July 2, 2007 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents
Results 51 - 100 of 127
Notice of Availability of a Record of Decision on the Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park General Management Plan Amendment
Pursuant to section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, 83 Stat. 852, 853, the National Park Service (NPS) announces the availability of the Record of Decision (ROD) on the Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park General Management Plan Amendment, Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park, Ohio. On May 16, the Regional Director, Midwest Region, approved the ROD for the project. As soon as practicable, the NPS will begin to implement the Preferred Alternative contained in the Final EIS issued on April 13. The following course of action will occur under the Preferred Alternative. The park will continue to serve traditional visitors to national parks; however, the primary goal will be to increase regional involvement, particularly in interpretation, education, and outreach. Visitors can expect an active participatory experience that will broaden and expand the park's literary and aviation significance. There will be a new at-grade entrance to the Huffman Prairie Flying Field and a maintenance facility shared by the park and partners. This course of action and two other alternatives were analyzed in the Draft and Final EIS. The full range of foreseeable environmental consequences was assessed and appropriate mitigating measures were identified. The ROD includes a statement of the decision made, synopses of other alternatives considered, the basis for the decision, a description of the environmentally preferable alternative, a finding on impairment of park resources and values, a listing of measures to minimize environmental harm, an overview of public involvement in the decisionmaking process, and a conclusion.
Final Environmental Impact Statement and Environmental Impact Report; Giacomini Wetlands Restoration Project; Point Reyes National Seashore, Marin County, CA; Notice of Availability
Pursuant to Sec. 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (Pub. L. 91-190, as amended), and the Council on Environmental Quality Regulations (40 CFR part 1500-1508), the National Park Service, Department of the Interior, has prepared a Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) identifying and evaluating the no-action alternative and four action alternatives for the restoration of the Giacomini wetlands. When approved, the plan will guide the National Park Service in restoration and public access actions for lands at the headwaters of Tomales Bay, Marin County, California. Because some of the proposed restoration project area includes state, county and private lands, the document also fulfills California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) requirements as a Final Environmental Impact Report (EIR). The California State Lands Commission (CALC) is the CEQA lead agency for this project. Through the FEIS/EIR, the potential impacts of the five alternatives are assessed and, where appropriate, measures to avoid or reduce the intensity of potential effects are identified. Three preliminary restoration options that were considered, but rejected because they did not achieve restoration objectives or were infeasible, are also described in the FEIS/EIR. Project Planning Background: Point Reyes National Seashore is a unit of the National Park Service (NPS) located in western Marin County, California. It was established by Congress on September 13, 1962, ``to save and preserve, for the purpose of public recreation, benefit, and inspiration, a portion of the diminishing seashore of the United States that remains undeveloped'' (Pub. L. 87-657). A large portion of Tomales Bay watershed lands were acquired by the NPS in the 1960s and 1970s for establishment of two neighboring parksPoint Reyes National Seashore (Seashore) and Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA). In 1980, the boundary for GGNRA was expanded to include the Waldo Giacomini Ranch (Giacomini Ranch) and the eastern portion of Tomales Bay. The Giacomini Ranch falls within the north district of the GGNRA, which is administered by the Seashore. The Seashore and CALC are proposing to restore historic wetlands at Giacomini Ranch in Tomales Bay, an embayment that borders the Seashore to the east and north. The Giacomini Ranch property was once part of a large tidal marsh complex at the southern end of Tomales Bay that also encompassed portions of Olema Marsh (a 60-acre freshwater marsh that is partially owned by the NPS). The Giacomini property was diked in 1946 and has been used by the Waldo Giacomini family as a dairy since then. The property was purchased from the Giacomini family in 2000. Partial funding for the purchase came from the California Department of Transportation (CalTrans), which was under obligation to the California Coastal Commission (CCC) to mitigate for impacts resulting from the Lone Tree road repair along State Route 1 conducted in the early 1990s. The CCC eventually allowed CalTrans to fulfill mitigation obligations by making funds available to the NPS to purchase, restore, and manage a replacement wetland site. While the NPS is obligated under its agreement with CalTrans and CCC to mitigate only a total of 3.6 acres, the Seashore believes that the potential value of the historic salt marsh is significant not only to the NPS and its resource conservation objectives, but to the Tomales Bay watershed ecosystem as a whole. Tomales Bay was recently declared impaired for sediment, nutrients, and fecal coliform by the San Francisco Regional Water Quality Control Board under Sec. 303(d) of the Clean Water Act. Coastal wetlands act as both a food source and filtering system for estuarine and marine systems, and the loss of these wetlands in many parts of the bay has contributed to this designation. The diking of the Giacomini property resulted in the loss of hydrologic connectivity and diminished delta functionality for more than 50 percent of the coastal tidal wetlands present in Tomales Bay in the late 1800s. Restoration would reestablish hydrologic connectivity between Tomales Bay and the project area, resulting in increased wetland functionality. The