Department of Defense February 2007 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

DoD has adopted as final, without change, an interim rule amending the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) to implement Section 831 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2006 and Section 8118 of the Defense Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2005. These statutes relate to the acquisition of perishable foods for DoD activities located outside the United States, and the acquisition of domestic fish, shellfish, and seafood.

The DoD Advisory Group on Electron Devices (AGED) announces a closed session meeting.

This notice of availability announces the public release of the Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (DSEIS) to evaluate construction of authorized improvements to the Federal Gulfport Harbor Navigation Project in Harrison County, MS. The Mobile District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) published in the Federal Register, March 31, 2006, (71 FR 16294) a Notice of Intent to Prepare a DSEIS to address the potential impacts associated with construction of authorized improvements to the Federal Gulfport Harbor Navigation Project in Harrison County, MS. The DSEIS was used as a basis to ensure compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and for evaluating the following two alternative plans: ``No Action'' and widening to the authorized project dimensions. Gulfport Harbor is authorized to (a) a channel 38 feet deep by 400 feet wide and about 8 miles long across Ship Island Bar; (b) a channel 36 feet deep by 300 feet wide and about 12 miles long through Mississippi Sound; and (c) a stepped anchorage basin at Gulfport Harbor 32 to 36 feet deep by 1,120 feet wide and 2,640 feet long. The tentatively recommended alternative includes construction of the authorized project dimensions.

The Ocean Research and Resources Advisory Panel (ORRAP) will meet to discuss National Ocean Research Leadership Council (NORLC) and Interagency Committee on Ocean Science and Resource Management Integration (ICOSRMI) activities. All sessions of the meeting will remain open to the public.

The Per Diem, Travel and Transportation Allowance Committee is re-publishing Civilian Personnel Per Diem Bulletin Number 251 to correct an error in the Per Diem rate published on January 26, 2007 (72 FR 3799). This bulletin lists revisions in the per diem rates prescribed for U.S. Government employees for official travel in Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, the Northern Mariana Islands and Possessions of the United States. AEA changes announced in Bulletin Number 194 remain in effect. Bulletin Number 251 is being published in the Federal Register to assure that travelers are paid per diem at the most current rates.

The Department of the Navy hereby gives notice of its intent to grant to Ionova Technologies, Inc., a revocable, non-assignable, exclusive license in the field of electrode structures consisting of metal oxide coatings on porous carbon substrates for electrochemical capacitor devices in the United States and certain foreign countries, the Government-owned invention described in Navy Case No. 98,287: ELECTROLESS DEPOSITION OF NANOSCALE MANGANESE OXIDE ON ULTRAPOROUS CARBON NANOARCHITECTURES FOR ELECTROCHEMICAL CAPACITOR APPLICATIONS, and any continuations, divisionals, or re-issues thereof.

Pursuant to the Federal Advisory Committee Act of 1972, as amended (5 U.S.C., Appendix) and the Sunshine in the Government Act of 1976, as amended (5 U.S.C. 552b(c), announcement is made of the following meeting:

In compliance with Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Office of Admissions announces the proposed extension of a public information collection and seeks public comment on provisions thereof. Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information shall have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed information collection; (c) ways to enhance the quality, unity, and clarity of the information to be collected; (d) ways to minimize the burden of the information collection on respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

In compliance with Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Office of Admissions announces the proposed extension of a public information collection and seeks public comment on provisions thereof. Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information shall have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed information collection; (c) ways to enhance the quality, unity, and clarity of the information to be collected; (d) ways to minimize the burden of the information collection on respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

In compliance with section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Headquarters Air Force Recruiting Service announces the proposed extension of a previously approved public information collection and seeks public comment on the provisions thereof. Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information shall have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed information collection; (c) ways to enhance the quality, unity, and clarity of the information to be collected; (d) ways to minimize the burden of the information collection on respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

The Chief of Naval Education and Training announces a proposed extension of a previously approved public information collection and seeks public comment on the provisions thereof. Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information shall have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed information collection; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the information collection on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

The Department of the Navy is altering systems of records notices in its existing inventory of record systems subject to the Privacy Act of 1974, (5 U.S.C. 552a), as amended.

The Office of the Secretary of Defense proposes to add a system of records to its inventory of record systems subject to the Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. 552a), as amended.

Pursuant to 30 CFR 230.8, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) is issuing this Notice to document emergency actions and set forth the steps to be taken in the future to comply with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Wolf Creek Dam impounds Lake Cumberland in south central Kentucky. Several engineering studies have identified a high level of risk at Wolf Creek Dam. Accordingly, on January 19, 2007, the Corps made the decision to take emergency action and begin lowering the lake level to ease the stress on the dam's foundation until repairs can be effected. This action has been taken to reduce risk to the public's safety and welfare. The temporary target elevation will be 680 feet above mean sea level (msl) at Wolf Creek Dam. This elevation was selected because it provides the greatest reduction in stress to the dam without creating other public health and safety concerns. This operation will be in effect until repair of the dam or new information allows the pool elevation to be raised. This pool elevation may also drop if worsening conditions create the need for even further lowering of the pool. The Corps believes that the need for action regarding the Wolf Creek Dam is so urgent and compelling that there is no time to follow the usual NEPA procedures before the Corps makes decisions and begins to implement them. The Corps is, therefore, invoking its authority ``Emergency Actions'' under 33 CFR 230.8 and declaring an emergency, making decisions, and taking necessary actions accordingly. The Corps has consulted the President's Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) regarding alternative arrangements under NEPA pursuant to 40 CFR 1506.11. This notice serves to initiate the NEPA process. The Corps plans to prepare and circulate an EIS which serves to cover any actions it deems necessary during the repair of the dam's foundation.