February 2009 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, has provided statistics on the health of the American people for almost 50 years. Two of its preeminent surveys, the National Health Interview Survey and the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey are at the half century mark. The quality of NCHS' statistical program is of critical concern to the Center. Data on sample design, data quality and estimation techniques are discussed in detail in NCHS reports and in the proposed data collections that are published in the Federal Register and submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval. The timelines for preparing and submitting requests for OMB approval under the Paperwork Reduction Act and for the Federal Government's budget process often are not synchronized. Thus it is possible that a survey may receive OMB approval for collection of data from a certain number of respondents before the necessary resources have been appropriated in the federal budget. In all cases, the design of the survey allows for changes to the number of respondents without jeopardizing the representativeness of the weighted survey results. In addition, information on final sample sizes is included with each data release. Over the last decade NCHS has made a number of program changes to stay within existing resources, including changes to survey design and sample size, in order to continue carrying out its mission and maintain its program quality. Three surveys have had or may have sample size reductions take place in FY 2009 and FY 2010. They are the National Health Interview Survey, the National Hospital Discharge Survey and the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

In compliance with the requirement of section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the National Assessment Governing Board is publishing the following summary of a proposed information collection for public comment. Interested persons are invited to send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including any of the following subjects: (1) The necessity and utility of the proposed information collection for the proper performance of the Agency's function; (2) the accuracy of the estimated burden; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; (4) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology; and (5) estimates of capital or start-up costs and costs of operation, maintenance, and purchase of services to provide information. Type of Information Collection Request: New information collection. Title of Information Collection: Survey of Placement Tests and Cut- Scores in Higher Education Institutions. Use: The congressionally authorized National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) reports to the public on the achievement of students at grades 4, 8, and 12 in core subjects. The National Assessment Governing Board oversees and sets policy for NAEP. NAEP and the Governing Board are authorized under the National Assessment of Educational Progress Authorization Act (Pub. L. 107-279). Among the Board's responsibilities is ``to improve the form, content, use, and reporting of [NAEP results].'' Toward this end, the Governing Board plans to enable NAEP at the 12th grade to report on the academic preparedness of 12th grade students in reading and mathematics for entry level college credit coursework. The Governing Board has planned a program of research studies to support the validity of statements about 12th grade student preparedness that would be made in NAEP reports, beginning with the 2009 assessments in 12th grade reading and mathematics. Among the studies planned is a survey of 2-year and 4-year institutions of higher education about the tests and test scores used to place students into entry level college credit coursework leading to a degree and into non- credit remedial or developmental programs in reading and/or mathematics. The data resulting from this survey will be used to help develop valid statements that can be made about the preparedness of 12th grade students in NAEP reports. Frequency: One time only; Affected Public: State, Local or Tribal Governments (2-year and 4-year public higher education institutions); Private Sector Not-For-Profit Institutions (2-year and 4-year private higher education institutions); Number of Respondents: 3,700; Total Annual Responses: 3,700; Total Annual Hours: 1,542. To obtain copies of the proposed survey and/or supporting statement for the proposed paperwork collection referenced above, e-mail your request, including your address and phone number, to Ray.Fields@ed.gov or call 202-357-0395. To be assured consideration, comments and recommendations for the proposed information collection must be received by the OMB desk officer at the address below, no later than 5 p.m. on March 25, 2009: OMB, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Attention: Education Desk Officer, New Executive Office Building, 725 17th St, NW., Room 10235, Washington, DC 20503, Fax Number: (202) 395-6974, E- mail (OIRA_submission@omb.eop.gov).

Under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and 5 CFR Part 1320, Reporting and Record Keeping Requirements, the National Park Service (NPS) invites public comments on a proposed new collection of information (OMB 1024-xxxx).

This notice announces a change in benefit period eligibility under the EB Program for Oregon. The following change has occurred since the publication of the last notice regarding the State's EB status: Based on data reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics on January 27, 2009, Oregon's 3-month seasonally adjusted total unemployment rate rose to 8.1 percent, exceeding the 8 percent threshold. This causes the State to be triggered ``on'' to a high unemployment period (HUP) in the EB program period beginning February 15, 2009.