project purpose and goals reflect a broad ecosystem-level approach to restoration. The purpose of the proposed project is to restore natural hydrologic processes within a significant portion of the project area, thereby promoting restoration of ecological processes and functions. Three goals, which further support the overall purpose, were also developed, as follows: Restore natural, self-sustaining tidal, fluvial (streamflow), and groundwater hydrologic processes, thereby enabling reestablishment of some of the ecological processes and functions associated with wetland and riparian areas, such as water quality improvement, floodwater storage, food chain support, and wildlife habitat. Pursue a watershed-based approach to restoration so as to emphasize opportunities to improve ecological conditions within the entire Tomales Bay watershed, not just in the project area itself. To the extent possible, incorporate opportunities for the public to experience and enjoy the restoration process as long as opportunities do not conflict with the project's purpose or with NPS, CALC, or other agency legislation or policies. For these reasons, the NPS and CALC propose to restore natural hydrologic and ecological processes on most or all of the 563-acre property. The NPS and CALC developed a range of alternatives for accomplishing this restoration project that encompass a spectrum of hydrologic and topographic changes. However, there are a series of activities that would be conducted under all five alternatives, including: Discontinuation of agricultural land management on the property, removal of general agricultural infrastructure and buildings from upland areas, and periodic maintenance of creeks to ensure that sediment deposition does not elevate flood risk to adjacent properties. In addition, the Giacomini family would remove all personal property from the project area, including worker housing trailers near Mesa Road. Water rights to Lagunitas Creek, acquired as part of the transfer of ownership, would be dedicated to in-stream flow. The NPS would also enter into a lease agreement with the CALC for leasing of subtidal lands in Lagunitas Creek within the project area. Finally, the NPS will be working with the USGS on an effort to expand the tidewater Goby population within the southern portions of Tomales Bay. Proposed Giacomini Wetlands Restoration: Extensive Restoration of the Giacomini Ranch East Pasture, Full Restoration of the West Pasture, and Restoration of Olema Marsh with Limited Public Access (Alternative D). This alternative has been determined to be ``environmentally preferred'', and involves complete removal of levees in both the West and East Pasture. In general, this alternative builds upon the actions proposed in Alternative B and Alternative C (see below) by fully realigning one of the leveed creeks within the Giacomini Ranch; excavating a portion of the ranch pasture into active intertidal marshplain and floodplain; increasing the amount of culvert replacement to improve hydraulic connectivity, streamflow, and passage of salmonid species; and increasing active revegetation and invasive non-native plant removal efforts. In addition, this alternative incorporates adaptive restoration of Olema Marsh (which is located south of Giacomini Ranch and White House Pool and is owned by Audubon Canyon Ranch (ACR) and the NPS); this would include a phased approach to shallow channel excavation, vegetated berm removal, and potential replacement of Levee Road and/or Bear Valley Road culverts in the future should initial restoration efforts not achieve the desired degree of success. Public access components of Alternative D include an improved spur trail leading to the edge of the Dairy Mesa; an improved spur trail extension of the existing Tomales Bay Trail; an improved spur trail on the southern perimeter following the existing alignment of an informal social path; and an ADA-compliant path in White House Pool County Park. The NPS would also pursue working with Marin County (through separate environmental compliance) to consider additional public access facilities on the southern perimeter of the project area, including reevaluation of a trail along Levee Road, extension of a trail to Inverness Park, and, should other options not prove viable, a non- vehicular bridge across Lagunitas Creek. Alternatives to Proposed Project: Under the No Action Alternative, levees, tidegates, and culverts in the Giacomini Ranch will remain. An 11-acre area will be restored on the northeast corner of the east pasture to satisfy mitigation requirements for aquatic habitat impacts caused by CalTrans due to road repairs on State Route 1 in Marin County in exchange for the NPS receiving monies to purchase and restore the Giacomini Ranch. The remainder of the levees in the East Pasture and West Pasture would no longer be maintained. Under the No Action Alternative only, there is potential for limited grazing, with consultation conducted under a separate compliance process. Olema Marsh would not be restored, and there would be no new public access facilities. Alternative ALimited Restoration of the Giacomini Ranch East Pasture Only with Expanded Public Access, Including Culverted Earthen Fill Trail on Eastern Perimeter. This alternative involves selective breaching of the East Pasture levee, while levees and tidegates in the West Pasture would not be removed. A limited amount of tidal channel creation, creek bank grading, and revegetation would also be performed in the East Pasture. Most of the actions under this alternative focus on removing agricultural infrastructure such as filling of ditches, ripping of compacted roads, fence removal, and removal of pumps, pipelines, and concrete spillways, as well as removal of ranch buildings. For future public access, the southern perimeter trail would include a prefabricated bridge across Lagunitas Creek, near the old summer dam location across from White House Pool County Park. The bridge design would place footings outside of the active channel, so as to not impinge on hydrologic processes. Future extension of the southern perimeter trail, in collaboration with the County of Marin, would connect White House Pool County Park with a path along Sir Francis Drake Boulevard (that would either run alongside the road or move off the