2006 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The U.S. Merit Systems Protection Board is requesting approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to conduct employee surveys for a period of three years from the approval date. Before submitting the Information Collection Request (ICR) to OMB for review and approval, MSPB is soliciting comments on specific aspects of the information collection in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)). In this regard, we are soliciting comments on the public reporting burden. The reporting burden for the collection of information on this form is estimated to average 30 minutes per respondent, including time for reviewing instructions and completing the survey. In addition, the MSPB invites comments on (1) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of MSPB's functions, including whether the information will have practical utility; (2) the accuracy of MSPB's estimate of burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (4) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques, when appropriate, and other forms of information technology.

The Caribou-Targhee National Forest will begin charging a $40 fee for the overnight rental of Malad Summit Guard Station. Rentals of other cabins on the Caribou-Targhee National Forest have shown that publics appreciate and enjoy the availability of historic rental cabins. Funds from the rental will be used for the continued operation and maintenance of the Malad Summit Guard Station.

The Soda Springs Ranger District of the Caribou-Targhee National Forest will begin charging a $10 fee for single family overnight camping at the Gravel Creek Campground. There will also be a $5 fee for an extra vehicle. Overnight camping at other campgrounds on the Caribou-Targhee National Forest have shown that publics appreciate and enjoy the availability of developed recreation facilities. Funds from the fee charges will be used for the continued operation and maintenance of the Gravel Creek Campground.

This action amends Jet Route 510 (J-510), and Colored Federal Airways Amber 2 (A-2), Amber 15 (A-15), and Green 8 (G-8), Alaska. Specifically, the FAA is re-designating J-510 as J-512 because of duplication with a Canadian Jet Route number, causing problems with the Flight Data processors during route validation at the Anchorage Air Route Traffic Control Center. Additionally, portions of A-2, and A-15, and G-8 are discontinuous between fixes, causing flight processing software problems, and will be re-designated.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Boeing Model 767 airplanes. This AD requires repetitive detailed and high frequency eddy current (HFEC) inspections of the station (STA) 1809.5 bulkhead for cracking and corrective actions if necessary. This AD results from fatigue cracks found in the forward outer chord and horizontal inner chord at STA 1809.5. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct cracking in the bulkhead structure at STA 1809.5, which could result in failure of the bulkhead structure for carrying the flight loads of the horizontal stabilizer, and consequent loss of controllability of the airplane.

The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) is amending the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) to add ``Montenegro'' and ``Serbia'' as separate countries in the EAR and to establish separate export licensing requirements for Montenegro and Serbia. BIS is taking this action to update the EAR to reflect the United States' recognition of Montenegro as a sovereign state by the United States.

Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) and the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) (together, the Services) advise the public of the availability of the Final EIS on the applications by Simpson Resource Company, now Green Diamond Resource Company (Green Diamond), for a Section 10 incidental take permit and an enhancement of survival permit (together, the Permits), and a Final multi-species Aquatic Habitat Conservation Plan/ Candidate Conservation Agreement with Assurances (AHCP/CCAA, or Plan) pursuant to the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA). The Services and Green Diamond also have developed an Implementation Agreement. The applicant seeks the Permits to authorize incidental take of specified covered species, including some that may become listed during the term of the Permits. The Permits are sought to authorize incidental take of the covered species during forest management and timber harvest in Del Norte and Humboldt Counties, CA, where Green Diamond owns lands or harvesting rights, during the term of the proposed 50 year Permits and Plan. This notice is provided pursuant to applicable NEPA regulations (40 CFR 1506.6) to inform the public of the proposed action, and to make available for 30 days' review the Final EIS, Plan, and Implementation Agreement. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) also is publishing a similar notice.

The Secretary of Education (Secretary) solicits comments and recommendations from the public prior to finalizing the comprehensive plan for national activities authorized under subparts 2 and 3, part D of IDEA (Comprehensive Plan or Plan). Pursuant to section 681(a) of IDEA, the Secretary is responsible for developing and implementing the Comprehensive Plan in order to enhance the provision of early intervention services, educational services, related services, and transitional services to children with disabilities under parts B and C of IDEA.

The Navy Recruiting Command announces a proposed extension of a public information collection and seeks public comment on the provisions thereof. Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information shall have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed information collection; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the information collection on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

This notice announces a meeting of the Uniform Formulary Beneficiary Advisory Panel. The panel will review and comment on recommendations made to the Director, TRICARE Management Activity, by the Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee regarding the Uniform Formulary. The meeting will be open to the public. Seating is limited and will be provided only to the first 220 people signing in. All persons must sign in legibly. Notice of this meeting is required under the Federal Advisory Committee Act.

