Office of the Secretary March 2012 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

We (Department of the Interior, DOI) have submitted a request to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to approve the information collection (IC) described below. This IC is scheduled to expire March 31, 2012. As required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and as part of our continuing efforts to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, we invite the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on this IC.

Under the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act of 1972 (5 U.S.C. Appendix), the Government in the Sunshine Act of 1976 (5 U.S.C. 552b), and 41 CFR 102-3.50(d), the Department of Defense gives notice that it is renewing the charter for the Air University Board of Visitors (hereafter referred to as ``the Board''). The Board is a discretionary federal advisory committee that shall provide the Secretary of Defense through the Secretary of the Air Force, independent advice and recommendations on educational and doctrinal and research policies and activities of Air University. The Board shall: a. Review and evaluate progress of the educational programs and the support activities of the university; b. Review and evaluate the published statement of purpose, institutional polices, and financial resources of the university; and c. Review and evaluate the educational effectiveness, quality of student learning, administrative and educational support services, and teaching, research and public service of the university. The Secretary of the Air Force may act upon the Board's advice and recommendations. The Board shall be comprised of no more 35 members appointed by the Secretary of Defense who are eminent authorities in the field of air power, defense, management, leadership, and academia. All Board member appointments must be renewed by the Secretary of Defense on an annual basis. The Board's Chairperson shall be elected by a vote of the membership and approved by the Air University Commander and President. The President of the Naval Postgraduate School shall serve as an ex- offico member. Board members, who are not full-time or permanent part-time Federal officers or employees, shall be appointed to serve as experts and consultants under the authority of 5 U.S.C. Sec. 3109 and shall serve as special government employee members. With the exception of travel and per diem for official Board related travel, Board members shall serve without compensation. Each Board member is appointed to provide advice on behalf of the government on the basis of his or her best judgment without representing any particular point of view and in a manner that is free from conflict of interest. The Department, when necessary, and consistent with the Board's mission and DoD policies and procedures, may establish subcommittees deemed necessary to support the Board. Establishment of subcommittees will be based upon a written determination, to include terms of reference, by the Secretary of Defense, the Deputy Secretary of Defense or the advisory committee's sponsor. The Committee shall establish five permanent subcommittees: 1. The Academic Affairs Subcommittee shall be comprised of nine members. The primary focus of the subcommittee is to provide advice and recommendations to the AU Board of Visitors concerning policies and practices concerning all academic matters across the university. More specifically, the subcommittee will review schools, programs, degree programs, academic and strategic plans, legislative and accreditation issues. The subcommittee will also review policies and practices on academic personnel (appointment, promotion, tenure, sabbaticals, etc) and the registrar functions. The estimated number and frequency of subcommittee meetings is two per year. 2. The Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) subcommittee shall be comprised of eight members. The primary focus of the subcommittee is to provide advice and recommendations to the Air University Board of Visitors concerning engineering and technology graduate programs. The estimated number and frequency of subcommittee meetings is one per year. 3. The Future Learning and Technology Subcommittee shall be comprised of six members. The subcommittee's primary focus is to provide advice and recommendations to the Air University Board of Visitors concerning the appropriate use of technology in delivery of educational programs; effective and efficient use of administrative computing; duplication; technological challenges, and implementation of new learning environments. The estimated number and frequency of subcommittee meetings is two per year. 4. The Institutional Advancement Subcommittee shall be comprised of nine members. The primary focus of the subcommittee is to provide advice and recommendations to the Air University Board of Visitors concerning policies regarding: federal and state grants and private funding of research, teaching and service (Grants); Air University Foundation; alumni affairs; community and outreach matters; public affairs/external relations; public relations, branding, advertising, news and information; facilities improvements and initiatives; strategic plans; spending and policy decisions (budget, contracts, salaries, etc.); tracking and analysis of administrative costs and effectiveness; reviewing proposed additions and renovations of existing facilities; and recommendations of candidates for Air University honorary degrees. The estimated number and frequency of subcommittee meetings is two per year. 5. The Air University Research Subcommittee shall be comprised of six members. The primary focus of the subcommittee is to provide advice and recommendations to the Air University Board of Visitors concerning research processes across the University (to include the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT), Air War College (AWC), Air Command and Staff College (ACSC), School of Advanced Air and Space Studies (SAASS), Air Force Research Institute (AFRI) and Fairchild Research Information Center (FRIC)) as well as discuss publication opportunities that enhance the University's effect across the Air Force and the world wide. The estimated number and frequency of subcommittee meetings is two per year. Such subcommittees shall not work independently of the chartered Board, and shall report all their recommendations and advice to the Board for full deliberation and discussion. Subcommittees have no authority to make decisions on behalf of the chartered Board; nor can any subcommittee or its members update or report directly to the DoD or any Federal officers or employees. Subcommittees shall comply with FACA. All subcommittee members shall be appointed in the same manner as the Board members; that is, the Secretary of Defense shall appoint subcommittee members even if the member in question is already a Board member. Subcommittee members, if not full-time or part-time government employees, shall be appointed to serve as experts and consultants under the authority of 5 U.S.C. Sec. 3109, and shall serve as special government employees, whose appointments must be renewed by the Secretary of Defense on an annual basis. With the exception of travel and per diem for official Board related travel, subcommittee members shall serve without compensation. All subcommittees operate under the provisions of FACA, the Government in the Sunshine Act of 1976 (5 U.S.C. 552b), governing Federal statutes and regulations, and governing DoD policies/ procedures.

