May 16, 2008 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act) (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), propose to remove the plant Erigeron maguirei (commonly referred to as Maguire daisy) from the List of Endangered and Threatened Plants. The best scientific and commercial data available indicate that this species has recovered and no longer meets the definition of threatened or endangered under the Act. Our review of the status of this species shows that populations are stable, threats have been addressed, and adequate regulatory mechanisms ensure the species is not currently and is not likely to again become an endangered species within the foreseeable future in all or a significant portion of its range. We seek information, data, and comments from the public regarding E. maguirei, this proposal to delist, and the Post-Delisting Monitoring Plan. This proposed rule completes the 5-year status review initiated on April 7, 2006 (71 FR 17900).

The Civilian Agency Acquisition Council and the Defense Acquisition Regulations Council (Councils) are seeking comments on changes to the proposed rule, FAR Case 2007-006, Contractor Compliance Program and Integrity Reporting, published in the Federal Register at 72 FR 64019, November 14, 2007, for which the initial comment period has closed, that may be included in the final rule. The Councils do not contemplate publishing a final or interim rule until public comments are received and considered on the specific changes discussed further in this document.

Pursuant to section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 and in response to a Right-of-Way (ROW) application filed by Idaho Power and Rocky Mountain Power, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Wyoming State Office, U.S. Forest Service (USFS), Caribou-Targhee and Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests, announces their intention to prepare an EIS and conduct public scoping meetings. Idaho Power and Rocky Mountain Power propose to construct electric transmission lines from the proposed Windstar Substation near the Dave Johnston Power Plant at Glenrock, Wyoming to the proposed Hemingway substation near Melba, Idaho, approximately 20 miles southwest of Boise, Idaho. The project is composed of 11 transmission line segments with a total length of approximately 1,250 miles. Authorization of this proposal may result in the amendment of Forest Service and BLM land use plans (Forest Plans, Management Framework Plans, and Resource Management Plans).

The International System of Units (SI) (the metric system of measurement) has been recognized for use in the United States since 1866 (15 U.S.C. 204) and is the preferred system of measurement for trade and commerce. The SI was established and is maintained by the General Conference of Weights and Measures and is interpreted or modified for use in the United States by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) by authority of the Secretary of Commerce (15 U.S.C. 205). This notice describes the recent modifications to the SI and announces the publication of the latest interpretation of the SI for the United States in the 2008 Edition of NIST Special Publication 330 ``The International System of Units.'' The 2008 Edition of NIST Special Publication 811 ``Guide for the Use of the International System of Units'' was also published. Together these publications provide the legal interpretation of and guidelines for the use of the SI in the United States.

This notice of funding availability establishes the funding criteria for the Competitive Reallocation of Community Housing Development Organizations (CHDO) Funds to Provide for Energy Efficient and Environmentally-Friendly Housing for Low-Income Families. The purpose of this NOFA is to competitively reallocate deobligated HOME CHDO set-aside funds in order to expand the supply of energy efficient and environmentally-friendly (Green) housing that is affordable to low- income families, using design and technology models that can be replicated.

Notice is hereby given of the following determinations: Pursuant to the authority vested in me by the Act of October 19, 1965 (79 Stat. 985; 22 U.S.C. 2459), Executive Order 12047 of March 27, 1978, the Foreign Affairs Reform and Restructuring Act of 1998 (112 Stat. 2681, et seq.; 22 U.S.C. 6501 note, et seq.), Delegation of Authority No. 234 of October 1, 1999, Delegation of Authority No. 236 of October 19, 1999, as amended, and Delegation of Authority No. 257 of April 15, 2003 [68 FR 19875], I hereby determine that the objects to be included in the exhibition ``The Tsar and the President: Alexander II and Abraham Lincoln'', imported from abroad for temporary exhibition within the United States, are of cultural significance. The objects are imported pursuant to loan agreements with the foreign owners or custodians. I also determine that the exhibition or display of the exhibit objects at the Oshkosh Public Museum, Oshkosh, Wisconsin, from on or about July 12, 2008, until on or about October 19, 2008, and at the Union Station Kansas City Museum, Kansas City, Missouri, from on or about November 1, 2008, until on or about April 9, 2009, and at possible additional exhibitions or venues yet to be determined, is in the national interest. Public Notice of these Determinations is ordered to be published in the Federal Register.

