May 21, 2008 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The IC Clearance Official, Regulatory Information Management Services, Office of Management, invites comments on the proposed information collection requests as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is denying a petition for rulemaking (PRM-35-18) submitted by Peter G. Crane (petitioner). The petitioner requested that the NRC amend the regulations that govern medical use of byproduct material concerning release of individuals who have been treated with radiopharmaceuticals. The petitioner believes that this regulation is defective on legal and policy grounds. The petitioner requested that the patient release rule be partially revoked insofar as it allows patients to be released from radioactive isolation with more than the equivalent of 30 millicuries of radioactive iodine I-131 (I-131) in their bodies. The NRC, for the reasons described in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION of this document has determined that the issues raised in the petition do not justify a rule change.

As required by 43 CFR 2650.7(d), notice is hereby given that an appealable decision approving the surface and subsurface estates in certain lands for conveyance pursuant to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act will be issued to Emmonak Corporation. The lands are in the vicinity of Emmonak, Alaska, and are located in:

The Commission is proposing to revise its regulations to clarify its rules governing ex parte contacts and separation of functions as they apply to proceedings arising out of investigations initiated under Part 1b of the Commission's regulations. This proposal is intended to provide clearer guidance to both Commission litigation staff and persons outside the Commission in determining whether they may properly contact decisional employees once the Commission has established further proceedings on matters that had been investigated under Part 1b. The Commission also is proposing to clarify its regulations governing intervention to specify that intervention is not permitted as a matter of right in proceedings arising from Part 1b investigations.

The proposed information collection requirement described below will be submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act. The Department is soliciting public comments on the subject proposal.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the reopening of the comment period on the proposed revised designation of critical habitat for the northern spotted owl (Strix occidentalis caurina) under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). We also announce the availability of the draft economic analysis (DEA) of the proposed revised critical habitat designation and an amended required determination section of the proposal. We are reopening the comment period to allow all interested parties an opportunity to comment simultaneously on the proposed revised rule, the associated draft economic analysis, and the amended required determinations section. If you submitted comments previously, then you do not need to resubmit them because we have already incorporated them into the public record and we will fully consider them in preparation of our final rule.

The Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Department of the Treasury (``OFAC'') is amending the Rough Diamonds Control Regulations (the ``Regulations'') to add two requirements designed to enhance the collection of statistics related to importations and exportations of rough diamonds.

The Commission is amending its regulations to expand and clarify the right of an entity to submit a written response to the Commission in the event staff intends to recommend that the Commission initiate a proceeding governed by 18 CFR Part 385, or make the entity a defendant in a civil action to be brought by the Commission. Subjects of investigations currently have the right under 18 CFR 1b.19 to be informed in the latter instance, but only in the event staff finds it appropriate and in the public interest. The amendment would grant that right, for both types of proceedings, in all cases except those in which extraordinary circumstances make prompt Commission review necessary to prevent detriment to the public interest or irreparable harm. The amendment also clarifies the timing requirements for such submissions. These changes codify current staff practice regarding recommendations for orders to show cause, and will allow subjects of investigations a fuller opportunity to present their positions to the Commission.

On June 12, 2007, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) submitted a request to redesignate Kewaunee County to attainment of the 8-hour ozone standard. EPA proposed to approve this submission on December 11, 2007. EPA provided a 30-day review and comment period. The comment period closed on January 10, 2008. EPA received comments from the Sierra Club and the Door County Corporation Counsel. EPA is approving Wisconsin's request and the associated maintenance plan for continuing to attain the standard. As part of this action, EPA is making a determination that Kewaunee County has attained the 1997 8-hour ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS). This determination is based on complete, quality-assured ambient air quality monitoring data for the 2004-2006 ozone seasons that demonstrate that the 8-hour ozone NAAQS has been attained in Kewaunee County. Monitoring data for 2007 continue to show monitored attainment of the NAAQS. EPA is approving the maintenance plan for Kewaunee County and is redesignating Kewaunee County to attainment. Finally, EPA is approving, for purposes of transportation conformity, Wisconsin's 2012 and 2018 Motor Vehicle Emission Budgets (MVEBs) for Kewaunee County.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is announcing that Lubrizol Advanced Materials, Inc., has filed a petition proposing that the food additive regulations be amended to provide for the safe use of cassia gum as a stabilizer in frozen dairy desserts, and to improve texture and water retention in cheeses, meat products, and poultry products.

In the Second Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (Second FNPRM), the Commission seeks comment on clarifications or revisions to the rules governing the Public Safety Broadband Licensee and the Upper 700 MHz D Block licensee. The Commission seeks comment on whether to continue to require these licensees to enter into a 700 MHz Public/ Private Partnership for the purpose of enabling the construction of a nationwide, interoperable broadband network, and if so, what clarifications or revisions to adopt to the rules governing the licensees and the 700 MHz Public/Private Partnership. Further, the Commission seeks comment on what rules to adopt if it determines that the public/private partnership obligation should not be retained. This Second Further Notice is another step in the Commission's ongoing efforts to develop a regulatory framework in which to meet current and future public safety communications needs.

The Department of the Navy is amending its certifications and exemptions under the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972 (72 COLREGS), to reflect that the Deputy Assistant Judge Advocate General (Admiralty and Maritime Law) has determined that USS GREEN BAY (LPD 20) is a vessel of the Navy which, due to its special construction and purpose, cannot fully comply with certain provisions of the 72 COLREGS without interfering with its special function as a naval ship. The intended effect of this rule is to warn mariners in waters where 72 COLREGS apply.

This is Supplement No. 7 to the Treasury Department Circular 570, 2007 Revision, published July 2, 2007, at 72 FR 36192.

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) invites nominations of individuals qualified to serve as members of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF). The USPSTF, a standing, independent panel of outside experts that makes evidence-based recommendations regarding the provision of clinical preventive services, is composed of members appointed to serve for four year terms with an option for reappointment. New members are selected each year to replace approximately one fourth of the USPSTF members, i.e., those who are completing their appointments. Individuals nominated but not appointed in previous years, as well as those newly nominated, are considered in the annual selection process. USPSTF members meet three times a year for two days in the Washington, DC area. Between meetings, member duties include reviewing and preparing comments (off site) on systematic evidence reviews prior to discussing and making recommendations on preventive services, drafting final recommendation documents, and participating in workgroups on specific topics or methods. AHRQ particularly encourages nominations of women, members of minority populations, and persons with disabilities. Interested individuals can self nominate. Organizations and individuals may nominate one or more persons qualified for membership on the USPSTF. Qualification Requirements: The mission of the USPSTF is to produce evidence-based recommendations on the appropriate screening, counseling, and provision of preventive medication for asymptomatic patients seen in the primary care setting. Therefore, in order to qualify for the USPSTF, an applicant or nominee must demonstrate the following: 1. Knowledge and experience in the critical evaluation of research published in peer reviewed literature and in the methods of evidence review; 2. Understanding and experience in the application of synthesized evidence to clinical decision-making and/or policy; 3. Expertise in disease prevention and health promotion; 4. Ability to work collaboratively with peers; and, 5. Clinical expertise in the primary health care of children and/or adults, and/or expertise in counseling and behavioral interventions for primary care patients. Some USPSTF members without primary health care clinical experience may be selected based on their expertise in methodological issues such as medical decision making, clinical epidemiology, behavioral medicine, and health economics. Consideration will be given to individuals who are recognized nationally for scientific leadership within their field of expertise. Applicants must have no substantial conflicts of interest that would impair the scientific integrity of the work of the USPSTF including financial, intellectual, or other conflicts.