February 4, 2009 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

Notice is hereby given, pursuant to the Government in the Sunshine Act (5 U.S.C. 552b(e)(3)), of the regular meeting of the Farm Credit Administration Board (Board).

Notice is hereby given that an exemption to the land disposal restrictions under the 1984 Hazardous and Solid Waste Amendments to the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act have been granted to ExxonMobil Environmental Services Company for a Class I injection well located at Pasadena, Texas. As required by 40 CFR part 148, the company has adequately demonstrated to the satisfaction of the Environmental Protection Agency by the petition and supporting documentation that, to a reasonable degree of certainty, there will be no migration of hazardous constituents from the injection zone for as long as the waste remains hazardous. This final decision allows the underground injection by ExxonMobil, of the specific restricted hazardous wastes identified in this exemption, into Class I hazardous waste injection well No. WDW- 397 at the Agrifos Pasadena Texas Fertilizer facility, Pasadena, Texas, until December 31, 2020, unless EPA moves to terminate this exemption under provisions of 40 CFR 148.24. Additional conditions included in this final decision may be reviewed by contacting the Region 6 Ground Water/UIC Section. As required by 40 CFR 148.22(b) and 124.10, a public notice was issued November 25, 2008. The public comment period closed on January 9, 2009. No comments were received. This decision constitutes final Agency action and there is no Administrative appeal. This decision may be reviewed/appealed in compliance with the Administrative Procedure Act.

The Federal Communications Commission, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork burden, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on the following information collection, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13. An agency may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid control number. No person shall be subject to any penalty for failing to comply with a collection of information subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) that does not display a valid control number. Comments are requested concerning (a) whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Commission, including whether the information shall have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the Commission's burden estimate; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on the respondents, 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 Fresno and Stockton, CA, appropriated fund Federal Wage System (FWS) wage areas. The proposed rule would redefine Mariposa and Merced Counties and the Yosemite National Park portion of Madera and Tuolumne Counties, CA, to the Stockton wage area. These changes are based on recent consensus recommendations of the Federal Prevailing Rate Advisory Committee to best match the counties proposed for redefinition to a nearby FWS survey area.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Office of Marine and Aviation Operations propose to donate NOAA Ship John N. Cobb to Seattle Central Community College: Seattle Maritime Academy under the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980.

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is confirming the effective date of February 4, 2009, for the direct final rule that was published in the Federal Register on November 21, 2008. This direct final rule amended the NRC's regulations to add the NAC International Inc. MAGNASTOR cask system to the list of approved spent fuel storage casks in 10 CFR 72.214.

This notice announces EPA's receipt of an application 524-EUP- 1 from Monsanto Company requesting to amend and extend an experimental use permit (EUP) for the plant-incorporated protectant (PIP) Bacillus thuringiensis Cry1Ac protein and the genetic material necessary for its production (vector PV-GMIR9) in MON 87701 soybean. The Agency has determined that the permit may be of regional and national significance. Therefore, in accordance with 40 CFR 172.11(a), the Agency is soliciting comments on this application.

EPA is issuing a direct final rule to make corrections to its rule entitled ``Procedures for Implementing the National Environmental Policy Act and Assessing the Effects Abroad of EPA Actions,'' which was published September 19, 2007. Since the final rule became effective on October 19, 2007, EPA has received inquiries about some minor inconsistencies and ambiguities in the final rule. This action involves four minor, technical corrections to the rule to address those issues. The first correction expands the definition of ``applicants'' to include those who request EPA approvals. The second change clarifies that a categorical exclusion includes vacant land. The third change corrects the text to indicate that the number of extraordinary circumstances is ten. The last change expands Subpart C to apply to EPA approvals as well as permits and assistance grants.

The Commander, Eighth Coast Guard District, has issued a temporary deviation from the regulation governing the operations of the Illinois Central Railroad Drawbridge across the Upper Mississippi River, mile 579.9, at Dubuque, Iowa. The deviation is necessary to allow time for conducting needed maintenance and repairs to the bridge. This deviation allows the bridge to open on signal if at least 24 hours advance notice is given.

In accordance with section 113(g) of the Clean Air Act, as amended (``CAA''), 42 U.S.C. 7413(g), notice is hereby given of a proposed consent decree to address a lawsuit filed by Environmental Integrity Project, Refinery Reform Campaign, Citizens For Environmental Justice, and Suzie Canales (collectively ``Plaintiffs'') in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia: Environmental Integrity Project, et al. v. Johnson, No. 1:09-cv-00088 RJL (D.D.C.). Plaintiffs filed a deadline suit to compel the Administrator to respond to an administrative petition seeking EPA's objection to a CAA Title V operating permit issued by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to Citgo Refining and Chemicals Company (``Citgo'') for a refinery plant in Corpus Christi, Texas. Under the terms of the proposed consent decree, EPA has agreed to respond to the petition by April 30, 2009.

In accordance with Section 122(i) of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (``CERCLA''), as amended, 42 U.S.C. 9622(i), notice is hereby given of a proposed Administrative Agreement for Recovery of Past Response Costs (``Agreement,'' Region 9 Docket No. 9-2009-04) pursuant to Section 122(h) of CERCLA concerning the Atlas Iron and Metal Site (the ``Site''), located in Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California. The settling parties are S&W Atlas Iron and Metal Co., Inc., and 10019 S. Alameda LLC (``Respondents''). Through the proposed Agreement, the Respondents will reimburse the United States $74,000 for response costs incurred at the Site. The Agreement provides Respondents with a covenant not to sue for response costs at the Site, and contribution protection. For thirty (30) days following the date of publication of this Notice, the Agency will receive written comments relating to the proposed Agreement. The Agency's response to any comments received will be available for public inspection at EPA's Region IX offices, located at 75 Hawthorne Street, San Francisco, California 94105.