Department of Defense 2017 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Pentagon Force Protection Agency (PFPA) announces a proposed public information collection and seeks public comment on the provisions thereof. Comments are invited on: 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; the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed information collection; ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and 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 U.S. Air Force Academy (USAFA) Board of Visitors (BoV) will hold a meeting at the Blue and Silver Club, Falcon Stadium, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, CO on Friday, 28 July, 2017. The purpose of this meeting is to review morale and discipline, social climate, strategic communications, summer programs, and other matters relating to the Academy. Specific topics for this meeting include a Superintendent's Update; USAFA highlights and discussion; Strategic Communication; Academic Initiatives.

The Department of Defense requests comments on proposed changes to the Manual for Courts-Martial, United States (2016 ed.) (MCM). The proposed changes include provisions implementing the Military Justice Act of 2016, Division E of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017, Public Law 114-328, 130 Stat. 2000 (2016), and concern the rules of procedure and evidence applicable in trials by court-martial, nonjudicial punishment proceedings, and the punitive articles of the Uniform Code of Military Justice. Also included is a proposed revision of Appendix 12A of the Manual for Courts-Martial concerning lesser included offenses. The approval authority for these changes is the President. These proposed changes have not been coordinated within the Department of Defense under DoD Directive 5500.01, ``Preparing, Processing and Coordinating Legislation, Executive Orders, Proclamations, Views Letters, and Testimony,'' June 15, 2007, and do not constitute the official position of the Department of Defense, the Military Departments, or any other Government agency. The proposed changes also concern certain supplementary materials that accompany the rules of procedure, rules of evidence, and punitive articles. The Department of Defense, in conjunction with the Department of Homeland Security, publishes these supplementary materials to accompany the Manual for Courts-Martial. The supplementary materials included in this notice consist of Discussions (accompanying the Preamble, the Rules for Courts-Martial, the Military Rules of Evidence, and the Punitive Articles), Analyses, Appendix 2.1, and specific changes to Appendix 24. The approval authority for changes to the supplementary materials is the General Counsel, Department of Defense; changes to these items do not require Presidential approval.

The Department of Defense (DoD) is publishing this notice to announce that the following Federal Advisory Committee meeting of the Board of Regents (Board), Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (University) will take place.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Wilmington District, Wilmington Regulatory Division and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Charleston District, Charleston Regulatory Division (collectively COE) are issuing this notice to advise the public that a State (North Carolina Department of Transportation [NCDOT] and South Carolina Department of Transportation [SCDOT]) funded Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) will be prepared for improvements to SC 31 starting near Little River, Horry County, South Carolina and running northeast to US 17, in an area between Calabash and Shallotte, Brunswick County, North Carolina. This project is called the ``Carolina Bays Parkway Extension'' and is NCDOT Project 44604 and SCDOT Project P029554. In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the COE is the lead Federal agency responsible for the preparation of the DEIS. Information included in the DEIS will serve as the basis for the COE's evaluation of the proposed project pursuant to Section 404 of the Clean Water Act (CWA). As directed by CEQ regulations implementing NEPA, the COE will cooperate with the NCDOT to the fullest extent possible to reduce duplication between NEPA and the North Carolina Environmental Policy Act of 1971 (SEPA). Therefore, the DEIS will also serve as the basis for the NCDOT's evaluation of the proposed project pursuant to SEPA. The DEIS will assess the potential effects of the proposed project and a range of reasonable project alternatives on impacts to navigable waters and other waters of the United States, including wetlands. The DEIS will also provide information for Federal, State, and local agencies having other jurisdictional responsibility.

The meeting times for four Fiscal Year 2017 (FY17) ASB studies being presented on July 20, 2017, which published in the Federal Register on Thursday, June 22, 2017 (82 FR 28484) are changed to the following: Capabilities To Operate in Megacities and Dense Urban Areas. This study is classified and will be presented in a closed meeting at 1115- 1215. Improving Transition of Laboratory Programs Into Warfighting Capabilities Through Experimentation. This study is not classified and will be presented during an open portion of the meeting at 1330-1430. Multi-Domain Battle. This study is classified and will be presented in the closed meeting at 0845-0945. The Future Character of Warfare and Required Capabilities. This study is classified and will be presented in a closed meeting at 1000- 1100.

