Department of State 2011 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Department of State has submitted the following information collection request to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for approval in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. Title of Information Collection: Medical Examination for Immigrant or Refugee Applicant. OMB Control Number: 1405-0113. Type of Request: Revision of a Currently Approved Collection. Originating Office: Bureau of Consular Affairs, Office of Visa Services (CA/VO). Form Number: DS-2053, DS-2054, DS-3030, DS-3024, DS-3025, DS-3026. Respondents: Immigrant visa and refugee applicants. Estimated Number of Respondents: 630,000 per year. Estimated Number of Responses: 630,000 per year. Average Hours per Response: 1 hour. Total Estimated Burden: 630,000 hours annually. Frequency: Once per application. Obligation to Respond: Required to Obtain Benefit.

The Office of Global Educational Programs of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA), U.S. Department of State, announces an open competition for three assistance awards to administer components of the Office's Teacher Exchange Program in Fiscal Year 2012. Public and private non-profit organizations or consortia or other combinations of eligible organizations meeting the provisions described in Internal Revenue Code section 501(c)(3) may submit proposals to cooperate with the Bureau in the administration of the teacher exchange programs as categorized below. To facilitate effective communication between ECA's Teacher Exchange Branch (ECA/A/S/ X) and the organization(s) cooperating on these programs, applicant organizations should have offices and staffs located in Washington, DC at the time of application. In recent years, the Bureau has revised and diversified its programming for teachers consistent with the Bureau's emphasis on reaching younger and underserved, non-elite populations, given the influence teachers can have on these populations in classrooms in the U.S. and around the world. This Request for Grant Proposals is part of an effort to reinforce the Bureau's engagement with primary and secondary school educators and to present a range of teacher program opportunities to potential applicant organizations, which may submit proposals to administer and implement one, two, or all three clusters of the following FY 2012 Teacher Exchange Programs as outlined below (organizations must submit a separate proposal for each cluster for which they apply): Cluster A: The Fulbright Classroom Teacher Exchanges and the Distinguished Fulbright Awards in Teaching; Cluster B: Professional Development Programs for International and U.S. Teachers; and/or Cluster C: the Educational Seminars, the Intensive Summer Language Institutes, and the Teachers of Critical Languages Program. Details about these program components are provided under the Funding Opportunity Description section of this document and in the Project Objectives, Goals, and Implementation (POGI) document associated with this solicitation. Proposals should reflect a vision for the program, interpreting the goals of the Fulbright-Hays Act and the Teacher Exchange Program with creativity, as well as providing innovative ideas and recommendations. The cooperating organization(s) for each cluster will have responsibility for program administration, which includes the following broad categories: Program planning and management; participant placement; orientation and preparation of participants and host/mentor educators; enrichment activities; participant supervision and support services; fiscal management and budgeting; program reporting and evaluation (including ad hoc program and financial reports as requested by the Teacher Exchange Branch); and alumni programming and follow-on activities. Proposals should include schedules and timelines for notifying ECA, overseas partners, and participants of recruitment cycles, placements, travel arrangements and cross-cultural and program information in a timely manner. Programs must comply with J-1 visa regulations. Teacher exchange participants in the U.S. and abroad should be identified through open, merit-based competitions. Although the amount that will be available to support these programs in FY 2012 has not yet been determined, for planning purposes the total amount of funding that may be available to cover administrative and program costs of these programs will be up to $14,800,000. The amounts listed for each program are provided below to enable applicant organizations to prepare budgets for planning purposes and are subject to change. More specific information for each program is provided below and in the Project Objectives, Goals, and Implementation (POGI) document. All awards are pending availability of FY 2012 funds.

