March 26, 2010 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

We, the Department of Commerce, issue a final rule to bring the Commerce Acquisition Regulation in alignment with the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and to streamline DOC's internal policy and guidance.

The United States Forest Service (USFS) has filed an application with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) that proposes to extend the duration of Public Land Order (PLO) No. 6876 for an additional 20-year term. PLO No. 6876 withdrew approximately 1,853.66 acres of National Forest System land from location and entry under the United States mining laws in order to protect scientific and ecological values, scenic and recreational values, and the investment of Federal funds at the Ashland Research Natural Area, the Jackson Campground Extension, and the Kanaka Campground. The withdrawal created by PLO No. 6876 will expire on September 9, 2011, unless extended. This notice also gives the public an opportunity to comment on the proposed action and to request a public meeting.

Pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Department of Energy (DOE) invites public comment on a proposed emergency collection of information that DOE is developing to collect data on the status of activities, project progress, jobs created and retained, spend rates and performance metrics under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information shall have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) 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.

The Department of the Treasury, 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 Bureau of the Public Debt within the Department of the Treasury is soliciting comments concerning the application for disposition of savings bonds after the death of the registered owner(s).

The Committee is proposing to add to the Procurement List products and a service to be furnished by nonprofit agencies employing persons who are blind or have other severe disabilities.

The Department of the Treasury, 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 Bureau of the Public Debt within the Department of the Treasury is soliciting comments concerning the Regulations Governing United States Savings Bonds Series E/EE and H/HH.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is announcing the availability of Guidance for Industry 192 entitled ``Anesthetics for Companion Animals.'' This guidance makes recommendations for the development of anesthetic new animal drug products for companion animals. The guidance discusses the contents of the target animal safety, effectiveness, and labeling technical sections of a new animal drug application (NADA) for general anesthetics.

The Western Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold meetings of its Hawaii and American Samoa Advisory Panels (AP), Hawaii and American Samoa Plan Teams (PT), and Hawaii and American Samoa Regional Ecosystem Advisory Committees (REAC).

The Coast Guard seeks applications for membership on the Commercial Fishing Industry Vessel Safety Advisory Committee (CFIVSAC). The CFIVSAC provides advice and makes recommendations to the Coast Guard on matters relating to the safe operation of commercial fishing industry vessels.

The Defense Science Board will meet in closed session on May 12 and 13, 2010, at the Pentagon, Arlington, VA. The mission of the Defense Science Board is to advise the Secretary of Defense and the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology & Logistics on scientific and technical matters as they affect the perceived needs of the Department of Defense.

The Department of the Air Force is proposing to amend a system of records notice in its existing inventory of records systems subject to the Privacy Act of 1974, (5 U.S.C. 552a), as amended.

The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) announces the availability of $993,000 in grant funds to be competitively awarded for the Household Water Well System (HWWS) Grant Program for fiscal year 2010. RUS will make grants to qualified private non-profit organizations to establish lending programs for homeowners to borrow up to $11,000 to construct or repair household water wells for an existing home. The HWWS Grant Program regulations are contained in 7 CFR 1776.

Sunset of the exempted or prohibited use of substances under the National Organic Program (NOP) is required by the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990 (OFPA). The exemptions and prohibitions granted under the OFPA are required to be reviewed every 5 years by the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB). The Secretary of Agriculture has authority under the OFPA to renew such exemptions and prohibitions. If they are not reviewed by the NOSB and renewed by the Secretary within 5 years of their inclusion on the National List, their authorized use or prohibition expires. This advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPR) announces the sunset of 37 exempted substances added to the National List for use in organic handling on June 27, 2007; the sunset of 183 continued exemptions (use) and prohibitions of substances used in organic production and handling added to the list on October 21, 2007; the sunset of 2 exemptions of one substance for continued use in organic crop and livestock production added to the national list on December 11, 2007; and the sunset of 10 exempted substances for use in organic livestock production added to the national list on December 13, 2007. This ANPR establishes June 27, 2012, October 21, 2012, December 11, 2012, and December 13, 2012, as the respective dates by which the sunset review and renewal process must be concluded. The NOP may try to conclude the sunset and renewal process for the 232 combined exempted and prohibited substances used in organic production and handling added to the National List in 2007 by the earliest respective date of June 27, 2012. This ANPR also begins the public comment process on whether the identified existing exemptions and prohibitions should be continued. Finally, this ANPR discusses how the NOP will manage the sunset review and renewal process.