Proposed Rules. Proposed rule; extension of comment period

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BILLING CODE 4910-15-P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service 50 CFR Part 17 RIN 1018-AU11 Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Proposed Special Rule Pursuant to Section 4(d) of the Endangered Species Act for the Pacific Coast Distinct Population Segment of the Western Snowy Plover AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Proposed rule; extension of comment period. SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), are extending the public comment period on the proposed special rule for the threatened Pacific Coast distinct population segment of the western snowy plover ( *Charadrius alexandrinus nivosus* ).

Comments previously submitted need not be resubmitted as they have been incorporated into the public record and will be fully considered in the final determination. DATES: The public comment period for the proposed special rule published on April 21, 2006 (71 FR 20625) is extended to August 21, 2006. Any comments received after the closing date may not be considered in the final decision on the proposal. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments and other information, identified by Attn:

WSP-4(d), by any of the following methods: • *Mail or hand delivery/courier:* Field Supervisor, Arcata Fish and Wildlife Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 1655 Heindon Road, Arcata, California 95521. • *Fax:* 707-822-8411. • *E-mail:* *fw8snowyplover@fws.gov* . See Public Comments Solicited section below for file format and other information about electronic filing. • Federal eRulemaking Portal: *http://www.regulations.gov* . Follow the instructions for submitting comments.

Comments and materials received for this rule will be available for public inspection, by appointment, during normal business hours at the Arcata Fish and Wildlife Office at the above address after the close of the comment period. Call 707-822-7201 to make arrangements. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jim Watkins, Biologist, at the Arcata Fish and Wildlife Office (see ADDRESSES section), or via e-mail at *jim_h_watkins@fws.gov* ; telephone 707-822-7201; fax 707-822-8411. Public Comments Solicited If you wish to comment, you may submit your comments and materials concerning the proposed special 4(d) rule by any one of several methods (see ADDRESSES section).

Please submit Internet comments to *fw8snowyplover@fws.gov* in ASCII file format and avoid the use of special characters and any form of encryption. Please also include “Attn: WSP-4(d)” in your e-mail subject header and your name and return address in the body of your message. If you do not receive a confirmation from the system that we have received your Internet message, contact us directly by calling the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT . Our practice is to make comments, including names and home addresses of respondents, available for public review during regular business hours.

Commenters may request that we withhold their home addresses from the rulemaking record, which we will honor to the extent allowed by law. There also may be circumstances in which we would withhold from the rulemaking record a commenter's identity, as allowable by law. If you wish us to withhold your name and/or address, you must state this prominently at the beginning of your comment. However, we will not consider anonymous comments. We will make all submissions from organizations or businesses, and from individuals identifying themselves as representatives or officials of organizations or businesses, available for public inspection in their entirety.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background On April 21, 2006, the Service published a proposed special rule (71 FR 20625) under section 4(d) of the Endangered Species Act, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 *et seq.* ) to promote the conservation of the Pacific Coast distinct population segment of the western snowy plover. The proposed special rule opened a 60-day public comment period, which was to end on June 20, 2006, on that action. Also on April 21, 2006, we published our not-warranted 12-month finding (71 FR 20607) on a petition to delist the Pacific Coast population of the western snowy plover.

We have received requests from the public to view our records associated with the 12-month finding to help in their review of the proposed special 4(d) rule. To ensure that the public has sufficient opportunity to review the requested records, we are extending the comment period for the proposed special rule published on April 21, 2006, at 71 FR 20625, for an additional 60 days. Comments on the proposed special rule will be accepted through Monday, August 21, 2006. Authority The authority for this action is the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 *et seq.* ).

Dated: June 14, 2006. Matt Hogan, Acting Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks. [FR Doc. E6-9693 Filed 6-19-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-55-P 71 118 Tuesday, June 20, 2006 Notices DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request June 15, 2006. The Department of Agriculture has submitted the following information collection requirement(s) to OMB for review and clearance under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13. Comments regarding

(a)whether the collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility;

(b)the accuracy of the agency's estimate of burden including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used;

(c)ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information to be collected;

(202)395-5806 and to Departmental Clearance Office, USDA, OCIO, Mail Stop 7602, Washington, DC 20250-7602. Comments regarding these information collections are best assured of having their full effect if received within 30 days of this notification. Copies of the submission(s) may be obtained by calling

(202)720-8958. An agency may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information unless the collection of information displays a currently valid OMB control number and the agency informs potential persons who are to respond to the collection of information that such persons are not required to respond to the collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service *Title:* National Animal Health Reporting System (NAHRS). *OMB Control Number:* 0579-NEW. *Summary of Collection:* The National Animal Health Reporting System (NAHRS) was developed through a cooperative effort between the United States Animal Health Association, the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians, and the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). NAHRS provides an ongoing national measure of the health status of the nation's livestock. The National Center for Animal Health Surveillance involvement in this voluntary monitoring activity is to facilitate standardization of the data throughout the United States and provide a central point for national collection. The evolving international trade arena and increased competition have heightened the need to have accurate, timely information to maintain and increase U.S. animal agriculture's overseas market share. *Need and Use of the Information:* The objective of the NAHRS is to collect data needed to report the presence of confirmed clinical disease in commercial livestock, poultry, and aquaculture species in the U.S. These reports are required for membership by the Office International des Epizooties, and to meet international trade reporting requirements for animal health. On a monthly basis State veterinarians in each of the 50 States are asked to complete the NAHRS Reportable Disease List Form. The form collects qualitative data from reporting States on the confirmed presence or absence of diseases, but does not collect or report the number of cases. *Description of Respondents:* State, Local, or Tribal Government. *Number of Respondents:* 50. *Frequency of Responses:* Reporting: Annually. *Total Burden Hours:* 2,400. Ruth Brown, Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer. [FR Doc. E6-9643 Filed 6-19-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410-34-P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service [Docket No. APHIS-2006-0015] Availability of an Addendum to an Environmental Assessment for Field Release of Genetically Engineered Pink Bollworm AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: We are advising the public that we have supplemented with an addendum the environmental assessment for a proposed field trial of pink bollworm genetically engineered to express green fluorescence as a marker. The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) proposes to use this marked strain to assess the effectiveness of lower doses of radiation to create sterile insects for its pink bollworm sterile insect program. This program, using sterile insect technique, has been conducted by APHIS, with State and grower cooperation, since 1968. Data gained from this field experiment will be used to improve the current program. APHIS has supplemented its environmental assessment in order to evaluate a new location and new conditions for the field test. The addendum is available to the public for review and comment. DATES: We will consider all comments that we receive on or before July 5, 2006. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by either of the following methods: Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to *http://www.regulations.gov* and, in the lower “Search Regulations and Federal Actions” box, select “Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service” from the agency drop-down menu, then click on “Submit.” In the Docket ID column, select APHIS-2006-0015 to submit or view public comments and to view supporting and related materials available electronically. Information on using Regulations.gov, including instructions for accessing documents, submitting comments, and viewing the docket after the close of the comment period, is available through the site's “User Tips” link. Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Please send four copies of your comment (an original and three copies) to Docket No. APHIS-2006-0015, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, APHIS, Station 3A-03.8, 4700 River Road Unit 118, Riverdale, MD 20737-1238. Please state that your comment refers to Docket No. APHIS-2006-0015. *Reading Room:* You may read the environmental assessment, the addendum, and any comments that we have received in our reading room. The reading room is located in room 1141 of the USDA South Building, 14th Street and Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC. Normal reading room hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except holidays. To be sure someone is there to help you, please call

(202)690-2817 before coming. The addendum is also available on the Internet at *http://www.aphis.usda.gov/brs/aphisdocs/05_09801r_ea.pdf.* *Other Information:* Additional information about APHIS and its programs is available on the Internet at *http://www.aphis.usda.gov.* FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Robyn Rose, Biotechnology Regulatory Services, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 147, Riverdale, MD 20737-1236;

(301)734-0489. To obtain copies of the supplemented EA and FONSI, contact Ms. Ingrid Berlanger at

(301)734-4885; e-mail: *ingrid.e.berlanger@aphis.usda.gov.* SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The regulations in 7 CFR part 340, “Introduction of Organisms and Products Altered or Produced Through Genetic Engineering Which Are Plant Pests or Which There Is Reason to Believe Are Plant Pests,” regulate, among other things, the introduction (importation, interstate movement, or release into the environment) of organisms and products altered or produced through genetic engineering that are plant pests or that there is reason to believe are plant pests. Such genetically engineered organisms and products are considered “regulated articles.” A permit must be obtained or a notification acknowledged before a regulated article may be introduced. The regulations set forth the permit application requirements and the notification procedures for the importation, interstate movement, or release into the environment of a regulated article. On April 8, 2005, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) received a permit application (APHIS No. 05-098-01r) from APHIS' Plant Protection and Quarantine

(PPQ)Center for Plant Health Science and Technology (CPHST) Decision Support and Pest Management Systems Laboratory in Phoenix, AZ, for a field trial using the pink bollworm (PBW), *Pectinophora gossypiella* (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), that has been genetically engineered to express an enhanced green fluorescent protein

(EGFP)derived from the jellyfish *Aequora victoria.* A piggyBac transposable element derived from the plant pest cabbage looper ( *Trichoplusia ni* ) was used to transform the subject PBW, and expression of the EGFP is controlled through use of a *Bombyx mori* cytoplasmic actin promoter. On April 19, 2006, APHIS published a notice 1 in the **Federal Register** (Docket No. APHIS-2006-0015, 71 FR 20068-20069) in which we announced the availability of a final environmental assessment

