2008 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

NOAA National Environmental Satellite Data and Information Services (NESDIS) invites applications for a Cooperative Institute (CI) that will focus on (1) Climate and satellite research and applications, (2) climate and satellite observations and monitoring, and (3) climate research and modeling. Through this competition, NOAA intends to establish competitively a new CI according to the policy and procedures described in NOAA Administrative Order 216?107 and the Cooperative Institute Interim Handbook both available at https://www.nrc.noaa.gov/ ci. The proposed CI should be composed of two or more member institutions (e.g., multiple universities). At least one research institution should be in Maryland, Washington DC or the adjacent states (Delaware, Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Virginia). At least two research institutions should be in North Carolina or the adjacent states (Virginia, Tennessee, South Carolina and Georgia), with a presence in Asheville, North Carolina. NOAA has identified three research themes that will address specific needs within the NOAA Mission Support Satellite Service program and the NOAA Climate Goal that would benefit from collaborations with the CI. The CI should possess outstanding capabilities to work in the three research themes summarized below, as well as possess the capability to conduct outreach and education activities in support of these research themes. I. Climate and Satellite Research and Applications: Research conducted under this theme is associated with the development of new and innovative uses of non-NOAA satellite assets that can ultimately be transitioned into NOAA operations to support climate information needs. This theme also includes performing research and development aimed at improving the utilization of long time series of satellite measurements that will offer NOAA scientists a homogeneous record of satellite radiances. II. Climate and Satellite Observations and Monitoring: Research conducted under this theme involves (1) Designing indices and applications that incorporate satellite observations to detect, monitor and investigate climatic changes and their impacts on coastal and open ocean ecosystems, (2) identifying and meeting the satellite climate needs of a wide variety of users, including research, business and industry, and government and private sector users, and (3) contributing significantly to climate reanalysis projects when satellite data is a key input. III. Climate Research and Modeling: Research conducted under this theme is focused on improving climate forecasts on mesoscale, regional and global scales when satellite data is a key input, and developing regional ecosystem models that can incorporate satellite observations to predict the impact of climate change on these ecosystems, particularly those located in the Mid-Atlantic region. The CI is also expected to play a significant role in National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) Climate Test Bed projects when satellite data is a key input. This announcement provides requirements for the proposed CI and includes details for the technical program, evaluation criteria, and competitive selection procedures. Applicants should review the NOAA CI Policy and CI Interim Handbook (both available at https://www.nrc.noaa.gov/ci) prior to preparing a proposal for this announcement.

The Director of the Office of Ecosystem Protection, EPA-New England, is providing a notice of availability of the final National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) general permits for dewatering activity discharges to certain waters of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts (including both Commonwealth and Indian country lands) and the State of New Hampshire. These General Permits replace the Construction Dewatering General Permits, which expired on September 23, 2007. The notice of availability of the draft NPDES general permits for dewatering activity discharges was published in the Federal Register on July 21, 2008 and the public notice period ran from July 22, 2008 to August 21, 2008. In addition to comments on the draft general permits, EPA also requested comments on the cost associated with a limit for total residual chlorine (TRC) for discharges containing potable water. No comments were received during the public notice period regarding either the draft permits or the cost associated with a TRC limit for discharges containing potable water. The final General Permits establish Notice of Intent (NOI) requirements, effluent limitations, standards, prohibitions, and management practices for facilities with construction dewatering of groundwater intrusion and/or storm water accumulation from sites less than one acre and short-term and long-term dewatering of foundation sumps. Based on inter-governmental agency review, the following changes have been made from the draft permit: Appendix III was updated to include the most recent information regarding federally-listed threatened and endangered species and the process by which permittees determine if the Endangered Species Act criteria are met. Coverage for and references to discharges originating from flushing of potable water lines and pump testing of water wells were removed from the General Permit. Facilities with these types of discharges retain the ability to apply for coverage under an individual permit. Owners and/or operators of facilities with dewatering discharges, including those currently authorized to discharge under the expired General Permits, will be required to submit an NOI to be covered by the General Permit to both EPA-New England and the appropriate state agency. After EPA and the State have reviewed the NOI, the facility will receive a written notification from EPA of permit coverage and authorization to discharge under the General Permit. The eligibility requirements for coverage under the general permits are discussed in detail under Part 3 of the permit. The reader is strongly urged to go to that section to determine eligibility. An individual permit may be necessary if the discharger cannot meet the terms and conditions or eligibility requirements in the permit.

