Geological Survey – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

To comply with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), we are notifying the public that we have submitted to OMB an information collection request (ICR) to renew approval of the paperwork requirements for ``Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty, USGS Form 9-4040-A.'' This notice also provides the public a second opportunity to comment on the paperwork burden of this form.

To comply with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), we are notifying the public that we have submitted to OMB an information collection request (ICR) to renew approval of the paperwork requirements for ``Industrial Minerals Surveys, (38 USGS forms).'' This notice also provides the public a second opportunity to comment on the paperwork burden of these forms.

The USGS-CCSP Committee for Synthesis and Assessment Product 3.4: Abrupt Climate Change will meet at the Hyatt Regency hotel in Reston, Virginia on March 26-28, 2007. Agenda: The goal of the workshop is to produce a detailed outline of topics for consideration in the Synthesis and Assessment Product and establish writing assignments. The agenda will focus on the state of the science regarding the topic of ``abrupt climate change.'' Discussion will include, but is not limited to, rapid hydrologic change; abrupt changes to meridional overturning circulation; rapid Arctic and Antarctic ice sheet mass balance; and rapid methane release from hydrates. The workshop is open to the public during the times listed below. Pre-registration is required to attend. Contact the Designated Federal Officer (DFO) at the address below by March 21, 2007 to pre-register and to receive a copy of the workshop agenda. Public involvement with the workshop is encouraged. Prepared statements may be presented orally to the Committee on Monday March 26, 2007 between 11 a.m. and 12 p.m. Public statements will be limited to 3 minutes per person. For scheduling reasons, intent to make a public statement must be established at the time of pre-registration. A written copy of the oral statement must be left with the Committee's DFO at the workshop as a matter of public record. Open discussions will accompany each formal session of the workshop. Short public comments/questions will be allowed if time permits. Seating will be available on a first come, first served basis. Please check the Synthesis and Assessment Product 3.4 Web page at CCSP (https://www.climatescience.gov/Library/sap/sap3-4/ default.php) for any last minute changes to the workshop time, date, location or agenda.

To comply with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), we are notifying the public that we have submitted to OMB an information collection request (ICR) to renew approval of the paperwork requirements for ``Mine, Development, and Mineral Exploration Supplement, USGS Form 9-4000-A.'' This notice also provides the public a second opportunity to comment on the paperwork burden of this ICR.

This notice is published in accordance with Section 9(a) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act of 1972 (Pub. L. 92-463). Following consultation with the General Services Administration, notice is hereby given that the Secretary of the Interior has established the United States Geological SurveyClimate Change Science Program Committee for Synthesis and Assessment Product 3.4: Abrupt Climate Change. The Climate Change Science Program (CCSP), a consortium of federal agencies performing climate science, has established a synthesis and assessment (S&A) program as a part of its Strategic Plan. There are 21 S&A products to be administered by 13 federal agencies over a 5 year period. The U.S. Geological Survey, a participant in the CCSP, is responsible for 3 S&A products. S&A product 3.4: Abrupt Climate Change is the subject of this federal advisory committee. The primary function of the committee is to synthesize and assess the state fo knowledge on the topic of abrupt climate change and communicate this information to the U.S. Geological Survey. Committee members will meet and discuss issues relating to the study design, research methodology, data sources and quality, and study findings. The committee will draft a report that will serve as the CCSP definitive document on current knowledge pertaining to the topic of abrupt climate change. Membership will consist of federal and non-federal scientists who are recognized as experts in the climate science community.

