Notices. Notice and request for comments

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BILLING CODE 4915-01-P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Surface Transportation Board [STB Docket No. AB-167 (Sub-No. 1185X)] Consolidated Rail Corporation—Abandonment Exemption—in Mercer County, NJ Consolidated Rail Corporation (Conrail) has filed a notice of exemption under 49 CFR part 1152 subpart F— *Exempt Abandonments* to abandon a portion of a line of railroad known as the Robbinsville Industrial Track, between milepost 32.20± and milepost 37.90± in the cities of Hamilton Township and Washington Township, Mercer County, NJ, a distance of 5.7 miles±. The line traverses United States Postal Service Zip Codes 08620 and 08520. Conrail has certified that:

(1)No local traffic has moved over the line for at least 2 years;

(2)any overhead traffic that has or could move over the line can be rerouted;

(3)no formal complaint filed by a user of rail service on the line (or by a state or local government entity acting on behalf of such user) regarding cessation of service over the line either is pending with the Surface Transportation Board or with any U.S. District Court or has been decided in favor of complainant within the 2-year period; and

(4)the requirements at 49 CFR 1105.7 (environmental reports), 49 CFR 1105.8 (historic reports), 49 CFR 1105.11 (transmittal letter), 49 CFR 1105.12 (newspaper publication) and 49 CFR 1152.50(d)(1) (notice to governmental agencies) have been met. 1 1 On June 19, 2006, C&A Trail Conservancy, filed a request for issuance of a notice of interim trail use

(NITU)for the entire line pursuant to section 8(d) of the National Trails System Act, 16 U.S.C. 1247(d), and for imposition of a public use condition. The Board will address C&A's trail use and public use requests and any others that may be filed in a subsequent decision. As a condition to this exemption, any employee adversely affected by the abandonment shall be protected under *Oregon Short Line R. Co.* — *Abandonment* — *Goshen* , 360 I.C.C. 91 (1979). To address whether this condition adequately protects affected employees, a petition for partial revocation under 49 U.S.C. 10502(d) must be filed. Provided no formal expression of intent to file an offer of financial assistance

(OFA)has been received, this exemption will be effective on August 2, 2006, unless stayed pending reconsideration. Petitions to stay that do not involve environmental issues, 2 formal expressions of intent to file an OFA under 49 CFR 1152.27(c)(2), 3 and trail use/rail banking requests under 49 CFR 1152.29 must be filed by July 13, 2006. Petitions to reopen or requests for public use conditions under 49 CFR 1152.28 must be filed by July 24, 2006, with the Surface Transportation Board, 1925 K Street, NW., Washington, DC 20423-0001. 2 The Board will grant a stay if an informed decision on environmental issues (whether raised by a party or by the Board's Section of Environmental Analysis

(SEA)in its independent investigation) cannot be made before the exemption's effective date. *See Exemption of Out-of-Service Rail Lines* , 5 I.C.C.2d 377 (1989). Any request for a stay should be filed as soon as possible so that the Board may take appropriate action before the exemption's effective date. 3 Each OFA must be accompanied by the filing fee, which currently is set at $1,300. *See Regulations Governing Fees for Service Performed in Connection With Licensing and Related Services—2006 Updates* , STB Ex Parte No. 542 (Sub-No. 13) (STB served Mar. 20, 2006). *See* 49 CFR 1002.2(f)(25). A copy of any petition filed with the Board should be sent to Conrail's representative: John K. Enright, 1000 Howard Boulevard, 4th Floor, Mt. Laurel, NJ 08054. If the verified notice contains false or misleading information, the exemption is void *ab initio.* Conrail has filed an environmental report which addresses the abandonment's effects, if any, on the environment and historic resources. SEA will issue an environmental assessment

(EA)by July 7, 2006. Interested persons may obtain a copy of the EA by writing to SEA (Room 500, Surface Transportation Board, Washington, DC 20423-0001) or by calling SEA, at

(202)565-1539. [Assistance for the hearing impaired is available through the Federal Information Relay Service

