance with Section 10(d)(2) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (Pub. L. 92-463), announcement is made of the following committee meeting: Name of Committee: Chief of Engineers Environmental Advisory Board (EAB). Topic: The EAB will discuss national considerations related to ecosystem restoration through integrated water resources management including the recently announced Twelve Points of Action. The meeting will not focus on issues specific to Louisiana. Date of Meeting: December 6, 2006. Place: Wyndham New Orleans at Canal Place, 100 Rue Iberville, New Orleans, LA. Time: 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Thirty minutes will be set side for public comment. Members of the public who wish to speak must register prior to the start of the meeting. Registration will begin at 8:30. Statements are limited to 3 minutes.
Defense Health Board (DHB) Meeting
In accordance with section 10(a)(2) of Public Law 92-463, The Federal Advisory Committee Act, announcement is made of the following meeting: Name of Committee: Defense Health Board (DHB). Dates: December 5, 2006 (Open meeting). December 6, 2006 (Open meeting). Times: 8 a.m.-4 p.m. (December 5, 2006). 8 a.m.-4 p.m. (December 6, 2006). Location: Naval Amphibious Base Conference Center, Little Creek, 1120 A Street, Building 3430, Norfolk, Virginia 23521-3297. Agenda: The purpose of the meeting is to address pending and new Board issues and provide briefings for Board members on topics related to ongoing and new Board business. The Board will conduct an executive working session to address administrative matters related internal Board operations.
Energy Conservation Program for Consumer Products: Energy Conservation Standards for Residential Water Heaters, Direct Heating Equipment, and Pool Heaters
The Department of Energy (DOE) is commencing a rulemaking to amend the existing energy conservation standards for residential water heaters, direct heating equipment, and pool heaters. DOE will hold an informal public meeting to present its proposed methodologies for conducting this rulemaking, discuss issues relevant to the rulemaking proceeding, and initiate stakeholder interaction and the data collection process. DOE is also interested in identifying information that will assist it in establishing amended standards for these products. DOE encourages written comments on these subjects. This effort is the result of provisions in the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA) directing the Secretary of Energy (``Secretary'') to publish rules to determine whether the energy conservation standards for such products should be amended. To inform stakeholders and to facilitate this process, DOE has prepared a Framework Document, a draft of which is available at https:// www.eere.doe.gov/building/appliancestandards.
Newspapers Used for Publication of Legal Notices by the Intermountain Region; Utah, Idaho, Nevada, and Wyoming
This notice lists the newspapers that will be used by the ranger districts, forests and regional office of the Intermountain Region to publish legal notices required under 36 CFR 215, 217, and 218. The intended effect of this action is to inform interested members of the public which newspapers the Forest Service will use to publish notices of proposed actions and notices of decision. This will provide the public with constructive notice of Forest Service proposals and decisions, provide information on the procedures to comment or appeal, and establish the date that the Forest Service will use to determine if comments or appeals were timely.
IFR Altitudes; Miscellaneous Amendments
This amendment adopts miscellaneous amendments to the required IFR (instrument flight rules) altitudes and changeover points for certain Federal airways, jet routes, or direct routes for which a minimum or maximum en route authorized IFR altitude is prescribed. This regulatory action is needed because of changes occurring in the National Airspace System. These changes are designed to provide for the safe and efficient use of the navigable airspace under instrument conditions in the affected areas.