(EA)and finding of no significant impact (FONSI) to issue this permit. The FONSI was signed on April 10, 2006. On April 12, 2006, APHIS received a request to amend the permit application. The amendment includes a change of location from Pima County, AZ, to Yuma County, AZ. This change is necessary because the Southwest Pink Bollworm Eradication Program has moved into phase 2, which includes Pima County, AZ. The program and the field trial must be spatially isolated to ensure that the data collected in the field trial are not influenced by the eradication program. The changes also included new field conditions, including releasing fewer insects over a smaller area. These changes have resulted from factors associated with moving the field trial. None of these changes raised new plant pest issues. 1 To view the notice, EA, and FONSI, follow the directions for accessing the Federal eRulemaking Portal in the ADDRESSES section of this notice. The subject transgenic PBW is considered a regulated article under the regulations in 7 CFR part 340 because the recipient organism is a plant pest. The proposed field test will evaluate the mating efficiency and competitiveness of the transgenic insects in the field. The transgenic PBW will be reared in the Phoenix PBW genetic rearing facility and treated with radiation levels suitable to induce F1 sterility. The irradiated insects will be released into a 4.6-acre field site in the middle of a 40- to 80-acre field of cotton expressing the Bt toxin, which is toxic to PBW. This release is part of the research to support and improve CPHST's PBW sterile insect program. Information resulting from this research will be used in support of APHIS' efforts to eradicate the PBW in the United States. Additional information on the PBW eradication plan for the United States may be found at *http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ppq/pdmp/cotton/pinkbollworm/eradication/eradication.pdf.* An EA prepared for the Southwest Pink Bollworm Eradication Program may be found at *http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ppd/es/pdf%20files/swpbwea.pdf.* On February 13, 2006, APHIS published a notice 2 in the **Federal Register** (70 FR 7503-7504, Docket No. APHIS-2006-0015) announcing the availability of an EA for the proposed field trial. During the 30-day comment period, APHIS received two comments. You may read the response to comments in the April 19, 2006, **Federal Register** notice (Docket No. APHIS-2006-0015, 71 FR 20068-20069). The two comments were not site-specific in nature. 2 To view the notice, EA, and the comments we received, follow the directions for accessing the Federal eRulemaking Portal in the ADDRESSES section of this notice. APHIS has prepared an addendum to the EA to address the potential impacts on the human environment and threatened or endangered species that may have arisen from changing the field site and field trial design. This document is available as an attachment to the EA [see ADDRESSES above]. APHIS is opening a 15-day comment period for the addendum due to the limited change in circumstances resulting from the change in locations of the field test trials, and the extreme similarities of facts, locations, and circumstances between the two locations.The EA and addendum were prepared in accordance with:

(1)The National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), as amended (42 U.S.C. 4321 *et seq.* ),

(2)regulations of the Council on Environmental Quality for implementing the procedural provisions of NEPA (40 CFR parts 1500-1508),

(3)USDA regulations implementing NEPA (7 CFR part 1b), and

(4)APHIS' NEPA Implementing Procedures (7 CFR part 372). Authority: 7 U.S.C. 7701-7772 and 7781-7786; 31 U.S.C. 9701; 7 CFR 2.22, 2.80, and 371.3. Done in Washington, DC, this 15th day of June 2006. Kevin Shea, Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. [FR Doc. E6-9661 Filed 6-19-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410-34-P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Rural Business-Cooperative Service Notice of Request for Extension of a Currently Approved Information Collection AGENCY: Rural Business-Cooperative Service (RBS), Department of Agriculture. ACTION: Proposed collection; comments requested. SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the Rural Business-Cooperative Service's

(RBS)intention to request an extension of a currently approved information collection in support of the Intermediary Relending Program (IRP). DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by August 21, 2006 to be assured of consideration. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lori Washington, Specialty Lenders Division, Rural Business-Cooperative Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, STOP 3225, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250-3225, Telephone

(202)720-9815, E-mail *lori.washington@usda.gov.* SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: *Title:* Intermediary Relending Program. *OMB Number:* 0570-0021. *Expiration Date of Approval:* December 31, 2006. *Type of Request:* Extension of currently approved collection information. *Abstract:* The objective of the Intermediary Relending Program

(IRP)is to improve community facilities and employment opportunities and increase economic activity in rural areas by financing business facilities and community development. This purpose is achieved through loans made by the RBS to intermediaries that establish programs for the purpose of providing loans to ultimate recipients for business facilities and community development. The regulations contain various requirements for information from the intermediaries, and some requirements may cause the intermediary to seek information from ultimate recipients. The information requested is necessary for RBS to be able to process applications in a responsible manner, make prudent credit and program decisions, and effectively monitor the intermediaries' activities to protect the Government's financial interest and ensure that funds obtained from the Government are used appropriately. It includes information to identify the intermediary; describe the intermediary's experience and expertise; describe how the intermediary will operate its revolving loan fund; provide for debt instruments, loan agreements, and security; and other material necessary for prudent credit decisions and reasonable program monitoring. *Estimate of Burden:* Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 7.5 hours per response. *Respondents:* Non-profit corporations, public agencies, and cooperatives. *Estimated Number of Respondents:* 202. *Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent:* 11.9. *Estimated Number of Responses:* 2,403. *Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents:* 17,989 hours. Copies of this information collection can be obtained from Cheryl Thompson, Regulations and Paperwork Management Branch, Support Services Division at

(202)692-0043. Comments Comments are invited on

(a)whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of RBS, including whether the information will have practical utility;

(b)the accuracy of RBS's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used;

(c)ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and

(d)ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology. Comments may be sent to Cheryl Thompson, Regulations and Paperwork Management Branch, Support Services Division, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., STOP 0742, 1400 Independence Ave. SW., Washington, DC 20250. All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the request for OMB approval. All comments will also become a matter of public record. Dated: June 5, 2006. Jackie J. Gleason, Acting Administrator, Rural Business-Cooperative Service. [FR Doc. E6-9673 Filed 6-19-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410-XY-P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Rural Utilities Service Information Collection Activity; Comment Request AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice and request for comments. SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. chapter 35, as amended), the Rural Utilities Service, an agency delivering the U.S. Department of Agriculture

(USDA)Rural Development Utilities Programs, invites comments on this information collection for which approval from the Office of Management and Budget

(OMB)will be requested. DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by August 21, 2006. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michele Brooks, Deputy Director, Program Development and Regulatory Analysis, USDA Rural Development, 1400 Independence Ave., SW., STOP 1522, Room 5159 South Building, Washington, DC 20250-1522. Telephone:

(202)690-1078. FAX:

(202)720-4120. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Office of Management and Budget's

(OMB)regulation (5 CFR part 1320) implementing provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13) requires that interested members of the public and affected agencies have an opportunity to comment on information collection and recordkeeping activities ( *see* 5 CFR 1320.8(d)). This notice identifies an information collection that will be submitted to OMB for approval. Comments are invited on:

(a)Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility;

(b)the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used;

(c)ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information to be collected; and

(202)720-4120. *Title:* 7 CFR Part 1738, Rural Broadband Loans and Loan Guarantee Program. *OMB Control Number:* 0572-0130. *Type of Request:* Revision of a currently approved information collection. *Abstract:* USDA Rural Development, through the Rural Utilities Service, is authorized by Title VI, Rural Broadband Access, of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936, as amended (RE Act), to provide loans and loan guarantees to fund the cost of construction, improvement, or acquisition of facilities and equipment for the provision of broadband service in eligible rural communities in States and Territories of the United States. The term of the loans is based on the expected composite economic life based on the depreciation of the facilities financed. The term of the loan can be as high as 25 years or even longer. In the interest of protecting loan security and accomplishing the statutory objective of a sound program of rural broadband service access, Title VI of the RE Act requires that Rural Development make or guarantee a loan only if there is reasonable assurance that the loan, together with all outstanding loans and obligations of the borrower will be repaid in full within the time agreed. The items covered by this collection include forms and related documentation to support a loan application, including Form 532 and supporting documentation. *Estimate of Burden:* Public reporting for this collection of information is estimated to average 225 hours per response. *Respondents:* Businesses and Not-for-profit institutions. *Estimated Number of Respondents:* 40. *Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent:* 2. *Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents:* 13,480 hours. Copies of this information collection can be obtained from Michele Brooks, Program Development and Regulatory Analysis, at

(202)690-1078. FAX:

(202)720-4120. All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the request for OMB approval. All comments will also become a matter of public record. Dated: June 13, 2006. James M. Andrew, Administrator, Rural Utilities Service. [FR Doc. E6-9613 Filed 6-19-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410-15-P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Rural Utilities Service East Kentucky Power Cooperative: Notice of Availability of an Environmental Assessment AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice of availability of an Environmental Assessment for public review. SUMMARY: The Rural Utilities Service, an agency which administers the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Development Utilities Programs (USDA Rural Development) proposes to prepare an Environmental Assessment

