February 15, 2007 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is announcing the availability of the final ``Nanotechnology White Paper'' (EPA/100/ B-07/001, February 2007). The purpose of the White Paper is to inform EPA management of the science issues and needs associated with nanotechnology, to support related EPA program office needs, and to communicate these nanotechnology science issues to stakeholders and the public. Nanotechnology is the understanding and control of matter at dimensions of roughly 1 to 100 nanometers, where unique phenomena enable novel applications. Encompassing nanoscale science, engineering and technology, nanotechnology involves imaging, measuring, modeling and manipulating matter at this length scale. At the nanoscale, the physical, chemical and biological properties of materials may differ in fundamental and valuable ways from the properties of individual atoms and molecules or bulk matter. Nanotechnology presents new opportunities to improve how we measure, monitor, manage and minimize contaminants in the environment. New generations of nanomaterials will evolve and with them new and possibly unforeseen environmental issues. The White Paper provides a basic description of nanotechnology, why EPA is interested in it, potential environmental benefits of nanotechnology, risk assessment issues specific to nanotechnology, and a discussion of responsible development of nanotechnology and the Agency's statutory mandates. The paper then provides an extensive review of research needs for both environmental applications and implications of nanotechnology. To help EPA focus on priorities for the near term, the paper concludes with staff recommendations for addressing science issues and research needs, and includes prioritized research needs within most risk assessment topic areas (e.g., human health effects research, fate and transport research). In addition, the White Paper includes as Appendix C ``EPA's Nanotechnology Research Framework.'' The Nanotechnology Research Framework outlines how EPA will strategically focus its own research program to provide key information on potential environmental impacts from human or ecological exposure to nanomaterials in a manner that complements other federal, academic, and private-sector research activities. The Framework was developed by a cross agency team as a follow-up effort to the White Paper. The White Paper and Framework note the importance of complementing EPA's own research program by collaborating with other researchers.

Pursuant to the direction contained in the Joint Explanatory Statement of the Committee of Conference, for section 3023(d), ``Condition on Charter Bus Transportation Service'' of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) of 2005, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) established a committee to develop, through negotiated rulemaking procedures, recommendations for improving the regulation regarding unauthorized competition from recipients of Federal financial assistance. The proposed revisions contained in this notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) represent a complete revision to the charter service regulations contained in 49 CFR part 604. The NPRM contains the consensus work product of the Charter Bus Negotiated Rulemaking Advisory Committee (CBNRAC), which was able to reach consensus on a majority of the regulatory language. Where the CBNRAC was unable to reach consensus, FTA proposes revisions to the charter service regulations based on the open, informed exchange of information that took place during meetings with the CBNRAC.

The proposed information collection requirement described below will be submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act. The Department is soliciting public comments on the subject proposal.

The proposed information collection requirement described below will be submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act. The Department is soliciting public comments on the subject proposal.

Notice is hereby given that: seven applications have been received for permits to conduct research on free-ranging threatened and endangered Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus) in California, Washington, Oregon, and Alaska; five applications have been received for permits to conduct research on free-ranging northern fur seals (Callorhinus ursinus) in Alaska; and one application has been received for an amendment to a permit for activities with captive Steller sea lions in Alaska.

The Director of Defense Procurement and Acquisition Policy has suspended the use of the price evaluation adjustment for small disadvantaged businesses (SDBs) in DoD procurements, as required by 10 U.S.C. 2323(e)(3), because DoD exceeded its 5 percent goal for contract awards to SDBs in fiscal year 2006. The suspension will be in effect for 1 year and will be reevaluated based on the level of DoD contract awards to SDBs achieved in fiscal year 2007.

The Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) proposes a priority and definitions under the Special Demonstrations Program administered by the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA). The Assistant Secretary may use the priority and definitions for competitions in fiscal year (FY) 2007 and later years. We take this action to focus Federal financial assistance on an identified area of national need. We intend the priority to improve the post-school and employment outcomes of youth with disabilities.

The Office of Citizen Exchanges of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs announces an open competition for the International Sports Programming Initiative. Public and private non- profit organizations meeting the provisions described in Internal Revenue Code section 26 U.S.C. 501(c)(3) may submit proposals to discuss approaches designed to enhance and improve the infrastructure of youth sports programs in the countries of Africa, East Asia, the Near East and North Africa, South Asia and the Western Hemisphere. The focus of all programs must be reaching out to youth ages 8-18. Programs designed to train elite athletes will not be considered. In Africa, the following countries are eligible: Kenya, Liberia, Nigeria and South Africa. In East Asia eligible countries are: China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam. In the Near East and North Africa, eligible countries are: Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, and West Bank/Gaza. Eligible countries in South and Central Asia are Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. Eligible countries in the Western Hemisphere are Venezuela, Nicaragua, and the Dominican Republic. With the exception of programs for the Western Hemisphere, only single country projects are eligible. Applicants may not submit proposals that address more than one country or for countries that are not designated in the RFGP. For the purposes of this competition, eligible regions are Africa, East Asia, the Near East, North Africa, South Asia and the Western Hemisphere. No guarantee is made or implied that grants will be awarded in all themes and for all countries listed.