The Department of the Navy (DoN) is amending its certifications and exemptions under the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972 (72 COLREGS), to reflect that the Deputy Assistant Judge Advocate General (DAJAG) (Admiralty and Maritime Law) has determined that USS RALPH JOHNSON (DDG 114) is a vessel of the Navy which, due to its special construction and purpose, cannot fully comply with certain provisions of the 72 COLREGS without interfering with its special function as a naval ship. The intended effect of this rule is to warn mariners in waters where 72 COLREGS apply.

Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 and regulations implemented by the Council on Environmental Quality, the Department of the Navy (DoN) has prepared and filed with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)/Overseas EIS (OEIS) for public release on June 30, 2017, to evaluate the potential environmental effects from training and testing activities conducted within the Navy's Atlantic Fleet Training and Testing (AFTT) Study Area. The Study Area is in the western Atlantic Ocean and encompasses the waters along the east coast of North America, the Gulf of Mexico, portions of the Caribbean Sea, Navy pierside locations and port transit channels, waters near civilian ports, and inland waters (e.g., lower Chesapeake Bay). The Study Area covers approximately 2.6 million square nautical miles of ocean area and includes designated Navy operating areas and special use airspace. The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is a Cooperating Agency for the EIS/OEIS. With the filing of the Draft EIS/OEIS, the DoN is initiating a 60- day public comment period and has scheduled five public meetings to receive oral and written comments on the Draft EIS/OEIS. This notice announces the dates and locations of the public meetings for this Draft EIS/OEIS and provides supplementary information about the environmental planning effort. Dates and Addresses: The Draft EIS/OEIS public review period will begin June 30, 2017, and end on August 29, 2017. The Navy will hold five public meetings to inform the public about the Proposed Action and the alternatives under consideration, and to provide an opportunity for the public to comment on the Proposed Action, alternatives, and the adequacy and accuracy of the analysis in the Draft EIS/OEIS. Each of the public meetings will be conducted in an open-house format with informational stations staffed by DoN representatives. These representatives will be available during the public meeting to clarify information related to the Draft EIS/OEIS. Federal, state, and local agencies and officials, and interested groups and individuals are encouraged to provide comments in person at any of the public meetings or in writing during the public comment period. The public meetings will be held between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. on the following dates and at the following locations: 1. Wednesday, July 19, 2017, Hotel Providence, 139 Mathewson Street, Providence, RI 02903. 2. Tuesday, July 25, 2017, UNC Institute of Marine Sciences, 3431 Arendell Street, Morehead City, NC 28557. 3. Wednesday, July 26, 2017, Nauticus, 1 Waterside Drive, Norfolk, VA 23510. 4. Tuesday, August 1, 2017, Prime F. Osborn III Convention Center, 1000 Water Street, Jacksonville, FL 32204. 5. Thursday, August 3, 2017, Gulf Coast State College Conference Center, 5230 W. Highway 98, Panama City, FL 32401. Attendees will be able to submit comments in writing or orally using a voice recorder at the public meetings. Equal weight will be given to oral and written statements. Comments may also be submitted by U.S. postal mail or electronically via the project Web site provided below. Written comments may be submitted by mail to Naval Facilities Engineering Command Atlantic, Attn: Code EV22KP (AFTT EIS Project Managers), 6506 Hampton Boulevard, Norfolk, VA 23508-1278 and through the project Web site; all written comments must be post marked or received by August 29, 2017. All statements, oral or written, submitted during the public review period will become part of the public record on the Draft EIS/OEIS and will be considered in preparation of the Final EIS/OEIS. Public meeting details will also be announced in local newspapers and on the project Web site: www.AFTTEIS.com.

The Defense Science Board (DSB) 2017 Summer Study Task Force on Countering Anti-access Systems with Longer Range and Standoff Capabilities (``the Long Range Effects 2017 Summer Study Task Force'') will meet in closed session on Thursday, July 13, 2017 from 7:55 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Friday, July 14, 2017 from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Strategic Analysis Inc., The Executive Conference Center, 4075 Wilson Boulevard, 3rd Floor, Arlington, VA 22203.