On March 16, 2012 (77 FR 15595-15596), Department of Defense published a direct final rule titled Privacy Act; Implementation. This rule corrects the paragraph identification in the added text.

Under the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act of 1972 (5 U.S.C., Appendix, as amended) and the Sunshine Act of 1976 (5 U.S.C. 552b, as amended) the Department of Defense announces the following Federal advisory committee meeting of the Threat Reduction Advisory Committee (hereafter referred to as ``the Committee'').

Under the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act of 1972 (5 U.S.C., Appendix, as amended), the Government in the Sunshine Act of 1976 (5 U.S.C. 552b, as amended), and 41 CFR 102-3.150, the Department of Defense announces the following Federal advisory committee meeting of the Defense Business Board (DBB).

In compliance with section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Office of Youth, Partnerships and Service seeks public comments on the renewal of the information collection associated with the Interior Department Donor Certification Form.

In accordance with the requirements of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, 5 U.S.C. App., 2, the U.S. Department of the Interior, Office of the Secretary, Wildland Fire Executive Council (WFEC) will meet as indicated below.

In compliance with Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Defense Logistics Agency announces a proposed public information collection and seeks public comment on the provisions thereof. Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the 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 Cobell Class Action Settlement Agreement established a trust land consolidation fund to be used for consolidating Indian trust and restricted lands and acquiring fractional interests in these lands. We are reopening the period for commenting on the Cobell Land Consolidation Program Draft Plan (also known as the Trust Land Consolidation Draft Plan), which is the draft plan for accomplishing these goals.

On January 31, 2012 (77 FR 4788-4798), DoD published a notice titled Revised Non-Foreign Overseas Per Diem Rates. The table on pages 4789-4797, titled ``Maximum Per Diem Rates for official travel in Alaska, Hawaii, the Commonwealths of Puerto Rico and the Northern Islands and Possessions of the United States by Federal Government civilian employees'', published with incorrect lodging seasonal dates for some locations in Alaska. This notice corrects these errors. The Per Diem, Travel and Transportation Allowance Committee is publishing Civilian Personnel Per Diem Bulletin Number 279. This bulletin lists revisions in the per diem rates prescribed for U.S. Government employees for official travel in Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, the Northern Mariana Islands and Possessions of the United States. AEA changes announced in Bulletin Number 194 remain in effect. Bulletin Number 279 is being published in the Federal Register to assure that travelers are paid per diem at the most current rates.

Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) is proposing to update the DIA Privacy Act Program by adding an exemption to accurately describe the basis for exempting the records in the system of records notice LDIA 0660, Security and Counterintelligence Records. This direct final rule makes nonsubstantive changes to the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) Privacy Program rules. These changes will allow the Department to add an exemption rule to the DIA Privacy Program rules that will exempt applicable Department records and/or material from certain portions of the Privacy Act. This will improve the efficiency and effectiveness of DoD's program by preserving the exempt status of the applicable records and/or material when the purposes underlying the exemption(s) are valid and necessary. This rule is being published as a direct final rule as the Department of Defense does not expect to receive any adverse comments, and so a proposed rule is unnecessary.

The Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) is adding a new exemption rule for LDIA 0900, entitled ``Accounts Receivable, Indebtedness and Claims'' to exempt those records that have been previously claimed for the records in another Privacy Act system of records. To the extent that copies of exempt records from those other systems of records are entered into these case records, DIA hereby claims the same exemptions for the records as claimed in the original primary system of records of which they are a part. This direct final rule makes nonsubstantive changes to the Defense Intelligence Agency Program rules. These changes will allow the Department to exempt records from certain portions of the Privacy Act. This will improve the efficiency and effectiveness of DoD's program by preserving the exempt status of the records when the purposes underlying the exemption for the original records are still valid and necessary to protect the contents of the records. This rule is being published as a direct final rule as the Department of Defense does not expect to receive any adverse comments, and so a proposed rule is unnecessary.

