July 12, 2007 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

As part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) invites the general public and other Federal agencies to comment on an information collection requirement concerning Articles Assembled Abroad with Textile Components Cut to Shape in the U.S. 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)).

As part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) invites the general public and other Federal agencies to comment on an information collection requirement concerning Importation Bond Structure. 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)).

As part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) invites the general public and other Federal agencies to comment on an information collection requirement concerning Declaration by the Person Who Performed the Processing of Goods Abroad. 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)).

On October 18, 2006, EPA invited stakeholders to participate in the design, development, and implementation of a Nanoscale Materials Stewardship Program (NMSP) under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). NMSP is a voluntary program intended to complement and support EPA's new and existing chemical programs under TSCA and will help provide a firmer scientific foundation for regulatory decisions by encouraging the development of key scientific information and appropriate risk management practices for nanoscale chemical substances (``nanoscale materials''). As part of this process, EPA is announcing the availability of two draft documents for public review and comment: ``TSCA Inventory Status of Nanoscale SubstancesGeneral Approach'' and ``Concept Paper for the Nanoscale Materials Stewardship Program under TSCA.'' The first document describes EPA's current thinking regarding whether a nanoscale material is a ``new'' or ``existing'' chemical substance under TSCA. The second document describes the Agency's general approach, issues, and considerations for NMSP and is intended to serve as a starting point for continuing work with stakeholders on the detailed design of NMSP.

In accordance with the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), as amended, and implementing regulations, notice is hereby given that NMFS has issued a letter of authorization (LOA) to BP Exploration (Alaska), Inc. (BP) to take marine mammals incidental to the production of offshore oil and gas at the Northstar development in the Beaufort Sea off Alaska.

The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) is amending the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) to add five (5) entities located in Iran to the Entity List. The Entity List is a compilation of end-users that present an unacceptable risk of using or diverting certain items to activities related to weapons of mass destruction. BIS requires a license for most exports or reexports to these entities and maintains the Entity List to inform the public of these license requirements.

This document summarizes the results of an Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) review of the Soybean Promotion, Research, and Consumer Information Program under the criteria contained in section 610 of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA). Based upon its review, AMS has determined that the Soybean Research and Promotion Order (Order) should be continued without change.

EPA is proposing to approve a revision to the Alabama State Implementation Plan (SIP) submitted on March 7, 2007. This revision addresses the requirements of EPA's Clean Air Interstate Rule (CAIR), promulgated on May 12, 2005, and subsequently revised on April 28, 2006, and December 13, 2006. The Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) also previously submitted a final submittal dated June 16, 2006, which was subsequently updated in a prehearing request for parallel processing on November 16, 2006, to comply with EPA's revisions to the model rule. Alabama's final March 7, 2007, submittal replaces the State's June 16, 2006, and November 16, 2006, submittals. EPA is proposing to determine that the SIP revision fully implements the CAIR requirements for Alabama. Therefore, as a consequence of the SIP approval, EPA will also withdraw the CAIR Federal Implementation Plans (CAIR FIPs) concerning sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOX) annual and NOX ozone season emissions for Alabama. The CAIR FIPs for all states in the CAIR region were promulgated on April 28, 2006, and subsequently revised on December 13, 2006. CAIR requires states to reduce emissions of SO2 and NOX that significantly contribute to nonattainment of, and interfere with maintenance of, the national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) for fine particulates and/or ozone in any downwind state. CAIR establishes state budgets for SO2 and NOX and requires states to submit SIP revisions that implement these budgets in states that EPA concluded did contribute to nonattainment in downwind states. States have the flexibility to choose which control measures to adopt to achieve the budgets, including participating in the EPA-administered cap-and-trade programs. In the SIP revision that EPA is proposing to approve, Alabama would meet CAIR requirements by participating in the EPA-administered cap-and-trade programs addressing SO2, NOX annual, and NOX ozone season emissions.

The inventions listed below are owned by an agency of the U.S. Government and are available for licensing in the U.S. in accordance with 35 U.S.C. 207 to achieve expeditious commercialization of results of federally-funded research and development. Foreign patent applications are filed on selected inventions to extend market coverage for companies and may also be available for licensing.

