January 11, 2007 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

On January 5, 2007, the binational panel issued its decision in the review of the final results of the affirmative antidumping duty determination made by the International Trade Administration (ITA) respecting Certain Softwood Lumber Products from Canada (Secretariat File No. USA-CDA-2002-1904-02). On October 12, 2006, ITA filed with the panel, a Motion to Dismiss this appeal on the ground that the revocation of the antidumping order had rendered this proceeding moot. On October 13, 2006, the Government of Canada filed a separate motion to dismiss on the same ground. Neither motion was filed with the consent of the other parties of this proceeding. On October 23, 2006, two Canadian trade associations opposed the motions to dismiss, asserting that the revocation of the antidumping order did not render this proceeding moot, and urged the Panel to decide pending motions before it, including motions seeking reconsideration of ITA's most recent remand determination. Because the Panel concluded that the October 12, 2006 revocation of the antidumping order rendered moot this proceeding and all motions pending at the time of revocation, the Panel grants the motion to dismiss. A copy of the complete panel decision is available from the NAFTA Secretariat.

The Office of Personnel Management is issuing final regulations to amend the incentive awards regulations. The amended regulations clarify that if agencies grant rating-based awards, they must base such awards on a rating of record of ``Fully Successful'' (or equivalent) or higher. In addition, agencies must ensure that rating- based awards granted make meaningful distinctions based on levels of performance.

The Commission hereby gives notice of the scheduling of the final phase of antidumping investigation No. 731-TA-1104 (Final) under section 735(b) of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1673d(b)) (the Act) to determine whether an industry in the United States is materially injured or threatened with material injury, or the establishment of an industry in the United States is materially retarded, by reason of less-than-fair-value imports from China of Certain Polyester Staple Fiber, provided for in subheading 5503.20.00 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States.\1\

This notice announces meetings of the International Telecommunication Advisory Committee (ITAC) to prepare advice on U.S. positions for the International Telecommunication Union's Telecommunication Standardization Sector Study Group 3 (Tariff and accounting principles including related telecommunication economic and policy issues), the Organization of American States Inter-American Telecommunications Commission's Permanent Consultative Committee I (Telecommunications), and a standing electronic mail meeting preparing advice for ITU Radiocommunication Sector meetings. The ITAC will meet on February 8 and 22 and March 8, 2007, all meetings from 2 p.m.-4 p.m. to prepare advice on U.S. positions to be taken at ITU-T Study Group 3. Location of these meetings may be obtained by calling the Secretariat below. The ITAC will meet on February 13, 2007 from 10 a.m. to noon, and February 20 and March 13, 2007 both from 2 p.m.-4 p.m. to prepare advice on U.S. positions to be taken at the OAS CITEL PCC.I. Location of these meetings may be obtained by calling the Secretariat below. The International Telecommunication Advisory Committee (ITAC) will meet to prepare for various ITU-R Study Group meetings continuously by e-mail through the end of July 2007. People desiring to participate in this activity should contact the Secretariat at minardje@state.gov or 202 647-3234 for directions. These meetings are open to the public. Further information may be obtained from the Secretariat minardje@state.gov, telephone 202 647- 3234.

On May 30, 2006, the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM), submitted a request to redesignate the Allen County, Indiana, (Fort Wayne) nonattainment area to attainment of the 8-hour ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS). In this submittal, IDEM also requested EPA approval of an Indiana State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision containing a 14-year maintenance plan for Allen County. EPA is making a determination that the Allen County, Indiana ozone nonattainment area has attained the 8-hour ozone NAAQS. This determination is based on three years of complete, quality-assured ambient air quality monitoring data for the 2003-2005 ozone seasons that demonstrate that the 8-hour ozone NAAQS has been attained in the area. Quality-assured monitoring data for 2006 show that the area continues to attain the standard. EPA is also approving the request to redesignate the area to attainment for the 8-hour ozone standard. EPA's approval of the 8-hour ozone redesignation request is based on its determination that Allen County, Indiana has met the criteria for redesignation to attainment specified in the Clean Air Act (CAA). EPA is also approving as a SIP revision the State's maintenance plan for the area. Further, EPA is approving, for purposes of transportation conformity, the motor vehicle emission budgets (MVEBs) for the year 2020 that are contained in the 14-year, 8-hour ozone maintenance plan for Allen County.

EPA is approving a revision to the Maryland State Implementation Plan (SIP). The revision pertains to a Consent Order establishing volatile organic compound (VOC) reasonably available control technology (RACT) for Perdue Farms, Incorporated. EPA is approving these revisions in accordance with the requirements of the Clean Air Act (CAA).

EPA is approving a State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision submitted by the Maryland Department of the Environment. This revision pertains to the control of volatile organic compounds from medical device manufacturing. EPA is approving this revision in accordance with the requirements of the Clean Air Act (CAA).

