May 2011 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps), Baltimore and Norfolk Districts published a notice of intent (NOI) (74 FR 47927) for the Chesapeake Bay Oyster Recovery, MD and VA study on September 18, 2009. That NOI announced that the Corps Baltimore and Norfolk Districts would prepare a single, integrated Native Oyster Restoration Master Plan (master plan) and programmatic environmental impact statement (PEIS) for native oyster recovery in the entire Chesapeake Bay (inclusive of both Maryland and Virginia) and that the document would be tiered to the Programmatic EIS for Oyster Restoration in Chesapeake Bay Including the Use of a Native and/or Nonnative Oyster. In August 2009, the record of decision for Oyster Restoration in Chesapeake Bay including the Use of a Native and/or Non-Native Species was signed. The preferred alternative identified in the 2009 PEIS recommends ``using a combination of alternatives that involves only the native Eastern oyster (Crassostrea virginica).'' Consistent with the preferred alternative, the Corps will expand upon and further develop plans and recommendations for Chesapeake Bay native oyster restoration in the master plan. However since the master plan will not be identifying site-specific construction areas for restoration and the larger issue of oyster restoration Bay-wide, has been reviewed, a PEIS for the master plan is no longer warranted. Therefore, the Corps is withdrawing its NOI to prepare a PEIS.

The Department of the Army intends to prepare a Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS) to analyze the environmental impacts resulting from adoption and implementation of a Real Property Master Plan (RPMP), including test areas and training activities at Yuma Proving Ground.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Galveston District, has received a permit application for a Department of the Army Permit pursuant to Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899 (33 U.S.C. 403) and Section 404 of the Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. 1344) from the Coastal Water Authority (SWG-2009-00188) for the proposed Coastal Water Authority's Luce Bayou Interbasin Transfer Project located in eastern Liberty County with the 26.5-mile corridor extending southwestward from the Trinity River to a discharge point near the confluence of Luce Bayou with Lake Houston. The primary Federal involvement associated with the proposed action is the discharge or dredged or fill material into waters of the United States, including jurisdictional wetlands, and the construction of structures that may affect navigable waters. Federal authorizations for the proposed project would constitute a ``major federal action.'' Based on the potential impacts, both individually and cumulatively, the Corps intends to prepare an Environmental Statement (EIS) in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act to render a final decision on the permit applications. The Corps' decision will be to either issue, issue with modification or deny Department of the Army permits for the proposed action. The EIS will assess the potential social, economic and environmental impacts of the construction and operation of the interbasin conveyance, associated facilities, and appurtenances and is intended to be sufficient in scope to address Federal, State and local requirements, environmental issues concerning the proposed action, and permit reviews.

This document informs the public that an appeal of the closing of the Nooksack, Washington post office has been filed. It identifies preliminary steps and provides a procedural schedule. Publication of this document will allow the Postal Service, petitioner, and others to take appropriate action.

This notice amends the notice of an emergency declaration for the State of Mississippi (FEMA-3320-EM), dated May 4, 2011, and related determinations.

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). 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 9,613 requests for PRCs and 9,613 PIN/Passwords are received 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 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 the RRB or OIRA must contain the OMB control number of the ICR. For proper consideration of your comments, it is best if the RRB and OIRA receive them within 30 days of the publication date. Previous Requests for Comments: The RRB has already published the initial 60-day notice (76 FR 15351) required by 44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2) on March 21, 2011. That request elicited no comments.

This document announces receipt by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) of a petition for a decision that 2006 Mercedes-Benz CLS class passenger cars manufactured prior to September 1, 2006, that were not originally manufactured to comply with all applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS), are eligible for importation into the United States because they are substantially similar to vehicles that were originally manufactured for sale in the United States and that were certified by their manufacturer as complying with the safety standards (the U.S.-certified version of the 2006 Mercedes-Benz CLS class passenger cars manufactured prior to September 1, 2006,) and they are capable of being readily altered to conform to the standards. DATE: The closing date for comments on the petition is June 24, 2011.

The Administration of Children and Family (ACF), Office of Community Services (OCS), announces the award of a replacement grant under the Strengthening Communities Fund (SCF) for the State, Local, and Tribal Government Capacity Building Program grant to Humboldt State University Sponsored Programs Foundation, Arcata, CA. Humboldt State is an eligible designate of the Governor's Office on Economic Development in California. California Volunteers, Inc., Sacramento CA was originally awarded an FY 2009 grant as the result of a competition under the SCF program. In October 2010, California Volunteers submitted a letter relinquishing their grant. Humboldt State University Sponsored Programs Foundation submitted their letter along with their grant application requesting approval as the replacement grantee. OCS reviewed the application from Humboldt State University Sponsored Programs Foundation and found that the proposed project is significantly similar to the one initially chosen for the award. ACF, OCS now announces that Humboldt State University Sponsored Programs Foundation has been awarded the grant in the amount of $233,866 as the permanent successor grantee for the remainder of the project period, which will end on September 29, 2011. Under the award, Humboldt State University Sponsored Programs Foundation will continue to provide coordinated, timely capacity- building outreach, training and technical assistance to faith-based and community organizations in California.