November 16, 2007 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

On September 27, 2007, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released for public comment the External Review Draft of the ``Framework for Determining a Mutagenic Mode of Action for Carcinogenicity: Using EPA's 2005 Cancer Guidelines and Supplemental Guidance for Assessing Susceptibility from Early-Life Exposure to Carcinogens'' (or Framework). At that time, a 60-day public comment period was announced. This notice announces a 30-day extension of the public comment period; the public comment period will end 90 days from September 27, 2007, the date of the original Federal Register Notice (72 FR 54910). Visit https://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPA-GENERAL/2007/ September/Day-27/g19119.pdf) for further information. Members of the public may obtain the draft interim guidance from https:// www.regulations.gov; or https://www.epa.gov/osa/mmoaframework; or consult the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), this document announces that an Information Collection Request (ICR) has been forwarded to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval. This is a request to renew an existing approved collection. The ICR, which is abstracted below, describes the nature of the collection and the estimated burden and cost.

In response to requests from respondent Akzo Nobel Functional Chemicals B.V. (``Akzo Nobel''), and Aqualon Company (``petitioner''), the Department of Commerce (``the Department'') initiated an administrative review of the antidumping duty order on purified carboxymethylcellulose (``CMC'') from the Netherlands. See Initiation of Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Administrative Reviews and Request for Revocation in Part, 72 FR 48613 (August 24, 2007). This administrative review covers the period July 1, 2006, through June 30, 2007. Due to the withdrawal of the requests for the administrative review by both parties, we are now rescinding this review with respect to Akzo Nobel.

EPA expressed environmental concerns about water quality and air quality impacts. EPA recommends additional best management practices and construction mitigation measures. Rating EC2.

The U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is issuing final regulations to implement a provision of the Federal Workforce Flexibility Act of 2004 granting agencies additional flexibility to pay retention incentives. The final regulations permit an agency to pay a retention incentive to an employee who would be likely to leave for a different position in the Federal service before the closure or relocation of the employee's office, facility, activity, or organization. The final regulations provide agencies with additional flexibility to help retain employees critical to important agency missions and better meet strategic human capital needs.