March 24, 2010 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

Notice is hereby given that NMFS has received four applications for direct take permits, in the form of Hatchery and Genetic Management Plans (HGMPs) pursuant to the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA); two applications from the Public Utility District No. 1 (PUD) of Chelan County and two from the Public Utility District No. 2 (PUD) of Grant County. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is identified as a co-permit applicant in each of these HGMPs. The duration of each of the proposed Permits is ten (10) years. This document serves to notify the public of the availability for comment of the permit applications. All comments received will become part of the public record and will be available for review pursuant to section 10(c) of the ESA.

Notice is hereby given that NMFS has received application from the Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG) for a modification to an existing incidental take permit pursuant to the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA). The proposed modification is to extend the existing permit for one year. This document serves to notify the public of the availability for comment of the permit application. All comments received will become part of the public record and will be available for review pursuant to the ESA.

Notice is hereby given that NMFS has received applications for permits for scientific research from National Resource Scientists, Inc. (NRSI) in Red Bluff, CA (14685, 14688), and California Department of Fish and Game (CDFG), North Central Region 2, in Rancho Cordova, CA (14808). This notice is relevant to federally endangered Sacramento River winter-run Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha), threatened Central Valley spring-run Chinook salmon (O. tshawytscha), threatened Central Valley steelhead (O. mykiss), and threatened Southern Distinct Population Segment of North American green sturgeon (Acipenser medirostris). This document serves to notify the public of the availability of the permit applications for review and comment.

The Department of Commerce (the Department) is seeking public comment on whether the operation of the Propane Education and Research Council (PERC), in conjunction with the cumulative effects of market changes and Federal programs, has had an effect on residential, agricultural, process and nonfuel users of propane. This notice of inquiry is part of an effort to collect information to fulfill requirements under the Propane Education and Research Act of 1996 that established PERC and requires the Secretary of Commerce to assess the impact of PERC's activities on propane consumers.

PHMSA is issuing an advisory bulletin to notify owners and operators of recently constructed large diameter natural gas pipeline and hazardous liquid pipeline systems of the potential for girth weld failures due to welding quality issues. Misalignment during welding of large diameter line pipe may cause in-service leaks and ruptures at pressures well below 72 percent specified minimum yield strength (SMYS). PHMSA has reviewed several recent projects constructed in 2008 and 2009 with 20-inch or greater diameter, grade X70 and higher line pipe. Metallurgical testing results of failed girth welds in pipe wall thickness transitions have found pipe segments with line pipe weld misalignment, improper bevel and wall thickness transitions, and other improper welding practices that occurred during construction. A number of the failures were located in pipeline segments with concentrated external loading due to support and backfill issues. Owners and operators of recently constructed large diameter pipelines should evaluate these lines for potential girth weld failures due to misalignment and other issues by reviewing construction and operating records and conducting engineering reviews as necessary.

DoD is issuing the updated Charter of the Armed Services Board of Contract Appeals (ASBCA), dated May 14, 2007. The ASBCA is chartered to serve as the authorized representative of the Secretary of Defense and the Secretaries of the Army, Navy, and Air Force in hearing, considering, and determining appeals by contractors from decisions of contracting officers or their authorized representatives or other authorities regarding claims on contracts under the Contract Disputes Act of 1978 or other remedy-granting provisions.