Notices. Submission for Office of Management and Budget (OMB) review; comment request
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/register/2006/07/24/06-6405A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
BILLING CODE 4000-01-M DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Agency Information Collection Extension AGENCY: Department of Energy. ACTION: Submission for Office of Management and Budget
(OMB)review; comment request. SUMMARY: The Department of Energy
(DOE)has submitted an information collection package to the OMB for extension under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. The package requests a three-year extension of its Human Reliability Program (HRP), OMB Control Number 1910-5122. The collections consist of forms that will certify to DOE that respondents were advised of the requirements for occupying or continuing to occupy a HRP position. The HRP is a security and safety reliability program for individuals who apply for or occupy certain positions that are critical to the national security. It requires an initial and annual supervisory review, medical assessment, management evaluation, and a DOE personnel security review of all applicants or incumbents. It is also used to ensure that employees assigned to nuclear explosive duties do not have emotional, mental, or physical conditions that could result in an accidental or unauthorized detonation of nuclear explosives. DATES: Comments regarding this collection must be received on or before August 23, 2006. If you anticipate that you will be submitting comments, but find it difficult to do so within the period of time allowed by this notice, please advise the OMB Desk Officer of your intention to make a submission as soon as possible. The Desk Officer may be telephoned at 202-395-4650. ADDRESSES: Written comments should be sent to: Jeffrey Martus, IM-11/Germantown Building, U.S. Department of Energy, 1000 Independence Ave SW., Washington, DC 20585-1290. Or by fax at 301-903-9061 or by e-mail at *Jeffrey.martus@hq.doe.gov.* Comments should also be addressed to: Sharon A. Evelin, Director, IM-11/Germantown Bldg., U.S. Department of Energy, 1000 Independence Ave., SW., Washington, DC 20585-1290, and to: Kathy Murphy, SP-1.22 Germantown Building, U.S. Department of Energy, 19901 Germantown Road, Germantown, Maryland 20874-1290. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sharon A. Evelin and Kathy Murphy, at the addresses listed above in ADDRESSES . SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This package contains:
(1)*OMB No.:* 1910-5122;
(2)*Package Title:* Human Reliability Program
(3)*Purpose:* for DOE management to ensure that individuals who occupy HRP positions meet program standards of reliability and physical and mental suitability;
(4)*Estimated Number of Respondents:* 11,500;
(5)*Estimated Total Burden Hours:* 5,750;
(6)*Number of Collections:* The package contains five
(5)information and/or recordkeeping requirements. Statutory Authority: Department of Energy Organization Act, Public Law 95-91, of August 4, 1977. Issued in Washington, DC on July 17, 2006. Jeffrey Martus, Records Management Division (IM-11), Office of the Chief Information Officer. [FR Doc. E6-11710 Filed 7-21-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6450-01-P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Proposed Agency Information Collection AGENCY: Department of Energy. ACTION: Notice and request for comments. SUMMARY: The Department of Energy invites public comment on a proposed collection of information that the Department is developing for submission to the Office of Management and Budget
(OMB)pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. The proposed collection of information is in an interim final rule pertaining to standby support that was published in the **Federal Register** on May 15, 2006. DATES: Consideration will be given to comments submitted by September 22, 2006. Comments may be mailed to the address given in the ADDRESSES section below. Comments also may be submitted electronically by e-mailing them to: *StandbySupport@Nuclear.Energy.gov.* We note that e-mail submissions will avoid delay currently associated with security screening of U.S. Postal Service mail. ADDRESSES: You may submit written comments, identified by the term Standby Support—Paperwork Reduction Act Proposal— by any of the following methods: 1. E-mail to *StandbySupport@Nuclear.Energy.gov.* Include RIN 1901-AB17 and “Paperwork Reduction Act Proposal” in the subject line of the e-mail. Please include the full body of your comments in the text of the message or an attachment. 2. Federal eRulemaking Portal: *http://www.regulations.gov.* Follow the instructions for submitting comments. 3. Mail: Address the comments to Kenneth Chuck Wade, Office of Nuclear Energy, (NE-30) U.S. Department of Energy, Forrestal Building, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20585. The Department requires, in hard copy, a signed original and three copies of all comments. Due to potential delays in the Department's receipt and processing of mail sent through the U.S. Postal Service, we encourage commenters to submit comments electronically to ensure timely receipt. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kenneth Chuck Wade, Project Manager, Office of Nuclear Energy, NE-30, U.S. Department of Energy, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20585.
(301)903-6509 or Marvin Shaw, Attorney-Advisor, U.S. Department of Energy, Office of the General Counsel, GC-52, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20585.
(202)586-2906. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: *Collection title:* Standby Support for Certain Nuclear Plant Delays. *Type of review:* New collection. *OMB number:* None. *Type of respondents:* Sponsors of new advanced nuclear facilities. *Estimated number of respondents:* Three to five per year. *Estimated total burden hours:* 218. *Frequency of response:* Single submission. *Abstract:* On May 15, 2006, the Department published an interim final rule to implement section 638 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 that authorizes the Secretary of Energy to enter into Standby Support Contracts with sponsors of advanced nuclear power facilities to provide risk insurance for certain delays attributed to the regulatory process or litigation. (71 FR 28200). That rule contains the following recordkeeping requirements that must be approved by OMB pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 *et seq.* ) before sponsors can be required to comply with them:
(1)Section 950.10(b) contains information collection requirements pertaining to eligibility;
(2)section 950.12(a) contains information collection requirements pertaining to fulfillment of conditions precedent to a Standby Support Contract; and
(3)section 950.23 contains information collection requirements pertaining to submission of claims for payment of covered costs under a Standby Support Contract. *Request for Comments:* Pursuant to 44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A), the Department invites comment on:
(1)Whether the recordkeeping requirements in the interim final rule are necessary;
(2)the accuracy of the Department's estimate of the burden of the proposed information collection;
(3)ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and
(4)ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who choose to respond. Additional information about the Department's proposed information collection may be obtained from the contact person named in this notice. Sharon A. Evelin, Director, Records Management Division, Office of the Chief Information Officer. [FR Doc. E6-11712 Filed 7-21-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6450-01-P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Docket Nos. ER06-885-000; ER06-885-001] BM2 LLC; Notice of Issuance of Order July 13, 2006. BM2 LLC
(BM2)filed an application for market-based rate authority, with an accompanying rate schedule. The proposed market-based rate schedule provides for the sale of energy and capacity at market-based rates. BM2 also requested waivers of various Commission regulations. In particular, BM2 requested that the Commission grant blanket approval under 18 CFR part 34 of all future issuances of securities and assumptions of liability by BM2. On July 13, 2006, pursuant to delegated authority, the Director, Division of Tariffs and Market Development—West, granted the requests for blanket approval under Part 34. The Director's order also stated that the Commission would publish a separate notice in the **Federal Register** establishing a period of time for the filing of protests. Accordingly, any person desiring to be heard or to protest the blanket approvals of issuances of securities or assumptions of liability by BM2 should file a motion to intervene or protest with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426, in accordance with Rules 211 and 214 of the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure. 18 CFR 385.211, 385.214 (2004). Notice is hereby given that the deadline for filing motions to intervene or protest is August 14, 2006. Absent a request to be heard in opposition by the deadline above, BM2 is authorized to issue securities and assume obligations or liabilities as a guarantor, indorser, surety, or otherwise in respect of any security of another person; provided that such issuance or assumption is for some lawful object within the corporate purposes of BM2, compatible with the public interest, and is reasonably necessary or appropriate for such purposes. The Commission reserves the right to require a further showing that neither public nor private interests will be adversely affected by continued approvals of BM2's issuances of securities or assumptions of liability. Copies of the full text of the Director's Order are available from the Commission's Public Reference Room, 888 First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426. The Order may also be viewed on the Commission's Web site at *http://www.ferc.gov,* using the eLibrary link. Enter the docket number excluding the last three digits in the docket number filed to access the document. Comments, protests, and interventions may be filed electronically via the Internet in lieu of paper. See, 18 CFR 385.2001(a)(1)(iii) and the instructions on the Commission's Web site under the “e-Filing” link. The Commission strongly encourages electronic filings. Magalie R. Salas, Secretary. [FR Doc. E6-11653 Filed 7-21-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717-01-P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Docket No. RP06-433-000] CenterPoint Energy Gas Transmission Company; Notice of Proposed Changes in FERC Gas Tariff July 14, 2006. Take notice that on July 12, 2006, CenterPoint Energy Gas Transmission Company
(CEGT)tendered for filing as part of its FERC Gas Tariff, Sixth Revised Volume No. 1, the tariff sheets listed on Appendix A to be effective September 1, 2006. CEGT states that the purpose of this filing is to amend various provisions of its Tariff, including Forms of Service Agreements, to provide for a more streamlined contracting process for its Shippers. Additionally, CEGT is proposing to make certain clarifying and “housekeeping” changes. Any person desiring to intervene or to protest this filing must file in accordance with Rules 211 and 214 of the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure (18 CFR 385.211 and 385.214). Protests will be considered by the Commission in determining the appropriate action to be taken, but will not serve to make protestants parties to the proceeding. Any person wishing to become a party must file a notice of intervention or motion to intervene, as appropriate. Such notices, motions, or protests must be filed in accordance with the provisions of section 154.210 of the Commission's regulations (18 CFR 154.210). Anyone filing an intervention or protest must serve a copy of that document on the Applicant. Anyone filing an intervention or protest on or before the intervention or protest date need not serve motions to intervene or protests on persons other than the Applicant. The Commission encourages electronic submission of protests and interventions in lieu of paper using the “eFiling” link at *http://www.ferc.gov* . Persons unable to file electronically should submit an original and 14 copies of the protest or intervention to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426. This filing is accessible online at *http://www.ferc.gov* , using the “eLibrary” link and is available for review in the Commission's Public Reference Room in Washington, DC. There is an “eSubscription” link on the Web site that enables subscribers to receive e-mail notification when a document is added to a subscribed docket(s). For assistance with any FERC Online service, please e-mail *FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov* , or call
(866)208-3676 (toll free). For TTY, call
(202)502-8659. Magalie R. Salas, Secretary. [FR Doc. E6-11670 Filed 7-21-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717-01-P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Docket No. RP05-422-016] El Paso Natural Gas Company; Notice of Compliance Filing July 14, 2006. Take notice that on July 10, 2006, El Paso Natural Gas Company
(EPNG)submitted a compliance filing pursuant to Commission Order dated June 30, 2006 in the above listed proceeding. EPNG tenders for filing as part of its FERC Gas Tariff, Second Revised Volume No. 1-A, the tariff sheets listed in Appendix A to be effective March 20, 2006. Thirty-Third Revised Sheet No. 20 Tenth Revised Sheet No. 21 Thirty-Second Revised Sheet No. 23 Ninth Revised Sheet No. 25 First Revised Sheet No. 25A Second Revised Sheet No. 25B Second Revised Sheet No. 25C First Revised Sheet No. 25E First Revised Sheet No. 25F First Revised Sheet No. 25G First Revised Sheet No. 25H Thirty-Third Revised Sheet No. 26 Fourth Revised Sheet No. 27A Second Revised Sheet No. 374 Second Substitute Original Sheet No. 375 Second Substitute Original Sheet No. 376 EPNG states that copies of the filing were served on parties on the official service list in the above-captioned proceedings. Any person desiring to protest this filing must file in accordance with Rule 211 of the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure (18 CFR 385.211). Protests to this filing will be considered by the Commission in determining the appropriate action to be taken, but will not serve to make protestants parties to the proceeding. Such protests must be filed in accordance with the provisions of § 154.210 of the Commission's regulations (18 CFR 154.210). Anyone filing a protest must serve a copy of that document on all the parties to the proceeding. The Commission encourages electronic submission of protests in lieu of paper using the “eFiling” link at *http://www.ferc.gov.* Persons unable to file electronically should submit an original and 14 copies of the protest to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426. This filing is accessible on-line at *http://www.ferc.gov* , using the “eLibrary” link and is available for review in the Commission's Public Reference Room in Washington, DC. There is an “eSubscription” link on the Web site that enables subscribers to receive e-mail notification when a document is added to a subscribed docket(s). For assistance with any FERC Online service, please e-mail *FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov* , or call
(866)208-3676 (toll free). For TTY, call
(202)502-8659. Magalie R. Salas, Secretary. [FR Doc. E6-11664 Filed 7-21-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717-01-P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Docket No. RP06-392-001] El Paso Natural Gas Company; Notice of Supplement To Request for Waivers Filing July 14, 2006. Take notice that on July 10, 2006, El Paso Natural Gas Company
(EPNG)filed with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission a supplement to its request for waivers filing filed June 13, 2006 in this proceeding. Any person desiring to intervene or to protest this filing must file in accordance with Rules 211 and 214 of the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure (18 CFR 385.211 and 385.214). Protests will be considered by the Commission in determining the appropriate action to be taken, but will not serve to make protestants parties to the proceeding. Any person wishing to become a party must file a notice of intervention or motion to intervene, as appropriate. Such notices, motions, or protests must be filed in accordance with the provisions of section 154.210 of the Commission's regulations (18 CFR 154.210). Anyone filing an intervention or protest must serve a copy of that document on the Applicant. Anyone filing an intervention or protest on or before the intervention or protest date need not serve motions to intervene or protests on persons other than the Applicant. The Commission encourages electronic submission of protests and interventions in lieu of paper using the “eFiling” link at *http://www.ferc.gov.* Persons unable to file electronically should submit an original and 14 copies of the protest or intervention to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426. This filing is accessible online at *http://www.ferc.gov,* using the “eLibrary” link and is available for review in the Commission's Public Reference Room in Washington, DC. There is an “eSubscription” link on the Web site that enables subscribers to receive e-mail notification when a document is added to a subscribed docket(s). For assistance with any FERC Online service, please e-mail *FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov,* or call
(866)208-3676 (toll free). For TTY, call
(202)502-8659. Magalie R. Salas, Secretary. [FR Doc. E6-11667 Filed 7-21-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717-01-P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Docket No. RP06-431-000] El Paso Natural Gas Company; Notice of Request for Waivers July 14, 2006. Take notice that on July 11, 2006, El Paso Natural Gas Company
(EPNG)filed to request the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to permit EPNG to waive and/or discount certain penalties and charges under its Tariff from July 13, 2006 through July 31, 2006, and from August 1, 2006 through August 31, 2006 to provide shippers additional time to align their business needs with EPNG's new services. Any person desiring to intervene or to protest this filing must file in accordance with Rules 211 and 214 of the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure (18 CFR 385.211 and 385.214). Protests will be considered by the Commission in determining the appropriate action to be taken, but will not serve to make protestants parties to the proceeding. Any person wishing to become a party must file a notice of intervention or motion to intervene, as appropriate. Such notices, motions, or protests must be filed in accordance with the provisions of section 154.210 of the Commission's regulations (18 CFR 154.210). Anyone filing an intervention or protest must serve a copy of that document on the Applicant. Anyone filing an intervention or protest on or before the intervention or protest date need not serve motions to intervene or protests on persons other than the Applicant. The Commission encourages electronic submission of protests and interventions in lieu of paper using the “eFiling” link at *http://www.ferc.gov.* Persons unable to file electronically should submit an original and 14 copies of the protest or intervention to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426. This filing is accessible on-line at *http://www.ferc.gov* , using the “eLibrary” link and is available for review in the Commission's Public Reference Room in Washington, DC. There is an “eSubscription” link on the Web site that enables subscribers to receive e-mail notification when a document is added to a subscribed docket(s). For assistance with any FERC Online service, please e-mail *FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov* , or call
(866)208-3676 (toll free). For TTY, call
(202)502-8659. Magalie R. Salas, Secretary. [FR Doc. E6-11669 Filed 7-21-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717-01-P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Docket Nos.CP06-418-000] Kinder Morgan Interstate Gas Transmission LLC & Northern Natural Gas Company; Notice of Petition for Waiver of Rule July 13, 2006. On July 10, 2006, as amended on July 12, 2006, Kinder Morgan Interstate Gas Transmission LLC (KMIGT) and Northern Natural Gas Company (Northern), pursuant to section 385.207 of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's (Commission) regulations jointly petition the Commission for a temporary waiver of section 157.202(b)(2)(ii)(A),
(B)and
(C)of the Commission's regulations, which exclude a main line of a gas transmission system, an extension of a main line, and a facility, including compression and looping, that alters the capacity of a main line (except for certain replacement faculties and facility modifications) from the facilities eligible for construction under a section 157, subpart F blanket certificate. For reasons explained more fully in the filing, petitioners request that the exclusion of these facilities be waived to allow the construction of such main line facilities under a blanket certificate pending issuance of a final rule in Docket No. RM06-7-000, 1 for the purpose of providing service to any new plant constructed or existing plant expanded for the production of “renewable fuel” as defined in section 1501 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005. 2 If the Commission conditions its waiver to incorporate the 60-day prior notice requirement proposed in the NOPR, such a condition would be acceptable to the Petitioners. 1 Revisions to the Blanket Certificate Regulations and Clarification Regarding Rates, 115 FERC ¶ 61,338 (2006). 2 Public Law 109-58, 119 Stat. 594, 1067-68
(2005)(to be codified at 42 U.S.C. 7545). Questions concerning the Petition should be directed to: Bentley W. Breland, Vice-President, Certificates and Rates, Kinder Morgan Interstate Gas Transmission LLC, P.O. Box 281304, Lakewood, Colorado 80228-8304. Telephonically, he may be contacted at
(303)763-3581. There are two ways to become involved in the Commission's review of this project. First, any person wishing to obtain legal status by becoming a party to the proceedings for this project should, on or before the comment date, file with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426, a motion to intervene in accordance with the requirements of the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure (18 CFR 385.214 or 385.211) and the Regulations under the NGA (18 CFR 157.10). A person obtaining party status will be placed on the service list maintained by the Secretary of the Commission and will receive copies of all documents filed by the applicant and by all other parties. A party must submit 14 copies of filings made with the Commission and must mail a copy to the applicant and to every other party in the proceeding. Only parties to the proceeding can ask for court review of Commission orders in the proceeding. However, a person does not have to intervene in order to have comments considered. The second way to participate is by filing with the Secretary of the Commission, as soon as possible, an original and two copies of comments in support of or in opposition to this project. The Commission will consider these comments in determining the appropriate action to be taken, but the filing of a comment alone will not serve to make the filer a party to the proceeding. The Commission's rules require that persons filing comments in opposition to the project provide copies of their protests only to the party or parties directly involved in the protest. Comments, protests and interventions may be filed electronically via the Internet in lieu of paper. See 18 CFR 385.2001(a)(1)(iii) and the instructions on the Commission's Web site under the “e-Filing” link at *http://www.ferc.gov.* The Commission strongly encourages intervenors to file electronically. Persons unable to file electronically should submit an original and 14 copies of the protest or intervention to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426. This filing is accessible on-line at *http://www.ferc.gov* , using the “eLibrary” link and is available for review in the Commission's Public Reference Room in Washington, DC. There is an “eSubscription” link on the Web site that enables subscribers to receive e-mail notification when a document is added to a subscribed docket(s). For assistance with any FERC Online service, please e-mail *FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov* , or call