The Commission hereby gives notice of the institution of an investigation and commencement of preliminary phase antidumping investigation No. 731-TA-1110 (Preliminary) under section 733(a) of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1673b(a)) (the Act) to determine whether there is a reasonable indication that 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 imports from China of sodium hexametaphosphate (SHMP), provided for in subheading 2835.39.50 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States, that are alleged to be sold in the United States at less than fair value. Unless the Department of Commerce extends the time for initiation pursuant to section 732(c)(1)(B) of the Act (19 U.S.C. 1673a(c)(1)(B)), the Commission must reach a preliminary determination in antidumping investigations in 45 days, or in this case by March 26, 2007. The Commission's views are due at Commerce within five business days thereafter, or by April 2, 2007. For further information concerning the conduct of this investigation and rules of general application, consult the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure, part 201, subparts A through E (19 CFR part 201), and part 207, subparts A and B (19 CFR part 207).

The Federal Advisory Council on Occupational Safety and Health (FACOSH) will meet March 1, 2007, in Washington, DC.

Pursuant to the Federal Advisory Committee Act, Pub. L. 92- 463, notice is hereby given that the Mobile Sources Technical Review Subcommittee (MSTRS) will meet in March 2007. This is an open meeting. The meeting will include discussion of current topics and presentations about activities being conducted by EPA's Office of Transportation and Air Quality. The preliminary agenda for the meeting, as well as the minutes from the previous (October 2006) meeting and any notices about change in venue will be posted on the Subcommittee's Web site: https:// www.epa.gov/air/caaac/mobilesources.html. MSTRS listserver subscribers will receive notification when the agenda is available on the Subcommittee Web site. To subscribe to the MSTRS listserver, go to https://lists.epa.gov/cgi-bin/lyris.pl?enter=mstrs. The site contains instructions and prompts for subscribing to the listserver service.

The Industry Advisory Board (IAB) to the International Energy Agency (IEA) will meet on February 20 and 21, 2007, at the headquarters of the IEA in Paris, France, including in connection with a joint meeting of the IEA's Standing Group on Emergency Questions (SEQ) and the IEA's Standing Group on the Oil Market on February 20, and a meeting of SEQ on February 21.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Farm Service Agency (FSA) is seeking comments from all interested individuals and entities on the revision and extension of currently approved information collection that supports the Direct Loan Program. The collection of information from loan applicants and commercial lenders is used to determine eligibility and financial feasibility when the applicant requests direct loan assistance.

This notice provides the revised schedule of fees to be charged by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratories (NRTLs). OSHA charges fees for specific types of services it provides to NRTLs. The fees charged to NRTLs first went into effect on October 1, 2000.

This is a Notice of the Presidential declaration of a major disaster for Public Assistance Only for the State of Oklahoma (FEMA- 1677-DR), dated 02/01/2007. Incident: Severe Winter Storm. Incident Period: 12/28/2006 through 12/30/2006. Effective Date: 02/01/2007. Physical Loan Application Deadline Date: 04/02/2007.

This is a Notice of the Presidential declaration of a major disaster for Public Assistance Only for the State of Oklahoma (FEMA- 1678-DR), dated 02/01/2007. Incident: Severe Winter Storms. Incident Period: 01/12/2007 through 01/26/2007. Effective Date: 02/01/2007. Physical Loan Application Deadline Date: 04/02/2007.

As part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, Bureau of Customs and Border Protection (CBP) invites the general public and other Federal agencies to comment on an information collection requirement concerning the Distribution of Continued Dumping and Subsidy Offset to Affected Domestic Procedures. This request for comment is being made pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13; 44 U.S.C. 3505(c)(2)).

The Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation's regulations on Benefits Payable in Terminated Single-Employer Plans and Allocation of Assets in Single-Employer Plans prescribe interest assumptions for valuing and paying benefits under terminating single-employer plans. This final rule amends the regulations to adopt interest assumptions for plans with valuation dates in March 2007. Interest assumptions are also published on the PBGC's Web site (https://www.pbgc.gov).

Notice is hereby given that, pursuant to 19 CFR 151.12 and 151.13, Intertek Testing Service/Caleb Brett, 4951A East Adamo Drive, Suite 130, Tampa, Florida 33605, has been re-approved to gauge petroleum and petroleum products, organic chemicals and vegetable oils, and to test petroleum and petroleum products for customs purposes, in accordance with the provisions of 19 CFR 151.12 and 151.13. Anyone wishing to employ this entity to conduct laboratory analysis or gauger services should request and receive written assurances from the entity that it is accredited or approved by the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection to conduct the specific test or gauger service requested. Alternatively, inquires regarding the specific tests or gauger services this entity is accredited or approved to perform may be directed to the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection by calling (202) 344-1060. The inquiry may also be sent to https://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/import/ operationssupport/labsscientific svcs/organdoperations.xml.

In accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act, the United States Department of Agriculture announces a meeting of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, Education, and Economics Advisory Board. This meeting is open to the general public.

This notice amends the notice of an emergency declaration for the State of Colorado (FEMA-3270-EM), dated January 7, 2007, and related determinations.

This notice amends the notice of a major disaster declaration for the State of Kansas (FEMA-1675-DR), dated January 7, 2007, and related determinations.

This notice amends the notice of a major disaster declaration for the State of Florida (FEMA-1679-DR), dated February 3, 2007, and related determinations.