Geological Survey – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

Pursuant to Public Law 96-472, the National Earthquake Prediction Evaluation Council (NEPEC) will hold a meeting. The meeting location is the Hilton Palm Springs Resort, 400 East Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs, California 92262-6605. The Committee is comprised of members from academia and the Federal Government. The Committee shall advise the Director of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) on proposed earthquake predictions, on the completeness and scientific validity of the available data related to earthquake predictions, and on related matters as assigned by the Director. The Council will receive a briefing on the Colaboratory for Study of Earthquake Predictability (CSEP), a report on a workshop on Episodic Tremor and Slip held last winter, and short reports and updates on several other topics. The Council will also discuss the potential need to provide advisory reports on short notice if natural observations suggest an increased earthquake risk, and the form and content of such reports. Meetings of the National Earthquake Prediction Evaluation Council are open to the public.

To comply with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is inviting comments on collection of information that we have sent to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval. The Information Collection Request (ICR) concerns the paperwork requirements for the National Spatial Data Infrastructure, Cooperative Agreements Program (NSDI CAP) and describes the nature of the collection and the estimated burden and cost.

We (U.S. Geological Survey) have sent an Information Collection Request (ICR) to OMB for review and approval. The ICR, which is summarized below, describes the nature of the collection and the estimated burden and cost. This ICR is scheduled to expire on July 31, 2008. We may not conduct or sponsor and a person is not required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. However, under OMB regulations, we may continue to conduct or sponsor this information collection while it is pending at OMB.

To comply with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), we are notifying the public that we will submit to OMB a new information collection request (ICR) for approval of the paperwork requirements for the Mineral Resources Program's (MRP) Mineral Resource External Research Program (MRERP). To submit a proposal for the MRERP a project narrative must be completed and submitted via Grants.gov. Furthermore, for multi-year projects, an annual progress report must be completed, and for all projects, a final technical report is required at the end of the project period. This notice provides the public an opportunity to comment on the paperwork burden of these project narrative and report requirements. The narrative and report guidance is available at https://www.usgs.gov/ contracts/Minerals/.

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 the ``North American Breeding Bird Survey.'' This notice also provides the public a second opportunity to comment on the paperwork burden of this collection.

To comply with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), we are notifying the public that we will submit to OMB a new information collection request (ICR) for approval of the paperwork requirements for the National Land Remote Sensing Education, Outreach and Research Program (NLRSEORP). To submit a proposal for the NLRSEORP three standard OMB forms and project narrative must be completed and submitted via Grants.gov. This notice provides the public an opportunity to comment on the paperwork burden of these forms. The forms are available at https://www07.grants.gov/agencies/approved standardforms.jsp.

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

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 ``North American Amphibian Monitoring Program.'' 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 will submit to OMB an information collection request (ICR) to renew approval of the paperwork requirements for ``North American Breeding Bird Survey, (1 USGS form).'' This notice provides the public an opportunity to comment on the paperwork burden of this form.

Pursuant to Public Law 106-148, the NCGMP Advisory Committee will meet in Room BA102A of the John Wesley Powell Building of the U.S. Geological Survey, 12201 Sunrise Valley Drive, Reston, Virginia. The Advisory Committee, composed of scientists from Federal Agencies, State Agencies, academic institutions, and private companies, will advise the Director of the U.S. Geological Survey on planning and implementation of the geologic mapping program. Topics to be reviewed and discussed by the Advisory Committee include the: Progress of the NCGMP towards fulfilling the purposes of the National Geological Mapping act of 1992 Field oriented geoscience experience for college and university students. Paucity of Black, Hispanic, and Native American college and university students with geoscience majors.

Following consultation with the General Services Administration, notice is hereby given that the Secretary of the Interior is renewing the Advisory Committee on Water Information (ACWI). The ACWI has been established under the authority of Office of Management and Budget Memorandum No. M-92-01 and the Federal Advisory Committee act. The purpose of this Presidential Committee is to represent the interests of water-information users and professionals in advising the Federal Government on Federal water-information programs and their effectiveness in meeting the Nation's water-information needs. Member organizations help to foster communications between the Federal and non-Federal sectors of 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 organization. The Committee will function solely as an advisory body, and in compliance with the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act. The Charter will be filed under the Act, 15 days from the date of publication of this notice.

To comply with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), we are notifying the public that we will submit to the Office of management and Budget (OMB) an information collection request (ICR) to renew approval of the paperwork requirements for the North American Amphibian Monitoring Program (NAAMP). This notice provides the public an opportunity to comment on the ICR.

