Agency Notice of Record of Decision for the Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico, 61038-61039 [2017-27723]

Download as PDF 61038 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 246 / Tuesday, December 26, 2017 / Notices countries are Burkina Faso, Mongolia, Senegal, Sri Lanka, and Tunisia. The Board reselected these countries based on their continued or improved policy performance since their prior selection. Lesotho, which had originally been selected for compact assistance for FY 2014, received vote deferrals for reselection in FY 2016 and FY 2017. Due to positive actions taken by the Government of Lesotho this year, the Board has once again selected the country for compact assistance for FY 2018. Countries Selected To Receive Threshold Program Assistance The Board selected The Gambia to receive threshold program assistance. The Gambia: The Gambia offers MCC the opportunity to support the government as it continues its democratic transition following the inauguration of its new president in early 2017 and successful legislative elections in April 2017. While it has historically struggled to pass the MCC scorecard due to its performance on the democratic rights hard hurdle, the recent transition and reforms being pursued suggest the country will see strong improvements on these indicators in the coming years. The Gambia meets 12 of 20 indicators overall on the scorecard and demonstrates good performance on the control of corruption indicator. Ongoing Review of Partner Countries’ Policy Performance The Board emphasized the need for all partner countries to maintain or improve their policy performance. If it is determined during compact implementation that a country has demonstrated a significant policy reversal, MCC can hold it accountable by applying MCC’s Suspension and Termination Policy.4 [FR Doc. 2017–27876 Filed 12–21–17; 4:15 pm] BILLING CODE 9211–03–P NATIONAL ARCHIVES AND RECORDS ADMINISTRATION Office of Government Information Services ethrower on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES [NARA–2018–011] Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Advisory Committee Office of Government Information Services (OGIS), National AGENCY: 4 Available at https://www.mcc.gov/resources/ doc/policy-on-suspension-and-termination. VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:21 Dec 22, 2017 Jkt 244001 Archives and Records Administration (NARA). ACTION: Notice of Federal Advisory Committee Meeting. We are announcing the following committee meeting of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Advisory Committee. DATES: The meeting will be held on January 16, 2018, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. EDT. You must register for the meeting by 5:00 p.m. EDT on January 15, 2018. ADDRESSES: National Archives and Records Administration, 700 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, William G. McGowan Theater, Washington, DC 20408. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Amy Bennett, Designated Federal Officer for this committee, by mail at National Archives and Records Administration, Office of Government Information Services, 8601 Adelphi Road—OGIS, College Park, MD 20740– 6001, by telephone at 202–741–5770, or by email at foia-advisory-committee@ nara.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: We announce this advisory committee meeting in accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App) and the second United States Open Government National Action Plan (NAP) released on December 5, 2013. Agenda and meeting materials: You may find all meeting materials at https://ogis.archives.gov/foia-advisorycommittee/2016-2018-term/ Meetings.htm. This will be the seventh meeting of the second committee term. The purpose of this meeting will be to review the work of the committee’s three subcommittees. Information on them is at https://ogis.archives.gov/foiaadvisory-committee/2016-2018-term/ Subcommittees.htm. Procedures: The meeting is open to the public. Due to security requirements, you must register in advance if you wish to attend the meeting. You will also go through security screening when you enter the building. Registration for the meeting will go live via Eventbrite on December 19, 2017, at 10:00 a.m. EDT. To register for the meeting, please do so at this Eventbrite link: https:// www.eventbrite.com/e/freedom-ofinformation-act-foia-advisorycommittee-meeting-january-16-2018registration-37728051618. SUMMARY: This program will be live-streamed on the U.S. National Archives’ YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/user/ usnationalarchives/playlists. The webcast will include a captioning option. To request PO 00000 Frm 00091 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 additional accommodations (e.g., a transcript), email foia-advisory-committee@ nara.gov or call 202–741–5770. Members of the media who wish to register, those who are unable to register online, and those who require special accommodations, should contact Amy Bennett at the phone number, mailing address, or email address listed above. Patrice Little Murray, Committee Management Officer. [FR Doc. 2017–27681 Filed 12–22–17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7515–01–P NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION Agency Notice of Record of Decision for the Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico National Science Foundation. Notice of Record of Decision. AGENCY: ACTION: On November 15, 2017, the National Science Foundation (NSF) signed a Record of Decision (ROD) for the Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico. This important step concludes the agency’s decision-making process with respect to the general path forward for facility operations in a budgetconstrained environment, and provides the basis for a future decision regarding a new collaborator. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Elizabeth A. Pentecost, Project Administrator, National Science Foundation, Division of Astronomical Sciences, 2415 Eisenhower Avenue, Room W 9152, Alexandria, VA 22314. Telephone: 703–292–4907, Email: epenteco@nsf.