Notices. Notice of a New System of Records

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BILLING CODE 4000-01-M DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services; Overview Information; Technology and Media Services for Individuals With Disabilities-Center To Support Technology Innovation for Students With Disabilities; Notice Inviting Applications for New Awards for Fiscal Year

(FY)2006 *Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance

(CFDA)Number:* 84.327Z. *Dates:* *Applications Available:* December 16, 2005. *Deadline for Transmittal of Applications:* February 2, 2006. *Deadline for Intergovernmental Review:* April 3, 2006. *Eligible Applicants:* State educational agencies (SEAs); local educational agencies (LEAs); public charter schools that are LEAs under State law; institutions of higher education (IHEs); other public agencies; private nonprofit organizations; outlying areas; freely associated States; Indian tribes or tribal organizations; and for-profit organizations. *Estimated Available Funds:* The Administration has requested $31,992,000 for the Technology and Media Services for Individuals with Disabilities program for FY 2006, of which we intend to use an estimated $800,000 for the Center to Support Technology Innovation for Students with Disabilities competition. The actual level of funding, if any, depends on final congressional action. However, we are inviting applications to allow enough time to complete the grant process if Congress appropriates funds for this program. *Maximum Award:* We will reject any application that proposes a budget exceeding $800,000 for a single budget period of 12 months. The Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services may change the maximum amount through a notice published in the **Federal Register** . *Number of Awards:* 1. Note: The Department is not bound by any estimates in this notice. *Project Period:* Up to 60 months. Full Text of Announcement I. Funding Opportunity Description *Purpose of Program:* The purpose of the program is to:

(1)Improve results for children with disabilities by promoting the development, demonstration, and use of technology,

(2)support educational media services activities designed to be of educational value in the classroom setting to children with disabilities, and

(3)provide support for captioning and video description that is appropriate for use in the classroom setting. *Priority:* In accordance with 34 CFR 75.105(b)(2)(iv) and (v), this priority is from allowable activities specified in the statute, or otherwise authorized in the statute (see sections 674 and 681(d) of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)). *Absolute Priority:* For FY 2006 this priority is an absolute priority. Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(3), we consider only applications that meet this priority. This priority is: Technology and Media Services for Individuals with Disabilities-Center to Support Technology Innovation for Students With Disabilities Background During the past 20 years, the Office of Special Education Programs

(OSEP)has funded projects that develop and study a range of assistive and instructional technologies to improve outcomes for children with disabilities. Technology that has been accessible to individuals with disabilities has played a significant role in making it possible for students with disabilities to acquire and improve their functional abilities and to participate and progress in regular education settings. Over the same period of time, a variety of private and public sector programs and activities have developed technology applications that can benefit children with disabilities. Some of these technology applications have been developed at the State and local level, some have arisen from the work of professional groups and trade associations, some have been commercially developed and others have been refined in the business, medicine, research, or military sectors. Technology innovations, however, will not result in widespread and long lasting benefits to students with disabilities unless they are shared beyond the field of special education. Commercially developed products may not benefit children with disabilities unless they are designed to meet their needs. Likewise, special education researchers and technology developers cannot draw upon technology innovations and trends unless they are aware of them. Over the past five years, OSEP has supported initiatives and sponsored communication efforts designed to bridge the gaps among researchers, developers, vendors, and other entities. Although this work has been fruitful in improving communication, a permanent and more formal mechanism is needed. A Center would enable the array of stakeholders to develop strategic partnerships and to share cutting edge information thereby increasing innovative use of current technology while encouraging the development of new tools. Priority This priority will support a Center to advance learning opportunities and achieve better results for children with disabilities by—(a) Developing and implementing a network of collaborative partnerships;

(b)Promoting the distribution and use of technology-related products and approaches to improve results for children with disabilities; and

(c)Tracking technology innovation developments in government, private industry, early intervention, education policy, and other sectors and analyzing existing and anticipating emerging needs, issues, and trends to foster technology innovation that will improve results for children with disabilities. The Center's activities for developing and implementing a collaborative network must include, but are not limited to—

(a)Developing and implementing a set of strategies to promote partnerships and collaboration among researchers, developers, vendors, and other appropriate entities. This activity also must include developing and implementing procedures to collect information on the relevant activities of these entities;

(b)Developing and regularly updating a database of projects (including OSEP-funded projects), agencies, professional and trade associations, commercial companies, and other organizations and entities that may contribute to the Center's efforts to improve the use of technology to achieve better results for children with disabilities. This database is to be posted on the Web site mentioned elsewhere in this priority;

(c)Forming an advisory board of eight to 10 representatives with various perspectives, and maintaining communication with this board, including convening an annual meeting in Washington, DC. The purpose of this board is to review and comment at least annually on the Center's plans and evaluation findings, and to provide additional advisory support as needed. Representatives on the advisory board must include, but are not limited to: Technology developers, technology researchers, Federal agencies and programs, commercial vendors, technical assistance providers, personnel preparation programs, teachers and other service providers, persons with disabilities who use technology, and parents of children with disabilities;

(d)Distributing a quarterly e-mail newsletter (with links to the Center's Web site) describing the activities of the Center and of other members of the network, including the activities of OSEP-funded projects, that contribute to improving the use of technology to advance learning opportunities and achieve better results for children with disabilities; and

(e)Conducting technical assistance, dissemination or training activities for target audiences. These activities must be conducted in collaboration with other members of the network. The activities may draw upon OSEP-sponsored projects and other sources, including the materials developed by the Center. The activities must be designed to disseminate information on using technology to achieve better results. The Center's activities for promoting the distribution and use of technology-related products and approaches to improve results, including products and approaches developed with OSEP funding, must include, but are not limited to—

(a)Maintaining a listing of commercial and noncommercial resources for disseminating findings and products of technology projects, and including these resources in the network database;

(b)Providing technical assistance and training for developers of technology-related products and approaches on developing high quality and marketable products, and finding dissemination or marketing outlets; and

(c)Including information on technology-related products and approaches with the potential to improve results in the newsletter, and providing follow-up information to potential dissemination or marketing outlets. The Center's activities for tracking technology innovation developments and analyzing existing and anticipating emerging needs, issues, and trends to foster technology innovation across a variety of entities must include, but are not limited to—

(a)Convening panels of experts annually to focus on specific needs, issues, and trends, and produce documents describing implications for using technology innovation to achieve better results. If the panels involve preparation of background papers prior to meetings, the Center must post all background papers and resulting products of consensus panels on the Web site; and

(b)Maintaining an ongoing collection of information on developments in the government, private industry, early intervention, education, and other sectors relevant to needs, issues, and trends, including those related to promising technology approaches. This information must be reported in the newsletter and on the Web site. In addition to the other required activities, the Center must also do the following:

(a)Maintain a Web site that includes: The network database, online documents and products developed by the Center, online descriptions of products developed by OSERS-funded projects, links to Web resources (including all Web sites maintained by OSERS-funded projects involved in technology innovation), articles linked to the newsletter, and discussion groups. This Web site must also include relevant information and documents in a format that meets a government or industry-recognized standards for accessibility.

(b)Conduct an annual meeting in Washington, DC, on technology and children with disabilities. This meeting must include directors of OSEP-sponsored projects involved in technology innovations, and may include directors of technology innovation projects funded by other sources, and other local participants representing Federal agencies, professional groups, etc. The Center must pay for travel and lodging for approximately 85 project directors (the remaining participants are local or will pay for their travel with their own project funds). The conference must include a demonstration event of OSEP-supported technologies.

(c)Meet with OSEP staff during the first month of each project year to discuss and obtain approval for plans for the year.

(d)Conduct internal and external project evaluation activities to ascertain the quality of the Center's activities and products, to align the project activities with project goals and objectives, and to determine the Center's progress toward improving the use of technology to achieve better results.

(e)Submit quarterly reports describing and documenting Center activities, including results of the required evaluation activities. *Waiver of Proposed Rulemaking* : Under the Administrative Procedure Act

(APA)(5 U.S.C. 553), the Department generally offers interested parties the opportunity to comment on proposed priorities. However, section 681(d) of the IDEA makes the public comment requirements of the APA inapplicable to the priority in this notice. Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1474 and 1481(d). *Applicable Regulations:* The Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) in 34 CFR parts 74, 75, 77, 79, 80, 81, 82, 84, 85, 86, 97, 98, and 99. Note: The regulations in 34 CFR part 79 apply to all applicants except federally recognized Indian tribes. Note: The regulations in 34 CFR part 86 apply to IHEs only. II. Award Information *Type of Award:* Discretionary grants. *Estimated Available Funds:* The Administration has requested $31,992,000 for the Technology and Media Services for Individuals with Disabilities program for FY 2006, of which we intend to use an estimated $800,000 for the Center to Support Technology Innovation for Students with Disabilities competition. The actual level of funding, if any, depends on final congressional action. However, we are inviting applications to allow enough time to complete the grant process if Congress appropriates funds for this program. *Maximum Award:* We will reject any application that proposes a budget exceeding $800,000 for a single budget period of 12 months. The Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services may change the maximum amount through a notice published in the **Federal Register** . *Number of Awards:* 1. Note: The Department is not bound by any estimates in this notice. *Project Period:* Up to 60 months. III. Eligibility Information 1. *Eligible Applicants:* SEAs; LEAs; public charter schools that are LEAs under State law; IHEs; other public agencies; private nonprofit organizations; outlying areas; freely associated States; Indian tribes or tribal organizations; and for-profit organizations. 2. *Cost Sharing or Matching:* This competition does not involve cost sharing or matching. 3. *Other: General Requirements* —(a) The projects funded under this competition must make positive efforts to employ and advance in employment qualified individuals with disabilities (see section 606 of IDEA).

(b)Applicants and grant recipients funded under this competition must involve individuals with disabilities or parents of individuals with disabilities ages birth through 26 in planning, implementing, and evaluating the projects (see section 682(a)(1)(A) of IDEA). IV. Application and Submission Information 1. *Address to Request Application Package:* Education Publications Center (ED Pubs), P.O. Box 1398, Jessup, MD 20794-1398. Telephone (toll free): 1-877-433-7827. FAX:

(301)470-1244. If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD), you may call (toll free): 1-877-576-7734. You may also contact ED Pubs at its Web site: *http://www.ed.gov/pubs/edpubs.html* or you may contact ED Pubs at its e-mail address: *edpubs@inet.ed.gov.* If you request an application from ED Pubs, be sure to identify this competition as follows: CFDA Number 84.327Z. Individuals with disabilities may obtain a copy of the application package in an alternative format ( *e.g.* , Braille, large print, audiotape, or computer diskette) by contacting the Grants and Contracts Services Team listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT in section VII of this notice. 2. *Content and Form of Application Submission:* Requirements concerning the content of an application, together with the forms you must submit, are in the application package for this competition. *Page Limit:* The application narrative (Part III of the application) is where you, the applicant, address the selection criteria that reviewers use to evaluate your application. You must limit Part III to the equivalent of no more than 50 pages, using the following standards: • A “page” is 8.5″ x 11″, on one side only, with 1″ margins at the top, bottom, and both sides. • Double space (no more than three lines per vertical inch) all text in the application narrative, including titles, headings, footnotes, quotations, references, and captions, as well as all text in charts, tables, figures, and graphs. • Use a font that is either 12 point or larger or no smaller than 10 pitch (characters per inch). The page limit does not apply to Part I, the cover sheet; Part II, the budget section, including the narrative budget justification; Part IV, the assurances and certifications; the one-page abstract, the resumes, the bibliography, the references, or the letters of support. However, you must include all of the application narrative in Part III. We will reject your application if— • You apply these standards and exceed the page limit; or • You apply other standards and exceed the equivalent of the page limit. 3. *Submission Dates and Times:* Applications Available: December 16, 2005. *Deadline for Transmittal of Applications:* February 2, 2006. Applications for grants under this competition may be submitted electronically using the Grants.gov Apply site (Grants.gov), or in paper format by mail or hand delivery. For information (including dates and times) about how to submit your application electronically, or by mail or hand delivery, please refer to section IV.6. *Other Submission Requirements* in this notice. We do not consider an application that does not comply with the deadline requirements. *Deadline for Intergovernmental Review:* April 3, 2006. 4. *Intergovernmental Review:* This program is subject to Executive Order 12372 and the regulations in 34 CFR part 79. Information about Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs under Executive Order 12372 is in the application package for this competition. 5. *Funding Restrictions:* We reference regulations outlining funding restrictions in the *Applicable Regulations* section of this notice. 6. *Other Submission Requirements:* Applications for grants under this competition may be submitted electronically or in paper format by mail or hand delivery. a. *Electronic Submission of Applications.* We have been accepting applications electronically through the Department's e-Application system since FY 2000. In order to expand on those efforts and comply with the President's Management Agenda, we are continuing to participate as a partner in the new government wide Grants.gov Apply site in FY 2006. Center to Support Technology Innovation for Students with Disabilities—CFDA Number 84.327Z is one of the competitions included in this project. We request your participation in Grants.gov. If you choose to submit your application electronically, you must use the Grants.gov Apply site at *http://www.Grants.gov.* Through this site, you will be able to download a copy of the application package, complete it offline, and then upload and submit your application. You may not e-mail an electronic copy of a grant application to us. You may access the electronic grant application for the Center to Support Technology Innovation for Students with Disabilities-CFDA Number 84.327Z competition at: *http://www.grants.gov.* You must search for the downloadable application package for this program by the CFDA number. Do not include the CFDA number's alpha suffix in your search. Please note the following: • Your participation in Grants.gov is voluntary. • When you enter the Grants.gov site, you will find information about submitting an application electronically through the site, as well as the hours of operation. • Applications received by Grants.gov are time and date stamped. Your application must be fully uploaded and submitted, and must be date/time stamped by the Grants.gov system no later than 4:30 p.m., Washington, DC, time, on the application deadline date. Except as otherwise noted in this section, we will not consider your application if it is date/time stamped by the Grants.gov system later than 4:30 p.m., Washington, DC time, on the application deadline date. When we retrieve your application from Grants.gov, we will notify you if we are rejecting your application because it was date/time stamped by the Grants.gov system after 4:30 p.m., Washington, DC, time, on the application deadline date. • The amount of time it can take to upload an application will vary depending on a variety of factors including the size of the application and the speed of your Internet connection. Therefore, we strongly recommend that you do not wait until the application deadline date to begin the application process through Grants.gov. • You should review and follow the Education Submission Procedures for submitting an application through Grants.gov that are included in the application package for this competition to ensure that you submit your application in a timely manner to the Grants.gov system. You can also find the Education Submission Procedures pertaining to Grants.gov at *http://e-Grants.ed.gov/help/GrantsgovSubmissionProcedures.pdf.* • To submit your application via Grants.gov, you must complete all of the steps in the Grants.gov registration process (see *http://www.Grants.gov/GetStarted* ). These steps include

(1)registering your organization,

(2)registering yourself as an Authorized Organization Representative (AOR), and

(3)getting authorized as an AOR by your organization. Details on these steps are outlined in the Grants.gov 3-Step Registration Guide (see *http://www.grants.gov/assets/GrantsgovCoBrandBrochure8X11.pdf* ). You also must provide on your application the same D-U-N-S Number used with this registration. Please note that the registration process may take five or more business days to complete, and you must have completed all registration steps to allow you to successfully submit an application via Grants.gov. • You will not receive additional point value because you submit your application in electronic format, nor will we penalize you if you submit your application in paper format. • You may submit all documents electronically, including all information typically included on the Application for Federal Education Assistance (ED 424), Budget Information—Non-Construction Programs (ED 524), and all necessary assurances and certifications. If you choose to submit your application electronically, you must attach any narrative sections of your application as files in a .DOC (document), .RTF (rich text) or .PDF (Portable Document) format. If you upload a file type other than the three file types specified above or submit a password protected file, we will not review that material. • Your electronic application must comply with any page limit requirements described in this notice. • After you electronically submit your application, you will receive an automatic acknowledgment from Grants.gov that contains a Grants.gov tracking number. The Department will retrieve your application from Grants.gov and send you a second confirmation by e-mail that will include a PR/Award number (an ED-specified identifying number unique to your application). • We may request that you provide us original signatures on forms at a later date. Application Deadline Date Extension in Case of System Unavailability If you are prevented from electronically submitting your application on the application deadline date because of technical problems with the Grants.gov system, we will grant you an extension until 4:30 p.m., Washington, DC, time, the following business day to enable you to transmit your application electronically, or by hand delivery. You also may mail your application by following the mailing instructions as described elsewhere in this notice. If you submit an application after 4:30 p.m., Washington, DC, time, on the deadline date, please contact the person listed elsewhere in this notice under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT, and provide an explanation of the technical problem you experienced with Grants.gov, along with the Grants.gov Support Desk Case Number (if available). We will accept your application if we can confirm that a technical problem occurred with the Grants.gov system and that that problem affected your ability to submit your application by 4:30 p.m., Washington, DC time, on the application deadline date. The Department will contact you after a determination is made on whether your application will be accepted. Note: Extensions referred to in this section apply only to the unavailability of or technical problems with the Grants.gov system. We will not grant you an extension if you failed to fully register to submit your application to Grants.gov before the deadline date and time or if the technical problem you experienced is unrelated to the Grants.gov system. b. *Submission of Paper Applications by Mail.* If you submit your application in paper format by mail (through the U.S. Postal Service or a commercial carrier), you must mail the original and two copies of your application, on or before the application deadline date, to the Department at the applicable following address: *By mail through the U.S. Postal Service:* U.S. Department of Education, Application Control Center, Attention: (CFDA Number 84.327Z), 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20202-4260, or *By mail through a commercial carrier:* U.S. Department of Education, Application Control Center—Stop 4260, Attention: (CFDA Number 84.327Z), 7100 Old Landover Road, Landover, MD 20785-1506. Regardless of which address you use, you must show proof of mailing consisting of one of the following:

(1)A legibly dated U.S. Postal Service postmark,

(2)A legible mail receipt with the date of mailing stamped by the U.S. Postal Service,

(3)A dated shipping label, invoice, or receipt from a commercial carrier, or

(4)Any other proof of mailing acceptable to the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education. If you mail your application through the U.S. Postal Service, we do not accept either of the following as proof of mailing:

(1)A private metered postmark, or

(2)A mail receipt that is not dated by the U.S. Postal Service. If your application is postmarked after the application deadline date, we will not consider your application. Note: The U.S. Postal Service does not uniformly provide a dated postmark. Before relying on this method, you should check with your local post office. c. *Submission of Paper Applications by Hand Delivery.* If you submit your application in paper format by hand delivery, you (or a courier service) must deliver the original and two copies of your application by hand, on or before the application deadline date, to the Department at the following address: U.S. Department of Education, Application Control Center, Attention: (CFDA Number 84.327Z), 550 12th Street, SW., Room 7041, Potomac Center Plaza, Washington, DC 20202-4260. The Application Control Center accepts hand deliveries daily between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Washington, DC time, except Saturdays, Sundays and Federal holidays. *Note for Mail or Hand Delivery of Paper Applications:* If you mail or hand deliver your application to the Department:

(1)You must indicate on the envelope and—if not provided by the Department—in Item 4 of ED 424 the CFDA number—and suffix letter, if any—of the competition under which you are submitting your application.

