Army Department 2007 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Department of the Army announces that, unless there is an objection, after 15 days it intends to grant a partially exclusive license to Machining Technologies, Inc., a corporation having a place of business in Hebron, Maryland, on ``Semi Permanent backup Iron Sight'', U.S. patent number 6,779,290. Any license granted shall comply with 35 U.S.C. 209 and 37 CFR part 404.

The Department of the Army announces that, unless there is an objection, after 15 days it intends to grant a partially exclusive license to Savit Corporation, a corporation having a place of business in Parsippany, New Jersey, on ``Combat Ammunition Pack'', U.S. patent number 6,675,693. Any license granted shall comply with 35 U.S.C. 209 and 37 CFR part 404.

A Notice of Intent To Prepare a Draft Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (DPEIS) for the Onondaga Lake Watershed Management Plan (OLWMP), Feasibility Study, City of Syracuse, Onondaga County, Central New York State, and Onondaga Nation was published in the Federal Register on April 1, 2005 (70 FR 16807). Subsequent to the Notice of Intent, the project scope and funding was significantly reduced and modified and a decision made to terminate the EIS process. An Onondaga Lake Watershed Progress Assessment and Actions Strategies report is being prepared over the next two years and will be available to agencies, interests, and the public in 2009.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) Jacksonville District issued a draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) on August 17, 2007 to evaluate potential impacts of further rock mining within wetlands in western Miami-Dade County, FL. In order to accept public comments on the Draft SEIS, the Corps has scheduled a public meeting. The Corps invites Federal agencies, American Indian Tribal Nations, state and local governments, and other interested private organizations and parties to attend the public meeting and to comment on the draft SEIS.

The Army Corps of Engineers and the State of Florida have established interim targets for the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan as required by section 385.39(c) of the Programmatic Regulations for the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan. The purpose of the interim targets is to evaluate progress towards other water related needs of the region provided for in the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan throughout the implementation process. The parties have chosen to memorialize the proposed interim targets in an Interim Targets Agreement.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is proposing to amend the regulations at 33 CFR 334.1380 for the existing danger zone in the vicinity of Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii. The proposed amendment will reflect the current operational and safety procedures at the Ulupau Crater Weapons Training Range and highlight a change in the hours that weapons firing may occur. These regulations are necessary to protect the public from potentially hazardous conditions which may exist as a result from use of the areas by the United States Marine Corps.

In accordance with 37 CFR 404.6 and 404.7, announcement is made of the availability for licensing of the invention set forth in U.S. Patent No. 6,914,554 entitled ``Radar Beam Steering with Remote Reflectory/Refraction,'' issued on July 5, 2005. The United States Government, as represented by the Secretary of the Army, has rights in this invention.

The Draft Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (DPEIS) will evaluate the overall impacts of various alternatives identified in a Long Island Sound Dredged Material Management Plan (LIS DMMP) for management of dredged material in the Long Island Sound (LIS) region. The overall goal of the LIS DMMP is to develop a comprehensive plan for dredged material management in Long Island Sound using a broad-based public process that protects the environment based on best scientific data and analysis, while meeting society's need for safe and economically viable navigation for water-based commerce, transportation, national security, and other public purposes. The LIS DMMP will identify potential environmentally acceptable, practicable management plans that can be utilized by the Corps of Engineers (Corps) in maintaining Federal navigation projects, as well as various non- Corps dredging proponents in their analysis of options to manage non- Corps dredging projects. Some alternative disposal methods may be implemented on the basis of the PEIS, while others may require additional analysis at the project level. As specific alternatives are put in place to implement a given management option, more detailed National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) documents may be prepared by the Corps and other Federal agencies, and such NEPA documents will evaluate specific impacts from implementing a particular management option.

The Department of the Army announces the availability of a ROD which summarizes the decision for implementing realignment actions as directed by the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) Commission at Aberdeen Providing Ground (APG), Maryland.