(FIRS)at 1-800-877-8339.] Comments on environmental and historic preservation matters must be filed within 15 days after the EA becomes available to the public. Environmental, historic preservation, public use, or trail use/rail banking conditions will be imposed, where appropriate, in a subsequent decision. Pursuant to the provisions of 49 CFR 1152.29(e)(2), Conrail shall file a notice of consummation with the Board to signify that it has exercised the authority granted and fully abandoned the line. If consummation has not been effected by Conrail's filing of a notice of consummation by July 3, 2007, and there are no legal or regulatory barriers to consummation, the authority to abandon will automatically expire. Board decisions and notices are available on our Web site at *http://www.stb.dot.gov.* Decided: June 23, 2006. By the Board, David M. Konschnik, Director, Office of Proceedings. Vernon A. Williams, Secretary. [FR Doc. E6-10373 Filed 6-30-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4915-01-P DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau Proposed Information Collections; Comment Request AGENCY: Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB), Treasury. ACTION: Notice and request for comments. SUMMARY: As part of our continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, and as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, we invite comments on the proposed or continuing information collections listed below in this notice. DATES: We must receive your written comments on or before September 1, 2006. ADDRESSES: You may send comments to Mary A. Wood, Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, at any of these addresses: • P.O. Box 14412, Washington, DC 20044-4412; • 202-927-8525 (facsimile); or • *formcomments@ttb.gov* (e-mail). Please send separate comments for each specific information collection listed below. You must reference the information collection's title, form number, and OMB number (if any) in your comment. If you submit your comment via facsimile, send no more than five 8.5 × 11 inch pages in order to ensure electronic access to our equipment. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: To obtain additional information, copies of the information collection and its instructions, or copies of any comments received, contact Mary A. Wood, Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, P.O. Box 14412, Washington, DC 20044-4412; or telephone 202-927-8210. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Request for Comments The Department of the Treasury and its Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, as part of their continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invite the general public and other Federal agencies to comment on the proposed and continuing information collections listed below in this notice, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 *et seq.* ). Comments submitted in response to this notice will be included or summarized in our request for Office of Management and Budget

(OMB)approval of the relevant information collection. All comments are part of the public record and subject to disclosure. Please do not include any confidential or inappropriate material in your comments. We invite comments on:

(a)Whether this information collection is necessary for the proper performance of the agency's functions, including whether the information has practical utility;

(b)the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the information collection's burden;

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

(d)ways to minimize the information collection's burden on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology; and