(866)208-3676 (toll free). For TTY, call
(202)502-8659. *Comment Date:* 5 p.m. Eastern Time on August 3, 2006. Magalie R. Salas, Secretary. [FR Doc. E6-11656 Filed 7-21-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717-01-P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Docket No. ER03-438-004] Manchief Power Company LLC; Notice of Compliance Filing July 14, 2006. Take notice that on July 12, 2006, Manchief Power Company LLC, tendered for filing an amendment to its triennial market-based rate update submitted on April 18, 2006. Any person desiring to intervene or to protest this filing must file in accordance with Rules 211 and 214 of the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure (18 CFR 385.211, 385.214). Protests will be considered by the Commission in determining the appropriate action to be taken, but will not serve to make protestants parties to the proceeding. Any person wishing to become a party must file a notice of intervention or motion to intervene, as appropriate. Such notices, motions, or protests must be filed on or before the comment date. Anyone filing a motion to intervene or protest must serve a copy of that document on the Applicant and all the parties in this proceeding. The Commission encourages electronic submission of protests and interventions in lieu of paper using the “eFiling” link at *http://www.ferc.gov* . Persons unable to file electronically should submit an original and 14 copies of the protest or intervention to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426. This filing is accessible online at *http://www.ferc.gov* , using the “eLibrary” link and is available for review in the Commission's Public Reference Room in Washington, DC. There is an “eSubscription” link on the Web site that enables subscribers to receive e-mail notification when a document is added to a subscribed docket(s). For assistance with any FERC Online service, please e-mail *FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov* , or call
(866)208-3676 (toll free). For TTY, call
(202)502-8659. *Comment Date:* 5 p.m. Eastern Time on July 19, 2006. Magalie R. Salas, Secretary. [FR Doc. E6-11671 Filed 7-21-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717-01-P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Docket No. RP06-430-000] Midwestern Gas Transmission Company; Notice of Proposed Changes in FERC Gas Tariff July 14, 2006. Take notice that on July 10, 2006, Midwestern Gas Transmission Company (Midwestern) tendered for filing as part of its FERC Gas Tariff, Third Revised Volume No. 1 (Tariff), the following tariff sheets to become effective August 9, 2006: Title Page First Revised Sheet No. 270.4 Ninth Revised Sheet No. 7 First Revised Sheet No. 55 Second Revised Sheet No. 79 First Revised Sheet No. 246C Fifth Revised Sheet No. 247 First Revised Sheet No. 247A Second Revised Sheet No. 267 Thirteenth Revised Sheet No. 273 Third Revised Sheet No. 408 Third Revised Sheet No. 418 Second Revised Sheet No. 426 Second Revised Sheet No. 493 Second Revised Sheet No. 494 Sixth Revised Sheet No. 495 Any person desiring to intervene or to protest this filing must file in accordance with Rules 211 and 214 of the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure (18 CFR 385.211 and 385.214). Protests will be considered by the Commission in determining the appropriate action to be taken, but will not serve to make protestants parties to the proceeding. Any person wishing to become a party must file a notice of intervention or motion to intervene, as appropriate. Such notices, motions, or protests must be filed in accordance with the provisions of section 154.210 of the Commission's regulations (18 CFR 154.210). Anyone filing an intervention or protest must serve a copy of that document on the Applicant. Anyone filing an intervention or protest on or before the intervention or protest date need not serve motions to intervene or protests on persons other than the Applicant. The Commission encourages electronic submission of protests and interventions in lieu of paper using the “eFiling” link at *http://www.ferc.gov* . Persons unable to file electronically should submit an original and 14 copies of the protest or intervention to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426. This filing is accessible online at *http://www.ferc.gov* , using the “eLibrary” link and is available for review in the Commission's Public Reference Room in Washington, DC. There is an “eSubscription” link on the Web site that enables subscribers to receive e-mail notification when a document is added to a subscribed docket(s). For assistance with any FERC Online service, please e-mail *FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov* , or call
(866)208-3676 (toll free). For TTY, call
(202)502-8659. Magalie R. Salas, Secretary. [FR Doc. E6-11668 Filed 7-21-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717-01-P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Docket No. RP06-332-001] Northern Natural Gas Company; Notice of Proposed Changes in FERC Gas Tariff July 14, 2006. Take notice that on July 7, 2006, Northern Natural Gas Company (Northern) filed to supplement its April 28, 2006 tariff filing in the above-referenced docket to adjust the boundary between Operational Zones ABC and EF to the Iowa/Minnesota border. Northern states that copies of the filing have been mailed to each of its customers and interested state commissions. Any person desiring to intervene or to protest this filing must file in accordance with Rules 211 and 214 of the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure (18 CFR 385.211 and 385.214). Protests will be considered by the Commission in determining the appropriate action to be taken, but will not serve to make protestants parties to the proceeding. Any person wishing to become a party must file a notice of intervention or motion to intervene, as appropriate. Such notices, motions, or protests must be filed in accordance with the provisions of section 154.210 of the Commission's regulations (18 CFR 154.210). Anyone filing an intervention or protest must serve a copy of that document on the Applicant. Anyone filing an intervention or protest on or before the intervention or protest date need not serve motions to intervene or protests on persons other than the Applicant. The Commission encourages electronic submission of protests and interventions in lieu of paper using the “eFiling” link at *http://www.ferc.gov.* Persons unable to file electronically should submit an original and 14 copies of the protest or intervention to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426. This filing is accessible on-line at *http://www.ferc.gov,* using the “eLibrary” link and is available for review in the Commission's Public Reference Room in Washington, DC. There is an “eSubscription” link on the Web site that enables subscribers to receive e-mail notification when a document is added to a subscribed docket(s). For assistance with any FERC Online service, please e-mail *FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov,* or call
(866)208-3676 (toll free). For TTY, call
(202)502-8659. Magalie R. Salas, Secretary. [FR Doc. E6-11665 Filed 7-21-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717-01-P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Docket Nos. ER06-1018-000; ER06-1018-001] Power Hedging Dynamics, LLC; Notice of Issuance of Order July 13, 2006. Power Hedging Dynamics, LLC (Power Hedging) filed an application for market-based rate authority, with an accompanying rate schedule. The proposed market-based rate schedule provides for the sale of energy and capacity at market-based rates. Power Hedging also requested waivers of various Commission regulations. In particular, Power Hedging requested that the Commission grant blanket approval under 18 CFR part 34 of all future issuances of securities and assumptions of liability by Power Hedging. On July 13, 2006, pursuant to delegated authority, the Director, Division of Tariffs and Market Development—West, granted the requests for blanket approval under Part 34. The Director's order also stated that the Commission would publish a separate notice in the **Federal Register** establishing a period of time for the filing of protests. Accordingly, any person desiring to be heard or to protest the blanket approvals of issuances of securities or assumptions of liability by Power Hedging should file a motion to intervene or protest with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426, in accordance with Rules 211 and 214 of the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure. 18 CFR 385.211, 385.214 (2004). Notice is hereby given that the deadline for filing motions to intervene or protest is August 14, 2006. Absent a request to be heard in opposition by the deadline above, Power Hedging is authorized to issue securities and assume obligations or liabilities as a guarantor, indorser, surety, or otherwise in respect of any security of another person; provided that such issuance or assumption is for some lawful object within the corporate purposes of Power Hedging, compatible with the public interest, and is reasonably necessary or appropriate for such purposes. The Commission reserves the right to require a further showing that neither public nor private interests will be adversely affected by continued approvals of Power Hedging's issuances of securities or assumptions of liability. Copies of the full text of the Director's Order are available from the Commission's Public Reference Room, 888 First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426. The Order may also be viewed on the Commission's Web site at *http://www.ferc.gov,* using the eLibrary link. Enter the docket number excluding the last three digits in the docket number filed to access the document. Comments, protests, and interventions may be filed electronically via the Internet in lieu of paper. See, 18 CFR 385.2001(a)(1)(iii) and the instructions on the Commission's Web site under the “e-Filing” link. The Commission strongly encourages electronic filings. Magalie R. Salas, Secretary. [FR Doc. E6-11652 Filed 7-21-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717-01-P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Docket Nos. ER06-972-000; ER06-972-001] Thornwood Management Company, LLC; Notice of Issuance of Order July 13, 2006. Thornwood Management Company, LLC (Thornwood Management) filed an application for market-based rate authority, with an accompanying rate schedule. The proposed market-based rate schedule provides for the sale of energy and capacity at market-based rates. Thornwood Management also requested waivers of various Commission regulations. In particular, Thornwood Management requested that the Commission grant blanket approval under 18 CFR part 34 of all future issuances of securities and assumptions of liability by Thornwood Management. On July 13, 2006, pursuant to delegated authority, the Director, Division of Tariffs and Market Development—West, granted the requests for blanket approval under part 34. The Director's order also stated that the Commission would publish a separate notice in the **Federal Register** establishing a period of time for the filing of protests. Accordingly, any person desiring to be heard or to protest the blanket approvals of issuances of securities or assumptions of liability by Thornwood Management should file a motion to intervene or protest with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426, in accordance with Rules 211 and 214 of the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure. 18 CFR 385.211, 385.214 (2004). Notice is hereby given that the deadline for filing motions to intervene or protest is August 14, 2006. Absent a request to be heard in opposition by the deadline above, Thornwood Management is authorized to issue securities and assume obligations or liabilities as a guarantor, indorser, surety, or otherwise in respect of any security of another person; provided that such issuance or assumption is for some lawful object within the corporate purposes of Thornwood Management, compatible with the public interest, and is reasonably necessary or appropriate for such purposes. The Commission reserves the right to require a further showing that neither public nor private interests will be adversely affected by continued approvals of Thornwood Management's issuances of securities or assumptions of liability. Copies of the full text of the Director's Order are available from the Commission's Public Reference Room, 888 First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426. The Order may also be viewed on the Commission's Web site at *http://www.ferc.gov,* using the eLibrary link. Enter the docket number excluding the last three digits in the docket number filed to access the document. Comments, protests, and interventions may be filed electronically via the Internet in lieu of paper. See, 18 CFR 385.2001(a)(1)(iii) and the instructions on the Commission's Web site under the “e-Filing” link. The Commission strongly encourages electronic filings. Magalie R. Salas, Secretary. [FR Doc. E6-11654 Filed 7-21-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717-01-P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Docket No. RP97-255-069] TransColorado Gas Transmission Company; Notice of Tariff Filing July 14, 2006. Take notice that on July 11, 2006, pursuant to 18 CFR 154.7 and 154.203, and in compliance with the Commission's letter order issued March 20, 1997, in Docket No. RP97-255-000, TransColorado Gas Transmission Company (TransColorado) tendered for filing and acceptance Seventh Revised Sheet No. 22B to First Revised Volume No. 1 of its FERC Gas Tariff to be effective July 12, 2006. TransColorado states that a copy of this filing has been served upon all parties to this proceeding, TransColorado's customers, the Colorado Public Utilities Commission and the New Mexico Public Utilities Commission. Any person desiring to intervene or to protest this filing must file in accordance with Rules 211 and 214 of the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure (18 CFR 385.211 and 385.214). Protests will be considered by the Commission in determining the appropriate action to be taken, but will not serve to make protestants parties to the proceeding. Any person wishing to become a party must file a notice of intervention or motion to intervene, as appropriate. Such notices, motions, or protests must be filed in accordance with the provisions of section 154.210 of the Commission's regulations (18 CFR 154.210). Anyone filing an intervention or protest must serve a copy of that document on the Applicant. Anyone filing an intervention or protest on or before the intervention or protest date need not serve motions to intervene or protests on persons other than the Applicant. The Commission encourages electronic submission of protests and interventions in lieu of paper using the “eFiling” link at *http://www.ferc.gov* . Persons unable to file electronically should submit an original and 14 copies of the protest or intervention to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426. This filing is accessible on-line at *http://www.ferc.gov* , using the “eLibrary” link and is available for review in the Commission's Public Reference Room in Washington, DC. There is an “eSubscription” link on the Web site that enables subscribers to receive e-mail notification when a document is added to a subscribed docket(s). For assistance with any FERC Online service, please e-mail *FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov* , or call
(866)208-3676 (toll free). For TTY, call
(202)502-8659. Magalie R. Salas, Secretary. [FR Doc. E6-11657 Filed 7-21-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717-01-P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Docket No. RP06-380-001] Tuscarora Gas Transmission Company; Notice of Compliance Filing July 14, 2006. Take notice that on July 7, 2006, Tuscarora Gas Transmission Company (Tuscarora) tendered for filing as a part of its FERC Gas Tariff, Original Volume No. 1, the following tariff sheets, effective June 1, 2006, pursuant to *Tuscarora Gas Transmission Company,* 116 FERC ¶ 61,003
(2006)(July 3 Order): Seventh Revised Sheet No. 4. Original Sheet No. 4A. Seventh Revised Sheet No. 5. Original Sheet No. 5A. Third Revised Sheet No. 12. Fourth Revised Sheet No. 22. Tuscarora states that copies of the filing were served on all parties on the official service list in the above-captioned proceeding. Any person desiring to intervene or to protest this filing must file in accordance with Rules 211 and 214 of the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure (18 CFR 385.211 and 385.214). Protests will be considered by the Commission in determining the appropriate action to be taken, but will not serve to make protestants parties to the proceeding. Any person wishing to become a party must file a notice of intervention or motion to intervene, as appropriate. Such notices, motions, or protests must be filed in accordance with the provisions of section 154.210 of the Commission's regulations (18 CFR 154.210). Anyone filing an intervention or protest must serve a copy of that document on the Applicant. Anyone filing an intervention or protest on or before the intervention or protest date need not serve motions to intervene or protests on persons other than the Applicant. The Commission encourages electronic submission of protests and interventions in lieu of paper using the “eFiling” link at *http://www.ferc.gov.* Persons unable to file electronically should submit an original and 14 copies of the protest or intervention to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426. This filing is accessible on-line at *http://www.ferc.gov,* using the “eLibrary” link and is available for review in the Commission's Public Reference Room in Washington, DC. There is an “eSubscription” link on the Web site that enables subscribers to receive e-mail notification when a document is added to a subscribed docket(s). For assistance with any FERC Online service, please e-mail *FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov,* or call
(866)208-3676 (toll free). For TTY, call
(202)502-8659. Magalie R. Salas, Secretary. [FR Doc. E6-11666 Filed 7-21-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717-01-P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Combined Notice of Filings #1 July 13, 2006. Take notice that the Commission received the following exempt wholesale generator filings: *Docket Numbers:* EG06-63-000. *Applicants:* COSI ACE, LLC. *Description:* COSI ACE, LLC submits a Notice of Self-Certification of Exempt Wholesale Generator Status. *Filed Date:* June 15, 2006. *Accession Number:* 20060615-5026. *Comment Date:* 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, July 27, 2006. Take notice that the Commission received the following electric rate filings. *Docket Numbers:* ER91-569-035. *Applicants:* Entergy Services Inc. *Description:* Entergy Services, Inc on behalf of Entergy Operating Companies submits a refund report related to refunds pursuant to Commission's May 26, 2006 Order. *Filed Date:* July 11, 2006. *Accession Number:* 20060712-0072. *Comment Date:* 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Tuesday, August 1, 2006. *Docket Numbers:* ER03-845-002. *Applicants:* Pinpoint Power, LLC. *Description:* Pinpoint Power, LLC submits its Substitute Original Sheet 1 to revise the prohibition on certain affiliate sales in paragraph 4 of triennial updated market analysis. *Filed Date:* July 10, 2006. *Accession Number:* 20060712-0117. *Comment Date:* 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Monday, July 31, 2006. *Docket Numbers:* ER04-1135-002. *Applicants:* Wisconsin Power & Light Company. *Description:* Wisconsin Power and Light Company submits a refund report in compliance with Commission's April 26, 2006 Order. *Filed Date:* July 11, 2006. *Accession Number:* 20060711-5015. *Comment Date:* 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Tuesday, August 1, 2006. *Docket Numbers:* ER06-881-001; ER06-881-002. *Applicants:* Midwest Independent Transmission System; Xcel Energy Services Inc. *Description:* Midwest Independent Transmission System Operator, Inc et al. submit their supplemental information in response to the Commission's June 9, 2006 deficiency letter and on July 11, 2006 submitted an errata to its response filing. *Filed Date:* July 10, 2006. *Accession Number:* 20060712-0065. *Comment Date:* 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Monday, July 31, 2006. *Docket Numbers:* ER06-700-003. *Applicants:* California Independent System Operator Corporation. *Description:* California Independent System Operator Corp submits a compliance filing and status report pursuant to FERC's May 12, 2006 Order. *Filed Date:* July 11, 2006. *Accession Number:* 20060713-0092. *Comment Date:* 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Tuesday, August 1, 2006. *Docket Numbers:* ER06-916-001. *Applicants:* Xcel Energy Services Inc. *Description:* Xcel Energy Services Inc on behalf of Northern States Power (Minnesota), et al., submits its Settlement Agreement and Explanatory Statement to resolve all outstanding issues. ER06-916. *Filed Date:* June 30, 2006. *Accession Number:* 20060706-0043. *Comment Date:* 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, July 20, 2006. *Docket Numbers:* ER06-996-001. *Applicants:* Public Service Electric & Gas Company. *Description:* Public Service Electric and Gas Co submits its response to FERC deficiency letter issued on June 28, 2008. *Filed Date:* July 11, 2006. *Accession Number:* 20060712-0073. *Comment Date:* 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Tuesday, August 1, 2006. *Docket Numbers:* ER06-1073-001; ER06-1074-001. *Applicants:* LSP Oakland, LLC; LSP South Bay, LLC. *Description:* LSP Oakland, LLC and LSP South Bay, LLC submit revised reliability Must-Run Agreements with the California Independent System Operator. *Filed Date:* July 11, 2006. *Accession Number:* 20060712-0056. *Comment Date:* 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Tuesday, August 1, 2006. *Docket Numbers:* ER06-1178-000. *Applicants:* SEMASS Partnership. *Description:* SEMASS Partnership submits Supplement 2 to FERC Rate Schedule 1, Amended Power Sale Agreement with Commonwealth Electric Co dba NSTAR Electric. *Filed Date:* June 28, 2006. *Accession Number:* 20060703-0208. *Comment Date:* 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Friday, July 21, 2006. *Docket Numbers:* ER06-1239-000. *Applicants:* Moguai Energy LLC. *Description:* Moguai Energy LLC submits a petition for acceptance of Amended Rate Schedule 1, Waivers and Blanket Authority including authority to sell electricity at market-based rates. *Filed Date:* July 10, 2006. *Accession Number:* 20060712-0066. *Comment Date:* 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Monday, July 31, 2006. *Docket Numbers:* ER06-1240-000; ER00-980-014. *Applicants:* Bangor Hydro-Electric Company. *Description:* Bangor Hydro-Electric Co submits a Settlement Agreement, revised tariff sheets, and Explanatory Statement pursuant to Rule 602 of FERC's Rules of Practice and Procedure. *Filed Date:* July 3, 2006. *Accession Number:* 20060712-0067. *Comment Date:* 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Monday, July 24, 2006. *Docket Numbers:* ER06-1241-000. *Applicants:* American Electric Power Service Corporation. *Description:* American Electric Power Service Corporation agent for Indiana and Michigan Power Co submits an Original Interconnection and Local Delivery Service Agreement with the City of Garrett, Indiana. *Filed Date:* July 11, 2006. *Accession Number:* 20060712-0071. *Comment Date:* 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Tuesday, August 1, 2006. *Docket Numbers:* ER06-1242-000. *Applicants:* Southern California Edison Company. *Description:* Southern California Edison Co submits revised rate sheets for the Bear Valley Project Distribution System Facilities Agreement, Rate Schedule 468 with Southern California Water Company. *Filed Date:* July 11, 2006. *Accession Number:* 20060712-0070. *Comment Date:* 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Tuesday, August 1, 2006. Take notice that the Commission received the following electric securities filings. *Docket Numbers:* ES06-55-000. *Applicants:* Wolverine Power Supply Cooperative, Inc. *Description:* Wolverine Power Supply Coop, Inc. submits its application for Authorization of the Assumption of Liabilities. *Filed Date:* July 11, 2006. *Accession Number:* 20060711-5077. *Comment Date:* 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Tuesday, August 1, 2006. Any person desiring to intervene or to protest in any of the above proceedings must file in accordance with Rules 211 and 214 of the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure (18 CFR 385.211 and 385.214) on or before 5 p.m. Eastern time on the specified comment date. It is not necessary to separately intervene again in a subdocket related to a compliance filing if you have previously intervened in the same docket. Protests will be considered by the Commission in determining the appropriate action to be taken, but will not serve to make protestants parties to the proceeding. Anyone filing a motion to intervene or protest must serve a copy of that document on the Applicant. In reference to filings initiating a new proceeding, interventions or protests submitted on or before the comment deadline need not be served on persons other than the Applicant. The Commission encourages electronic submission of protests and interventions in lieu of paper, using the FERC Online links at *http://www.ferc.gov.