Notice of Availability of the Final Supplemental Environmental Assessment (FSEA) and Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) and Record of Decision (ROD), Related to the Proposed Modification to the Four Corner-Post Plan at Las Vegas McCarran International Airport, Las Vegas, NV
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announces the availability of the Final Supplemental Environmental Assessment (FSEA), and Finding of No Significant Impact and Record of Decision (FONSI/ROD) for the proposed modification to the Four Corner-Post Plan at Las Vegas McCarran International Airport, Las Vegas, Nevada. The FSEA and FONSI/ROD were prepared pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, as amended, FAA Order 1050.1E, ``Environmental Impacts: Policies and Procedures,'' and other applicable environmental laws and regulations. The FSEA and FONSI/ROD assess the effects of the relevant environmental impact categories for the proposed Federal action under consideration in the proposed modification of the STAAV Area Navigation (RNAV) Standard Instrument Departure (SID) to accommodate eastbound departures from Runway 25. The STAAV RNAV SID was implemented as part of the Four Corner-Post Plan at McCarran International Airport (LAS), Las Vegas, Nevada, in October 2001. The proposed Federal action is required to address the air traffic and airspace inefficiencies for departure traffic resulting from increased demand at LAS, and to recapture the efficiency that was lost from the reduction in the use of the right-turn procedure from Runway 25 as part of the 2001 LAS 4CP. Modification of the STAAV departure procedure to accommodate eastbound departures will provide an additional route for some eastbound departures, and reduce the time needed between successive departures, resulting in improved airspace efficiency and reduced departure delays. The FSEA and FONSI/ROD may be reviewed for comment during regular business hours at the following locations: 1. Nevada State Library and Archives, 100 Stewart St., Las Vegas, NV 89710. 2. Las Vegas Branch Library, 509 S. 9th St., Las Vegas, NV 89101- 7010. 3. Las Vegas Library, 833 Las Vegas Blvd. N, Las Vegas, NV 89101- 2004. 4. Meadows Library, 300 W. Boston Ave, Las Vegas, NV 89102. 5. Rainbow Library, 3150 N. Buffalo Dr., Las Vegas, NV 89128-2823. 6. Sahara West Library, 9600 W. Sahara Ave., Las Vegas, NV 89117- 5959. 7. Spring Valley Library, 4280 S. Jones Blvd., Las Vegas, NV 89103- 3325. 8. Summerlin Library, 1771 Inner Circle, Las Vegas, NV 89134-6119. 9. Sunrise Library, 5400 Harris Ave., Las Vegas, NV 89110-2543. 10. West Charleston Library, 6301 W. Charleston Blvd., Las Vegas, NV 89146-1124. 11. West Las Vegas Library, 951 W. Lake Mead Blvd., Las Vegas, NV 89106-2315. 12. Whitney Library, 5175 E. Tropicana Ave., Las Vegas, NV 89122- 6742. Electronic copies of the FSEA and the FONSI/ROD are also available on the Internet and can be accessed at https://www.faa.gov/ airports%5Fairtraffic/air%5Ftraffic/.
RTCA Program Management Committee
The FAA is issuing this notice to advise the public of a meeting of the RTCA Program Management Committee.
Air Traffic Procedures Advisory Committee
The FAA is issuing this notice to advise the public that a meeting of the Federal Aviation Air Traffic Procedures Advisory Committee (ATPAC) will be held to review present air traffic control procedures and practices for standardization, clarification, and upgrading of terminology and procedures.
Seventh Meeting: RTCA Special Committee 206/EUROCAE WG 44/53 Plenary: Aeronautical Information Services Data Link
The FAA is issuing this notice to advise the public of a meeting of RTCA Special Committee 206: Aeronautical Information Services Data Link.
Public Housing Operating Fund Program; Revised Transition Funding Provision for Federal Fiscal Year 2007
This proposed rule would modify HUD's regulations for transition funding under the Operating Fund Program. The Operating Fund Program, as revised by a September 19, 2005, final rule, adopted a new formula for determining the payment of operating subsidy to public housing agencies (PHAs). Transition funding is based on the difference in subsidy levels between the new formula and the formula in effect prior to the implementation of the September 19, 2005, final rule. As a result of the new formula PHAs may experience either an increase or decrease in the amount of funding that they receive. This proposed rule would revise the transition-funding schedule for those PHAs that will experience a decline in funding. For federal fiscal year (FFY) 2007 only, the transition funding percentage loss for all PHAs will be capped at five percent of the difference between the two funding levels.
Publication of North American Datum of 1983 State Plane Coordinates in Feet in Kansas
The National Geodetic Survey (NGS) will publish North American Datum of 1983 (NAD 83) State Plane Coordinate (SPC) grid values in both meters and U.S. Survey Feet (1 ft = 1200/3937 m) in Kansas, for all well defined geodetic survey control monuments maintained by NGS in the National Spatial Reference System (NSRS) and computed from various geodetic positioning utilities. The adoption of this standard is implemented in accordance with NGS policy and a request from the Kansas Department of Transportation, the Kansas Society of Land Surveyors, and the Kansas Information technology Office.
