November 2007 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

This document announces a revised procedure for the upcoming auction(s) of 700 MHz Band licenses scheduled to begin on January 24, 2008 (Auctions 73 and 76), specifically setting the additional default payment percentage at ten percent for the D Block license, and provides further guidance regarding negotiation of the Network Sharing Agreement between the winning bidder of D Block license and the new national Public Safety Broadband Licensee.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is announcing that a proposed collection of information has been submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and clearance under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.

This rule reorganizes, restructures, and updates passport regulations in order to make them easier for users to access information, to better reflect current practice and changes in statutory authority, and to remove outdated provisions. In general, the revisions do not mark a departure from current policy. Rather, the Department's intent is to bring greater clarity to current passport policy and practice and to present it in a less cumbersome way.

EPA is proposing to approve revisions to the Antelope Valley Air Quality Management District portion of the California State Implementation Plan (SIP). These revisions concern rule rescissions that address particulate matter (PM) emissions from Storage, Handling & Transport of Petroleum Coke and from Paved and Unpaved Roads, and Livestock Operations. We are proposing to approve rule rescissions to update the California SIP under the Clean Air Act as amended in 1990 (CAA or the Act).

EPA is approving a State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision submitted by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP) is requesting that the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre ozone nonattainment Area (or ``Area'') be redesignated as attainment for the 8-hour ozone ambient air quality standard (NAAQS). The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Area is composed of Lackawanna, Luzerne, Monroe, and Wyoming Counties. EPA is approving the ozone redesignation request for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Area. In conjunction with its redesignation request, PADEP submitted a SIP revision consisting of a maintenance plan for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Area that provides for continued attainment of the 8-hour ozone NAAQS for at least 10 years after redesignation. EPA is approving the 8-hour maintenance plan. PADEP also submitted a 2002 base year inventory for the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Area, which EPA is approving. In addition, EPA is approving the adequacy determination for the motor vehicle emission budgets (MVEBs) that are identified in the Scranton/Wilkes- Barre Area maintenance plan for purposes of transportation conformity, and is approving those MVEBs. EPA is approving the redesignation request, and the maintenance plan and the 2002 base year emissions inventory as revisions to the Pennsylvania SIP in accordance with the requirements of the Clean Air Act (CAA).

The Corporation for National and Community Service (hereinafter, ``the Corporation'') proposes to amend several provisions relating to the AmeriCorps national service program. The proposed amendments are technical edits to clarify certain provisions and are offered in response to feedback the Corporation has received since its 2005 AmeriCorps rulemaking.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the Maritime Administration's (MARAD's) intention to request extension of approval (with modifications) for three years of a currently approved information collection.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is announcing the availability of a draft guidance document for FDA advisory committee members and FDA staff entitled, ``Voting Procedures for Advisory Committee Meetings.'' This draft document is intended to provide guidance on advisory committee voting procedures that can be used for the voting process when votes are taken during advisory committee meetings. It does not to define when votes should be taken.

This notice announces the intention of the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to request comments on a currently approved information collection for which approval will expire, 0578-0030, Emergency Watershed Protection Program. Public Participation: The NRCS invites full public participation to promote open communication and better decision-making. All persons and organizations that have an interest in the Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) Program are urged to provide comments. Scoping Process: Public participation is requested throughout the scoping process. The NRCS is soliciting comment the public indicating what issues and impacts the public believes should be encompassed within the scope of the EWP Program. Comments are invited on (a) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility, (b) The accuracy of the agency's estimate of burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used, (c) Ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected, and (d) Ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, such as through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technologic collection techniques or other forms of information technology. Date Scoping Comments Are Due: Comments on this notice must be received by January 18, 2008 to ensure consideration. Comments may be sent to Phyllis I. Watkins, Agency OMB Clearance Officer, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service, 5601 Sunnyside Avenue, Mailstop 5460, Beltsville, MD 20705-5000; (301) 504- 2170; phyllis.i.watkins@wdc.usda.gov.

NMFS is extending the temporary rule to prohibit vessels without sector-specific participation history in the directed Pacific whiting (whiting) fishery off the West Coast from participating in the whiting fishery. This emergency rule extension is necessary to prevent serious conservation and management problems that could be caused by new entrants and to maintain status quo participation while the Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) completes its efforts to develop a vessel license limitation program through an amendment to the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery Management Plan (FMP.)

This document promulgates a final regulation that defines the term salary reduction agreement for purposes of section 3121(a)(5)(D) of the Internal Revenue Code (Code). The final regulation provides guidance to employers (public educational institutions and section 501(c)(3) organizations) purchasing annuity contracts described in section 403(b) on behalf of their employees.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is issuing this notice to advise the public of the approval of a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) on an Environmental Assessment for proposed Federal actions at Greater Peoria Airport, Peoria, Illinois. The FONSI specifies that the proposed federal actions and local development projects are consistent with existing environmental policies and objectives as set forth in the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 and will not significantly affect the quality of the environment. A description of the proposed Federal actions is : (a) To issue an environmental finding to allow approval of the Airport Layout Plan (ALP) for the development items listed below; (b) Approval of the Airport Layout Plan (ALP) for the development items listed below; and (c) Establish eligibility of the Greater Peoria Airport Authority to compete for Federal funding for the development projects depicted on the Airport Layout Plan. The specific item in the local airport development project is to acquire approximately 34 acres of land in fee simple title off the Runway 31 end. Copies of the environmental decision and the Short Form EA are available for public information review during regular business hours at the following locations: 1. Greater Peoria Regional Airport, 6100 West Everett McKinley Dirksen Parkway, Peoria, Illinois 61607. 2. Division of Aeronautics-Illinois Department of Transportation, One Langhorne Bond Drive, Capital Airport, Springfield, Illinois 62707. 3. Chicago Airports District Office, Room 320, Federal Aviation Administration, 2300 East Devon Avenue, Des Plaines, Illinois 60018.

The Advisory Committee was established by Public Law 98-181, November 30, 1983, to advise the Export-Import Bank on its programs and to provide comments for inclusion in the reports of the Export-Import Bank of the United States to Congress. Time and Place: Tuesday, December 6, 2007, from 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. The meeting will be held at Ex-Im Bank in the Main Conference Room 1143, 811 Vermont Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20571. Agenda: Agenda items include a briefing of the Advisory Committee members on challenges for 2008, their roles and responsibilities and an ethics briefing. Public Participation: The meeting will be open to public participation, and the last 10 minutes will be set aside for oral questions or comments. Members of the public may also file written statement(s) before or after the meeting. If you plan to attend, a photo ID must be presented at the guard's desk as part of the clearance process into the building, and you may contact Susan Houser to be placed on an attendee list. If any person wishes auxiliary aids (such as a sign language interpreter) or other special accommodations, please contact, prior to November 29, 2007, Susan Houser, Room 1273, 811 Vermont Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20571, Voice (202) 565-3232 or TDD (202) 565-3377.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is inviting nominations of a diverse range of qualified candidates to be considered for appointment to fill vacancies on the Good Neighbor Environmental Board. Vacancies are expected to be filled by February 15, 2008, and so nominations are requested to be received by December 15, 2007.