2008 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The EPA issued ``The Treatment of Data Influenced by Exceptional Events (Exceptional Event Rule): Revised Exceptional Event Data Flagging Submittal and Documentation Schedule for Monitoring Data Used in Designations for the 2008 Ozone NAAQS'' as a direct final rule on October 6, 2008, 73 FR 58042. Because EPA received an adverse comment, we are withdrawing the direct final rule amendments to ``The Treatment of Data Influenced by Exceptional Events (Exceptional Event Rule): Revised Exceptional Event Data Flagging Submittal and Documentation Schedule to Support Initial Area Designations for the 2008 Ozone NAAQS'' published in the Federal Register on October 6, 2008 (73 FR 58042).

The National Institute of Standards and Technology's (NIST) Technology Innovation Program (TIP) announces that it is seeking white papers from any interested party, including academia; federal, state, and local governments; industry; national laboratories; and professional organizations/societies. White papers will be used to identify and select areas of critical national need to be addressed in future TIP competitions.

The Department of the Interior, Office of the Secretary is announcing a public meeting of the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Public Advisory Committee.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is announcing a public workshop entitled ``Microbiological Testing for Contact Lens Care Products.'' FDA is co-sponsoring the public workshop with the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the American Academy of Optometry, the American Optometric Association, and the Contact Lens Association of Ophthalmologists. The purpose of the public workshop is to discuss test method parameters for evaluating the activity of contact lens care products against Acanthamoeba and to discuss elements of microbiological test methods that simulate ``real world'' consumer use conditions. Date and Time: The public workshop will be held on January 22 and 23, 2009, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Participants are encouraged to arrive by 7:30 a.m. to allow enough time for parking and security screening. Security Screening will begin at 7 a.m. Location: The public workshop will be held at the Food and Drug Administration, White Oak Conference Center, 10903 New Hampshire Ave., Bldg. 2 (Central Shared Use Building), Silver Spring, MD. Attendees should follow the directions provided in the Registration Information section of this document. Contact: Daryl L. Kaufman, Center for Devices and Radiological Health (HFZ-460), Food and Drug Administration, 9200 Corporate Blvd., Rockville, MD 20850, 240-276-4200, FAX: 240-276-4234, e-mail: Daryl.Kaufman@fda.hhs.gov, or Marc Robboy, Center for Devices and Radiological Health (HFZ-460), Food and Drug Administration, 9200 Corporate Blvd., Rockville, MD 20850, 240-276-4200, FAX: 240-276-4234, e-mail: Marc.Robboy@fda.hhs.gov. Agenda: The purpose of the conference is to discuss test methods for evaluating the anti-microbial activity of contact lens care products. On January 22, 2008, we hope to reach consensus on critical test method parameters for evaluating the activity of contact lens care products against Acanthamoeba. These parameters include organism species and strain, trophozoite culture and cyst production, microbial challenge level, and assay method for survivors. On January 23, 2008, we hope to present and discuss critical elements for new or modified disinfection efficacy test methods that simulate ``real world'' consumer use conditions. These elements include contact lens and lens case uptake of preservative and other solution ingredients, solution evaporation, minimal consumer compliance, biofilm formation and clinical isolates as challenge organisms. Background information on the public workshop, registration information, the agenda, information about lodging, and other relevant information will be posted on the Internet at www.jcahpo.org/clmw. Registration Information: Registration must be completed online at www.jcahpo.org/clmw. Please pre-register no later than January 8, 2009 (see instructions in this paragraph). There will be no onsite registration. Non-U.S. citizens are subject to additional security screening and should pre-register at least 3 weeks in advance. There is a registration fee of $250 for this workshop. Early registration is recommended because seating is limited. If you need special accommodations due to a disability, please contact Ms. Janice Prestwood at 800-284-3937, ext. 229 (toll free), 651-731-7229 (direct) or 651-731-0410 (fax) at least 7 days before the public workshop. Lodging, travel, and security clearance information are also available from the registration Web site. Persons without Internet access may contact Ms. Janice Prestwood for help in completing the registration form.

The Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)).

In accordance with Section 10(a)(2) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (Pub. L. 92-463), announcement is made of the following committee meeting: Name of Committee: Chief of Engineers Environmental Advisory Board (EAB). Topic: The EAB will discuss national considerations related to ecosystem restoration through integrated water resources management with emphasis on building collaborative partnerships, and the implementation of the Environmental Operating Principles. Date of Meeting: January 15, 2009. Place: Marines' Memorial Club and Hotel, 609 Sutter Street, San Francisco, CA Time: 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Thirty minutes will be set side for public comment. Members of the public who wish to speak are asked to register prior to the start of the meeting. Registration will begin at 8:30. Statements are limited to 3 minutes.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Sacramento District, (Corps) will prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for The Arboretum project, a mixed-use residential and commercial development in Rancho Cordova, Sacramento County, CA. Lewis Operating Corp. has applied for a Department of the Army permit to fill approximately 31.78 acres of waters of the United States, including wetlands, to construct the project.