The Office of English Language Programs of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA/A/L) announces an open competition for the Access Teacher Development Online Program (ATDOP), including online distance education, a U.S. exchange component in summer 2012 and a follow-on program for exchange participants. The award level for this cooperative agreement will be up to $900,000. The purpose of this program is to increase the oral and aural proficiency of English as a foreign language teachers while developing their speaking and listening teaching methods. U.S. public and private universities with graduate TESOL or Applied Linguistics programs meeting the provisions described in Internal Revenue Code section 26 U.S.C. 501(c)(3) may submit proposals to implement the program that will include the following: 1. A teacher needs analysis survey and English language proficiency assessment plan to be administered at the beginning and end of the online program; 2. A multi-platform online distance education program developed in collaboration with selected English Access Microscholarship Program (Access) providers and designed to improve the oral/aural English Language proficiency and teaching methodologies of 250-350 Access and potential Access teachers working with 14-18 year olds; 3. A four-week, U.S. exchange program for 26 of the top performing participants from the online courses; 4. A five-week online follow-up course designed to assist the 26 teachers in developing and implementing professional development seminars for English teachers in their respective countries; 5. The creation of an on-going online community via a Ning site where Access teachers and in-country providers can continue to communicate and collaborate. Access provides a foundation of English language skills to bright, economically disadvantaged 14- to 18-year-olds through two-year programs of after-school classes and intensive summer learning activities. Access students also gain an appreciation for U.S. culture and democratic values through cultural enhancement activities. Since its inception in 2004, over 70,000 students in more than 85 countries have participated in the Access Program. More detailed information about each of the five components of this cooperative agreement are detailed below and in the Program Objectives, Goals, and Implementation (POGI). Applicant organizations should demonstrate a significant track record of conducting substantive academic programs for EFL educators with a particular emphasis on the innovative use of internet media and mobile-based technologies in the development and implementation of training programs, conducting needs assessments internationally with foreign partners, developing English language teaching curriculum for English learners with diverse levels of English language proficiency and managing the U.S. and foreign logistical and administrative aspects of similar programs. The participants in the online course will be selected by Access providers and Regional English Language Officers (RELOs) and will be approved by ECA/A/L. Participants will be: Citizens of one of 6-8 ECA selected strategic countries in which they reside; university degree holders; employed as English teachers and have been working with disadvantaged 14-18 year old students for at least two but not more than approximately seven years; have no significant previous US travel experience; employed by one of the selected Access host institutions teaching Access or other secondary school level classes; and able to have regular and easy access to a computer with reliable broadband Internet.

The Department of State has submitted the following information collection request to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for approval in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. Title of Information Collection: Department of State Mentor-Prot[eacute]g[eacute] Program Application. OMB Control Number: OMB 1405-0161. Type of Request: Extension of a Currently Approved Collection. Originating Office: Bureau of Administration, Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business UtilizationA/SDBU. Form Number: DS-4053. Respondents: Small and large for-profit companies planning to team together in an official mentor-prot[eacute]g[eacute] capacity to improve the likelihood of winning DOS contracts. Estimated Number of Respondents: 14 respondents per year. Estimated Number of Responses: 14 per year. Average Hours Per Response: 21 hours. Total Estimated Burden: 294 hours. Frequency: On occasion. Obligation to Respond: Required to Obtain Benefit.

The Office of International Visitors, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA/PE/V), United States Department of State (DoS), announces an open competition for up to four assistance awards to administer the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP). The IVLP is the U.S. Department of State's premier professional exchange program. Launched in 1940, the IVLP is a professional exchange program that seeks to build mutual understanding between the U.S. and other nations through carefully designed short-term visits to the U.S. for current and emerging foreign leaders. These visits reflect the International Visitors' professional interests and support the foreign policy goals of the United States. The amount of funding available is approximately $4,700,000, pending the availability of FY 2012 funds. ECA anticipates awarding up to four cooperative agreements for the total funding available. The assistance awards, all together, will support programming for approximately 2,000 International Visitors (IVs). Public and private non-profit organizations meeting the provisions described in Internal Revenue Code section 26 U.S.C. 501(c)(3) may submit proposals. Applicants may submit only one proposal under this competition. If multiple proposals are received from the same applicant, all submissions will be declared ineligible and receive no further consideration in the review process.

The Department of State has submitted the following information collection request to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for approval in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. Title of Information Collection: Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor (J-1) Status OMB Control Number: 1405-0119 Type of Request: Extension of a Currently Approved Collection Originating Office: Office of Exchange Coordination & Designation, ECA/EC Form Number: Form DS-2019 Respondents: U.S. Department of State Designated Sponsors Estimated Number of Respondents: 1460 Estimated Number of Responses: 350,000 annually Average Hours per Response: 45 minutes Total Estimated Burden: 262,500 hours Frequency: On occasion Obligation To Respond: Required to Obtain or Retain a Benefit

The Department of State has submitted the following information collection request to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for approval in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. Title of Information Collection: Affidavit Regarding a Change of Name. OMB Control Number: 1405-0133. Type of Request: Revision of a Currently Approved Collection. Originating Office: Bureau of Consular Affairs, CA/PPT. Form Number: DS-60. Respondents: Individuals or households. Estimated Number of Respondents: 202,920 per year. Estimated Number of Responses: 202,920 per year. Average Hours per Response: 15 minutes. Total Estimated Burden: 50,730 hours. Frequency: On occasion. Obligation to Respond: Required to Obtain or Retain a Benefit.