In compliance with section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Department of the Army announces the proposed extension to a public information collection and seeks public comments on the provision 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 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the San Diego County Water Authority (Water Authority), as Co-Lead Agencies, have prepared a Draft Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Impact Statement (EIR/ EIS) for the Carryover Storage and San Vicente Dam Raise Project (CSP). The overall purpose of the CSP is to substantially increase the reliability and flexibility of the regional water supply by providing the Water Authority with facilities to accumulate and store approximately 100,000 acre feet (AF) of water by the year 2011. During dry weather periods, increased regional demand for water may exceed local supplies resulting in potential water shortages. Water would be accumulated, when it is available, from a variety of sources and, once stored, would provide a reliable reserve against shortages when supply sources are limited. This type of operation is well suited for improving storage reliability during droughts. The EIR/EIS assesses the environmental effects of the CSP at San Vicente Reservoir (Proposed Action) and the proposed alternatives.

In accordance with Section 10(a)(2) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (Pub. L. 92-463), announcement is made of the following meeting: Name of Committee: Distributed Learning/Training Technology Subcommittee of the Army Education Advisory Committee. Date: 18-19 September 2007. Place: Building 1737, Fort Eustis, VA. Time: 0800-1630 on September 18, 2007; 0800-1500 on September 19, 2007. Proposed Agenda: Initial starting point of meeting will include Updates on The Army Distributed Learning Program (TADLP) and infrastructure, followed by discussions that focus on learning and technology. Purpose of the Meeting: To provide for the continuous exchange of information and ideas for distributed learning between the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC), HQ Department of the Army, and the academic and business community.

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: Coastal Engineering Research Board (CERB). Date of Meeting: September 6-7, 2007. Place: Hilton Alexandria Old Town, 1767 King Street, Alexandria, VA 22314. Time: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (September 6, 2007). 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. (September 7, 2007).

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) is amending the existing regulations for a restricted area at Naval Air Station Key West (NASKW). Naval Air Station Key West maintains ammunition magazines on Fleming Island that have explosive safety quality-distance (ESQD) requirements in place to ensure reasonable safety from serious injury should there be a magazine fire or explosion. The previous restricted area regulations did not adequately cover the ESQD requirements. This amendment to the existing regulation is necessary to protect the public from potentially hazardous conditions that may exist as a result of military use of the area.

The Department of the Army announces the availability of a ROD documenting and explaining the decision to implement realignment transformation actions, as directed by the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) Commission, at the Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site (PCMS) in Las Animas County in southeastern Colorado, and other Army transformation programs. The decision is based on the analysis described in the Final PCMS Transformation Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), supporting studies, and comments provided during formal comment and review periods.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps), Jacksonville District, previously published a Notice of Intent (NOI) to prepare an integrated Project Implementation Report/Environmental Impact Statement (PIR/EIS) for the Water Conservation Area 3 Decompartmentalization and Sheet-flow Enhancement Project (DECOMP), Part 1 on December 4, 2003 (68 FR 67841). Following publication of the NOI, the scope of this initial part of DECOMP was altered to focus specifically on the alternatives to reduce barriers to sheet-flow within WCA 3A. Modification of eastern Tamiami Trail, south of WCA 3, will be considered in future efforts. The project's collaborator, intent, authorization, plan formulation process, and issues to be addressed remain as described in the original NOI.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Galveston District, is issuing this notice to announce its intent to prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS), for the proposed deepening and widening of the deep-draft Freeport Harbor Navigation Project, connecting port facilities in Freeport to the Gulf of Mexico. The District will conduct a study to evaluate deepening and widening alternatives, and dredged material disposal options, which will include both upland confined disposal and ocean disposal at designated sites in the Gulf of Mexico. The Freeport Harbor Navigation Project study area is located on the mid to upper Texas coast in Brazoria County, TX, extending from approximately 3 miles offshore at the 60-foot depth contour in the Gulf of Mexico, through the jettied Freeport Harbor entrance channel upstream to the Stauffer Channel Turing Basin. Depths and widths of up to 60-feet and 600-feet respectively are being considered from seaward, along with varying dimensions for upstream reaches and basins. The non- federal sponsor is the Brazos River Harbor Navigation District.