This action proposes to establish Class E airspace at South Texas International Airport, Edinburg, TX. Controlled airspace is necessary to accommodate Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAP) at South Texas International Airport, Edinburg, TX. The FAA is taking this action to enhance the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) aircraft operations at South Texas International Airport.

This action proposes to establish Class D airspace and Class E Surface Area airspace at Lone Star Executive Airport, Conroe, TX. The establishment of an air traffic control tower has made these actions necessary for the safety of Instrument Flight Rule (IFR) operations at Lone Star Executive Airport. Class D airspace will revert to a Class E2 Surface Area during periods when the control tower is not operating.

In accordance with the Privacy Act of 1974, the Department of Homeland Security is giving notice that it will remove five system of records notices from its inventory of record systems because the United States Coast Guard no longer requires the systems. The five obsolete systems are: DOT/CG 503 Motorboat Registration, April 11, 2000, DOT/CG 509 Non-Judicial Punishment Record, April 11, 2000, DOT/CG 526 Adjudication and Settlement of Claims System, April 11, 2000, DOT/CG 633 Coast Guard Civilian Personnel Security Program, April 11, 2000, and DOT/CG 676 Official Coast Guard Reserve Service Record, April 11, 2000.

In accordance with the Privacy Act of 1974 and as part of the Department of Homeland Security's ongoing effort to review and update legacy system of records notices, the Department of Homeland Security is giving notice that it proposes to update and reissue the following legacy record system DOT/CG 501 Auxiliary Management Information System, April 11, 2000, as a Department of Homeland Security system of records notice titled United States Coast Guard Auxiliary Database. The Auxiliary Database is the United States Coast Guard's information system that tracks and reports contact, activity, performance, and achievement information about the members of its volunteer workforce element, the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary. Categories of individuals and categories of records have been reviewed, and the routine uses of this legacy system of records notice have been updated to better reflect the United States Coast Guard's Auxiliary Database record system. This new system will be included in the Department of Homeland Security's inventory of record systems.

In accordance with Section 122(i) of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, as amended (``CERCLA''), 42 U.S.C. 9622(i), notice is hereby given of a proposed administrative settlement for recovery of response costs concerning the Illinois Power subarea of the Ottawa Radiation Superfund Site in Ottawa, Illinois with Illinois Power Company d/b/a Ameren IP. The settlement requires the settling parties to: operate and maintain a radon reduction system at the property; record a restrictive covenant that prohibits interference with the building foundations and system; agree to use a covenant deed that reserves the right for Illinois Power, U.S. EPA and the State to enforce the restrictive covenant if Illinois Power conveys the property; and reimburse $35,000 of U.S. EPA's response costs incurred at the Illinois Power subarea. In exchange for the payment and work performed, the United States covenants not to sue or take administrative action pursuant to Sections 106, 107 and 122 of CERCLA, 42 U.S.C. 9606, 9607 and 9622 for the work and past response costs at the Illinois Power subarea of the Ottawa Radiation Site. In addition, Illinois Power is entitled to protection from contribution actions or claims as provided by Sections 113(f) and 122(h)(4) of CERCLA, 42 U.S.C. 9613(f) and 9622(h)(4), for the work performed and past costs incurred at the Site. For thirty (30) days after the date of publication of this notice, the Agency will receive written comments relating to the cost recovery provisions of the settlement. The Agency will consider all comments received and may modify or withdraw its consent to the settlement if comments received disclose facts or considerations which indicate that the settlement is inappropriate, improper, or inadequate. The Agency's response to any comments received will be available for public inspection at U.S. EPA's Region 5 Office at 77 West Jackson Boulevard, Chicago, Illinois 60604.