The National Security Agency/Central Security Service is removing an exemption rule for GNSA 23, NSA/CSS Operations Security Support Program and Training Files. This direct final rule makes nonsubstantive changes to the National Security Agency/Central Security Service Program rules. These changes will remove the exemption rule for the system of records GNSA 23, NSA/CSS Operations Security Support Program and Training Files, which has been deleted in its entirety. This rule is being published as a direct final rule as the Department of Defense does not expect to receive any adverse comments, and so a proposed rule is unnecessary.

The Office of the Secretary of Defense is exempting those records contained in DMDC 15 DoD, entitled ``Armed Services Military Accession Testing'' when the record includes the specific answers submitted and the answer key. Releasing this information to the individual will compromise the objectivity or fairness of the test if the correct or incorrect answers are released.

The Office of the Secretary of Defense is exempting those records contained in DMDC 11, entitled ``Investigative Records Repository'', when investigatory material is compiled solely for the purpose of determining suitability, eligibility, or qualifications for Federal civilian employment, military service, Federal contracts, or access to classified information, but only to the extent that such material would reveal the identity of a confidential source. This direct final rule makes nonsubstantive changes to the Office of the Secretary Privacy Program rules. These changes will allow the Department to add an exemption rule to the Office of the Secretary of Defense Privacy Program rules that will exempt applicable Department records and/or material from certain portions of the Privacy Act. This change will allow the Department to move part of the Department's personnel security program records from the Defense Security Service Privacy Program to the Office of the Secretary of Defense Privacy Program. This will improve the efficiency and effectiveness of DoD's program by preserving the exempt status of the applicable records and/ or material when the purposes underlying the exemption(s) are valid and necessary. This rule is being published as a direct final rule as the Department of Defense does not expect to receive any adverse comments, and so a proposed rule is unnecessary.

This part implements policy, responsibilities and procedures for executing an information assurance scholarship and grant program, known as the DoD Information Assurance Scholarship Program (IASP). The DoD IASP will be used to recruit and retain the nation's top information assurance and information technology talent, which is critical as DoD progresses into the cybersecurity arena.

In accordance with the Privacy Act of 1974, the Department of Agriculture proposes to revise an existing Department of Agriculture system of records notice now titled, USDA/OCIO-2 eAuthentication Service (eAuth). The USDA eAuth provides the public and government businesses with a single sign-on capability for USDA applications, management of user credentials, and verification of identity, authorization, and electronic signatures. USDA's eAuth collects customer information through an electronic self-registration process provided through the eAuth Web site. This System of Records Notice was previously published as ``USDA eAuthentication Service'' in Federal Register Vol. 71, No. 143 on Wednesday July 26, 2006. The revision reflects updates to the system name; the system location; routine uses; storage policies; safeguards; retention and disposal; the system manager; and notification, record access, and contesting procedures.

This document revises the delegations of authority from the Secretary of Agriculture and general officers of the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to reflect changes in the coordination of Departmental remote sensing activities. These responsibilities are consolidated within the Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO) to create a single focal point for coordinating all Departmental geospatial activities.

The Department of Defense is publishing the unclassified text of a section 36(b)(1) arms sales notification. This is published to fulfill the requirements of section 155 of Public Law 104-164 dated July 21, 1996.

Under the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act of 1972 (Title 5, United States Code (U.S.C.), Appendix, as amended) and the Government in the Sunshine Act of 1976 (Title 5, U.S.C., Section 552b, as amended) the Department of Defense (DoD) announces the following Federal Advisory Committee meeting of the Uniform Formulary Beneficiary Advisory Panel (hereafter referred to as the Panel).

The Office of the Secretary, Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU), invites public comments about our intention to request the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) approval to renew a collection. Currently, there are two Short Term Loan Program (STLP) applications: the ``Short Term Lending Program Application for a New Loan Guarantee'' and the ``Application for Loan Guarantee Renewal''. This collection renewal request includes one STLP application. The revised STLP application will be used for both new loan guarantee applicants and renewal loan guarantee applicants. The revised STLP application is a single, consolidated document that is easier to read and understand for all small business applicants. The information collected in the revised STLP application will determine the applicant's eligibility and is necessary to approve or deny a loan. Public Comments Invited: You are asked to comment on any aspect of this information collection. All comments will also become a matter of public record.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35), this notice announces the Office of Advocacy and Outreach/1890 Programs intention to request an extension for a currently approved information collection for the USDA/1890 National Scholars Program.

This proposed rule would add reporting for pork (fresh, chilled, and frozen box/primal cuts) and distillers dried grain (DDG) to the Export Sales Reporting Requirements. Under this proposed rule, all exporters of U.S. pork and DDG would be required to report on a weekly basis, information on the export sales of pork and DDGs to the Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS).