August 10, 2007 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board (Agency) proposes to amend its regulations to reflect the requirements stated in the Treasury Regulations interpreting I.R.C. 401(a)(31) to provide additional means to verify that an amount is eligible for rollover to the TSP. The Agency proposes to amend its regulations to clarify that the procedures applicable to an employee who was misclassified as either CSRS or FERS also apply to an employee who elects retroactive non- appropriated fund (NAF) retirement coverage. The Agency proposes to add a rule regarding the production and authentication of records. The Agency would authenticate records in a manner consistent with Federal law and regulations. The Agency proposes to amend its death benefit payment regulations in order to allow a non-spouse beneficiary to transfer a death benefit payment to an inherited IRA as authorized by the Pension Protection Act. The Agency proposes to amend its loan regulations to reflect the changes brought by the Bankruptcy Abuse and Consumer Protection Act of 2005. Specifically, the amendments would reflect that a bankruptcy court now lacks jurisdiction over a TSP loan. The Agency proposes to amend its regulations to clarify its power of attorney regulations by eliminating examples of general and special powers of attorney, some of which would no longer be acceptable to the Agency, and directing participants to a sample form at https:// www.tsp.gov.

Pursuant to section 102(2)(c) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969; the Council on Environmental Quality Regulations (40 CFR Part 1500); and the Natural Resources Conservation Service Regulations (7 CFR Part 650); the Natural Resources Conservation Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, gives notice that an environmental impact statement is not being prepared for the rehabilitation of Floodwater Retarding Structure No. 7 of the West Fork Point Remove Creek Watershed, Conway County, Arkansas.

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 North Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) Salmon Bycatch Workgroup will meet August 29, 2007, in Anchorage, Alaska at the Hawthorn Suites, 1110 West 8th Avenue, Anchorage Alaska.

Pursuant to applicable provisions of the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (REA), 16 U.S.C. 6801 et seq., the Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) Barstow Field Office proposes to begin collecting fees in fiscal year 2008 at the El Mirage Cooperative Management Area in San Bernardino County, California. (SBBM, T.7N., R.7W., Sec. 11 through 14, 22 through 28, 33 through 36, SBBM, T.7N., R.6W., Sec. 18 through 24, 26 through 34, SBBM, T.6N., R.7W., Sec. 1 through 4, 12, SBBM, T.6N., R.6W., Sec. 4 through 9).

The Department of Transportation (DOT), in coordination with the Department of Energy, Department of Agriculture, and others, is considering current and future transportation challenges posed by growing demand for ethanol and other biofuels and biofuel blends. Although pipelines have long been a primary mode for high volume transportation of gasoline and other petroleum products, most biofuels used in the U.S. today are transported exclusively by marine vessel, rail, and/or highway. In support of the President's energy agenda, DOT is prepared to facilitate pipeline options by sponsoring research and development, resolving technical issues, and, if necessary, clarifying safety standards. The PHMSA is the DOT agency with regulatory authority over the safe and reliable transportation of hazardous materials by all modes, including pipelines. The PHMSA's Hazardous Materials Regulations govern the transportation of ethanol and other biofuels and blends by rail, air, motor carrier, and barge. The PHMSA's Pipeline Safety Regulations cover the transportation by pipeline of all petroleum products, including gasoline blended with biofuel. In this Notice, PHMSA sets forth a formal determination (for purposes of 49 U.S.C. 60101(a)(4)(B)) that the transportation of unblended biofuels by pipeline is subject to the agency's jurisdiction and invites comments on the adequacy of existing regulatory definitions and standards. This Notice also describes and invites comments on the agency's ongoing efforts to identify and address the short-, medium-, and long- term opportunities and challenges associated with transporting biofuels. The PHMSA is seeking comments on technical issues, adequacy of standards, and research and development needs associated with the transportation of biofuels by pipeline. We describe and invite comments on the agency's ongoing efforts to prepare communities and emergency responders to mitigate hazards associated with transportation involving new fuels.

We are removing a number of references to filers' IRS identification numbers currently found in several disclosure schedules and forms because we do not need that information to process the documents, nor is the information material to investors.