road at the southern end of the unrestored West Pasture onto a low-elevation boardwalk that would join back with Sir Francis Drake Boulevard in Inverness Park). Other infrastructure constructed is a culverted berm through-trail on the eastern perimeter of the East Pasture. Alternative BModerate Restoration of the Giacomini Ranch East Pasture and Limited Restoration of the West Pasture with Expanded Public Access, Including Boardwalk Trail on the Eastern Perimeter. This alternative would completely remove the East Pasture levees and create several breaches in the West Pasture levee, as well as remove the tidegate on Fish Hatchery Creek. More tidal channel creation, grading, and revegetation would occur than under Alternative A. There would be no activities taken at Olema Marsh. Most of the new public access facilities would continue to be limited to the eastern and southern perimeters of the East Pasture, including construction of the pedestrian access bridge across Lagunitas Creek near the old summer dam, and extension of the southern perimeter trail to Inverness Park. The culverted berm through-trail on the eastern perimeter in Alternative A would instead be a boardwalk. On the West Pasture north levee, a viewing area would replace the existing informal trail. Alternative CFull Restoration of the Giacomini Ranch East and West Pastures and Restoration of Olema Marsh, with Moderate Public Access. This alternative involves complete removal of levees in both the West and East Pasture. In general, this alternative would result in more tidal channel creation, grading, and revegetation than Alternative B. In addition, the project boundary is expanded to include Olema Marsh, which is located south of the Giacomini Ranch and White House Pool and is owned by ACR and the NPS. Olema Marsh and the Giacomini Ranch once formed an integrated tidal wetland complex. In Alternative C, there would be an adaptive approach for Olema Marsh restoration that would include phased shallow channel excavation and vegetated berm removal. Levee Road and Bear Valley Road culverts could be replaced in the future should initial restoration efforts not achieve the desired degree of success. Public access components include the southern perimeter path and proposed future trails as described under Alternative A and Alternative B, but there would be two spur trails rather than a through-trail on the eastern perimeter of the Giacomini Ranch. Principal Differences Between the Draft and Final EIS/EIR: Change in Preferred Alternative: The alternative preferred by the NPS and CALC has been changed to Alternative D from Alternative C. The lead agencies initially chose Alternative C as the Preferred Alternative as it appeared to best meet both wetland restoration goals and community public access needs. During public review of the DEIS/ EIR, a large number of responses from the public, organizations, and agencies advocated selecting Alternative D because it was more compatible with restoration and would have less traffic, noise, pollution, and land use impacts. Changes to Alternative D: Alternative D has been modified slightly in the FEIS/EIR in response to public feedback so as to slightly decrease the degree of excavation, to remove eucalyptus from Tomasini Creek, and to construct an ADA-compliant trail and viewing platform at the nearby White House Pool County Park. In addition, this alternative now also incorporates the option for NPS to collaborate with Marin County in a separate environmental process on possible additional public access facilities on the southern perimeter of the project area (as noted above). Change in Impact Determinations: Because of refinement of construction scheduling and project design (identified in Chapter 2), the NPS and CALC have re-assessed some levels of impact identified, although none of these changes results in any ``Significant, Unavoidable Impacts'', such that all major impacts are mitigated to moderate or lesser intensities. Construction-related air quality impacts under Alternative C have been reduced to moderate, although Alternative D still would have major or substantial impacts that are mitigated to moderate levels through implementation of recommended Best Management Practices. Alternative A and Alternative B would have major impacts on riparian habitat due to construction of the eastern perimeter trail that could conflict with state and local policies on riparian habitat protection, but these impacts would be mitigated to minor or moderate through active and passive revegetation efforts. Major restoration actions in Olema Marsh identified as part of the adaptive restoration under Alternative C and Alternative D such as culvert replacement would not be implemented until the NPS can confirm these actions would not cause major impacts to municipal water supply through increasing water salinities in the portion of the Lagunitas Creek that is adjacent to municipal groundwater wells. Summary of Public Engagement: On September 23, 2002, a Notice of Intent (NOI) to conduct public scoping to inform preparation of an EIS was published in the Federal Register. On September 25, 2002, a copy of the NOI and scoping information was sent to 45 landowners adjacent to the project area, and 163 persons and organizations on a public review request list maintained by the Seashore. On October 4, 2002, the NOI was sent to the Governor's Office of Planning and Research State Clearinghouse for distribution to relevant state agencies (SCH 2002114002). Following agreement by CALC to act as the lead CEQA agency, a Notice of Preparation (NOP) for preparation of a joint EIS/ EIR was prepared by CALC, and distributed to the State Clearinghouse, which circulated the NOP between May 29 and June 30, 2003. The extensive public scoping period also closed on June 30, 2003. Oral comments were heard at a public information meeting at the October 19, 2002 Advisory Commission held at the Point Reyes Dance Palace where approximately 30 to 40 members of the public attended. In addition to the oral comments obtained, approximately 86 individuals or private organizations provided written comments regarding the proposed restoration. Regulatory scoping meetings were conducted on November 6, 2002 and November 8, 2002 during the public scoping period. The NPS and CALC received