February 2008 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13, May 22, 1995), this notice announces that the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) intends to submit to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) a request for extension, without change, of a currently approved information collection. RI 38-47, Information and Instructions on Your Reconsideration Rights outlines the procedures required to request reconsideration of an initial OPM decision about Civil Service or Federal Employees retirement, Federal or Retired Federal Employees Health Benefits requests to enroll or change enrollment, or Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance coverage. This form lists the procedures and time periods required for requesting reconsideration. Comments are particularly invited on: whether this collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of functions of the Office of Personnel Management, and whether it will have practical utility; whether our estimate of the public burden of this collection of information is accurate, and based on valid assumptions and methodology; and ways in which we can minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, through the use of appropriate technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology. For copies of this proposal, contact Mary Beth Smith-Toomey on (202) 606-8358, Fax (202) 418-3251 or via e-mail to MaryBeth.Smith- Toomey@opm.gov. Please include a mailing address with your request.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13, May 22, 1995), this notice announces that the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) intends to submit to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) a request for extension, without change, of a currently approved information collection. RI 20-64, Letter Reply to Request for Information, is used by the Civil Service Retirement System to provide information about the amount of annuity payable after a survivor reduction, to explain the annuity reductions required to pay for the survivor benefit, and to give the beginning rate of survivor annuity. RI 20-64A, Former Spouse Survivor Annuity Election, is used by the Civil Service Retirement System to obtain a survivor benefits election from annuitants who are eligible to elect to provide survivor benefits for a former spouse. RI 20-64B, Information on Electing a Survivor Annuity for Your Former Spouse, is a pamphlet that provides important information to retirees under the Civil Service Retirement System who want to provide a survivor annuity for a former spouse. Comments are particularly invited on: whether this information is necessary for the proper performance of functions of OPM, and whether it will have practical utility; whether our estimate of the public burden of this collection of information is accurate, and based on valid assumptions and methodology; and ways in which we can minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, through the use of appropriate technological collection techniques or others forms of information technology. We estimate that 30 survivor elections on RI 20-64A will be processed per year and that of these eight will use RI 20-64 to ask for information about electing a smaller survivor benefit. Form RI 20-64A requires 45 minutes to complete for a burden of 23 hours. Form RI 20-64 requires eight minutes to complete for a burden of one hour. The total burden is 24 hours. For copies of this proposal, contact Mary Beth Smith-Toomey on (202) 606-8358, Fax (202) 418-3251 or via E-mail to MaryBeth.Smith- Toomey@opm.gov. Please include a mailing address with your request.

The Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), is announcing an opportunity for public comment on the proposed collection of certain information by the agency. Under the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, Federal agencies are required to publish notice in the Federal Register concerning each proposed collection of information, including each proposed revision of a currently approved collection and allow 60 days for public comment in response to this notice. This notice solicits comments for information needed to determine a claimant's eligibility for educational benefits.

NMFS announces final 2008 and 2009 harvest specifications and prohibited species catch allowances for the groundfish fishery of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). This action is necessary to establish harvest limits for groundfish during the 2008 and 2009 fishing years and to accomplish the goals and objectives of the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area (FMP). The intended effect of this action is to conserve and manage the groundfish resources in the BSAI in accordance with the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act.