(2)The Application Control Center will mail a grant application receipt acknowledgment to you. If you do not receive the grant application receipt acknowledgment within 15 business days from the application deadline date, you should call the U.S. Department of Education Application Control Center at

(202)245-6288. V. Application Review Information *Selection Criteria:* The selection criteria for this competition are from 34 CFR 75.210 and are listed in the application package. VI. Award Administration Information 1. *Award Notices:* If your application is successful, we notify your U.S. Representative and U.S. Senators and send you a Grant Award Notification (GAN). We may also notify you informally. If your application is not evaluated or not selected for funding, we notify you. 2. *Administrative and National Policy Requirements:* We identify administrative and national policy requirements in the application package and reference these and other requirements in the *Applicable Regulations* section of this notice. We reference the regulations outlining the terms and conditions of an award in the *Applicable Regulations* section of this notice and include these and other specific conditions in the GAN. The GAN also incorporates your approved application as part of your binding commitments under the grant. 3. *Reporting:* At the end of your project period, you must submit a final performance report, including financial information, as directed by the Secretary. If you receive a multi-year award, you must submit an annual performance report that provides the most current performance and financial expenditure information as specified by the Secretary in 34 CFR 75.118. 4. *Performance Measures:* Under the Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA), the Department has developed measures that will yield information on various aspects of the quality of the Technology and Media Services for Individuals with Disabilities program. These measures focus on the extent to which projects are of high quality, are relevant to the needs of children with disabilities, and contribute to improving the results for children with disabilities. Data on these measures will be collected from the projects funded under this competition. Grantees also will be required to report information on their projects' performance in annual reports to the Department (34 CFR 75.590). VII. Agency Contact For Further Information Contact: Jane Hauser, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., Room 4092, Potomac Center Plaza, Washington, DC 20202-2550. Telephone:

(202)245-7373. If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD), you may call the Federal Relay Service

(FRS)at 1-800-877-8339. Individuals with disabilities may obtain this document in an alternative format (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, or computer diskette) on request by contacting the following office: The Grants and Contracts Services Team, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., Potomac Center Plaza, Washington, DC 20202-2550. Telephone:

(202)245-7363. VIII. Other Information *Electronic Access to This Document:* You may view this document, as well as all other documents of this Department published in the **Federal Register** , in text or Adobe Portable Document Format

(PDF)on the Internet at the following site: *http://www.ed.gov/news/fedregister* . To use PDF you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is available free at this site. If you have questions about using PDF, call the U.S. Government Printing Office (GPO), toll free, at 1-888-293-6498; or in the Washington, DC, area at

(RERC)on Low Vision and Blindness; Notice Inviting Applications for New Awards for Fiscal Year

(FY)2006 Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance

(CFDA)Number: 84.133E-3 *Dates:* *Applications Available:* December 16, 2005. *Deadline for Transmittal of Applications:* February 14, 2006. *Eligible Applicants:* States; public or private agencies, including for-profit agencies; public or private organizations, including for-profit organizations; institutions of higher education; and Indian tribes and tribal organizations. *Estimated Available Funds:* The Administration has requested $950,000 for the Low Vision and Blindness RERC competition for FY 2006. The actual level of funding, if any, depends on final congressional action. However, we are inviting applications to allow enough time to complete the grant process if Congress appropriates funds for this program. *Maximum Award:* We will reject any application that proposes a budget exceeding $950,000 for a single budget period of 12 months. The Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services may change the maximum amount through a notice published in the **Federal Register** . Note: The maximum amount includes direct and indirect costs. *Number of Awards:* 1. Note: The Department is not bound by any estimates in this notice. *Project Period:* Up to 60 months. Full Text of Announcement I. Funding Opportunity Description *Purpose of Program:* The purpose of the RERC program is to improve the effectiveness of services authorized under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended (Act). For FY 2006, the competition for a new award focuses on projects designed to meet the priority we describe in the *Priority* section of this notice. We intend this priority to improve rehabilitation services and outcomes for individuals with disabilities. *Priority:* This priority is from the notice of final priorities for this program, published in the **Federal Register** on April 25, 2005 (70 FR 21282). Note: On April 25, 2005, we published a notice in the **Federal Register** (70 FR 21284) inviting applications under this priority. None of the applications received for this priority were successful. *Absolute Priority:* For FY 2006 this priority is an absolute priority. Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(3) we consider only applications that meet this priority. This priority is: *Low Vision and Blindness:* This RERC must research and develop technologies that will improve assessment of vision impairments and promote independence for individuals with low vision and blindness, including those who are deaf/blind. RERCs must focus on innovative technological solutions, new knowledge, and concepts to promote the health, safety, independence, active engagement in daily activities, and quality of life of persons with disabilities. Accordingly, each RERC must:

(1)Contribute substantially to the technical and scientific knowledge-base relevant to the priority;

(2)Research, develop, and evaluate innovative technologies, products, environments, performance guidelines, and monitoring and assessment tools as applicable to the priority;

(3)Identify, implement, and evaluate, in collaboration with the relevant industry, professional associations, and institutions of higher education, innovative approaches to expand research capacity in the specific field of study;

(4)Monitor trends and evolving product concepts that represent and signify future directions for technologies in the specific area of research; and

(5)Provide technical assistance to public and private organizations responsible for developing policies, guidelines, and standards that affect the specific area of research. In addition, the following requirements apply to each RERC priority: • Each RERC must have the capability to design, build, and test prototype devices and assist in the transfer of successful solutions to relevant production and service delivery settings. Each RERC must evaluate the efficacy and safety of its new products, instrumentation, or assistive devices. • Each RERC must develop and implement, in the first three months of the grant, a plan that describes how the RERC will include, as appropriate, individuals with disabilities or their representatives in all phases of its activities including research, development, training, dissemination, and evaluation; • Each RERC must develop and implement, in the first year of the grant and in consultation with the NIDRR-funded National Center for the Dissemination of Disability Research (NCDDR), a plan to disseminate the RERC's research results to persons with disabilities, their representatives, disability organizations, service providers, professional journals, manufacturers, and other interested parties. • Each RERC must develop and implement, in the first year of the grant and in consultation with the NIDRR-funded RERC on Technology Transfer, a plan for ensuring that all new and improved technologies developed by this RERC are successfully transferred to the marketplace. • Each RERC must conduct a state-of-the-science conference on its respective area of research in the third year of the grant and publish a comprehensive report on the final outcomes of the conference in the fourth year of the grant. • Each RERC must coordinate with research projects of mutual interest with relevant NIDRR-funded projects as identified through consultation with the NIDRR project officer. The RERC program is in concert with NIDRR's proposed Long-Range Plan

(Plan)published in the **Federal Register** on July 27, 2005 (70 FR 43522). The Plan is comprehensive and integrates many issues relating to disability and rehabilitation research topics. The Plan can be accessed on the Internet at the following site: * http://www.ed.gov/ legislation/FedRegister/other/2005-3/072705d.html * Program Authority: 29 U.S.C. 762(g) and 764(b)(3). *Applicable Regulations:*

(a)The Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) in 34 CFR parts 74, 75, 77, 80, 81, 82, 84, 85, 86, and 97,

(b)the regulations for this program in 34 CFR part 350, and

(c)the notice of final priority for this program, published on April 25, 2005 (70 FR 21282) in the **Federal Register** . Note: The regulations in 34 CFR part 86 apply to institutions of higher education only. II. Award Information *Type of Award:* Discretionary grants. *Estimated Available Funds:* The Administration has requested $950,000 for the Low Vision and Blindness RERC competition for FY 2006. The actual level of funding, if any, depends on final congressional action. However, we are inviting applications to allow enough time to complete the grant process if Congress appropriates funds for this program. *Maximum Award:* We will reject any application that proposes a budget exceeding $950,000 for a single budget period of 12 months. The Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services may change the maximum amount through a notice published in the **Federal Register** . Note: The maximum amount includes direct and indirect costs. *Number of Awards:* 1. Note: The Department is not bound by any estimates in this notice. *Project Period:* Up to 60 months. III. Eligibility Information 1. *Eligible Applicants:* States; public or private agencies, including for-profit agencies; public or private organizations, including for-profit organizations; institutions of higher education; and Indian tribes and tribal organizations. 2. *Cost Sharing or Matching:* This program does not require cost sharing or matching. IV. Application and Submission Information 1. *Address to Request Application Package:* You may obtain an application package via Internet or from the Education Publications Center (ED Pubs). To obtain a copy via Internet use the following address: *http://www.ed.gov/fund/grant/apply/grantapps/index.html.* To obtain a copy from ED Pubs, write or call the following: ED Pubs, P.O. Box 1398, Jessup, MD 20794-1398. Telephone (toll free): 1-877-433-7827. FAX:

(301)470-1244. If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD), you may call (toll free): 1-877-576-7734. You may also contact ED Pubs at its Web site: *http://www.ed.gov/pubs/edpubs.html* or you may contact ED Pubs at its e-mail address: *edpubs@inet.ed.gov.* If you request an application from ED Pubs, be sure to identify this competition as follows: CFDA Number 84.133E. Individuals with disabilities may obtain a copy of the application package in an alternative format (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, or computer diskette) by contacting the program contact person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT in section VII of this notice. 2. *Content and Form of Application Submission:* Requirements concerning the content of an application, together with the forms you must submit, are in the application package for this competition. Page Limit: The application narrative (Part III of the application) is where you, the applicant, address the selection criteria that reviewers use to evaluate your application. We strongly recommend that you limit Part III to the equivalent of no more than 125 pages, using the following standards: • A “page” is 8.5″ x 11″, on one side only, with 1″ margins at the top, bottom, and both sides. • Double space (no more than three lines per vertical inch) all text in the application narrative. Single spacing may be used for titles, headings, footnotes, quotations, references, and captions, as well as all text in charts, tables, figures, and graphs. • Use a font that is either 12 point or larger or no smaller than 10 pitch (characters per inch). The suggested page limit does not apply to Part I, Application for Federal Assistance; Part II, the budget section, including the narrative budget justification; Part IV, the assurances and certifications; or the one-page abstract, the resumes, the bibliography, or the letters of support. However, you must include all of the application narrative in Part III. The application package will provide instructions for completing all components to be included in the application. Each application must include the ED Standard Form 424, Application for Federal Assistance; budget requirements (ED Form 524) and narrative justification; other required forms; an abstract; Seven-Point Human Subjects narrative; Part III narrative; resumes of staff; and other related materials, if applicable. 3. *Submission Dates and Times:* *Applications Available:* December 16, 2005. *Deadline for Transmittal of Applications:* February 14, 2006. Applications for grants under this competition may be submitted electronically using the Grants.gov Apply site (Grants.gov), or in paper format by mail or hand delivery. For information (including dates and times) about how to submit your application electronically, or by mail or hand delivery, please refer to section IV. 6. *Other Submission Requirements* in this notice. We do not consider an application that does not comply with the deadline requirements. 4. *Intergovernmental Review:* This program is not subject to Executive Order 12372 and the regulations in 34 CFR part 79. 5. *Funding Restrictions:* We reference regulations outlining funding restrictions in the *Applicable Regulations* section of this notice. 6. *Other Submission Requirements:* Applications for grants under this competition may be submitted electronically or in paper format by mail or hand delivery. a. *Electronic Submission of Applications.* We have been accepting applications electronically through the Department's e-Application system since FY 2000. In order to expand on those efforts and comply with the President's Management Agenda, we are continuing to participate as a partner in the new government wide Grants.gov Apply site in FY 2006. Rehabilitation Engineering Research Centers Program—CFDA Number 84.133E-3 is one of the programs included in this project. We request your participation in Grants.gov. If you choose to submit your application electronically, you must use the Grants.gov Apply site at *http://www.Grants.gov.* Through this site, you will be able to download a copy of the application package, complete it offline, and then upload and submit your application. You may not e-mail an electronic copy of a grant application to us. You may access the electronic grant application for Rehabilitation Engineering Research Centers Program at: *http://www.grants.gov.* You must search for the downloadable application package for this program by the CFDA number. Do not include the CFDA number's alpha suffix in your search. Please note the following: • Your participation in Grants.gov is voluntary. • When you enter the Grants.gov site, you will find information about submitting an application electronically through the site, as well as the hours of operation. • Applications received by Grants.gov are time and date stamped. Your application must be fully uploaded and submitted, and must be date/time stamped by the Grants.gov system no later than 4:30 p.m., Washington, DC time, on the application deadline date. Except as otherwise noted in this section, we will not consider your application if it is date/time stamped by the Grants.gov system later than 4:30 p.m., Washington, DC time, on the application deadline date. When we retrieve your application from Grants.gov, we will notify you if we are rejecting your application because it was date/time stamped by the Grants.gov system after 4:30 p.m., Washington, DC time, on the application deadline date. • The amount of time it can take to upload an application will vary depending on a variety of factors including the size of the application and the speed of your Internet connection. Therefore, we strongly recommend that you do not wait until the application deadline date to begin the application process through Grants.gov. • You should review and follow the Education Submission Procedures for submitting an application through Grants.gov that are included in the application package for this competition to ensure that you submit your application in a timely manner to the Grants.gov system. You can also find the Education Submission Procedures pertaining to Grants.gov at *http://e-Grants.ed.gov/help/GrantsgovSubmissionProcedures.pdf.* • To submit your application via Grants.gov, you must complete all of the steps in the Grants.gov registration process (see *http://www.Grants.gov/GetStarted* ). These steps include

(1)registering your organization,

(2)registering yourself as an Authorized Organization Representative (AOR), and

(3)getting authorized as an AOR by your organization. Details on these steps are outlined in the Grants.gov 3-Step Registration Guide (see *http://www.grants.gov/assets/GrantsgovCoBrandBrochure8X11.pdf* ). You also must provide on your application the same D-U-N-S Number used with this registration. Please note that the registration process may take five or more business days to complete, and you must have completed all registration steps to allow you to successfully submit an application via Grants.gov. • You will not receive additional point value because you submit your application in electronic format, nor will we penalize you if you submit your application in paper format. • You may submit all documents electronically, including all information typically included on the Application for Federal Education Assistance (ED 424), Budget Information—Non-Construction Programs (ED 524), and all necessary assurances and certifications. If you choose to submit your application electronically, you must attach any narrative sections of your application as files in a .DOC (document), .RTF (rich text), or .PDF (Portable Document) format. If you upload a file type other than the three file types specified above or submit a password protected file, we will not review that material. • Your electronic application must comply with any page limit requirements described in this notice. • After you electronically submit your application, you will receive an automatic acknowledgment from Grants.gov that contains a Grants.gov tracking number. The Department will retrieve your application from Grants.gov and send you a second confirmation by e-mail that will include a PR/Award number (an ED-specified identifying number unique to your application). • We may request that you provide us original signatures on forms at a later date. Application Deadline Date Extension in Case of System Unavailability If you are prevented from electronically submitting your application on the application deadline date because of technical problems with the Grants.gov system, we will grant you an extension until 4:30 p.m., Washington, DC time, the following business day to enable you to transmit your application electronically, or by hand delivery. You also may mail your application by following the mailing instructions as described elsewhere in this notice. If you submit an application after 4:30 p.m., Washington, DC time, on the deadline date, please contact the person listed elsewhere in this notice under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT , and provide an explanation of the technical problem you experienced with Grants.gov, along with the Grants.gov Support Desk Case Number (if available). We will accept your application if we can confirm that a technical problem occurred with the Grants.gov system and that that problem affected your ability to submit your application by 4:30 p.m., Washington, DC time, on the application deadline date. The Department will contact you after a determination is made on whether your application will be accepted. Note: Extensions referred to in this section apply only to the unavailability of or technical problems with the Grants.gov system. We will not grant you an extension if you failed to fully register to submit your application to Grants.gov before the deadline date and time or if the technical problem you experienced is unrelated to the Grants.gov system. b. *Submission of Paper Applications by Mail.* If you submit your application in paper format by mail (through the U.S. Postal Service or a commercial carrier), you must mail the original and two copies of your application, on or before the application deadline date, to the Department at the applicable following address: *By mail through the U.S. Postal Service:* U.S. Department of Education, Application Control Center, Attention: (CFDA Number 84.133E-3), 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20202-4260 or *By mail through a commercial carrier:* U.S. Department of Education, Application Control Center—Stop 4260, Attention: (CFDA Number 84.133E-3), 7100 Old Landover Road, Landover, MD 20785-1506. Regardless of which address you use, you must show proof of mailing consisting of one of the following:

(1)A legibly dated U.S. Postal Service postmark,

(2)A legible mail receipt with the date of mailing stamped by the U.S. Postal Service,

(3)A dated shipping label, invoice, or receipt from a commercial carrier, or

(1)A private metered postmark, or

(2)A mail receipt that is not dated by the U.S. Postal Service. If your application is postmarked after the application deadline date, we will not consider your application. Note: The U.S. Postal Service does not uniformly provide a dated postmark. Before relying on this method, you should check with your local post office. c. *Submission of Paper Applications by Hand Delivery.* If you submit your application in paper format by hand delivery, you (or a courier service) must deliver the original and two copies of your application by hand, on or before the application deadline date, to the Department at the following address: U.S. Department of Education, Application Control Center, Attention: (CFDA Number 84.133E-3), 550 12th Street, SW.,Room 7041, Potomac Center Plaza, Washington, DC 20202-4260. The Application Control Center accepts hand deliveries daily between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Washington, DC time, except Saturdays, Sundays and Federal holidays. *Note for Mail or Hand Delivery of Paper Applications:* If you mail or hand deliver your application to the Department:

(1)You must indicate on the envelope and—if not provided by the Department—in Item 4 of the Application for Federal Education Assistance (ED 424) the CFDA number—and suffix letter, if any—of the competition under which you are submitting your application.

(202)245-6288. V. Application Review Information *Selection Criteria:* The selection criteria for this competition are listed in 34 CFR 75.210 of EDGAR and 34 CFR 350.54. The specific selection criteria to be used for this competition are in the application package. VI. Award Administration Information 1. *Award Notices:* If your application is successful, we notify your U.S. Representative and U.S. Senators and send you a Grant Award Notification (GAN). We may also notify you informally. If your application is not evaluated or not selected for funding, we notify you. 2. *Administrative and National Policy Requirements:* We identify administrative and national policy requirements in the application package and reference these and other requirements in the *Applicable Regulations* section of this notice. We reference the regulations outlining the terms and conditions of an award in the *Applicable Regulations* section of this notice and include these and other specific conditions in the GAN. The GAN also incorporates your approved application as part of your binding commitments under the grant. 3. *Reporting:* At the end of your project period, you must submit a final performance report, including financial information, as directed by the Secretary. If you receive a multi-year award, you must submit an annual performance report that provides the most current performance and financial expenditure information as specified by the Secretary in 34 CFR 75.118. Note: NIDRR will provide information by letter to grantees on how and when to submit the report. 4. *Performance Measures:* To evaluate the overall success of its research program, NIDRR assesses the quality of its funded projects through review of grantee performance and products. Each year, NIDRR examines, through expert program review, a portion of its grantees to determine: • The number of discoveries, analyses, and standards developed or tested with NIDRR funding that have been judged by expert panels to advance understanding of key concepts, issues, and emerging trends and strengthen the evidence-base for disability and rehabilitation policy, practice, and research. • The number of new or improved tools and methods developed or tested with NIDRR funding that have been judged by expert panels to improve measurement and data collection procedures and enhance the design and evaluation of disability and rehabilitation interventions, products, and devices. • The number of new and improved interventions, programs, and devices developed or tested with NIDRR funding that have been judged by expert panels to be successful in improving individual outcomes and increasing access. • The number of NIDRR-funded tools, methods, interventions, programs, and devices developed or validated with NIDRR-funding that meet the standards for review by independent scientific collaborations and registries. • The number of new or improved assistive and universally designed technologies, products, and devices developed and/or validated by grantees that are transferred to industry for potential commercialization. NIDRR uses information submitted by grantees as part of their Annual Performance Reports

(APRs)for these reviews. NIDRR also determines, using information submitted as part of the APR: • The number of publications in refereed journals that are based on NIDRR-funded research and development activities; and • The percentage of NIDRR-supported fellows, post-doctoral trainees, and doctoral students who publish results of NIDRR-sponsored research in refereed journals. Department of Education program performance reports, which include information on NIDRR programs, are available on the Department's Web site: *http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/opepd/sas/index.html.* Updates on the GPRA indicators, revisions and methods appear in the NIDRR Program Review Web site: *http://www.neweditions.net/pr/commonfiles/pmconcepts.htm.* Grantees should consult these sites, on a regular basis, to obtain details and explanations on how NIDRR programs contribute to the advancement of the Department's long-term and annual performance goals. VII. Agency Contact FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Donna Nangle, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., room 6030, Potomac Center Plaza, Washington, DC 20202. Telephone:

(202)245-7462 or by e-mail: *donna.nangle@ed.gov.* If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD), you may call the TDD number at

(202)245-7317 or the Federal Relay Service

(FRS)at 1-800-877-8339. Individuals with disabilities may obtain this document in an alternative format (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, or computer diskette) on request to the program contact person listed in this section. VIII. Other Information *Electronic Access to This Document:* You may view this document, as well as all other documents of this Department published in the **Federal Register** , in text or Adobe Portable Document Format

(PDF)on the Internet at the following site: *http://www.ed.gov/news/fedregister.* To use PDF you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is available free at this site. If you have questions about using PDF, call the U.S. Government Printing Office (GPO), toll free, at 1-888-293-6498; or in the Washington, DC, area at