This notice denies a petition for rulemaking submitted by Mr. Brian J. Conaway, which, among other things, requested that the NHTSA amend the language and definitions in Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 213, ``Child restraint systems,'' to apply the standard to products that are not yet defined by the standard, such as belt positioning devices. Alternatively, the petitioner asked the agency to adopt a new definition, which would allow his product, the Hip-Hugger, to be recognized and defined as a child restraint device under FMVSS No. 213. NHTSA is denying the petition because it does not see a safety need to apply a FMVSS to seat belt positioners and it does not believe that a denial would hamper child restraint system innovation or design. Furthermore, the agency is concerned that applying FMVSS No. 213 to seat belt positioners may actually degrade child occupant protection by promoting premature graduation to lap/ shoulder belts.

This is an amendment of the Presidential declaration of a major disaster for Public Assistance Only for the State of New Hampshire (FEMA-1799-DR), dated 10/03/2008. Incident: Severe Storms and Flooding. Incident Period: 09/06/2008 through 09/07/2008.

Under the provisions of 30 U.S.C. 188(d) and (e), and 43 CFR 3108.2-3(a) and (b)(1), the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) received a petition for reinstatement from Chesapeake Exploration, LLC for competitive oil and gas lease WYW155731 for land in Converse County, Wyoming. The petition was filed on time and was accompanied by all the rentals due since the date the lease terminated under the law.

Under the provisions of 30 U.S.C. 188(d) and (e), and 43 CFR 3108.2-3(a) and (b)(1), the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) received a petition for reinstatement from Chesapeake Exploration, L.L.C. for competitive oil and gas lease WYW153112 for land in Converse County, Wyoming. The petition was filed on time and was accompanied by all the rentals due since the date the lease terminated under the law.

The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) is considering adopting for itself and the distributors of TVA power certain energy efficiency and Smart Grid standards. The standards being considered are the Integrated Resource Planning, Rate Design Modifications to Promote Energy Efficiency Investments, Consideration of Smart Grid Investments, and Smart Grid Information standards listed in section 111(d) of the Public Utility Regulatory Act of 1978 (Pub. L. 95-617) as amended by the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (Pub. L. 110-140). The standards will be considered on the basis of their effect on conservation of energy, efficient use of facilities and resources, equity among electric consumers, and the objectives of the Tennessee Valley Authority Act. Comments are requested from the public on whether TVA should adopt these standards or any variations on them.

This action codifies special flight rules and airspace and flight restrictions for certain aircraft operations in the Washington, DC Metropolitan Area. The FAA takes this action in the interest of national security. This action is necessary to enable the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of Defense (DOD) to effectively execute their respective constitutional and Congressionally-mandated duties to secure, protect, and defend the United States.

On October 22, 2008, the Economic Development Administration (``EDA'') published an interim final rule in the Federal Register. This document extends the deadline for submitting public comments on the interim final rule from December 22, 2008 until January 22, 2009. The extension of the public comment period is necessary to provide additional time for the submission of public comments and to allow for EDA's additional consideration of matters pertaining to the effective implementation of the interim final rule.

Under the provisions of 30 U.S.C. 188(d) and (e), and 43 CFR 3108.2-3(a) and (b)(1), the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) received a petition for reinstatement from Chesapeake Exploration, L.L.C. for competitive oil and gas lease WYW172444 for land in Converse County, Wyoming. The petition was filed on time and was accompanied by all the rentals due since the date the lease terminated under the law.

With this final rule, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Marine Fisheries Service (collectively, ``Services'' or ``we'') amend regulations governing interagency cooperation under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA). This rule clarifies several definitions, provides assistance as to when consultation under section 7 is necessary, and establishes time frames for the informal consultation process.

The National Assessment Governing Board, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)). Currently, the Governing Board is soliciting comments concerning a survey of higher education institutions it is conducting in connection with designing the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) to report on the preparedness of 12th grade students for placement into entry-level college-credit coursework.

The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is announcing that a referendum will be conducted under the Lamb Promotion, Research, and Information Order (Order) to determine whether those persons voting favor the continuance of the Order.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is announcing the availability of a draft guidance for industry 191 entitled ``Changes to Approved NADAsNew NADAs vs. Category II Supplemental NADAs''. This guidance is intended to assist sponsors who wish to apply for approval of changes to approved new animal drugs that require FDA to reevaluate safety and/or effectiveness data. The goal of this guidance is to create greater consistency in how such applications are handled by sponsors and by FDA's Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM).

FMCSA announces its decision to renew the exemptions from the vision requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations for 13 individuals. FMCSA has statutory authority to exempt individuals from the vision requirement if the exemptions granted will not compromise safety. The Agency has concluded that granting these exemption renewals will provide a level of safety that is equivalent to, or greater than, the level of safety maintained without the exemptions for these commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers.

The Bureau of the Census (Census Bureau) is conducting the 2008 Annual Surveys in the Manufacturing Area. The 2008 Annual Surveys consist of the Current Industrial Reports surveys, the Annual Survey of Manufactures, and the Business Research and Development (R&D) and Innovation Survey. We have determined that annual data collected from these surveys are needed to aid the efficient performance of essential governmental functions and have significant application to the needs of the public and industry. The data derived from these surveys, most of which have been conducted for many years, are not publicly available from non-governmental or other governmental sources.