December 22, 2008 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), prior to undertaking research and other work associated with revising official grade standards, is soliciting comments on the possible revisions to the United States Standards for Grades of Carrots with Short Trimmed Tops. AMS has been reviewing the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable grade standards for usefulness in fostering commerce. As a result, AMS has identified the United States Standards for Grades of Carrots with Short Trimmed Tops for possible revisions. AMS is proposing to revise the color requirement to allow carrots with short trimmed tops of any color characteristic of the variety to be graded using the standards. In addition, the similar varietal characteristic requirement would be amended to allow mixed colors and/or types of carrots when designated as a mixed or specialty pack. Also, AMS is considering removing the ``Unclassified'' category from the standards. AMS is seeking comments regarding this change as well as any other possible revisions that may be necessary to better serve the industry.

This action summarizes the results under the criteria contained in section 610 of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA), of an Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) review of Marketing Order No. 927, regulating the handling of pears grown in Oregon and Washington. AMS has determined that the marketing order should be continued.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce that the Farallon National Wildlife Refuge (Refuge) Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Environmental Assessment (draft CCP/EA) is available for review and comment. Also available for review are the draft compatibility determinations for research and monitoring, media access, and environmental education and monitoring through a remote camera system.

This document contains proposed regulations relating to conduit financing arrangements issued under the authority granted by section 7701(l) of the Internal Revenue Code (Code). The proposed regulations apply to multiple-party financing arrangements that are effected through disregarded entities, and are necessary in order to determine which of those arrangements should be recharacterized under section 7701(l) and Treas. Reg. Sec. 1.881-3.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13), this notice announces that the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) a request for re-clearance of an expiring information collection, Mail Reinterview Form (INV 10), OMB Control No. 3206-0106. OPM sends the INV 10 questionnaire to a random sampling of record and personal sources contacted during background investigations when investigators have performed fieldwork. The INV 10 is used as a quality control instrument designed to ensure the accuracy and integrity of the investigative product, as it inquires of the sources about the investigative procedure employed by the investigator, the investigator's professionalism, and the information discussed and reported. It is estimated that 114,000 INV 10 forms are sent to individual sources annually. Of those, it is estimated that 50,000 individuals respond. We anticipate sending and receiving a similar number of INV 10 forms in the years ahead. Each form takes approximately six minutes to complete. The estimated annual burden is 5,000 hours. We received no comments as a result of the 60-day Federal Register Notice, published in the Federal Register on June 19, 2008. Therefore, we determined that this collection of information continues to be necessary for the proper performance of functions of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management and its Federal Investigative Services Division, which administers its background investigations. Further, we maintain that our estimate of the public burden of this collection is accurate, based on valid assumptions and methodology. The existing reinterview questionnaire addresses all of the questions relevant to ensure the accuracy and integrity of the investigative product at this time. For copies of this proposal, contact Mary-Kay Brewer on (703) 305- 1002, Fax (703) 603-0576 or e-mail to MaryKay.Brewer@opm.gov. Please be sure to include a mailing address with your request.

The proposed information collection requirement described below has been 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. Housing industry groups may appeal for increases in FHA's maximum mortgage limits for specific counties or metropolitan statistical areas (MSA's).

The proposed information collection requirement described below has been 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. The uniform Financial Reporting Standards (UFRS) regulation requires HUD's multifamily housing program participants to submit financial data electronically, using generally accepted accounting principles, in a prescribed format. Electronic submissions of this data will require the use of a template.

On December 16, 2008, the U.S. Department of Commerce issued an amended Export Trade Certificate of Review to U.S. Shippers Association (``USSA'').

Pursuant to Public Law 92-463, notice is hereby given of a meeting of the NTP Board of Scientific Counselors (NTP BSC). The NTP BSC is a federally chartered, external advisory group composed of scientists from the public and private sectors that provides primary scientific oversight to the NTP and evaluates the scientific merit of the NTP's intramural and collaborative programs.

The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), prior to undertaking research and other work associated with revising official grade standards, is soliciting comments on the possible revisions to the United States Standards for Grades of Topped Carrots. AMS has been reviewing the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable grade standards for usefulness in fostering commerce. As a result, AMS has identified the United States Standards for Grades of Topped Carrots for possible revisions. AMS is proposing to revise the color requirement to allow topped carrots of any color characteristic of the variety to be graded using the standards. In addition, the similar varietal characteristic requirement would be amended to allow mixed colors and/or types of carrots when designated as a mixed or specialty pack. Also, AMS is considering removing the ``Unclassified'' category from the standards. AMS is seeking comments regarding these changes as well as any other possible revisions that may be necessary to better serve the industry.