(202)512-1530. Note: The official version of this document is the document published in the **Federal Register** . Free Internet access to the official edition of the **Federal Register** and the Code of Federal Regulations is available on GPO Access at: *http://www.gpoaccess.gov/nara/index.html.* Dated: December 12, 2005. John H. Hager, Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services. [FR Doc. E5-7403 Filed 12-15-05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4000-01-P DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Privacy Act of 1974; System of Records AGENCY: Program and Analytic Studies, Policy and Program Studies Service, Department of Education. ACTION: Notice of a New System of Records. SUMMARY: In accordance with the Privacy Act of 1974, as amended (Privacy Act), 5 United States Code (U.S.C.) 552a, the Department of Education (Department) publishes this notice of a new system of records entitled “Follow Up Evaluation of the Gear Up Program (18-17-02).” This system will contain information about middle school students who participated in the GEAR UP program in 2000-01 and a matched comparison of middle school students who did not participate in the program. The students' expected high school completion year is 2006 and the follow-up information will be collected in spring of 2006. This system consists of the name, address, and social security number of the study participants as well as demographic information such race/ethnicity and age; educational background, transcript information, service participation information, high school graduation, and preliminary postsecondary enrollment information; and financial aid application and award. The information will be collected from students and their parents. The Department seeks comment on this new system of records described in this notice, in accordance with the requirements of the Privacy Act. DATES: We must receive your comments on the proposed routine uses for this system of records on or before January 17, 2006. The Department filed a report describing the new system of records covered by this notice with the Chair of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, the Chair of the House Committee on Government Reform, and the Administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget

(OMB)on December 13, 2005. This system of records will become effective at the later date of—(1) the expiration of the 40-day period for OMB review on January 23, 2006 or

(2)January 17, 2006, unless the system of records needs to be changed as a result of public comment or OMB review. ADDRESSES: Address all comments about the proposed routine uses of this system to Dr. David Goodwin, Director, Program and Analytic Studies Division, Policy and Program Studies Service, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., room 6W231, Washington, DC 20202. Telephone:

(202)401-3630. If you prefer to send your comments through the Internet, use the following address: *Comments@ed.gov.* You must include the term “Follow Up Evaluation of the Gear Up Program.” in the subject line of the electronic message. During and after the comment period, you may inspect all comments about this notice in room 6W200, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., Washington, DC, between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Eastern time, Monday through Friday of each week except Federal holidays. Assistance to Individuals With Disabilities in Reviewing the Rulemaking Record On request, we supply an appropriate aid, such as a reader or print magnifier, to an individual with a disability who needs assistance to review the comments or other documents in the public rulemaking record for this notice. If you want to schedule an appointment for this type of aid, please contact the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. David Goodwin. Telephone:

(202)401-3630. If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD), you may call the Federal Relay Service

(FRS)at 1-800-877-8339. Individuals with disabilities may obtain this document in an alternative format (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, or computer diskette) on request to the contact person listed in the preceding paragraph. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Introduction The Privacy Act requires the Department to publish in the **Federal Register** this notice of a new system of records maintained by the Department. The Department's regulations implementing the Privacy Act are contained in the Code of Federal Regulations

(CFR)in 34 CFR part 5b. The Privacy Act applies to a record about an individual that is maintained in a system of records from which information is retrieved by a unique identifier associated with each individual, such as a name or social security number. The information about each individual is called a “record” and the system, whether manual or computer-driven, is called a “system of records.” The Privacy Act requires each agency to publish a system of records notice in the **Federal Register** and to prepare reports to OMB and congressional committees whenever the agency publishes a new system of records. Electronic Access to This Document You may view this document, as well as all other documents of this Department published in the **Federal Register,** in text or Adobe Portable Document Format

(PDF)on the Internet at the following site: *www.ed.gov/news.fedregister.* To use PDF you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is available free at this site. If you have questions about using PDF, call the U.S. Government Printing Office (GPO), toll free, at 1-888-293-6498; or in the Washington, DC, area at

(202)512-1530. Note: The official version of this document is the document published in the **Federal Register** . Free Internet access to the official edition of the **Federal Register** and the Code of Federal Regulations is available on GPO Access at: *www.gpoaccess.gov/nara/index.html.* Dated: December 13, 2005. Tom Luce, Assistant Secretary for Planning, Evaluation, and Policy Development. For the reasons discussed in the preamble, the Director, Policy and Program Studies Service, U.S. Department of Education, publishes a notice of a new system of records to read as follows: 18-17-02 SYSTEM NAME: “Follow Up Evaluation of the Gear Up Program”. SECURITY CLASSIFICATION: None. SYSTEM LOCATION: Program and Analytic Studies Division, Policy and Program Studies Service, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., Room 6W231, Washington, DC 20202. CATEGORIES OF INDIVIDUALS COVERED BY THE SYSTEM: This system contains records on middle school students who participated in the GEAR UP program in 2000-01 and a comparison group of non-participants from schools matched on socio-demographic characteristics. CATEGORIES OF RECORDS IN THE SYSTEM: This system consists of the name, address, and social security number of the study participants as well as demographic information such as race/ethnicity and age; educational background, transcript information, service participation information, high school graduation, and preliminary postsecondary enrollment information; and financial aid application and award. AUTHORITY FOR MAINTENANCE OF THE SYSTEM: 20 U.S.C. 1070a-27. PURPOSE(S): The information in this system is used for the following purposes:

(1)to contribute to the legislatively mandated GEAR UP program evaluation; and

(2)generally to identify the educational outcomes of study participants and the extent to which GEAR UP participation is associated with positive outcomes in comparison to the control group. ROUTINE USES OF RECORDS MAINTAINED IN THE SYSTEM, INCLUDING CATEGORIES OF USERS AND THE PURPOSE OF SUCH USES: ROUTINE USE COMPATIBILITY:

(1)*Freedom Of Information Act

(FOIA)Advice Disclosure.* The Department may disclose records to the U.S. Department of Justice and the Office of Management and Budget

(OMB)if the Department concludes that disclosure is desirable or necessary in determining whether the Freedom of Information Act

(FOIA)requires particular records to be disclosed. Under the FOIA, the public has a general right of access to Federal agency records, except to the extent that such records (or portions of them) are protected from disclosure by an exemption or an exclusion that is contained in the FOIA. This routine use is compatible with the purposes of this system in that the Department can disclose records to the agencies responsible for the litigation relating to and the interpretation of the FOIA. These agencies can assist the Department in determining whether the FOIA requires the disclosure of the records or whether the records are exempt from disclosure under the FOIA.

(2)*Contract Disclosure.* If the Department contracts with an entity for the purposes of performing any function that requires disclosure of records in this system to employees of the contractor, the Department may disclose the records to those employees. Before entering into such a contract, the Department must require the contractor to maintain Privacy Act safeguards as required under 5 U.S.C. 552a(m) with respect to the records in the system. In the course of administering its programs, the Department may enter into contracts with entities that will perform functions for these programs. This routine use is compatible with the purposes of the system to which it applies in that it permits entities with which the Department contracts to receive the information needed to ensure that the program is administered efficiently.

(3)*Research Disclosure.* The Department may disclose records to a researcher if an appropriate official of the Department determines that the individual or organization to which the disclosure would be made is qualified to carry out specific research related to functions or purposes of a system of records to which this routine use applies. The official may disclose records from this system of records to that researcher solely for the purpose of carrying out that research related to the functions or purposes of the system of records. The researcher must maintain Privacy Act safeguards with respect to the disclosed records. This routine use is compatible with the purpose of this system of records because it permits the Department to disclose records to researchers so that the Department can improve the management of the system and contribute to advancing knowledge regarding the purposes and objective of the program served by the system. POLICIES AND PRACTICES FOR STORING, RETRIEVING, ACCESSING, RETAINING, AND DISPOSING OF RECORDS IN THE SYSTEM: STORAGE: Records are on a computer database as well as in hard copy. RETRIEVABILITY: The records in this system are indexed by the name of the individual and/or a number assigned to each individual. SAFEGUARDS: All physical access to the Department's site, and the sites of Department contractors where this system of records is maintained, is controlled and monitored by security personnel. The computer system employed by the Department offers a high degree of resistance to tampering and circumvention. This security system limits data access to Department and contract staff on a “need to know” basis, and controls individual users' ability to access and alter records within the system. The contractor, Westat, has established a set of procedures to ensure confidentiality of data. The system ensures that information identifying individuals is in files physically separated from other research data. Westat will maintain security of the complete set of all master data files and documentation. Access to individually identifiable data will be strictly controlled. All data will be kept in locked file cabinets during nonworking hours, and work on hardcopy data will take place in a single room, except for data entry. Physical security of electronic data will also be maintained. Security features that protect project data include password-protected accounts that authorize users to use the Westat system but to access only specific network directories and network software; user rights and directory and file attributes that limit those who can use particular directories and files and determine how they can use them; e-mail passwords that authorize the user to access mail services; and additional security features that the network administrator establishes for projects as needed. RETENTION AND DISPOSAL: Records are maintained and disposed of in accordance with the Department's ED/RDS Part 3, Items 1, 2 or 3. Design, implementation, and final reports of the study are permanent records. They are maintained by the Department for 10 years, and then transferred to the National Archives and Records Administration. Administrative records of the study are destroyed 2 years after completion of the project. SYSTEM MANAGER AND ADDRESS: Director, Program and Analytic Studies Division, Policy and Program Studies Service, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., room 6W231, Washington, DC 20202. NOTIFICATION PROCEDURE: If you wish to determine whether a record exists regarding you in the system of records, contact the system manager. Your request must meet the requirements of the Department's Privacy Act regulations in 34 CFR 5b.5, including proof of identity. RECORD ACCESS PROCEDURE: If you wish to gain access to a record regarding you in the system of records, contact the system manager. Your request must meet the requirements of the Department's Privacy Act regulations in 34 CFR 5b.5, including proof of identity. CONTESTING RECORD PROCEDURE: If you wish to contest the content of a record regarding you in the system of records, contact the system manager. Your request must meet the requirements of the Department's Privacy Act regulations in 34 CFR 5b.7, including proof of identity. RECORD SOURCE CATEGORIES: Information in this system is obtained from surveys with students who were in middle school in 2000-01 and who participated in the GEAR UP program and from a comparison group of students. Students are to be surveyed in spring 2006 when normal progression would make them seniors in high school. Surveys are being conducted as a source of providing information. EXEMPTIONS CLAIMED FOR THE SYSTEM: None. [FR Doc. E5-7464 Filed 12-15-05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4000-01-P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Office of Science; Notice of Renewal of the Biological and Environmental Research Advisory Committee AGENCY: Department of Energy. ACTION: Notice of renewal. SUMMARY: Pursuant to section 14(a)(2)(A) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act and in accordance with Title 41 of the Code of Federal Regulations, section 102-3.65, and following consultation with the Committee Management Secretariat, General Services Administration, notice is hereby given that the Biological and Environmental Research Advisory Committee has been renewed for a two-year period beginning December 11, 2005. The Committee will provide advice to the Director, Office of Science, on the Biological and Environmental Research Program managed by the Office of Biological and Environmental Research. The Secretary of Energy has determined that renewal of the Biological and Environmental Research Advisory Committee is essential to the conduct of the Department's business and is in the public interest in connection with the performance of duties imposed by law upon the Department of Energy. The Committee will continue to operate in accordance with the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (Pub. L. 92-463), the General Services Administration Final Rule on Federal Advisory Committee Management, and other directives and instructions issued in implementation of those acts. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Rachel Samuel at

(202)586-3279. Issued in Washington, D.C. on December 11, 2005. Carol Matthews, Acting Advisory Committee Management Officer. [FR Doc. E5-7437 Filed 12-15-05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6450-01-P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Docket No. CP06-32-000] Maritimes & Northeast Pipeline, L.L.C.; Notice of Petition for a Preliminary Determination December 9, 2005. Take notice that on November 16, 2005, Maritimes & Northeast Pipeline, L.L.C. (Maritimes) filed a petition for a preliminary determination pursuant to Rule 207(a)(2) of the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure. Maritimes requests that the Commission approve the design for its Phase IV Project on a preliminary basis and, if necessary, find that Portland Natural Gas Transmission System's claim for indemnification is without merit. Any person desiring to be heard or to protest the petition should file comments, a protest, or a motion to intervene in accordance with the requirements of the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure, 18 CFR 385.210, 385.211 and 385.214 on or before December 23, 2005. In determining the appropriate action to take, the Commission will consider all protests and other comments, but only those who file a motion to intervene may become parties to the proceeding. The application is on file with the Commission and open to public inspection. This filing is available for review at the Commission in the Public Reference Room or may be viewed on the Commission's Web site at *http://www.ferc.gov* using the “eLibrary” link. Enter the docket number excluding the last three digits in the docket number field to access the document. For assistance, please contact FERC Online Support at *FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov* or toll free at

(866)208-3676, or for TTY, contact

(202)502-8659. The Commission strongly encourages electronic filings of comments, protests, and interventions via the internet in lieu of paper. See 18 CFR 385.2001(a)(1)(iii) and the instructions on the Commission's Web site ( *http://www.ferc.gov* ) under the “e-Filing” link. Magalie R. Salas, Secretary. [FR Doc. E5-7425 Filed 12-15-05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717-01-P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Docket Nos. ER05-1468-000 anf ER05-1468-001] Ridge Generating Station, Limited Partnership; Notice of Issuance of Order December 9, 2005. Ridge Generating Station Limited Partnership (Ridge) filed an application for market-based rate authority, with an accompanying rate tariff. The proposed rate tariff provides for the sales of energy and capacity at market-based rates. Ridge also requested waiver of various Commission regulations. In particular, Ridge requested that the Commission grant blanket approval under 18 CFR part 34 of all future issuances of securities and assumptions of liability by Ridge. On December 8, 2005, pursuant to delegated authority, the Director, Division of Tariffs and Market Development—South, granted the request for blanket approval under Part 34. The Director's order also stated that the Commission would publish a separate notice in the **Federal Register** establishing a period of time for the filing of protests. Accordingly, any person desiring to be heard or to protest the blanket approval of issuances of securities or assumptions of liability by Ridge should file a motion to intervene or protest with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426, in accordance with Rules 211 and 214 of the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure. 18 CFR 385.211, 385.214 (2004). Notice is hereby given that the deadline for filing motions to intervene or protest is January 9, 2006. Absent a request to be heard in opposition by the deadline above, Ridge is authorized to issue securities and assume obligations or liabilities as a guarantor, indorser, surety, or otherwise in respect of any security of another person; provided that such issuance or assumption is for some lawful object within the corporate purposes of Ridge, compatible with the public interest, and is reasonably necessary or appropriate for such purposes. The Commission reserves the right to require a further showing that neither public nor private interests will be adversely affected by continued approval of Ridge's issuances of securities or assumptions of liability. Copies of the full text of the Director's Order are available from the Commission's Public Reference Room, 888 First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426. The Order may also be viewed on the Commission's Web site at *http://www.ferc.gov* , using the eLibrary link. Enter the docket number excluding the last three digits in the docket number filed to access the document. Comments, protests, and interventions may be filed electronically via the internet in lieu of paper. See, 18 CFR 385.2001(a)(1)(iii) and the instructions on the Commission's Web site under the “e-Filing” link. The Commission strongly encourages electronic filings. Magalie R. Salas, Secretary. [FR Doc. E5-7427 Filed 12-15-05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717-01-P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [ Docket No. CP02-60-007] Trunkline LNG Company, LLC; Notice of Filing December 12, 2005. Take notice that on December 5, 2005, Trunkline LNG Company, LLC (Trunkline LNG), P.O. Box 4967, Houston, Texas 77210-4967, filed an abbreviated application, pursuant to section 7(c) of the Natural Gas Act

(NGA)and Part 157 of the Commission's Rules and Regulations, for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity requesting authorization for an amendment to increase the peak day vaporization capacity at Trunkline LNG's liquefied natural gas

(LNG)terminal near Lake Charles, Louisiana, from 1,300,000 Mcf/Day to 1,500,000 Mcf/Day. The application is on file with the Commission and open for public inspection. This filing is available for review at the Commission in the Public Reference Room or may be viewed on the Commission's Web site at *http://www.ferc.gov* using the “eLibrary” link. Enter the docket number excluding the last three digits in the docket number field to access the document. For assistance, please contact FERC Online Support at *FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov* or toll free at

(866)208-3676, or for TTY, contact

(202)502-8659. Trunkline LNG's customer, BG LNG, has requested the increase of regasification to facilitate the efficient and economical scheduling of ships and LNG sendout for delivery to its downstream markets. The proposed increase in peak day vaporization will not increase the number of LNG deliveries contemplated by the Expansion Project. There will be no impact on the construction or services previously authorized and currently underway. The proposal will not change the certificated level of the LNG Terminal storage capacity. Trunkline LNG proposes to provide the additional vaporization pursuant to previously approved rates and general terms and conditions of services applicable to Rate Schedules FTS and FTS-2. Any questions regarding the application are to be directed to William W. Grygar, Vice President of Rates and Regulatory Affairs, 5444 Westheimer Road, Houston, Texas 77056-5306; phone number

(713)989-7000. Any person wishing to obtain legal status by becoming a party to the proceedings for this project should, on or before the below listed comment date, file with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426, a motion to intervene in accordance with the requirements of the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure (18 CFR 385.214 or 385.211) and the Regulations under the NGA (18 CFR 157.10). A person obtaining party status will be placed on the service list maintained by the Secretary of the Commission and will receive copies of all documents filed by the applicant and by all other parties. A party must submit 14 copies of filings made with the Commission and must mail a copy to the applicant and to every other party in the proceeding. Only parties to the proceeding can ask for court review of Commission orders in the proceeding. Motions to intervene, protests and comments may be filed electronically via the Internet in lieu of paper, see, 18 CFR 385.2001 (a)(1)(iii) and the instructions on the Commission's web site under the “e-Filing” link. The Commission strongly encourages electronic filings. *Comment Date:* December 27, 2005. Magalie R. Salas, Secretary. [FR Doc. E5-7424 Filed 12-15-05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717-01-P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Docket Nos.CP98-131-006 and CP06-29-000] Vector Pipeline L.P.; Notice of Application December 12, 2005. On November 30, 2005, in Docket No. CP06-29-000, Vector Pipeline L.P (Vector), pursuant to Natural Gas Act section 7(c) and Part 157 Subpart A of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's (Commission) regulations filed an application for a certificate of public convenience and necessity for authorization to construct, own, and operate, compression faculties and appurtenances thereto, to be located in Will County, Illinois and Macomb County, Michigan, as more fully set forth in the application. The new compressor stations would be constructed adjacent to its mainline facilities. The proposed Joliet Compressor Station will consist of one 15,000 horsepower

(hp)compressor unit, while the Romeo Compressor Station would consist of two 15, 000 hp compressor units. Total cost of construction would be about $70.4 million. Vector states that the additional compression will serve to increase its mainline transport capacity of additional supplies of gas for delivery in the United States and/or to its Canadian border connection. Vector requests that the Commission grant certificate authorization no later than November 1, 2006 so that the facilities can be in service by November 1, 2007. Concurrently, in Docket No. CP98-131-006, Vector filed an application to amend the Presidential Permit and Natural Gas Act Section 3 authority issued to Vector by the May 27, 1998 Commission Order on Rehearing, 87 FERC ¶ 61,225, as subsequently amended. Vector states that the proposed amendment would add to their extant authority to transport gas between the United States and Canada by increasing the maximum capacity permitted to flow through the existing border facilities from 1330 thousand cubic feet per day (MMcf/d) to 2300 MMcf/d. The higher maximum capacity is a result of the proposed system expansion in Docket No. CP06-29-000. Questions concerning the application should be directed to Robert F. Smith Manager, Regulatory and Administration at Vector Pipeline L.P., 38705 Seven Mile Road, Suite 490, Livonia, Michigan 48152 or by calling