(e)estimates of capital or start-up costs and costs of operation, maintenance, and purchase of services to provide the requested information. Information Collections Open for Comment Currently, we are seeking comments on the following information collections: *Title:* Inventory—Manufacturer of Tobacco Products. *OMB Number:* 1513-0032. *TTB Form Number:* 5210.9. *Abstract:* TTB F 5210.9 is used by tobacco product manufacturers to record inventories that are required by law. This form provides a uniform format for recording inventories and establishes tax liability on tobacco products, enabling TTB to determine that correct taxes have been or will be paid. The record retention requirement for this information collection is 3 years after the close of the year for which inventories and reports are filed. *Current Actions:* There are no changes to this information collection, and it is being submitted for extension purposes only. *Type of Review:* Extension of a currently approved collection. *Affected Public:* Business or other for-profit. *Estimated Number of Respondents:* 34. *Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours:* 170. *Title:* Usual and Customary Business Records Relating to Tax-Free Alcohol. *OMB Number:* 1513-0059. *TTB Recordkeeping Requirement Number:* 5150/3. *Abstract:* Tax-free alcohol is used for nonbeverage purposes by educational organizations, hospitals, laboratories, etc. The use of alcohol free of tax is regulated to prevent illegal diversion to taxable beverage use. These records maintain spirits accountability and protect tax revenue and public safety. The record retention requirement for this information collection is 3 years. *Current Actions:* There are no changes to this information collection, and it is being submitted for extension purposes only. *Type of Review:* Extension of currently approved collection. *Affected Public:* Not-for-profit institutions, Federal Government and State, Local or Tribal governments. *Estimated Number of Respondents:* 4,560. *Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours:* 4,560. *Title:* Letterhead Applications and Notices Relating to Denatured Spirits. *OMB Number:* 1513-0061. *TTB Recordkeeping Requirement Number:* 5150/2. *Abstract:* Denatured spirits are used for nonbeverage industrial purposes in the manufacture of personal and household products. Permits and applications control the spirits' authorized uses and flow, and protect tax revenue and public safety. The record retention requirement for this information collection is 3 years. *Current Actions:* There are no changes to this information collection, and it is being submitted for extension purposes only. *Type of Review:* Extension of a currently approved collection. *Affected Public:* Business or other for-profit, Not-for-profit institutions, State, Local or Tribal governments. *Estimated Number of Respondents:* 3,111. *Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours:* 1,556. *Title:* Tobacco Products Manufactures—Records of Operations. *OMB Number:* 1513-0068. *TTB Recordkeeping Requirement Number:* 5210/1. *Abstract:* Tobacco products manufacturers must maintain a system of records that provide accountability over the tobacco products received and produced. This information collection ensures that tobacco transactions can be traced, and ensures that tax liabilities have been totally satisfied. The record retention requirement for this information collection is 3 years. *Current Actions:* There are no changes to this information collection and it is being submitted for extension purposes only. *Type of Review:* Extension of a currently approved collection. *Affected Public:* Business or other for-profit. *Estimated Number of Respondents:* 108. *Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours:* 16,200. *Title:* Tobacco Products Importer or Manufacturer-Records of Large Cigar Wholesale Prices. *OMB Number:* 1513-0071. *TTB Recordkeeping Requirement Number:* 5230/1. *Abstract:* This information collection is used by tobacco products importers or manufacturers who import or make large cigars. Records are needed to verify wholesale prices of those cigars as the tax is based on those prices. This collection also ensures that all tax revenue due to the government is collected. The record retention requirement for this information collection is 3 years. *Current Actions:* There are no changes to this information collection, and it is being submitted for extension purposes only. *Type of Review:* Extension of a currently approved collection. *Affected Public:* Business and other for-profit, Individuals or households. *Estimated Number of Respondents:* 108. *Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours:* 252. *Title:* Monthly Report—Tobacco Products Importer. *OMB Number:* 1513-0107. *TTB Form Number:* 5220.6. *Abstract:* Reports of the lawful importation and disposition of tobacco products dealers are necessary to determine whether those issued the permits required by 26 U.S.C. 5713 should be allowed to continue their operations or renew their permits. *Current Actions:* There are changes to this information collection and it is being submitted as a revision of a currently approved collection. Specifically we are adding a field for an Employee Identification Number