The proposal to initiate the collection of information described below will be submitted to the Office of Management and Budget for approval under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35). Copies of the proposed collection of information and related forms may be obtained by contacting the Bureau's Clearance Officer at the phone number listed below. OMB has up to 60 days to approve the information collection, but may respond after 30 days; therefore public comments should be submitted to OMB within 30 days in order to assure maximum consideration. Comments and suggestions on the proposal should be made directly to the Desk Officer for the Interior Department, OMB-OIRA, via e-mail to OIRADOCET@omb.eop.gov or via facsimile to (202) 395-6566, and to the Bureau Clearance Officer, U.S. Geological Survey, 807 National Center, 12201 Sunrise Valley Drive, Reston, Virginia 20192. Specific public comments are requested as to: 1. Whether the collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Bureau, including whether the information will have practical utility; 2. The accuracy of the Bureau's estimate of the burden of the collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions use; 3. The quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and 4. How to minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including the use of the appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other forms of information technology. Title: Inventory of Geological and Geophysical Collections at State Surveys. OMB approval number: 1028-. Abstract: Section 351 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 directs the Secretary of the Interior, through the Director of the U.S. Geological Survey, ``to carry out a National Geological and Geophysical data Preservation Program'' (NGGDPP). The Implementation Plan for the National Geological and Geophysical Data Preservation Program submitted to Congress in August 2006 outlines the vision and purpose of the program and makes recommendations for implementation of the program. One of the action items in the FY 2007 implementation plan is to ``begin interactions with State geological surveys and other DOI agencies that maintain geological and geophysical data and samples to address their preservation and data rescue needs.'' As the first step in this process, the USGS is requesting that each state provide an assessment of their current collections resources and data preservation needs. This information will provide a snapshot of the diversity of scientific collections held, supported, or used by state geological surveys. The inventory covers geological and geophysical collections including: (1) Physical collections such as cores, rocks, minerals, fossils, and liquid samples (such as oil). (2) Digital collections (such as analyses and well logs) that are/ were related to physical collections. (3) Paper and other records (such as microfiche and tapes) that need to be converted to digital format (such as seismic lines and historical geological records). Bureau Form Number: None. Frequency: One time. Description of Respondents: State Geological Surveys. Annual Responses: 50. Annual Burden in Hours: 150. Bureau Clearance Officer: Fred Travnicek, 703-648-7231.

Pursuant to Public Law 106-503, the Scientific Earthquake Studies Advisory Committee (SESAC) will hold its fourteenth meeting. The meeting location is the Albuquerque Seismological Laboratory, 10002 Isleta Road, SE, Kirtland AFB, New Mexico 87117. The Committee is comprised of members from academia, industry, and State government. The Committee shall advise the Director of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) on matters relating to the USGS's participation in the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program. The Committee will provide guidance on the USGS's contributions to the Global Seismographic Network and report preparation. Meetings of the Scientific Earthquake Studies Advisory Committee are open to the public.

The next meeting of the Advisory Committee on the Bird Banding Laboratory (Committee) will take place November 7 and 8, 2006, at the Red Lion Hotel, 3500 NE Cornell Road, Hillsboro, Oregon 97124. The meeting runs from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. each day. The purpose of the Advisory Committee, which is co-chaired by the USGS and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, is to represent the interests of the bird banding community, including both game and non-game birds, in advising the U.S. Department of the Interior and the USGS on current and future management of the Bird Banding Laboratory (BBL). The agenda for this meeting will focus on finalizing the draft report, including numerous recommendations for improving the BBL's business operations and its level of customer service, begun with the Committee's first meeting in November, 2005. The meeting is open to all members of the interested public, and time on the agenda has been reserved at the conclusion of each day's work for the Committee to receive verbal comments (limited to 5 minutes per person) from the public. To speak before the Committee, please register in advance with Mr. Daniel James (see contact information below), the USGS Designated Federal Official (DFO) for the Committee).

Notice is hereby given of a meeting of the ACWI. This meeting is to discuss broad policy-related topics relating to national water initiatives, and the development and dissemination of water information, through reports from ACWI subgroups. The agenda will include status of a proposal for a new ACWI subgroup on Ground Water Monitoring; a new proposal by the Subcommittee on Hydrology, from the Satellite Telemetry Interagency Working Group; status of the National Monitoring Network for U.S. Coastal Waters and their Tributaries; and a presentation on the new Wetland Mapping Standard Workgroup of the Federal Geographic Data Committee. The ACWI was established under the authority of the Office of Management and Budget Memorandum M92-01 and the Federal Advisory Committee Act. The purpose of the ACWI is to provide a forum for water information users and professionals to advise the Federal Government on activities and plans that may improve the effectiveness of meeting the Nation's water information needs. Member organizations help to foster communications between the Federal and non-Federal sectors on sharing water information. Membership, limited to 35 organizations, represents a wide range of water resources interests and functions. Representation on the ACWI includes all levels of government, academia, private industry, and professional and technical societies. For more information on the ACWI, its membership, subgroups, meetings and activities, please see the Web site at: https://ACWI.gov.