(EA)related to possible financial assistance to East Kentucky Power Cooperative

(EKPC)for the proposed construction of approximately 15.21 miles of 161 kilovolt

(kV)electric transmission line in Warren County, Kentucky. EKPC is requesting the USDA Rural Development to provide financial assistance for the proposed project. DATES: Written comments on this Notice must be received on or before July 20, 2006. ADDRESSES: The EA will be available for public review at the USDA Rural Development, Utilities Programs, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250-1571; at the USDA Rural Development's Web site— *http://www.usda.gov/rus/water/ees/ea.htm;* at EKPC's headquarters office located at 4775 Lexington Road, Winchester, Kentucky 40391; at Warren Rural Electric Cooperative Corporation, 951 Fairview Avenue, Bowling Green, Kentucky 42101; and two Bowling Green Public Library locations: The Main Library, 1225 State Street, Bowling Green, Kentucky 42101. The Depot Branch, 401 Kentucky Street, Bowling Green, Kentucky 42101. Written comments should be sent to: Ms. Stephanie Strength, Environmental Protection Specialist, USDA, Rural Development, Utilities Programs, Engineering and Environmental Staff, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Stop 1571, Washington, DC 20250-1571, or e-mail: *Stephanie.strength@wdc.usda.gov.* FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Stephanie Strength, Environmental Protection Specialist, USDA, Rural Development, Utilities Programs, Engineering and Environmental Staff, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Stop 1571, Washington, DC 20250-1571, Telephone:

(202)720-0468. Ms. Strength's e-mail address is *stephanie.strength@wdc.usda.gov.* SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The proposed project area is located in central Warren County, Kentucky. The proposed route for the new electric transmission line extends westerly following an existing electric utility line rights-of-way

(ROW)from an existing substation at an automotive assembly plant located east of Bowling Green, Kentucky, to an existing electric generating station located on the southern side of the Barren River in northern Bowling Green. The proposed route then extends in a general southwesterly direction paralleling an existing electric transmission line from the generating station and following an existing electric transmission line ROW to a point where the route extends due south to connect to an existing electric substation southwest of Memphis Junction, Kentucky. Alternatives considered by the USDA Rural Development and EKPC included:

(a)No action,

(b)alternate transmission line routes, and

(c)other electrical alternatives. An Environmental Report

(ER)that describes the proposed project in detail and discusses its anticipated environmental impacts has been prepared by EKPC. The USDA Rural Development has accepted the ER as its EA of the proposed project. The EA is available for public review at addresses provided above in this Notice. Questions and comments should be sent to Ms. Stephanie Strength, USDA Rural Development at the mailing or e-mail addresses provided above in this Notice. The USDA Rural Development should receive comments on the EA in writing by July 20, 2006 to ensure that they are considered in its environmental impact determination. Should the USDA Rural Development determine, based on the EA of the proposed project, that the impacts of the construction and operation of the project would not have a significant environmental impact, it will prepare a Finding of No Significant Impact. Public notification of a Finding of No Significant Impact would be published in the **Federal Register** and in newspapers with circulation in the project area. Any final action by the USDA Rural Development related to the proposed project will be subject to, and contingent upon, compliance with all relevant Federal, state and local environmental laws and regulations, and completion of the environmental review requirements as prescribed in the USDA Rural Development's Environmental Policies and Procedures (7 CFR part 1794). Dated: June 14, 2006. Mark S. Plank, Director, Engineering and Environmental Staff, USDA/Rural Development/Utilities Programs. 1 [FR Doc. E6-9642 Filed 6-19-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410-15-P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE International Trade Administration (A-570-835) Furfuryl Alcohol from the People's Republic of China: Final Results of the Expedited Sunset Review of the Antidumping Duty Order AGENCY: Import Administration, International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce. SUMMARY: On April 3, 2006, the Department of Commerce (“the Department”) initiated the sunset review of the antidumping duty order on furfuryl alcohol from the People's Republic of China (“PRC”) pursuant to section 751(c) of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (“the Act”). The Department conducted an expedited (120-day) sunset review for this order. As a result of the sunset review, the Department finds that revocation of the antidumping duty order would be likely to lead to continuation or recurrence of dumping. The dumping margins are identified in the *Final Results of Review* section of this notice. EFFECTIVE DATE: June 20, 2006. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Audrey Twyman or Brandon Farlander, AD/CVD Operations, Office 1, Import Administration, International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, 14th Street & Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230; telephone:

(202)482-3534 and

(202)482-0182, respectively. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background On April 3, 2006, the Department published the notice of initiation of the second sunset review of the antidumping duty order on furfuryl alcohol from the PRC pursuant to section 751(c) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.218(c)(2) of the Department's Regulations (“Sunset Regulations”). *See Initiation of Five-year (“Sunset”) Reviews* , 71 FR 16551 (April 3, 2006). The Department received the Notice of Intent to Participate from Penn Speciality Chemicals, Inc. (“the domestic interested party”), within the deadline specified in 351.218(d)(1)(i) of the Sunset Regulations. The domestic interested party claimed interested party status under section 771(9)(C) of the Act, as a manufacturer of a domestic-like product in the United States. We received a complete substantive response from the domestic interested party within the 30-day deadline specified in 19 CFR 351.218(d)(3)(i). We received no responses from respondent interested parties. As a result, pursuant to 19 CFR 351.218(e)(1)(ii)(C)(2), the Department conducted an expedited (120-day) sunset review of the order. Scope of the Order The merchandise covered by this order is furfuryl alcohol (C4H3OCH2OH). Furfuryl alcohol is a primary alcohol, and is colorless or pale yellow in appearance. It is used in the manufacture of resins and as a wetting agent and solvent for coating resins, nitrocellulose, cellulose acetate, and other soluble dyes. The product subject to this order is classifiable under subheading 2932.13.00 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (“HTSUS”). Although the HTSUS subheading is provided for convenience and customs purposes, our written description of the scope of this proceeding is dispositive. Analysis of Comments Received All issues raised in this review are addressed in the “Issues and Decision Memorandum for the Expedited Sunset Review of the Antidumping Duty Order on Furfuryl Alcohol from The People's Republic of China; Final Results” (“Decision Memo”) from Stephen J. Claeys, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Import Administration, to David M. Spooner, Assistant Secretary for Import Administration, dated August 1, 2006, which is hereby adopted by this notice. The issues discussed in the Decision Memo include the likelihood of continuation or recurrence of dumping and the magnitude of the margins likely to prevail if the order was to be revoked. Parties can find a complete discussion of all issues raised in the review and the corresponding recommendations in this public memorandum which is on file in room B-099 of the main Commerce building. In addition, a complete version of the Decision Memo can be accessed directly on the Web at *http://ia.ita.doc.gov/frn/index.html* . The paper copy and electronic version of the Decision Memo are identical in content. Final Results of Review We determine that revocation of the antidumping duty order on furfuryl alcohol from the PRC would be likely to lead to continuation or recurrence of dumping at the following weighted-average percentage margins: Manufacturers/Exporters/Producers Weighted Average Margin (percent) Qingdao Chemicals & Medicines & Health Products Import & Export Company 50.43 Sinochem Shandong Import and Export Company 43.54 PRC-Wide Rate 45.27 This notice also serves as the only reminder to parties subject to administrative protective orders (“APO”) of their responsibility concerning the return or destruction of proprietary information disclosed under APO in accordance with 19 CFR 351.305 of the Department's regulations. Timely notification of the return or destruction of APO materials or conversion to judicial protective orders is hereby requested. Failure to comply with the regulations and terms of an APO is a violation which is subject to sanction. We are issuing and publishing the results and notice in accordance with sections 751(c), 752, and 777(i)(1) of the Act. Dated: June 14, 2006. David M. Spooner, Assistant Secretary for Import Administration. [FR Doc. E6-9664 Filed 6-19-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-DS-S DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [I.D. 050106A] Taking of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Geophysical Surveys in South San Francisco Bay South of the Dumbarton Bridge AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice of proposed authorization for an incidental take authorization; request for comments. SUMMARY: NMFS has received a request from the URS Corporation

(URS)for an authorization to take small numbers of California sea lions, Pacific harbor seals, harbor porpoises, and gray whales, by harassment, incidental to geographical seismic surveys being conducted by Fugro West, Inc. (Fugro), in south San Francisco Bay. Under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), NMFS is requesting comments on its proposal to issue an authorization to Fugro to incidentally take, by harassment, small numbers of these species of pinnipeds and cetaceans during the next 12 months. DATES: Comments and information must be received no later than July 20, 2006. ADDRESSES: Comments on the application and draft Environmental Assessment

(EA)should be addressed to P. Michael Payne, Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910-3225, or by telephoning the contact listed here. The mailbox address for providing e-mail comments is *PR1.050106A@noaa.gov* . Include in the subject line of the e-mail comment the following document identifier: 050106A. Comments sent via e-mail, including all attachments, must not exceed a 10-megabyte file size. A copy of the application, the application letter, EA, and other related documents may be obtained by writing to this address or by telephoning one of the contacts listed here (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT ) and is also available at: *http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/permits/incidental.htm.* FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Shane Guan, NMFS,

(301)713-2289, ext 137, or Monica DeAngelis, NMFS,

(562)980-3232. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background Sections 101(a)(5)(A) and