* To facilitate electronic service, persons with Internet access who will eFile a document and/or be listed as a contact for an intervenor must create and validate an eRegistration account using the eRegistration link. Select the eFiling link to log on and submit the intervention or protests. Persons unable to file electronically should submit an original and 14 copies of the intervention or protest to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First St., NE., Washington, DC 20426. The filings in the above proceedings are accessible in the Commission's eLibrary system by clicking on the appropriate link in the above list. They are also available for review in the Commission's Public Reference Room in Washington, DC. There is an eSubscription link on the Web site that enables subscribers to receive e-mail notification when a document is added to a subscribed dockets(s). For assistance with any FERC Online service, please e-mail *FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov.* or call
(866)208-3676 (toll free). For TTY, call
(202)502-8659. Magalie R. Salas, Secretary. [FR Doc. E6-11650 Filed 7-21-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717-01-P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Project Nos. 2698-033, 2686-032, 2602-007, and 2601-007 North Carolina] Duke Power Company LLC; Notice of Availability of Final Environmental Assessment July 14, 2006. In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended, and Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (Commission) regulations (18 CFR part 380), Commission staff reviewed the applications for new major licenses for the East and West Fork projects, a subsequent license for the Bryson Project, and the application for license surrender for the Dillsboro Project. We prepared a combined environmental assessment
(EA)on the proposed actions. The East and West Fork and Dillsboro projects are located on the Tuckasegee River in Jackson County, North Carolina. The Bryson Project is located on the Oconaluftee River (a tributary to the Tuckasegee River) in Swain County, North Carolina. In this final EA, Commission staff analyze the probable environmental effects of implementing the projects and conclude that approval of the projects, with appropriate staff-recommended environmental measures, would not constitute a major federal action significantly affecting the quality of the human environment. Copies of the final EA are available for review in Public Reference Room 2-A of the Commission's offices at 888 First Street, NE., Washington, DC. The EA also may be viewed on the Commission's Internet Web site ( *http:///www.ferc.gov* ) using the “eLibrary” link. Additional information about the project is available from the Commission's Office of External Affairs at
(202)502-6088, or on the Commission's Web site using the eLibrary link. For assistance with eLibrary, contact *FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov* or call toll-free at
(866)208-3676; for TTY call
(202)502-8659. For further information, please contact Carolyn Holsopple at
(202)502-6407 or at *carolyn.holsopple@ferc.gov.* Magalie R. Salas, Secretary. [FR Doc. E6-11663 Filed 7-21-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717-01-P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Project No. 2216-066] Niagara Project; Notice of Availability of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Niagara Project and Intention To Hold Public Meetings July 14, 2006. In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (Commission or FERC) regulations contained in the Code of Federal Regulations
(CFR)(18 CFR part 380 [FERC Order No. 486, 52 FR 47897]), the Office of Energy Projects staff (staff) reviewed the application for a New Major License for the Niagara Project, and have prepared a draft environmental impact statement
(DEIS)for the project which is located on the Niagara River in Niagara County, New York. The DEIS contains staff's analysis of the applicant's proposal and the alternatives for relicensing the Niagara Project. The DEIS documents the views of governmental agencies, non-governmental organizations, affected Indian tribes, the public, the license applicant, and Commission staff. A copy of the DEIS is available for review at the Commission or may be viewed on the Commission's Web site at *http://www.ferc.gov* , using the “e-Library” link. Enter the docket number, excluding the last three digits, to access the document. For assistance, contact FERC Online Support at *FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov* or toll-free at
(866)208-3676, or for TTY, contact
(202)502-8659. You may also register online at *http://www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/esubscription.asp* to be notified via e-mail of new filings and issuances related to this or other pending projects. For assistance, contact FERC Online Support. Comments should be filed with Magalie R. Salas, Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426. All Comments must be filed by September 19, 2006, and should reference the Niagara Project, Project No. 2216-066. Comments may be filed electronically via the Internet in lieu of paper. The Commission strongly encourages electronic filings. See 18 CFR 385.2001(a)(1)(iii) and instructions on the Commission's Web site at *http://www.ferc.gov* under the eLibrary link. Anyone may intervene in this proceeding based on this DEIS (18 CFR 380.10). You must file your request to intervene as specified above. 1 You do not need intervenor status to have your comments considered. 1 Interventions may also be filed electronically via the Internet in lieu of paper. See the previous discussion on filing comments electronically. In addition to or in lieu of sending written comments, you are invited to attend a public meeting that will be held to receive comments on the DEIS. The exact time and place of the meeting will be determined soon and announced in a separate notice. At this time, Commission staff intend to hold the meeting in either Niagara Falls or Lewiston near the middle of August. For further information, please contact Steve Kartalia at
(202)502-6131 or at *Stephen.Kartalia@ferc.gov.* Magalie R. Salas, Secretary. [FR Doc. E6-11655 Filed 7-21-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717-01-P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Project No. 2216-066] Niagara Project; Notice of Availability of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Niagara Project and Intention To Hold Public Meetings July 14, 2006. In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (Commission or FERC) regulations contained in the Code of Federal Regulations
(CFR)(18 CFR part 380 [FERC Order No. 486, 52 FR 47897]), the Office of Energy Projects staff (staff) reviewed the application for a New Major License for the Niagara Project, and have prepared a draft environmental impact statement
(DEIS)for the project which is located on the Niagara River in Niagara County, New York. The DEIS contains staff's analysis of the applicant's proposal and the alternatives for relicensing the Niagara Project. The DEIS documents the views of governmental agencies, non-governmental organizations, affected Indian tribes, the public, the license applicant, and Commission staff. A copy of the DEIS is available for review at the Commission or may be viewed on the Commission's Web site at *http://www.ferc.gov,* using the “e-Library” link. Enter the docket number, excluding the last three digits, to access the document. For assistance, contact FERC Online Support at *FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov* or toll-free at
(866)208-3676, or for TTY, contact
(202)502-8659. You may also register online at *http://www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/esubscription.asp* to be notified via e-mail of new filings and issuances related to this or other pending projects. For assistance, contact FERC Online Support. Comments should be filed with Magalie R. Salas, Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426. All Comments must be filed by September 19, 2006, and should reference the Niagara Project, Project No. 2216-066. Comments may be filed electronically via the Internet in lieu of paper. The Commission strongly encourages electronic filings. See 18 CFR 385.2001(a)(1)(iii) and instructions on the Commission's Web site at *http://www.ferc.gov* under the eLibrary link. Anyone may intervene in this proceeding based on this DEIS (18 CFR 380.10). You must file your request to intervene as specified above. 1 You do not need intervenor status to have your comments considered. 1 Interventions may also be filed electronically via the Internet in lieu of paper. See the previous discussion on filing comments electronically. In addition to or in lieu of sending written comments, you are invited to attend a public meeting that will be held to receive comments on the DEIS. The exact time and place of the meeting will be determined soon and announced in a separate notice. At this time, Commission staff intend to hold the meeting in either Niagara Falls or Lewiston near the middle of August. For further information, please contact Steve Kartalia at
(202)502-6131 or at *Stephen.Kartalia@ferc.gov.* Magalie R. Salas, Secretary. [FR Doc. E6-11660 Filed 7-21-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717-01-P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Notice of Application Accepted for Filing and Soliciting Motions To Intervene, Protests, and Comments July 14, 2006. Take notice that the following hydroelectric application has been filed with the Commission and is available for public inspection: a. *Type of Application:* Preliminary Permit. b. *Project No.:* 12677-000. c. *Date filed:* May 26, 2006. d. *Applicant:* Lake Shannon Hydroelectric Company, LLC. e. *Name of Project:* Scoggins Dam Hydroelectric Project. f. *Location:* On the Scoggins Creek in Washington County, Oregon. Dam is owned by the Bureau of Reclamation. g. *Filed Pursuant to:* Federal Power Act, 16 U.S.C. 791(a)—825(r). h. *Applicant Contact:* Mr. Richard W. Rosenberg, P.E., 4141 State Hwy. 508 Cinebar, WA 98533,
(360)985-7195. i. *FERC Contact:* Patricia W. Gillis at
(202)502-8735. j. *Deadline for filing comments, protests, and motions to intervene:* 60 days from the issuance date of this notice. The Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure require all intervenors filing documents with the Commission to serve a copy of that document on each person in the official service list for the project. Further, if an intervenor files comments or documents with the Commission relating to the merits of an issue that may affect the responsibilities of a particular resource agency, they must also serve a copy of the document on that resource agency. k. *Description of Project:* The proposed project would use the existing Bureau of Reclamation's Scoggins Dam and would consist of:
(1)A proposed powerhouse containing one to two turbine/generating units having a total installed capacity of 1,000 kilowatts,
(2)a proposed 1,000 foot-long transmission line, and
(3)appurtenant facilities. The proposed project would have an average annual generation of 6 gigawatt-hours, which would be sold to a local utility. l. *Locations of Applications:* A copy of the application is available for inspection and reproduction at the Commission in the Public Reference Room, located at 888 First Street NE., Room 2A, Washington DC 20426, or by calling
(202)502-8371. This filing may also be viewed on the Commission's Web site at *http://www.ferc.gov* using the “eLibrary” link. Enter the docket number excluding the last three digits in the docket number field to access the document. For assistance, call toll-free 1-866-208-3676 or e-mail *FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov.* For TTY, call
(202)502-8659. A copy is also available for inspection and reproduction at the address in item h above. m. Individuals desiring to be included on the Commission's mailing list should so indicate by writing to the Secretary of the Commission. n. *Competing Preliminary Permit:* Anyone desiring to file a competing application for preliminary permit for a proposed project must submit the competing application itself, or a notice of intent to file such an application, to the Commission on or before the specified comment date for the particular application (see 18 CFR 4.36). Submission of a timely notice of intent allows an interested person to file the competing preliminary permit application no later than 30 days after the specified comment date for the particular application. A competing preliminary permit application must conform with 18 CFR 4.30(b) and 4.36. o. *Competing Development Application:* Any qualified development applicant desiring to file a competing development application must submit to the Commission, on or before a specified comment date for the particular application, either a competing development application or a notice of intent to file such an application. Submission of a timely notice of intent to file a development application allows an interested person to file the competing application no later than 120 days after the specified comment date for the particular application. A competing license application must conform with 18 CFR 4.30(b) and 4.36. p. *Notice of Intent:* A notice of intent must specify the exact name, business address, and telephone number of the prospective applicant, and must include an unequivocal statement of intent to submit, if such an application may be filed, either a preliminary permit application or a development application (specify which type of application). A notice of intent must be served on the applicant(s) named in this public notice. q. *Proposed Scope of Studies under Permit:* A preliminary permit, if issued, does not authorize construction. The term of the proposed preliminary permit would be 36 months. The work proposed under the preliminary permit would include economic analysis, preparation of preliminary engineering plans, and a study of environmental impacts. Based on the results of these studies, the Applicant would decide whether to proceed with the preparation of a development application to construct and operate the project. r. *Comments, Protests, or Motions to Intervene:* Anyone may submit comments, a protest, or a motion to intervene in accordance with the requirements of Rules of Practice and Procedure, 18 CFR 385.210, 385.211, 385.214. In determining the appropriate action to take, the Commission will consider all protests or other comments filed, but only those who file a motion to intervene in accordance with the Commission's Rules may become a party to the proceeding. Any comments, protests, or motions to intervene must be received on or before the specified comment date for the particular application. Comments, protests and interventions may be filed electronically via the Internet in lieu of paper; See 18 CFR 385.2001(a)(1)(iii) and the instructions on the Commission's web site under “e-filing” link. The Commission strongly encourages electronic filing. s. *Filing and Service of Responsive Documents:* Any filings must bear in all capital letters the title “COMMENTS”, “RECOMMENDATIONS FOR TERMS AND CONDITIONS”, “PROTEST”, OR “MOTION TO INTERVENE”, as applicable, and the Project Number of the particular application to which the filing refers. Any of the above-named documents must be filed by providing the original and the number of copies provided by the Commission's regulations to: The Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426. A copy of any motion to intervene must also be served upon each representative of the Applicant specified in the particular application. t. *Agency Comments:* Federal, state, and local agencies are invited to file comments on the described application. A copy of the application may be obtained by agencies directly from the Applicant. If an agency does not file comments within the time specified for filing comments, it will be presumed to have no comments. One copy of an agency's comments must also be sent to the Applicant's representatives. Magalie R. Salas, Secretary. [FR Doc. E6-11658 Filed 7-21-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717-01-P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Notice of Application Accepted for Filing and Soliciting Motions To Intervene, Protests and Comments July 14, 2006. Take notice that the following hydroelectric application has been filed with the Commission and is available for public inspection: a. *Type of Application:* Preliminary Permit. b. *Project No.:* 12683-000. c. *Date filed:* June 7, 2006. d. *Applicant:* Three Guys Hydroelectric Company, LLC. e. *Name of Project:* R.D. Bailey Hydroelectric Project. f. *Location:* On Guyandotte River, in Wyoming and Mingo Counties, West Virginia. The R.D. Bailey Dam is owned and operated by the U.S.Army Corps of Engineers. g. *Filed Pursuant to:* Federal Power Act, 16 U.S.C. 791(a)-825(r). h. *Applicant Contacts:* Mr. M. Clifford Phillips, Advanced Hydro Solutions LLC, 150 North Miller Road, Suite 450 C, Fairlawn, OH 44333,
(330)869-8451. i. *FERC Contact:* Patricia W. Gillis at
(202)502-8735. j. *Deadline for filing comments, protests, and motions to intervene:* 60 days from the issuance date of this notice. All documents (original and eight copies) should be filed with Magalie R. Salas, Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426. Please include the project number (P-12683-000) on any comments, protests, or motions filed. k. *Description of Project:* The proposed project would utilize the existing U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' R. D. Bailey Dam and would consist of:
(1)A proposed powerhouse containing two vertical turbine/generating units with a nominal total generating capacity of 7.8-Megawatts;
(2)a 10-foot-diameter penstock;
(3)a proposed 6.5 mile-long, 14.7 kV transmission line;
(4)a tailrace, and
(5)appurtenant facilities. The project would have an estimated annual generation of approximately 30,000 MW. The applicant plans to sell the generated energy. l. *Location of Application:* A copy of the application is available for inspection and reproduction at the Commission in the Public Reference Room, located at 888 First Street, NE., Room 2A, Washington, DC 20426, or by calling
(202)502-8371. This filing may also be viewed on the Commission's Web site at *http://www.ferc.gov* using the “eLibrary” link. Enter the docket number excluding the last three digits in the docket number field to access the document. For assistance, call toll-free 1-866-208-3676 or e-mail *FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov.* For TTY, call