The first public workshop on future land Imaging for the United States will be held in the main auditorium in the Main Interior Building, 1849 C Street, NW., Washington, DC. The workshop, directed by the Office of Science and Technology Polict of the Executive Branch, is designed to inform the satellite user community of plans for moderate resolution, Landsat-type multispectral imaging. The workshop will include presentations by the Future of Land Imaging Interagency Working Group, industry, the user community and government representatives. Attendees will be given an opportunity to express views and perspectives on future land imaging needs and capabilities.

In accordance with the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, 16 U.S.C. 703-712, the trapping and marking of wild migratory birds by persons holding Federal permits must be monitored. Formerly managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the bird banding program is now the responsibility of the USGS Bird Banding Laboratory (BBL). This bird banding monitoring program involves information collections on three forms: (1) The Application for Federal Bird Marking and Salvage Permit; (2) The Bird Banding Recovery Report; and (3) The Bird Banding Schedule. The information on the Recovery Report may also be submitted electronically at the BBL Web site or via a toll-free telephone number. This program also assists the Fish and Wildlife Service in fulfillment of its responsibilities designated by International Migratory Bird Treaties with Canada, Mexico, Japan, and the Soviet Union. Estimated Completion Time: 30 minutes for Permit Application; 3 minutes for Recovery Report; 2 minutes for Banding Schedule for waterfowl and 200 minutes for Banding Schedule for birds other than waterfowl. Estimated Annual Number of Responses: 97,550. Estimated Annual Burden Hours: 32,959 hours. For Further Information Contact: To obtain a copy of the full information collection request or copies of the forms, contact the Bureau Information Collection Clearance Office, U.S. Geological Survey, 12201 Sunrise Valley Drive MS 807, Reston, VA 20192-0002, or e-mail (nfaries@usgs.gov), or phone (703-648-6879); or contact the USGS Bird Banding Laboratory, Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, 12100 Beech Forest Road, Laurel, MD 20708-4037.

The third meeting of the Advisory Committee on the Bird Banding Laboratory (Committee) will take place June 13 and 14, 2006, at the Western Regional Office for Ducks Unlimited, 3074 Gold Canal Drive, Rancho Cordova, California 95670-6116. The meeting runs from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. each day. The purpose of the Advisory Committee, which is co-chaired by the USGS and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, is to represent the interests of the bird banding community, including both game and non-game birds, in advising the U.S. Department of the Interior, USGS, on current and future management of the Bird Banding Laboratory. The agenda for this meeting will focus on a full Committee review of the results of the work done since the last meeting by the writing subgroup. The subgroup was charged with developing draft one- page position papers on the following topics: (1) Bird banding permits; (2) data collection and storage; (3) data dissemination; (4) partnerships; and overarching issues. Subsequent to the review discussion, the Committee will finalize statements for each issue and begin developing recommendations for action. The meeting is open to all members of the interested public, and time on the agenda has been reserved at the conclusion of each day's work for the Committee to receive verbal comments (limited to 5 minutes per person) from the public. To speak before the Committee, please register in advance with Mr. Daniel James (see contact information below), the USGS Designated Federal Official (DFO) for the Committee.

The fourth meeting of the third Charter period will be held on April 19 (8 a.m. to 5 p.m.) April 20 (8 a.m. to 5 p.m.) and April 21 (8 a.m. to Noon), 2006, at The Watergate Hotel, 2650 Virginia Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20037. The Committee, comprised of 15 members from academia, industry, government, information science, natural science, social science, and policy/law, will provide the Department of the Interior and USGS management with advice and consultation on defining and accomplishing the NSLRSDA's archiving and access goals to carry out the requirements of the Land Remote Sensing Policy Act; on priorities of the NSLRSDA's tasks; and, on issues of archiving, data management, science, policy, and public-private partnerships. Topics to be reviewed and discussed by the Committee include determining the content of and upgrading the basic data set as identified by the Congress; metadata content and accessibility; product characteristics; availability, and delivery; and, archiving, data access, and distribution policies. Agenda will be finalized at the beginning of the meeting. The meeting is open to all members of the interested public and time on the agenda has been reserved at the conclusion of each day's work for the Committee to receive verbal comments (limited to 5 minutes per person) from the public. To speak before the Committee, please register in advance with Mr. John Faundeen (see contact information below), the USGS Designated Federal Official (DFO) for the Committee.