(D)of the MMPA (16 U.S.C. 1361 *et seq.* ) direct the Secretary of Commerce to allow, upon request, the incidental, but not intentional, taking of small numbers of marine mammals by U.S. citizens who engage in a specified activity (other than commercial fishing) within a specified geographical region if certain findings are made and either regulations are issued or, if the taking is limited to harassment, notice of a proposed authorization is provided to the public for review. An authorization shall be granted if NMFS finds that the taking will have a negligible impact on the species or stock(s) and will not have an unmitigable adverse impact on the availability of the species or stock(s) for subsistence uses and that the permissible methods of taking and requirements pertaining to the mitigation, monitoring and reporting of such taking are set forth. NMFS has defined “negligible impact” in 50 CFR 216.103 as ”...an impact resulting from the specified activity that cannot be reasonably expected to, and is not reasonably likely to, adversely affect the species or stock through effects on annual rates of recruitment or survival.” Section 101(a)(5)(D) of the MMPA established an expedited process by which citizens of the United States can apply for an authorization to incidentally take small numbers of marine mammals by harassment. Except with respect to certain activities not pertinent here, the MMPA defines “harassment” as: any act of pursuit, torment, or annoyance which

(i)has the potential to injure a marine mammal or marine mammal stock in the wild [Level A harassment]; or

(ii)has the potential to disturb a marine mammal or marine mammal stock in the wild by causing disruption of behavioral patterns, including, but not limited to, migration, breathing, nursing, breeding, feeding, or sheltering [Level B harassment]. Section 101(a)(5)(D) establishes a 45-day time limit for NMFS review of an application followed by a 30-day public notice and comment period on any proposed authorizations for the incidental harassment of small numbers of marine mammals. Within 45 days of the close of the comment period, NMFS must either issue or deny issuance of the authorization. Summary of Request On March 30, 2006, URS on behalf of Fugro submitted an application to NMFS requesting an Incidental Harassment Authorization

(IHA)for the possible harassment of small numbers of California sea lions ( *Zalophus californianus* ), Pacific harbor seals ( *Phoca vitulina richardsi* ), harbor porpoises ( *Phocoena phocoena* ), and gray whales ( *Eschrichtius robustus* ) incidental to conducting geophysical surveys in the south San Francisco Bay (SFB or the Bay), California. The purpose of the surveys is to aid the San Francisco Public Utility Commission (SFPUC) in the design of an underground water pipeline, the Bay Division Tunnel, in south SFB. The proposed seismic study would span from Newark Slough and Plummer Creek adjacent to the Cargill Salt property in the east, to the Ravenswood Baylands open space on the western shore of SFB. The study would roughly parallel the existing SFPUC trans-bay pipelines, approximately 1 mile south of the Dumbarton Bridge. Marine seismic surveys would take approximately 8 - 10 days to perform. In the Newark Slough and Plummer Creek areas, work would be restricted to the non-pupping seasons of the harbor seal (July 1 - November 30). The ideal start date would occur during the summer/fall of 2006. The proposed geophysical (seismic) studies would include 21 seismic sample transects. A total of 25 - 35 linear miles (40 - 56 km) of marine-based geophysical sampling would occur. The marine seismic reflection data would be collected along a series of lines that cross the Bay centered over the projected alignment. A centerline and four wing lines are planned. Cross lines, or tie lines, would be run perpendicular to the centerline and extend 200 - 500 m (656 - 1,640 ft) beyond the alignment parallel lines, unless restricted by water depth or man-made obstructions. Water depths in the survey area range from roughly 14 m (45 ft) in the deeper mid-Bay channel to about 1.8 - 2.4 m (6 - 8 ft) along the shore and in Newark Slough at high tide. Work would be conducted at high tide in the shallow nearshore areas. Data would be collected from a small boat that tows a seismic energy source and a multichannel hydrophone. Two energy sources would be used, a Squid “minisparker” system and a Geopulse “boomer” system. An onboard generator powers the energy sources. The hydrophone contains multiple sensors that detect the seismic waves reflected from the water bottom and subsea floor sediments and rocks. The hydrophone is filled with inert silicon oil. The survey boat would travel along predetermined survey lines using a differential global positioning system

(DGPS)for navigation. Boat speed during surveys would be at 3 - 4 knots. The length of time for each survey transect will vary depending on the total distance of the transect. The longest transects spanning from east to west would take about 1 hour to complete. The shorter north-south transect would generally take less than 30 minutes to complete. The energy source would be fired every 1/2 second (boomer) or 1 second (minisparker). Data received by the hydrophone are recorded with an onboard seismograph and laptop computer. Sound pressure level from a boomer operating at 350 joules is 204 dB re 1 microPa RMS at 1 m, and from a minisparker is 209 dB re 1 microPa RMS at 1 m. Frequency range for the boomer is at 750 - 3,500 Hz, with pulse duration 0.1 ms; and frequency range for the minisparker is at 150 - 2,500 Hz, with pulse duration 0.8 ms. Description of the Marine Mammals Potentially Affected by the Activity The marine mammals most likely to be found in SFB are the California sea lion, Pacific harbor seal, and harbor porpoise. From December through May, gray whales may also be present in the Bay. General information of these species can be found in Caretta *et al.* (2005), which is available at the following URL: *http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/PR2/Stock_Assessment_Program/sars.html.* Refer to that document for information on these species. Additional information on these species is presented below. Pacific harbor seal Within the proposed project area, Pacific harbor seals are know to haul-out near the junction of Newark Slough and Plummer Creek. Newark Slough is a continually used seal haul-out site, although it is used by small numbers of harbor seals compared with Mowry Slough to the south and Yerba Buena Island and Castro Rocks in the North Bay. Harbor seals are also known to utilize Newark Slough as a pupping site (Harvey and Oates, 2002) and up to 82 individuals have been documented hauling-out at that location on a single day. During a five-year survey period between 2000 and 2005 at Newark Slough, an average of 42 individuals were counted each year during the pupping season, compared to Mowry Slough 2 miles to the south, where an average of 279 animals were counted each year during the pupping season. The California stock of harbor seal is the only stock of this species found in the proposed project area, and its abundance is estimated to be 27,863 (Carretta *et al.* , 2005). California sea lion California sea lions breed off the Central and Southern California coastline. Once the pupping season is completed (May - June), male sea lions migrate north and enter the Bay. Although California sea lions are mainly known for haul-out sites off the San Francisco and Marin shorelines within the Bay, it is possible for this species to forage in the south Bay area as well. The U.S. stock of the California sea lion population is estimated between 237,000 to 244,000 (Carretta *et al.* , 2005). Gray whale In the past, eastern Pacific gray whales have been seen irregularly in SFB. These individuals likely wandered off the migration route. The number of gray whales observed in the Bay increased in 1999 and 2000, and the observed whales apparently were feeding in a number of areas in May and June. The increased aberrancies of gray whale sightings in timing and location, along with foraging activities on its migration route in 1999 and 2000, were potentially caused by a significant decline in amphipod density in gray whale's feeding ground in the Bering and Chukchi seas (Le Boeuf *et al.* , 2000). Although twice being hunted to the brink of extinction in the mid 1800s and again in the early 1900s, the eastern North Pacific gray whales population has since increased to a level that equals or exceeds pre-exploitation numbers (Jefferson *et al.* , 1993). Angliss and Lodge

(2004)reported the latest abundance estimate of this population is 26,635. Harbor porpoise Harbor porpoises found in waters off the coast of central California from San Francisco to Point Arena belong to the San Francisco-Russian River stock. Year-round surveys in the Gulf of the Farallones area have shown harbor porpoise occurrence within 10 - 20 km (6 - 12 miles) of San Francisco Bay (Calambokidis et al. , 1990). High harbor porpoise sightings were also reported just outside the Golden Gate and about 1 km (0.62 mile) inside SFB, however, the occurrence of harbor porpoises in the southern part of Bay is rare (DeAngelis, personal comm. 2006). Based on Carretta *et al.* (2005), the estimated abundance of the San Francisco-Russian River stock of harbor porpoise is 8,521. Potential Effects on Marine Mammals and Their Habitat Seismic surveys using acoustic energy may have the potential to adversely impact marine mammals in the vicinity of the activities (Gordon *et al.* , 2004). Intense acoustic signals from seismic surveys have been known to cause behavioral alteration such as reduced vocalization rates (Goold, 1996), avoidance (Malme *et al.* , 1986, 1988; Richardson *et al.* , 1995; Harris *et al.* , 2001), and changing in blow rates (Richardson *et al.* , 1995) in several marine mammal species. The proposed studies would use a low intensity acoustic energy with source levels of 204 dB re 1 microPa at 1 m RMS (boomer) and 209 dB re 1 microPa at 1 m RMS (minisparker) to conduct the seismic surveys. However, it is unlikely that any marine mammals in the vicinity would be exposed to high sound pressure levels