(202)502-8659. A copy is also available for inspection and reproduction at the address in item h above. m. Individuals desiring to be included on the Commission's mailing list should so indicate by writing to the Secretary of the Commission. n. *Competing Preliminary Permit:* Anyone desiring to file a competing application for preliminary permit for a proposed project must submit the competing application itself, or a notice of intent to file such an application, to the Commission on or before the specified comment date for the particular application (see 18 CFR 4.36). Submission of a timely notice of intent allows an interested person to file the competing preliminary permit application no later than 30 days after the specified comment date for the particular application. A competing preliminary permit application must conform with 18 CFR 4.30(b) and 4.36. o. *Competing Development Application:* Any qualified development applicant desiring to file a competing development application must submit to the Commission, on or before a specified comment date for the particular application, either a competing development application or a notice of intent to file such an application. Submission of a timely notice of intent to file a development application allows an interested person to file the competing application no later than 120 days after the specified comment date for the particular application. A competing license application must conform with 18 CFR 4.30(b) and 4.36. p. *Notice of Intent:* A notice of intent must specify the exact name, business address, and telephone number of the prospective applicant, and must include an unequivocal statement of intent to submit, if such an application may be filed, either a preliminary permit application or a development application (specify which type of application). A notice of intent must be served on the applicant(s) named in this public notice. q. *Proposed Scope of Studies under Permit:* A preliminary permit, if issued, does not authorize construction. The term of the proposed preliminary permit would be 36 months. The work proposed under the preliminary permit would include economic analysis, preparation of preliminary engineering plans, and a study of environmental impacts. Based on the results of these studies, the Applicant would decide whether to proceed with the preparation of a development application to construct and operate the project. r. *Comments, Protests, or Motions to Intervene:* Anyone may submit comments, a protest, or a motion to intervene in accordance with the requirements of Rules of Practice and Procedure, 18 CFR 385.210, 385.211, 385.214. In determining the appropriate action to take, the Commission will consider all protests or other comments filed, but only those who file a motion to intervene in accordance with the Commission's Rules may become a party to the proceeding. Any comments, protests, or motions to intervene must be received on or before the specified comment date for the particular application. Comments, protests and interventions may be filed electronically via the Internet in lieu of paper; See 18 CFR 385.2001 (a)(1)(iii) and the instructions on the Commission's web site under “e-filing” link. The Commission strongly encourages electronic filing. s. *Filing and Service of Responsive Documents:* Any filings must bear in all capital letters the title “COMMENTS”, “RECOMMENDATIONS FOR TERMS AND CONDITIONS”, “PROTEST”, “MOTION TO INTERVENE”, “NOTICE OF INTENT”, or “COMPETING APPLICATION”, as applicable, and the Project Number of the particular application to which the filing refers. Any of the above-named documents must be filed by providing the original and the number of copies provided by the Commission's regulations to: The Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426. A copy of any motion to intervene must also be served upon each representative of the Applicant specified in the particular application. t. *Agency Comments:* Federal, state, and local agencies are invited to file comments on the described application. A copy of the application may be obtained by agencies directly from the applicant. If an agency does not file comments within the time specified for filing comments, it will be presumed to have no comments. One copy of an agency's comments must also be sent to the Applicant's representatives. Magalie R. Salas, Secretary. [FR Doc. E6-11659 Filed 7-21-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717-01-P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Notice of Application for Amendment of License and Soliciting Comments, Motions To Intervene, and Protests July 14, 2006. Take notice that the following application has been filed with the Commission and is available for public inspection: a. *Application Type:* Non-Capacity Amendment of License. b. *Project No.:* 2423-024. c. *Date Filed:* March 13, 2006. d. *Applicant:* Great Lakes Hydro America, LLC. e. *Name of Project:* Riverside Hydroelectric Project. f. *Location:* The project is located on the Androscoggin River, in Coos County, New Hampshire. g. *Filed Pursuant to:* Federal Power Act, 16 U.S.C. 791a-825r. h. *Applicant Contact:* Mr. Kevin Bernier, Environmental and FERC Compliance Specialist, Great Lakes Hydro America, LLC, 1014 Central Street, Millinocket, ME 04462, telephone:
(207)723-4241. i. *FERC Contact:* Any questions on this notice should be addressed to Mrs. Anumzziatta Purchiaroni at
(202)502-6191, or e-mail address: *anumzziatta.purchiaroni@ferc.gov.* j. *Deadline for filing comments and or motions:* July 31, 2006. k. *Description of Request:* The licensee filed an amendment application to delete an additional 4.5 MW turbine unit, which was approved in the new license issued in 1992, but was never installed. The proposed amendment would decrease the authorized installed capacity of the project from 12.4 MW to 7.9 MW. l. *Locations of the Application:* A copy of the application is available for inspection and reproduction at the Commission's Public Reference Room, located at 888 First Street, NE., Room 2A, Washington, DC 20426, or by calling
(202)502-8371. Information about this filing may also be viewed on the Commission's Web site at *http://www.ferc.gov* using the “eLibrary” link. Enter the docket number excluding the last three digits in the docket number field to access the document. You may also register online at *http://www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/esubscription.asp* to be notified via e-mail of new filings and issuances related to this or other pending projects. For assistance, call 1-866-208-3676 or e-mail *FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov* , for TTY, call
(202)502-8659. A copy is also available for inspection and reproduction at the address in item
(h)above. m. Individuals desiring to be included on the Commission's mailing list should so indicate by writing to the Secretary of the Commission. n. *Comments, Protests, or Motions to Intervene:* Anyone may submit comments, a protest, or a motion to intervene in accordance with the requirements of Rules of Practice and Procedure, 18 CFR 385.210, 385.211, 385.214. In determining the appropriate action to take, the Commission will consider all protests or other comments filed, but only those who file a motion to intervene in accordance with the Commission's Rules may become a party to the proceeding. Any comments, protests, or motions to intervene must be received on or before the specified comment date for the particular application. o. *Filing and Service of Responsive Documents:* Any filings must bear in all capital letters the title “COMMENTS”, “RECOMMENDATIONS FOR TERMS AND CONDITIONS”, “PROTEST”, OR “MOTION TO INTERVENE”, as applicable, and the Project Number of the particular application to which the filing refers. All documents (original and eight copies) should be filed with: Magalie R. Salas, Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, NE., Washington DC 20426. A copy of any motion to intervene must also be served upon each representative of the Applicant specified in the particular application. p. *Agency Comments:* Federal, state, and local agencies are invited to file comments on the described application. A copy of the application may be obtained by agencies directly from the Applicant. If an agency does not file comments within the time specified for filing comments, it will be presumed to have no comments. One copy of an agency's comments must also be sent to the Applicant's representatives. q. Comments, protests and interventions may be filed electronically via the Internet in lieu of paper. See, 18 CFR 385.2001(a)(1)(iii) and the instructions on the Commission's Web site at *http://www.ferc.gov* under the “e-Filing” link. Magalie R. Salas, Secretary. [FR Doc. E6-11662 Filed 7-21-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717-01-P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [P-2299—057] Modesto Irrigation District; Turlock Irrigation District; Agenda for Meeting To Discuss the 10-Year Fisheries Summary Report for the Don Pedro Project July 14, 2006. The Modesto Irrigation District and the Turlock Irrigation District (licensees) filed a Fisheries Summary Report on March 25, 2005, pursuant to Article 58 of the license, as amended. 1 A notice issued by the Commission on June 23, 2006 stated that Commission staff will conduct a public meeting based on the filings of the licensees' report and comments received to date. The meeting will be held on Tuesday, July 25, 2006, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
(PST)at the John E. Moss Federal Building and Courthouse, 650 Capitol Mall, Stanford Room, 1st floor, Sacramento, California 95814. The following is the agenda for the meeting: 1 See 76 FERC ¶ 61, 117
(1996)9 a.m.-9:15 a.m. Introductions/Purpose for Meeting (FERC). 9:15 a.m.-9:30 a.m. History/Background Overview (FERC). 9:30 a.m.-10:30 a.m. Technical Review/Assessment/Questions
(FERC). 10:30 a.m.-10:45 a.m. Break. 10:45 a.m.-noon Agencies/Licensees/NGOs Presentations/Statements/Questions. Noon-1:15 p.m. Lunch. 1:15 p.m.-2:30 p.m. Agencies/Licensees/NGOs Presentations/Statements/Questions. 2:30 p.m.-2:45 p.m. Break. 2:45 p.m.-5 p.m. Discussion. The June 23 notice stated that the meeting will be recorded by a stenographer and become part of the formal record of the Commission proceeding on the project. The meeting will be recorded by a stenographer until the afternoon break. After the break during the agenda discussion period, the meeting will not be recorded by a stenographer. Any questions about this notice should be directed to Philip Scordelis at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission,
(415)369-3335, or by e-mail at *philip.scordelis@ferc.gov.* Magalie R. Salas, Secretary. [FR Doc. E6-11661 Filed 7-21-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717-01-P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Docket No. RM98-1-000] Records Governing Off-the Record Communications; Public Notice July 13, 2006. This constitutes notice, in accordance with 18 CFR 385.2201(b), of the receipt of prohibited and exempt off-the-record communications. Order No. 607 (64 FR 51222, September 22, 1999) requires Commission decisional employees, who make or receive a prohibited or exempt off-the-record communication relevant to the merits of a contested proceeding, to deliver to the Secretary of the Commission, a copy of the communication, if written, or a summary of the substance of any oral communication. Prohibited communications are included in a public, non-decisional file associated with, but not a part of, the decisional record of the proceeding. Unless the Commission determines that the prohibited communication and any responses thereto should become a part of the decisional record, the prohibited off-the-record communication will not be considered by the Commission in reaching its decision. Parties to a proceeding may seek the opportunity to respond to any facts or contentions made in a prohibited off-the-record communication, and may request that the Commission place the prohibited communication and responses thereto in the decisional record. The Commission will grant such a request only when it determines that fairness so requires. Any person identified below as having made a prohibited off-the-record communication shall serve the document on all parties listed on the official service list for the applicable proceeding in accordance with Rule 2010, 18 CFR 385.2010. Exempt off-the-record communications are included in the decisional record of the proceeding, unless the communication was with a cooperating agency as described by 40 CFR 1501.6, made under 18 CFR 385.2201(e)(1)(v). The following is a list of off-the-record communications recently received by the Secretary of the Commission. The communications listed are grouped by docket numbers in ascending order. These filings are available for review at the Commission in the Public Reference Room or may be viewed on the Commission's Web site at *http://www.ferc.gov* using the eLibrary link. Enter the docket number, excluding the last three digits, in the docket number field to access the document. For assistance, please contact FERC, Online Support at *FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov* or toll free at
(866)208-3676, or for TTY, contact
(202)502-8659. Exempt Docket No. Date received Presenter or requester 1. CP06-365-000 7-3-06 Hon. Brian Baird. 2. Project No. 459-128 7-11-06 Mark C. Jordan. 2. Project No. 2174-000 7-10-06 R.W. Krieger. 3. Project Nos. 2602-005, *et al.* 7-3-06 Hon. Charles H. Taylor. Magalie R. Salas, Secretary. [FR Doc. E6-11651 Filed 7-21-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717-01-P ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY [EPA-HQ-ORD-2006-0270; FRL-8201-3] Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Collection; Comment Request; Contribution of Household Activities to the Health of Urban Ecosystems; EPA ICR No. 2223.01, OMB Control No. 2080-NEW AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act
(PRA)(44 U.S.C. 3501 *et seq.* ), this document announces that EPA is planning to submit a request for a new Information Collection Request
(ICR)to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Before submitting the ICR to OMB for review and approval, EPA is soliciting comments on specific aspects of the proposed information collection as described below. DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before September 22, 2006. ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-ORD-2006-0270 by one of the following methods: • * http://www.regulations.gov:* Follow the online instructions for submitting comments. • E-mail: *ord.docket@epa.gov.* • Fax: 202-566-0224. • Mail: Office of Research and Development Docket, Environmental Protection Agency, Mailcode: 2822T, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460. • Hand Delivery: Headquarters, Office of Research and Development. • Such deliveries are only accepted during the Docket's normal hours of operation, and special arrangements should be made for deliveries of boxed information. *Instructions:* Direct your comments to Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-ORD-2006-0270. EPA's policy is that all comments received will be included in the public docket without change and may be made available online at *www.regulations.gov,* including any personal information provided, unless the comment includes information claimed to be Confidential Business Information
(CBI)or other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. Do not submit information that you consider to be CBI or otherwise protected through *www.regulations.gov* or e-mail. The *www.regulations.gov* Web site is an “anonymous access” system, which means EPA will not know your identity or contact information unless you provide it in the body of your comment. If you send an e-mail comment directly to EPA without going through *www.regulations.gov* your e-mail address will be automatically captured and included as part of the comment that is placed in the public docket and made available on the Internet. If you submit an electronic comment, EPA recommends that you include your name and other contact information in the body of your comment and with any disk or CD-ROM you submit. If EPA cannot read your comment due to technical difficulties and cannot contact you for clarification, EPA may not be able to consider your comment. Electronic files should avoid the use of special characters, any form of encryption, and be free of any defects or viruses. For additional information about EPA's public docket visit the EPA Docket Center homepage at *http://www.epa.gov/epahome/dockets.htm.* FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Anita Morzillo, Office of Research and Development, Environmental Protection Agency, 200 SW 35th St., Corvallis, or 97333; telephone number: 541-754-4738; fax number: 541-754-4299; e-mail address: *morzillo.anita@epa.gov.* SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: How Can I Access the Docket and/or Submit Comments? EPA has established a public docket for this ICR under Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-ORD-2006-0270, which is available for online viewing at *www.regulations.gov* , or in person viewing at the Office of Research and Development Docket in the EPA Docket Center (EPA/DC), EPA West, Room B102, 1301 Constitution Ave., NW., Washington, DC. The EPA/DC Public Reading Room is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays. The telephone number for the Reading Room is 202-566-1744, and the telephone number for the Office of Research and Development Docket is 202-566-1752. Use *www.regulations.gov* to obtain a copy of the draft collection of information, submit or view public comments, access the index listing of the contents of the docket, and to access those documents in the public docket that are available electronically. Once in the system, select “search,” then key in the docket ID number identified in this document. What Information Is EPA Particularly Interested in? Pursuant to section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the PRA, EPA specifically solicits comments and information to enable it to:
(i)Evaluate 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;
(ii)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;
(iii)Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and
(iv)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 submission of responses. In particular, EPA is requesting comments from very small businesses (those that employ less than 25) on examples of specific additional efforts that EPA could make to reduce the paperwork burden for very small businesses affected by this collection. What Should I Consider When I Prepare My Comments for EPA? You may find the following suggestions helpful for preparing your comments: 1. Explain your views as clearly as possible and provide specific examples. 2. Describe any assumptions that you used. 3. Provide copies of any technical information and/or data you used that support your views. 4. If you estimate potential burden or costs, explain how you arrived at the estimate that you provide. 5. Offer alternative ways to improve the collection activity. 6. Make sure to submit your comments by the deadline identified under DATES . 7. To ensure proper receipt by EPA, be sure to identify the docket ID number assigned to this action in the subject line on the first page of your response. You may also provide the name, date, and **Federal Register** citation. What Information Collection Activity or ICR Does This Apply to? *Affected entities:* Entities potentially affected by this action are residents living within:
(1)The southwestern quadrant of Bakersfield, and
(2)portions of Thousand Oaks, Agoura Hills, Calabasas, and Westlake Village, California. *Title:* Contribution of household activities to the health of urban ecosystems. *ICR numbers:* EPA ICR No. 2223.01, OMB Control No. 2080-NEW. *ICR status:* This ICR is for a new information collection activity. An Agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of information, unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. The OMB control numbers for EPA's regulations in title 40 of the CFR, after appearing in the **Federal Register** when approved, are listed in 40 CFR part 9, are displayed either by publication in the **Federal Register** or by other appropriate means, such as on the related collection instrument or form, if applicable. The display of OMB control numbers in certain EPA regulations is consolidated in 40 CFR part 9. *Abstract:* As part of the EPA's Sustainability Initiative, this research focuses on maintaining healthy urban ecosystems for both people and other species. The goal is to better understand whether people recognize how household activities affect the surrounding environment, most notably the wildlife that is dependent on these systems, and whether people are likely to change their behaviors once they learn about household-environment linkages. The specific topic of interest is household rodenticide use, and resident awareness of how inexpert use of rodenticides may result in mortality of non-target species. The two study areas are
(1)the southwestern quadrant of Bakersfield, and
(2)portions of Thousand Oaks, Agoura Hills, Calabasas, and Westlake Village, California. The most effective way to gather detailed information about household rodenticide use is to directly ask residents within the locations of interest. A voluntary mail survey will be used, and all respondent identities and individual responses will remain confidential to the extent allowed by law. This information will provide the EPA with a better understanding about how people relate to their personal impacts on the environment, and will lead to improved communication between members of the general public, environmental regulators, and resource managers. The end result will be more effective and appropriately targeted environmental regulation. *Burden Statement:* The annual public reporting and recordkeeping burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 0.33 hours per response. Burden means the total time, effort, or financial resources expended by persons to generate, maintain, retain, or disclose or provide information to or for a Federal agency. This includes the time needed to review instructions; develop, acquire, install, and utilize technology and systems for the purposes of collecting, validating, and verifying information, processing and maintaining information, and disclosing and providing information; adjust the existing ways to comply with any previously applicable instructions and requirements which have subsequently changed; train personnel to be able to respond to a collection of information; search data sources; complete and review the collection of information; and transmit or otherwise disclose the information. What Is the Next Step in the Process for This ICR? EPA will consider the comments received and amend the ICR as appropriate. The final ICR package will then be submitted to OMB for review and approval pursuant to 5 CFR 1320.12. At that time, EPA will issue another **Federal Register** notice pursuant to 5 CFR 1320.5(a)(1)(iv) to announce the submission of the ICR to OMB and the opportunity to submit additional comments to OMB. If you have any questions about this ICR or the approval process, please contact the technical person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT . Dated: July 13, 2006. Jennifer Ormezavaleta, Acting Director, Western Ecology Division, National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory, Office of Research and Development. [FR Doc. E6-11703 Filed 7-21-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560-50-P ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY [FRL-8202-6] EPA Science Advisory Board Staff Office; Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee (CASAC); Notification of Public Advisory Committee Meeting of the CASAC Ozone Review Panel AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA)Science Advisory Board
(SAB)Staff Office announces a public meeting of the Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee's (CASAC) Ozone Review Panel (CASAC Panel) to conduct a peer review of the *Review of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards for Ozone: Policy Assessment of Scientific and Technical Information* (second draft Ozone Staff Paper, July 2006) and three related draft technical support documents: *Ozone Health Risk Assessment for Selected Urban Areas: Draft Report* (second draft Ozone Health Risk Assessment, July 2006); *Ozone Population Exposure Analysis for Selected Urban Areas: Draft Report* (second draft Ozone Exposure Assessment, July 2006); and *Draft Ozone Environmental Assessment: Exposure, Risk and Benefits Assessment* (draft Ozone Environmental Assessment, July 2006). DATES: The meeting will be held from 8:30 a.m. (Eastern Time) on Thursday, August 24, 2006, through 3 p.m. (Eastern Time) on Friday, August 25, 2006. *Location:* The meeting will take place at the Marriott at Research Triangle Park, 4700 Guardian Drive, Durham, NC 27703, Phone:
(919)941-6200. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Any member of the public who wishes to submit a written or brief oral statement (five minutes or less) or wants further information concerning this meeting must contact Mr. Fred Butterfield, Designated Federal Officer (DFO), EPA Science Advisory Board (1400F), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20460; via telephone/voice mail:
(202)343-9994; fax:
(202)233-0643; or e-mail at: *butterfield.fred@epa.gov* . General information concerning the CASAC or the EPA Science Advisory Board can be found on the EPA Web site at: *http://www.epa.gov/sab* . SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: *Background:* The CASAC, which is comprised of seven members appointed by the EPA Administrator, was established under section 109(d)(2) of the Clean Air Act (CAA or Act) (42 U.S.C. 7409) as an independent scientific advisory committee, in part to provide advice, information and recommendations on the scientific and technical aspects of issues related to air quality criteria and NAAQS under sections 108 and 109 of the Act. The CASAC is a Federal advisory committee chartered under the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), as amended, 5 U.S.C., App. The CASAC Ozone Review Panel complies with the provisions of FACA and all appropriate SAB Staff Office procedural policies. Section 109(d)(1) of the CAA requires that the Agency periodically review and revise, as appropriate, the air quality criteria and the national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) for the six “criteria” air pollutants, including ambient ozone. Pursuant to sections 108 and 109 of the Act, EPA is in the process of reviewing the ozone NAAQS, which the Agency most recently revised in July 1997. EPA's Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards (OAQPS), within the Office of Air and Radiation (OAR), has developed a second draft Ozone Staff Paper as part of its review of the ozone NAAQS. This second draft Ozone Staff Paper evaluates the policy implications of the key scientific and technical information contained in the Agency's final *Air Quality Criteria for Ozone and Related Photochemical Oxidants, Volumes I, II, and III* , (EPA/600/R-05/004aF-cF, February 2006), and identifies critical elements that EPA believes should be considered in its review of the ozone NAAQS. The Ozone Staff Paper is intended to “bridge the gap” between the scientific review contained in the Ozone Air Quality Criteria Document
(AQCD)and the public health and welfare policy judgments required of the EPA Administrator in reviewing the ozone NAAQS. The Agency solicited early advice and recommendations from the CASAC Panel by means of a consultation on the *Review of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards for Ozone: Policy Assessment of Scientific and Technical Information* (first draft Ozone Staff Paper, November 2005) and two related draft technical support documents, *Ozone Health Risk Assessment for Selected Urban Areas: Draft Report* (first draft Ozone Risk Assessment, November 2005) and *Ozone Population Exposure Analysis for Selected Urban Areas: Draft Report* (first draft Ozone Exposure Assessment, October 2005). This consultation took place in a public meeting on December 8, 2005 in Durham, NC. The letter to the Administrator documenting that this consultative meeting occurred (EPA-CASAC-CON-06-003, dated February 16, 2006, is posted on the SAB Web site at: *http://www.epa.gov/sab/pdf/casac_con_06_003.pdf* . This meeting is a continuation of the CASAC Ozone Review Panel's advisory activities in this current review cycle for the ozone NAAQS. *Technical Contact:* Any questions concerning the second draft Ozone Staff Paper and the second draft Ozone Health Risk Assessment, the second draft Ozone Exposure Assessment, and the draft Ozone Environmental Assessment should be directed to Dr. Dave McKee, OAQPS, at phone:
(919)541-5288, or e-mail: *mckee.dave@epa.gov* . *Availability of Meeting Materials:* The second draft Ozone Staff Paper and the three related technical support documents can be accessed via the Agency's Technology Transfer Network
(TTN)Web site at: *http://www.epa.gov/ttn/naaqs/standards/ozone/s_o3_index.html* in the “Documents for Current Review” section under “Staff Papers” and “Technical Documents,” respectively. In addition, a copy of the draft agenda and other materials for this CASAC meeting will be posted on the SAB Web site at: *http://www.epa.gov/sab/panels/casacorpanel.html* prior to the meeting. *Procedures for Providing Public Input:* Interested members of the public may submit relevant written or oral information for the CASAC Ozone Review Panel to consider during the advisory process. *Oral Statements:* In general, individuals or groups requesting an oral presentation at a public meeting will be limited to five minutes per speaker, with no more than a total of one hour for all speakers. Interested parties should contact Mr. Butterfield, DFO, in writing (preferably via e-mail), by August 17, 2006, at the contact information noted above, to be placed on the public speaker list for this meeting. *Written Statements:* Written statements should be received in the SAB Staff Office by August 17, 2006, so that the information may be made available to the CASAC Panel for their consideration prior to this meeting. 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 PDF, WordPerfect, MS Word, MS PowerPoint, or Rich Text files in IBM-PC/Windows 98/2000/XP format). *Accessibility:* For information on access or services for individuals with disabilities, please contact Mr. Butterfield at the phone number or e-mail address noted above, preferably at least ten days prior to the meeting, to give EPA as much time as possible to process your request. Dated: July 17, 2006. Anthony F. Maciorowski, Associate Director for Science, EPA Science Advisory Board Staff Office. [FR Doc. E6-11709 Filed 7-21-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560-50-P ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY [FRL-8202-5] Proposed CERCLA Administrative Cashout Settlement; In the Matter of the American Lead Smelting and Refining Site—Johnson Control, Inc. AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency. ACTION: Notice; request for public comment. SUMMARY: In accordance with section 122(i) of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, as amended (“CERCLA”), 42 U.S.C. 9622(i), notice is hereby given of a proposed administrative settlement for recovery of past and projected future response costs concerning the American Lead Smelting and Refining site in Indianapolis, Indiana with the following settling party: Johnson Control, Inc. The settlement requires the settling party to pay $159,750 to the Hazardous Substance Superfund. The settlement includes a covenant not to sue the settling party pursuant to section 107(a) of “CERCLA,” 42 U.S.C. 9607(a). The settlement, however, does not provide the settling party with contribution protection. For thirty
(30)days following the date of publication of this notice, the Agency will receive written comments relating to the settlement. The Agency will consider all comments received and may modify or withdraw its consent to the settlement if comments received disclose facts or considerations which indicate that the settlement is inappropriate, improper, or inadequate. The Agency's response to any comments received will be available for public inspection at Martindale Wright Public Library, 2435 North Sherman Ave., Indianapolis, Indiana and 77 West Jackson Boulevard, Chicago, Illinois 60625. DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before August 23, 2006. ADDRESSES: The proposed settlement is available for public inspection at the EPA's Record Center, 7th Floor, 77 West Jackson Boulevard, Chicago, Illinois. A copy of the proposed settlement may be obtained from Peter Felitti, Associate Regional Counsel, U.S. EPA, Mail Code C-14J, 77 W. Jackson Blvd., Chicago, Illinois 60604, telephone number
(312)886-5114. Comments should reference the American Lead Smelting and Refining Site in Indianapolis, Indiana and EPA Docket No. VW-06-C851 and should be addressed to Peter Felitti, Associate Regional Counsel, U.S. EPA, Mail Code C-14J, 77 W. Jackson Blvd., Chicago, Illinois 60604. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Peter Felitti, 77 West Jackson Boulevard, Chicago, Illinois 60625 or call
(312)886-5114. Dated: July 13, 2006. Douglas Balloti, Acting Director, Superfund Division. [FR Doc. E6-11705 Filed 7-21-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560-50-P ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY [FRL-8202-2] Excello Plating Co. and Glen Harleman; Notice of Proposed CERCLA Administrative Order on Consent AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Notice; request for public comment. SUMMARY: In accordance with section 122(I) of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, as amended (“CERCLA”), 42 U.S.C. 9622(I), the EPA is hereby providing notice of a proposed administrative order on consent (“AOC”) concerning the Excello Plating Co. facility located at 4057 Goodwin Avenue, Los Angeles, California. Section 122(h) of CERCLA, 42 U.S.C. 9622(g), provides EPA with the authority to enter into administrative settlements. This settlement is intended to resolve the liability of Excello Plating Co. and Glen Harleman for EPA's response costs at the Excello Plating Co. facility. The settling parties will pay a $43,000 (forty-three thousand dollars) to EPA. DATES: EPA will receive written comments relating to the settlement for thirty
(30)days beginning on the date this notice is published. EPA will consider all comments it receives during this period, and may modify or withdraw its consent to the settlement if any comments disclose facts or considerations indicating that the settlement is inappropriate, improper, or inadequate. ADDRESSES: Written comments should be addressed to Marie Rongone, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region IX, 75 Hawthorne Street (mail code ORC-3), San Francisco, California 94105-3901. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Marie Rongone, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region IX, 75 Hawthorne Street (mail code ORC-3), San Francisco, California 94105-3901,
(415)972-3891, *Rongone.Marie@epa.gov* . Dated: June 29, 2006. Nancy Lindsay, Acting Director, Superfund Division, U.S. EPA Region IX. [FR Doc. E6-11707 Filed 7-21-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560-50-P FEDERAL RESERVE SYSTEM Agency Information Collection Activities: Announcement of Board Approval Under Delegated Authority and Submission to OMB AGENCY: Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System SUMMARY: Background. Notice is hereby given of the final approval of proposed information collections by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (Board) under OMB delegated authority, as per 5 CFR 1320.16 (OMB Regulations on Controlling Paperwork Burdens on the Public). Board-approved collections of information are incorporated into the official OMB inventory of currently approved collections of information. Copies of the OMB 83-Is and supporting statements and approved collection of information instrument(s) are placed into OMB's public docket files. The Federal Reserve may not conduct or sponsor, and the respondent is not required to respond to, an information collection that has been extended, revised, or implemented on or after October 1, 1995, unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Federal Reserve Board Clearance Officer -- Michelle Long--Division of Research and Statistics, Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, Washington, DC 20551 (202-452-3829). OMB Desk Officer -- Mark Menchik--Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, New Executive Office Building, Room 10235, Washington, DC 20503, or e-mail to mmenchik@omb.eop.gov. Final approval under OMB delegated authority of the extension for three years, with revision of the following reports: *1. Report title:* Report of Transaction Accounts, Other Deposits and Vault Cash *Agency form number:* FR 2900 *OMB control number:* 7100-0087 *Frequency:* Weekly, quarterly *Reporters:* Depository institutions *Annual reporting hours:* 586,166 hours *Estimated average hours per response:* 3.50 hours *Number of respondents:* 2,752 weekly and 6,093 quarterly *General description of report:* This information collection is mandatory (12 U.S.C. 248(a), 461, 603, and 615) and is given confidential treatment (5 U.S.C. 552(b)(4)). *Abstract:* Nonexempt institutions-defined as those with net transaction accounts greater than the exemption amount or with total deposits equal to or greater than the reduced reporting limit-file the fifteen-item FR 2900 weekly if their total deposits are equal to or greater than the nonexempt deposit cutoff and quarterly if their total deposits are less than the nonexempt deposit cutoff. U.S. branches and agencies of foreign banks and banking Edge and agreement corporations are required to submit FR 2900 data weekly regardless of their deposit size. These mandatory data are used by the Federal Reserve for administering Regulation D (Reserve Requirements of Depository Institutions) and for constructing, analyzing, and monitoring the monetary and reserve aggregates. *Current Actions:* On May 8, 2006, the Federal Reserve published a notice soliciting comments on the proposed revisions to the Report of Transaction Accounts, Other Deposits and Vault Cash (71 FR 26763). The comment period ended on July 7, 2006. The Federal Reserve will implement the following revisions:
(1)Raise the nonexempt deposit cutoff to $229.1 million (compared with an indexed level of $181.1 million) and set the reduced reporting limit at its indexed value of $1.206 billion beginning in September 2006;
(2)calculate the nonexempt deposit cutoff and the reduced reporting limit using the sum of total transaction accounts, savings deposits, and small time deposits, rather than total deposits, beginning with the September 2007 panel shift; and
(3)index the nonexempt deposit cutoff and the reduced reporting limit annually to 80 percent of the June-to-June growth in total transaction accounts, savings deposits, and small time deposits at all depository institutions. The actual values of the nonexempt deposit cutoff and the reduced reporting limit to be used in September 2007 will be announced under the usual schedule, in October 2006. The Federal Reserve received one comment letter from a federal agency describing its use of these data. The revisions will be implemented as originally proposed. *2. Report title:* Annual Report of Total Deposits and Reservable Liabilities *Agency form number:* FR 2910a *OMB control number:* 7100-0175 *Frequency:* Annually *Reporters:* Depository institutions *Annual reporting hours:* 5,317 hours *Estimated average hours per response:* 45 to 60 minutes, depending on entity type *Number of respondents:* 5,605 *General description of report:* This information collection is mandatory (12 U.S.C. 248(a) and 461) and is given confidential treatment (5 U.S.C. 552(b)(4)). *Abstract:* Currently, the three-item FR 2910a is generally filed by exempt institutions whose net transaction accounts are greater than the exemption amount and whose total deposits (as shown on their December Call Report) are greater than the exemption amount but less than the reduced reporting limit. Respondents submit single-day data as of June 30. These mandatory data are used by the Federal Reserve for administering Regulation D (Reserve Requirements of Depository Institutions) and for constructing, analyzing, and monitoring the monetary and reserve aggregates. *Current Actions:* On May 8, 2006, the Federal Reserve published a notice soliciting comments on the proposed revisions to the Annual Report of Total Deposits and Reservable Liabilities (71 FR 26763). The comment period ended on July 7, 2006. The Federal Reserve will implement the following revisions effective for the June 30, 2007, report date:
(1)Replace data item 1, “Total Deposits,” with “Total Transaction Accounts, Savings Deposits, and Small Time Deposits;”
(2)delete the parenthetical text from data item 1, “(If the amount reported for this item is less than or equal to $7.0 million, Items 2 and 2.a need not be completed);”
(3)change the reporting form title from, “Annual Report of Total Deposits and Reservable Liabilities,” to “Annual Report of Deposits and Reservable Liabilities;” and
(4)require depository institutions to submit either a positive or negative value in data item 2.a, “Net Transaction Accounts,” rather than reporting negative values as zero, as is currently required. *3. Report title:* Allocation of Low Reserve Tranche and Reservable Liabilities Exemption *Agency form number:* FR 2930/2930a *OMB control number:* 7100-0088 *Frequency:* Annually and on occasion *Reporters:* Depository institutions *Annual reporting hours:* 40 hours *Estimated average hours per response:* 15 minutes *Number of respondents:* 160 *General description of report:* This information collection is mandatory (12 U.S.C. 248(a), 461, 603, and 615) and is given confidential treatment (5 U.S.C. 552(b)(4)). *Abstract:* The FR 2930 and FR 2930a collect data on the allocation of the low reserve tranche and reservable liabilities exemption amount for depository institutions having offices (or groups of offices) that file separate FR 2900 deposit reports. The FR 2930 is filed by U.S. branches and agencies of foreign banks and banking Edge and agreement corporations; the FR 2930a is filed by other types of depository institutions. Both reporting forms collect the same data. However, the instructions and explanatory information differ. These mandatory data are used to calculate the reserve requirement of an institution that submits separate FR-2900 data for two or more offices, that institution is required to allocate, using the FR 2930, the low reserve tranche and the exemption among those offices. *Current Actions:* On May 8, 2006, the Federal Reserve published a notice soliciting comments on the proposed revisions to the Allocation of Low Reserve Tranche and Reservable Liabilities Exemption (71 FR 26763). The comment period ended on July 7, 2006. The Federal Reserve will combine the FR 2930 and FR 2930a into one reporting form (FR 2930) that would be used by any entity type (both foreign-related and domestic institutions). The instructions for the FR 2930 reporting form will be modified to reflect this change. Both of these revisions will be effective September 30, 2006. Final approval under OMB delegated authority of the extension for three years, without revision of the following report: *Report title:* Report of Foreign (Non-U.S.) Currency Deposits *Agency form number:* FR 2915 *OMB control number:* 7100-0237 *Frequency:* Quarterly *Reporters:* Depository institutions *Annual reporting hours:* 214 hours *Estimated average hours per response:* 30 minutes *Number of respondents:* 107 *General description of report:* This information collection is mandatory (12 U.S.C. 248(a)(2), and 347(d)) and is given confidential treatment (5 U.S.C. 552(b)(4)). *Abstract:* The FR 2915 collects seven-day averages of the amounts outstanding for foreign (non-U.S.) currency-denominated deposits held at U.S. offices of depository institutions, converted to U.S. dollars and included in the institution's FR 2900 data. Foreign currency deposits are subject to reserve requirements and, therefore, are included in the FR 2900 data submission. All weekly and quarterly FR 2900 respondents offering foreign currency deposits file the six-item FR 2915 quarterly, on the same reporting schedule as quarterly FR 2900 respondents. Data collected on the FR 2915 are mainly used in the construction of the monetary aggregates. These data are included in deposit data submitted on the FR 2900 for reserve requirement purposes, but they are not included in the monetary aggregates. The FR 2915 is the only source of data on such deposits. Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, July 19, 2006. Robert deV. Frierson, Deputy Secretary of the Board. [FR Doc. E6-11704 Filed 7-21-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6210-01-S FEDERAL RESERVE SYSTEM Formations of, Acquisitions by, and Mergers of Bank Holding Companies The companies listed in this notice have applied to the Board for approval, pursuant to the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956 (12 U.S.C. 1841 *et seq.* ) (BHC Act), Regulation Y (12 CFR part 225), and all other applicable statutes and regulations to become a bank holding company and/or to acquire the assets or the ownership of, control of, or the power to vote shares of a bank or bank holding company and all of the banks and nonbanking companies owned by the bank holding company, including the companies listed below. The applications listed below, as well as other related filings required by the Board, are available for immediate inspection at the Federal Reserve Bank indicated. The application also will be available for inspection at the offices of the Board of Governors. Interested persons may express their views in writing on the standards enumerated in the BHC Act (12 U.S.C. 1842(c)). If the proposal also involves the acquisition of a nonbanking company, the review also includes whether the acquisition of the nonbanking company complies with the standards in section 4 of the BHC Act (12 U.S.C. 1843). Unless otherwise noted, nonbanking activities will be conducted throughout the United States. Additional information on all bank holding companies may be obtained from the National Information Center Web site at *http://www.ffiec.gov/nic/* . Unless otherwise noted, comments regarding each of these applications must be received at the Reserve Bank indicated or the offices of the Board of Governors not later than August 18, 2006. **A. Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis** (Glenda Wilson, Community Affairs Officer) 411 Locust Street, St. Louis, Missouri 63166-2034: *1. Farmers Capital Bank Corporation* , Frankfort, Kentucky; to acquire 100 percent of the voting shares of Citizens National Bancshares, Inc., Nicholasville, Kentucky, and thereby indirectly acquire voting shares of Citizens National Bank of Jessamine County, Nicholasville, Kentucky. **B. Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland** (Cindy West, Manager) 1455 East Sixth Street, Cleveland, Ohio 44101-2566: *1. Park National Corporation* , Newark, Ohio; to acquire 100 percent of the voting shares of The Park National Bank of Kentucky, Florence, Kentucky, a *de novo* bank which will then be merged directly into Park National Bank, Newark, Ohio. Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, July 19, 2006. Robert deV. Frierson, Deputy Secretary of the Board. [FR Doc. E6-11697 Filed 7-21-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6210-01-S FEDERAL RESERVE SYSTEM Formations of, Acquisitions by, and Mergers of Bank Holding Companies; Correction This notice corrects a notice (FR Doc. E6-11322) published on page 40720 of the issue for Tuesday, July 18, 2006. Under the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago heading, the entries for Oakland Financial Services, Inc., Ioakland, Iowa, and Southwest Company, Sidney, Iowa, are revised to read as follows: **A. Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago** (Patrick M. Wilder, Assistant Vice President) 230 South LaSalle Street, Chicago, Illinois 60690-1414: *1. Oakland Financial Services, Inc.* , Oakland, Iowa; to increase its nonvoting equity interest to 50 percent and its total equity to 33.3 percent of Otoe County Bancorporation, Inc., Nebraska City, Nebraska, and thereby indirectly acquire additional voting shares of Otoe County Bank & Trust Company, Nebraska City, Nebraska. *2. Southwest Company* , Sidney, Iowa; to increase its nonvoting equity interest to 50 percent and its total equity to 33.3 percent of Otoe County Bancorporation, Inc., Nebraska City, Nebraska, and thereby indirectly acquire additional voting shares of Otoe County Bank & Trust Company, Nebraska City, Nebraska. Comments on this application must be received by August 14, 2006. Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, July 19, 2006. Robert deV. Frierson, Deputy Secretary of the Board. [FR Doc. E6-11699 Filed 7-21-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6210-01-S FEDERAL RESERVE SYSTEM Notice of Proposals to Engage in Permissible Nonbanking Activities or to Acquire Companies that are Engaged in Permissible Nonbanking Activities The companies listed in this notice have given notice under section 4 of the Bank Holding Company Act (12 U.S.C. 1843) (BHC Act) and Regulation Y (12 CFR part 225) to engage *de novo* , or to acquire or control voting securities or assets of a company, including the companies listed below, that engages either directly or through a subsidiary or other company, in a nonbanking activity that is listed in § 225.28 of Regulation Y (12 CFR 225.28) or that the Board has determined by Order to be closely related to banking and permissible for bank holding companies. Unless otherwise noted, these activities will be conducted throughout the United States. Each notice is available for inspection at the Federal Reserve Bank indicated. The notice also will be available for inspection at the offices of the Board of Governors. Interested persons may express their views in writing on the question whether the proposal complies with the standards of section 4 of the BHC Act. Additional information on all bank holding companies may be obtained from the National Information Center Web site at *http://www.ffiec.gov/nic/* . Unless otherwise noted, comments regarding the applications must be received at the Reserve Bank indicated or the offices of the Board of Governors not later than August 8, 2006. **A. Federal Reserve Bank of New York** (Anne McEwen, Financial Specialist) 33 Liberty Street, New York, New York 10045-0001: *1. Kookmin Bank* , Seoul, Korea; to acquire through its acquisition of Korea Exchange Bank, Seoul, Korea, KEB Financial Corporation, New York, New York, and thereby indirectly acquire KEB LA Financial Corporation, Los Angeles, California, and engage in extending credit and servicing loans, pursuant to section 225.28(b)(1) of Regulation Y. Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, July 19, 2006. Robert deV. Frierson, Deputy Secretary of the Board. [FR Doc. E6-11698 Filed 7-21-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6210-01-S DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH); Advisory Board on Radiation and Worker Health (ABRWH) In accordance with section 10(a)(2) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (Pub. L. 92-463), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announces the following committee meeting: *Name:* Advisory Board on Radiation and Worker Health, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health and Subcommittee for Dose Reconstruction and Site Profile Reviews (SDRSPR). *Time and Date:* 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m., August 8, 2006. *Place:* Via Teleconference. For toll-free access, please dial 866-643-6504. Participant Pass Code 9448550. *Status:* Open to the public, but without a public comment period. *Background:* The Advisory Board was established under the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act of 2000 to advise the President on a variety of policy and technical functions required to implement and effectively manage the new compensation program. Key functions of the Advisory Board include providing advice on the development of probability of causation guidelines that have been promulgated by the Department of Health and Human Services