The second meeting of the Advisory Committee on the bird Banding laboratory (Committee) will take place February 22 ad 23, 2006, at the national headquarters for Ducks Unlimited, One Waterfowl Way, Memphis, Tennessee 38120. The meeting, which runs from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. each day, will take place in DU's Conference Center. The purpose of the Advisory Committee, which is co-chaired by the USGS and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, is to represent the interests of the bird banding community, including both game and non-game birds, in advising the U.S. Department of the Interior, USGS, on current and future management of the bird Banding Laboratory. The agenda for this meeting will focus on a Committee review of the results of the work done since the last meeting by four smaller subgroups. Each subgroup was charged with developing draft issue statement for one of the following topics: (1) Bird banding permits; (2) data collection and storage; (3) data dissemination; and (4) partnerships. Subsequent to the review discussion, the Committee will finalize statements for each issue and begin developing recommendations for action. The meeting is open to all members of the interested public, and time on the agenda has been reserved at the conclusion of each day's work for the Committee to receive verbal comments (limited to 5 minutes per person) from the public. To speak before the Committee, please register in advance with Mr. Daniel James (see contact information below), the USGS Designated Federal Official (DFO) for the Committee.

Notice is hereby given of a meeting of the ACWI. This meeting is to discuss broad policy-related topics relating to national water initiatives, and the development and dissemination of water information, through reports from eight ACWI subgroups. The agenda will include presentation of a proposed Design for a National Water Quality Monitoring Network for Coastal Waters and Their Tributaries. The ACWI has been established under the authority of the Office of Management and Budget Memorandum M92-01 and the Federal Advisory Committee Act. The purpose of the ACWI is to provide a forum for water information users and professionals to advise the Federal Government of activities and plans that may improve the effectiveness of meeting the Nation's water information needs. Member organizations help to foster communications between the Federal and non-Federal sectors on sharing water information. Membership represents a wide range of water resources interests and functions. Representation on the ACWI includes all levels of government, academia, private industry and professional and technical societies. Member organizations designate their representatives and alternates. Membership is limited to a maximum of 35 organizations.

The inaugural meeting of the Advisory Committee on the Bird Banding Laboratory (Committee) will be November 29-30, 2005, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. each day at the U.S. Geological Survey's (USGS) Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, 11510 American Holy Drive, Laurel, Maryland 20708-4017. The meeting will take place in the conference room of the Gabrielson Building. A map and directions to the Center may be found at https://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/aboutous/direct.cfm. The purpose of the Advisory Committee, which is co-chaired by the USGS and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, is to represent the interests of the bird banding community, including both game and non-game and non-game birds, in advising the U.S. Department of the Interior, USGS, on current and future management of the Bird Banding Laboratory. The agenda for the inaugural meeting includes a tour of the Bird Banding Laboratory to familiarize members of the Committee with its operations, functions, and key personnel. In addition, the Committee will identify, prioritize, and begin discussions of the important issues it will address over the two-year period of its current Charter (May 2005-May 2007). The meeting is open to all members of the interested public; however, it will be temporarily closed to the public on November 29 during the Committee tour due to space limitations at the Laboratory. Time on the agenda has been reserved in the afternoon of November 30 for the Committee to receive verbal comments (limited to 5 minutes per person) from the public. To speak before the Committee you must register in advance with Mr. Daniel James (see contact information below), the USGS Designated Federal Official for the Committee. The Patuxent Wildlife Research Center is a gated, secure federal installation with no general public access. You must register with Patuxent personnel in advance of the Committee meeting dates to ensure that you are permitted access to the Center when you arrive. Please contact Ms. Regina Lanning, the Center's Communication Assistant, telephone: (301) 497-5509; e-mail: reginalanning@usgs.gov, to inform her that you will be attending the BBL Advisory Committee Meeting, and provide her with the following information: Full name (for each person if more than one), Company name (if applicable), Vehicle description, Approximate time of arrival dates: November 29-30, 2005.

The collection of information referred herein applies to a World-Wide Web site questionnaire that permits individuals to report on the effects of the shaking from an earthquakeon themselves personally, buildings, other man-made structures, and ground effects such as faulting or landslides. The USGS may use the information to provide qualitative, quantitative, or graphical descriptions of earthquake damage. Estimated Completion Time: 6 minutes. Estimated Annual Number of Respondents: 100,000. Frequency: After each earthquake. Estimated Annual Burden Hours: 10,000 hours. Affected Public: The general public. For Further Information Contact: To obtain copies of the survey, contact the Bureau clearance officer, U.S. Geological Survey, 807 National Center, 12201 Sunrise Valley Drive, Reston, Virginia, 20192, telephone (703) 648-7313, or go to the Web site (https:// pasadena.wr.usgs.gov/shake/).