The USGS-CCSP Committee for Synthesis and Assessment Product (SAP) 3.4: Abrupt Climate Change will hold a teleconference on December 21, 2007 from 12 p.m.-4 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. Agenda: The purpose of the teleconference is to discuss the results of the peer review process for SAP 3.4. The first draft of the SAP was peer reviewed by 24 scientists with expertise tied to the subject matter of the report. Comments from the peer reviewers were collated and distributed to the chapter lead authors of the report. The chapter authors have prepared proposed responses to the peer review comments and distributed them to the full Committee for deliberation at the December 21 teleconference. The teleconference is open to the public. Pre-registration is required to attend. Contact the Designated Federal Officer (DFO) at the address below by December 17 to pre-register and to receive a copy of the peer review comments and proposed responses. The teleconference will take place in a conference room at the USGS in Reston, VA (full address below). In order to participate in the teleconference, members of the public will need to attend in person at the USGS in Reston, VA. Prepared statements may be presented orally to the Committee during the teleconference between 12 p.m. and 12:30 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 as a matter of public record. Additional short public comments/questions during the teleconference will be allowed only if time permits. Special instructions pertaining to security at USGS and directions to the conference room will be provided to those who pre-register. Please check the Synthesis and Assessment Product 3.4 Web page (https://www.usgs.gov/globalchange/sap3.4/default.asp) for any last minute changes to the teleconference date, location or agenda. The teleconference may close early if all business is completed.

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 ``Consolidated consumers' Report (Form 9-4117-MA).'' This notice also provides the public a second opportunity to comment on the paperwork burden of this form.

Pursuant to Public Law 106-148, the NCGMP Advisory Committee will meet in Room 1787 of Building 25 at the Federal Center, Denver, CO. The advisory Committee, composed of scientists from Federal Agencies, State Agencies, academic institutions, and private companies, will advise the Director of the U.S. Geological Survey on planning and implementation of the geologic mapping program. Topics to be reviewed and discussed by the Advisory Committee include the: Progress of the NCGMP towards fulfilling the purposes of the National Geological Mapping Act of 1993 Updates on the Federal, State, and educational components of the NCGMP Report from the Subcommittee on an implementation plan for the National Geological and Geophysical Data Preservation Program

To comply with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), USGS is inviting comments on a collection of information that we will submit to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval. The information collection request (ICR) concerns the paperwork requirements in the Performance Measures Data, North American Reporting Center for Amphibian Malformations (NARCAM).

The USGS-CCSP Committee for Synthesis and Assessment Product 1.2: Past Climate Variability and Change in the Arctic and at High Latitudes will meet in the Hampton Inn in Lakewood, Colorado on July 12-13, 2007. Agenda: The goal of the meeting is to produce a detailed outline of the structure of the Synthesis and Assessment Product and to identify key areas of input and to create a list of potential contributing authors for these areas. Records under consideration will include, but not necessarily be limited to, paleo-records from tree rings, ice cores, lake sediments, pollen records, distributions of marine and terrestrial organisms as well as isotopic indicators measured on them, and the temporal evolution of terrestrial depositional and erosional environments. The agenda will focus on the key topics of the past record of change in Arctic sea ice extent, in the status of the Greenland ice sheet, paleo-temperature and paleo-precipitation records, and past intervals of rapid climate change. The meeting is open to the public at the times listed below. Pre-registration is required to attend. Contact the Designated Federal Officer (DFO) at the address given below by July 9, 2007 to pre-register and receive a copy of the meeting agenda. Public involvement in the meeting is encouraged. Prepared statements may be presented orally to the Committee on Thursday, July 12, 2007 between 11 a.m. and noon. 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 1.2 Web page at CCSP (https://www.climatescience.gov/Library/ sap/sap 1-2/default.php) for any last minute changes to the meeting time, date, location or agenda.

The Department of the Interior, after consultation with the General Services Administration, is establishing the National Geospatial Advisory Committee under the authority of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA). The Committee will provide advice and recommendations to the Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC), through the FGDC Chair (the Secretary of the Interior or designee), related to management of Federal geospatial programs, the development of the National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI), and the implementation of Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular A-16 and Executive Order 12906. The Committee will review and comment upon geospatial policy and management issues and will provide a forum to convey views representative of non-Federal stakeholders in the geospatial community.

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.