(HHS)as a final rule, advice on methods of dose reconstruction which have also been promulgated by HHS as a final rule, advice on the scientific validity and quality of dose estimation and reconstruction efforts being performed for purposes of the compensation program, and advice on petitions to add classes of workers to the Special Exposure Cohort (SEC). In December 2000, the President delegated responsibility for funding, staffing, and operating the Advisory Board to HHS, which subsequently delegated this authority to CDC. NIOSH implements this responsibility for CDC. The charter was issued on August 3, 2001, renewed at appropriate intervals, and will expire on August 3, 2007. *Purpose:* The Advisory Board is charged with
(a)Providing advice to the Secretary, HHS, on the development of guidelines under Executive Order 13179;
(b)providing advice to the Secretary, HHS, on the scientific validity and quality of dose reconstruction efforts performed for this program; and
(c)upon request by the Secretary, HHS, advise the Secretary on whether there is a class of employees at any Department of Energy facility who were exposed to radiation but for whom it is not feasible to estimate their radiation dose, and on whether there is reasonable likelihood that such radiation doses may have endangered the health of members of this class. *Matters To Be Discussed:* The agenda for the Advisory Board meeting includes the Conflict of Interest policies; Rocky Flats SEC Petition; Sanford Cohen & Associates (SC&A) Contract Tasks for 2007 and Review of SC&A Proposals; Construction Worker Issues; Individual Dose Reconstruction and Procedures Review; Charters for additional subcommittees; Nevada Test Site Profile; and Working Group Updates. The agenda is subject to change as priorities dictate. In the event an individual cannot attend, written comments may be submitted. Any written comments received will be provided at the meeting and should be submitted to the contact person below well in advance of the meeting. *For Further Information Contact:* Dr. Lewis V. Wade, Executive Secretary, NIOSH, CDC, 4676 Columbia Parkway, Cincinnati, Ohio 45226, telephone 513.533.6825, fax 513.533.6826. The Director, Management Analysis and Services Office, has been delegated the authority to sign **Federal Register** notices pertaining to announcements of meetings and other committee management activities, for both CDC and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. Dated: July 17, 2006. Alvin Hall, Director, Management Analysis and Services Office, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. [FR Doc. E6-11727 Filed 7-21-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4163-18-P DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Privacy Act of 1974; Report of a New System of Records AGENCY: Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). ACTION: Notice of a New System of Records (SOR). SUMMARY: In accordance with the requirements of the Privacy Act of 1974, we are proposing to establish a new system titled, “Medicare Lifestyle Modification Program
(MLMP)Demonstration, System No. 09-70-0585.” The program is mandated by the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2001 (Public Law (Pub. L.) 106-554). The MLMP Demonstration and evaluation will test the feasibility and cost effectiveness of proven and intensive programs designed to reduce or reverse the progression of cardiovascular disease of patients at risk for invasive treatment procedures. The programs may reduce the incidence of hospitalizations and invasive procedures among patients with substantial coronary occlusion. The purpose of this system is to collect and maintain demographic and health related data on the target population of Medicare beneficiaries who are potential participants in the MLMP Demonstration. We will also collect certain identifying information on Medicare providers who provide services to such beneficiaries. Information retrieved from this system may be disclosed to:
(1)Support regulatory, reimbursement, and policy functions performed within the agency or by a contractor, grantee, consultant or other legal agent;
(2)assist another Federal or state agency with information to contribute to the accuracy of CMS's proper payment of Medicare benefits, enable such agency to administer a Federal health benefits program, or to enable such agency to fulfill a requirement of Federal statute or regulation that implements a health benefits program funded in whole or in part with Federal funds;
(3)assist Quality Improvement Organizations;
(4)support an individual or organization for a research project or in support of an evaluation project related to the prevention of disease or disability, the restoration or maintenance of health, or payment related projects;
(5)support litigation involving the agency; and
(6)combat fraud and abuse in certain Federally-funded health benefits programs. We have provided background information about the new system in the “Supplementary Information” section below. Although the Privacy Act requires only that CMS provide an opportunity for interested persons to comment on the proposed routine uses, CMS invites comments on all portions of this notice. See “Effective Dates” section for comment period. EFFECTIVE DATE: CMS filed a new SOR report with the Chair of the House Committee on Government Reform and Oversight, the Chair of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs, and the Administrator, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget
(OMB)on July 17, 2006. To ensure that all parties have adequate time in which to comment, the new system will become effective 30 days from the publication of the notice, or 40 days from the date it was submitted to OMB and the Congress, whichever is later. We may defer implementation of this system or one or more of the routine use statements listed below if we receive comments that persuade us to defer implementation. ADDRESSES: The public should address comment to the CMS Privacy Officer, Mail-stop N2-04-27, 7500 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, Maryland 21244-1850. Comments received will be available for review at this location by appointment during regular business hours, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m.-3 p.m., eastern time. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Armen Thoumaian, Division of Health Promotion & Disease Prevention Demonstrations, Medicare Demonstrations Program Group, Office of Research, Development & Information, Mail Stop S3-02-01, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 7500 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21244-1849. He can be reached by telephone at 410-786-6672, or via e-mail at *Armen.Thoumaian@cms.hhs.gov.* SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The program is mandated by the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2001 (Public Law (Pub. L.) 106-554). The MLMP demonstration and evaluation will test the feasibility and cost effectiveness of proven and intensive programs designed to reduce or reverse the progression of cardiovascular disease of patients at risk for invasive treatment procedures. Research has provided evidence that specific lifestyle changes can lead to a decrease in the levels of cardiovascular risk factors, resulting in lower morbidity and mortality associated with coronary artery disease. Lifestyle modification programs are increasingly becoming an approach to the secondary prevention of coronary disease morbidity. The programs may reduce the incidence of hospitalizations and invasive procedures among patients with substantial coronary occlusion. Medicare currently pays for 12 weeks of cardiac rehabilitation services for Medicare patients who have a prior diagnosis of myocardial infarction or who have had a recent cardiac revascularization procedure or both. Coverage under the Medicare cardiac rehabilitation benefit is more limited than that contained in a comprehensive lifestyle modification program. We are investigating the benefits of coverage a complete package of services offered under an established, multi-site lifestyle modification program. I. Description of the Proposed System of Records A. *Statutory and Regulatory Basis for SOR.* The statutory authority for this system is given under the provisions of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2001 (Public Law (Pub. L.) 106-554). B. *Collection and Maintenance of Data in the System.* This system will collect and maintain individually identifiable and other data collected on Medicare beneficiaries who are potential participants in the MLMP and providers who provide services to such beneficiaries. Data will be collected from Medicare administrative and claims records, patient medical charts, physician records, and via survey instruments administered to beneficiaries and providers. The collected information will include, but is not limited to: Medicare claims and eligibility data, name, address, telephone number, health insurance claims number, race/ethnicity, gender, date of birth, provider name, unique provider identification number, medical record number, as well as clinical, demographic, health/well-being, family and/or caregiver contact information, and background information relating to Medicare issues. It will also include treatment, program participation, and evaluation, survey, and research information needed to evaluate the program and develop research reports on findings. II. Agency Policies, Procedures, and Restrictions on the Routine Use A. The Privacy Act permits us to disclose information without an individual's consent if the information is to be used for a purpose that is compatible with the purpose(s) for which the information was collected. Any such disclosure of data is known as a “routine use.” The Government will only release MLMP information that can be associated with an individual as provided for under “Section III. Proposed Routine Use Disclosures of Data in the System.” Both identifiable and non-identifiable data may be disclosed under a routine use. We will only collect the minimum personal data necessary to achieve the purpose of MLMP. CMS has the following policies and procedures concerning disclosures of information that will be maintained in the system. Disclosure of information from the system will be approved only to the extent necessary to accomplish the purpose of the disclosure and only after CMS: 1. Determines that the use or disclosure is consistent with the reason that the data is being collected; e.g., to collect and maintain demographic and health related data on the target population of Medicare beneficiaries who are potential participants in the MLMP Demonstration. We will also collect certain identifying information on Medicare providers who provide services to such beneficiaries. 2. Determines that: a. The purpose for which the disclosure is to be made can only be accomplished if the record is provided in individually identifiable form; b. The purpose for which the disclosure is to be made is of sufficient importance to warrant the effect and/or risk on the privacy of the individual that additional exposure of the record might bring; and c. There is a strong probability that the proposed use of the data would in fact accomplish the stated purpose(s). 3. Requires the information recipient to: a. Establish administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to prevent unauthorized use of disclosure of the record; b. Remove or destroy, at the earliest time, all patient-identifiable information; and c. Agree to not use or disclose the information for any purpose other than the stated purpose under which the information was disclosed. 4. Determines that the data are valid and reliable. III. Proposed Routine Use Disclosures of Data in the System A. The Privacy Act allows us to disclose information without an individual's consent if the information is to be used for a purpose that is compatible with the purpose(s) for which the information was collected. Any such compatible use of data is known as a “routine use.” The proposed routine uses in this system meet the compatibility requirement of the Privacy Act. We are proposing to establish the following routine use disclosures of information maintained in the system: 1. To agency contractors, consultants or grantees, who have been engaged by the agency to assist in the performance of a service related to this collection and who need to have access to the records in order to perform the activity. We contemplate disclosing information under this routine use only in situations in which CMS may enter into a contractual or similar agreement with a third party to assist in accomplishing CMS function relating to purposes for this system. CMS occasionally contracts out certain of its functions when doing so would contribute to effective and efficient operations. CMS must be able to give a contractor, consultant or grantee whatever information is necessary for the contractor or consultant to fulfill its duties. In these situations, safeguards are provided in the contract prohibiting the contractor, consultant or grantee from using or disclosing the information for any purpose other than that described in the contract and requires the contractor, consultant or grantee to return or destroy all information at the completion of the contract. 2. To another Federal or state agency to: a. Contribute to the accuracy of CMS's proper payment of Medicare benefits; b. Enable such agency to administer a Federal health benefits program, or, as necessary, to enable such agency to fulfill a requirement of a Federal statute or regulation that implements a health benefits program funded in whole or in part with Federal funds; and/or c. Assist Federal/state Medicaid programs within the state. Other Federal or state agencies, in their administration of a Federal health program, may require MLMP information in order to support evaluations and monitoring of Medicare claims information of beneficiaries, including proper reimbursement for services provided. 3. To assist Quality Improvement Organizations
(QIO)in connection with the review of claims, or in connection with studies or other review activities, conducted pursuant to Part B of Title XI of the Act and in performing affirmative outreach activities to individuals for the purpose of establishing and maintaining their entitlement to Medicare benefits or health insurance plans. QIOs will work to implement quality improvement programs, provide consultation to CMS, its contractors, and to ensure that payment is only made for medically necessary services. QIOs will assist in related monitoring and enforcement efforts, assist CMS and intermediaries in program integrity assessment, investigate beneficiary complaints about quality of care, and prepare summary information for release to CMS. 4. To an individual or organization for a research project or in support of an evaluation project related to the prevention of disease or disability, the restoration or maintenance of health, or payment related projects. The MLMP data will provide for research or support of evaluation projects and a broader, longitudinal, national perspective of the status of Medicare beneficiaries. CMS anticipates that many researchers will have legitimate requests to use these data in projects that could ultimately improve the care provided to Medicare beneficiaries and the policies that govern their care. 5. To the Department of Justice (DOJ), court or adjudicatory body when: a. The agency or any component thereof, or b. Any employee of the agency in his or her official capacity, or c. Any employee of the agency in his or her individual capacity where the DOJ has agreed to represent the employee, or d. The United States Government, is a party to litigation or has an interest in such litigation, and, by careful review, CMS determines that the records are both relevant and necessary to the litigation and that the use of such records by the DOJ, court or adjudicatory body is compatible with the purpose for which the agency collected the records. Whenever CMS is involved in litigation, and occasionally when another party is involved in litigation and CMS policies or operations could be affected by the outcome of the litigation, CMS would be able to disclose information to the DOJ, court or adjudicatory body involved. 6. To a CMS contractor (including, but not necessarily limited to, fiscal intermediaries and carriers) that assists in the administration of a CMS-administered health benefits program, or to a grantee of a CMS-administered grant program, when disclosure is deemed reasonably necessary by CMS to prevent, deter, discover, detect, investigate, examine, prosecute, sue with respect to, defend against, correct, remedy, or otherwise combat fraud or abuse in such program. We contemplate disclosing information under this routine use only in situations in which CMS may enter into a contractual, grantee, cooperative agreement or consultant relationship with a third party to assist in accomplishing CMS functions relating to the purpose of combating fraud and abuse. CMS occasionally contracts out certain of its functions or makes grants or cooperative agreements when doing so would contribute to effective and efficient operations. CMS must be able to give a contractor, grantee, consultant or other legal agent whatever information is necessary for the agent to fulfill its duties. In these situations, safeguards are provided in the contract prohibiting the agent from using or disclosing the information for any purpose other than that described in the contract and requiring the agent to return or destroy all information. 7. To another Federal agency or to an instrumentality of any governmental jurisdiction within or under the control of the United States (including any State or local governmental agency), that administers, or that has the authority to investigate potential fraud or abuse in, a health benefits program funded in whole or in part by Federal funds, when disclosure is deemed reasonably necessary by CMS to prevent, deter, discover, detect, investigate, examine, prosecute, sue with respect to, defend against, correct, remedy, or otherwise combat fraud or abuse in such programs. Other agencies may require MLMP information for the purpose of combating fraud and abuse in such federally-funded programs. B. *Additional Provisions Affecting Routine Use Disclosures.* To the extent this system contains Protected Health Information
(PHI)as defined by HHS regulation “Standards for Privacy of Individually Identifiable Health Information” (45 CFR Parts 160 and 164, Subparts A and E) 65 Fed. Reg. 82462 (12-28-00). Disclosures of such PHI that are otherwise authorized by these routine uses may only be made if, and as, permitted or required by the “Standards for Privacy of Individually Identifiable Health Information.” (See 45 CFR 164.512(a) (1)). In addition, our policy will be to prohibit release even of data not directly identifiable, except pursuant to one of the routine uses or if required by law, if we determine there is a possibility that an individual can be identified through implicit deduction based on small cell sizes (instances where the patient population is so small that because of the small size, use of this information could allow for the deduction of the identity of the beneficiary). IV. Safeguards CMS has safeguards in place for authorized users and monitors such users to ensure against excessive or unauthorized use. Personnel having access to the system have been trained in the Privacy Act and information security requirements. Employees who maintain records in this system are instructed not to release data until the intended recipient agrees to implement appropriate management, operational and technical safeguards sufficient to protect the confidentiality, integrity and availability of the information and information systems and to prevent unauthorized access. This system will conform to all applicable Federal laws and regulations and Federal, HHS, and CMS policies and standards as they relate to information security and data privacy. These laws and regulations may apply but are not limited to: The Privacy Act of 1974; the Federal Information Security Management Act of 2002; the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act of 1986; the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996; the E-Government Act of 2002, the Clinger-Cohen Act of 1996; the Medicare Modernization Act of 2003, and the corresponding implementing regulations. OMB Circular A-130, Management of Federal Resources, Appendix III, Security of Federal Automated Information Resources also applies. Federal, HHS, and CMS policies and standards include but are not limited to: All pertinent National Institute of Standards and Technology publications; the HHS Information Systems Program Handbook and the CMS Information Security Handbook. V. Effects of the Proposed System of Records on Individual Rights CMS proposes to establish this system in accordance with the principles and requirements of the Privacy Act and will collect, use, and disseminate information only as prescribed therein. Data in this system will be subject to the authorized releases in accordance with the routine uses identified in this system of records. CMS will take precautionary measures to minimize the risks of unauthorized access to the records and the potential harm to individual privacy or other personal or property rights of patients whose data are maintained in this system. CMS will collect only that information necessary to perform the system's functions. In addition, CMS will make disclosure from the proposed system only with consent of the subject individual, or his/her legal representative, or in accordance with an applicable exception provision of the Privacy Act. CMS, therefore, does not anticipate an unfavorable effect on individual privacy as a result of information relating to individuals. Dated: July 14, 2006. John R. Dyer, Chief Operating Officer, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. SYSTEM NO. 09-70-0585 SYSTEM NAME: “Medicare Lifestyle Modification Program