(734)462-0234, or facsimile

(734)462-0231; or Kim M. Clark, Esq. at John & Hengerer, 1200 17th Street, NW., Suite 600, Washington, DC 20036-3013 or by calling 202-429-8800 or facsimile 202-429-8805. There are two ways to become involved in the Commission's review of this project. First, any person wishing to obtain legal status by becoming a party to the proceedings for this project should, on or before the comment date, file with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426, a motion to intervene in accordance with the requirements of the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure (18 CFR 385.214 or 385.211) and the Regulations under the NGA (18 CFR 157.10). A person obtaining party status will be placed on the service list maintained by the Secretary of the Commission and will receive copies of all documents filed by the applicant and by all other parties. A party must submit 14 copies of filings made with the Commission and must mail a copy to the applicant and to every other party in the proceeding. Only parties to the proceeding can ask for court review of Commission orders in the proceeding. However, a person does not have to intervene in order to have comments considered. The second way to participate is by filing with the Secretary of the Commission, as soon as possible, an original and two copies of comments in support of or in opposition to this project. The Commission will consider these comments in determining the appropriate action to be taken, but the filing of a comment alone will not serve to make the filer a party to the proceeding. The Commission's rules require that persons filing comments in opposition to the project provide copies of their protests only to the party or parties directly involved in the protest. Comments, protests and interventions may be filed electronically via the Internet in lieu of paper. See 18 CFR 385.2001(a)

(iii)and the instructions on the Commission's Web site under the “e-Filing” link at *http://www.ferc.gov* . The Commission strongly encourages intervenors to file electronically. Persons unable to file electronically should submit an original and 14 copies of the protest or intervention to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426. This filing is accessible on-line at *http://www.ferc.gov* , using the “eLibrary” link and is available for review in the Commission's Public Reference Room in Washington, DC. There is an “eSubscription” link on the Web site that enables subscribers to receive e-mail notification when a document is added to a subscribed docket(s). For assistance with any FERC Online service, please e-mail *FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov* , or call

(866)208-3676 (toll free). For TTY, call

(202)502-8659. *Comment Date:* 5 p.m. eastern time on January 3, 2006. Magalie R. Salas, Secretary. [FR Doc. E5-7426 Filed 12-15-05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717-01-P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Combined Notice of Filings #1 December 9, 2005. Take notice that the Commission received the following electric rate filings: *Docket Numbers:* ER04-1137-000; ER06-19-002. *Applicants:* MeadWestvaco Energy Services, LLC. *Description:* MeadWestvaco Energy Services, LLC submits a supplement to its October 7, 2005 & November 3, 2005 notifications to the Commission that it changed its name to NewPage Energy Services, LLC. *Filed Date:* December 1, 2005. *Accession Number:* 20051207-0083. *Comment Date:* 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, December 22, 2005. *Docket Numbers:* ER05-1181-002. *Applicants:* PJM Interconnection L.L.C. *Description:* PJM Interconnection, LLC submits amended tariff sheets Revised Sheet No. 250 to FERC Electric Tariff, Sixth Revised Volume 1 to be effective February 1, 2006 in compliance with FERC's August 31, 2005 letter. *Filed Date:* November 30, 2005. *Accession Number:* 20051206-0027. *Comment Date:* 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Wednesday, December 21, 2005. *Docket Numbers:* ER05-1366-001; ER05-1367-001; ER06-1368-001; ER05-1369-002; ER06-1370-001; ER05-1371-001; ER05-1372-001; ER05-1373-001; ER05-1374-001; ER05-1375-001; ER05-1376-001. *Applicants:* Cincinnati Gas & Electric Company; PSI Energy, Inc.; Union Light Heat & Power Company; Cinergy Marketing & trading, LP; Brownsville Power I, L.L.C.; Caledonia Power I, L.L.C.; CinCap IV, LLC; CinCap V, LLC; Cinergy Capital & trading, Inc.; Cinergy Power Investments, Inc.; St. Paul Cogeneration, LLC. *Description:* Cincinnati Gas and Electric Co et al submits First Revised Sheet No. 5 et al to FERC Electric Tariff, Original Volume No.1, to be effective January 1, 2006 pursuant to FERC's November 22, 2005 Order. *Filed Date:* December 1, 2005. *Accession Number:* 20051206-0025. *Comment Date:* 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, December 22, 2005. *Docket Numbers:* ER05-167-002. *Applicants:* California Power Exchange Corporation. *Description:* California Power Exchange Corp submits its compliance filing for Rate Periods 1thru 7 pursuant to Rate Case Settlement Agreement. *Filed Date:* December 1, 2005. *Accession Number:* 20051206-0026. *Comment Date:* 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, December 22, 2005. *Docket Numbers:* ER06-149-001. *Applicants:* Entergy Services, Inc. *Description:* Entergy Services, Inc submits the signature pages to the November 2, 2005 filing of two rate schedules providing for power coordination and interchange services to Conway and West Memphis, Arkansas. *Filed Date:* December 1, 2005. *Accession Number:* 20051206-0024. *Comment Date:* 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, December 22, 2005. *Docket Numbers:* ER06-156-000. *Applicants:* Southern Company Services, Inc. *Description:* Southern Company Services, Inc, acting as agent for Alabama Power Co, submits a notice of cancellation of the firm power purchase contract with Alabama Municipal Electric Authority. *Filed Date:* December 1, 2005. *Accession Number:* 20051205-0230. *Comment Date:* 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, December 22, 2005. *Docket Numbers:* ER06-273-000. *Applicants:* Midwest Independent Transmission System Operator, Inc. *Description:* Midwest Independent Transmission System Operator, Inc submits a notice of succession of certain transmission service agreement & network integration transmission service & operating agreements. *Filed Date:* December 1, 2005. *Accession Number:* 20051205-0065. *Comment Date:* 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, December 22, 2005. *Docket Numbers:* ER06-274-000. *Applicants:* Southwestern Public Service Company. *Description:* Southwestern Public Service Co submits changes in rates and rate design applicable to service to Cap Rock Energy Corp, et al. *Filed Date:* December 1, 2005. *Accession Number:* 20051205-0209. *Comment Date:* 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, December 22, 2005. *Docket Numbers:* ER06-278-000. *Applicants:* Nevada Hydro Company, Inc. *Description:* The Nevada Hydro Co Inc submits Rate Request pursuant to section 205 of the Federal Power Act implementing regulations re the Lake Elsinore Advance Pump Storage Project. *Filed Date:* December 1, 2005. *Accession Number:* 20051207-0330. *Comment Date:* 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, December 22, 2005. *Docket Numbers:* ER06-281-000. *Applicants:* TECO EnergySource, Inc. *Description:* TECO EnergySource, Inc submits a notice of cancellation for the purpose of terminating its market-based electric tariff. *Filed Date:* December 1, 2005. *Accession Number:* 20051207-0080. *Comment Date:* 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, December 22, 2005. *Docket Numbers:* ER06-282-000. *Applicants:* New England Power Pool. *Description:* The New England Power Pool Participants Committee submits the transmittal letter along with counterpart signature pages of the New England Power Pool Agreement. *Filed Date:* December 1, 2005. *Accession Number:* 20051207-0066. *Comment Date:* 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, December 22, 2005. *Docket Numbers:* ER06-283-000. *Applicants:* Avista Corporation. *Description:* Avista Corp submits Original Service Agreement No. 324, which is an Agreement for Purchase & Sale of Power with Public Utility District No. 1 of Douglas County, WA. *Filed Date:* December 1, 2005. *Accession Number:* 20051207-0067. *Comment Date:* 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, December 22, 2005. *Docket Numbers:* ER96-1947-018. *Applicants:* LS Power Marketing, LLC. *Description:* LS Power Marketing, LLC submits its Third Revised Market-based Rate Tariff in compliance with FERC's November 30, 2005 Order. *Filed Date:* November 30, 2005. *Accession Number:* 20051206-0023. *Comment Date:* 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Wednesday, December 21, 2005. Any person desiring to intervene or to protest in any of the above proceedings must file in accordance with Rules 211 and 214 of the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure (18 CFR 385.211 and 385.214) on or before 5 p.m. Eastern time on the specified comment date. It is not necessary to separately intervene again in a subdocket related to a compliance filing if you have previously intervened in the same docket. Protests will be considered by the Commission in determining the appropriate action to be taken, but will not serve to make protestants parties to the proceeding. Anyone filing a motion to intervene or protest must serve a copy of that document on the Applicant. In reference to filings initiating a new proceeding, interventions or protests submitted on or before the comment deadline need not be served on persons other and the Applicant. The Commission encourages electronic submission of protests and interventions in lieu of paper, using the FERC Online links at *http://www.ferc.gov* . To facilitate electronic service, persons with Internet access who will eFile a document and/or be listed as a contact for an intervenor must create and validate an eRegistration account using the eRegistration link. Select the eFiling link to log on and submit the intervention or protests. Persons unable to file electronically should submit an original and 14 copies of the intervention or protest to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First St. NE., Washington, DC 20426. The filings in the above proceedings are accessible in the Commission's eLibrary system by clicking on the appropriate link in the above list. They are also available for review in the Commission's Public Reference Room in Washington, DC. There is an eSubscription link on the Web site that enables subscribers to receive e-mail notification when a document is added to a subscribed dockets(s). For assistance with any FERC Online service, please e-mail *FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov* . or call

(866)208-3676 (toll free). For TTY, call

(202)502-8659. Magalie R. Salas, Secretary. [FR Doc. E5-7420 Filed 12-15-05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717-01-P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Combined Notice of Filings #1 December 12, 2005. Take notice that the Commission received the following electric rate filings. *Docket Numbers:* ER04-1137-000; ER06-19-002. *Applicants:* MeadWestvaco Energy Services, LLC. *Description:* MeadWestvaco Energy Services, LLC submits a supplement to its October 7, 2005 & November 3, 2005 notifications to the Commission that it changed its name to NewPage Energy Services, LLC. *Filed Date:* December 1, 2005. *Accession Number:* 20051207-0083. *Comment Date:* 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, December 22, 2005. *Docket Numbers:* ER05-1181-002. *Applicants:* PJM Interconnection L.L.C. *Description:* PJM Interconnection, LLC submits amended tariff sheets Revised Sheet No. 250 *et al.* to FERC Electric Tariff, Sixth Revised Volume 1 to be effective February 1, 2006 in compliance with FERC's August 31, 2005 letter. *Filed Date:* November 30, 2005. *Accession Number:* 20051206-0027. *Comment Date:* 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Wednesday, December 21, 2005. *Docket Numbers:* ER05-1366-001; ER05-1367-001; ER05-1368-001; ER05-1369-002; ER05-1370-001; ER05-1371-001; ER05-1372-001; ER05-1373-001; ER05-1374-001; ER05-1375-001; ER05-1376-001. *Applicants:* Cincinnati Gas & Electric Company; PSI Energy, Inc.; Union Light Heat & Power Company; Cinergy Marketing & trading, LP; Brownsville Power I, L.L.C.; Caledonia Power I, L.L.C.; CinCap IV, LLC; CinCap V, LLC; Cinergy Capital & Trading, Inc.; Cinergy Power Investments, Inc.; St. Paul Cogeneration, LLC. *Description:* Cincinnati Gas and Electric Co et al submits First Revised Sheet No. 5 et al to FERC Electric Tariff, Original Volume No.1, to be effective January 1, 2006 pursuant to FERC's 11/22/05 Order. *Filed Date:* December 1, 2005. *Accession Number:* 20051206-0025. *Comment Date:* 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, December 22, 2005. *Docket Numbers:* ER05-167-002. *Applicants:* California Power Exchange Corporation. *Description:* California Power Exchange Corp submits its compliance filing for Rate Periods 1 thru 7 pursuant to Rate Case Settlement Agreement. *Filed Date:* December 1, 2005. *Accession Number:* 20051206-0026. *Comment Date:* 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, December 22, 2005. *Docket Numbers:* ER06-149-001. *Applicants:* Entergy Services, Inc. *Description:* Entergy Services, Inc submits the signature pages to the November 2, 2005 filing of two rate schedules providing for power coordination and interchange services to Conway and West Memphis, Arkansas. *Filed Date:* December 1, 2005. *Accession Number:* 20051206-0024. *Comment Date:* 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, December 22, 2005. *Docket Numbers:* ER06-156-000. *Applicants:* Southern Company Services, Inc. *Description:* Southern Company Services, Inc, acting as agent for Alabama Power Co, submits an errata to the November 3, 2005 notice of cancellation of the firm power purchase contract with Alabama Municipal Electric Authority. *Filed Date:* December 1, 2005. *Accession Number:* 20051205-0230. *Comment Date:* 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, December 22, 2005. *Docket Numbers:* ER06-273-000. *Applicants:* Midwest Independent Transmission System Operator, Inc. *Description:* Midwest Independent Transmission System Operator, Inc submits a notice of succession of certain transmission service agreement & network integration transmission service & operating agreements. *Filed Date:* December 1, 2005. *Accession Number:* 20051205-0065. *Comment Date:* 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, December 22, 2005. *Docket Numbers:* ER06-274-000. *Applicants:* Southwestern Public Service Company. *Description:* Southwestern Public Service Co submits changes in rates and rate design applicable to service to Cap Rock Energy Corp, *et al.* *Filed Date:* December 1, 2005. *Accession Number:* 20051205-0209. *Comment Date:* 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, December 22, 2005. *Docket Numbers:* ER06-278-000. *Applicants:* Nevada Hydro Company, Inc. *Description:* The Nevada Hydro Co Inc submits Rate Request pursuant to section 205 of the Federal Power Act implementing regulations re the Lake Elsinore Advance Pump Storage Project. *Filed Date:* December 1, 2005. *Accession Number:* 20051207-0330. *Comment Date:* 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, December 22, 2005. *Docket Numbers:* ER06-281-000. *Applicants:* TECO EnergySource, Inc. *Description:* TECO EnergySource, Inc submits a notice of cancellation for the purpose of terminating its market-based electric tariff. *Filed Date:* December 1, 2005. *Accession Number:* 20051207-0080. *Comment Date:* 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, December 22, 2005. *Docket Numbers:* ER06-282-000. *Applicants:* New England Power Pool. *Description:* The New England Power Pool Participants Committee submits the transmittal letter along with counterpart signature pages of the New England Power Pool Agreement. *Filed Date:* December 1, 2005. *Accession Number:* 20051207-0066. *Comment Date:* 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, December 22, 2005. *Docket Numbers:* ER06-283-000. *Applicants:* Avista Corporation. *Description:* Avista Corp submits Original Service Agreement No. 324, which is an Agreement for Purchase & Sale of Power with Public Utility District No. 1 of Douglas County, WA. *Filed Date:* December 1, 2005. *Accession Number:* 20051207-0067. *Comment Date:* 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, December 22, 2005. *Docket Numbers:* ER96-1947-018; EL05-111-000. *Applicants:* LS Power Marketing, LLC. *Description:* LS Power Marketing, LLC submits its Third Revised Market-based Rate Tariff in compliance with FERC's November 30, 2005 Order. *Filed Date:* November 30, 2005. *Accession Number:* 20051206-0023. *Comment Date:* 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Wednesday, December 21, 2005. Any person desiring to intervene or to protest in any of the above proceedings must file in accordance with Rules 211 and 214 of the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure (18 CFR 385.211 and 385.214) on or before 5 p.m. Eastern time on the specified comment date. It is not necessary to separately intervene again in a subdocket related to a compliance filing if you have previously intervened in the same docket. Protests will be considered by the Commission in determining the appropriate action to be taken, but will not serve to make protestants parties to the proceeding. Anyone filing a motion to intervene or protest must serve a copy of that document on the Applicant. In reference to filings initiating a new proceeding, interventions or protests submitted on or before the comment deadline need not be served on persons other and the Applicant. The Commission encourages electronic submission of protests and interventions in lieu of paper, using the FERC Online links at *http://www.ferc.gov.* To facilitate electronic service, persons with Internet access who will eFile a document and/or be listed as a contact for an intervenor must create and validate an eRegistration account using the eRegistration link. Select the eFiling link to log on and submit the intervention or protests. Persons unable to file electronically should submit an original and 14 copies of the intervention or protest to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First St. NE., Washington, DC 20426. The filings in the above proceedings are accessible in the Commission's eLibrary system by clicking on the appropriate link in the above list. They are also available for review in the Commission's Public Reference Room in Washington, DC. There is an eSubscription link on the Web site that enables subscribers to receive e-mail notification when a document is added to a subscribed dockets(s). For assistance with any FERC Online service, please e-mail *FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov.* or call

(866)208-3676 (toll free). For TTY, call

(202)502-8659. Magalie R. Salas, Secretary. [FR Doc. E5-7421 Filed 12-15-05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717-01-P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Docket Nos. EG06-13-000 et al.] ANP ERCOT Acquisiton, LLC, et al.; Electric Rate and Corporate Filings December 9, 2005-12-13 The following filings have been made with the Commission. The filings are listed in ascending order within each docket classification. ANP ERCOT Acquisition, LLC, Docket Nos. EG06-13-000 ANP ERCOT Development, LLC, EG06-14-000 ANP NE Acquisition, LLC, EG06-15-000 ANP NE Development, LLC, EG06-16-000 ANP PJM Acquisition, LLC, EG06-17-000 ANP PJM Development, LLC, EG06-18-000 ANP Acquisition, LLC, EG06-19-000 ANP Development, LLC, EG06-20-000 ANP Operations II, LLC, EG06-21-000 Take notice that on December 2, 2005, the above listed ANP Entities (Applicants) pursuant to section 32(a)(1) of the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935 hereby submit for filing their Applications for Determination of Exempt Wholesale Generator Status. Applicants state that they are a Delaware limited liability company with its principal place of business in Marlborough, Massachusetts and its sole purpose of each facilities will be used for the generation of electric energy exclusively for sale at wholesale. *Comment Date:* 5 p.m. Eastern Time on December 23, 2005. 2. California Independent System Operator [Docket Nos. ER04-115-005, EL04-47-005, ER04-242-004, ER05-367-002, EL04-50-003] Take notice that on November 30, 2005, the California Independent System Operator (CA ISO) in compliance to “Order Approving Uncontested Settlement” issued on September 22, 2005, CA ISO provides details of refunds in Attachment A. *Comment Date:* 5 p.m. Eastern Time on December 21, 2005. 3. Knedergy LLC [Docket No. ER06-250-000] Take notice that on November 28, 2005, Knedergy LLC tendered for filing a Petition for Acceptance of initial Rate Schedule, Waivers, and Blanket Authority for Rate Schedule FERC No. 1. *Comment Date:* 5 p.m. Eastern Time on December 19, 2005. 4. Southern California Edison Company [Docket No. ER06-259-000] Take notice that on November 30, 2005, Southern California Edison Company

(SCE)tenders for filing revisions to it Transmission Owner tariff, FERC Electric Tariff, Second Revised Volume No. 6, and to certain Existing Transmission Contracts to reflect a change to SCE's Reliability Services Rates. *Comment Date:* 5 p.m. Eastern Time on December 21, 2005. 5. California Independence System Operator Corporation [Docket No. ER06-54-001] Take notice that on November 29, 2005, the California Independent System Operator Corporation

