Notices. Notice

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A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.

BILLING CODE 4160-01-S DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES National Institutes of Health Notice of Listing of Grants for Research Projects AGENCY: National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: Section 52.1(b) of the regulations governing grants for research projects, codified at 42 CFR part 52, authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to publish periodically a list of all of the research project grant programs to which the research project grant regulations apply.

This Notice provides the most recent list of the programs covered by the regulations and supersedes the prior Notice published on November 25, 2003 (68 FR 66114-66117). DATES: *Effective Date:* September 26, 2006. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jerry Moore, NIH Regulations Officer, Office of Management Assessment, 6011 Executive Boulevard, Room 601, MSC 7669, Rockville, MD 20892, telephone 301-496-4607 (not a toll-free number), fax 301-402-0169, e-mail *jm40z@nih.gov.* SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The National Institutes of Health

(NIH)published a final rule in the **Federal Register** on October 24, 1996 (61 FR 55102-55106), amending the regulations at 42 CFR part 52, Grants for Research Projects, which govern Public Health Service

(PHS)research project grants. We amended the regulations to apply to all research project grant programs administered by PHS and its components, including the programs administered by NIH, except for grants for health services research, demonstrations, and evaluation projects administered by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), to make it unnecessary to include a long list of programs in the regulations or to go through the lengthy process of amending the regulations each time a new program is established. At that time, we provided in the preamble a listing of the applicable programs and indicated that we would publish periodically a list of the research project grant programs to which the regulations apply, and that the applicability of the regulations to new programs would be announced as PHS components initiated new programs. Subsequently, we published the Notice entitled, “Notice of Listing of Grants for Research Projects,” in the **Federal Register** on November 25, 2003. In the Notice we provided an updated list of programs to which the regulations at part 52 apply that reflected the addition of new authorities in sections 317J, 317K, 317L, 330E, 399M, 399N, 409E, 434A, 445I, 447B, and 1261 of the Public Health Service Act (PHS Act), as amended. We are now publishing a further updated list that reflects the addition of the new authority in subsections

(a)and

(f)of section 485D of the PHS Act, as amended, concerning research in complementary and alternative medicine. Specifically, the authority in subsection

(a)concerns the conduct and support of basic and applied research (including both intramural and extramural research), research training, and dissemination of health information with respect to identifying, investigating, and validating complementary and alternative treatment, diagnostic and prevention modalities, and disciplines and systems of complementary and alternative medicine. Subsection

(f)concerns the conduct and support of high quality, rigorous scientific reviewing of complementary and alternative medicine modalities, including outcomes research and investigations, epidemiological studies, health services research, basic sciences research, clinical trials, and other appropriate research and investigational activities. The regulations codified at 42 CFR part 52 apply to all PHS research project grant programs except for grants for health services research, demonstrations, and evaluation projects administered by the AHRQ. Specifically, the research project grant authorities to which the Grants for Research Projects regulations apply include:

(1)Research into the cause, diagnosis, treatment, control, or prevention of the physical or mental diseases, injuries, or impairments to human life, as authorized by sections 301, 302, and related provisions of the PHS Act (42 U.S.C. 241, 242);

(2)Research into the prevention and control of childhood lead poisoning, as authorized under section 301 of the PHS Act (42 U.S.C. 241);

(3)Epidemiologic studies and State-based research capacity building projects for the prevention of primary and secondary disabilities, as authorized under section 301 of the PHS Act (42 U.S.C. 241);

(4)Ecological and epidemiologic research studies in Lyme disease, including disease surveillance, development and evaluation of prevention and control studies, and development of improved diagnostic tests, as authorized under section 301 of the PHS Act (42 U.S.C. 241);

(5)Research for the development of knowledge and approaches to the epidemiology, eitology, diagnosis, treatment, control, and prevention of narcotic addiction and intravenous (IV)-related AIDS and drug abuse, as authorized under sections 301 and 302 of the PHS Act (42 U.S.C. 241, 242);

(6)Investigations to identify strategies for prevention of childhood deaths from diarrhea, as authorized under sections 301 and 317(k) of the PHS Act (42 U.S.C. 241, 247b(k));

(7)HIV/AIDS surveillance, HIV serosurveillance surveys and studies, and epidemiologic research studies of AIDS and HIV infection, as authorized under sections 301 and 317(k) of the PHS Act (42 U.S.C. 241, 247b(k));

(8)Surveillance and epidemiologic studies for the prevention of infectious diseases and injuries in children in child day care settings, as authorized under sections 301, 317(k), and 391 of the PHS Act (42 U.S.C. 241, 247b(k)(3), 280(b));