SES Performance Review Board
Notice is hereby given of the appointment of members of the National Transportation Safety Board Performance Review Board.
Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology; American Health Information Community Biosurveillance Workgroup Meeting
This notice announces the twelfth meeting of the American Health Information Community Biosurveillance Workgroup in accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act (Pub. L. No. 92-463, 5 U.SD.C., App.).
Opal Creek Scenic Recreation Area (SRA) Advisory Council
An Opal Creek Scenic Recreation Area Advisory Council meeting will convene in Stayton, Oregon on Wednesday, December 6, 2006. The meeting is scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m., and will conclude at approximately 8:30 p.m. The meeting will be held in the South Room of the Stayton Community Center located on 400 West Virginia Street in Stayton, Oregon. The Opal Creek Wilderness and Opal Creek Scenic Recreation Area Act of 1996 (Opal Creek Act) (Pub. L. 104-208) directed the Secretary of Agriculture to establish the Opal Creek Scenic Recreation Area Advisory Council. The Advisory Council is comprised of 13 members representing state, county and city governments, and representatives of various organizations, which include mining industry, environmental organizations, inholders in Opal Creek Scenic Recreation Area, economic development, Indian tribes, adjacent landowners and recreation interests. The council provides advice to the Secretary of Agriculture on preparation of a comprehensive Opal Creek Management Plan for the SRA, and consults on a periodic and regular basis on the management of the area. Tentative agenda items include: Subcommittee reports and recommendations, and Three Pools Site Rehabilitation Project proposal recommendations. A direct public comment period is tentatively scheduled to begin at 8 p.m. Time allotted for individual presentations will be limited to 3 minutes. Written comments are encouraged, particularly if the material cannot be presented within the time limits of the comment period. Written comments may be submitted prior to the December 6th meeting by sending them to Designated Federal Official Paul Matter at the address given below.
Federal Property Suitable as Facilities To Assist the Homeless
This notice identifies unutilized, underutilized, excess, and surplus Federal property reviewed by HUD for suitability for possible use to assist the homeless.
RNP SAAAR Approval Consultant Opportunities
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced today that it is seeking to identify qualified industry consultants to assist 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91, 121, 125, 129, 135 applicants as they pursue approval to conduct ``Required Navigation Performance Special Aircraft and Aircrew Authorization Required'' (RNP SAAAR) approaches. Provisions for gaining those approvals are contained within FAA Advisory Circular 90-101, ``Approval Guidance for RNP Procedures with SAAAR.'' Applicants who meet certain qualifications will be permitted to enter into an agreement with the FAA to be listed as RNP SAAAR Approval Consultants.
Medicare Program; Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System and CY 2007 Payment Rates; CY 2007 Update to the Ambulatory Surgical Center Covered Procedures List; Medicare Administrative Contractors; and Reporting Hospital Quality Data for FY 2008 Inpatient Prospective Payment System Annual Payment Update Program-HCAHPS Survey, SCIP, and Mortality
This final rule with comment period revises the Medicare hospital outpatient prospective payment system to implement applicable statutory requirements and changes arising from our continuing experience with this system, and to implement certain related provisions of the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act (MMA) of 2003 and the Deficit Reduction Act (DRA) of 2005. In this final rule with comment period, we describe changes to the amounts and factors used to determine the payment rates for Medicare hospital outpatient services paid under the prospective payment system. These changes are applicable to services furnished on or after January 1, 2007. In addition, this final rule with comment period implements future CY 2009 required reporting on quality measures for hospital outpatient services paid under the prospective payment system. This final rule with comment period revises the current list of procedures that are covered when furnished in a Medicare-approved ambulatory surgical center (ASC), which are applicable to services furnished on or after January 1, 2007. This final rule with comment period revises the emergency medical screening requirements for critical access hospitals (CAHs). This final rule with comment period supports implementation of a restructuring of the contracting entities responsibilities and functions that support the adjudication of Medicare fee-for-service (FFS) claims. This restructuring is directed by section 1874A of the Act, as added by section 911 of the MMA. The prior separate Medicare intermediary and Medicare carrier contracting authorities under Title XVIII of the Act have been replaced with the Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC) authority. This final rule continues to implement the requirements of the DRA that require that we expand the ``starter set'' of 10 quality measures that we used in FY 2005 and FY 2006 for the hospital inpatient prospective payment system (IPPS) Reporting Hospital Quality Data for the Annual Payment Update (RHQDAPU) program. We began to adopt expanded measures effective for payments beginning in FY 2007. In this rule, we are finalizing additional quality measures for the expanded set of measures for FY 2008 payment purposes. These measures include the HCAHPS survey, as well as Surgical Care Improvement Project (SCIP, formerly Surgical Infection Prevention (SIP)), and Mortality quality measures.
Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) Request for Grant Proposals: 2007 Summer Institute for English Language Educators from South Africa
The African Programs Branch, Office of Academic Exchange Programs of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs announces an open competition for the 2007 Summer Institute for English Language Educators from South Africa. Accredited, post-secondary educational institutions meeting the provisions described in Internal Revenue Code section 26 U.S.C. 501(c)(3) may submit proposals to provide a six-week training program for approximately 28 English language educators from South Africa. Subject to availability of funds, one grant will be awarded to conduct the 2007 Institute.
Iowa, Chicago & Eastern Railroad Corporation-Acquisition and Operation Exemption-Lines of I&M Rail Link, LLC
The purpose of this notice is to announce the availability of, and invite public review and comment on, the Environmental Appendix prepared by the Dakota, Minnesota and Eastern Railroad Corporation (DM&E) and the Iowa, Chicago & Eastern Railroad Corporation (IC&E), which the railroads submitted to the Board on November 9, 2006. The Environmental Appendix sets forth the contention of DM&E and IC&E that their acquisition of rail lines formerly owned by I&M Rail Link (IMRL) will not materially alter the traffic projections or routings for DM&E's Powder River Basin coal traffic that have already been considered in a separate but related rail construction case, and that therefore no formal analysis of the cumulative impacts of these transactions is required under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq., or the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (NHPA), 16 U.S.C. 470. Briefly summarized, in a separate proceeding initiated in 1998, four years before the filing of the instant acquisition proceeding, DM&E sought approval to construct and operate some 280 miles of new rail line so that it could reach coal mines in Wyoming's Powder River Basin (PRB) and thereby generate adequate revenue to rehabilitate DM&E's existing rail system in South Dakota and Minnesota (DM&E Construction). During that proceeding it was contemplated that DM&E's PRB coal traffic would move from DM&E's new line to various interchange points with other carriers on DM&E's existing line. One of the interchange points considered in detail was Owatonna, Minnesota, where DM&E's PRB coal traffic was expected to be transferred to the lines that were then owned by IMRL to reach some of the utilities in DM&E's core markets. Following extensive environmental review, the Board authorized the DM&E Construction in 2002. Following litigation, a remand by the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals, and subsequent supplemental environmental analysis, the Board once again authorized the DM&E construction project in 2006. Judicial review of that decision is currently pending. On June 7, 2002, about 5 months after the Board had authorized the DM&E Construction, IC&E filed a notice of exemption in this proceeding to acquire and operate the lines of IMRL. In a related transaction, on August 29, 2002, DM&E and its subsidiary Cedar American Rail Holdings, Inc., filed an application with the Board seeking approval for control of IC&E. In decisions issued on July 22, 2002 and February 3, 2003, the Board allowed both IC&E's acquisition of IMRL and DM&E's control of IC&E to go forward subject to a traffic restriction prohibiting DM&E and IC&E from moving DM&E coal trains to or from the PRB over the newly acquired IMRL lines until the Board could consider what, if any, environmental review of cumulative environmental impacts (that is, impacts from more DM&E coal trains operating over the former IMRL lines as a result of the change in ownership of IMRL than would otherwise have moved over the IMRL lines) was warranted. The Board also directed that it be notified if and when DM&E starts construction of its new rail line and be provided with information regarding any anticipated additional DM&E PRB coal trains that would move on the IMRL lines as a result of the acquisition. In response to a petition filed by DM&E and IC&E asking that the above conditions should be lifted, the Board issued a decision on October 18, 2006, in the acquisition proceeding. In that decision, the Board agreed with DM&E and IC&E that it is not necessary to wait until DM&E actually begins construction of its new line to determine the level of further environmental review, if any, that is appropriate to consider in the acquisition case any cumulative effects of the construction and acquisition proceedings. The Board further directed DM&E and IC&E to prepare an Environmental Appendix setting out the basis for their contention that the change in ownership of IMRL does not materially alter the traffic projections or routings for DM&E's PRB coal traffic previously considered in the DM&E Construction