The Department of Agriculture (USDA) is adopting, as a final rule, without change, an interim final rule suspending the container regulations prescribed under the Washington apricot marketing order. This rule continues in effect the action that indefinitely extended the temporary 2006 season container regulation suspension. The marketing order regulates the handling of fresh apricots grown in designated counties in the State of Washington, and is administered locally by the Washington Apricot Marketing Committee (Committee). This relaxation in the regulatory requirements allows handlers to pack and ship apricots in any size, shape, or type of container, thus providing the apricot industry with increased marketing flexibility.

The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council) will convene its SEDAR Selection Committee via Conference Call to select appointees to the SEDAR 16 King Mackerel workshops for recommendation to the Council.

The National Park Service (NPS) announces the availability of funds to assist States and local communities in acquiring for permanent protection lands, or interests in lands, at significant Civil War battlefield sites. Under Public Law (Pub. L.) 110-5, making appropriations to the Department of Interior in FY 2007, Congress appropriated $4 million from the Land & Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) to assist non-federal efforts to acquire and preserve Civil War battlefield lands. NPS seeks proposals from State and local governmentsor from qualified non- profit historic preservation organizations acting through an agency of State or local governmentfor the non-federal acquisition of significant Civil War battlefield land. Project proposals are subject to the following requirements. 1. These funds must be matched on a dollar-for-dollar basis with non-federal dollars. That is, the federal dollars can pay for no more than one-half of the acquisition cost. 2. The purchase price must be supported by a qualified appraisal that has been approved by NPS as meeting the Uniform Appraisal Standards for Federal Land Acquisitions. 3. The battlefield land acquired with the assistance of these funds must be permanently protected from inappropriate development through conveyance of a perpetual easement to a public historic preservation agency. NPS will give priority to acquisition of land, or interests in land, within the ``core'' areas of Priority I and Priority II battlefields, as identified by the Congressionally-chartered Civil War Sites Advisory Commission (CWSAC). Among potential projects, NPS will give highest priority to acquisition projects that can be completed within the immediate future. Proposals may be submitted at any time, and must include: (1) CWSAC Priority Listing and Map The applicant must include the CWSAC priority listing and document that the proposed acquisition lies within the battlefield core and/or study area, as defined by the CWSAC. Applicants must submit a U.S. Geological Survey quadrangle map with the boundaries of the proposed acquisition clearly drawn. (2) Threat to the Battlefield The applicant must demonstrate that the battlefield is imminently threatened. The nature, the extent, and the level of severity of the threat to the battlefield must be clearly and convincingly stated. Further, the applicant must describe how and to what extent the proposed acquisition addresses the described threat. In cases where there is minimal threat, applications will be considered if there is a stated compelling reason why the acquisition of the property at this time is a better use of LWCF funds than waiting for a more threatened property. (3) Ability To Secure Non-Federal Match An applicant that has secured matching funds must list all sources of those funds. The applicant must certify that the non-federal matching funds are either ``in-hand'' or otherwise committed in writing at the time of application. Third-party matching share commitments must be documented by letter from the third party. Matching share commitments contingent upon receipt of federal funds from this program are acceptable. An applicant that has not yet secured matching funds must submit a specific, credible plan for raising the necessary matching funds. The plan must identify potential sources of funds. It must include a proposed schedule, usually not more than 120 days, for securing funds or commitments of funds. (4) Immediacy of Acquisition The applicant must demonstrate that the owner of the property to be acquired is willing to sell the land at an agreed-upon price. Acceptable documentation includes a contract or contingent contract to buy the land, or a letter from the owner indicating willingness to enter into such a contract at a specified price. The applicant should include a schedule for completion of the acquisition within the near future.

As part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) invites the general public and other Federal agencies to comment on an information collection requirement concerning Free Trade Agreements. 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)).

NMFS announces a meeting, via teleconference, of the General Advisory Committee to the U.S. Section to the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC) in August 2007. Meeting topics are provided under the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of this notice.