Pursuant to Public Act 106-503, the Scientific Earthquake Studies Advisory Committee (SESAC) will hold its eleventh meeting. The meeting location is the Courtyard Seattle Downtown /Lake Union, 925 Westlake Avenue North, Seattle, Washington 98109. The Committee is comprised of members from academia, industry, and State government. The Committee shall advise the Director of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) on matters relating to the USGS's participation in the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program. The Committee will review the overall direction of the U.S. Geological Survey's Earthquake Hazards Program in the current and next fiscal years with particular focus on the Program's activities in the Pacific Northwest. Meetings of the Scientific Earthquake Studies Advisory Committee are open to the public.

This information collection is in support of development of a Comprehensive Conservation Plan for Rappahannock National Wildlife Refuge. Under the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997, all national wildlife refuges are required to develop a Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP). A CCP is a document that provides a framework for guiding refuge management decisions. This planning process ensures the opportunity for active public involvement in the preparation and revision of comprehensive conservation plans. This information collection will inform the planning process by providing information to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on the attitudes and opinions of local residents regarding Rappahannock National Wildlife Refuge and its management. Estimated Completion Time: 20 minutes. Estimated Annual Number of Respondents: 1,000. Frequency: One time. Estimated Annual Burden Hours: 333 hours. Affected Public: Residents adjacent to the Rappahannock River Basin, Virginia.

The collection of information referred herein applies to a World-Wide Web site questionnaire that permits individuals to report on the effects of the shaking from an earthquakeon themselves personally, buildings, other man-made structures, and ground effects such as faulting or landslides. The USGS may use the information to provide qualitative, quantitative, or graphical descriptions of earthquake damage. Estimated Completion Time: 6 minutes. Estimated Annual Number of Respondents: 100,000. Frequency: After each earthquake. Estimated Annual Burden Hours: 10,000 hours. Affected Public: The general public. For Further Information Contact: To obtain copies of the survey, contact the Bureau clearance officer, U.S. Geological Survey, 807 National Center, 12201 Sunrise Valley Drive, Reston, Virginia 20192, telephone (703) 648-7313, or go to the Web site (https:// pasadena.wr.usgs.gov/shake/).

Pursuant to Public Law 106-503, the Scientific Earthquake Studies Advisory Committee (SESAC) will hold its tenth meeting. The meeting location is the U.S. Geological Survey Menlo Park Science Center, Building 3, 345 Middlefield Road, Menlo Park, California 94025. The Committee is comprised of members from academia, industry, and State government. The Committee shall advise the Director of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) on matters relating to the USGS's participation in the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program. The Committee will review the overall direction of the U.S. Geological Survey's Earthquake Hazards Program in the current and next fiscal years with particular focus on the Program's activities in earthquake physics and earthquake effects research. Meetings of the Scientific Earthquake Studies Advisory Committee are open to the public.

The North American Amphibian Monitoring Program (NAAMP) is a long-term, large-scale anuran (frog and toad) monitoring program to track the status and trends of eastern and central. Volunteers conduct calling surveys three to four times per year, depending on the regional species assemblage. Volunteers listen for 5 minutes at 10 stops along the route. Data are submitted electronically via the Internet or on hard copy. These data will be used to estimate population trends at various geographic scales and assist with documenting species distribution. NAAMP Web site is https://www.pwrc.usgs.giv/naamp/. Estimated Annual Number of Respondents: 400. Estimated Annual Burden Houses: 3600 hours. Estimated Annual (Non-Hour) Cost Burden: The estimated annual (non- hour) cost burden per response is about $5.65 for a total annual burden of about $7,000. This is based on about 15 miles per survey route, times $0.375 per mile, times 1200 survey routes. Affected Public: Primarily U.S. residents. For Further Information Contact: To obtain copies of the survey, contact the Bureau clearance officer, U.S. Geological Survey, 807 National Center, 12201 Sunrise Valley Drive, Reston, Virginia, 20192, telephone (703) 648-7313.