Notice is hereby given of the following determinations: Pursuant to the authority vested in me by the Act of October 19, 1965 (79 Stat. 985; 22 U.S.C. 2459), Executive Order 12047 of March 27, 1978, the Foreign Affairs Reform and Restructuring Act of 1998 (112 Stat. 2681, et seq.; 22 U.S.C. 6501 note, et seq.), Delegation of Authority No. 234 of October 1, 1999, and Delegation of Authority No. 236-3 of August 28, 2000, I hereby determine that the objects to be included in the exhibition ``Projects 95: Runa Islam'' imported from abroad for temporary exhibition within the United States, are of cultural significance. The objects are imported pursuant to a loan agreement with the foreign owner or custodian. I also determine that the exhibition or display of the exhibit objects at The Museum of Modern Art, New York, NY, from on or about May 27, 2011, until on or about September 19, 2011, and at possible additional exhibitions or venues yet to be determined, is in the national interest. I have ordered that Public Notice of these Determinations be published in the Federal Register.

Notice is hereby given of the following determinations: Pursuant to the authority vested in me by the Act of October 19, 1965 (79 Stat. 985; 22 U.S.C. 2459), Executive Order 12047 of March 27, 1978, the Foreign Affairs Reform and Restructuring Act of 1998 (112 Stat. 2681, et seq.; 22 U.S.C. 6501 note, et seq.), Delegation of Authority No. 234 of October 1, 1999, and Delegation of Authority No. 236-3 of August 28, 2000, I hereby determine that the object to be included in the exhibition ``Sarcophagus,'' imported from abroad for temporary exhibition within the United States, is of cultural significance. The object is imported pursuant to a loan agreement with the foreign owner or custodian. I also determine that the exhibition or display of the exhibit object at The Cloisters Museum and Gardens, New York, New York, from on or about May 2, 2011, until on or about May 2, 2014, and at possible additional exhibitions or venues yet to be determined, is in the national interest. I have ordered that Public Notice of these Determinations be published in the Federal Register.

This rule changes Department regulations to broaden the authority of a consular officer to revoke a visa at any time subsequent to issuance of the visa, in his or her discretion. These changes to the Department's revocation regulations expand consular officer visa revocation authority to the full extent allowed by statute. Additionally, this rule change allows consular officers and designated officials within the Department to revoke a visa provisionally while considering a final visa revocation.

Consistent with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, as amended, the Department of State (DOS) has prepared a supplemental draft environmental impact statement (SDEIS) for the proposed TransCanada Keystone Pipeline, LP (TransCanada) Keystone XL Project (Project). On September 19, 2008, TransCanada filed an application for a Presidential Permit for the construction, connection, operation, and maintenance of a pipeline and associated facilities at the border of the U.S. and Canada for the transport of crude oil across the U.S.-Canada international boundary. The Secretary of State is designated and empowered to receive all applications for Presidential Permits, as referred to in Executive Order 13337, as amended, for the construction, connection, operation, or maintenance, at the borders of the United States, of facilities for the exportation or importation of petroleum, petroleum products, coal, or other fuels to or from a foreign country. TransCanada has requested authorization to construct and operate border crossing facilities at the U.S.-Canadian border in Phillips County, near Morgan, Montana, in connection with its proposed international pipeline project (Keystone XL Project) that is designed to transport Canadian crude oil production from the Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin (WCSB) to destinations in the south central United States, including to a new tank farm in Cushing, Oklahoma, and to delivery points in the Port Arthur and East Houston areas of Texas.

Notice is hereby given that the Department of State proposes to amend an existing system of records, Parking Permit and Car Pool Records, State-52, pursuant to the provisions of the Privacy Act of 1974, as amended (5 U.S.C. 552a) and Office of Management and Budget Circular No. A-130, Appendix I. The Department's report was filed with the Office of Management and Budget on March 29, 2011. It is proposed that the current system will retain the name ``Parking Permit and Car Pool Records.'' It is also proposed that the amended system description will include revisions/additions to the following sections: Categories of individuals, Categories of records, Purpose, Safeguards and Retrievability as well as other administrative updates. The following sections have been added to the system of records, Parking Permit and Car Pool Records, State-52, to ensure Privacy Act of 1974 compliance: Purpose and Disclosure to Consumer Reporting Agencies. Any persons interested in commenting on the amended system of records may do so by submitting comments in writing to the Director, Office of Information Programs and Services, A/GIS/IPS, Department of State, SA-2, 515 22nd Street, Washington, DC 20522-8001. This system of records will be effective 40 days from the date of publication, unless we receive comments that will result in a contrary determination. The amended system description, ``Parking Permit and Car Pool Records, State-52,'' will read as set forth below.