(ISO)tendered for filing Attachment A, signature page, to the filing submitted on October 19, 2005. *Comment Date:* 5 p.m. Eastern Time on December 19, 2005. 6. DTE Energy Trading, Inc. [Docket No. EC06-30-000] Take notice that on November 23, 2005, DTE Energy Trading, Inc. (DTE-ET) tendered for filing an Application for Authorization under section 203 of the Federal Power Act and as amended on November 28, 2005. DTE-ET requests Commission authorization to dispose of jurisdictional facilities by way of an assignment of the rights, obligations and interest in certain of its wholesale electric power sales agreement and associated books and records to Morgan Stanley Capital Group Inc. *Comment Date:* 5 p.m. Eastern Time on December 20, 2005. 7. Ameren Services Company [Docket Nos. EC06-35-000 and ES06-17-000] Take notice that on December 7, 2005, Ameren Services Company (Ameren Services) tendered for filing an application on behalf of itself and its associate companies, Union Electric Company (d/b/a AmerenUE), Central Illinois Public Service Company (d/b/a AmerenCIPS), Central Illinois Light Company (d/b/a AmerenCILCO), Illinois Power Company (d/b/a Ameren IP), CILCORP Inc., Ameren Energy Resources Company, AmerenEnergy Resources Generating Company (f/k/a Central Illinois Generation, Inc.), Ameren Energy Generating Company (AEG), Ameren Energy Development Company, Ameren Energy Marketing Company, AmerenEnergy Medina Valley Cogen (No. 2), L.L.C., Ameren Energy Medina Valley Cogen, (No. 4) L.L.C., AmerenEnergy Median Valley Cogen, L.L.C., Electric Energy, Inc., and Ameren Corporation (collectively the Applicants) for an order pursuant to section 204 of the Federal Power Act authorizing AmerenUE, AmerenCIPS, AmerenCILCO and AEG (the section 204 Applicants) to issue short-term debt securities, for AEG to issue long-term debt securities, and for the section 204 Applicants to receive cash capital contributions and non-interest bearing open account advances from their respective parents. The Applicants also request pursuant to section 203 of the Federal Power Act, an order granting blanket authorization for the Applicants to acquire securities. *Comment Date:* 5 p.m. Eastern Time on December 28, 2005. 8. San Diego Gas & Electric Company and Pacific Gas and Electric Company [Docket Nos. EL00-95-170 and EL00-98-156] Take notice that on December 1, 2005, Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) submitted compliance filing pursuant to a Commission Order issued August 8, 2005. PG&E states that this filing addresses outstanding disputes that are specific to PG&E and is being submitted to the Commission in conjunction with a contemporaneous pleading filed by certain California parties to address further disputes relating to offsets and market re-runs. *Comment Date:* 5 p.m. Eastern Time on January 3, 2006. 9. City of Azusa, California [Docket No. EL06-23-000] Take notice that on December 2, 2005, City of Azusa, California (Azusa) submitted for filing its third annual revision to it Transmission Revenue Balancing Account Adjustment Azusa request an effective date of January 1, 2006. *Comment Date:* 5 p.m. Eastern Time on January 3, 2006. 10. Midwest Independent Transmission System Operator, Inc. [Docket No. ER02-2458-006] Take notice that on December 1, 2005, Midwest Independent Transmission System Operator, Inc. submitted for filing an amended contested settlement agreement. *Comment Date:* 5 p.m. Eastern Time on December 19, 2005. 11. National Grid plc and National Grid USA [Docket Nos. ES06-9-000, EC06-34-000, EL06-22-000] Take notice that on December 2, 2005, National Grid plc and National Grid USA (collectively, Applicants) submited for filing an application and petition on behalf of themselves and certain of their subsidiaries and affiliates, to issue securities under section 204 of the Federal Power Act and part 34 of the Commission's regulations and authorization to acquire securities and for limited intra-family mergers and reorganization under section 203 of the Federal Power Act and part 33 of the Commission's regulations. *Comment Date:* 5 p.m. Eastern Time on December 23, 2005. Standard Paragraph Any person desiring to intervene or to protest this filing must file in accordance with Rules 211 and 214 of the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure (18 CFR 385.211, 385.214). Protests will be considered by the Commission in determining the appropriate action to be taken, but will not serve to make protestants parties to the proceeding. Any person wishing to become a party must file a notice of intervention or motion to intervene, as appropriate. Such notices, motions, or protests must be filed on or before the comment date. Anyone filing a motion to intervene or protest must serve a copy of that document on the Applicant and all the parties in this proceeding. The Commission encourages electronic submission of protests and interventions in lieu of paper using the “eFiling” link at *http://www.ferc.gov* . Persons unable to file electronically should submit an original and 14 copies of the protest or intervention to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426. This filing is accessible on-line at *http://www.ferc.gov* , using the “eLibrary” link and is available for review in the Commission's Public Reference Room in Washington, DC. There is an “eSubscription” link on the Web site that enables subscribers to receive e-mail notification when a document is added to a subscribed docket(s). For assistance with any FERC Online service, please e-mail *FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov* , or call

(866)208-3676 (toll free). For TTY, call

(202)502-8659. Magalie R. Salas, Secretary. [FR Doc. E5-7422 Filed 12-15-05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717-01-P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Combined Notice Of Filings #2 December 12, 2005. Take notice that the Commission received the following electric rate filings. *Docket Numbers:* ER00-2823-002. *Applicants:* American Cooperative Services, Inc. *Description:* American Cooperative Services, Inc submits revised rate schedule incorporating FERC's change in status provisions in compliance with the February 18, 2005 Order et al. *Filed Date:* December 2, 2005. *Accession Number:* 20051208-0060. *Comment Date:* 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Friday, December 23, 2005. *Docket Numbers:* ER02-1118-005. *Applicants:* Continental Electric Cooperative Service. *Description:* Continental Electric Cooperative Services, Inc submits revised rate schedule incorporating FERC's change in status provision in compliance with the February 18, 2005 Order et al. *Filed Date:* December 2, 2005. *Accession Number:* 20051207-0082. *Comment Date:* 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Friday, December 23, 2005. *Docket Numbers:* ER02-2605-004. *Applicants:* Keystone Energy Group, Inc. *Description:* Keystone Energy Group, Inc amends its December 31, 2002 filing to make corrections to its Market Based Rate, FERC Electric Schedule. *Filed Date:* December 2, 2005. *Accession Number:* 20051208-0065. *Comment Date:* 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Friday, December 23, 2005. *Docket Numbers:* ER03-1294-003. *Applicants:* Energy Cooperative of New York, Inc. *Description:* Energy Cooperative of New York, Inc submits revised Market-Based Rate Tariffs which include FERC's market behavior rules and change in status reporting requirement. *Filed Date:* December 2, 2005. *Accession Number:* 20051208-0061. *Comment Date:* 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Friday, December 23, 2005. *Docket Numbers:* ER05-1444-003. *Applicants:* Midwest Independent Transmission System. *Description:* Midwest Independent Transmission System Operator, Inc submits a supplement and errata to its November 23, 2005 Amendment to Filing of Large Generator Interconnection Agreement. *Filed Date:* December 2, 2005. *Accession Number:* 20051208-0067. *Comment Date:* 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Friday, December 23, 2005. *Docket Numbers:* ER05-1508-001. *Applicants:* Midwest Independent Transmission System Operator, Inc. *Description:* Midwest ISO submits an amendment to its September 26, 2005 executed Large Generator Interconnection Agreement with Power Partners Midwest, LLC, et al. *Filed Date:* December 2, 2005. *Accession Number:* 20051207-0061. *Comment Date:* 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Friday, December 23, 2005. *Docket Numbers:* ER05-508-004. *Applicants:* ISO New England, Inc. and New England Power Pool. *Description:* ISO New England Inc submits original transmittal letter and revised tariff sheet to Appendix H of Section III in response to the requirements of FERC's November 17, 2005 Order. *Filed Date:* December 2, 2005. *Accession Number:* 20051207-0081. *Comment Date:* 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Friday, December 23, 2005. *Docket Numbers:* ER06-28-001. *Applicants:* PJM Interconnection, L.L.C. *Description:* PJM Interconnection, LLC submits Substitute Revised Sheet 163 et al to correct minor errors in two of the revised sheets submitted on October 11, 2005 etc. *Filed Date:* December 2, 2005. *Accession Number:* 20051207-0084. *Comment Date:* 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Friday, December 23, 2005. *Docket Numbers:* ER06-126-001. *Applicants:* Ohio Edison Company. *Description:* Ohio Edison Co submits a revised notice of cancellation of Rate Schedule FERC No. 154 pursuant to the guidelines in FERC Order No. 614. *Filed Date:* December 2, 2005. *Accession Number:* 20051208-0068. *Comment Date:* 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Friday, December 23, 2005. *Docket Numbers:* ER06-128-001. *Applicants:* Ohio Edison Company. *Description:* Ohio Edison Co submits a revised notice of cancellation of Rate Schedule FERC No. 153 pursuant to the guidelines in FERC Order No. 614. *Filed Date:* December 2, 2005. *Accession Number:* 20051208-0066. *Comment Date:* 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Friday, December 23, 2005. *Docket Numbers:* ER06-152-001. *Applicants:* Wisconsin Public Service Corporation. *Description:* Wisconsin Public Service Corp submits a revised market-based rate tariff designated as its FERC Electric Tariff, Substitute Fourth Revised Volume No. 10 to become effective November 3, 2005. *Filed Date:* December 2, 2005. *Accession Number:* 20051207-0063. *Comment Date:* 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Friday, December 23, 2005. *Docket Numbers:* ER06-214-001. *Applicants:* Power Bidding Strategies, LLC. *Description:* Power Bidding Strategies, LLC submits Section XI to its petition for acceptance of initial rate schedule to clarify the ownership structure of its affiliates and resubmits FERC Electric Tariff No. 1. *Filed Date:* December 2, 2005. *Accession Number:* 20051208-0059. *Comment Date:* 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Friday, December 23, 2005. *Docket Numbers:* ER06-262-000. *Applicants:* Pittsfield Generating Company, L.P. *Description:* Pittsfield Generating Co LP submits the signed affidavits of Donald W Scholl & Malcolm R Ketchum to the unexecuted Reliability Must Run Agreement with Sempra Energy Trading Corp et al submitted on November 30, 2005. *Filed Date:* December 1, 2005. *Accession Number:* 20051207-0053. *Comment Date:* 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, December 22, 2005. *Docket Numbers:* ER06-276-000 *Applicants:* Alcoa Power Generating, Inc. *Description:* Alcoa Power Generating, Inc—Tapoco Division submits FERC Electric Tariff, First Revised Volume No. 1, effective December 3, 2005. *Filed Date:* December 2, 2005. *Accession Number:* 20051206-0216. *Comment Date:* 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Friday, December 23, 2005. *Docket Numbers:* ER06-277-000 *Applicants:* NorthWestern Corporation *Description:* NorthWestern Corp submits a notice of cancellation of its FERC Rate Schedule No.175 pursuant to effective January 1, 2006. *Filed Date:* December 2, 2005. *Accession Number:* 20051207-0057. *Comment Date:* 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Friday, December 23, 2005. *Docket Numbers:* ER06-279-000. *Applicants:* NorthWestern Corporation. *Description:* NorthWestern Corp submits a non-conforming Network Integration Transmission Service Agreements with the Bonneville Power Administration for service to its wholesale customers. *Filed Date:* December 2, 2005. *Accession Number:* 20051207-0079. *Comment Date:* 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Friday, December 23, 2005. *Docket Numbers:* ER06-280-000. *Applicants:* ISO New England Inc. *Description:* ISO New England Inc & the New England Power Pool Participants Committee jointly submit a transmittal letter and related materials, which proposed revision to certain Market Rule 1 terms. *Filed Date:* December 2, 2005. *Accession Number:* 20051207-0165. *Comment Date:* 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Friday, December 23, 2005. *Docket Numbers:* ER06-284-000. *Applicants:* SR Energy, LLC. *Description:* SR Energy, LLC submits an application for authority to sell electric power and related services at market based rates, to be effective January 1, 2006. *Filed Date:* December 2, 2005. *Accession Number:* 20051207-0068. *Comment Date:* 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Friday, December 23, 2005. *Docket Numbers:* ER06-285-000; ER06-286-000. *Applicants:* Cincinnati Gas & Electric Company; PSI Energy, Inc. *Description:* Cinergy Services, Inc on behalf of The Cincinnati Gas & Electric Co and PSI Energy submit a Legacy Contract Transition Agreement to be effective January 1, 2006. *Filed Date:* December 1, 2005. *Accession Number:* 20051207-0069. *Comment Date:* 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, December 22, 2005. *Docket Numbers:* ER95-802-021. *Applicants:* IEP Power Marketing, LLC. *Description:* IEP Power Marketing, LLC file market power analysis to comply with FERC's May 11, 1995 Order. *Filed Date:* December 2, 2005. *Accession Number:* 20051202-5008. *Comment Date:* 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Friday, December 23, 2005. *Docket Numbers:* ER98-4515-005. *Applicants:* Cadillac Renewable Energy LLC. *Description:* Cadillac Renewable Energy LLC submits Original Sheet Nos.1 thu 7 to its FERC Electric Tariff, First Revised Volume No. 1. *Filed Date:* December 2, 2005. *Accession Number:* 20051207-0062. *Comment Date:* 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Friday, December 23, 2005. Any person desiring to intervene or to protest in any of the above proceedings must file in accordance with Rules 211 and 214 of the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure (18 CFR 385.211 and 385.214) on or before 5 p.m. Eastern time on the specified comment date. It is not necessary to separately intervene again in a subdocket related to a compliance filing if you have previously intervened in the same docket. Protests will be considered by the Commission in determining the appropriate action to be taken, but will not serve to make protestants parties to the proceeding. Anyone filing a motion to intervene or protest must serve a copy of that document on the Applicant. In reference to filings initiating a new proceeding, interventions or protests submitted on or before the comment deadline need not be served on persons other and the Applicant. The Commission encourages electronic submission of protests and interventions in lieu of paper, using the FERC Online links at *http://www.ferc.gov.* To facilitate electronic service, persons with Internet access who will eFile a document and/or be listed as a contact for an intervenor must create and validate an eRegistration account using the eRegistration link. Select the eFiling link to log on and submit the intervention or protests. Persons unable to file electronically should submit an original and 14 copies of the intervention or protest to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First St. NE., Washington, DC 20426. The filings in the above proceedings are accessible in the Commission's eLibrary system by clicking on the appropriate link in the above list. They are also available for review in the Commission's Public Reference Room in Washington, DC. There is an eSubscription link on the Web site that enables subscribers to receive e-mail notification when a document is added to a subscribed dockets(s). For assistance with any FERC Online service, please e-mail *FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov.* or call

(866)208-3676 (toll free). For TTY, call

(202)502-8659. Magalie R. Salas, Secretary. [FR Doc. E5-7432 Filed 12-15-05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717-01-P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Notice of Application Tendered for Filing With the Commission and Soliciting Additional Study Requests December 12, 2005. Take notice that the following hydroelectric application has been filed with the Commission and is available for public inspection. a. *Type of Application:* Major license, 5 MW or less. b. *Project No.:* 12597-002. 1 1 The applicant has split its Turnbull Drop Project No. 12539, for which it holds a preliminary permit, into the Lower Turnbull Drop Project No. 12597 and the Upper Turnbull Drop Project No. 12598. c. *Date filed:* November 28, 2005. d. *Applicant:* Birch Power Company. e. *Name of Project:* Lower Turnbull Drop Hydroelectric Project. f. *Location:* On the Spring Valley Canal, in Teton County, Montana, about 4 miles west of Fairfield, Montana. The project would occupy in part lands of the United States administered by the Bureau of Reclamation. g. *Filed Pursuant to:* Federal Power Act 16 U.S.C. 791 (a)-825(r). h. *Applicant Contact:* Ted Sorenson, Sorenson Engineering, 5203 South 11th East, Idaho Falls, ID 83404,

(208)522-8069. i. *FERC Contact:* Dianne Rodman,

(202)502-6077, *Dianne.rodman@ferc.gov.* j. *Cooperating agencies:* We are asking Federal, state, local, and tribal agencies with jurisdiction and/or special expertise with respect to environmental issues to cooperate with us in the preparation of the environmental document. Agencies who would like to request cooperating status should follow the instructions for filing comments described in item l below. Cooperating agencies should note the Commission's policy that agencies that cooperate in the preparation of the environmental document cannot also intervene. *See,* 94 FERC ¶ 61,076 (2001). k. Pursuant to section 4.32(b)(7) of 18 CFR of the Commission's regulations, if any resource agency, Indian Tribe, or person believes that an additional scientific study should be conducted in order to form an adequate factual basis for a complete analysis of the application on its merit, the resource agency, Indian Tribe, or person must file a request for a study with the Commission not later than 60 days from the date of filing of the application, and serve a copy of the request on the applicant. l. Deadline for filing additional study requests and requests for cooperating agency status: January 27, 2006. All documents (original and eight copies) should be filed with: Magalie R. Salas, Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426. The Commission's Rules of Practice require all intervenors filing documents with the Commission to serve a copy of that document on each person on the official service list for the project. Further, if an intervenor files comments or documents with the Commission relating to the merits of an issue that may affect the responsibilities of a particular resource agency, they must also serve a copy of the document on that resource agency. Additional study requests and requests for cooperating agency status may be filed electronically via the Internet in lieu of paper. The Commission strongly encourages electronic filings. See 18 CFR 385.2001(a)(1)(iii) and the instructions on the Commission's Web site ( *http://www.ferc.gov* ) under the “e-Filing” link. m. The application is not ready for environmental analysis at this time. n. The proposed project would be built at the Spring Valley Canal's Lower Turnbull drop structure, which is a reinforced concrete structure 2,332 feet long, with a total drop of 146.5 feet. The applicant proposes to construct:

(1)A check structure, consisting of a spillway gate panel anchored to a ballast concrete structure spanning the full width of the canal floor between new concrete abutment walls;

(2)an intake structure to divert flows from the left side of the canal;

(3)84-inch-diameter, 2,340-feet-long steel or polyethylene penstock that would be completely buried;

(4)a powerhouse containing two horizontal Francis turbines and one generator with a rated output of 5 MW;

(5)a draft tube and tailrace discharging flows into the canal about 40 feet downstream of the drop structure's existing stilling basin;

(6)a 0.8-mile-long, 12.5-kilovolt

(kV)transmission line;

(7)a switchyard; and

(8)a 1.7-mile-long, 69-kV transmission line extending from the switchyard to interconnect with an existing Sun River Electric Cooperative transmission line. The project would use flows as they are provided in accordance with the needs of the Greenfield Irrigation District, which operates the canal. The project would not impound water and would be operated strictly as a run-of-river plant. Average annual generation would be 13,350,000 kilowatt-hours. o. A copy of the application is available for review at the Commission in the Public Reference Room or may be viewed on the Commission's Web site at *http://www.ferc.gov* using the “eLibrary” link. Enter the docket number excluding the last three digits in the docket number field to access the document. For assistance, contact FERC Online Support at *FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov* or toll-free at 1-866-208-3676, or for TTY,

(202)502-8659. A copy is also available for inspection and reproduction at the address in item h above. You may also register online at *http://www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/esubscription.asp* to be notified via email of new filings and issuances related to this or other pending projects. For assistance, contact FERC Online Support. p. With this notice, we are initiating consultation with the Montana State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO), as required by § 106, National Historic Preservation Act, and the regulations of the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, 36, CFR, at § 800.4. q. Procedural schedule: We are currently reviewing the application for adequacy. This schedule allows 30 days for the correction of any deficiencies and the submittal of any additional information needed. If deficiencies and additional information needs require more time, the schedule will be revised accordingly. Issue Deficiency Letter, December 2005. Issue Acceptance Letter, January 2006. Issue Scoping Document for comments, January 2006. Notice of application is ready for environmental analysis, February 2006. Notice of the availability of the EA, June 2006. Ready for Commission's decision on the application, July 2006. Magalie R. Salas, Secretary. [FR Doc. E5-7428 Filed 12-15-05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717-01-P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Notice of Application Tendered for Filing With the Commission and Soliciting Additional Study Requests December 12, 2005. Take notice that the following hydroelectric application has been filed with the Commission and is available for public inspection. a. *Type of Application:* Major license, 5 MW or less. b. *Project No.:* 12598-002. c. *Date filed:* November 28, 2005. d. *Applicant:* Birch Power Company. e. *Name of Project:* Upper Turnbull Drop Hydroelectric Project 1 . 1 The applicant has split its Turnbull Drop Project No. 12539, for which it holds a preliminary permit, into the Upper Turnbull Drop Project No. 12598 and Lower Turnbull Drop Project No. 12597. f. *Location:* On the Spring Valley Canal, in Teton County, Montana, about 4 miles west of Fairfield, Montana. The project would occupy lands of the United States administered by the Bureau of Reclamation. g. *Filed Pursuant to:* Federal Power Act 16 U.S.C. 791

(a)through 825(r). h. *Applicant Contact:* Ted Sorenson, Sorenson Engineering, 5203 South 11th East, Idaho Falls, ID 83404,