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NSF issued its ROD following authorization from the National Science Board on November 9, 2017. The ROD was preceded by an extensive environmental impact analysis and broad input from the public and the scientific community, including the National Academies 6th Decadal Survey released in 2010, the NSF Division of Astronomical Sciences Portfolio Review Committee Reportreleased in 2012, and the NSF Geospace Sciences Portfolio Review Committee Report released in 2016. The ROD formalizes the selection of NSF’s Preferred Alternative: collaboration with interested parties to maintain science-focused operations at the Observatory with reduced agency funding. The selection of this Alternative will allow important research to continue while accommodating the agency’s budgetary constraints and its core mission to SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\26DEN1.SGM 26DEN1 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 246 / Tuesday, December 26, 2017 / Notices ethrower on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES support cutting-edge science and education. NSF remains deeply concerned about the impacts from recent hurricanes on Arecibo Observatory staff, the facility, and all citizens of Puerto Rico. The ROD arrives at a challenging time, but is necessary for the agency to secure a future for the Observatory, as it will allow negotiations to begin with potential collaborators who may take over management and operations as NSF funding is reduced. Prior to issuance of the ROD, a Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) was prepared in compliance with the Federal National Environmental Policy Act, 42 U.S.C. 4321, et seq. (NEPA), dated July 27, 2017, and availability of it was noticed in the Federal Register on August 4, 2017. As detailed in the FEIS, five Action Alternatives and a NoAction Alternative, were considered for the proposed change in operations of Arecibo Observatory. These Alternatives include: • Alternative 1: Collaboration with Interested Parties for Continued Science-focused Operations (Agencypreferred Alternative) • Alternative 2: Collaboration with Interested Parties for Transition to Education-focused Operations • Alternative 3: Mothballing of Facilities • Alternative 4: Partial Demolition and Site Restoration • Alternative 5: Complete Demolition and Site Restoration • No-Action Alternative: Continued NSF Investment for Science-focused Operations The Preferred Alternative, which is also the environmentally preferable action alternative, was selected in the ROD. The ROD also reflected NSF’s consideration of the outcomes of its compliance obligations under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act and the Endangered Species Act. The ROD is now available in both English and Spanish on the internet at: https://www.nsf.gov/mps/ast/env_ impact_reviews/env_rev_arecibo.jsp in Adobe® portable document format (PDF). Limited hard copies of the ROD are also available, on a first request basis, by contacting the NSF contact, Elizabeth A. Pentecost, Project Administrator, National Science Foundation, Division of Astronomical Sciences, 2415 Eisenhower Avenue, Room W 9152, Alexandria, VA 22314, Telephone: 703–292–4907, Email: epenteco@nsf.gov. VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:21 Dec 22, 2017 Jkt 244001 Dated: December 20, 2017. Suzanne H. Plimpton, Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation. [FR Doc. 2017–27723 Filed 12–22–17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7555–01–P NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION Notice of Permits Issued Under the Antarctic Conservation Act of 1978 National Science Foundation. ACTION: Notice of permit issued. AGENCY: The National Science Foundation (NSF) is required to publish notice of permits issued under the Antarctic Conservation Act of 1978. This is the required notice. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Nature McGinn, ACA Permit Officer, Office of Polar Programs, National Science Foundation, 2415 Eisenhower Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22314; 703– 292–8030; email: ACApermits@nsf.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On November 16, 2017, the National Science Foundation published a notice in the Federal Register of a permit application received. The permit was issued on December 18, 2017 to: 1. Kasey Stewart, Permit No. 2018– 026. SUMMARY: Nadene G. Kennedy, Polar Coordination Specialist, Office of Polar Programs. [FR Doc. 2017–27721 Filed 12–22–17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7555–01–P NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION [NRC–2017–0001] Sunshine Act Meeting Notice Weeks of December 25, 2017, January 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, 2018. PLACE: Commissioners’ Conference Room, 11555 Rockville Pike, Rockville, Maryland. STATUS: Public and Closed. DATE: Week of December 25, 2017 There are no meetings scheduled for the week of December 25, 2017. Week of January 1, 2018—Tentative There are no meetings scheduled for the week of January 1, 2018. Week of January 8, 2018—Tentative There are no meetings scheduled for the week of January 8, 2018. PO 00000 Frm 00092 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 61039 Week of January 15, 2018—Tentative Thursday, January 18, 2018 9:00 a.m. Strategic Programmatic Overview of the Decommissioning and Low-Level Waste and Spent Fuel Storage and Transportation Business Lines (Public Meeting) (Contact: Damaris Marcano: 301–415–7328) This meeting will be webcast live at the Web address—https://www.nrc.gov/. Week of January 22, 2018—Tentative Tuesday, January 23, 2018 9:00 a.m. Hearing on Construction Permit for Northwest Medical Isotopes Production Facility: Section 189a of the Atomic Energy Act Proceeding (Public Meeting) (Contact: Michael Balazik: 301–415–2856) This meeting will be webcast live at the Web address—https://www.nrc.gov/. Thursday, January 25, 2018 10:00 a.m. Strategic Programmatic Overview of the New Reactors Business Line (Public Meeting) (Contact: Donna Williams: 301–415– 1322) This meeting will be webcast live at the Web address—https://www.nrc.gov/. Week of January 29, 2018—Tentative There are no meetings scheduled for the week of January 29, 2018. * * * * * The schedule for Commission meetings is subject to change on short notice. For more information or to verify the status of meetings, contact Denise McGovern at 301–415–0681 or via email at Denise.McGovern@nrc.gov. * * * * * The NRC Commission Meeting Schedule can be found on the internet at: https://www.nrc.gov/public-involve/ public-meetings/schedule.html. * * * * * The NRC provides reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities where appropriate. If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in these public meetings, or need this meeting notice or the transcript or other information from the public meetings in another format (e.g., braille, large print), please notify Kimberly Meyer, NRC Disability Program Manager, at 301–287–0739, by videophone at 240–428–3217, or by email at Kimberly.Meyer-Chambers@ nrc.gov. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. * * * * * Members of the public may request to receive this information electronically. E:\FR\FM\26DEN1.SGM 26DEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 246 (Tuesday, December 26, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 61038-61039]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-27723]


