Department of Defense September 29, 2006 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

This rule identifies policy and assigns responsibilities for considering applications for the waiver of debts resulting from erroneous payments of pay and allowances (including travel and transportation allowances) to or on behalf of members of the Uniformed Services and civilian Department of Defense (DoD) employees. The Legislative Branch Appropriations Act of 1996 transferred to the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) the Comptroller General's authority to settle claims. The OMB Director subsequently delegated some of these authorities to the Department of Defense. Later, the General Accounting Office Act of 1996 codified many of these delegations to the Secretary of Defense and others and transferred to the OMB Director the authority of the Comptroller General to waive uniformed service member and employee debts arising out of the erroneous payment of pay or allowances exceeding $1,500. The OMB Director subsequently delegated the authority to waive such debts of uniformed service members and DoD employees to the Secretary of Defense. The Secretary of Defense further delegated his claims settlement and waiver authorities to the General Counsel. This rule implements the reassignment of the Comptroller General's former duties within the Department of Defense with little impact on the public. On Thursday, November 14, 2002, the Department of Defense published appropriate proposed rules with request for public comments. Formatting and editorial changes were made to create this final document, including acknowledging that the Coast Guard is now part of the Department of Homeland Security rather than the Department of Transportation. Although these changes were made in 2003, a decision was made at that time to hold publication of these regulations so accompanying rules would be published at the same time. Addressing internal comments and coordinating numerous editorial changes throughout the Department of Defense on the accompanying rulemaking took until 2006.

The Defense Science Board Task Force on Directed Energy will meet in closed session on November 2 and 3, 2006. The location is to be determined. The task force will review directed energy weapon systems and technology application. 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. At these meetings, the Defense Science Board Task Force will: Review all surface, sub-surface, air and space DE programs in the Department and other organizations; examine recent supporting technology advancements and their applications with respect to supporting military DE weapon system developments; as well as make recommendations on potential strategic advantage DE weapons can provide with regards to the delivery of precision effects, decreased collateral damage, limiting unintended effects, and decreasing post combat reconstitution costs and efforts. In accordance with Section 10(d) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, Pub. L. No. 92-463, as amended (5 U.S.C. App. II), it has been determined that these Defense Science Board Task Force meetings concern matters listed in 5 U.S.C. 552b(c)(1) and that, accordingly, the meetings will be closed to the public.

The Defense Science Board Task Force on Energy Strategy will meet in closed session on October 6, 2006; November 29, 2006; and December 14, 2006; at Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC); 8301 Greensboro Drive, McLean, VA. This meeting will specifically identify strategic transition-opportunities inherently offered by technologies that have implications for energy and their systemic second- and third-order effects. The briefings will contain proprietary material from the private business sector. 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. At these meetings, the Defense Science Board Task Force will: identify DoD operational and strategic constraints and vulnerabilities created by optimizing tactical platforms and capabilities without regard to energy usage; programs and means for the DoD to reduce its energy demand, particularly on petroleum-based fuels; and examine implications of alternative. In accordance with Section 10(d) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, P.L. No. 92-463, as amended (5 U.S.C. App. II), it has been determined that these Defense Science Board Task Force meetings concern matters listed in 5 U.S.C. 552b(c)(4) and that, accordingly, the meetings will be closed to the public.

This notice announces the appointment of the members of the Senior Executive Services (SES) Performance Review Board (PRB) for the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General (DoD OIG), as required by 5 U.S.C. 4314(c)(4). The PRB provides fair and impartial review of SES performance appraisals and makes recommendations regarding performance ratings and performance awards to the Inspector General.

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.