(208)522-8069. i. *FERC Contact:* Dianne Rodman,

(202)502-6077, *Dianne.rodman@ferc.gov* . j. *Cooperating agencies:* We are asking Federal, state, local, and tribal agencies with jurisdiction and/or special expertise with respect to environmental issues to cooperate with us in the preparation of the environmental document. Agencies who would like to request cooperating status should follow the instructions for filing comments described in item l below. Cooperating agencies should note the Commission's policy that agencies that cooperate in the preparation of the environmental document cannot also intervene. *See* , 94 FERC ¶ 61,076 (2001). k. Pursuant to section 4.32(b)(7) of 18 CFR of the Commission's regulations, if any resource agency, Indian Tribe, or person believes that an additional scientific study should be conducted in order to form an adequate factual basis for a complete analysis of the application on its merit, the resource agency, Indian Tribe, or person must file a request for a study with the Commission not later than 60 days from the date of filing of the application, and serve a copy of the request on the applicant. l. *Deadline for filing additional study requests and requests for cooperating agency status:* January 27, 2006. All documents (original and eight copies) should be filed with: Magalie R. Salas, Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426. The Commission's Rules of Practice require all intervenors filing documents with the Commission to serve a copy of that document on each person on the official service list for the project. Further, if an intervenor files comments or documents with the Commission relating to the merits of an issue that may affect the responsibilities of a particular resource agency, they must also serve a copy of the document on that resource agency. Additional study requests and requests for cooperating agency status may be filed electronically via the Internet in lieu of paper. The Commission strongly encourages electronic filings. See 18 CFR 385.2001(a)(1)(iii) and the instructions on the Commission's Web site ( *http://www.ferc.gov* ) under the “e-Filing” link. m. The application is not ready for environmental analysis at this time. n. The proposed project would be built at the Spring Valley Canal's Upper Turnbull drop structure, which is a reinforced concrete structure 1,102 feet long, with a total drop of 101.6 feet. The applicant proposes to construct:

(1)A check structure, consisting of a spillway gate panel anchored to a ballast concrete structure spanning the full width of the canal floor between new concrete abutment walls;

(2)an intake structure to divert flows from the left side of the canal;

(3)84-inch-diameter, 1,100-feet-long steel or polyethylene penstock that would be completely buried;

(4)a powerhouse containing two horizontal Francis turbines and one generator with a rated output of 4.1 MW;

(5)a draft tube and tailrace discharging flows into the canal about 40 feet downstream of the drop structure's existing stilling basin;

(6)a 1.3-mile-long, 12.5-kilovolt

(kV)transmission line;

(7)a switchyard; and

(8)a 1.7-mile-long, 69-kV transmission line extending from the switchyard to interconnect with an existing Sun River Electric Cooperative transmission line. The project would use flows as they are provided in accordance with the needs of the Greenfield Irrigation District, which operates the canal. The project would not impound water and would be operated strictly as a run-of-river plant. Average annual generation would be 11,200,000 kilowatt-hours. o. A copy of the application is available for review at the Commission in the Public Reference Room or may be viewed on the Commission's Web site at *http://www.ferc.gov* using the “eLibrary” link. Enter the docket number excluding the last three digits in the docket number field to access the document. For assistance, contact FERC Online Support at *FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov* or toll-free at 1-866-208-3676, or for TTY,

(202)502-8659. A copy is also available for inspection and reproduction at the address in item h above. You may also register online at *http://www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/esubscription.asp* to be notified via e-mail of new filings and issuances related to this or other pending projects. For assistance, contact FERC Online Support. p. With this notice, we are initiating consultation with the Montana State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO), as required by (106, National Historic Preservation Act, and the regulations of the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, 36, CFR, at § 800.4. q. *Procedural schedule:* We are currently reviewing the application for adequacy. This schedule allows 30 days for the correction of any deficiencies and the submittal of any additional information needed. If deficiencies and additional information needs require more time, the schedule will be revised accordingly. Issue Deficiency Letter December 2005. Issue Acceptance Letter January 2006. January 2006. Issue Scoping Document for comments January 2006. Notice of application is ready for environmental analysis February 2006. Notice of the availability of the EA June 2006. Ready for Commission's decision on the application July 2006. Magalie R. Salas, Secretary. [FR Doc. E5-7429 Filed 12-15-05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717-01-P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Notice of Application Tendered for Filing With the Commission and Soliciting Additional Study Requests December 12, 2005. Take notice that the following hydroelectric application has been filed with the Commission and is available for public inspection. a. *Type of Application:* Minor License. b. *Project No.:* 12599-002. 1 1 The Mill Coulee Drops Project No. 12599 would be located at the sites of the Mill Coulee Lower Project No. 12536 and the Mill Coulee Upper Project No. 12537, for which the applicant holds preliminary permits. c. *Date filed:* November 28, 2005. d. *Applicant:* Wade Jacobsen. e. *Name of Project:* Mill Coulee Drops Hydroelectric Project. f. *Location:* On the Mill Coulee Canal, in Cascade County, Montana, about 4 miles west of Fairfield, Montana. The project would occupy in part on lands of the United States administered by the Bureau of Reclamation. g. *Filed Pursuant to:* Federal Power Act 16 U.S.C. 791(a) through 825(r). h. *Applicant Contact:* Ted Sorenson, Sorenson Engineering, 5203 South 11th East, Idaho Falls, ID 83404,

(208)522-8069. i. *FERC Contact:* Dianne Rodman,

(202)502-6077, *Dianne.rodman@ferc.gov.* j. *Cooperating agencies:* We are asking Federal, state, local, and tribal agencies with jurisdiction and/or special expertise with respect to environmental issues to cooperate with us in the preparation of the environmental document. Agencies who would like to request cooperating status should follow the instructions for filing comments described in item l below. Cooperating agencies should note the Commission's policy that agencies that cooperate in the preparation of the environmental document cannot also intervene. See, 94 FERC ¶ 61,076 (2001). k. Pursuant to section 4.32(b)(7) of 18 CFR of the Commission's regulations, if any resource agency, Indian Tribe, or person believes that an additional scientific study should be conducted in order to form an adequate factual basis for a complete analysis of the application on its merit, the resource agency, Indian Tribe, or person must file a request for a study with the Commission not later than 60 days from the date of filing of the application, and serve a copy of the request on the applicant. l. Deadline for filing additional study requests and requests for cooperating agency status: January 27, 2006. All documents (original and eight copies) should be filed with: Magalie R. Salas, Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426. The Commission's Rules of Practice require all intervenors filing documents with the Commission to serve a copy of that document on each person on the official service list for the project. Further, if an intervenor files comments or documents with the Commission relating to the merits of an issue that may affect the responsibilities of a particular resource agency, they must also serve a copy of the document on that resource agency. Additional study requests and requests for cooperating agency status may be filed electronically via the Internet in lieu of paper. The Commission strongly encourages electronic filings. See 18 CFR 385.2001(a)(1)(iii) and the instructions on the Commission's Web site ( *http://www.ferc.gov* ) under the “e-Filing” link. m. The application is not ready for environmental analysis at this time. n. The proposed project would be built at the Mill Coulee Canal's Upper and Lower Mill Coulee drop structures, which are reinforced concrete structures 290 and 190 feet long, respectively. The total drop for the two structures is 101.6 feet. The applicant proposes to construct:

(1)A check structure, consisting of a spillway gate panel anchored to a ballast concrete structure spanning the full width of the canal floor between new concrete abutment walls, upstream from the concrete transition of the Upper Mill Coulee chute drop;

(2)an intake structure to divert flows from the left side of the canal;

(3)a 48-inch-diameter, 1,400-feet-long pre-stressed concrete, tape-coated steel, or polyethylene penstock that would be completely buried;

(4)a powerhouse containing one horizontal Francis turbine and one generator with a rated output of 1.05 MW;

(5)a draft tube and 2,650-feet-long tailrace discharging flows into the canal below the Lower Mill Coulee drop structure;

(6)a switchyard immediately adjacent to the powerhouse; and

(7)a 0.7-mile-long, 69-kV transmission line extending from the switchyard to interconnect with an existing Sun River Electric Cooperative transmission line. The project would use flows as they are provided in accordance with the needs of the Greenfield Irrigation District, which operates the canal. The project would not impound water and would be operated strictly as a run-of-river plant. Average annual generation would be 2,430,000 kilowatt-hours. o. A copy of the application is available for review at the Commission in the Public Reference Room or may be viewed on the Commission's Web site at *http://www.ferc.gov* using the “eLibrary” link. Enter the docket number excluding the last three digits in the docket number field to access the document. For assistance, contact FERC Online Support at *FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov* or toll-free at 1-866-208-3676, or for TTY,

(202)502-8659. A copy is also available for inspection and reproduction at the address in item h above. You may also register online at *http://www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/esubscription.asp* to be notified via e-mail of new filings and issuances related to this or other pending projects. For assistance, contact FERC Online Support. p. With this notice, we are initiating consultation with the Montana State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO), as required by § 106, National Historic Preservation Act, and the regulations of the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, 36, CFR, at § 800.4. q. *Procedural schedule:* We are currently reviewing the application for adequacy. This schedule allows 30 days for the correction of any deficiencies and the submittal of any additional information needed. If deficiencies and additional information needs require more time, the schedule will be revised accordingly. Issue Deficiency Letter, December 2005. Issue Acceptance Letter, January 2006. Issue Scoping Document 1 for comments, January 2006. Notice of application is ready for environmental analysis, February 2006. Notice of the availability of the EA, June 2006. Ready for Commission's decision on the application, July 2006. Magalie R. Salas, Secretary. [FR Doc. E5-7430 Filed 12-15-05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717-01-P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Docket No. AD06-2-000] Assessment of Demand Response Resources; Notice of Technical Conference on Demand Response and Advanced Metering December 12, 2005. Take notice that on Wednesday, January 25, 2005, at 9 a.m. (EST), staff of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission will convene a technical conference on demand response and advanced metering regarding issues raised by the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPAct 2005) section 1252(e)(3). 1 The technical conference will be held in the Commission Meeting Room at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426. The conference will be open for the public to attend and advance registration is not required. This will be a staff conference, but Commissioners may attend. In the coming weeks, an additional notice of this technical conference will be issued finalizing the agenda and participation on the proposed panels. 1 Energy Policy Act of 2005, Pub. L. No. 109-58, § 1252(e)(3), 119 Stat. 594,

(2005)(EPAct section 1252(e)(3)). A free webcast of this event will be available through www.ferc.gov. Anyone with Internet access who desires to view this event can do so by navigating to *http://www.ferc.gov's* Calendar of Events and locating this event in the Calendar. The event will contain a link to its webcast. The Capitol Connection provides technical support for the webcasts. It also offers access to this event via television in the Washington, DC area and via phone bridge for a fee. Visit *http://www.CapitolConnection.org* or contact Danelle Perkowski or David Reininger at the Capitol Connection 703-993-3100 for information about this service. Commission conferences are accessible under section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. For accessibility accommodations please send an e-mail to *accessibility@ferc.gov* or call toll free 866-208-3372 (voice) or 202-208-1659 (TTY), or send a FAX to 202-208-2106 with the required accommodations. For further information on the technical conference, please contact: David Kathan (Technical Information), Office of Markets, Tariffs and Rates, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426,

(202)502-6404, *David.Kathan@ferc.gov.* Aileen Roder (Legal Information), Office of the General Counsel, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426,

(202)502-6022, *Aileen.Roder@ferc.gov.* Magalie R. Salas, Secretary. [FR Doc. E5-7431 Filed 12-15-05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717-01-P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Project No. 2153-012 California] Notice of Public Meeting To Discuss the Environmental Assessment Prepared for the Santa Felicia Hydropower Project; United Water Conservation District December 12, 2005. On November 28, 2005, the Commission staff issued an Environmental Assessment (EA); prepared for the licensing of the Santa Felicia Hydroelectric Project. Comments on the EA are due January 12, 2006. The EA evaluates the environmental effects of the continued operation, and maintenance of the project. The project occupies 174.5 acres of U.S. land, administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, in the Los Padres and Angeles National Forests. In the EA, Commission staff analyze the probable environmental effects of relicensing the project and conclude that approval of the project, with appropriate staff-recommended environmental measures, would not constitute a major federal action significantly affecting the quality of the human environment. A public meeting, which will be recorded by an official stenographer, is scheduled for Thursday, January 5, 2006, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the United Water Conservation District's office at 106 North Eighth Street, Santa Paula, CA 93060. We ask that persons in need of directions or other assistance contact John Dickenson of United directly at

(805)525-4431 or via e-mail at *johnd@unitedwater.org.* At this meeting, resource agency personnel and other interested persons will have the opportunity to provide oral and written comments and recommendations regarding the licensing of the Santa Felicia Hydroelectric Project for the Commission's public record. Copies of the EA are available for review in Public Reference Room 2-A of the Commission's offices at 888 First Street, NE., Washington, DC. The EA also may be viewed on the Commission's Internet Web site ( *http://www.ferc.gov* ) using the “eLibrary” link. For assistance with eLibrary, contact *FERCOlineSuuport@ferc.gov* or call toll-free at

(866)208-3676; for TTY contact

(202)502-8659. Magalie R. Salas, Secretary. [FR Doc. E5-7423 Filed 12-15-05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717-01-P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Western Area Power Administration Parker-Davis Project—Post-2008 Resource Pool Allocation Procedures AGENCY: Western Area Power Administration, DOE. ACTION: Notice of final procedures. SUMMARY: The Western Area Power Administration (Western), a Federal power marketing agency of the Department of Energy (DOE), announces the Parker-Davis Project (P-DP) Post-2008 Resource Pool Allocation Procedures, developed under the requirements of the Energy Planning and Management Program (EPAMP). EPAMP provides for the establishment of project-specific resource pools and power allocations from these pools to new preference customers. Western, under EPAMP, is finalizing procedures for use in allocating power from the P-DP Post-2008 Resource Pool that will become available October 1, 2008. Western originally proposed allocation procedures in the October 1, 2004, **Federal Register** . Responses to public comments received on the proposed procedures are included in this notice. In accordance with this notice, Western plans to announce proposed allocations in the **Federal Register** after April 1, 2006. DATES: The P-DP Post-2008 Resource Pool Allocation Procedures will become effective January 17, 2006. ADDRESSES: Information regarding the Post-2008 Resource Pool Allocation Procedures, including comments, letters, and other supporting documents made or kept by Western for the purpose of developing the final procedures, is available for public inspection and copying at the Desert Southwest Regional Office, Western Area Power Administration, located at 615 South 43rd Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85009. Public comments may be viewed at *http://www.wapa.gov/dsw/pwrmkt.* SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Western published a notice of proposed allocation procedures in the October 1, 2004, **Federal Register** (69 FR 58900), to implement Subpart C—Power Marketing Initiative

(PMI)of EPAMP's Final Rule, 10 CFR part 905 (60 FR 54151). EPAMP, developed in part to implement section 114 of the Energy Policy Act of 1992, became effective on November 20, 1995. The goal of EPAMP is to require planning and efficient electric energy use by Western's long-term firm power customers and to provide a framework for extending Western's firm power resource commitments. One aspect of EPAMP is to establish project-specific power resource pools when existing resource commitments expire and to allocate power from these pools to new preference customers. Existing resource commitments for the P-DP expire on September 30, 2008. Western published its decision to apply the PMI of EPAMP to the P-DP in the **Federal Register** on May 5, 2003 (68 FR 23709). This decision created a resource pool of approximately 17 megawatts

(MW)of summer season capacity and 13 MW of winter season capacity, based on estimates of current P-DP hydroelectric resource availability, for allocation to eligible preference customers for 20 years beginning October 1, 2008. Western will make allocations to preference customers under the final procedures described in this notice, the current P-DP Marketing Plan (49 FR 50582, 52 FR 7014, and 52 FR 28333), and EPAMP. These final Post-2008 Resource Pool Allocation Procedures for the P-DP address

(1)Eligibility criteria,

(2)how Western intends to allocate pool resources, and

(3)the terms and conditions under which Western will allocate the power pool. Western held public comment forums regarding the proposed procedures between November 30, 2004, and December 2, 2004, to accept oral and written comments on the proposed allocation procedures and call for applications. The formal comment period ended January 30, 2005. Western's responses to public comments on the proposed allocation procedures are included in this notice. Response to Comments on the Post-2008 Resource Pool Allocation Procedures Comments and Responses *Comment:* Some comments expressed support for the proposed order of priority for use in making allocations, specifically the exclusion of existing Firm Electric Service contractors from the first priority. *Response:* Western appreciates the support and agrees that this order of priority will facilitate the widespread use of hydropower resources. *Comment:* Western received comments that subcontractors receiving allocations of Boulder Canyon Project power should be considered as having a contract with Western or as a member of a parent entity that has a contract with Western. *Response:* Western agrees that the definition of “a member of a parent entity that has a contract with Western” includes the Boulder Canyon Project subcontractors (or suballottees). These subcontractors receive the benefits of Federal power resources through power contracts with Boulder Canyon Project contractors and would not meet the criteria to receive first priority consideration. *Comment:* Western received comments that applicants may receive standard retail service from electric service providers and have no contract with their electric service providers for Federal resources. These comments asserted that the status of their electric service providers as contractors for Federal resources should not disqualify such retail customers from being in the first priority for consideration unless the applicants otherwise receive specified benefits from federal resources. *Response:* Retail customers of an electric service provider are not intended to be included in the definition of “member of a parent entity.” Therefore, otherwise qualified applicants would not be disqualified from being in the first priority for consideration solely on the basis of the applicant's retail service provider having a contract with Western for Federal resources. To encourage widespread use of Federal resources, Western may consider the magnitude of direct or indirect benefits from Federal resources received by applicants in determining allocations. *Comment:* One comment suggested that resource pool allocations should be given to applicants previously unsuccessful in obtaining a Federal power allocation. *Response:* In the October 1, 2004, **Federal Register** notice, Western provided an order of priority for use in determining which qualified applicants would receive consideration for P-DP resource pool allocations. The first order of priority contains those applicants that do not have contracts with Western for Federal power resources or are not members of parent entities that have a contract with Western for Federal power. This category would include those qualified applicants within the marketing area that have been previously unsuccessful at obtaining a contract with Western for Federal power resources. *Comment:* Comments were received requesting that Western consider making allocations to municipalities, that are not utilities, for identified end-use loads, such as water, waste water, street lighting, and municipal facilities. *Response:* Western's historic practice has been to require electrical utility status for municipalities to be eligible to receive Federal power under the preference clause. This requirement is contained in EPAMP, and utility status will continue as a requirement for municipalities to receive a preference allocation. For the P-DP, Western will consider making allocations to municipal utilities, other than electrical utilities, that are recognized as utilities by their applicable legal authorities, are nonprofit in nature, have electrical facilities, and are independently governed and financed. *Comment:* Western received comments that applicants should not be required to meet utility status before Western determines who will receive allocations. *Response:* Western must know prior to publishing proposed allocations whether applicants have attained utility status. To accommodate applicants that may need more time, Western has decided to extend the deadline for attaining utility status to April 1, 2006. *Comment:* Western received a comment that applicants with direct use needs such as irrigation districts should not be required to meet utility status. *Response:* The October 1, 2004, **Federal Register** notice stated that “qualified applicants that desire to purchase power from Western for resale to consumers * * * must have utility status.” Utility status means that the applicant has responsibility to meet load growth, has a distribution system, and is ready, willing, and able to purchase power from Western on a wholesale basis for resale to retail consumers. Electrical districts, as well as certain irrigation districts, resell power to retail consumers and, therefore, must meet utility status requirements. Irrigation districts desiring power allocations entirely for direct use loads, which are owned and controlled by these entities, are not required to have utility status as they are not required to distribute power to members that are preference entities or to retail consumers. *Comment:* A comment suggested that partial requirements customers of entities with allocations of Federal resources should receive special consideration as compared to full requirements customers of such entities. *Response:* Western's consideration of an application for an allocation will not differentiate between a partial requirements customer and a full requirements customer of an entity that has a contract for Federal resources. The amount of any Western power allocation could be affected by the magnitude of benefit received from the Federal resources, which could be impacted by the applicant's status as a partial requirements customer versus as a full requirements customer. *Comment:* Comments stated that the future, projected load of applicants should be considered when making the determination as to which applicants should get an allocation and how much power to allocate. *Response:* In the October 1, 2004, **Federal Register** notice, Western stated that it would base allocations made to qualified applicants on the actual loads in calendar year 2003. This practice enables Western to more accurately determine allocations and the benefits derived from those allocations, as opposed to consideration of future projected loads, which may or may not be realized. Western will allow applicants to provide updated load data if they desire. Applicants may provide the most recent 12 months of actual load data, which must be received by Western no later than April 1, 2006. In addition, applicants may also provide any other updated or new information relevant to their applications no later than April 1, 2006. *Comment:* A comment said that any power remaining unallocated or not placed under contract should be offered to the contractors that contributed the power to the resource pool. *Response:* Resource pool power not placed under contract will be offered on a pro rata basis to existing contractors up to the amount they contributed to the resource pool. Beyond that, any remaining resource pool power will be used as determined by Western. *Comment:* A comment stated that the entire resource pool should be allocated to Native American applicants. *Response:* Native American tribal applicants will be considered for allocations along with all other eligible applicants. *Comment:* A comment said that the proposed 1-MW minimum allocation should be decreased or eliminated. *Response:* The current marketing plan criteria include a 1-MW minimum for new customer allocations (52 FR 28333, July 29, 1987). This 1-MW minimum recognizes that Western does not schedule power to entities in quantities of less than 1 MW. Because of this and because small customer allocations were rounded to an even megawatt in the May 5, 2003, **Federal Register** notice (68 FR 23711), Western will continue the 1-MW minimum allocation provision. *Comment:* Comments suggested that aggregating or pooling loads of different applicants should be allowed to meet the proposed 1-MW minimum allocation. *Response:* Applicants will be allowed to aggregate their loads to qualify for an allocation of P-DP power provided Western is able to schedule power deliveries in 1 MW or greater quantities to the aggregated group. Applicants that aggregate loads will be required to demonstrate to Western's satisfaction that a contractual aggregated arrangement is in place by April 1, 2006. Members of an aggregated group must individually and collectively meet preference status and all other eligibility requirements. Western does not intend to allocate power to aggregated loads that are retail in nature. *Comment:* Some comments supported the provision requiring contractors to pay Western in advance for firm electric service. *Response:* Western appreciates support for the contract provision requiring contractors to pay their firm electric service bills 1 month in advance, unless both parties mutually agree to pay more than 1 month in advance. *Comment:* Comments expressed understanding for the requirement to reimburse existing contractors that provided advanced funding for certain capital items. *Response:* Western appreciates support and recognition of the obligation to reimburse existing contractors for any undepreciated replacement advances, to the extent existing contractors' allocations are reduced to create the resource pool. *Comment:* Comments requested clarification of the transmission arrangements necessary to deliver P-DP power allocations from P-DP point(s) of delivery to applicants' loads. *Response:* As stated in the October 1, 2004, **Federal Register** notice, each customer is ultimately responsible for arranging third-party delivery of firm power beyond P-DP point(s) of delivery. Western may assist new applicants, upon request, in facilitating third-party arrangements for delivery of allocated firm power, which may include transmission and/or displacement power delivery arrangements. Applicants must have the necessary arrangements for transmission, displacement, and/or distribution service in place by April 1, 2008. *Comment:* Western received a comment requesting clarification of the transmission and/or distribution requirements of those applicants that purchase for resale to consumers versus those that purchase for end use purposes. *Response:* All applicants, including those that purchase power from Western for end use purposes only, must have the necessary arrangements for transmission, displacement and/or distribution service in place by April 1, 2008. Applicants that purchase power for resale to consumers must have electrical utility status; which means the applicant has the responsibility to meet load growth, has a distribution system, and is ready, willing and able to purchase Federal power from Western on a wholesale basis for resale to retail consumers. To meet this electrical utility status requirement, Western will require applicants that purchase power for resale to consumers to either own or lease their distribution systems. The deadline for attaining utility status has been extended to April 1, 2006. *Comment:* Comments were received stating that Western should allow bill crediting to accommodate end-use applicants that will not attain utility status. *Response:* Under EPAMP, Western reserved the right to provide the economic benefits of its resources to Native Americans directly, in the event unanticipated obstacles to delivery of hydropower benefits arise. Bill crediting is an example of a direct benefit extended to Native Americans. Western's flexibility to provide direct economic benefits under EPAMP is expressly limited to Native Americans. *Comment:* A comment stated that the San Luis Rey Indian Water Authority (Water Authority), as a congressionally recognized tribal entity, should have the same preference eligibility as Federally recognized tribes. *Response:* As a result of the San Luis Rey Indian Water Rights Settlement Act of 1988, the Water Authority was recognized by Congress as “an Indian entity under Federal law with which the United States has a trust relationship.” Because of this and because the tribes that comprise the Water Authority are Federally recognized, Western does regard the Water Authority as a recognized tribal entity for the purposes of this process. *Comment:* A comment suggested that the P-DP marketing area should include the City of Page, Arizona. *Response:* The P-DP marketing area was not altered by the decision to apply EPAMP to the Post-2008 Resource Pool. The P-DP marketing area excludes the portion of the State of Arizona lying in the Upper Colorado River Basin, except for that portion in which the Navajo Generating Station is located. Navajo Generating Station is included in the marketing area as a resource only. The City of Page lies within the Upper Colorado River Basin and is, therefore, located outside of the P-DP marketing area. *Comment:* Comments said contractors should have sufficient notice and opportunity to comment, discuss, cure and appeal any decision by Western's Administrator to adjust power resource allocations during the contract term of the P-DP contract extensions. *Response:* Western addressed these concerns in the revision to the General Power Contract Provisions, effective on June 15, 2005. Final Post-2008 Resource Pool Allocation Procedures These final procedures for the P-DP resource pool address