comments from seven local, state, or federal agencies. After the public scoping phase concluded on June 30, 2003, a staff report was prepared that summarized all information derived from the public scoping process. After a series of internal post-scoping discussions in spring 2004, the NPS and CALC hosted a series of information meetings with regulatory and local and state agencies, adjacent landowners, and local technical experts in the field of wetland restoration, to present and receive feedback on preliminary restoration and public access concepts. This phase culminated in a public workshop on June 22, 2004, at the Seashore Red Barn attended by more than 110 people. Following the June public workshop, all interested individuals and organizations were encouraged to submit comments to the NPS and CALC on the restoration concepts and scope of the proposed DEIS/EIR. Through July 23, 2004 written letters or e-mails from 58 individuals and 14 private organizations were received, as well as two petitions with a total of approximately 450 signatures. NPS staff also met with representatives of stakeholder groups from Marin County and interested agencies that requested briefings. In response to the comments received, the NPS and CALC contracted for two additional studies on public access options within the project area that evaluated potential impacts on resources and adjacent land uses, as well as technical feasibility and costs. As part of this effort, additional meetings were held with adjacent landowners and the general public in February-March, 2005. The Seashore's Notice of Availability for the DEIS/EIR was published in the Federal Register on November 3, 2006. The EPA's notification of filing of the DEIS/EIR was published in the Federal Register on December 15, 2006, formally initiating the 60-day public comment period. A notice that the DEIS/EIR had been also filed with the State Clearinghouse was published on December 18, 2006. The Seashore mailed over 450 letters regarding availability of the DEIS/EIR for public review on December 13, 2006 (this letter also announced a public meeting scheduled for January 25, 2007, at the Seashore Red Barn, and confirmed that the public comment period would end February 14, 2007). On December 14, 2006, a press release announcing the public meeting was distributed to the Point Reyes Light, Marin Independent Journal, and Press Democrat, as well as 28 other media outlets, including newspapers, radio stations, and television stations. Details about the public meeting were also posted on the Seashore's Web site. The Marin Independent Journal and Point Reyes Light published articles about release of the DEIS/EIR and the pending public meeting. Approximately 100 members of the public attended the January 25, 2007 meeting. The Point Reyes Light published an account of the meeting on February 1, 2007. Altogether approximately 180 interested individuals and organizations responded to release of the DEIS/EIR; approximately 170 were from private individuals. There were no form letters. More than 99 percent of the letters submitted were from residents of Marin County. Organizations providing comments included the Environmental Action Committee of Marin; Point Reyes Lodging Association; Marin County Bicycle Coalition/Community Pathways Committee/Access 4 Bikes; California Native Plant Society; Point Reyes Village Association; Sierra Club, Marin Chapter; and Tomales Bay Association. Ten responses were received from local, state, or federal agenciesthe California Coastal Commission; the California Regional Water Quality Control Board; the Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary; the North Marin Water District; the Marin/Sonoma Mosquito and Vector Control District; the County of Marin Department of Public Works; the County of Marin Department of Parks and Open Space District; the State Department of Conservation; the State of California Department of Fish and Game; and the EPA. More than 90 percent of the oral and written comments received during the public meeting and throughout the comment period concerned the choice of Alternative C as the Preferred Alternative. A large number of comments also advocated modifications to either the existing Preferred Alternative or to Alternative D, with most of these proposed modifications focusing on changes to the public access components on the eastern and southern perimeters of the project area. On March 2, 2007, the EPA published its Lack of Objection (LO) findings regarding the DEIS/EIR, noting that the ``EPA supports the proposed project and believes it will significantly improve the hydrologic and ecological processes and functions in the Tomales Bay Watershed.'' All written comments received and a summary of commentary from the January 25, 2007, public meeting are available for inspection at the Seashore Administration Building, 1 Bear Valley Road, Point Reyes Station, CA. Substantive comments and responses are documented in the FEIS/EIR. Copies of the FEIS/EIR may be obtained from the Superintendent, Point Reyes National Seashore, Point Reyes, CA 94956, Attn: Giacomini Wetlands Restoration Project, or by e-mail request to: poreplanning@nps.gov (in the subject line, type: Giacomini Wetlands Restoration Project). The document will be sent directly to those who have requested it, and also will be posted on the Internet at the Seashore's Web site https://www.nps.gov/pore; and both the printed document and digital version on compact disk will be available at the park headquarters and local libraries. Decision: As a delegated EIS/EIR, the official responsible for the final decision is the Regional Director, Pacific West Region. A Record of Decision, fully documenting the entire conservation planning and environmental decision-making process, will be prepared not sooner than 30 days following publication in the Federal Register of the EPA's notice of filing and availability of the Final EIS/EIR. Subsequently and prior to implementation, notice of approval of the Record of Decision will likewise be published in the Federal Register, as well as announced via local and regional news media. Following approval of the Giacomini Wetlands Restoration Project, the official responsible for project implementation will be the Superintendent, Point Reyes National Seashore.