The Department of Defense is publishing this notice to announce the following Federal advisory committee meeting of the Government-Industry Advisory Panel. This meeting is open to the public.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense (Personnel and Readiness) announces a proposed public information collection and seeks public comment on the provisions thereof. Comments are invited on: 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; the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed information collection; ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and 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 Defense has submitted to OMB for clearance, the following proposal for collection of information under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act.

STRLs may implement a new direct hire authority to appoint and noncompetitively convert to the competitive service qualified candidates enrolled in a program of undergraduate or graduate instruction leading to an undergraduate or advanced degree in a scientific, technical, engineering or mathematical course of study. STRLs may appoint students to a temporary, term, modified term (for those STRLs with modified term appointment authority), or flexible length student term appointment that will expire 120 days after completion of the designated academic course of study. Students may also be appointed to temporary, term or flexible length student term appointments at the discretion of the STRL Director. Students hired under the Scientific, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Student Employment Program (SSEP) may receive a relocation incentive/ bonus each time the SSEP student returns to duty similar to the authority granted to the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) in 75 FR 53076, August 30, 2010.

The Department of the Air Force announces its intention to grant Mentis Technologies, having a place of business at 725 Daedalian Drive, Rome, New York 13440, a partially exclusive license in any right, title and interest the United States Air Force has in: In U.S. Patent No. 9,349,007 issued on May 24, 2016 and entitled ``WEB MALWARE BLOCKING THROUGH PARALLEL RESOURCE RENDERING'', having been filed on May 29, 2014 as U.S. Patent Application No. 14/290,175.

The Department of the Army is publishing this notice to announce the following Federal advisory committee meeting of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Inland Waterways Users Board (Board). This meeting is open to the public. For additional information about the Board, please visit the committee's Web site at https:// www.iwr.usace.army.mil/Missions/Navigation/ InlandWaterwaysUsersBoard.aspx.

The U.S. Army's Aviation and Missile Research, Development, and Engineering Center (AMRDEC) announces its intent to enter into a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) and seeks inquiries and proposals from potential partners. The goal of this CRADA will be the transfer of a one-of-a-kind infrared laser from AMRDEC to the partner's facilities and the cooperative demonstration of a new remote sensing methodology using this laser.

This notice is to advise interested parties of a three-year extension of a demonstration project entitled Defense Health Agency (DHA) Evaluation of Non-United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Approved Laboratory Developed Tests (LDTs) Demonstration Project. The original notice was published on June 18, 2014 (79 FR 34726-34729).

In accordance with Executive Order 13777, ``Enforcing the Regulatory Reform Agenda,'' the DFARS Subgroup to the DoD Regulatory Reform Task Force is seeking input on DFARS solicitation provisions and contract clauses that may be appropriate for repeal, replacement, or modification. See the Supplementary Information section below for additional guidance.

Under the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act of 1972, the Government in the Sunshine Act, the Department of Defense announces that the following Federal advisory committee meeting will take place.

This amended notice provides information on withdrawal of surplus property at the Umatilla Chemical Depot, Oregon. This notice amends the Notice published in the Federal Register on November 17, 2008 (73 FR 67846).

Under the provisions specified in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of this notice, the Department of Defense Civilian/ Military Service Review Board has accepted an application on behalf of a group known as ``NCIS Special Agents Who Were Assigned to the Middle East Field Office in Bahrain in Direct Support of the CTF-151 Counter- Piracy Mission.''

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) announces a proposed public information collection and seeks public comment on the provisions thereof. Comments are invited on: 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; the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed information collection; ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and 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 U.S. Air Force Scientific Advisory Board is withdrawing the Federal Register Meeting notice, published on May 12, 2017; 8:45 a.m. [FR Doc. 2017-09775].

The Department of Defense (DoD) is publishing this notice to announce that the following Federal Advisory Committee meeting of the Defense Health Board will take place.

The Department of Defense is publishing the unclassified text of a section 36(b)(1) arms sales notification.