(SPL)due to transmission loss of the acoustic energy in the water column. In addition, the sound pulses produced by the energy sources are extremely short, lasting for only 0.1 ms for the boomer and 0.8 ms for the minisparker. Therefore, the energy from the seismic impulse is expected to be significantly low. Pinniped disturbance could also be caused by the presence of vessels and humans that are involved in the geographical surveys. These disturbances could cause hauled out harbor seals or California sea lions to flush and possibly result in temporary use of alternate haul-out sites in the Bay. However, long term abandonment of the sites is not likely because noise from traffic, recreational boaters, and other human activities already occur in the area, and it is likely that these animals have become habituated to these disturbances. Furthermore, marine mammal densities within the proposed project are typically very low. California sea lions, harbor porpoises and gray whales are not known to regularly visit the proposed project area, which is located in southern SFB. Although harbor seals use portions of the proposed project area as haul-out sites, their density is low. Within the last 5 years, individual harbor seals counted while hauling-out at the Newark Slough haul-out site during the post-pupping season have fluctuated between a maximum of 34 animals in 2001 to a minimum of 10 animals in 2005 (DeAngelis, personal comm. 2006). Numbers of harbor seals counted at the Newark Slough haul-out site during May 2001 and May 2002 (pupping season) ranged from 26 - 65 individuals. Lastly, the entire geophysical survey would only last for 8 - 10 days, which excludes any possible long term noise exposure to marine mammals in the vicinity of the proposed action area. Based on this information, NMFS concludes that a small number of Pacific harbor seals, California sea lions, harbor porpoises, and gray whales that may be swimming, foraging, or resting in the project vicinity would be potentially taken by Level B behavioral harassment due to the proposed activity. In addition, proposed mitigation measures discussed below would greatly reduce the potential takes of marine mammals due to the proposed geophysical surveys. Mitigation The following mitigation measures are proposed be required under the proposed IHA to be issued to SFPUC for conducting geophysical surveys in southern SFB. NMFS believes that the implementation of these mitigation measures would reduce impacts to marine mammals to the lowest extent practicable. Time and Location Geophysical studies would only be conducted during daylight hours from 7 am - 7 pm, when marine mammal monitoring prior to and during the surveys would be most effective. Seismic studies would not occur in the vicinity of Newark Slough or Plummer Creek during the harbor seal pupping season (March 1 - June 30). Seismic studies would only occur over open water transects during that period. Establishment of Safety Zones Safety zones would be established and monitored during the seismic surveys. The applicant proposes to establish a 45-m (148-ft) radius safety zone for the boomer system and a 100-m (328-ft) radius for the minisparker system. At these distances, the SPLs would be reduced to 179 dB re 1 microPa rms and 169 dB re 1 microPa rms, respectively, which is lower than NMFS standards set for avoiding marine mammal Level A harassment (180 dB re 1 microPa rms for cetaceans and 190 dB re 1 microPa rms for pinnipeds). Observers on boats will survey the safety zone for 15 minutes to ensure that no marine mammals are seen within the zone before a seismic survey begins. If marine mammals are found within the safety zone, seismic surveys will be delayed until they move out of the area. If a marine mammal is seen above the water and then dives below, the surveyor will wait 15 minutes and if no marine mammals are seen by the observer in that time it will be assumed that the animal has moved beyond the safety zone. This 15-minute criterion is based on scientific evidence that harbor seals in San Francisco Bay dive for a mean time of 0.50 minutes to 3.33 minutes (Harvey and Torok, 1994), the mean diving duration for harbor porpoises ranges from 44 to 103 seconds (Westgate *et al.* , 1995), and the mean diving duration for gray whales is approximately 1.84 minutes (Wursig *et al.* , 2003). Soft Start Although marine mammals will be protected from Level A harassment by establishment of a safety zone at a SPL levels of 169 and 179 dB re 1 microPa rms, mitigation may not be 100 percent effective at all times in locating marine mammals. In order to provide additional protection to marine mammals near the project area by allowing marine mammals to vacate the area prior to receiving a potential injury, and to further reduce Level B harassment by startling marine mammals with a sudden intensive sound, Fugro will implement “soft start” practice when starting up acoustic equipment. By implementing the “soft start” practice, acoustic equipment will be initiated at an energy level less than full capacity (i.e., approximately 40-60 percent energy levels) for at least 5 minutes before gradually escalating to full capacity. This would ensure that, although not expected, any pinnipeds and cetaceans that are missed during safety zone monitoring will not be injured. Equipment Shut-down If Marine Mammal Enters Safety Zone With all the aforementioned mitigation measures in place, marine mammals may still enter the safety zone when geophysical surveys are underway. As a result, there is a possibility that Level A harassment could occur to these animals when exposed to intensive sounds. In order to prevent any potential Level A harassment to marine mammals from occurring, the surveyors will shut down the acoustic equipment if a marine mammal is sighted in or believed to have entered within the safety zone during the survey transect. The surveyors would not start the acoustic equipment again until the marine mammal leaves the safety zone, or no marine mammals are sighted within the safety zone for 15 minutes after the last sighting. Monitoring and Reporting URS will develop a monitoring plan that would collect data for each distinct marine mammal species observed in the south Bay proposed project area during the period of the seismic surveys. Marine mammal behavior, overall numbers of individuals observed, frequency of observation, the time corresponding to the daily tidal cycle, and any behavioral changes due to the geophysical surveys will be recorded on daily observation sheets. Monitoring would be conducted by qualified NMFS-approved biologists. Binoculars and optical or digital laser range finders that are accurate to 3 feet (0.9 m) would be standard equipment for the monitors. Monitoring would begin prior to the first day of the survey to establish baseline data, and would occur from a chase boat during the 8 - 10 day survey period. Post-survey monitoring would occur for a period of one day upon completion of the seismic studies. Before the startup of the survey equipment, a marine mammal observer would visually survey the area for 15 minutes to confirm the safety zone is clear of any marine mammals. Seismic surveys will not begin until the safety zone is clear of marine mammals. Two observers would be present when surveys start onboard a separate boat and scan different sections of the overall survey area, particularly the safety zone. However, as described in the Mitigation section, once seismic survey of a transect begins, operations will continue uninterrupted until that transect is completed. However, if seismic survey of one transect is completed and a marine mammal is sighted within the designated safety zone prior to commencement of the next transect, the observer(s) must notify the surveyor (or other authorized individual) immediately and follow the mitigation requirements as outlined previously (see Mitigation). URS would submit a final report to NMFS 90 days after completion of the proposed project. The final report would include data collected for each distinct marine mammal species observed in the south Bay proposed project area during the period of the seismic surveys. Marine mammal behavior, overall numbers of individuals observed, frequency of observation, and any behavioral changes due to the geophysical surveys would also be included in the final report. National Environmental Policy Act

(NEPA)NMFS has prepared a draft EA for public review and comment (see ADDRESSES ). Endangered Species Act

(ESA)Based on a review conducted by NMFS biologists, no ESA-listed species are expected to occur in the proposed action area, therefore, NMFS has determined that this action will have no effect on listed species, and a section 7 consultation is not necessary. Preliminary Determinations For the reasons discussed in this document and in the identified supporting documents, NMFS has preliminarily determined that the impact of seismic surveys and other activities associated in the south SFB would result, at worst, in the Level B harassment of small numbers of California sea lions, Pacific harbor seals, harbor porpoises, and potentially gray whales that inhabit or visit south SFB. While behavioral modifications, including temporarily vacating the area during the survey period of 8 - 10 days, may be made by these species to avoid the resultant visual and acoustic disturbance, the availability of alternate areas within SFB and haul-out sites (including pupping sites) and feeding areas within the Bay has led NMFS to preliminarily determine that this action will have a negligible impact on California sea lions, Pacific harbor seals, harbor porpoises, and gray whale populations along the California coast. In addition, no take by Level A harassment (injury) or death is anticipated and harassment takes should be at the lowest level practicable due to incorporation of the mitigation measures described in this document. Proposed Authorization NMFS proposes to issue an IHA to Fugro for the potential harassment of small numbers of harbor seals, California sea lions, harbor porpoises, and gray whales incidental to conducting of seismic surveys in south San Francisco Bay in California, provided the previously mentioned mitigation, monitoring, and reporting requirements are incorporated. Information Solicited NMFS requests interested persons to submit comments, information, and suggestions concerning this request (see ADDRESSES ). Dated: June 14, 2006. Donna Wieting, Deputy Director, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. E6-9679 Filed 6-19-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-22-S DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Telecommunications and Information Administration Docket No. 060606155-6155-01 Privacy Act of 1974: Systems of Records AGENCY: National Telecommunications and Information Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce ACTION: Notice to delete a Privacy Act System of Records: COMMERCE/NTIA-1, “Radio Spectrum Management Career Development Program.” SUMMARY: In accordance with the Privacy Act (5 U.S.C. § 552a(e)(4) and (11)), the Department of Commerce is issuing notice of its intent to delete the system of records entitled “Radio Spectrum Management Career Development Program.” This system of records is no longer collected or maintained by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration. There are no records remaining in the system. DATES: To be considered, written comments must be submitted on or before July 20, 2006. Unless comments are received, the deletion of the system of records will become effective as proposed on the date of publication of a subsequent notice in the **Federal Register** . ADDRESSES: Written comments may be mailed to Stacy Cheney, Attorney-Advisor, Office of the Chief Counsel, National Telecommunications and Information Administration, Room 4713, 14th Street and Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20231. Paper submissions should include a 3 1/2 inch computer diskette in HTML, ASCII, Word, or WordPerfect format (please specify version). Diskettes should be labeled with the name and organization affiliation of the filer, and the name of the word processing program used to create the document. Comments may be submitted electronically to the following electronic mail address: *sor-comments@ntia.doc.gov* . Comments submitted via electronic mail also should be submitted in paper or diskette formats. Comments will be posted on NTIA's Web site at *http://www.ntia.doc.gov/ntiahome/occ/sorcomments* . SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This Privacy Act System of Records is being deleted because the records are no longer collected or maintained by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration. There are no records remaining in the system. Dated: June 14, 2006. Brenda Dolan, Departmental Freedom of Information and Privacy Act Officer. [FR Doc. E6-9615 Filed 6-19-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-60-S CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION [Petition HP 06-1] Petition Requesting Ban on Lead Toy Jewelry AGENCY: Consumer Product Safety Commission. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (Commission or CPSC) has received a petition (HP 06-1) requesting that the Commission ban toy jewelry containing more than 0.06% lead. The Commission solicits written comments concerning the petition. DATES: The Office of the Secretary must receive comments on the petition by August 21, 2006. ADDRESSES: Comments on the petition may be filed by e-mail to *cpsc-os@cpsc.gov* . Comments may also be filed by facsimile to