The Cultural Programs Division of the Office of Citizen Exchanges in the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) announces an open competition for a cooperative agreement to administer the ``American Film ShowcaseContemporary Voices in Documentary and Fiction Film.'' Through this program, ECA seeks to bring award-winning independent American documentaries and narrative films to audiences around the world to offer contemporary new insights into American life and culture and issues affecting democratic societies. The films and their filmmakers will be showcased at international venues, including U.S. Embassy-organized events and/or U.S. Embassy-supported international documentary and feature film festivals. This program will provide for travel by documentary and feature filmmakers and film experts in conjunction with public presentation of the films overseas. In addition to presentations, American filmmakers and film experts will be expected to conduct or participate in master classes, workshops, lectures and other outreach activities designed for a variety of audiences, with a focus on younger and underserved audiences. The classes are expected to include filmmaking workshops and training in digital technology, emergent media, and creative use of social media. The Showcase also will provide for follow-up programming that could include return visits overseas by American filmmakers or visits by young foreign filmmakers to the United States. Through this solicitation, ECA seeks an organization to identify and select a collection of contemporary American documentary and narrative films that offer a broad overview of the best in current American independent filmmaking. The films should demonstrate high artistic quality, illustrate diverse viewpoints, address a variety of social issues, and reflect the creativity inherent in an open, democratic society. Documentaries are the priority focus of the American Film Showcase. They should address important and compelling themes and represent more than half of the films in the Showcase, with the remainder being narrative/fiction films. The Showcase also should include a small collection of animated shorts. U.S. public and non-profit organizations meeting the provisions described in Internal Revenue code section 26 U.S.C. 501(c)(3) may submit proposals for the American Film Showcase. For this competition, all applicants must demonstrate sufficient experience successfully exhibiting, distributing, or otherwise promoting American documentaries and narrative films. They also should demonstrate extensive knowledge of independent filmmakingespecially the documentary fieldboth in the U.S. and overseas. Proposals from organizations with significant international experience and also educational programming experience will be more competitive.

The Department of State and the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) are providing notice that the United States and Peru intend to hold the third meeting of the Sub-Committee on Forest Sector Governance (the ``Sub-Committee'') and the second meeting of the Environmental Affairs Council (the ``Council'') on April 27, 2011, and the first meeting of the Environmental Cooperation Commission (the ``Commission'') on April 28, 2011. Public information sessions for the Council, Commission and Sub-Committee also will be held on April 28th at 3 p.m. at 1724 F St., NW., Washington, DC. The purpose of the meetings is to review implementation of: Chapter 18 (Environment) of the United States-Peru Trade Promotion Agreement (PTPA); the PTPA Annex on Forest Sector Governance (Annex 18.3.4); the United States-Peru Environmental Cooperation Agreement (ECA); and the 2009-2010 Work Program under the ECA. Also, the Commission will formally define and adopt the 2011-2014 Work Program. The Department of State and USTR invite interested organizations and members of the public to attend the public sessions and to submit written comments or suggestions regarding implementation of Chapter 18, Annex 18.3.4, the ECA, and the 2009-2010 and 2011-2014 Work Programs, and any items that should be included on the meetings' agendas. If you would like to attend the public sessions, please send the following information to Tiffany Prather and Amy Karpel at the e-mail addresses or fax numbers listed below under the heading ADDRESSES: (1) Name, (2) date of birth, and (3) the identification number from any valid government-issued identification. In preparing comments, submitters are encouraged to refer to: Chapter 18 of the PTPA, including Annex 18.3.4; The Final Environmental Review of the PTPA; The ECA; and The 2009-2010 Work Program. These documents are available at: https://www.ustr.gov and https:// www.state.gov/g/oes/env/trade/peru/index.htm.

The Department of State proposes to amend the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) to update the policy regarding defense services, to clarify the scope of activities that are considered a defense service, and to provide definitions of ``Organizational-Level Maintenance,'' ``Intermediate-Level Maintenance,'' and ``Depot-Level Maintenance,'' and to make other conforming changes.

Notice is hereby given of the following determinations: Pursuant to the authority vested in me by the Act of October 19, 1965 (79 Stat. 985; 22 U.S.C. 2459), Executive Order 12047 of March 27, 1978, the Foreign Affairs Reform and Restructuring Act of 1998 (112 Stat. 2681, et seq.; 22 U.S.C. 6501 note, et seq.), Delegation of Authority No. 234 of October 1, 1999, and Delegation of Authority No. 236-3 of August 28, 2000, I hereby determine that the object to be included in the exhibition ``The Capitoline Venus,'' imported from abroad for temporary exhibition within the United States, is of cultural significance. The object is imported pursuant to a loan agreement with the foreign owner or custodian. I also determine that the exhibition or display of the exhibit object at the National Gallery of Art, Washington, DC, from on or about June 8, 2011, until on or about September 5, 2011, and at possible additional exhibitions or venues yet to be determined, is in the national interest. I have ordered that Public Notice of these Determinations be published in the Federal Register.