Under the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act of 1972, (5 U.S.C. Appendix, as amended), the Government in the Sunshine Act of 1976 (5 U.S.C. 552b, as amended), and 41 CFR 102-3.65, the Department of Defense gives notice that it is renewing the charter for the Advisory Council on Dependents' Education (hereafter referred to as the Council). The Council is a non-discretionary federal advisory committee established by the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness to provide the Department of Defense and the DoD's overseas dependent schools independent advice and recommendations on general policies for the operation of the DoD overseas school system, provided information and insights from the Department of Education regarding educational programs and practices found to be effective, and advised the Director, DoDEA on the various studies and surveys conducted by and about DoDEA. The Council, in accomplishing its mission: (a) Improved the High School Initiative, a 5-year program objective to improve system-wide academic consistency; (b) improved the Special Education Initiative, a program objective to enhance services provided to DoD overseas school system students with special needs; (c) enhanced school counseling services, especially in military communities with high forward deployment rates; and (d) provided invaluable insights into effects on DoD dependent students and CONUS local educational authorities of the impending Global Defense Posture Realignment (GDPR) and the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) commission decisions. The Council shall be composed of not more than 16 members, who have demonstrated an interest in the field of primary or secondary education. Council members appointed by the Secretary of Defense, who are not federal officers or employees, shall serve as Special Government Employees under the authority of 5 U.S.C. 3109. Council members shall be appointed on an annual basis by the Secretary of Defense. In addition, the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Education or their designated representative shall serve as the Council's co-chair. Individuals appointed to the Council from professional employee organizations shall be individuals designated by those organizations. Council members and consultants, if required, shall be entitled to compensation at the daily equivalent of the rate specified at the time of such service for level IV of the Executive Services under 5 U.S.C. 5315. Council members shall be entitled to compensation for travel and per diem for official travel. The Council shall be authorized to establish subcommittees, as necessary and consistent with its mission, and these subcommittees or working groups shall operate under the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act of 1972, the Government in the Sunshine Act of 1976, and other appropriate federal regulations. Such subcommittees or workgroups shall not work independently of the chartered Council, and shall report all their recommendations and advice to the Council for full deliberation and discussion. Subcommittees or workgroups have no authority to make decisions on behalf of the chartered Council nor can they report directly to the Department of Defense or any federal officers or employees who are not Council members.

Under the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act of 1972, (5 U.S.C. Appendix, as amended), the Sunshine in the Government Act of 1976 (5 U.S.C. 552b, as amended), and 41 CFR 102-3.65, the Department of Defense gives notice that it is renewing the charter for the Chief of Naval Operations Executive Panel (hereafter referred to as the Panel). The Panel is a discretionary federal advisory committee established by the Secretary of Defense to provide the Department of Defense independent advice and recommendations on a broad array of issues relating to (1) the role of the naval power in the international strategic environment, including issues of technology, manpower, strategy and policy; (2) current and projected Navy policies and procedures to enhance the Navy's effectiveness and efficiency in execution of national and defense policy; and (3) alternative policies and postures for fulfilling the Navy's mission in the face of evolving political, economic, technological, and military circumstances. The Panel shall be composed of not more than 40 members, who are eminent authorities in the fields of science, engineering, business and political-military. Panel members appointed by the Secretary of Defense, who are not federal officers or employees, shall serve as Special Government Employees under the authority of 5 U.S.C. 3109. Panel members shall be appointed on an annual basis by the Secretary of Defense and, with the exception of travel and per diem for official travel, they shall serve without compensation. The Chief of Naval Operations shall select the Panel's Chairperson from the total Panel membership. The Panel shall be authorized to establish subcommittees, as necessary and consistent with its mission, and these subcommittees or working groups shall operate under the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act of 1972, the Sunshine in the Government Act of 1976, and other appropriate federal regulations. Such subcommittees or workgroups shall not work independently of the chartered Panel, and shall report all their recommendations and advice to the Panel for full deliberation and discussion. Subcommittees or workgroups have no authority to make decisions on behalf of the chartered Panel nor can they report directly to the Department of Defense or any federal officers or employees who are not Panel members.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the initiation of a status review for the greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus). Through this action, we encourage all interested parties to provide us information regarding the status of, and any potential threats to, the greater sage-grouse.