(301)504-0127, or delivered or mailed, preferably in five copies, to the Office of the Secretary, Consumer Product Safety Commission, 4330 East West Highway, Bethesda, MD 20814, telephone

(301)504-7923. Comments should be captioned “Petition HP 06-1, Petition Requesting Ban on Lead Toy Jewelry.” The petition is available on the CPSC Web site at *http://www.cpsc.gov* . A request for a hard copy of the petition may be directed to the Office of the Secretary. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rockelle Hammond, Office of the Secretary, Consumer Product Safety Commission, 4330 East West Highway; telephone

(301)504-6833, *e-mail rhammond@cpsc.gov* . SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Commission has received correspondence from the Sierra Club requesting that the Commission classify toy jewelry containing more than 0.06% lead as a banned hazardous substance under the Federal Hazardous Substances Act (FHSA). The request for a ban on toy jewelry containing more than 0.06% lead was docketed as petition number HP 06-1 under the Federal Hazardous Substances Act, 15 U.S.C. 1261-1278. The Sierra Club states that the Commission should adopt regulations declaring that any toy jewelry containing more than 0.06% lead by weight for which there is a reasonably foreseeable possibility that children could ingest be declared a banned hazardous substance under the FHSA. The Sierra Club also states that the 0.06% level may not be low enough to protect children and should be an interim step until a determination of a more appropriate cutoff is made. In addition, the Sierra Club asserts that it believes that toy jewelry is any item that serves a decorative but no or minimal functional purpose that is valued at less than $20 per item. According to the Sierra Club, people are less likely to store such low-cost jewelry in secure containers or out of reach from children. Interested parties may obtain a copy of the petition on the CPSC Web site at *http://www.cpsc.gov* or by writing or calling the Office of the Secretary, Consumer Product Safety Commission, 4330 East West Highway, Bethesda, MD 20814; telephone

(301)504-7923. Dated: June 14, 2006. Todd A. Stevenson, Secretary, Consumer Product Safety Commission. [FR Doc. E6-9658 Filed 6-19-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6355-01-P CORPORATION FOR NATIONAL AND COMMUNITY SERVICE Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request AGENCY: Corporation for National and Community Service. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: The Corporation for National and Community Service (hereinafter the “Corporation”), as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, conducts a pre-clearance consultation program to provide the general public and Federal agencies with an opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing collections of information in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA95) (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)). This program helps to ensure that requested data can be provided in the desired format, reporting burden (time and financial resources) is minimized, collection instruments are clearly understood, and the impact of collection requirement on respondents can be properly assessed. Currently, the Corporation is soliciting comments concerning its proposed voluntary online registration of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service projects. Copies of the information collection request can be obtained by contacting the office listed below in the ADDRESSES section of this notice. DATES: Written comments must be submitted to the office listed in the ADDRESSES section by August 21, 2006. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by the title of the information collection activity, by any of the following methods:

(1)By mail sent to: Corporation for National and Community Service, Attention: Rhonda Taylor, Project Officer, Room 10303, 1201 New York Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20525.

(2)By hand delivery or by courier to the Corporation's mailroom, at Room 8102C, at the street address given in paragraph

(1)above, between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

(3)By fax to:

(202)606-3460, Attention: Rhonda Taylor, Project Officer, Office of Public Affairs.

(4)Electronically through the Corporation's e-mail address system: *rtaylor@cns.gov* . FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rhonda Taylor,

(202)606-6721, or by e-mail at *rtaylor@cns.gov* . SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Corporation is particularly interested in comments which: • Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Corporation, including whether the information will have practical utility; • Evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; • Enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information to be collected; and, • Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic submissions of responses. I. Background The Corporation for National and Community Service administers Martin Luther King, Jr., Service Day as part of the National Service Act (42 U.S.C. 12653(s)). To support the success of this service day, the Corporation for National and Community Service seeks to help promote this program to potential participants through a voluntary online project registration. Martin Luther King, Jr., Service Day projects, whether funded by the Corporation or not, will be able to register their projects, indicate if they need additional volunteers, and list specific project details. The information collected will be used to post the projects on the Corporation's Martin Luther King, Jr., Service Day Web site at *http://www.MLKDay.gov* and to contact these projects to provide support materials such as toolkits and posters. This information is used to determine that there is a diversity of projects and a sufficient saturation of locations to provide volunteers with opportunities to participate. The collection of this information will help the Corporation focus its resources in the most efficient manner. *Type of Review:* New. *Agency:* Corporation for National and Community Service. *Title:* Martin Luther King, Jr., Day of Service Project Registration. *OMB Number:* None. *Agency Number:* None. *Affected Public:* Organizations operating Martin Luther King, Jr., Day of Service projects. *Total Respondents:* 2,000. *Frequency:* Annual. *Average Time Per Response:* 20 minutes. *Estimated Total Burden Hours:* 13,334 hours. *Total Burden Cost (capital/startup):* None. *Total Burden Cost (operating/maintenance):* None. Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized and/or included in the request for Office of Management and Budget approval of the information collection request; they will also become a matter of public record. Dated: June 13, 2006. Rhonda Taylor, Acting Director, Office of Public Affairs. [FR Doc. E6-9602 Filed 6-19-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6050-$$-P DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE Department of the Navy Notice of Intent To Grant Exclusive Patent License; Soil and Topography, LLC AGENCY: Department of the Navy, DoD. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: The Department of the Navy herby gives notice of its intent to grant to Soil and Topography Information, LLC., a revocable, nonassignable, exclusive license in the United States to practice the Government-Owned invention(s) described in U.S. Patent Number 5,316,950 entitled “Method for quantitative calibration of in situ optical chemical measurements in soils using soil class and characteristics”, issue date May 31, 2002. DATES: Anyone wishing to object to the grant of this license must file written objections along with supporting evidence, if any, not later than July 5, 2006. ADDRESSES: Written objections are to be filed with the Office of Research and Technology Applications, Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center, Code 2112, 83570 Silvergate Ave., Room 2306, San Diego, CA 92152-5048. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Stephen H. Lieberman, Office of Research and Technology Applications, Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center, Code 2112, 83570 Silvergate Ave., Room 2306, San Diego, CA 92152- 5048, telephone 619-553-2778, E-Mail: *stephen.lieberman@navy.mil.* (Authority: 35 U.S.C. 207, 37 CFR part 404.) Dated: June 7, 2006. M.A. Harvison, Lieutenant Commander, Judge Advocate General's Corps, U.S. Navy, Federal Register Liaison Officer. [FR Doc. E6-9650 Filed 6-19-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3810-FF-P DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE Department of the Navy Notice of Intent To Grant Exclusive Patent License; SSC Development, LLC AGENCY: Department of the Navy, DoD. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: The Department of the Navy hereby gives notice of its intent to grant to SSC Development, LLC, a revocable, nonassignable, exclusive license in the United States to practice the Government-owned invention(s) described in U.S. Patent No. 6,466,515 entitled, “Power-Efficient Sonar System Employing a Waveform and Processing Method for Improved Range Resolution at High Doppler Sensitivity,” issue date October 15, 2002. DATES: Anyone wishing to object to the grant of this license must file written objections along with supporting evidence, if any, not later than July 5, 2006. ADDRESSES: Written objections are to be filed with the Office of Research and Technology Applications, Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center, Code 2112, 83570 Silvergate Ave., Room 2306, San Diego, CA 92152-5048. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Stephen H. Lieberman, Office of Research and Technology Applications, Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center, Code 2112, 83570 Silvergate Ave., Room 2306, San Diego, CA 92152-5048, telephone 619-553-2778, or e-Mail *stephen.lieberman@navy.mil* . (Authority: 35 U.S.C. 207, 37 CFR part 404.) Dated: June 7, 2006. M.A. Harvison, Lieutenant Commander, Judge Advocate General's Corps, U.S. Navy, Federal Register Liaison Officer. [FR Doc. E6-9649 Filed 6-19-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3810-FF-P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY [OE Docket No. EA-316] Application To Export Electric Energy; Cinergy Marketing & Trading, LP AGENCY: Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability, DOE. ACTION: Notice of application. SUMMARY: Cinergy Marketing & Trading, LP

(CMT)has applied for authority to transmit electric energy from the United States to Canada pursuant to section 202(e) of the Federal Power Act. DATES: Comments, protests, or requests to intervene must be submitted on or before July 20, 2006. ADDRESSES: Comments, protests, or requests to intervene should be addressed as follows: Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability, Mail Code: OE-20, U.S. Department of Energy, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20585-0350 (FAX 202-586-5860). FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ellen Russell (Program Office), 202-586-9624 or Michael Skinker (Program Attorney), 202-586-2793. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Exports of electricity from the United States to a foreign country are regulated and require authorization under section 202(e) of the Federal Power Act