Portable Fire Extinguishers (Annual Maintenance Certification Record); Extension of the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) Approval of Information Collection (Paperwork) Requirements
OSHA solicits public comment concerning its proposal to extend OMB approval of the information collection requirements specified in the Standard on Portable Fire Extinguishers (Annual Maintenance Certification Record) (29 CFR 1910.157(e)(3)). Paragraph (e)(3) of the Standard requires employers to: Inspect portable fire extinguishers annually for normal operation; record the maintenance date; retain the maintenance record for one year after the last entry or for the life of the shell, whichever is less; and make the record available to an OSHA compliance officer upon request. The annual maintenance inspection ensures that portable fire extinguishers are in safe operating condition in case of a fire, while the maintenance record provides evidence to employees and Agency compliance officers that employers performed the required inspections.
Material Hoists, Personnel Hoists, and Elevators; Extension of the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) Approval of Information Collection (Paperwork) Requirements
OSHA solicits public comment concerning its proposal to extend OMB approval of the information collection requirements specified in the Material Hoists, Personnel Hoists, and Elevators Standard (29 CFR 1926.552). The Standard is designed to protect employees who operate and work around personnel hoists.
Modification of Restricted Areas 3601A and 3601B; Brookville, KS
This action revises Restricted Areas 3601A (R-3601A) and 3601B (R-3601B), at Brookville, KS, in response to a request from the United States Air Force (USAF). Specifically, this action revises R-3601A and R-3601B by combining their lateral boundaries, expanding the ceiling to flight level 230 (FL230), and re-designating the lower portion of the combined area as R-3601A and the upper portion as R-3601B. Additionally, this action changes the using agency of R-3601A and R- 3601B from ``Commander, Kansas ANG, McConnell AFB, KS'' to ``Air National Guard, 184th Air Refueling Wing, Detachment 1, Smoky Hill ANG Range, Salina, KS.'' These revisions will fulfill new USAF requirements for high altitude release bomb training for fighter aircraft and medium-to-high altitude release bomb training for bombers.
Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Diabetes
FMCSA announces its decision to exempt fifty-seven individuals from its rule prohibiting persons with insulin-treated diabetes mellitus (ITDM) from operating commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) in interstate commerce. The exemptions will enable these individuals to operate CMVs in interstate commerce.
Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Vision
FMCSA announces its decision to exempt 27 individuals from the vision requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs). The exemptions will enable these individuals to operate commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) in interstate commerce without meeting the prescribed vision standard. The Agency has concluded that granting these exemptions will provide a level of safety that is equivalent to, or greater than, the level of safety maintained without the exemptions for these CMV drivers.
Changes in Flood Elevation Determinations
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) removes the final flood elevation determination published at 72 FR 27746 on May 17, 2007 for the Unincorporated areas of Frederick County, Maryland, Case No. 06-03-B384P, Community Number 240027.
Kansas; Amendment No. 9 to Notice of a Major Disaster Declaration
This notice amends the notice of a major disaster declaration for the State of Kansas (FEMA-1699-DR), dated May 6, 2007, and related determinations.
Final Flood Elevation Determinations
Base (1% annual chance) Flood Elevations (BFEs) and modified BFEs are made final for the communities listed below. The BFEs and modified BFEs are the basis for the floodplain management measures that each community is required either to adopt or to show evidence of being already in effect in order to qualify or remain qualified for participation in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).
Proposed Flood Elevation Determinations
Technical information or comments are requested on the proposed Base (1% annual chance) Flood Elevations (BFEs) and proposed BFEs modifications for the communities listed below. The BFEs are the basis for the floodplain management measures that the community is required either to adopt or to show evidence of being already in effect in order to qualify or remain qualified for participation in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).
Notice of Submission of Proposed Information Collection to OMB; Ginnie Mae Mortgage-Backed Securities Programs
The proposed information collection requirement described below has been 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 information collected is needed by Ginnie Mae for the participation of issuers/customers in its Mortgage-Backed Securities programs and to monitor performance and compliance with established rules and regulations.
Kansas; Amendment No. 10 to Notice of a Major Disaster Declaration
This notice amends the notice of a major disaster for the State of Kansas (FEMA-1699-DR), dated May 6, 2007, and related determinations.