The Ely Ranger District, Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest will prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) on a proposal to authorize continued livestock grazing within the Ely Westside Rangeland Project area. The analysis will determine if a change in management direction for livestock grazing is needed to move existing resource conditions within the Ely Westside Rangeland Project area towards desired conditions. Allotments within the project area are Big Creek, Black Rock, Cherry Creek, Currant Creek, Ellison Basin, Hooper Canyon, Irwin Canyon, Illipah, Pine/Quinn Creek, Tom Plain, Treasure Hill, and Troy Mountain. The Black Rock, Cherry Creek, Currant Creek, Ellison Basin, Illipah, Pine/Quinn Creek, Tom Plain, and Treasure Hill, are currently permitted for grazing; Big Creek, Hooper Canyon, and Irwin Canyon allotments are currently vacant; and the Troy Mountain Allotment is currently closed. These allotments are in Lincoln, Nye, and White Pine Counties, Nevada.

In this notice of proposed rulemaking (proposal), OTS is proposing changes to its Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) regulations in four areas to reestablish uniformity between its regulations and those of the other Federal banking agencies. OTS is proposing revisions to its CRA rule to promote consistency and help facilitate objective evaluations of CRA performance across the banking and thrift industries. Consistent standards could allow the public to make more effective comparisons of bank and thrift CRA performance. To advance these objectives OTS is proposing to align its CRA rule with the rule adopted by the banking agencies by: (1) Eliminating the option of alternative weights for lending, investment, and service under the large, retail savings association test; (2) defining small savings associations with between $250 million and $1 billion in assets as ``intermediate small savings associations'' and establishing a new community development test for them; (3) indexing the asset threshold for small and intermediate small savings associations annually based on changes to the Consumer Price Index (CPI); and (4) clarifying the impact on a savings association's CRA rating if OTS finds evidence of discrimination or other illegal credit practices.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Public Law 104-13, May 22, 1995), this notice announces that the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) intends to submit to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) a request for review of a revised information collection. RI 38-128, It's Time to Sign Up for Direct Deposit, is primarily used by OPM to give recent retirees the opportunity to waive Direct Deposit of their annuity payments. The form is sent only if the separating agency did not give the retiring employee this election opportunity. This form may also be used to enroll in Direct Deposit, which was its primary use before Public Law 104-134 was passed. This law requires OPM to make all annuity payments by Direct Deposit unless the payee has waived the service in writing. Comments are particularly invited on: whether this collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of functions of the Office of Personnel Management, and whether it will have practical utility; whether our estimate of the public burden of this collection of information is accurate, and based on valid assumptions and methodology; and ways in which we can minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, through the use of appropriate technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology. Approximately 20,000 forms are completed annually. The form takes approximately 30 minutes to complete. The annual estimated burden is 10,000 hours. For copies of this proposal, contact Mary Beth Smith-Toomey on (202) 606-8358, FAX (202) 418-3251 or via e-mail to MaryBeth.Smith- Toomey@opm.gov. Please include a mailing address with your request.

The Coast Guard is establishing a 1000 foot safety zone around a fireworks display for the North Carolina Holiday Flotilla occurring on November 25, 2006, on Motts Channel, Wrightsville Beach, NC. This action is intended to restrict vessel traffic on Motts Channel. This safety zone is necessary to protect mariners from the hazards associated with fireworks displays.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Public Law 104-13, May 22, 1995), this notice announces that the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) intends to submit to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) a request for review of a revised information collection. RI 92-22, Annuity Supplement Earnings Report, is used each year to obtain the earned income of each Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) annuitant receiving an annuity supplement. The annuity supplement is paid to eligible FERS annuitants who are not retired on disability and are not yet age 62. The supplement approximates the portion of a full career Social Security benefit earned while under FERS and ends at age 62. Like Social Security benefits, the annuity supplement is subject to an earnings limitation. Comments are particularly invited on: Whether this information is necessary for the proper performance of functions of the Office of Personnel Management, and whether it will have practical utility; whether our estimate of the public burden of this collection of information is accurate, and based on valid assumptions and methodology; and ways in which we can minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, through the use of appropriate technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology. We estimate 700 RI 92-22 forms are completed annually. Each form requires approximately 15 minutes to complete. The annual estimated burden is 175 hours. For copies of this proposal, contact Mary Beth Smith-Toomey on (202) 606-8358, Fax (202) 418-3251 or via e-mail to MaryBeth.Smith- Toomey@opm.gov. Please include a mailing address with your request.