(FPA)(16 U.S.C. 824a(e)). On June 6, 2006, the Department of Energy

(DOE)received an application from CMT for authority to transmit electric energy from the United States to Canada as a power marketer. CMT is a Delaware limited partnership with its principal place of business in Houston, TX. CMT has requested an electricity export authorization with a 5-year term. CMT does not own or control any generation, transmission, or distribution assets, nor does it have a franchised service area. The electric energy which CMT proposes to export to Canada would be surplus energy purchased from electric utilities, Federal power marketing agencies, and other entities within the U.S. CMT will arrange for the delivery of exports to Canada over the international transmission facilities owned by Basin Electric Power Cooperative, Bonneville Power Administration, Eastern Maine Electric Cooperative, International Transmission Co., Joint Owners of the Highgate Project, Long Sault, Inc., Maine Electric Power Company, Maine Public Service Company, Minnesota Power, Inc., Minnkota Power Cooperative, Inc., New York Power Authority, Niagara Mohawk Power Corp., Northern States Power Company, Vermont Electric Power Company, and Vermont Electric Transmission Co. The construction, operation, maintenance, and connection of each of the international transmission facilities to be utilized by CMT has previously been authorized by a Presidential permit issued pursuant to Executive Order 10485, as amended. *Procedural Matters:* Any person desiring to become a party to these proceedings or to be heard by filing comments or protests to this application should file a petition to intervene, comment or protest at the address provided above in accordance with §§ 385.211 or 385.214 of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedures (18 CFR 385.211, 385.214). Fifteen copies of each petition and protest should be filed with DOE on or before the dates listed above. Comments on the CMT application to export electric energy to Canada should be clearly marked with Docket No. EA-316. Additional copies are to be filed directly with Jason S. Austin, Senior Counsel, Cinergy Marketing & Trading, LP, 1100 Louisiana Street, Suite 4900, Houston, TX 77002. A final decision will be made on this application after the environmental impacts have been evaluated pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, and a determination is made by DOE that the proposed action will not adversely impact on the reliability of the U.S. electric power supply system. Copies of this application will be made available, upon request, for public inspection and copying at the address provided above or by e-mailing Odessa Hopkins at *Odessa.hopkins@hq.doe.gov.* Issued in Washington, DC, on June 14, 2006. Ellen Russell, Acting Director, Permitting and Siting, Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability. [FR Doc. E6-9633 Filed 6-19-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6450-01-P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY [OE Docket No. PP-317] Application for Presidential Permit; AEP Texas Central Company; Request To Rescind Presidential Permit; Comission Federal de Electricidad AGENCY: Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability, DOE. ACTION: Notice of application; request for rescission. SUMMARY: AEP Texas Central Company

(TCC)has applied for a Presidential permit to construct, operate, maintain, and connect an electric transmission line across the U.S. border with Mexico. In the same application, Comision Federal de Electricidad (CFE), the national electric utility of Mexico, has requested a rescission of Presidential Permit No. PP-57. DATES: Comments, protests, or requests to intervene must be submitted on or before July 20, 2006. ADDRESSES: Comments, protests, or requests to intervene should be addressed as follows: Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability (OE-20), U.S. Department of Energy, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20585-0350. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ellen Russell (Program Office), 202-586-9624 or Michael T. Skinker (Program Attorney), 202-586-2793. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The construction, operation, maintenance, and connection of facilities at the international border of the United States for the transmission of electric energy between the United States and a foreign country is prohibited in the absence of a Presidential permit issued pursuant to Executive Order

(EO)10485, as amended by EO 12038. On January 24, 1975, the Federal Power Commission, predecessor agency of the Department of Energy, in Docket No. E-8057, now Presidential Permit No. PP-57, authorized CFE to construct, operate, maintain, and connect a 138,000-volt (138-kV) electric transmission line across the U.S.-Mexico international border in the vicinity of Loredo, Texas. On June 12, 2006, American Electric Power Service Corporation (AEPSC), acting as the agent for TCC, formerly doing business as Central Power and Light Company (CPL), filed an application with the Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability

(OE)of the Department of Energy

(DOE)for a Presidential permit. TCC proposes to construct a double circuit 230,000-volt (230-kV) electric transmission line across the U.S.-Mexico international border. In the same application CFE requests DOE rescind Presidential Permit No. PP-57 if the TCC-requested permit is issued. The existing international transmission facilities authorized in Presidential Permit No. PP-57 consist of a single-circuit 138-kV transmission line that originates at TCC's existing Laredo Power Plant Station, in Laredo, Texas. The facilities continue west approximately 0.3 miles to the Rio Grande River, the U.S.-Mexico international border, and continue to CFE's Ciudad Industrial Station in Laredo Nuevo, Mexico. In its application TCC proposes construct a new 230-kV circuit between the Laredo Power Plant and the CFE system and to rebuild and convert the existing 138-kV facilities to a 230-kV transmission circuit to be operated initially at 138-kV. The proposed double circuit facilities are to be operated as an asynchronous tie using a Variable Frequency Transformer (VFT). The VFT equipment would convert the interconnection with CFE from a block-over synchronous radial feed configuration to a continuous asynchronous connection. The proposed facilities would be constructed on steel monopole structures and would be sited along the center-line of the existing right-of-way. The existing wood transmission structures would be replaced with approximately four steel monopole structures. All facilities and equipment to be constructed, including the VFT, would be placed within the existing fence of the Laredo Power Plant. TCC has indicated its intention to operate the proposed facilities as an open access transmission facility. If DOE were to grant the Presidential permit requested in OE Docket No. PP-317, it would simultaneously rescind Presidential Permit No. PP-57 issued to CFE. Procedural Matters Any person desiring to become a party to this proceeding or to be heard by filing comments or protests to this application should file a petition to intervene, comment or protest at the address provided above in accordance with §§ 385.211 or 385.214 of the FERC's Rules of Practice and Procedures (18 CFR 385.211, 385.214). Fifteen copies of each petition and protest should be filed with the DOE on or before the date listed above. Additional copies of such petitions to intervene or protests also should be filed directly with: Terri Gallup, Regulatory Case Manager, American Electric Power Service Corporation, 212 East Sixth Street, Tulsa, OK 74119-1295 and Carolyn Y. Thompson, Esq., Jones Day, 51 Louisiana Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20001-2113A. A final decision will be made on this application after the environmental impacts have been evaluated pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, and a determination is made by DOE that the proposed action will not adversely impact on the reliability of the U.S. electric power supply system. In addition, DOE must obtain the concurrence of the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Defense before taking final action on a Presidential permit application. Copies of this application will be made available, upon request, for public inspection and copying at the address provided above. In addition, copies of the application can be obtained from Ms. Odessa Hopkins at 202-586-7751, or by e-mail at *Odessa.Hopkins@hq.doe.gov.* Issued in Washington, DC, on June 14, 2006. Ellen Russell, Acting Director, Siting and Permitting, Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability. [FR Doc. E6-9634 Filed 6-19-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6450-01-P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy [Docket No. EE-RM-PET-100] Energy Efficiency Program for Consumer Products: California Energy Commission Petition for Exemption From Federal Preemption of California's Water Conservation Standards for Residential Clothes Washers AGENCY: Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Department of Energy. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: The Department of Energy (hereafter “the Department”) announces the extension of the time period for evaluation and decision on the disposition of the California Energy Commission's Petition for Exemption from Federal Preemption of California's Water Conservation Standards for Residential Clothes Washers (hereafter “California Petition”). In accordance with section 327(d)(2) of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (hereafter “EPCA”), the Department is extending the time period for issuing a decision on the California Petition from June 23, 2006, to December 23, 2006. The Department is extending this time period in order to allow it adequate time to evaluate the California Petition in light of public comments received on the California Petition and the California Energy Commission's (hereafter “CEC”) rebuttal comments received by the Department on May 15, 2006. DATES: The Department is extending the time period of evaluation of the California Petition from June 23, 2006 to December 23, 2006. ADDRESSES: For access to the docket to read background documents relevant to this matter; go to the U.S. Department of Energy, Forrestal Building, Room 1J-018 (Resource Room of the Building Technologies Program), 1000 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20585-0121, telephone number

(202)586-9127, between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. Please call Ms. Brenda Edwards-Jones at the above telephone number for additional information regarding visiting the Resource Room. Please note that the Department's Freedom of Information Reading Room (formerly Room 1E-190 at the Forrestal Building) is no longer housing rulemaking materials. Electronic copies of the California Petition are available online at either the Department of Energy's Web site at the following URL address: *http://www.eere.energy.gov/buildings/appliance_standards/state_petitions.html* or the CEC's Web site at the following URL address: *http://www.energy.ca.gov/appliances/2005-09-13_PETITION_CLOTHES_WASHERS.PDF.* An electronic copy of California's water plan update and related material is available online at the California Department of Water Resources Web site at the following URL address: *http://www.waterplan.water.ca.gov/* . Electronic copies of comments received by the Department on California's Petition and the California Energy Commission's rebuttal statement are available online at the following URL address: *http://www.eere.energy.gov/buildings/appliance_standards/state_petitions.html.* FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bryan Berringer, U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Building Technologies, EE-2J, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20585-0121,

(202)586-0371. E-mail: *bryan.berringer@ee.doe.gov.* Thomas DePriest, Esq., U.S. Department of Energy, Office of General Counsel, GC-72, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20585-0121,