This notice announces a change in benefit period eligibility under the EB Program for Idaho. The following change has occurred since the publication of the last notice regarding the State's EB status: Idaho's 13-week insured unemployment rate (IUR) for the week ending January 24, 2009, rose to 5.10 percent and exceeds 120 percent of the corresponding average rate in the two prior years. Therefore, beginning the week of February 08, 2009, eligible unemployed workers will be able to collect up to an additional 13 weeks of UI benefits.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the products listed above. This proposed 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 propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the products listed above. This proposed 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 propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the products listed above. This proposed 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 propose to adopt a new Airworthiness Directive (AD) for the products listed above that would supersede an existing AD. This proposed 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:

The Western Area Power Administration (Western), an agency of the DOE intends to prepare a joint environmental impact statement/ environmental impact report (EIS/EIR) for the construction, operation, and maintenance of the proposed Transmission Agency of Northern California (TANC) Transmission Project (Project) in California. Western is issuing this Notice to inform the public and interested parties about the proposed Project, conduct a public scoping process, and invite the public to comment on the scope, proposed action, alternatives, and other issues to be addressed in the EIS/EIR. The EIS/EIR will address the construction, maintenance, and operation of the proposed Project, which would include building and upgrading about 600 miles of 230-kilovolt (kV) and 500-kV transmission lines and associated equipment and facilities in northern California. Portions of the proposed Project may affect floodplains and wetlands in the area. Western and TANC will hold public scoping meetings in 12 locations in the Project area during the public scoping period. At the scoping meetings, Western and TANC will share additional information on the proposed Project and receive comments and suggestions on the scope of the EIS/EIR.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35), the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) is forwarding an Information Collection Request (ICR) to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA), Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to request a revision to the following collection of information: 3220- 0198, Request for Internet Services. Our ICR describes the information we seek to collect from the public. Review and approval by OIRA ensures that we impose appropriate paperwork burdens. 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 9,756 PIN/Passwords are established annually and that it takes 5 minutes per response to secure a PRC and 1.5 minutes to establish a PIN/Password. Two responses are requested of each respondent and 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. The RRB invites comments on the proposed collection of information to determine: (1) The practical utility of the collection; (2) the accuracy of the estimated burden of the collection; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information that is the subject of collection; and (4) ways to minimize the burden of collections on respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology. Comments to RRB or OIRA must contain the OMB control number of the ICR. For proper consideration of your comments, it is best if RRB and OIRA receive them within 30 days of publication date. Previous Requests for Comments: The RRB has already published the initial 60-day notice (73 FR 78399 on December 22, 2008) required by 44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2). That request elicited no comments.

The Coast Guard is establishing a safety zone on the navigable waters of the Northwest Harbor of San Clemente Island in support of the Naval Underwater Detonation. This safety zone is necessary to ensure non-authorized personnel and vessels remain safe by keeping clear of the hazardous area during the training activity. Persons and vessels are prohibited from entering into, transiting through, or anchoring within this safety zone unless authorized by the Captain of the Port (COTP) or his designated representative.

This document corrects a notice appearing in the Federal Register on February 17, 2009 (74 FR 7488), that announced the availability of Final Interim Staff Guidance (ISG) COL/ESP-ISG-004. This action is necessary to correct the Agencywide Documents Access Management System (ADAMS) accession number for the ISG.

The CNO Executive Panel will report on the findings and recommendations of the Piracy Subcommittee to the Chief of Naval Operations. The executive session of this meeting will consist of discussions of current and national and Naval strategies, plans, and policies as they relate to counter-piracy efforts from a U.S. Navy perspective, both as an independent entity and as a member of a coalition task force. The discussion of such information would be exempt from public disclosure as set forth in sections 552b(c)(5), (6), and (7) of title 5, United States Code. For this reason the executive session of this meeting will be closed to the public.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), will host an optional Wind Turbine Guidelines Advisory Committee (Committee) meeting via Webcast and teleconference, on March 13, 2009. This meeting is open to the public but will be limited to 75 public participants. The meeting agenda will include a briefing by the Synthesis Subcommittee to the full Committee on the latest draft Recommendations to the Secretary of the Interior.

This is a Notice of the Presidential declaration of a major disaster for Public Assistance Only for the State of Washington (FEMA- 1817-DR), dated 01/30/2009. Incident: Severe Winter Storm, Landslides, Mudslides, and Flooding. Incident Period: 01/06/2009 through 01/16/2009.

This is an amendment of the Presidential declaration of a major disaster for Public Assistance Only for the State of Arkansas (FEMA-1819-DR), dated 02/06/2009. Incident: Severe Winter Storm. Incident Period: 01/26/2009 and continuing.