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NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION


Agency Notice of Record of Decision for the Arecibo Observatory 
in Puerto Rico

AGENCY: National Science Foundation.

ACTION: Notice of Record of Decision.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: On November 15, 2017, the National Science Foundation (NSF) 
signed a Record of Decision (ROD) for the Arecibo Observatory in Puerto 
Rico. This important step concludes the agency's decision-making 
process with respect to the general path forward for facility 
operations in a budget-constrained environment, and provides the basis 
for a future decision regarding a new collaborator.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Elizabeth A. Pentecost, Project 
Administrator, National Science Foundation, Division of Astronomical 
Sciences, 2415 Eisenhower Avenue, Room W 9152, Alexandria, VA 22314. 
Telephone: 703-292-4907, Email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:  NSF issued its ROD following authorization 
from the National Science Board on November 9, 2017. The ROD was 
preceded by an extensive environmental impact analysis and broad input 
from the public and the scientific community, including the National 
Academies 6th Decadal Survey released in 2010, the NSF Division of 
Astronomical Sciences Portfolio Review Committee Reportreleased in 
2012, and the NSF Geospace Sciences Portfolio Review Committee Report 
released in 2016.
    The ROD formalizes the selection of NSF's Preferred Alternative: 
collaboration with interested parties to maintain science-focused 
operations at the Observatory with reduced agency funding. The 
selection of this Alternative will allow important research to continue 
while accommodating the agency's budgetary constraints and its core 
mission to

[[Page 61039]]

support cutting-edge science and education.
    NSF remains deeply concerned about the impacts from recent 
hurricanes on Arecibo Observatory staff, the facility, and all citizens 
of Puerto Rico. The ROD arrives at a challenging time, but is necessary 
for the agency to secure a future for the Observatory, as it will allow 
negotiations to begin with potential collaborators who may take over 
management and operations as NSF funding is reduced.
    Prior to issuance of the ROD, a Final Environmental Impact 
Statement (FEIS) was prepared in compliance with the Federal National 
Environmental Policy Act, 42 U.S.C. 4321, et seq. (NEPA), dated July 
27, 2017, and availability of it was noticed in the Federal Register on 
August 4, 2017. As detailed in the FEIS, five Action Alternatives and a 
No-Action Alternative, were considered for the proposed change in 
operations of Arecibo Observatory. These Alternatives include:

     Alternative 1: Collaboration with Interested Parties for 
Continued Science-focused Operations (Agency-preferred Alternative)
     Alternative 2: Collaboration with Interested Parties for 
Transition to Education-focused Operations
     Alternative 3: Mothballing of Facilities
     Alternative 4: Partial Demolition and Site Restoration
     Alternative 5: Complete Demolition and Site Restoration
     No-Action Alternative: Continued NSF Investment for 
Science-focused Operations
    The Preferred Alternative, which is also the environmentally 
preferable action alternative, was selected in the ROD. The ROD also 
reflected NSF's consideration of the outcomes of its compliance 
obligations under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act 
and the Endangered Species Act.
    The ROD is now available in both English and Spanish on the 
internet at: https://www.nsf.gov/mps/ast/env_impact_reviews/env_rev_arecibo.jsp in Adobe[supreg] portable document format (PDF). 
Limited hard copies of the ROD are also available, on a first request 
basis, by contacting the NSF contact, Elizabeth A. Pentecost, Project 
Administrator, National Science Foundation, Division of Astronomical 
Sciences, 2415 Eisenhower Avenue, Room W 9152, Alexandria, VA 22314, 
Telephone: 703-292-4907, Email: [email protected].

    Dated: December 20, 2017.
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation.
[FR Doc. 2017-27723 Filed 12-22-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 7555-01-P
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