Notice of Proposed Information Collection for Public Comment; Public and Indian Housing ENERGY STAR and Energy Audit Survey
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.
Changes in Flood Elevation Determinations
This interim rule lists communities where modification of the Base (1% annual-chance) Flood Elevations (BFEs) is appropriate because of new scientific or technical data. New flood insurance premium rates will be calculated from the modified BFEs for new buildings and their contents.
Proposed Flood Elevation Determinations
Technical information or comments are requested on the proposed Base (1% annual chance) Flood Elevations (BFEs) and proposed BFEs modifications for the communities listed below. The BFEs are the basis for the floodplain management measures that the community is required either to adopt or to show evidence of being already in effect in order to qualify or remain qualified for participation in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).
Proposed Flood Elevation Determinations
Technical information or comments are requested on the proposed Base (1% annual chance) Flood Elevations (BFEs) and proposed BFEs modifications for the communities listed below. The BFEs are the basis for the floodplain management measures that the community is required either to adopt or to show evidence of being already in effect in order to qualify or remain qualified for participation in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).
Changes in Flood Elevation Determinations
Modified Base (1% annual-chance) Flood Elevations (BFEs) are finalized for the communities listed below. These modified BFEs will be used to calculate flood insurance premium rates for new buildings and their contents.
Towing Safety Advisory Committee
This notice announces a teleconference of the Towing Safety Advisory Committee (TSAC). The purpose of the teleconference is for TSAC to discuss and prepare recommendations for the Coast Guard concerning its Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) on the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) Biometric Reader Requirements.
Information Collection Available for Public Comments and Recommendations
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the Maritime Administration's (MARAD's) intention to request extension of approval for three years of a currently approved information collection.
Agency Information Collection Activities: Notice of Request for Renewal of Currently Approved Information Collection
The FHWA invites public comments about our intention to request the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) approval for renewal of an existing information collection that is summarized below under Supplementary Information. We are required to publish this notice in the Federal Register by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.
Maintenance and Repair Reimbursement Pilot Program
The Maritime Administration is hereby giving notice that the closing date for filing applications to enroll in the Maintenance and Repair Reimbursement Pilot Program is August 1, 2007.
Merchant Marine Personnel Advisory Committee
This notice announces a teleconference of the Merchant Marine Personnel Advisory Committee (MERPAC). The purpose of the teleconference is for MERPAC to discuss and prepare recommendations for the Coast Guard concerning its notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) Biometric Reader Requirements.
Gulf of Mexico Area Maritime Security Committee; Vacancies
The Coast Guard seeks applications for membership in the Gulf of Mexico Area Maritime Security Committee (GOMAMSC). The Committee assists the Captain of the Port/Federal Maritime Security Coordinator (Commander, Eighth Coast Guard District) for the portion of the Gulf of Mexico that is within the Eighth Coast Guard District and outside of state waters in developing, reviewing, exercising, and updating the Area Maritime Security Plan.
Privacy Act of 1974; New System of Records
In accordance with the requirements of the Privacy Act, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is proposing to establish a new system of records (SOR), 09-20-0170, ``National Select Agent Registry (NSAR)/Select Agent Transfer and Entity Registration Information System (SATERIS), HHS/CDC/COTPER.'' The purpose of the system is to limit access to those biological agents and toxins listed in 42 CFR Part 73, 9 CFR Part 121, and 7 CFR Part 331, to those individuals who have a legitimate need to handle or use such agents or toxins, and who are not identified as restricted persons by the U.S. Attorney General. NSAR is a single web-based information management system shared by CDC and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)/ Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) that tracks the possession, use and transfer of select agents and toxins that could pose a severe threat to public health and safety, to the health and safety of animals, and to the safety of plants or animal and plant products. We have provided background information about the new system in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section below.
Privacy Act of 1974; Report of a New System of Records
In accordance with the requirements of the Privacy Act of 1974, we are proposing to establish a new system titled, ``State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) National Performance Report (SHIP- NPR),'' System No. 09-70-0510. The demands, expectations and funding for the State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) increased under the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 (MMA). Under this increase CMS is now required to implement an improved performance measurement system to manage the program effectively. This includes increased access to personalized counseling services by beneficiaries and enrollment assistance provided to beneficiaries in the MMA. The purpose of this system is to collect and maintain information on how beneficiaries use SHIP services, which includes individually identifiable information on Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries who have contacted SHIP representatives. Information retrieved from this system may be disclosed to: (1) Support regulatory, reimbursement, and policy functions performed within the agency or by a contractor, consultant or CMS grantee; (2) assist another Federal or state agency with information to contribute to the accuracy of CMS's payment of Medicare benefits, enable such agency to administer a Federal health benefits program, or to enable such agency to fulfill a requirement of Federal statute or regulation that implements a health benefits program funded in whole or in part with Federal funds; (3) support litigation involving the agency; and (4) combat fraud, waste and abuse in certain Federally-funded health benefits programs. We have provided background information about the new system in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section below. Although the Privacy Act requires only that CMS provide an opportunity for interested persons to comment on the proposed routine uses, CMS invites comments on all portions of this notice. See Effective Dates section for comment period.