EPA is proposing to approve State Implementation Plan (SIP) revisions submitted by the State of Montana on June 28, 2000 and April 16, 2007. The revisions update Administrative Rules of Montana (ARM) provisions for Particulate Matter, and address Interstate Transport Pollution requirements of section 110(a)(2)(D)(i) of the Clean Air Act. On June 28, 2000, the Governor of Montana submitted revisions to ARM rules 17.8.101Definitions; 17.8.308Particulate Matter, Airborne; and 17.8.320Wood Waste Burners. The June 28, 2000 submittal included also a declaration certifying the adequacy of the State SIP in regard to the infrastructure-related PM2.5 elements of section 110 of the Clean Air Act (CAA). In the April 16, 2007 submission, the Governor requested EPA's review and approval of the ``Interstate Transport Rule Declaration'' adopted into the Montana SIP on February 12, 2007. In that same letter, the Governor rescinded the State's earlier request for approval of Montana's SIP in regard to the infrastructure-related PM2.5 elements of section 110 of the CAA. In light of this rescission, EPA is not taking action on this declaration. This action is being proposed under section 110 of the Clean Air Act. In the ``Rules and Regulations'' section of this Federal Register, EPA is approving the State's SIP revision as a direct final rule without prior proposal because the Agency views this as a non- controversial SIP revision and anticipates no adverse comments. A detailed rationale for the approval is set forth in the preamble to the direct final rule. If EPA receives no adverse comments, EPA will not take further action on this proposed rule. If EPA receives adverse comments, EPA will withdraw the direct final rule and it will not take effect. EPA will address all public comments in a subsequent final rule based on this proposed rule. EPA will not institute a second comment period on this action. Any parties interested in commenting must do so at this time. Please note that if EPA receives an adverse comment on an amendment, paragraph, or section of this rule and if that provision may be severed from the remainder of the rule, EPA may adopt as final those provisions of the rule that are not the subject of an adverse comment.

As required by the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act of 1990, as amended by the Debt Collection Improvement Act of 1996, the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Justice are publishing these rules adjusting for inflation the civil monetary penalties assessed or enforced by those two Departments under sections 274A, 274B, and 274C of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). The adjusted civil money penalties are calculated according to the specific formula laid out by law, and will be effective for violations occurring on or after the effective date of these rules.

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is amending its regulations which provide the regulatory basis for cross- waiver provisions used in the following two categories of NASA agreements: agreements for International Space Station (ISS) activities pursuant to the ``Agreement Among the Government of Canada, Governments of Member States of the European Space Agency, the Government of Japan, the Government of the Russian Federation, and the Government of the United States of America concerning Cooperation on the Civil International Space Station'' (commonly referred to as the ISS Intergovernmental Agreement, or IGA); and launch agreements for science or space exploration activities unrelated to the ISS.

NMFS is reopening directed fishing for pollock in Statistical Area 630 of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA) for 48 hours. This action is necessary to fully use the A season allowance of the 2008 total allowable catch (TAC) of pollock specified for Statistical Area 630 of the GOA.

This proposed rule would revise the United States Standards for Grades of Table Grapes (European or Vinifera Type). These standards are issued under the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946. The changes being proposed are based on the request of the California Grape and Tree Fruit League (CGTFL) to revise the tolerances to include an allowance for shattered berries due to the change of pack style from mostly plain pack to consumer size units. The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) of the Department of Agriculture (USDA), is proposing a revision to the voluntary standards to add a 5 percent allowance for shattered berries in consumer containers for shipment that are en route or at destination. The standards provide industry with a common language and a uniform basis for trading, thus promoting the orderly and efficient marketing of European or Vinifera Type table grapes.

The FAA invites public comments about our intention to request the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) revision of a current information collection. The Federal Register Notice with a 60-day comment period soliciting comments on the following collection of information was published on December 6, 2007, vol. 72, no. 234, pages 68948-68949. The respondents are those airport operators voluntarily submitting noise exposure maps and noise compatibility programs to the FAA for review and approval.

The Millennium Challenge Corporation, in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, invites public comment on a proposed information collection request. Before a Federal agency can collect certain information from the public, it must receive approval from the Office of Management and Budge (OMB). Under procedures established by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, before seeking OMB approval, Federal agencies must solicit public comment on proposed collections of information, including extensions and reinstatements of previously approved collections. This document describes on collection of information which the Millennium Challenge Corporation intends to seek OMB approval.