case and that therefore there is no need for any further environmental review under NEPA or historic review under the NHPA. The railroads submitted their Environmental Appendix to the Board on November 9, 2006. To afford the public an opportunity to review and comment on DM&E's and IC&E's position, the entire text of the Environmental Appendix has been posted on the Board's Web site. The railroads also have distributed the Environmental Appendix to certain agencies and communities, as well as all of the parties on the Board's service list in the acquisition case and have published newspaper notices. Interested members of the public are invited to submit comments on any potentially significant impacts related to the cumulative effects, if any, of the acquisition and DM&E Construction to the Board's Section of Environmental Analysis (SEA) by December 11, 2006. Directions on how to submit comments are set forth below. Based on SEA's consideration of all timely comments and its own independent review of all available environmental information, SEA will make a recommendation to the Board regarding what level of further environmental review, if any, is warranted here. The Board will then determine whether to issue a finding of no significant environmental impact (FONSI), or, alternatively, to prepare either an Environmental Impact Statement or an Environmental Assessment to examine cumulative effects of the two proceedings. The Environmental Appendix may be viewed on the Board's Web site by going to https://www.stb.dot.gov and clicking on ``E-Library,'' then clicking on ``Filings.'' The Environmental Appendix is listed under November 9, 2006, and is identified by Filing ID No. 218058 and Docket No. FD341170. If you wish to submit written environmental comments, please provide SEA with a signed original. Environmental comments may also be filed electronically on the Board's Web site, https://www.stb.dot.gov, by clicking on the ``E-FILING'' link. Please refer to STB Finance Docket No. 34177 in all correspondence, including e-filings, to the Board in this proceeding. Written comments are due to SEA by December 11, 2006, and should be sent to the following address: Finance Docket No. 34177, Surface Transportation Board, 1925 K Street, NW., Washington, DC 20423-0001. Please write the following in the lower left-hand corner of the envelope: Environmental Filing. Any questions or requests for additional information about the Board's environmental review process should be directed to Victoria Rutson of the Board's Section of Environmental Analysis at (202) 565- 1545.
Workshop on Interpretation of Epidemiologic Studies of Multipollutant Exposure and Health Effects
EPA is announcing that a workshop entitled, ``Interpretation of Epidemiologic Studies of Multipollutant Exposure and Health Effects,'' is being organized by EPA's National Center for Environmental Assessment, Office of Research and Development, to be held on December 13 and 14, 2006, in Research Triangle Park, NC. The workshop will be open to attendance by interested public observers on a first-come, first-served basis up to the limits of available space.
Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) Request for Grant Proposals: Iraqi Young Leaders Exchange Program for Undergraduate Students
The Branch for the Study of the United States, Office of Academic Exchange Programs, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, announces an open competition for the ``Iraqi Young Leaders Exchange Program for Undergraduate Students,'' a series of six- week thematic institutes to take place at four different host institutions during the summers of 2007 and 2008. Accredited post- secondary education institutions in the United States and public and private non-profit organizations or consortia of organizations may submit proposals to cooperate with the Bureau in the administration and implementation of this program. Each institute should provide a group of 15-20 highly motivated Iraqi undergraduate students with an integrated and imaginatively designed academic program that includes structured classroom instruction in one of the following four themes: science and technology; media and journalism; entrepreneurship; and public policy. Each institute should incorporate a leadership component and integrate practical learning opportunities related to the institute's theme. In addition, each institute will include an educational travel program that will give participants a deeper understanding of U.S. culture and society. All participants will be expected to return to Iraq immediately following the conclusion of the program. The awarding of the grant for this program is contingent upon the availability of funds (prior year Economic Support Funds, which, at the time of this publication, are pending transfer to ECA for obligation).
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google
Privacy Policy and
Terms of Service apply.