(202)586-9507, e-mail: *Thomas.DePriest@hq.doe.gov.* SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Authority II. Background I. Authority Part B of Title III of EPCA established the Energy Conservation Program for Consumer Products Other Than Automobiles. (42 U.S.C. 6291-6309) Products covered under the program, including residential clothes washers, and the authority to regulate them, are listed in section 322. (42 U.S.C. 6292) Section 325(g) (42 U.S.C. 6295(g)) establishes standards for certain types of residential clothes washers and requires the Department to issue two rulemakings to consider further amendments. Federal energy efficiency requirements for residential products generally preempt State laws or regulations concerning energy conservation testing, labeling, and standards. (42 U.S.C. 6297(a)-(c)) However, the Department can grant waivers of Federal preemption (hereafter “waiver” or “exemption”) for particular State laws or regulations, in accordance with the procedures and other provisions of section 327(d) of EPCA. (42 U.S.C. 6297(d)) In particular, section 327(d)(1)(A) of EPCA provides that any State or river basin commission with a State regulation regarding energy use, energy efficiency, or water use requirements for products regulated by the Energy Conservation Program, may petition for an exemption from Federal preemption and seek to apply its own State regulation. (42 U.S.C. 6297(d)(1)(A)) Section 327(d)(2) of EPCA requires that the Department afford interested persons a reasonable opportunity to make written comments, including rebuttal comments, related to the petition. (42 U.S.C. 6297(d)(2)) In addition, section 327(d)(2) of EPCA provides the Department with the authority to extend its decision date to within one year after the date on which the Department accepted the petition. However, the Department must publish notice of this extension in the **Federal Register** and note its reasons for delay. (42 U.S.C. 6297(d)(2)) In addition, should the Department decide to grant a petition, section 336(a)(1) of EPCA requires that DOE afford interested persons the opportunity to present written and oral data, views, and arguments with respect to any proposed rules prescribed under section 327. (42 U.S.C. 6306(a)(1)) II. Background On September 16, 2005, the Department received a petition from the CEC, dated September 13, 2005, pursuant to the requirements of section 327(d) of EPCA (42 U.S.C. 6297(d)) and Title 10 Code of Federal Regulations

(CFR)part 430, subpart D, and sections 430.41(a)(1) and 430.42 of the CFR. However, by letter dated November 18, 2005, the Department notified the CEC that its petition had failed to comply with certain requirements set out in 10 CFR 430.42(c). The CEC responded on December 5, 2005, and provided the required information. By letter dated December 23, 2005, the Department notified the CEC that it had accepted the California Petition as supplemented. In accordance with section 327(d)(2) of EPCA (42 U.S.C. 6297(d)(2)) and 10 CFR 430.43, the Department published notice of the California Petition in the **Federal Register** on February 6, 2006 (hereafter “February 2006 notice”). (71 FR 6022) The February 2006 notice provides a summary of the Department's authority regarding petitions for exemption, the California Petition, and criteria for evaluating petitions for exemption. In the February 2006 notice, to help the Department evaluate the California Petition's request, the Department also invited the public to submit comments, data, and information regarding the California Petition by April 7, 2006. In order to afford the CEC a reasonable opportunity to review public comments and provide rebuttal, the Department notified the CEC by letter dated April 14, 2006, of its opportunity to provide rebuttal comments. CEC rebuttal comments were received by the Department on May 15, 2006. In this notice, the Department extends the period for evaluation of the California Petition to December 23, 2006, in order to provide the Department adequate time to evaluate the petition in light of public comments and CEC rebuttal comments received. The Department will consider the information and views submitted and make a determination on the California Petition. At such point, the Department will either provide notice of a proposed rule on which it will seek written and oral comment, or provide a notice of, and the reasons for, denial of the California Petition. Issued in Washington, DC, on June 14, 2006. Alexander A. Karsner, Assistant Secretary, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. [FR Doc. E6-9637 Filed 6-19-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6450-01-P ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY [FRL-8185-5] National Advisory Council for Environmental Policy and Technology AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Notice of meeting. SUMMARY: Under the Federal Advisory Committee Act, Public Law 92463, EPA gives notice of a public teleconference of the National Advisory Council for Environmental Policy and Technology (NACEPT). NACEPT provides advice to the EPA Administrator on a broad range of environmental policy, technology, and management issues. The Council is a panel of experts who represent diverse interests from academia, industry, non-governmental organizations, and local, state, and tribal governments. The purpose of this teleconference is to discuss and approve comments on EPA's Draft 2006-2011 Strategic Plan from a subset of the Council. A copy of the agenda for the meeting will be posted at *http://www.epa.gov/ocem/nacept/cal-nacept.htm.* DATES: NACEPT will hold a public teleconference on Friday, July 7, 2006 at 2 p.m.—3:30 p.m. eastern daylight time. ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held in the U.S. EPA Office of Cooperative Environmental Management at 655 15th Street, NW., Suite 800, Washington, DC 20005. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sonia Altieri, Designated Federal Officer, *altieri.sonia@epa.gov,*

(202)233-0061, U.S. EPA, Office of Cooperative Environmental Management (1601E), 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20460. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Requests to make oral comments or to provide written comments to the Council should be sent to Sonia Altieri, Designated Federal Officer, at the contact information above by July 3, 2006. The public is welcome to attend all portions of the meeting, but seating is limited and is allocated on a first-come, first-serve basis. Members of the public wishing to gain access to the conference room on the day of the meeting must contact Sonia Altieri at

(202)233-0061 or *altieri.sonia@epa.gov* by Thursday, July 6, 2006. *Meeting Access:* For information on access or services for individuals with disabilities, please contact Sonia Altieri at 202-233-0061 or *altieri.sonia@epa.gov.* To request accommodation of a disability, please contact Sonia Altieri, preferably at least 10 days prior to the meeting, to give EPA as much time as possible to process your request. Dated: June 12, 2006. Sonia Altieri, Designated Federal Officer. [FR Doc. E6-9656 Filed 6-19-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560-50-P ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY [FRL-8185-9] Science Advisory Board

(SAB)Staff Office; Notification of an Upcoming Teleconference of the SAB Ecological Processes and Effects Committee AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: The EPA Science Advisory Board

(SAB)Staff Office announces a public teleconference of the SAB Ecological Processes and Effects Committee. DATES: The public teleconference will be held on July 12, 2006, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. (eastern daylight time). FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Members of the public who wish to obtain the call-in number and access code for the teleconference may contact Dr. Thomas Armitage, Designated Federal Officer (DFO), by mail at EPA SAB Staff Office (1400F), U.S. EPA, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20460; by telephone at

(202)343-9995; or by e-mail at *armitage.thomas@epa.gov.* General information about the SAB may be found on the SAB Web site at *http://www.epa.gov/sab.* SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background Pursuant to the Federal Advisory Committee Act, Public Law 92-463, notice is hereby given that the SAB Ecological Processes and Effects Committee will hold a public teleconference to discuss a draft ecological risk assessment workshop summary document. On February 7-8, 2006, the Committee held a public workshop on the state-of-the-practice of ecological risk assessment. Background information on the workshop was provided in a **Federal Register** notice published on September 8, 2005 (70 FR 53360). The Committee is holding the teleconference to discuss a draft workshop summary document and development of a report to EPA. The Committee's draft workshop summary document and teleconference agenda will be posted on the SAB Web site provided above prior to the teleconference. The Panel will comply with the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act

(FACA)and all appropriate SAB procedural policies. Procedures for Providing Public Input Members of the public may submit relevant written or oral information for the SAB Committee to consider during the advisory process. Oral Statements: In general, individuals or groups requesting an oral presentation at a public teleconference will be limited to three minutes per speaker with no more than a total of fifteen minutes for all speakers. Interested parties should contact the DFO, contact information provided above, in writing via e-mail seven days before the teleconference in order to be placed on the public speaker list. Written Statements: Written statements should be received in the SAB Staff Office at least seven days before the meeting so that the information may be made available to the Panel for their consideration. Written statements should be supplied to the DFO in the following formats: one hard copy with original signature, and one electronic copy via e-mail (acceptable file format: Adobe Acrobat, WordPerfect, Word, or Rich Text files (in IBM-PC/Windows 98/2000/XP format). Meeting Accommodations For information on access or services for people with disabilities, please contact the DFO, contact information provided above. To request accommodation of a disability please contact the DFO, preferably at least ten business days prior to the meeting, to give EPA as much time as possible to process your request. Dated: June 15, 2006. Anthony F. Maciorowski, Associate Director for Science, EPA Science Advisory Board Staff Office. [FR Doc. E6-9655 Filed 6-19-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560-50-P EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION Notice of Sunshine Act Meeting Agency Holding the Meeting: Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Date and Time: Wednesday, June 28, 2006, 9:30 a.m. eastern time. Place: Clarence M. Mitchell, Jr. Conference Room on the Ninth Floor of the EEOC Office Building, 1801 “L” Street, NW., Washington, DC 20507. Status: The meeting will be open to the public. Matters to be Considered: Open Session 1. Announcement of Notation Votes, and 2. Employment of Individuals with Disabilities in the Federal Government. Note: In accordance with the Sunshine Act, the meeting will be open to public observation of the Commission's deliberations and voting. (In addition to publishing notices on EEOC Commission meetings in the **Federal Register,** the Commission also provides a recorded announcement a full week in advance on future Commission sessions.) Please telephone

(202)663-7100 (voice) and

(202)663-4074

(TTY)at any time for information on these meetings. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Stephen Llewellyn, Acting Executive Officer on

(202)663-4070. Dated: June 16, 2006. Stephen Llewellyn, Acting Executive Officer, Executive Secretariat. [FR Doc. 06-5563 Filed 6-16-06; 1:19 pm]

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