Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers March 2010 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

In accordance with 37 CFR 404.7(a)(1)(i), announcement is made of a prospective exclusive license of the following U.S. Patent Application No. 12/432,842 Filed April 30, 2009.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Chicago District is requesting public comments for a planned Environmental Assessment. The Corps is directed to conduct a study of technologies that may enhance the efficacy of the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal Dispersal Barriers System. The study is structured as a series of interim reports. Interim Report IIIa, limited to the impacts of implementing additional in- stream barrier/deterrent technologies at key locations in the Illinois and Chicago Area Waterways is the focus of this planned EA. The specific technologies under consideration include acoustic deterrents, air bubble curtains, and strobe lights used both individually and in combination. Comments are requested to assist in determining the level of analysis and impacts to be considered for implementing these in- stream barrier/deterrent technologies. Any comments received by the Corps on the proposed EA will be considered fully for the Federal action associated with the Project.

In the February 9, 2010 issue of the Federal Register (75 FR 6364), the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps), published its proposed update to its current process for requesting a variance from vegetation standards for levees and floodwalls for public comment. In that notice, the Corps stated that written comments must be submitted on or before March 11, 2010. Instructions for submitting comments are provided in the February 9, 2010, Federal Register notice. In response to several requests, the Corps has decided to extend the public comment period to April 25, 2010.