The Susquehanna River Basin Commission (SRBC) has released its draft revised Comprehensive Plan for a 90-day public review and comment period. To facilitate public comment, three public hearings will be held on the draft Plan. Details concerning the subject matter of the public hearings are contained in the Supplementary Information section of this notice.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35), the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) is forwarding an Information Collection Request (ICR) to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA), Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to request an extension of a currently approved collection of information: 3220-0016, Certification of Termination of Service and Relinquishment of Rights. Our ICR describes the information we seek to collect from the public. Review and approval by OIRA ensures that we impose appropriate paperwork burdens. The RRB invites comments on the proposed collection of information to determine: (1) The practical utility of the collection; (2) the accuracy of the estimated burden of the collection; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information that is the subject of collection; and (4) ways to minimize the burden of collections on respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology. Comments to RRB or OIRA must contain the OMB control number of the ICR. For proper consideration of your comments, it is best if RRB and OIRA receive them within 30 days of publication date. Under Section 2(e)(2) of the Railroad Retirement Act (RRA), an age and service annuity, spouse annuity, or divorced spouse annuity cannot be paid unless the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) has evidence that the applicant has ceased railroad employment and relinquished rights to return to the service of a railroad employer. The procedure pertaining to the relinquishment of rights by an annuity applicant is prescribed in 20 CFR 216.24. Under Section 2(f)(6) of the RRA, earnings deductions are required each month an annuitant works in certain nonrailroad employment termed Last Pre-Retirement Non-Railroad Employment. Normally, the employee, spouse, or divorced spouse relinquish rights and certify that employment has ended as part of the annuity application process. However, this is not always the case. In limited circumstances, the RRB utilizes Form G-88, Certification of Termination of Service and Relinquishment of Rights, to obtain an applicant's report of termination of employment and relinquishment of rights. One response is required of each respondent. Responses are required to obtain or retain benefits. The RRB proposes no changes to Form G-88. Previous Requests for Comments: The RRB has already published the initial 60-day notice (73 FR 10074 on February 25, 2008) required by 44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2). That request elicited no comments.

This document adopts rule changes designed to expand opportunities for participation in the broadcasting industry by new entrants and small businesses, including minority- and women-owned businesses.

The Department of Energy (DOE) announces its intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and conduct public scoping meetings under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) for remediation of Area IV of the Santa Susana Field Laboratory (SSFL Area IV). The SSFL, approximately 2,852 acres in the hills between Chatsworth and Simi Valley, CA, was developed as a remote site to test rocket engines and conduct nuclear research. Area IV was established at the SSFL in 1953 and occupies 290 acres of the SSFL. The DOE Energy Technology Engineering Center (ETEC) is located on 90 acres within SSFL Area IV. DOE is preparing the EIS in part as a response to a May 2, 2007, decision by the U.S. District Court of Northern California that DOE was in violation of NEPA for its 2003 decision to issue a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI), and to conduct remediation of the ETEC site, on the basis of an environmental assessment (EA) rather than an EIS. DOE recognizes the need to follow the NEPA process and will evaluate the range of reasonable alternatives for remediation of SSFL Area IV. DOE will evaluate alternatives for disposition of radiological facilities and support buildings, remediation of the affected environment, and disposal of all resulting waste at existing, approved sites. DOE will consider the cumulative impacts from exposure to chemical and radiological constituents in SSFL Area IV from future land uses. DOE invites public comment on the scope of this EIS during a scoping period that will end August 14, 2008. During this period, DOE officials will conduct public scoping meetings in the region surrounding the SSFL and in Sacramento, California, to provide the public and other stakeholders with an opportunity to comment on the scope of the EIS. DOE recognizes the value of the public's perspectives, and will inform, involve, and interact with the public during all phases of the EIS process. DOE is issuing this Notice of Intent (NOI) in order to inform and request comments and assistance from Federal and state agencies, state and local governments, Tribal Nations, natural resource trustees, the general public, and other interested parties on the appropriate scope of the EIS, alternatives, environmental issues, and the environmental impacts related to DOE's remediation activities for SSFL Area IV. DOE invites those agencies with jurisdiction by law or special expertise to be cooperating agencies.

Notice is hereby given that Thomas A. Jefferson, NMFS Southwest Fisheries Science Center, 8604 La Jolla Shores Drive, La Jolla, CA 92037, has applied in due form for a permit to conduct research on bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus).

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS or the Department) is issuing in the third quarter of FY 2008 a Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) for the HPP, authorized under section 319C-2 of the Public Health Service (PHS) Act, as amended by the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act (PAHPA) (Pub. L. 109-417). The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2008, provides funding for these awards (Pub. L. 110-161). This Federal Register notice provides information concerning critical aspects of this program including:

The Committee is proposing to add to the Procurement List services to be furnished by nonprofit agencies employing persons who are blind or have other severe disabilities. Comments Must Be Received On or Before: June 15, 2008.

This notice contains a summary of certain petitions seeking relief from specified requirements of 14 CFR. The purpose of this notice is to improve the public's awareness of, and participation in, this aspect of FAA's regulatory activities. Neither publication of this notice nor the inclusion or omission of information in the summary is intended to affect the legal status of any petition or its final disposition.