(EIN)and line items entitled, Imported and Released from Customs Custody into the United States, Returned from Domestic Customers, and Returned to Customs Custody. *Type of Review:* Revision of a currently approved collection. *Affected Public:* Business or other for-profit. *Estimated Number of Respondents:* 1,500. *Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours:* 18,000. Dated: June 27, 2006. Theresa McCarthy, Acting Director, Regulations and Rulings Division. [FR Doc. E6-10385 Filed 6-30-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4810-31-P U.S.-CHINA ECONOMIC AND SECURITY REVIEW COMMISSION Notice of Open Public Hearing AGENCY: U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission. ACTION: Notice of open public hearing—July 17, 2006, Dearborn, Michigan. SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given of the following hearing of the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission. *Name:* Larry M. Wortzel, Chairman of the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission. The Commission is mandated by Congress to investigate, assess, evaluate and report to Congress annually on the U.S.-China economic and security relationship. The mandate specifically charges the Commission to investigate the “qualitative and quantitative nature of the transfer of United States production activities to the People's Republic of China, including the relocation of high technology, manufacturing, and research and development facilities, the impact of such transfers on United States national security, the adequacy of United States export control laws, and the effect of such transfers on United States economic security and employment.” Pursuant to this mandate, the Commission will hold a public hearing in Dearborn, Michigan on July 17, 2006. Background This event is the fifth in a series of public hearings the Commission will hold during its 2006 report cycle to collect input from leading experts in academia, business, industry, government and the public on the impact of the economic and national security implications of the U.S. growing bilateral trade and economic relationship with China. The July 17 hearing is being conducted to obtain commentary about issues connected to the impact of Chinese manufacturing on U.S. auto and auto parts industries from representatives of labor and trade associations, industry auto parts manufacturers and auto assemblers. Information on upcoming hearings, as well as transcripts of past Commission hearings, can be obtained from the USCC Web site *http://www.uscc.gov.* This hearing will address “Impact of Chinese Manufacturing on U.S. Auto and Auto Parts Industries” and will be Co-chaired by Commissioners George Becker and Daniel Blumenthal. Purpose of Hearing The hearing is designed to assist the Commission in fulfilling its mandate by examining the likely effects on the U.S. industry of China's rapid build-up in automotive production and the resulting global overcapacity. The hearing will also highlight how such factors negatively or positively affect U.S. companies, investors, and workers. Copies of the hearing agenda will be made available on the Commission's Web site *http://www.uscc.gov* . Any interested party may file a written statement by July 17, 2006, by mailing to the contact below. The hearing will be held in two sessions, one in the morning and one in the afternoon, where Commissioners will take testimony from invited witnesses. There will be a question and answer period between the Commissioners and the witnesses. Public participation is invited during the open-microphone session for public comment at the conclusion of the afternoon session. Sign-up for open-microphone session will take place in the morning beginning at 8:30 a.m. and will be on first come, first served basis. Each individual or group making an oral presentation will be limited to a total of 3 minutes. Because of time constraints, parties with common interests are encouraged to designate a single speaker to represent their views. *Date and Time:* Monday, July 17, 2006, 8:45 a.m. to 4 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. A detailed agenda for the hearing will be posted to the Commission's Web site at *http://www.uscc.gov* in the near future. ADDRESSES: The hearing will be held at University of Michigan, Dearborn Campus located at 19000 Hubbard Drive, Fairlane Center South, Dearborn, Michigan 48126. Public seating is limited to about 75 people on a first come, first serve basis. Advance reservations are not required. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Any member of the public wishing further information concerning the hearing should contact Kathy Michels, Associate Director for the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission, 444 North Capitol Street, NW., Suite 602, Washington DC 20001; phone: 202-624-1409, or via e-mail at *kmichels@uscc.gov* . Authority: Congress created the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission in 2000 in the National Defense Authorization Act (Pub. L. 106-398), as amended by Division P of the Consolidated Appropriations Resolution, 2003 (Pub. L. 108-7), as amended by Public Law 109-108 (November 22, 2005). Dated: June 28, 2006. Kathleen J. Michels, Associate Director, U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission. [FR Doc. E6-10348 Filed 6-30-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 1137-00-P DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS Blue Ribbon Panel on VA-Medical School Affiliations; Notice of Establishment As required by Section 9(a)(2) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs hereby gives notice of the establishment of the Department of Veterans Affairs

(VA)Blue Ribbon Panel On VA-Medical School Affiliations. The Secretary of Veterans Affairs has determined that establishing the Panel is both necessary and in the public interest. The Panel will advise the Secretary and the Under Secretary for Health on a comprehensive philosophical framework to enhance VA's partnerships with medical schools and affiliated institutions. The Panel will be guided by VA's strategic planning initiative to assure equitable, harmonious, and synergistic academic affiliations. During the Panel's deliberations, those affiliations will be broadly assessed in light of changes in medical education, research priorities, and the health care needs of veterans. Panel members will be appointed by the Secretary and will be individuals who can effectively express the views of both large and small medical schools which are actively involved in the principal affiliation components (research, patient care and education). The Panel is expected to complete its work within 18 months after its first meeting. Dated: June 23, 2006. By Direction of the Secretary. E. Philip Riggin, Committee Management Officer. [FR Doc. 06-5935 Filed 6-30-06; 8:45 am]

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