(9)Research into prevention and control of tuberculosis, especially research concerning strains of tuberculosis resistant to drugs and research concerning cases of tuberculosis that affect certain populations, as authorized by section 317E of the PHS Act (42 U.S.C. 247b-6);

(10)Research with respect to education and training for health professionals and the general public relating to the effects of folic acid in preventing birth defects, as authorized by section 317J of the PHS Act (42 U.S.C. 247b-11);

(11)Research relating to risk factors, prevention strategies, and the roles of the family, health care providers, and the community in safe motherhood, as authorized by section 317K of the PHS Act, as amended by section 901 of Public Law 106-310 (42 U.S.C. 424b-12);

(12)Epidemiological research on the prevention of prenatal and postnatal smoking, alcohol, and illegal drug use, as authorized by section 317L of the PHS Act, as amended by section 911 of Public Law 106-310 (42 U.S.C. 247b-13);

(13)Research relating to intervention strategies to improve the lives of persons with epilepsy, particularly children, as authorized by section 330E of the PHS Act, as amended by section 801 of Public Law 106-310 (42 U.S.C. 254c-5);

(14)Injury prevention and control research, as authorized by section 391 of the PHS Act (42 U.S.C. 280b);

(15)Research relating to the efficacy of new screening techniques and technology, including clinical studies of screening methods and studies on the efficacy of new interventions regarding hearing loss in infants, as authorized by section 399M of the PHS Act, as amended by section 702 of Public Law 106-310 (42 U.S.C. 280g-1);

(16)Research relating to improving the outcomes among children with childhood cancers and resultant secondary conditions, as authorized by section 399N of the PHS Act, as amended by section 1101 of Public Law 106-310 (42 U.S.C. 280g-2);

(17)Research on osteoporosis, Paget's disease, and related bone disorders, as authorized by section 409A of the PHS Act (42 U.S.C. 284e);

(18)Research relating to autoimmune diseases, as authorized by section 409E of the PHS Act, as amended by section 1901 of Public Law 106-310 (42 U.S.C. 284i);

(19)Long-term epidemiology studies relating to type 1 or juvenile diabetes, as authorized by section 434A of the PHS Act, as amended by section 402 of Public Law 106-310 (42 U.S.C. 285c-9);

(20)Biomedical research in areas relating to Alzheimer's disease and related dementias, as authorized by section 445B of the PHS Act (42 U.S.C. 285e-4);

(21)Clinical research and training to enhance and promote the translation of new scientific knowledge into clinical practice related to the diagnosis, care, and treatment of individuals with Alzheimer's disease, as authorized by section 445I of the PHS Act (42 U.S.C. 285e-10a);

(22)Clinical research and training to enhance and promote the translation of new scientific knowledge into clinical practice related to the diagnosis, care, and treatment of individuals with sexually transmitted diseases, as authorized by section 447B of the PHS Act, as amended by section 901 of Public Law 106-505 (42 U.S.C. 285f-3);

(23)Research relating to medical rehabilitation, as authorized by section 452 of the PHS Act (42 U.S.C. 285g-4);

(24)Research on clinical and health services on eye care and diabetes, as authorized by section 456 of the PHS Act (42 U.S.C. 285i-1);

(25)Research on multiple sclerosis, especially research on the effects of genetics and hormonal changes on the progress of the disease, as authorized by section 460 of the PHS Act (42 U.S.C. 285j-3);

(26)Research on the social, behavioral, and biomedical etiology, the mental and physical health consequences, and the social and economic consequences of alcohol abuse and alcoholism, as authorized by 464H of the PHS Act (42 U.S.C. 285n);

(27)Health services research activities with respect to the prevention of alcohol abuse and treatment of alcoholism, as authorized by section 464H of the PHS Act (42 U.S.C. 285n) and as defined in section 409 of the PHS Act (42 U.S.C. 284d);

(28)Research under the Medication Development Program to encourage and promote the development and use of medications to treat drug addiction; and to collect, analyze, and disseminate data, as authorized by section 464P of the PHS Act (42 U.S.C. 285o-4);

(29)Research on health-related educational technologies, on medical library science and related activities, and for the development or dissemination of new knowledge, techniques, systems, and equipment for processing, storing, retrieving, and distributing information pertaining to health sciences, as authorized by section 473 of the PHS Act (42 U.S.C. 286b-4);

(30)Research with respect to identifying, investigating, and validating complementary and alternative treatment, diagnostic and prevention modalities, disciplines and systems of complementary and alternative medicine, as authorized by section 485D

(a)and

(f)of the PHS Act, as amended (42 U.S.C. 287c-21(a), (f));

(31)Research in the biomedical, contraceptive, development, behavioral and program implementation fields related to family planning and population, as authorized by section 1004 of the PHS Act (42 U.S.C. 300a-2);

