September 8, 2008 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

In compliance with the requirement of Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, for opportunity for public comment on proposed data collection projects, the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), the National Institutes of Health (NIH) will publish periodic summaries of proposed projects to be submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval. Proposed Collection: Title: The National Diabetes Education Program Comprehensive Evaluation Plan. Type of Information Collection Request: Extension of a currently approved collection (0925-0552). Need and Use of Information Collection: The National Diabetes Education Program (NDEP) is a partnership of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and more than 200 public and private organizations. The long-term goals of the NDEP are to: Improve the treatment and health outcomes of people with diabetes, promote early diagnosis, and, ultimately, prevent the onset of diabetes. The NDEP objectives are: (1) To increase awareness of the seriousness of diabetes, its risk factors, and strategies for preventing diabetes and its complications among people at risk for diabetes; (2) to improve understanding about diabetes and its control and to promote better self-management behaviors among people with diabetes; (3) to improve health care providers' understanding of diabetes and its control and to promote an integrated approach to care; (4) to promote health care policies that improve the quality of and access to diabetes care. Multiple strategies have been devised to address the NDEP objectives. These have been described in the NDEP Strategic Plan and include: (1) Creating partnerships with other organizations concerned about diabetes; (2) developing and implementing awareness and education activities with special emphasis on reaching the racial and ethnic populations disproportionately affected by diabetes; (3) identifying, developing, and disseminating educational tools and resources for the program's diverse audiences; (4) promoting policies and activities to improve the quality of and access to diabetes care. The NDEP evaluation will document the extent to which the NDEP program has been implemented, and how successful it has been in meeting program objectives. The evaluation relies heavily on data gathered from existing national surveys such as National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), among others for this information. This generic clearance request is for the collection of additional primary data from NDEP target audiences on some key process and impact measures that are necessary to effectively evaluate the program. Approval is requested for a survey of audiences targeted by the National Diabetes Education Program including people at risk for diabetes, people with diabetes and their families and the public. Frequency of Response: On occasion. Affected Public: Individuals or households. Type of Respondents: Adults. The annual reporting burden is as follows: Estimated Number of Respondents: 3759, Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1; Average Burden Hours per Response: .153; and Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours Requested: 575. There are no Capital, Operating or Maintenance Costs to report.

The National Science Foundation (NSF) is required to publish notice of permits issued under the Antarctic Conservation Act of 1978. This is the required notice.

The proposed rule would replace the existing metal and nonmetal standards for the possession and use of intoxicating beverages and narcotics and establish a standard for all mines. The proposed rule would designate the substances that cannot be possessed on mine property or used while performing safety-sensitive job duties, except when used according to a valid prescription. Mine operators would be required to establish an alcohol- and drug-free mine program, which includes a written policy, employee education, supervisory training, alcohol- and drug-testing for miners that perform safety-sensitive job duties and their supervisors, and referrals to assistance for miners who violate the policy. The proposed rule would also require those who violate the prohibitions to be removed from the performance of safety- sensitive job duties until they complete the recommended treatment and their alcohol- and drug-free status is confirmed by a return-to-duty test.

We are proposing several revisions to our rules on representation of parties. These proposed rules would recognize entities as representatives, define the concept of a principal representative, and authorize principal representatives to sign and file a claim for benefits on behalf of a claimant. These proposed rules would also mandate the use of Form SSA-1696 to appoint, revoke, or withdraw an appointment of a representative, and to waive a fee or direct payment of the fee. We propose to define the concept of a professional representative and require professional representatives to use our electronic services as they become available, including requiring professional representatives to submit certain requests for reconsideration or a hearing before an administrative law judge (ALJ) electronically. Finally, we propose to require representatives to keep paper copies of certain documents that we may require. We are proposing these revisions to reflect changes in representatives' business practices and to improve our efficiency by enhancing use of the Internet.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone on the waters of Johns Pass, Florida while construction operations are being conducted. This rule is necessary to ensure the safety of the workers and mariners on the navigable waters of the United States. No person or vessel may anchor, moor, or transit the Regulated Area without permission of the Captain of the Port St. Petersburg, Florida.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the products listed above. This AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) originated by an aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as:

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the products listed above. This AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) originated by an aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as:

We, the Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), intend to prepare a Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) and Environmental Assessment (EA) for San Luis and Merced National Wildlife Refuges (NWRs) and the Grasslands Wildlife Management Area (WMA) located in Merced County, California. We provide this notice in compliance with our CCP policy to advise other Federal and State agencies, Tribes, and the public of our intentions, and to obtain suggestions and information on the scope of issues to consider in the planning process.