2006 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) announces the decision and availability of the Record of Decision (ROD) for the Final Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Environmental Impact Statement (Final CCP/EIS) for the Sweetwater Marsh and South San Diego Bay Units of the San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge (NWR or Refuge). A thorough analysis of the environmental, social, and economic considerations was completed and presented in the Final CCP/EIS. The Final CCP/EIS was released to the public and a Notice of Availability was published in the Federal Register on August 25, 2006. The ROD documents the Service's decision to adopt and implement Alternative C (Implement Habitat Enhancement and Restoration and Improve Existing Public Uses) for the Sweetwater Marsh Unit and Alternative D (Expand Habitat Management, Enhance Nesting Opportunities, Maximize Habitat Restoration, and Provide Additional Public Use Opportunities) for the South San Diego Bay Unit.

The Coast Guard announces supplemental guidance for owners and operators of small passenger vessels to avoid operation in environmental conditions that are inappropriate for their vessels. The Coast Guard is requesting public comments on this notice.

This document contains proposed regulations under section 6111 of the Internal Revenue Code which provide the rules relating to the disclosure of reportable transactions by material advisors. These regulations affect material advisors responsible for disclosing reportable transactions under section 6111 and material advisors responsible for keeping lists under section 6112.

This document contains temporary and final regulations under sections 6011, 6111, and 6112 of the Internal Revenue Code that modify the rules relating to the disclosure of reportable transactions and the list maintenance requirements. These regulations affect taxpayers participating in reportable transactions under section 6011, material advisors responsible for disclosing reportable transactions under section 6111, and material advisors responsible for keeping lists under section 6112. These temporary and final regulations are being issued concurrently with proposed regulations under sections 6011, 6111, and 6112 published elsewhere in the Federal Register.

EPA is approving a State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision submitted by the State of West Virginia. This revision establishes amendments to the State's prevention of significant deterioration (PSD) preconstruction air quality permit program regulation. The intended effect of this action is the approval of a State Implementation Plan (SIP) revisions submitted by West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection.

To provide expanded notice and transparency to the public, the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Customs and Border Protection gives notice regarding the Automated Targeting System, which is the enforcement screening module associated with the Treasury Enforcement Communications System and was previously covered by the Treasury Enforcement Communications System ``System of Records Notice.'' This system of records is subject to the Privacy Act of 1974, as amended (5 U.S.C. 552a). The Treasury Enforcement Communications System is established as an overarching law enforcement information collection, targeting, and sharing environment. This environment is comprised of several modules designed to collect, maintain, and screen data, conduct targeting, and share information. Among these modules, the Automated Targeting System performs screening of both inbound and outbound cargo, travelers, and conveyances. As part of this screening function, the Automated Targeting System compares information obtained from the public with a set series of queries designed to permit targeting of conveyances, goods, cargo, or persons to facilitate DHS's border enforcement mission. The risk assessment and links to information upon which the assessment is based, which are stored in the Automated Targeting System, are created from existing information in a number of sources, including, but not limited to: the trade community through the Automated Commercial System or its successor; the Automated Commercial Environment system; the traveling public through information submitted by their carrier to the Advance Passenger Information System; persons crossing the United States land border by automobile or on foot; the Treasury Enforcement Communications System, or its successor; or law enforcement information maintained in other parts of the Treasury Enforcement Communications System that pertain to persons, goods, or conveyances. As part of the information it accesses for screening, Passenger Name Record (PNR) information, which is currently collected pursuant to an existing CBP regulation (19 CFR 122.49d) from both inbound and outbound travelers through the carrier upon which travel occurs, is stored in the Automated Targeting System. PNR is comprised of data which carriers collect as a matter of their usual business practice in negotiating and arranging the travel transaction. As noted above, this system of records notice does not identify or create any new collection of information, rather DHS is providing additional notice and transparency of the functionality of these systems.

The FAA invites public comments about our intention to request the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) revision of a current information collection. The Federal Register notice with a 60-day comment period soliciting comments on the following collection of information was published on June 28, 2006, vol. 71, no. 124, page 36869. The FAA Aviation Research and Development Grants Program establishes uniform policies and procedures for the award and administration of research grants to colleges, universities, and not for profit organizations.