The notice of an intent to grant an exclusive license for U.S. patent application 11/229,425, filed September 16, 2005 entitled ``Artillery Rocket Trajectory Correction Kit'' was originally published in the Federal Register on July 20, 2007 (72 FR 39801) and a correction notice was published in the Federal Register on July 27, 2007 (74 FR 41300). The geographical information has been updated. The correct information is: In accordance with 35 U.S.C. 209 and 37 CFR 404.7(b)(1)(i), announcement is made of the intent to an exclusive, royalty-bearing, revocable license for all geographic areas including the United States of America and its territories and possessions for any patents or patent applications claiming priority to U.S. patent application.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) is proposing to amend its regulations for the restricted area established in the waters of Port Townsend Bay off Puget Sound adjacent to Naval Magazine Indian Island, Jefferson County, Washington. The amendments will enable the affected units of the United States military to enhance safety and security around an active military establishment. The regulations are necessary to safeguard military vessels and United States government facilities from sabotage and other subversive acts, accidents, or incidents of similar nature. The regulations are also necessary to protect the public from potentially hazardous conditions that may exist as a result of military use of the area.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) Omaha District has prepared a Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) to analyze the direct, indirect and cumulative effects of enlarging the currently permitted Rueter-Hess Reservoir in Parker, CO. The current project was authorized in February 2004 with Department of the Army Permit No. 199980472 (Section 404 Permit). The basic purpose of the Proposed Action would allow the reservoir to serve as a regional water management facility for multiple water providers in northern Douglas County; enable them to meet peak demands; greatly enhance water management in the region; and help extend the yield of the Denver Basin aquifers, a non-renewable water source and the primary source of water for the South Metro area. Expansion of the reservoir would result in direct impacts to an additional 0.21 acres of wetlands and 4 miles of intermittent stream channel (in addition to the 6.7 acres of wetlands and 5 miles of other waters of the U.S. permitted as part of the 16,200-acre-foot [AF] reservoir). This action requires authorization from the Corps under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act. The Permittee and Applicant is the Parker Water and Sanitation District (PWSD). The Draft SEIS was prepared in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, as amended, and the Corps' regulations for NEPA implementation (33 Code of Federal Regulations [CFR] Parts 230 and 325, Appendices B and C). The Corps, Omaha District, Regulatory Branch is the lead federal agency responsible for the Draft SEIS and information contained in the SEIS serves as the basis for a decision regarding issuance of a Section 404 Permit modification. It also provides information for local and state agencies having jurisdictional responsibility for affected resources.

The purpose of the study is to evaluate approximately a 2-mile reach of the San Jacinto River located in Riverside County in the City of San Jacinto, CA. The focus will be on watershed improvements by developing alternatives for ecosystem restoration and incorporating conjunctive uses for groundwater recharge, water quality and water conservation from a mile up from Main Street to a mile past the end of San Jacinto Street. The restoration project will focus on revitalization of the riparian vegetation community; establish environmental corridor to benefit wildlife and sensitive species; increasing recharge of the San Jacinto groundwater basins; and restoring the habitat for the endangered San Bernardino Kangaroo Rat. The San Jacinto River is located about 20 miles southeast of the City of Riverside and is entirely within Riverside County, CA.

In accordance with 35 U.S.C. 209 and 37 CFR 404.7(a)(1)(i), announcement is made of the intent to grant an exclusive, royalty- bearing, revocable license within the geographic area of the United States of America and its territories and possessions to U.S. Patent application 11/229,425, filed September 16, 2005 entitled ``Artillery Rocket Trajectory Correction Kit,'' to Diehl BGT Defense GmbH & Co. KG with its principal place of business at Massberg Facility Alte Nussdorfer Strausse 13 88662 Uberlingen, Germany.

The Department of the Army announces the availability of a DEIS for the permanent stationing of the 2nd Brigade, 25th Infantry Division (2/25th) SBCT. Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the Department of the Army has prepared this DEIS to disclose potential impacts to the natural, physical, and human environment resulting from the permanent stationing of the 2/25th SBCT. Potential impacts have been analyzed at installations which are capable of meeting the SBCTs training, operational, Soldier and Family quality of life, and strategic deployment requirements.

This LEIS has been prepared by NGB (lead agency) and the Department of the Interior's (DOIs) Bureau of Land Management (BLM) (cooperating agency). The LEIS analyzes the proposed withdrawal of 18,644 acres of federal land within the Limestone Hills Training Area (LHTA) from BLM administration. The LEIS proposes that the DOI and Congress transfer administrative responsibility of all federal land within the LHTA to the Army for military training use by the MTARNG. No new facilities are proposed in this LEIS.