This notice informs the public of the operative date the Department of Homeland Security is rescinding application of the Department of Homeland Security Human Resources Management System.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13, the Bureau of Transportation Statistics invites the general public, industry and other governmental parties to comment on the continuing need for and usefulness of BTS requiring U.S. large certificated air carriers to submit two true and complete copies of its annual audit that is made by an independent public accountant. If a carrier does not have an annual audit, the carrier must file a statement that no audit has been performed. Comments are requested concerning whether (1) The audit reports are needed by BTS and DOT; (2) BTS accurately estimated the reporting burden; (3) there are other ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information collected; and (4) there are ways to minimize reporting burden, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

The U.S. Office of Personnel Management is issuing a proposed rule that would redefine the geographic boundaries of the Buffalo, NY, and Pittsburgh, PA, appropriated fund Federal Wage System (FWS) wage areas. The proposed rule would redefine McKean and Warren Counties, PA, and the Allegheny National Forest portions of Elk and Forest Counties, PA, from the Pittsburgh wage area to the Buffalo wage area. These changes are based on a recent consensus recommendation of the Federal Prevailing Rate Advisory Committee to best match the counties proposed for redefinition to a nearby FWS survey area. No other changes are proposed for the Buffalo or Pittsburgh FWS wage areas.

NMFS announces correction to Federal regulations for the West Coast groundfish fishery. This action corrects trip limits for vessels using multiple bottom trawl gears, which were published in a final rule. That final rule announced inseason changes to management measures in the commercial Pacific Coast groundfish fisheries. This correction is intended to eliminate any confusion for the public that may have occurred as a result of prior incorrect NMFS publications.

NMFS announces that the Administrator, Northeast Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), has determined that the quota for the tilefish Full-time Tier 2 permit category has been exceeded for fishing year (FY) 2008, requiring an adjustment of the Full-time Tier 2 permit category quota for FY 2009. This action complies with the Fishery Management Plan for the Tilefish Fishery (FMP) and is intended to continue the rebuilding program in the FMP by taking into account previous overages of the tilefish quota.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is announcing the availability of a concept paper entitled ``PDUFA Pilot Project Proprietary Name Review.'' The concept paper provides information to pharmaceutical firms about how to evaluate proposed propriety names and submit the data generated from those evaluations to FDA for review under an anticipated pilot program. FDA plans to begin enrollment in the pilot program in fiscal year (FY) 2009.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is announcing the availability of a draft guidance for industry entitled ``New Contrast Imaging Indication Considerations for Devices and Approved Drug and Biological Products.'' As part of the Medical Device User Fee Amendments of 2007 (MDUFA) Commitment for the Performance Goals and Procedures, FDA agreed to publish draft guidance by September 30, 2008, for medical imaging devices with ``contrast agents or radiopharmaceuticals.'' FDA intends this draft guidance to assist developers of medical imaging devices and imaging drug/biological products that provide image contrast enhancement. Particularly this guidance focuses on approaches in developing new contrast indications for imaging devices for use with already approved imaging products. FDA intends for the recommendations in this guidance to promote timely and effective review of, and consistent and appropriate regulation and labeling for imaging drugs and devices.

This publishes notice of the 2008 Class III Gaming Compact between the Nez Perce Tribe and the State of Idaho taking effect.

NMFS announces that the Limited Access General Category (LAGC) Scallop Fishery will close to individual fishing quota (IFQ) scallop vessels until it re-opens on December 1, 2008, under current regulations. This action is based on the determination that the third quarter scallop total allowable catch (TAC) for LAGC IFQ scallop vessels (including vessels issued an IFQ letter of authorization (LOA) to fish under appeal), is projected to be landed. This action is being taken to prevent IFQ scallop vessels from exceeding the 2008 third quarter TAC, in accordance with the regulations implementing Amendment 11 to the Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery Management Plan (FMP), enacted by Framework 19 to the FMP, and the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act.

The Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy and Economic Development made a final agency determination to acquire approximately 11.24 acres of land into trust for the Habematolel Pomo of Upper Lake of California on September 8, 2008. This notice is published in the exercise of authority delegated by the Secretary of the Interior to the Assistant SecretaryIndian Affairs by 209 Departmental Manual 8.1. The duties of the Assistant SecretaryIndian Affairs were delegated to the Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy and Economic Development on May 23, 2008.

The Department of Commerce (the Department) is conducting an administrative review of the antidumping duty order on certain lined paper products from India with respect to 20 companies. The respondents which the Department selected for individual examination are Kejriwal Paper Limited (``Kejriwal'') and Ria ImpEx Pvt. Ltd. (``Ria'').\1\ The respondents which were not selected for individual examination are listed in the ``Preliminary Results of Review'' section of this notice. This is the first administrative review of this order. The period of review (POR) is April 17, 2006, through August 31, 2007.