(1)eligibility criteria,

(2)how Western intends to allocate pool resources, and

(3)the terms and conditions under which Western will allocate the power pool. I. Amount of Pool Resources As of October 1, 2008, Western will allocate, as long-term firm power to eligible preference entities, approximately 17 MW of summer season capacity and 13 MW of winter season capacity, based on estimates of current P-DP hydroelectric resource availability. Firm power means capacity and associated energy allocated by Western and subject to the terms and conditions specified in the Western P-DP electric service contract. The associated energy will be a maximum of 3,441 kilowatthours per kilowatt (kWh/kW) in summer and 1,703 kWh/kW in winter, based on current marketing plan criteria. This new resource pool includes 0.869 MW of summer withdrawable capacity and 0.619 MW of winter withdrawable capacity. Withdrawable power is power reserved for United States priority use, but not presently needed. Priority use power is capacity and energy required for the development and operation of Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) projects as required by legislation, and irrigation pumping on certain Indian lands. Reclamation may submit a request to Western for priority use withdrawals, at which time Western will substantiate that the power to be withdrawn will be used for the purposes specified in the P-DP Marketing Plan Criteria (49 FR 50582). Thereafter, upon a 2-year written notice, Western may withdraw the necessary amount of power on a pro rata basis, which would subsequently reduce each contractor's withdrawable portion of its power allocation. II. General Eligibility Criteria Western will apply the following general eligibility criteria to applicants seeking a firm power allocation under the Post-2008 Resource Pool Allocation Procedures: A. Qualified applicants must be preference entities as defined by section 9(c) of the Reclamation Project Act of 1939, 43 U.S.C. 485h(c), as amended and supplemented. B. First consideration will be given to qualified applicants in the P-DP marketing area that do not have a contract with Western for Federal power resources or are not a member of a parent entity that has a contract with Western for Federal power resources. C. Qualified applicants, except Native American tribes, must be ready, willing and able to receive and distribute or use power from Western. Ready, willing, and able means that the potential contractor has the facilities needed to receive power or has made the necessary arrangements for transmission, displacement, and/or distribution service; and the potential contractor's power supply contracts with third parties permit the delivery of Western's power (60 FR 54173). Applicants must have the necessary arrangements for transmission, displacement, and/or distribution service in place by April 1, 2008. D. Qualified applicants (including cooperatives, public utility districts, public power districts and municipalities) desiring to purchase power from Western for resale to consumers must have electrical utility status by April 1, 2006. Native American tribes are not subject to this requirement. Electrical utility status means the applicant has responsibility to meet load growth, has a distribution system and is ready, willing, and able to purchase Federal power from Western on a wholesale basis for resale to retail consumers. For the P-DP, Western will consider making allocations to municipal utilities, other than electrical utilities, that are recognized as utilities by their applicable legal authorities, are nonprofit in nature, have electrical facilities, and are independently governed and financed. E. A qualified Native American applicant must be an Indian tribe as defined in the Indian Self Determination Act of 1975, 25 U.S.C. 450b, as amended. III. General Allocation Criteria Western will apply the following general allocation criteria to applicants seeking an allocation of firm power under the Post-2008 Resource Pool Allocation Procedures. A. Allocations of firm power will be made in amounts as determined solely by Western in exercising its discretion under Federal Reclamation Law. B. An allottee may begin service to purchase firm power only upon the execution of an electric service contract between Western and the allottee, and satisfaction of required conditions in that contract. C. Firm power will be allocated under these procedures to qualified applicants in accordance with preference provisions of section 9(c) of the Reclamation Project Act of 1939, in the following order of priority: 1. Preference entities in the P-DP marketing area that do not have a contract with Western for Federal power resources or are not a member of a parent entity that has a contract with Western for Federal power resources. 2. Preference entities in the P-DP marketing area that have a contract with Western for Federal power resources or are a member of a parent entity that has a contract with Western for Federal power resources. 3. Preference entities in adjacent Federal marketing areas that do not have a contract with Western for Federal power resources or are not a member of a parent entity that has a contract with Western for Federal power resources. D. The P-DP marketing area includes: • All of the drainage area considered tributary to the Colorado River below a point 1 mile downstream from the mouth of the Paria River (Lee's Ferry). • The State of Arizona, excluding that portion lying in the Upper Colorado River Basin, except for that portion of the Upper Colorado River Basin in which the Navajo Generating Station is located. The Navajo Generating Station is included in the power marketing area as a resource only. • That portion of the State of New Mexico lying in the Lower Colorado River Basin and the independent Quemada Basin lying north of the San Francisco River drainage area. • Those portions of the State of California lying in the Lower Colorado River Basin and in drainage basins of all streams draining into the Pacific Ocean south of Calleguas Creek. • Those parts of the States of California and Nevada in the Lahontan Basin including and lying south of the drainages of Mono Lake, Adobe Meadows, Owens Lake, Amargosa River, Dry Lakes and all closed independent basins or other areas in southern Arizona not tributary to the Colorado River. For a map of the P-DP marketing area, visit Western's Web site at *http://www.wapa.gov/dsw/pwrmkt.* E. Western will base allocations made to qualified applicants on the actual loads in calendar year 2003 or the most recent 12 months of actual load data, if received by Western no later than April 1, 2006. Western will apply current marketing plan criteria and EPAMP criteria to these loads, except as stated in this notice. F. Western will base allocations made to Native American tribes on their actual loads in calendar year 2003 or the most recent 12 months of actual load data, if received by Western no later than April 1, 2006. Western has the right to use estimated load values should actual load data not be available. Western will review and adjust, where necessary, inaccurate estimates received during the allocation process. G. New contractors must execute electric service contracts within 6 months of receiving a contract offer from Western, unless Western agrees otherwise in writing. H. The resource pool will be dissolved subsequent to the closing date for executing firm power contracts. Firm power not placed under contract will be offered on a pro rata basis to existing contractors up to the amount they contributed to the resource pool. Beyond that, any remaining power will be used as determined by Western. I. The minimum allocation shall be 1,000 kilowatts (kW). J. Applicants seeking an allocation as an aggregated group must demonstrate to Western's satisfaction the existence of a contractual aggregation arrangement by April 1, 2006. Members of an aggregated group must individually and collectively meet preference status and all other eligibility requirements. K. If unanticipated obstacles to the delivery of hydropower benefits to Native American tribes arise, Western will allow the economic benefits of the resource to be directly provided to the tribes. IV. General Contract Principles Western will apply the following general contract principles to all applicants receiving an allocation of firm power under the Post-2008 Resource Pool Allocation Procedures. A. Western reserves the right to reduce the withdrawable portion of a contractor's contract rate of delivery, upon a 2-year notice of a request by Reclamation for additional priority use power needed to serve project pumping requirements or irrigation pumping on certain Indian lands. B. Western, at its discretion and sole determination, reserves the right to adjust the contract rate of delivery on 5 years' written notice in response to changes in hydrology and river operations. Such adjustments will only take place after Western conducts a public process. C. Each applicant is ultimately responsible for arranging third-party delivery. Western may assist new applicants, upon request, in facilitating third-party transmission and/or displacement arrangements for delivery of firm power allocated under these contracts. D. The Contractor shall not sell any of the firm electric power or energy allocation to any electric utility customer of the Contractor for resale by that utility customer. The Contractor may sell the electric power and energy allocation to its members on condition that said members not sell any of said power and energy to any customer of the members for resale by that customer. E. Contracts entered into under the Post-2008 Resource Pool Allocation Procedures will provide for Western to furnish firm electric service effective from October 1, 2008, through September 30, 2028. F. Contractors will be required to pay 1 month in advance for firm electric service. If both parties mutually agree, payments of more than 1 month in advance may be allowed. G. To the extent existing contractors' power allocations are reduced to create the resource pool, new contractors will be required to reimburse existing contractors for undepreciated replacement advances. H. Applicants that aggregate their loads will be required to enter into a single firm power contract with Western, with the aggregated group entity as the contracting Party. I. Contracts entered into as a result of these final procedures will incorporate Western's standard provisions for power sales contracts, including integrated resource planning, and the General Power Contract Provisions. VI. Review Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act The Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980 (5 U.S.C. 601, *et seq.* ) requires Federal agencies to perform a regulatory flexibility analysis if a final rule is likely to have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities and there is a legal requirement to issue a general notice of proposed rulemaking. Western has determined that this action does not require a regulatory flexibility analysis since it is a rulemaking of particular applicability involving rates or services applicable to public property. VII. Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act Western has determined this rule is exempt from congressional notification requirements under 5 U.S.C. 801 because the action is a rulemaking of particular applicability relating to rates or services and involves matters of procedure. VIII. Determination Under Executive Order 12866 Western has an exemption from centralized regulatory review under Executive Order 12866; accordingly, no clearance of this notice by the Office of Management and Budget is required. IX. Environmental Compliance Western has completed an environmental impact statement on EPAMP, following the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA). The Record of Decision was published in 60 FR 53181, October 12, 1995. Western's NEPA review assured all environmental effects related to these actions have been analyzed. Dated: December 1, 2005. Michael S. Hacskaylo, Administrator. [FR Doc. E5-7438 Filed 12-15-05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6450-01-P ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY [ER-FRL-6670-4] Environmental Impact Statements and Regulations; Availability of EPA Comments Availability of EPA comments prepared pursuant to the Environmental Review Process (ERP), under section 309 of the Clean Air Act and section 102(2)(c) of the National Environmental Policy Act as amended. Requests for copies of EPA comments can be directed to the Office of Federal Activities at 202-564-7167.An explanation of the ratings assigned to draft environmental impact statements

(EISs)was published in FR dated April 1, 2005 (70 FR 16815). Draft EISs *EIS No. 20050356, ERP No. D-FRC-G03028-00* , Port Arthur Liquefield Natural Gas

(LNG)Project, Construction and Operation, U.S. Army COE section 10 and 404 Permits, (FERC/EIS-0182D), Jefferson and Orange Counties, TX; and Cameron, Calcasieu, and Beauregard Parishes, LA. *Summary:* EPA expressed environmental concerns and requested additional information to be included in the FEIS in the areas of air quality impacts, sediment analysis, dredged material placement for beneficial uses, habitat restoration and mitigation. Rating EC2. *EIS No. 20050361, ERP No. D-FRC-L05232-WA* , Rocky Reach Hydroelectric Project, (FERC/DEIS-0184D),Application for a New License for the Existing 865.76 Megawatt Facility, Public Utility District No. 1 (PUD), Columbia River, Chelan County, WA. *Summary:* EPA does not object to the proposed project. Rating LO. *EIS No. 20050388, ERP No. D-FRC-L05233-WA* , Lewis River Hydroelectric Projects, Relicensing the Swift No. 1 (FERC No. 2111-018), Swift No. 2(FERC No. 2213-011), Yale (FERC No. 2071-013),Merwin (FERC No. 935-053) Project, Application for Relicense, North Fork Lewis River, Cowlitz,Clark and Shamania Counties, WA. *Summary:* EPA expressed environmental concerns about water quality impacts, and requested additional information regrading water quality impacts be included in the final EIS. Rating EC2. Final EISs *EIS No. 20050440, ERP No. F-SFW-L65451-AK* , Alaska Peninsula and Becharof National Wildlife Refuges, Revised Comprehensive Conservation Plan,Implementation, AK. *Summary:* EPA does not object to the project as proposed.No formal comment letter was sent to the preparing agency. *EIS No. 20050451, ERP No. F-AFS-L39061-WA* , Fish Passage and Aquatic Habitat Restoration at Hemlock Dam, Implementation, Gifford Pinchot National Forest, Mount Adams District, Skamania County, WA. *Summary:* No formal comment letter sent to the preparing agency. *EIS No. 20050464, ERP No. F-AFS-G65072-00,* Ouachita National Forest, Proposed Revised Land Resource Management Plan, Implementation, Several Counties, AR; and LeFlore and McCurtain Counties, OK. *Summary:* No formal comment letter was sent to the preparing agency. *EIS No. 20050466, ERP No. F-COE-C39018-NJ,* Liberty State Park Ecosystem Restoration Project, Hudson Raritan Estuary Study, To Address the Adverse Impacts Associated with Past Filling Activities, Port Authority of New and New Jersey City, Hudson County, NJ. *Summary:* No formal comment letter sent to preparing agency. *EIS No. 20050467, ERP No. F-COE-C39017-NY,* Montuak Point Storm Damage Reduction Project, Proposed Reinforcement of an Existing Stone Revetment Wall, Suffolk County, NY. *Summary:* No comment letter was sent was sent to the proposing agency. *EIS No. 20050477, ERP No. F-COE-K36141-AZ,* Santa Cruz River, Paseo de las Iglesias Feasibility Study, To Identify, Define and Solve Environmental Degradation, Flooding and Water Resource Problems, City of Tucson, Pima County, AZ. *Summary:* No formal comment letter was sent to the preparing agency. *EIS No. 20050352, ERP No. FS-NPS-L65264-WA,* Elwha River Ecosystem Restoration Implementation Project, Updated Information, Olympic Peninsula, Challam County, WA. *Summary:* No formal comment letter was sent to the preparing agency. Dated: December 13, 2005. Robert W. Hargrove, Director, NEPA Compliance Division, Office of Federal Activities. [FR Doc. E5-7444 Filed 12-15-05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560-50-P ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY [ER-FRL-6670-3] Environmental Impacts Statements; Notice of Availability *Responsible Agency:* Office of Federal Activities, General Information

(202)564-7167 or *http://www.epa.gov/compliance/nepa/.* Weekly receipt of Environmental Impact Statements Filed December 5, 2005 Through December 9, 2005 Pursuant to 40 CFR 1506.9. *EIS No. 20050515, Draft EIS, NPS, FL* , Fort King National Historic Landmark, Special Resource Study,Implementation, Second Seminole War Site, City of Ocala, Marion County, FL, Comment Period Ends: January 30, 2006, Contact: Tim Bemisderfer 404-562-3124. *EIS No. 20050516, Draft Supplement, DOI, 00* , Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge,Comprehensive Conservation Plan, A New Alternative E: Modified Wildlife and Integrated Public Use, Implementation, MN, WI, IL and IA, Comment Period Ends: February 3, 2005, Contact: Don Hultman 507-452-4232. This document is available on the Internet at *http://www.fws.gov/midwest/planning/uppermiss/index.html.* *EIS No. 20050517, Final EIS, FHW, PA* , US-219 Improvements Project, Meyersdale to Somerset, SR 6219, Section 020, Funding, U.S. Army COE Section 404 Permit, Somerset County, PA, Wait Period Ends: January 23, 2006, Contact: James A.Cheatham 717-221-3461. *EIS No. 20050518, Draft EIS, BLM, WY* , Atlantic Rim Natural Gas Field Development Project, Proposed Natural Gas Development to 2000 Wells, 1800 to Coal Beds and 200 to Other Formations, Carbon County, WY, Comment Period Ends:January 30, 2006, Contact: David Simons 307-328-4328 *EIS No. 20050519, Final EIS, FHW, RI* ,U.S. Route 6/Route 10 Interchange Improvement Project, To Identify Transportation Alternative, Funding, City of Providence County, RI, Wait Period Ends: January 17, 2006, Contact: Ralph Rizzo 401-528-4548. *EIS No. 20050520, Draft EIS, BIA, OR* , Coyote Business Park, Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, Proposes to Develop, Build and Manage a Light Industrial Commercial Business Park, Umatilla County, OR,Comment Period Ends: January 30, 2006, Contact: Jerry L. Lauer 541-278-3786. *EIS No. 20050521, Draft EIS, BLM, AZ* , Arizona Strip Field Office Resource Management Plan, which includes: Vermilion Cliffs National Monument,Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument (Parashant) BLM Portion, General Management Plan for the Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument NPS Portion of Parashant,Implementation, AZ, Comment Period Ends: January 30, 2006, Contact:Diana Hawks 435-688-3266. *EIS No. 20050522, Final EIS, NPS, TX* , Big Thicket National Preserve Oil and Gas Management Plan,Implementation, Hardin, Jefferson, Orange, Liberty, Tyler,Jasper and Polk Counties, TX, Wait Period Ends: January 17, 2006,Contact: Linda Dansby 505-988-6095. Amended Notices *EIS No. 20050411, Draft EIS, IBR, CA* ,Central Valley Project, West San Joaquin Division, San Luis Unit Long-Term Water Service Contract Renewal, Cities of Avenal, Coalinga and Huron, Fresno, King and Merced Counties, CA, Comment Period Ends: January 17, 2006, Contact: Shane Hunt, 559-487-5138 Revision to FR Notice Published October 7, 2005: Comment Period Extend from November 25, 2005 to January 17, 2006. Dated: December 13, 2005. Robert W. Hargrove, Director, NEPA Compliance Division, Office of Federal Activities. [FR Doc. E5-7446 Filed 12-15-05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560-50-P ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY [EPA-HQ-OPP-2005-0471; FRL-7753-1] FIFRA Scientific Advisory Panel; Notice of Public Meeting AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: There will be a 3-day meeting of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act Scientific Advisory Panel (FIFRA SAP) to consider the Review of Worker Exposure Assessment Methods. DATES: The meeting will be held on February 14-16, 2006, from 8:30 a.m. to approximately 5:00 p.m. eastern time. *Comments.* For the deadlines for the submission of requests to present oral comments and submission of written comments, see Unit I.E. of the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION . *Nominations.* Nominations of scientific experts to serve as ad hoc members of the FIFRA SAP for this meeting should be provided on or before December 28, 2005. *Special accommodations.* For information on access or services for individuals with disabilities, and to request accommodation of a disability, please contact the Designated Federal Official