Privacy Act of 1974; Report of a Modified or Altered System of Records
In accordance with the Privacy Act of 1974, we are proposing to modify or alter an existing SOR, ``Supplemental Medical Insurance (SMI) and Hospital Insurance (HI) Premium Accounting Collection and Enrollment (SPACE) System,'' System No. 09-70-0505, last published at 67 Federal Register 40933 (June 14, 2002). The third party premium collection system bills and collects Part A and/or Part B Medicare premiums paid by third party payers on behalf of beneficiaries represented by that entity. In September, 2003, the third party premium collection system known as ``SPACE'' was replaced by a redesigned system referred to as the ``Third Party System (TPS).'' The new system was designed to: (1) Integrate beneficiary third party data onto the EDB with Direct Billing and Enrollment/Entitlement data; (2) eliminate redundant and discrepant data; (3) reduce the number of exception cases requiring processing; (4) provide daily update of third party data at CMS and Social Security Administration; (5) implement several legislative provisions affecting premium collection; and (6) provide integrated online access to Medicare enrollment data. To more accurately reflect the changes proposed for this system, we will modify the name of this system to read: ``Third Party System (TPS).'' TPS will retain its current system identification number: CMS No. 09-70-0505. We propose to modify existing routine use number 3 that permits disclosure to agency contractors and consultants to include disclosure to CMS grantees who perform a task for the agency. CMS grantees, charged with completing projects or activities that require CMS data to carry out that activity, are classified separate from CMS contractors and/or consultants. The modified routine use will be renumbered as routine use number 1. We will delete routine use number 5 authorizing disclosure to support constituent requests made to a congressional representative. If an authorization for the disclosure has been obtained from the data subject, then no routine use is needed. The Privacy Act allows for disclosures with the ``prior written consent'' of the data subject. We will broaden the scope of published routine uses number 7 and 8, authorizing disclosures to combat fraud and abuse in the Medicare and Medicaid programs to include combating ``waste'' which refers to specific beneficiary/recipient practices that result in unnecessary cost to all federally-funded health benefit programs. We are modifying the language in the remaining routine uses to provide a proper explanation as to the need for the routine use and to provide clarity to CMS's intention to disclose individual-specific information contained in this system. The routine uses will then be prioritized and reordered according to their usage. We will also take the opportunity to update any sections of the system that were affected by the recent reorganization or because of the impact of the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 (MMA) (Public Law 108-173) provisions and to update language in the administrative sections to correspond with language used in other CMS SORs. The primary purpose of this modified system is to process beneficiary premium billing accretions and deletions to third party premium payer accounts (state Medicaid agencies, Office of Personnel Management (OPM), and formal third party groups and surcharge only group payers (latter as defined in 42 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 408.80 through 408.92 and 408.200 through 408.210)) for the payment of Part B (SMI) and/or Part A (HI) premiums on behalf of Medicare beneficiaries, the payment of the surcharge portion of the Part B premium on behalf of Medicare beneficiaries by a State or local government entity, and for enrolling individuals for Part A or Part B coverage under state buy-in agreements. The information retrieved from this system of records will also be disclosed to: (1) Support regulatory, reimbursement, and policy functions performed within the Agency or by a contractor, consultant, or a CMS grantee; (2) assist another Federal or State agency, agency of a State government, an agency established by State law, or its fiscal agent; (3) support formal third party groups and surcharge only group payers pursuant to an agreement with CMS; (4) assist an individual or research organization to support research evaluation of epidemiological projects; (5) support litigation involving the agency; and (6) combat fraud, waste, and abuse in certain Federally-funded health care programs. We have provided background information about the modified system in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section below. Although the Privacy Act requires only that CMS provide an opportunity for interested persons to comment on the modified or altered routine uses, CMS invites comments on all portions of this notice. See ``Effective Dates'' section for comment period.
Privacy Act of 1974; Report of a New System of Records
In accordance with the requirements of the Privacy Act of 1974, we are proposing to establish a new system titled, ``Medicare Master Death Records File (MMDRF), System No. 09-70-0597.'' Under the provisions of Sections 1106 (42 U.S.C. 1306 and 205(r) (42 U.S.C. 405(r) of the Social Security Act (the Act), the Social Security Administration (SSA) will provide to CMS the SSA Death Master File including unrestricted State death data. CMS will use this death data to: (1) Ensure that no future payments are made to any physician or individually enrolled practitioner and other individuals for whom CMS has a record of death, and (2) investigate and initiate an appropriate response where a deceased physician's billing number has been found to have been used as the basis for a request for payment for services allegedly rendered after the physician's date of death. Upon independent verification of the facts with respect to specific individuals, the results will be used to update CMS databases and may also be used to support payment recovery operations and or the work of law enforcement. We have provided additional background information about the new system in the ``Supplementary Information'' section below. The primary purpose of this system is to collect and maintain Social Security Administration death records for physicians, non- physician practitioners and individuals associated with organizational providers and suppliers to ensure payments are not made for services rendered after confirmed date of death and to prevent and/or detect any fraud, waste and abuse. Information retrieved from this system may be disclosed to: (1) Support regulatory, reimbursement, and policy functions performed within the agency or by a contractor, consultant, CMS grantee; (2) assist another Federal or State agency with information to contribute to the accuracy of CMS's proper payment of Medicare benefits, enable such agency to administer a Federal health benefits program, or to enable such agency to fulfill a requirement of Federal statute or regulation that implements a health benefits program funded in whole or in part with Federal funds; (3) support litigation involving the agency; and (4) combat fraud, waste, and abuse in certain Federally-funded health benefits programs.
Grant of Individual Exemption Involving the Derose Dental Offices Inc., Profit Sharing Plan, Located in Racine, WI
This document contains an exemption issued by the Department of Labor (the Department) from certain of the prohibited transaction restrictions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA or the Act) and/or the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the Code). A notice was published in the Federal Register of the pendency before the Department of a proposal to grant such exemption. The notice set forth a summary of facts and representations contained in the application for exemption and referred interested persons to the application for a complete statement of the facts and representations. The application has been available for public inspection at the Department in Washington, DC. The notice also invited interested persons to submit comments on the requested exemption to the Department. In addition the notice stated that any interested person might submit a written request that a public hearing be held (where appropriate). The applicant has represented that it has complied with the requirements of the notification to interested persons. No requests for a hearing were received by the Department. Public comments were received by the Department as described in the granted exemption. The notice of proposed exemption was issued and the exemption is being granted solely by the Department because, effective December 31, 1978, section 102 of Reorganization Plan No. 4 of 1978, 5 U.S.C. App. 1 (1996), transferred the authority of the Secretary of the Treasury to issue exemptions of the type proposed to the Secretary of Labor.
Proposed Exemptions and Application Numbers: D-11272, Wells Fargo & Company; D-11390, BSC Services Corp. 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan (the Plan); and D-11402 & D-11403, Owens Corning Savings Plan and Owens Corning Savings and Security (Collectively the Plans)
This document contains notices of pendency before the Department of Labor (the Department) of proposed exemptions from certain of the prohibited transaction restrictions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA or the Act) and/or the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the Code).
Proposed Information Collection Request; Submitted for Public Comment and Recommendations; Qualification/Certification Program Request for MSHA; Individual Identification Number (MIIN)
The Department of Labor, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden conducts a preclearance consultation program to provide the general public and Federal agencies with an opportunity to comment on proposed and/or containing collections of information in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA95) [44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)]. This program helps to ensure that requested data can be provided in the desired format, reporting burden (time and financial resources) is minimized, collection instruments are clearly understood, and the impact of collection requirements on respondents can be properly assessed.
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request
The IC Clearance Official, Regulatory Information Management Services, Office of Management invites comments on the submission for OMB review as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.
Notice of Proposed Information Collection Requests
The IC Clearance Official, Regulatory Information Management Services, Office of Management, invites comments on the proposed information collection requests as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.
Brake Rotors From China
The Commission hereby gives notice that it has instituted a review pursuant to section 751(c) of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1675(c)) (the Act) to determine whether revocation of the antidumping duty order on brake rotors from China would be likely to lead to continuation or recurrence of material injury. Pursuant to section 751(c)(2) of the Act, interested parties are requested to respond to this notice by submitting the information specified below to the Commission; \1\ to be assured of consideration, the deadline for responses is August 21, 2007. Comments on the adequacy of responses may be filed with the Commission by September 14, 2007. For further information concerning the conduct of this review 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, D, E, and F (19 CFR part 207).
Privacy Act of 1974 as Amended; Computer Matching Program (SSA/Railroad Retirement Board (RRB))-Match Number 1308
In accordance with the provisions of the Privacy Act, as amended, this notice announces the renewal of an existing computer matching program that SSA is currently conducting with RRB.
Hazardous Materials: Revision of Requirements for Emergency Response Telephone Numbers
In this NPRM, PHMSA proposes to amend the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR) to clarify requirements governing emergency response information services provided by arrangement with hazardous materials offerors. In order to preserve the effectiveness of these arrangements for providing accurate and timely emergency response information, PHMSA proposes to require that basic identifying information (offeror name or contract number) be included in shipping papers. This information will enable the service provider to identify the shipper on whose behalf it is accepting responsibility for providing emergency response information in the event of a hazardous materials incident.
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