In accordance with the requirement of Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 which provides opportunity for public comment on new or revised data collections, the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) will publish periodic summaries of proposed data collections. Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed information collection is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information has practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the RRB's estimate of the burden of the collection of the information; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden related to the collection of information on respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology. Title and purpose of information collection: Request for Internet Services, OMB 3220-0198. The RRB uses a Personal Identification Number (PIN)/Password system that allows RRB customers to conduct business with the agency electronically. As part of the system, the RRB collects information needed to establish a unique PIN/Password that allows customer access to RRB Internet-based services. The information collected is matched against records of the railroad employee that are maintained by the RRB. If the information is verified, the request is approved and the RRB mails a Password Request Code (PRC) to the requestor. If the information provided cannot be verified, the requestor is advised to contact the nearest field office of the RRB to resolve the discrepancy. Once a PRC is obtained from the RRB, the requestor can apply for a PIN/ Password online. Once the PIN/Password has been established, the requestor has access to RRB Internet-based services. The RRB estimates that approximately 9,756 requests for PRC's and PIN/Passwords are received annually and that it takes 5 minutes per response to secure a PRC and 1.5 minutes to establish a PIN/Password. Completion is voluntary, however, the RRB will be unable to provide a PRC or allow a requestor to establish a PIN/Password (thereby denying system access), if the requests are not completed. The RRB proposes no changes to the PRC and PIN/Password screens. Additional Information or Comments: To request more information or to obtain a copy of the information collection justification, forms, and/or supporting material, please call the RRB Clearance Officer at (312) 751-3363 or send an E-mail request to Charles.Mierzwa@RRB.gov. Comments regarding the information collection should be sent to Ronald J. Hodapp, Railroad Retirement Board, 844 N. Rush Street, Chicago, Illinois 60611-2092 or Ronald.Hodapp@RRB.GOV. Comments should be received within 60 days of this notice.

In accordance with the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 and the Federal Advisory Committee Act of 1972, the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Arizona Resource Advisory Council (RAC), will meet on January 15, 2009, at the BLM National Training Center located at 9828 North 31st Avenue in Phoenix from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Morning agenda items include: Review and approval of the September 18, 2008, meeting minutes for RAC and Recreation Resource Advisory Council (RRAC) business; BLM State Director's update on statewide issues; Update on Solar Energy Rights- of-Way Applications and Processing; Presentation on the Healthy Lands Initiative Projects in Arizona; RAC questions on BLM Field Managers' Rangeland Resource Team proposals; and reports by RAC working groups. A public comment period will be provided at 11:30 a.m. on January 15, 2009, for any interested publics who wish to address the Council on BLM programs and business. Under the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act, the RAC has been designated as the RRAC, and has the authority to review all BLM and Forest Service (FS) recreation fee proposals in Arizona. The afternoon meeting agenda on January 15, will include review and discussion of the Recreation Enhancement Act (REA) Working Group Report, REA Work Group meeting schedule and future BLMJFS recreation fee proposals.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (``CPSC'' or ``Commission'') today publishes requirements pursuant to the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (``CPSIA''), Public Law 110-314, for accreditation of third party conformity assessment bodies to test to the 600 ppm and 300 ppm lead limits in metal and metal alloy parts of children's metal jewelry established by CPSIA. The Commission is not at this time addressing third party testing to the 100 ppm lead limit that may come into force three years after the date of enactment of CPSIA, depending on technological feasibility.

The FDIC is adopting a final rule establishing recordkeeping requirements for qualified financial contracts (QFCs) held by insured depository institutions in a troubled condition as defined in this rule. The appendix to the rule requires an institution in a troubled condition, upon written notification by the FDIC, to produce immediately at the close of processing of the institution's business day, for a period provided in the notification, the electronic files for certain position level and counterparty level data; electronic or written lists of QFC counterparty and portfolio location identifiers, certain affiliates of the institution and the institution's counterparties to QFC transactions, contact information and organizational charts for key personnel involved in QFC activities, and contact information for vendors for such activities; and copies of key agreements and related documents for each QFC.

The Department of Energy (DOE) is proposing new test procedures for measuring the efficiency of small electric motors, including both single-phase and polyphase and to update the industry references and clarify the scope of coverage for DOE's existing test procedure for electric motors. With this notice, DOE also announces a public meeting to receive comments on this proposal and the issues presented herein.

The U.S. Army intends to prepare an EIS to analyze the environmental and socioeconomic impacts of implementing the stationing and realignment decisions in the 2007 ``Grow the Army'' Programmatic EIS (GTA PEIS) and other ongoing Army realignment and stationing initiatives that pertain to Fort Lewis and YTC. The GTA PEIS Record of Decision (ROD) made the decision to station additional units at Fort Lewis including an Expeditionary Sustainment Command, and specified unit restructuring actions that would increase active duty strength at Fort Lewis by approximately 1,900 Soldiers. This EIS will also analyze Fort Lewis and YTC as potential locations for the stationing of additional units, to include approximately 1,000 combat service support (CSS) Soldiers consisting of Quartermaster, Medical, Transportation or Headquarters units to support combat operations, and a Combat Aviation Brigade (CAB) consisting of approximately 2,800 soldiers and 110 helicopters. These actions could occur over the next five years.