(DFO)listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT , preferably at least 10- days prior to the meeting, to give EPA as much time as possible to process your request. ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at [the Holiday Inn Rosslyn at Key Bridge, 1900 North Fort Myer Drive, Arlington, VA 22209. The telephone number for the Holiday Inn Rosslyn at Key Bridge is

(703)807-2000. *Comments.* Written comments may be submitted electronically preferred, through hand delivery/courier, or by mail. Follow the detailed instructions as provided in Unit I. of the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION . *Nominations, requests to present oral comments, and special accommodations* : To submit nominations for ad hoc members of the FIFRA SAP for this meeting, requests for special accommodation arrangements, or requests to present oral comments, notify the Designated Federal Official

(DFO)listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT . To ensure proper receipt by EPA, your request must identify docket ID number EPA-HQ-OPP-2005-0471 in the subject line on the first page of your response. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Myrta R. Christian, DFO, Office of Science Coordination and Policy (7201M), Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460; telephone number:

(202)564-8498; fax number:

(202)564-8382; e-mail addresses: *christian.myrta@epa.gov* . SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. General Information A. Does this Action Apply to Me? This action is directed to the public in general. This action may, however, be of interest to persons who are or may be required to conduct testing of chemical substances under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA), FIFRA, and the Food Quality Protection Act of 1996 (FQPA). Since other entities may also be interested, the Agency has not attempted to describe all the specific entities that may be affected by this action. If you have any questions regarding the applicability of this action to a particular entity, consult the DFO listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT . B. How Can I Get Copies of this Document and Other Related Information? 1. *Docket* . EPA has established an official public docket for this action under docket ID number EPA-HQ-OPP-2005-0471. The official public docket consists of the documents specifically referenced in this action, any public comments received, and other information related to this action. Although, a part of the official docket, the public docket does not include Confidential Business Information

(CBI)or other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. The official public docket is the collection of materials that is available for public viewing at the Public Information and Records Integrity Branch (PIRIB), Rm. 119, Crystal Mall #2, 1801 S. Bell St., Arlington, VA. This docket facility is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays. The docket telephone number is

(703)305-5805. 2. *Electronic access* . You may access this **Federal Register** document electronically under the “ **Federal Register** ” listings at *http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/* . *Agency Website.* EDOCKET, EPA's electronic public docket and comment system was replaced on November 25, 2005, by an enhanced federal-wide electronic docket management and comment system located at *http://www.regulations.gov/* . Follow the on-line instruction. EPA's position paper, charge/questions to the FIFRA SAP, FIFRA SAP composition (i.e., members and consultants for this meeting) and the meeting agenda will be available by mid-January 2006. In addition, the Agency may provide additional background documents as the materials become available. You may obtain electronic copies of these documents, and certain other related documents that might be available electronically, from the FIFRA SAP Internet Home Page at *http://www.epa.gov/scipoly/sap* . An electronic version of the public docket is available through EPA's electronic public docket and comment system, EPA Dockets. You may use EPA Dockets at *http://www.epa.gov/edocket/* to submit or view public comments, access the index listing of the contents of the official public docket, and to access those documents in the public docket that are available electronically. Once in the system, select “search,” then key in the appropriate docket ID number. Certain types of information will not be placed in the EPA Dockets. Information claimed as CBI and other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute, which is not included in the official public docket, will not be available for public viewing in EPA's electronic public docket. EPA's policy is that copyrighted material will not be placed in EPA's electronic public docket but will be available only in printed, paper form in the official public docket. To the extent feasible, publicly available docket materials will be made available in EPA's electronic public docket. When a document is selected from the index list in EPA Dockets, the system will identify whether the document is available for viewing in EPA's electronic public docket. Although not all docket materials may be available electronically, you may still access any of the publicly available docket materials through the docket facility identified in Unit I.B.1. EPA intends to work towards providing electronic access to all of the publicly available docket materials through EPA's electronic public docket. For public commenters, it is important to note that EPA's policy is that public comments, whether submitted electronically or on paper, will be made available for public viewing in EPA's electronic public docket as EPA receives them and without change, unless the comment contains copyrighted material, CBI, or other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. When EPA identifies a comment containing copyrighted material, EPA will provide a reference to that material in the version of the comment that is placed in EPA's electronic public docket. The entire printed comment, including the copyrighted material, will be available in the public docket. Public comments submitted on computer disks that are mailed or delivered to the docket will be transferred to EPA's electronic public docket. Public comments in hard copy that are mailed or delivered to the docket will be scanned and placed in EPA's electronic public docket. Where practical, physical objects will be photographed, and the photograph will be placed in EPA's electronic public docket along with a brief description written by the docket staff. C. How and to Whom Do I Submit Comments? You may submit comments electronically (preferred), through hand delivery/courier, or by mail. To ensure proper receipt by EPA, identify the appropriate docket ID number in the subject line on the first page of your comment. Please ensure that your comments are submitted within the specified comment period. Comments received after the close of the comment period will be marked “late.” EPA is not required to consider these late comments. Do not use EPA Dockets or e-mail to submit CBI or information protected by statute. 1. *Electronically* . If you submit an electronic comment as prescribed in this unit, EPA recommends that you include your name, mailing address, and an e-mail address or other contact information in the body of your comment. Also, include this contact information on the outside of any disk or CD ROM you submit, and in any cover letter accompanying the disk or CD ROM. This ensures that you can be identified as the submitter of the comment and allows EPA to contact you in case EPA cannot read your comment due to technical difficulties or needs further information on the substance of your comment. EPA's policy is that EPA will not edit your comment, and any identifying or contact information provided in the body of a comment will be included as part of the comment that is placed in the official public docket, and made available in EPA's electronic public docket. If EPA cannot read your comment due to technical difficulties and cannot contact you for clarification, EPA may not be able to consider your comment. i. *EPA Dockets* . Your use of EPA's electronic public docket to submit comments to EPA electronically is EPA's preferred method for receiving comments. Go directly to EPA Dockets at *http://www.epa.gov/edocket/* , and follow the online instructions for submitting comments. Once in the system, select “search,” and then key in docket ID number EPA-HQ-OPP-2005-0471. The system is an “anonymous access” system, which means EPA will not know your identity, e-mail address, or other contact information unless you provide it in the body of your comment. ii. *E-mail* . Comments may be sent by e-mail to *opp-docket@epa.gov* , Attention: Docket ID number EPA-HQ-OPP-2005-0471. In contrast to EPA's electronic public docket, EPA's e-mail system is not an “anonymous access” system. If you send an e-mail comment directly to the docket without going through EPA's electronic public docket, EPA's e-mail system automatically captures your e-mail address. E-mail addresses that are automatically captured by EPA's e-mail system are included as part of the comment that is placed in the official public docket, and made available in EPA's electronic public docket. iii. *Disk or CD ROM* . You may submit comments on a disk or CD ROM that you deliver as described in Unit I.C.2 or mail to the address provided in Unit I.C.3. These electronic submissions will be accepted in WordPerfect or ASCII file format. Avoid the use of special characters and any form of encryption. 2. *By hand delivery or courier* . Deliver your comments to: Public Information and Records Integrity Branch (PIRIB), Office of Pesticide Programs (OPP), Environmental Protection Agency, Rm. 119, Crystal Mall #2, 1801 S. Bell St., Arlington, VA, Attention: Docket ID number EPA-HQ-OPP-2005-0471. Such deliveries are only accepted during the docket's normal hours of operation as identified in Unit I.B.1. 3. *By mail* . Due to potential delays in EPA's receipt and processing of mail, respondents are strongly encouraged to submit comments either electronically or by hand delivery or courier. We cannot guarantee that comments sent via mail will be received prior to the close of the comment period. If mailed, please send your comments to: Public Information and Records Integrity Branch (PIRIB) (7502C), Office of Pesticide Programs (OPP), Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460-0001, Attention: Docket ID number EPA-HQ-OPP-2005-0471. D. What Should I Consider as I Prepare My Comments for EPA? You may find the following suggestions helpful for preparing your comments: 1. Explain your views as clearly as possible. 2. Describe any assumptions that you used. 3. Provide copies of any technical information and/or data you used that support your views. 4. Provide specific examples to illustrate your concerns. 5. Make sure to submit your comments by the deadline in this document. 6. To ensure proper receipt by EPA, be sure to identify the docket ID number assigned to this action in the subject line on the first page of your response. You may also provide the name, date, and **Federal Register** citation. E. How May I Participate in this Meeting? You may participate in this meeting by following the instructions in this unit. To ensure proper receipt by EPA, it is imperative that you identify docket ID number EPA-HQ-OPP-2005-0471 in the subject line on the first page of your request. 1. *Oral comments* . Oral comments presented at the meetings should not be repetitive of previously submitted oral or written comments. Although requests to present oral comments are accepted until the date of the meeting (unless otherwise stated), to the extent that time permits, interested persons may be permitted by the Chair of the FIFRA SAP to present oral comments at the meeting. Each individual or group wishing to make brief oral comments to the FIFRA SAP is strongly advised to submit their request to the DFO listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT no later than noon, eastern time, February 7, 2006, in order to be included on the meeting agenda. The request should identify the name of the individual making the presentation, the organization (if any) the individual will represent, and any requirements for audiovisual equipment (e.g., overhead projector, 35 mm projector, chalkboard). Oral comments before the FIFRA SAP are limited to approximately 5 minutes unless prior arrangements have been made. In addition, each speaker should bring 30 copies of his or her comments and presentation slides for distribution to the FIFRA SAP at the meeting. 2. *Written comments* . Although, written comments will be accepted until the date of the meeting (unless otherwise stated), the Agency encourages that written comments be submitted, using the instructions in Unit I.C., no later than noon, eastern time, January 31, 2006, to provide the FIFRA SAP the time necessary to consider and review the written comments. It is requested that persons submitting comments directly to the docket also notify the DFO listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. There is no limit on the extent of written comments for consideration by the FIFRA SAP. 3. *Seating at the meeting* . Seating at the meeting will be on a first-come basis. Individuals requiring special accommodations at this meeting, including wheelchair access and assistance for the hearing impaired, should contact the DFO at least 10 business days prior to the meeting using the information under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT so that appropriate arrangements can be made. 4. *Request for nominations of prospective candidates for service as ad hoc members of the FIFRA SAP for this meeting.* As part of a broader process for developing a pool of candidates for each meeting, the FIFRA SAP staff routinely solicit the stakeholder community for nominations of prospective candidates for service as ad hoc members of the FIFRA SAP. Any interested person or organization may nominate qualified individuals to be considered as prospective candidates for a specific meeting. Individuals nominated for this meeting should have expertise in one or more of the following areas: Occupational exposure assessment, occupational exposure monitoring, agricultural practices (especially hand labor practices), statistics, and risk assessment. Nominees should be scientists who have sufficient professional qualifications, including training and experience, to be capable of providing expert comments on the scientific issues for this meeting. Nominees should be identified by name, occupation, position, address, and telephone number. Nominations should be provided to the DFO listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT on or before December 28, 2005. The Agency will consider all nominations of prospective candidates for this meeting that are received on or before this date. However, final selection of ad hoc members for this meeting is a discretionary function of the Agency. The selection of scientists to serve on the FIFRA SAP is based on the function of the panel and the expertise needed to address the Agency's charge to the panel. No interested scientists shall be ineligible to serve by reason of their membership on any other advisory committee to a Federal department or agency or their employment by a Federal department or agency (except the EPA). Other factors considered during the selection process include availability of the potential panel member to fully participate in the panel's reviews, absence of any conflicts of interest or appearance of lack of impartiality, independence with respect to the matters under review, and lack of bias. Though, financial conflicts of interest, the appearance of lack of impartiality, lack of independence, and bias may result in disqualification, the absence of such concerns does not assure that a candidate will be selected to serve on the FIFRA SAP. Numerous qualified candidates are identified for each panel. Therefore, selection decisions involve carefully weighing a number of factors including the candidates' areas of expertise and professional qualifications and achieving an overall balance of different scientific perspectives on the panel. In order to have the collective breadth of experience needed to address the Agency's charge for this meeting, the Agency anticipates selecting approximately 12 ad hoc scientists. If a prospective candidate for service on the FIFRA SAP is considered for participation in a particular session, the candidate is subject to the provisions of 5 CFR part 2634, Executive Branch Financial Disclosure, as supplemented by the EPA in 5 CFR part 6401. As such, the FIFRA SAP candidate is required to submit a Confidential Financial Disclosure Form for Special Government Employees Serving on Federal Advisory Committees at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA Form 3110-48 5-02) which shall fully disclose, among other financial interests, the candidate's employment, stocks and bonds, and where applicable, sources of research support. EPA will evaluate the candidate's financial disclosure form to assess that there are no financial conflicts of interest, no appearance of lack of impartiality and no prior involvement with the development of the documents under consideration (including previous scientific peer review) before the candidate is considered further for service on the FIFRA SAP. Those who are selected from the pool of prospective candidates, will be asked to attend the public meetings, and to participate in the discussion of key issues and assumptions at these meetings. In addition, they will be asked to review and to help finalize the meeting minutes. The list of FIFRA SAP members participating at this meeting will be posted on the FIFRA SAP web site or may be obtained by contacting the PIRIB at the address or telephone number listed in Unit I. II. Background A. Purpose of the FIFRA SAP Amendments to FIFRA enacted November 28, 1975 (7 U.S.C. 136w(d)), include a requirement under section 25(d) of FIFRA that notices of intent to cancel, or reclassify pesticide registrations pursuant to section 6(b)(2) of FIFRA, as well as proposed and final forms of regulations pursuant to section 25(a) of FIFRA, be submitted to a SAP prior to being made public or issued to a registrant. In accordance with section 25(d) of FIFRA, the FIFRA SAP is to have an opportunity to comment on the health and environmental impact of such actions. The FIFRA SAP shall also make comments, evaluations, and recommendations for operating guidelines to improve the effectiveness and quality of analyses made by Agency scientists. Members are scientists who have sufficient professional qualifications, including training and experience, to be capable of providing expert comments as to the impact on health and the environment of regulatory actions under sections 6(b) and 25(a) of FIFRA. The Deputy Administrator appoints seven individuals to serve on the FIFRA SAP for staggered terms of 4 years, based on recommendations from the National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation. Section 104 of FQPA (Public Law 104-170) established the FQPA Science Review Board (SRB). These scientists shall be available to the FIFRA SAP on an ad hoc basis to assist in reviews conducted by the FIFRA SAP. B. Public Meeting The FIFRA SAP will meet to consider the Review of Worker Exposure Assessment Methods. The Agency issued its first occupational exposure testing guidelines in the early 1980s. These guidelines were intended to standardize the methodology used to conduct the studies necessary to allow the Agency to determine the potential exposures, and consequently risks, associated with the activities surrounding pesticide exposure. These activities included handling pesticides (i.e., mixing, loading and applying) as well as exposures resulting from working in fields following pesticide applications (e.g., harvesting, thinning, weeding). In the early 1990s, the Pesticide Handlers Exposure Data base was constructed in order to estimate exposures resulting from mixing/loading/applying pesticides. The studies assembled for use in this data base were taken from published literature as well as from industry-generated studies. This database has been used as the main source for estimating occupational exposures to workers handling pesticides for both registration and reregistration actions. In 1995, in order to develop a similar data base which could be used to address fieldworker exposures, the Agency issued a data call-in notice

(DCI)for post-application farmworker exposure data. As a result of this DCI, every pesticide registrant who manufactured products that could lead to post-application farmworker exposures needed to generate data that could be used to quantify exposures to their products. In response to the issuance of the 1995 DCI, most major pesticide registrants consolidated their efforts and formed the Agricultural Reentry Task Force (ARTF). For more details, see *www.exposuretf.com.* The ARTF has generated the vast majority of the post-application farmworker exposure monitoring data since that time. It follows that the bulk of the data that have been generated by ARTF include exposure monitoring studies for a variety of hand-labor practices in a range of crops. The purpose of this meeting of the FIFRA Scientific Advisory Panel

(SAP)is to evaluate certain methodologies used to generate exposure studies and how the Agency uses these and other studies to conduct occupational exposure assessments. Three key issues have been identified by the Agency as the focus of this review. These include: • *Hand Exposure Methods.* Based upon review of the data, it appears that the hands are important contributors to overall exposure levels. In most monitoring studies used by the Agency, a wash technique, which is based on methods described in the scientific literature, is generally utilized to measure exposure to the hands. The goal of this evaluation is to identify issues associated with the use of this technique and to make recommendations with regard to how these data should be interpreted for exposure assessment purposes based on factors such as chemical properties and exposure duration. • *Predictive Capability Of Exposure Monitoring Techniques.* Most exposure data that are currently available are based on the use of passive dosimetry techniques (e.g., whole-body dosimeters and handwash). These data quantify the residues that result on the surface of the skin after completing a job task of some sort. The purpose of this evaluation is to characterize the performance of passive dosimetry as a predictive tool for risk assessment purposes (e.g., through comparison with biological monitoring data and other possible analyses). • *Clustering Of Hand Labor Tasks For Exposure Assessment Purposes.* The crops in the United States that require hand labor for successful production are extremely varied and range from field crops such as lettuce (e.g., harvest is a key labor requirement) to tree fruit such as apples (e.g., thinning and harvest are key labor requirements). Based on the currently available data and a need to address exposures related to hand labor across agriculture, the Agency has created clusters or groups which represent categories of exposures that are believed to be similar for assessment purposes. These categories allow the Agency to develop risk estimates for a wide range of crops and were defined based on agronomic and ergonomic similarities in crops and workers, respectively. The purpose of this evaluation is to characterize the methods used to define a representative cluster and analyze the monitoring data that pertains to that group which are then used for exposure assessment purposes. An example, based on vineyard and trellis crops will be used for illustrative purposes. C. FIFRA SAP Meeting Minutes The FIFRA SAP will prepare meeting minutes summarizing its recommendations to the Agency in approximately 90 days after the meeting. The meeting minutes will be posted on the FIFRA SAP web site or may be obtained by contacting the PIRIB at the address or telephone number listed in Unit I. List of Subjects Environmental protection, Pesticides and pests. Dated: December 6, 2005. Elizabeth Resek, Acting Director, Office of Science Coordination and Policy. [FR Doc. 05-24139 Filed 12-15-05; 8:45 am]

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CFR