(MLMP)Demonstration,” HHS/CMS/ORDI. SECURITY CLASSIFICATION: Level Three Privacy Act Sensitive Data. SYSTEM LOCATION: CMS Data Center, 7500 Security Boulevard, North Building, First Floor, Baltimore, Maryland 21244-1850 and at various co-locations of CMS agents. CATEGORIES OF INDIVIDUALS COVERED BY THE SYSTEM: This system will collect and maintain individually identifiable and other data collected on Medicare beneficiaries who are potential participants in the MLMP Demonstration and providers who provide services to such beneficiaries. CATEGORIES OF RECORDS IN THE SYSTEM: Data will be collected from Medicare administrative and claims records, patient medical charts, physician records, and via survey instruments administered to beneficiaries and providers. The collected information will include, but is not limited to: Medicare claims and eligibility data, name, address, telephone number, health insurance claims number, race/ethnicity, gender, date of birth, provider name, unique provider identification number, medical record number, as well as clinical, demographic, health/well-being, family and/or caregiver contact information, and background information relating to Medicare issues. It will also include treatment, program participation, and evaluation, survey, and research information needed to evaluate the program and develop research reports on findings. AUTHORITY FOR MAINTENANCE OF THE SYSTEM: The statutory authority for this system is given under the provisions of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2001 (Public Law (Pub. L.) 106-554). PURPOSE(S) OF THE SYSTEM: The purpose of this system is to collect and maintain demographic and health related data on the target population of Medicare beneficiaries who are potential participants in the MLMP Demonstration. We will also collect certain identifying information on Medicare providers who provide services to such beneficiaries. Information retrieved from this system may be disclosed to:
(1)Support regulatory, reimbursement, and policy functions performed within the agency or by a contractor, grantee, consultant or other legal agent;
(2)assist another Federal or state agency with information to contribute to the accuracy of CMS's proper payment of Medicare benefits, enable such agency to administer a Federal health benefits program, or to enable such agency to fulfill a requirement of Federal statute or regulation that implements a health benefits program funded in whole or in part with Federal funds;
(3)assist Quality Improvement Organizations;
(4)support an individual or organization for a research project or in support of an evaluation project related to the prevention of disease or disability, the restoration or maintenance of health, or payment related projects;
(5)support litigation involving the agency; and
(6)combat fraud and abuse in certain Federally-funded health benefits programs. ROUTINE USES OF RECORDS MAINTAINED IN THE SYSTEM, INCLUDING CATEGORIES OR USERS AND THE PURPOSES OF SUCH USES: A. The Privacy Act allows us to disclose information without an individual's consent if the information is to be used for a purpose that is compatible with the purpose(s) for which the information was collected. Any such compatible use of data is known as a “routine use.” The proposed routine uses in this system meet the compatibility requirement of the Privacy Act. We are proposing to establish the following routine use disclosures of information maintained in the system: 1. To agency contractors, consultants or grantees, who have been engaged by the agency to assist in the performance of a service related to this collection and who need to have access to the records in order to perform the activity. 2. To another Federal or state agency to: a. Contribute to the accuracy of CMS's proper payment of Medicare benefits; b. Enable such agency to administer a Federal health benefits program, or, as necessary, to enable such agency to fulfill a requirement of a Federal statute or regulation that implements a health benefits program funded in whole or in part with Federal funds; and/or c. Assist Federal/state Medicaid programs within the state. 3. To assist Quality Improvement Organizations
(QIO)in connection with the review of claims, or in connection with studies or other review activities, conducted pursuant to Part B of Title XI of the Act and in performing affirmative outreach activities to individuals for the purpose of establishing and maintaining their entitlement to Medicare benefits or health insurance plans. 4. To an individual or organization for a research project or in support of an evaluation project related to the prevention of disease or disability, the restoration or maintenance of health, or payment related projects. 5. To the Department of Justice (DOJ), court or adjudicatory body when: a. The agency or any component thereof, or b. Any employee of the agency in his or her official capacity, or c. Any employee of the agency in his or her individual capacity where the DOJ has agreed to represent the employee, or d. The United States Government, is a party to litigation or has an interest in such litigation, and, by careful review, CMS determines that the records are both relevant and necessary to the litigation and that the use of such records by the DOJ, court or adjudicatory body is compatible with the purpose for which the agency collected the records. 6. To a CMS contractor (including, but not necessarily limited to, fiscal intermediaries and carriers) that assists in the administration of a CMS-administered health benefits program, or to a grantee of a CMS-administered grant program, when disclosure is deemed reasonably necessary by CMS to prevent, deter, discover, detect, investigate, examine, prosecute, sue with respect to, defend against, correct, remedy, or otherwise combat fraud or abuse in such program. 7. To another Federal agency or to an instrumentality of any governmental jurisdiction within or under the control of the United States (including any State or local governmental agency), that administers, or that has the authority to investigate potential fraud or abuse in, a health benefits program funded in whole or in part by Federal funds, when disclosure is deemed reasonably necessary by CMS to prevent, deter, discover, detect, investigate, examine, prosecute, sue with respect to, defend against, correct, remedy, or otherwise combat fraud or abuse in such programs. B. *Additional Provisions Affecting Routine Use Disclosures.* To the extent this system contains Protected Health Information
(PHI)as defined by HHS regulation “Standards for Privacy of Individually Identifiable Health Information” (45 CFR parts 160 and 164, Subparts A and E) 65 FR 82462 (12-28-00). Disclosures of such PHI that are otherwise authorized by these routine uses may only be made if, and as, permitted or required by the “Standards for Privacy of Individually Identifiable Health Information.” (See 45 CFR 164.512(a)(1)). In addition, our policy will be to prohibit release even of data not directly identifiable, except pursuant to one of the routine uses or if required by law, if we determine there is a possibility that an individual can be identified through implicit deduction based on small cell sizes (instances where the patient population is so small that because of the small size, use of this information could allow for the deduction of the identity of the beneficiary). POLICIES AND PRACTICES FOR STORING, RETRIEVING, ACCESSING, RETAINING, AND DISPOSING OF RECORDS IN THE SYSTEM: STORAGE: All records are stored on electronic media. RETRIEVABILITY: The collected data are retrieved by an individual identifier; e.g., beneficiary name or HICN. SAFEGUARDS: CMS has safeguards in place for authorized users and monitors such users to ensure against excessive or unauthorized use. Personnel having access to the system have been trained in the Privacy Act and information security requirements. Employees who maintain records in this system are instructed not to release data until the intended recipient agrees to implement appropriate management, operational and technical safeguards sufficient to protect the confidentiality, integrity and availability of the information and information systems and to prevent unauthorized access. This system will conform to all applicable Federal laws and regulations and Federal, HHS, and CMS policies and standards as they relate to information security and data privacy. These laws and regulations may apply but are not limited to: The Privacy Act of 1974; the Federal Information Security Management Act of 2002; the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act of 1986; the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996; the E-Government Act of 2002, the Clinger-Cohen Act of 1996; the Medicare Modernization Act of 2003, and the corresponding implementing regulations. OMB Circular A-130, Management of Federal Resources, Appendix III, Security of Federal Automated Information Resources also applies. Federal, HHS, and CMS policies and standards include but are not limited to: All pertinent National Institute of Standards and Technology publications; the HHS Information Systems Program Handbook and the CMS Information Security Handbook. RETENTION AND DISPOSAL: CMS will retain information for a total period not to exceed 25 years. All claims-related records are encompassed by the document preservation order and will be retained until notification is received from DOJ. SYSTEM MANAGER AND ADDRESS: Director, Office of Research, Development & Information, Mail Stop S3-02-01, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 7500 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21244-1849. NOTIFICATION PROCEDURE: For purpose of access, the subject individual should write to the system manager who will require the system name, employee identification number, tax identification number, national provider number, and for verification purposes, the subject individual's name (woman's maiden name, if applicable), HICN, and/or SSN (furnishing the SSN is voluntary, but it may make searching for a record easier and prevent delay). RECORD ACCESS PROCEDURE: For purpose of access, use the same procedures outlined in Notification Procedures above. Requestors should also reasonably specify the record contents being sought. (These procedures are in accordance with Department regulation 45 CFR 5b.5(a)(2)). CONTESTING RECORD PROCEDURES: The subject individual should contact the system manager named above, and reasonably identify the record and specify the information to be contested. State the corrective action sought and the reasons for the correction with supporting justification. (These procedures are in accordance with Department regulation 45 CFR 5b.7). RECORDS SOURCE CATEGORIES: Data will be collected from Medicare administrative and claims records, patient medical charts, physician records, and via survey instruments administered to beneficiaries and providers. SYSTEMS EXEMPTED FROM CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF THE ACT: None. [FR Doc. E6-11637 Filed 7-21-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4120-03-P DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Privacy Act of 1974; Report of a New System of Records AGENCY: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). ACTION: Notice of a New System of Records (SOR). SUMMARY: In accordance with the requirements of the Privacy Act of 1974, we are proposing to establish a new system titled, “Medicare Care Management for High Cost Beneficiaries (CMHCB), System No. 09-70-0580.” The program is authorized under provisions of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. Section 1395b-1(a)), which gives the Secretary the broad authority to, ‘develop and engage in experiments and demonstration projects.’ The CMHCB program seeks to improve beneficiary self-care and provide beneficiaries and their providers enhanced information and support in order to increase adherence to evidence-based care. Improvements in these areas are expected to generate savings to the Medicare program to offset the costs of the payments. Each CMHCB program is an experimental design involving assignment of beneficiaries to either an intervention or control group. The purpose of this system is to collect and maintain demographic and health related data on the target population of Medicare beneficiaries who are potential participants in the CMHCB program. We will also collect certain identifying information on Medicare providers who provide services to such beneficiaries. Information retrieved from this system may be disclosed to:
(1)Support regulatory, reimbursement, and policy functions performed within the agency or by a contractor, grantee, consultant or other legal agent;
(2)assist another Federal or state agency with information to contribute to the accuracy of CMS's proper payment of Medicare benefits, enable such agency to administer a Federal health benefits program, or to enable such agency to fulfill a requirement of Federal statute or regulation that implements a health benefits program funded in whole or in part with Federal funds;
(3)support an individual or organization for a research project or in support of an evaluation project related to the prevention of disease or disability, the restoration or maintenance of health, or payment related projects;
(4)support litigation involving the agency; and
(5)combat fraud and abuse in certain Federally-funded health benefits programs. We have provided background information about the new system in the Supplementary Information section below. Although the Privacy Act requires only that CMS provide an opportunity for interested persons to comment on the proposed routine uses, CMS invites comments on all portions of this notice. See “Effective Dates” section for comment period. EFFECTIVE DATE: CMS filed a new SOR report with the Chair of the House Committee on Government Reform and Oversight, the Chair of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs, and the Administrator, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget
(OMB)on July 17, 2006. To ensure that all parties have adequate time in which to comment, the new system will become effective 30 days from the publication of the notice, or 40 days from the date it was submitted to OMB and the Congress, whichever is later. We may defer implementation of this system or one or more of the routine use statements listed below if we receive comments that persuade us to defer implementation. ADDRESSES: The public should address comment to the CMS Privacy Officer, Mail-stop N2-04-27, 7500 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, Maryland 21244-1850. Comments received will be available for review at this location by appointment during regular business hours, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m.-3 p.m., eastern time. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Melissa Dehn, Division of Chronic Care Improvement Programs, Provider Billing Group, Center for Medicare Management, Mail Stop C4-10-07, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 7500 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21244-1849. She can be reached by telephone at 410-786-5721, or via e-mail at *Melissa.Dehn@cms.hhs.gov* . SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The CMHCB program pays monthly fees to CMHCB sites for improving the coordination of Medicare services delivered to Medicare Fee-For-Service
(FFS)beneficiaries with high costs and chronic conditions. The CMHCB program seeks to improve quality of care and quality of life as well as reduce both Medicare program expenditures and beneficiary health costs. This program is designed to achieve Medicare spending targets for high cost populations with one or more chronic health conditions. The CMHCB program enables CMS to test the program business design, and program components and to test the effect on utilization, cost, and quality of care to Medicare FFS beneficiaries. Medicare claims for participating beneficiaries will continue to be paid on a FFS basis. Separate payments to participating CMHCB sites will be made on a per-person per-month basis, to be derived from savings expected through improvements in care coordination for an assigned beneficiary population. This three-year demonstration project is designed to improve beneficiary quality of life using direct-care provider models to coordinate interventions for people with chronic high-cost and high-risk conditions. The sites will employ a variety of interventions including health care coordination, physician and nurse home visits, use of in-home monitoring devices, self-care and caregiver support, tracking and reminders of individuals' preventive care needs, behavioral health care management and transportation services. The projects are intended to help increase adherence to evidence-based care, reduce unnecessary hospital stays and emergency room visits, and help participants avoid costly and debilitating complications. The program will be evaluated on its effectiveness in achieving program goals. I. Description of the Proposed System of Records A. *Statutory and Regulatory Basis for SOR.* The statutory authority for this system is given under the provisions of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. Section 1395b-1(a)). B. *Collection and Maintenance of Data in the System.* This system will collect and maintain individually identifiable and other data collected on Medicare beneficiaries who are potential participants in the CMHCB program and providers who provide services to such beneficiaries. Data will be collected from Medicare administrative and claims records, CMHCB site administrative data systems, patient medical charts, physician records, and via survey instruments administered to beneficiaries and providers. The collected information will include, but is not limited to: Medicare claims and eligibility data, name, address, telephone number, health insurance claims number, race/ethnicity, gender, date of birth, provider name, unique provider identification number, medical record number, as well as clinical, demographic, health/well-being, family and/or caregiver contact information, and background information relating to Medicare issues. It will also include chronic care diagnosis, treatment, program participation, and evaluation, survey, and research information needed to evaluate the program and develop research reports on findings. II. Agency Policies, Procedures, and Restrictions on the Routine Use A. The Privacy Act permits us to disclose information without an individual's consent if the information is to be used for a purpose that is compatible with the purpose(s) for which the information was collected. Any such disclosure of data is known as a “routine use.” The Government will only release CMHCB information that can be associated with an individual as provided for under “Section III. Proposed Routine Use Disclosures of Data in the System.” Both identifiable and non-identifiable data may be disclosed under a routine use. We will only collect the minimum personal data necessary to achieve the purpose of CMHCB. CMS has the following policies and procedures concerning disclosures of information that will be maintained in the system. Disclosure of information from the system will be approved only to the extent necessary to accomplish the purpose of the disclosure and only after CMS: 1. Determines that the use or disclosure is consistent with the reason that the data is being collected; e.g., to collect and maintain demographic and health related data on the target population of Medicare beneficiaries who are potential participants in the CMHCB program. We will also collect certain identifying information on Medicare providers who provide services to such beneficiaries. 2. Determines that: a. The purpose for which the disclosure is to be made can only be accomplished if the record is provided in individually identifiable form; b. The purpose for which the disclosure is to be made is of sufficient importance to warrant the effect and/or risk on the privacy of the individual that additional exposure of the record might bring; and c. There is a strong probability that the proposed use of the data would in fact accomplish the stated purpose(s). 3. Requires the information recipient to: a. Establish administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to prevent unauthorized use of disclosure of the record; b. Remove or destroy, at the earliest time, all patient-identifiable information; and c. Agree to not use or disclose the information for any purpose other than the stated purpose under which the information was disclosed. 4. Determines that the data are valid and reliable. III. Proposed Routine Use Disclosures of Data in the System A. The Privacy Act allows us to disclose information without an individual's consent if the information is to be used for a purpose that is compatible with the purpose(s) for which the information was collected. Any such compatible use of data is known as a “routine use.” The proposed routine uses in this system meet the compatibility requirement of the Privacy Act. We are proposing to establish the following routine use disclosures of information maintained in the system: 1. To agency contractors, consultants or grantees, who have been engaged by the agency to assist in the performance of a service related to this collection and who need to have access to the records in order to perform the activity. We contemplate disclosing information under this routine use only in situations in which CMS may enter into a contractual or similar agreement with a third party to assist in accomplishing CMS function relating to purposes for this system. CMS occasionally contracts out certain of its functions when doing so would contribute to effective and efficient operations. CMS must be able to give a contractor, consultant or grantee whatever information is necessary for the contractor or consultant to fulfill its duties. In these situations, safeguards are provided in the contract prohibiting the contractor, consultant or grantee from using or disclosing the information for any purpose other than that described in the contract and requires the contractor, consultant or grantee to return or destroy all information at the completion of the contract. 2. To another Federal or state agency to: a. Contribute to the accuracy of CMS's proper payment of Medicare benefits; b. Enable such agency to administer a Federal health benefits program, or, as necessary, to enable such agency to fulfill a requirement of a Federal statute or regulation that implements a health benefits program funded in whole or in part with Federal funds; and/or c. Assist Federal/state Medicaid programs within the state. Other Federal or state agencies, in their administration of a Federal health program, may require CMHCB information in order to support evaluations and monitoring of Medicare claims information of beneficiaries, including proper reimbursement for services provided. 3. To an individual or organization for a research project or in support of an evaluation project related to the prevention of disease or disability, the restoration or maintenance of health, or payment related projects. The CMHCB data will provide for research or support of evaluation projects and a broader, longitudinal, national perspective of the status of Medicare beneficiaries. CMS anticipates that researchers may have legitimate requests to use these data in projects that could ultimately improve the care provided to Medicare beneficiaries and the policies that govern their care. 4. To the Department of Justice (DOJ), court or adjudicatory body when: a. The agency or any component thereof, or b. Any employee of the agency in his or her official capacity, or c. Any employee of the agency in his or her individual capacity where the DOJ has agreed to represent the employee, or d. The United States Government is a party to litigation or has an interest in such litigation, and, by careful review, CMS determines that the records are both relevant and necessary to the litigation and that the use of such records by the DOJ, court or adjudicatory body is compatible with the purpose for which the agency collected the records. Whenever CMS is involved in litigation, and occasionally when another party is involved in litigation and CMS policies or operations could be affected by the outcome of the litigation, CMS would be able to disclose information to the DOJ, court or adjudicatory body involved. 5. To a CMS contractor (including, but not necessarily limited to, fiscal intermediaries and carriers) that assists in the administration of a CMS-administered health benefits program, or to a grantee of a CMS-administered grant program, when disclosure is deemed reasonably necessary by CMS to prevent, deter, discover, detect, investigate, examine, prosecute, sue with respect to, defend against, correct, remedy, or otherwise combat fraud or abuse in such program. We contemplate disclosing information under this routine use only in situations in which CMS may enter into a contractual, grantee, cooperative agreement or consultant relationship with a third party to assist in accomplishing CMS functions relating to the purpose of combating fraud and abuse. CMS occasionally contracts out certain of its functions or makes grants or cooperative agreements when doing so would contribute to effective and efficient operations. CMS must be able to give a contractor, grantee, consultant or other legal agent whatever information is necessary for the agent to fulfill its duties. In these situations, safeguards are provided in the contract prohibiting the agent from using or disclosing the information for any purpose other than that described in the contract and requiring the agent to return or destroy all information. 6. To another Federal agency or to an instrumentality of any governmental jurisdiction within or under the control of the United States (including any State or local governmental agency), that administers, or that has the authority to investigate potential fraud or abuse in, a health benefits program funded in whole or in part by Federal funds, when disclosure is deemed reasonably necessary by CMS to prevent, deter, discover, detect, investigate, examine, prosecute, sue with respect to, defend against, correct, remedy, or otherwise combat fraud or abuse in such programs. Other agencies may require CMHCB information for the purpose of combating fraud and abuse in such Federally-funded programs. B. *Additional Provisions Affecting Routine Use Disclosures.* To the extent this system contains Protected Health Information
(PHI)as defined by HHS regulation “Standards for Privacy of Individually Identifiable Health Information” (45 CFR Parts 160 and 164, Subparts A and E) 65 Fed. Reg. 82462 (12-28-00). Disclosures of such PHI that are otherwise authorized by these routine uses may only be made if, and as, permitted or required by the “Standards for Privacy of Individually Identifiable Health Information.” (See 45 CFR 164.512(a)(1)). In addition, our policy will be to prohibit release even of data not directly identifiable, except pursuant to one of the routine uses or if required by law, if we determine there is a possibility that an individual can be identified through implicit deduction based on small cell sizes (instances where the patient population is so small that because of the small size, use of this information could allow for the deduction of the identity of the beneficiary). IV. Safeguards CMS has safeguards in place for authorized users and monitors such users to ensure against excessive or unauthorized use. Personnel having access to the system have been trained in the Privacy Act and information security requirements. Employees who maintain records in this system are instructed not to release data until the intended recipient agrees to implement appropriate management, operational and technical safeguards sufficient to protect the confidentiality, integrity and availability of the information and information systems and to prevent unauthorized access. This system will conform to all applicable Federal laws and regulations and Federal, HHS, and CMS policies and standards as they relate to information security and data privacy. These laws and regulations may apply but are not limited to: The Privacy Act of 1974; the Federal Information Security Management Act of 2002; the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act of 1986; the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996; the E-Government Act of 2002, the Clinger-Cohen Act of 1996; the Medicare Modernization Act of 2003, and the corresponding implementing regulations. OMB Circular A-130, Management of Federal Resources, Appendix III, Security of Federal Automated Information Resources also applies. Federal, HHS, and CMS policies and standards include but are not limited to: All pertinent National Institute of Standards and Technology publications; the HHS Information Systems Program Handbook and the CMS Information Security Handbook. V. Effects of the Proposed System of Records on Individual Rights CMS proposes to establish this system in accordance with the principles and requirements of the Privacy Act and will collect, use, and disseminate information only as prescribed therein. Data in this system will be subject to the authorized releases in accordance with the routine uses identified in this system of records. CMS will take precautionary measures to minimize the risks of unauthorized access to the records and the potential harm to individual privacy or other personal or property rights of patients whose data are maintained in this system. CMS will collect only that information necessary to perform the system's functions. In addition, CMS will make disclosure from the proposed system only with consent of the subject individual, or his/her legal representative, or in accordance with an applicable exception provision of the Privacy Act. CMS, therefore, does not anticipate an unfavorable effect on individual privacy as a result of information relating to individuals. Dated: July 14, 2006. John R. Dyer, Chief Operating Officer, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. SYSTEM NO. 09-70-0580 SYSTEM NAME: “Medicare Care Management for High Cost Beneficiaries (CMHCB),” HHS/CMS/CMM. SECURITY CLASSIFICATION: Level Three Privacy Act Sensitive Data. SYSTEM LOCATION: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
(CMS)Data Center, 7500 Security Boulevard, North Building, First Floor, Baltimore, Maryland 21244-1850 and at various co-locations of CMS agents. CATEGORIES OF INDIVIDUALS COVERED BY THE SYSTEM: This system will collect and maintain individually identifiable and other data collected on Medicare beneficiaries who are potential participants in the CMHCB program and providers who provide services to such beneficiaries. Data will be collected from Medicare administrative and claims records, CMHCB site administrative data systems, patient medical charts, physician records, and via survey instruments administered to beneficiaries and providers. CATEGORIES OF RECORDS IN THE SYSTEM: The collected information will include, but is not limited to: Medicare claims and eligibility data, name, address, telephone number, health insurance claims number, race/ethnicity, gender, date of birth, provider name, unique provider identification number, medical record number, as well as clinical, demographic, health/well-being, family and/or caregiver contact information, and background information relating to Medicare issues. It will also include chronic care diagnosis, treatment, program participation, and evaluation, survey, and research information needed to evaluate the program and develop research reports on findings. AUTHORITY FOR MAINTENANCE OF THE SYSTEM: The statutory authority for this system is given under the provisions of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. Section 1395b-1(a)). PURPOSE(S) OF THE SYSTEM: The purpose of this system is to collect and maintain demographic and health related data on the target population of Medicare beneficiaries who are potential participants in the CMHCB program. We will also collect certain identifying information on Medicare providers who provide services to such beneficiaries. Information retrieved from this system may be disclosed to:
(1)Support regulatory, reimbursement, and policy functions performed within the agency or by a contractor, grantee, consultant or other legal agent;
(2)assist another Federal or state agency with information to contribute to the accuracy of CMS's proper payment of Medicare benefits, enable such agency to administer a Federal health benefits program, or to enable such agency to fulfill a requirement of Federal statute or regulation that implements a health benefits program funded in whole or in part with Federal funds;
(3)support an individual or organization for a research project or in support of an evaluation project related to the prevention of disease or disability, the restoration or maintenance of health, or payment related projects;
(4)support litigation involving the agency; and
(5)combat fraud and abuse in certain Federally-funded health benefits programs. ROUTINE USES OF RECORDS MAINTAINED IN THE SYSTEM, INCLUDING CATEGORIES OR USERS AND THE PURPOSES OF SUCH USES: A. The Privacy Act allows us to disclose information without an individual's consent if the information is to be used for a purpose that is compatible with the purpose(s) for which the information was collected. Any such compatible use of data is known as a “routine use.” The proposed routine uses in this system meet the compatibility requirement of the Privacy Act. We are proposing to establish the following routine use disclosures of information maintained in the system: 1. To agency contractors, consultants or grantees, who have been engaged by the agency to assist in the performance of a service related to this collection and who need to have access to the records in order to perform the activity. 2. To another Federal or state agency to: a. Contribute to the accuracy of CMS's proper payment of Medicare benefits; b. Enable such agency to administer a Federal health benefits program, or, as necessary, to enable such agency to fulfill a requirement of a Federal statute or regulation that implements a health benefits program funded in whole or in part with Federal funds; and/or c. Assist Federal/state Medicaid programs within the state. 3. To an individual or organization for a research project or in support of an evaluation project related to the prevention of disease or disability, the restoration or maintenance of health, or payment related projects. 4. To the Department of Justice (DOJ), court or adjudicatory body when: a. The agency or any component thereof, or b. Any employee of the agency in his or her official capacity, or c. Any employee of the agency in his or her individual capacity where the DOJ has agreed to represent the employee, or d. The United States Government is a party to litigation or has an interest in such litigation, and, by careful review, CMS determines that the records are both relevant and necessary to the litigation and that the use of such records by the DOJ, court or adjudicatory body is compatible with the purpose for which the agency collected the records. 5. To a CMS contractor (including, but not necessarily limited to, fiscal intermediaries and carriers) that assists in the administration of a CMS-administered health benefits program, or to a grantee of a CMS-administered grant program, when disclosure is deemed reasonably necessary by CMS to prevent, deter, discover, detect, investigate, examine, prosecute, sue with respect to, defend against, correct, remedy, or otherwise combat fraud or abuse in such program. 6. To another Federal agency or to an instrumentality of any governmental jurisdiction within or under the control of the United States (including any State or local governmental agency), that administers, or that has the authority to investigate potential fraud or abuse in, a health benefits program funded in whole or in part by Federal funds, when disclosure is deemed reasonably necessary by CMS to prevent, deter, discover, detect, investigate, examine, prosecute, sue with respect to, defend against, correct, remedy, or otherwise combat fraud or abuse in such programs. B. Additional Provisions Affecting Routine Use Disclosures. To the extent this system contains Protected Health Information
(PHI)as defined by HHS regulation “Standards for Privacy of Individually Identifiable Health Information” (45 CFR parts 160 and 164, Subparts A and E) 65 FR 82462 (12-28- 00). Disclosures of such PHI that are otherwise authorized by these routine uses may only be made if, and as, permitted or required by the “Standards for Privacy of Individually Identifiable Health Information.” (See 45 CFR 164.512(a) (1)). In addition, our policy will be to prohibit release even of data not directly identifiable, except pursuant to one of the routine uses or if required by law, if we determine there is a possibility that an individual can be identified through implicit deduction based on small cell sizes (instances where the patient population is so small that because of the small size, use of this information could allow for the deduction of the identity of the beneficiary). POLICIES AND PRACTICES FOR STORING, RETRIEVING, ACCESSING, RETAINING, AND DISPOSING OF RECORDS IN THE SYSTEM: STORAGE: All records are stored on electronic media. RETRIEVABILITY: The collected data are retrieved by an individual identifier; e.g., beneficiary name or HICN. SAFEGUARDS: CMS has safeguards in place for authorized users and monitors such users to ensure against excessive or unauthorized use. Personnel having access to the system have been trained in the Privacy Act and information security requirements. Employees who maintain records in this system are instructed not to release data until the intended recipient agrees to implement appropriate management, operational and technical safeguards sufficient to protect the confidentiality, integrity and availability of the information and information systems and to prevent unauthorized access. This system will conform to all applicable Federal laws and regulations and Federal, HHS, and CMS policies and standards as they relate to information security and data privacy. These laws and regulations may apply but are not limited to: The Privacy Act of 1974; the Federal Information Security Management Act of 2002; the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act of 1986; the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996; the E-Government Act of 2002, the Clinger-Cohen Act of 1996; the Medicare Modernization Act of 2003, and the corresponding implementing regulations. OMB Circular A-130, Management of Federal Resources, Appendix III, Security of Federal Automated Information Resources also applies. Federal, HHS, and CMS policies and standards include but are not limited to: all pertinent National Institute of Standards and Technology publications; the HHS Information Systems Program Handbook and the CMS Information Security Handbook. RETENTION AND DISPOSAL: CMS will retain information for a total period not to exceed 25 years. All claims-related records are encompassed by the document preservation order and will be retained until notification is received from DOJ. SYSTEM MANAGER AND ADDRESS: Director, Division of Chronic Care Improvement Programs, Provider Billing Group, Center for Medicare Management, CMS, Mail Stop C4-10-07, 7500 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, Maryland 21244-1850. NOTIFICATION PROCEDURE: For purpose of access, the subject individual should write to the system manager who will require the system name, employee identification number, tax identification number, national provider number, and for verification purposes, the subject individual's name (woman's maiden name, if applicable), HICN, and/or SSN (furnishing the SSN is voluntary, but it may make searching for a record easier and prevent delay). RECORD ACCESS PROCEDURE: For purpose of access, use the same procedures outlined in Notification Procedures above. Requestors should also reasonably specify the record contents being sought. (These procedures are in accordance with Department regulation 45 CFR 5b.5 (a)(2)). CONTESTING RECORD PROCEDURES: The subject individual should contact the system manager named above, and reasonably identify the record and specify the information to be contested. State the corrective action sought and the reasons for the correction with supporting justification. (These procedures are in accordance with Department regulation 45 CFR 5b.7.) RECORDS SOURCE CATEGORIES: Data will be collected from Medicare administrative and claims records, CMHCB site administrative data systems, patient medical charts, physician records, and via survey instruments administered to beneficiaries and providers. SYSTEMS EXEMPTED FROM CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF THE ACT: None. [FR Doc. E6-11638 Filed 7-21-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4120-03-P DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Administration for Children and Families Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request *Title:* Multi-site Evaluation for Foster Youth Programs. *OMB No.:* 0970-0253. *Description:* The Administration for Children and Families
(ACF)within the Department of Health and Human Services
(HHS)is requesting comments on plans to continue data collection for the Evaluation of Independent Living Programs funded under the Chafee Foster Care Independence Program. The Foster Care Independence Act of 1999 (Pub. L. 106-169) mandates evaluations of promising independent living programs administered by State and local child welfare agencies. ACF is conducting an evaluation of four independent living programs using a randomized experimental design. Youth aged 14-21 receiving independent living program services are interviewed at three points during the evaluation period. Program administrators, staff, and youth will participate in interviews, observations, and focus groups conducted during program site visits. In addition, ACF is requesting comments on plans to begin data collection and conduct an evaluation of a fifth independent living program using a randomized experimental design. Youth aged 18-21 will be interviewed at three points during the evaluation period. Program administrators, staff, and youth will participate in interviews, observations, and focus groups conducted during the program site visits. *Respondents:* Youth, caseworkers, program administrators, and staff. Annual Burden Estimates Instrument Number of respondents Number of responses per respondent Average burden hours per response Total burden hours Ongoing Study Sites Baseline: Youth interview 98 1 1.5 147 Caseworker survey 4 19 .5 38 First Follow Up: Youth interview 177 1 1.5 266 Caseworker survey 4 36 .5 72 Program site visit 50 1 1.5 75 Second Follow Up: Youth interview 370 1 1.5 555 New
(5th)Study Site Baseline: Youth interview 250 1 1.5 375 Program site visit 80 1 1.5 120 First Follow Up: Youth interview 213 1 1.5 320 Program site visit 50 1 1.5 75 Second Follow Up: Youth interview 200 1 1.5 300 *Estimated Total Burden Hours:* 2,343. *Estimated Annual Burden Hours (average over three years):* 781. Additional Information Copies of the proposed collection may be obtained by writing to the Administration for Children and Families, Office of Administration, Office of Information Services, 370 L'Enfant Promenade, SW., Washington, DC 20447, Attn: ACF Reports Clearance Officer. All requests should be identified by the title of the Information collection. E-mail address: *infocollection@acf.hhs.gov* . OMB Comment OMB is required to make a decision concerning the collection of information between 30 and 60 days after publication of this document in the **Federal Register** . Therefore, a comment is best assured of having its full effect if OMB receives it within 30 days of publication. Written comments and recommendations for the proposed information collection should be sent directly to the following: Office of Management and Budget, Paperwork Reduction Project, 725 17th Street, NW., Washington, DC 20503, Attn: Desk Officer for ACR, E-mail address: *Katherine_T._Astrich@omb.eop.gov* . Dated: July 18, 2006. Robert Sargis. Reports Clearance Officer. [FR Doc. 06-6405 Filed 7-21-06; 8:45 am]
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U.S. Code
- Purposes§ 3501
- Federal agency responsibilities§ 3506
- Regulation of fuels§ 7545
- Repealed. Aug. 26, 1935, ch. 687, title II, § 212, 49 Stat. 847§ 791
- National primary and secondary ambient air quality standards§ 7409
- Settlements§ 9622
- Liability§ 9607
- Enumerated powers§ 248
- Public information; agency rules, opinions, orders, records, and proceedings§ 552
- Definitions§ 1841
- Acquisition of bank shares or assets§ 1842
- Interests in nonbanking organizations§ 1843
- Incentives for economy while maintaining or improving quality in provision of health services§ 1395b–1
CFR
- Protests other than under Rule 208 (Rule 211).§ 385.211
- Filings and Other Submissions.§ 385.2001
- Protests, interventions, and comments.§ 154.210
- Intervention (Rule 214).§ 385.214
- Interventions and protests.§ 157.10
- General requirements for the submission of a tariff filing or executed service agreement.§ 154.7
- Participation in Commission proceedings.§ 380.10
- Competing applications: deadlines for filing; notices of intent; comparisons of plans of development.§ 4.36
- Applicability and definitions.§ 4.30
- Method of notice; dates established in notice (Rule 210).§ 385.210
- Rules governing off-the-record communications (Rule 2201).§ 385.2201
- Service (Rule 2010).§ 385.2010
- List of permissible nonbanking activities.§ 225.28
18 references not yet in our index
- Pub. L. 95-91
- 18 CFR 34
- Pub. L. 109-58
- 119 Stat. 594
- 18 CFR 380
- 16 USC 791a-825r
- 40 CFR 1501.6
- 40 CFR 9
- 5 CFR 1320.12
- 5 CFR 1320.5(a)(1)(iv)
- 5 CFR 1320.16
- 12 CFR 225
- Pub. L. 92-463
- 65 FR 82462
- 45 CFR 164.512(a)
- 45 CFR 164.512(a)(1)
- 45 CFR 5
- Pub. L. 106-169
Citation graph
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Submission for Office of Management and Budget (OMB) review; comment request
Pub. L.Pub. L. 95-91
Cite18 CFR 34
Pub. L.Pub. L. 109-58
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