In accordance with the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, 5 U.S.C. app. 2, and the General Services Administration (GSA) rule of Federal Advisory Committee Management, 41 CFR part 102-3, and after consultation with GSA, the Secretary of Commerce has determined that the establishment of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Climate Change Science Program (CCSP) Product Development Committee (CPDC) for Synthesis and Assessment Product 1.3 (CPDCS&A 1.3) is in the public interest, in connection with the performance of duties imposed on the Department by law. The CPDCS&A 1.3 will advise the Secretary, through the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere, on CCSP Topic 1.3: ``Re-analyses of historical climate data for key atmospheric features: Implications for attribution of causes of observed change''. This advice will be provided in the form of a draft Synthesis and Assessment product intended to be used by NOAA to develop a final product in accordance with the Guidelines for Producing the CCSP Synthesis and Assessment Products, the OMB Peer Review bulletin, and the Information Quality Act guidelines. The CPDCS&A 1.3 will consist of no more than 20 members to be appointed by the Under Secretary to assure a balanced representation among preeminent scientists, educators, and experts reflecting the full scope of the scientific issues addressed in CCSP Synthesis and Assessment Product 1.3. The CPDCS&A 1.3 will function solely as an advisory body, and in compliance with the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act. Its charter will be filed under the Act, fifteen days from the date of publication of this notice.

This notice announces an upcoming meeting of the Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor Commission. Notice of this meeting is required under the Federal Advisory Committee Act (Pub. L. 92-463).

The Copyright Royalty Board, acting pursuant to statute, referred two novel questions of law to the Register of Copyrights. Specifically, the Copyright Royalty Board requested a decision by the Register of Copyrights regarding whether ringtones are subject to the statutory license for making and distributing phonorecords under the Copyright Act, and if so, what legal conditions and/or limitations would apply. The Register of Copyrights, in a timely fashion, transmitted a Memorandum Opinion to the Copyright Royalty Board stating, with certain caveats, that the statutory license applies to ringtones.

The National Cemetery Administration (NCA), Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), is announcing an opportunity for public comment on the proposed collection of certain information by the agency. Under the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, Federal agencies are required to publish notice in the Federal Register concerning each proposed collection of information, including each proposed extension of a currently approved collection and allow 60 days for public comment in response to the notice. This notice solicits comments on information needed to request additional certificates, replacements or corrections to a President Memorial Certificate (PMC).

The Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), is announcing an opportunity for public comment on the proposed collection of certain information by the agency. Under the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, Federal agencies are required to publish notice in the Federal Register concerning each proposed collection of information, including each proposed extension of a currently approved collection for which approval has expired, and allow 60 days for public comment in response to the notice. This notice solicits comments on information needed to determine an individual's continued entitlement to VA benefits.

The Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), is announcing an opportunity for public comment on the proposed collection of certain information by the Agency. Under the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, Federal agencies are required to publish notice in the Federal Register concerning each proposed collection of information, including each extension of a currently approved collection and allow 60 days for public comment in response to the notice. This notice solicits comments on information needed to determine a veteran's eligibility, dependency, and income, as applicable, for compensation and/or pension benefits.

By final rule adopted May 19, 2005, 70 FR 28815, the Department of State amended its regulations and extended the permitted program duration from three to five years for professor and researcher participants in the Exchange Visitor Program. This rule also established clear eligibility requirements for repeat participation as a professor or researcher in the Exchange Visitor Program following a two-year bar. Implementation of these changes was delayed until the Department of Homeland Security could complete modifications to the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) necessary to permit these changes to be reflected in SEVIS. By SEVIS broadcast on October 6th, 2006, The Department of Homeland Security announced its ability to facilitate these changes effective November 4, 2006. Accordingly, as of November 4, 2006, current and future professor and researcher program participants will be eligible for five years of program participation as provided for in the final rule. These participants will also be subject to the eligibility requirements for repeat participation set forth in the final rule. Requirements governing initial eligibility for participation as a professor or researcher are unchanged. The final rule published May 19, 2005 also established a new ``G- 7'' administrative classification for certain program sponsors. The Department will contact directly those sponsors eligible for the classification. No action, inquiry, or request regarding this classification is necessary on the part of existing sponsors. This certification will be published in the Federal Register.