Agencies and Commissions March 4, 2008 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

In this document, the Commission seeks comment on the merits of using reverse auctions (a form of competitive bidding) to determine the amount of high-cost universal service support provided to eligible telecommunications carriers serving rural, insular, and high-cost areas.

The Corporation for National and Community Service (hereinafter the ``Corporation''), as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, conducts a pre-clearance consultation program to provide the general public and federal agencies with an opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing collections of information in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA95) (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)). This program helps to ensure that requested data can be provided in the desired format, reporting burden (time and financial resources) is minimized, collection instruments are clearly understood, and the impact of collection requirement on respondents can be properly assessed. Currently, the Corporation is soliciting comments concerning annual reports provided by recipients of Program Development and Training grants, and Disability Inclusion grants. Applicants will respond to the questions included in this ICR in order to report on their use of federal funds and progress against their annual plan. Copies of the information collection request can be obtained by contacting the office listed in the addresses section of this notice.

The Federal Communications Commission is modifying a section of the Commission's rules that implement the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Fee Schedule. This modification pertains to the charge for recovery of the full, allowable direct costs of searching for and reviewing records requested under the FOIA and the Commission's rules, unless such fees are restricted or waived. The fees are being revised to correspond to modifications in the rate of pay approved by Congress.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13, May 22, 1995), this notice announces that the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) intends to submit to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) a request for review of an existing information collection. The regulations describe how former spouses give us written notice of a court order requiring us to pay benefits to the former spouse. Specific information is needed before OPM can make court-ordered benefit payments. Comments are particularly invited on: Whether this collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of functions of the Office of Personnel Management, and whether it will have practical utility; whether our estimate of the public burden of this collection of information is accurate, and based on valid assumptions and methodology; and ways in which we can minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, through the use of appropriate technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology. Approximately 19,000 former spouses apply for benefits based on court orders annually. We estimate it takes approximately 30 minutes to collect the information. The annual burden is 9,500 hours. For copies of this proposal, contact Mary Beth Smith-Toomey on (202) 606-8358, FAX (202) 418-3251 or via E-mail to MaryBeth.Smith- Toomey@opm.gov. Please include a mailing address with your request.

In accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act, notice is hereby given of a meeting of the FDIC Advisory Committee on Economic Inclusion, which will be held in Washington, DC. The Advisory Committee will provide advice and recommendations on initiatives to expand access to banking services by underserved populations.

Notice is hereby given that a complaint was filed with the U.S. International Trade Commission on January 31, 2008, under section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended, 19 U.S.C. 1337, on behalf of Sumitomo Chemical Co. Ltd. of Japan and Valent U.S.A. Corporation of Walnut Creek, California. A supplement to the complaint was filed on February 19, 2008. The complaint, as supplemented, alleges violations of section 337 based upon the importation into the United States, the sale for importation, and the sale within the United States after importation of certain pesticides and products containing clothianidin that infringe certain claims of U.S. Patent No. 5,034,404. The complaint further alleges that an industry in the United States exists as required by subsection (a)(2) of section 337. The complainants request that the Commission institute an investigation and, after the investigation, issue an exclusion order and cease and desist orders.

Notice is hereby given that a complaint was filed with the U.S. International Trade Commission on January 30, 2008, under section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended, 19 U.S.C. 1337, on behalf of Sharp Corporation of Japan. The complaint alleges violations of section 337 based upon the importation into the United States, the sale for importation, and the sale within the United States after importation of certain liquid crystal display modules, products containing same, and methods for using the same that infringe certain claims of U.S. Patent Nos. 6,879,364; 6,952,192; 7,304,703; and 7,304,626. The complaint further alleges that an industry in the United States exists as required by subsection (a)(2) of section 337. The complainant requests that the Commission institute an investigation and, after the investigation, issue an exclusion order and cease and desist orders.

This notice is provided in accordance with 40 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) parts 1500-1508 of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), and USIBWC procedures for implementing NEPA. The USIBWC anticipates the need to improve functionality of three flood control projects located in the Rio Grande along the Texas-Mexico border. Potential improvement measures are mainly associated with the project core mission of flood protection, boundary stabilization, and water delivery. Additional measures under consideration are intended to improve water use, quality, and conservation, as well as measures supporting local or regional initiatives for multipurpose use of the projects for wildlife habitat development, and improved environmental conditions. A Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS) was prepared to evaluate potential consequences of three action alternatives under consideration for long-term improvement of the flood control projects. The USIBWC will apply the programmatic evaluation as an overall guidance for future evaluations of individual projects, including both those currently envisioned at a conceptual level and those whose implementation is not currently anticipated but would be possible within a 20-year timeframe. The Multipurpose Project Management Alternative was adopted among the three action alternatives as the preferred option for long-term improvements to the Rio Grande flood control projects. In implementing the preferred alternative, the USIBWC will continue to improve functionality of the flood control projects to meet its mandate for flood control, water delivery, and boundary stabilization, while supporting initiatives for improvement of environmental conditions and water resources utilization.