Army Department September 2006 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the Pittsburgh District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) is seeking public comment on the environmental scope of an upcoming study, named the ``Upper Ohio Navigation Study, Pennsylvania.'' This study will consider and evaluate the feasibility of alternatives for maintaining commercial navigation on the Pennsylvania portion of the Ohio River, and also consider and evaluate the feasibility of ecosystem restoration opportunities. The focus of the upper Ohio River navigation feasibility study is to develop the best plan for maintaining safe, environmentally sustainable, and reliable navigation on the upper 40 miles of the Ohio River in Pennsylvania. Navigation is currently provided through three old lock and dam facilitiesEmsworth, Dashields and Montgomery locks and damsdating from the 1920s. The study will consider a 60-year period from 2010 to 2070. Navigation alternatives will consider facility operation and maintenance, rehabilitation, and new construction needs and opportunities. In order to facilitate early public involvement in the planning process, the Corps will be conducting two environmental scoping meetings open to the public in the study area. The public is invited to attend these meetings to hear an overview of the study, and assist in the identification of significant issues to be considered during the study process. (See DATES).

In accordance with 37 CFR Part 404.6, announcement is made of the availability for licensing of U.S. Patent No. US 7,109,136 B2 entitled ``Conductive (Electrical, Ionic, and Photoelectric) Polymer Membrane Articles, and Method for Producing Same'' Issued September 19, 2006. This patent has been assigned to the United States Government as represented by the Secretary of the Army.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) is soliciting comments for the reissuance of the existing nationwide permits (NWPs), general conditions, and definitions, with some modifications. The Corps is also proposing to issue six new NWPs and one new general condition. The reissuance process starts with today's publication of the proposed NWPs in the Federal Register for a 60-day comment period. The purpose of this Federal Register notice is to solicit comments on the proposed new and modified NWPs, as well as the NWP general conditions and definitions. Shortly after the publication of this Federal Register notice, each Corps district will publish a public notice to solicit comments on their proposed regional conditions for the new and modified NWPs. The comment period for these district public notices will be 45 days.

In accordance with the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Huntington District has prepared a Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS). This FEIS evaluates potential impacts to the natural, physical and human environment as a result of the proposed mining activities associated with the Mingo Logan's proposed Spruce No. 1 Mine. The USACE regulates this proposed project pursuant to Section 404 of the Clean Water Act. The proposed activity would involve the discharge of dredged and fill material into waters of the United States associated with the proposed construction and operation of a bituminous coal mine. The document was prepared following a public review and a 60-day comment period on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS), during which time a public hearing meeting was held on May 1, 2006. The meeting was held at the Earl Ray Tomlin Convention Center in Chapmanville, Logan County, WV.

In accordance with Section 10(a)(2) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (Pub. L. 92-463), announcement is made of the following committee meeting: Name of Committee: Department of Defense Historical Advisory Committee. Date: October 26, 2006. Time: 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Place: U.S. Army Center of Military History, Collins Hall, Building 35, 103 Third Avenue, Fort McNair, DC 20319-5058. Proposed Agenda: Review and discussion of the status of historical activities in the United States Army.

The DoD Task Force on Mental Health meeting on September 20, 2006 from 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. and September 21, 2006 from 8:30 a.m.-11 a.m. published in the Federal Register on August 18, 2006 (71 FR 47782) has changed venues. The previous location was Howze Auditorium, Bldg 33009, 7500 761st Tank Battalion Ave., Fort Hood, TX 76544-5008. The new location is The Plaza Hotel, 1721 East Central Texas Expressway, Killeen, TX 7641-9144.