Background Notice is hereby given of the final approval of proposed information collection by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (Board) under OMB delegated authority, as per 5 CFR 1320.16 (OMB Regulations on Controlling Paperwork Burdens on the Public). Board- approved collections of information are incorporated into the official OMB inventory of currently approved collections of information. Copies of the Paperwork Reduction Act Submission, supporting statements and approved collection of information instrument(s) are placed into OMB's public docket files. The Federal Reserve may not conduct or sponsor, and the respondent is not required to respond to, an information collection that has been extended, revised, or implemented on or after October 1, 1995, unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number.

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) has recently approved a new breath tube alcohol screening device (ASD) which will qualify for use in DOT Agency regulated testing once it appears on NHTSA's conforming products list (CPL). This interim final rule (IFR) will provide procedures for use of the new device and remove procedures for a previously approved breath tube ASD which is no longer being manufactured.

The Commander, First Coast Guard District, has issued a temporary deviation from the regulation governing the operation of the Amtrak Bridge across Shaw Cove, mile 0.0., at New London, Connecticut. Under this temporary deviation, an advance notice shall be required for bridge openings during designated bridge opening time periods each day from January 5, 2007 through March 30, 2007; however, bridge openings shall be provided at any time for DDLC Energy, if at least a 24-hour advance notice is given. This deviation is necessary to facilitate scheduled bridge maintenance.

The Pacific Fishery Management Council's (Council) Groundfish Management Team (GMT) will hold a working meeting, which is open to the public.

The Rural Utilities Service (RUS), an agency which administers the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Development Utilities Programs (USDA/RD) is issuing a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Norborne Baseload Plant (Norborne Plant). The Draft EIS was prepared pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) (U.S.C. 4231 et seq.) in accordance with the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) regulations for implementing the procedural provisions of NEPA (40 CFR parts 1500-1508) and USDA Rural Utilities Service (RUS) regulations (7 CFR part 1794). The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is a cooperating agency for this Draft EIS. The purpose of the EIS is to evaluate the potential environmental impacts of and alternatives to the Associated Electric Cooperative, Inc. (AECI) application for a USDA/RD loan to construct the proposed 660 megawatt (MW) coal-fired power plant in Carroll County, Missouri, near the town of Norborne. AECI is proposing to use a coal combustion technology known as supercritical pulverized coal, along with other proposed pollution controls collectively known as Best Available Control Technology (BACT). The primary components of the Proposed Action include the following: Power plant and associated facilities and operations, including the plant cooling system, waste management operations, lighting, and fire protection and other safety systems. 345-kV substation with associated transmission line modifications and communications facilities. New and modified substations. Approximately 134 miles of new 345-kV transmission lines to connect with AECI's existing network. Water supply system consisting of groundwater wells and associated pipeline. Utility waste landfill. New rail access from existing mainline railroads. Actions to reduce or prevent environmental impacts. The Proposed Action has been identified as USDA/RD's Preferred Alternative.

This document contains proposed regulations related to release of lien and discharge of property under sections 6325, 6503, and 7426 of the Internal Revenue Code (Code). The proposed regulations update existing regulations and contain procedures for processing a request made by a property owner for discharge of a Federal tax lien from his property, under section 6325(b)(4). The proposed regulations also clarify the impact of these procedures on sections 6503(f)(2) and 7426(a)(4) and (b)(5). The proposed regulations reflect the enactment of sections 6325(b)(4), 6503(f)(2), and 7426(a)(4) by the IRS Restructuring and Reform Act of 1998.

The Rural Utilities Service, an agency which administers the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Development Utilities Programs (USDA Rural Development) has prepared an Environmental Assessment (EA) related to possible financial assistance to Earth Resources, Inc. (ERI) for the proposed construction of Plant Carl, a 20-megawatt electric power generation plant proposed to be built by Earth Resources, Inc. (ERI) in Franklin County, Georgia. ERI is requesting the USDA Rural Development to provide financial assistance for the proposed project.

The Farm Credit Administration (FCA) published a final rule under part 611 on August 4, 2006 (71 FR 44410). This final rule updates the termination procedures for Farm Credit System banks and associations under sections 7.9, 7.10 and 7.11 of the Farm Credit Act of 1971, as amended, ensures that interested parties have sufficient time and opportunities to be fully informed about a termination proposal, and ensures that a significant proportion of equity holders are engaged in the termination process. In accordance with 12 U.S.C. 2252, the effective date of the final rule is 30 days from the date of publication in the Federal Register during which either or both Houses of Congress are in session. Based on the records of the sessions of Congress, the effective date of the regulations is January 4, 2007.

The Advisory Committee on Organ Transplantation (ACOT) will be conducting a conference call to discuss the revision of the Uniform Anatomical Gift Act (UAGA).