(32)Basic and applied research regarding traumatic brain injury, including the development, modification, and evaluation of therapies and programs of rehabilitation toward reaching or restoring normal capabilities, as authorized by section 1261 of the PHS Act, as amended by section 1301 of Public Law 106-310 (42 U.S.C. 300d-61);

(33)Research on the causes, consequences, and approaches of coping with adolescent sexual relations, contraceptive use, pregnancy, and parenthood, as authorized by section 2008 of the PHS Act (42 U.S.C. 300z-7);

(34)Research relating to the evaluation of drug treatments for AIDS not approved by the Commissioner of Food and Drugs, as authorized by section 2314 of the PHS Act (42 U.S.C. 300cc-14);

(35)International research relating to the development and evaluation of vaccines and treatments for AIDS, as authorized by section 2315 of the PHS Act (42 U.S.C. 300cc-15);

(36)Long-term research into treatments for AIDS, as authorized by section 2320 of the PHS Act (42 U.S.C. 300cc-20);

(37)Research relating to AIDS conducted outside the United States by qualified foreign professionals and collaborative research involving American and foreign participants, as authorized by section 2354 of the PHS Act (42 U.S.C. 300cc-41);

(38)Basic research to identify, characterize, and quantify risks to human health from air pollutants, as authorized by section 103 of the Clean Air Act, as amended (42 U.S.C. 7403);

(39)Electronic product radiation control research programs designed to protect the public health and safety from electronic product radiation, as authorized by section 532 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, as amended (21 U.S.C. 360ii);

(40)Research into areas where a microgravity environment may contribute to significant progress in the understanding and treatment of diseases and other medical conditions, as authorized by section 603 of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act, Fiscal Year 1993 (42 U.S.C. 2487b);

(41)Support for radiation studies and research, as authorized under section 301 of the PHS Act (42 U.S.C. 241) and by section 20(a) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (29 U.S.C. 669(a));

(42)Research on occupational safety and health problems in industry, as authorized by section 20(a) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (29 U.S.C. 669(a)) and section 501 of the Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969 (30 U.S.C. 951); and

(43)Research to stimulate health-related technological innovation especially through the use of small business, minority, and disadvantaged firms and increased private sector commercialization of innovations derived from Federal research and development, as authorized under section 301 of the PHS Act (42 U.S.C. 241), in accordance with the procedures prescribed pursuant to section 2[9] of the Small Business Innovation Development Act of 1982, as amended (15 U.S.C. 638). *The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance*

(CFDA)numbered programs affected by title 42 of the Code of Federal regulations, part 52, are: 93.113—Biological Response to Environmental Health Hazards 93.114—Applied Toxicological Research and Testing 93.115—Biometry and Risk Estimation—Health Risks from Environmental Exposures 93.118—Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome

(AIDS)Activity 93.121—Oral Diseases and Disorders Research 93.135—Centers for Research and Demonstration for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention 93.136—Injury Prevention and Control Research and State and Community Based Programs 93.172—Human Genome Research 93.173—Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders 93.184—Disabilities Prevention 93.213—Research and Training in Complementary and Alternative Medicine 93.242—Mental Health Research Grants 93.262—Occupational Safety and Health Program 93.271—Alcohol Research Career Development Awards for Scientists and Clinicians 93.273—Alcohol Research Programs 93.279—Drug Abuse and Addiction Research Programs 93.281—Mental Health Research Career/Scientist Development Awards 93.283—Centers for Disease Control and Prevention—Investigations and Technical Assistance 93.361—Nursing Research 93.389—National Center for Research Resources 93.390—Academic Research Enhancement Award 93.393—Cancer Cause and Prevention Research 93.394—Cancer Detection and Diagnosis Research 93.395—Cancer Treatment Research 93.396—Cancer Biology Research 93.821—Biophysics and Physiological Sciences Research 93.837—Heart and Vascular Diseases Research 93.838—Lung Diseases Research 93.839—Blood Diseases and Resources Research 93.846—Arthritis, Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Research 93.847—Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolic Research 93.848—Digestive Diseases and Nutrition Research 93.849—Kidney Diseases, Urology and Hematology Research 93.853—Clinical Research Related to Neurological Disorders 93.855—Allergy, Immunology, and Transplantation Research 93.856—Microbiology and Infectious Diseases Research 93.859—Biomedical Research and Research Training 93.865—Child Health and Human Development Extramural Research 93.866—Aging Research 93.867—Vision Research 93.879—Medical Library Assistance 93.941—HIV Demonstration, Research, Public and Professional Education Projects 93.942—Research, Treatment and Education Programs on Lyme Disease in the United States 93.943—Epidemiologic Research Studies of Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome

(AIDS)and Human Immunodeficiency Virus

(HIV)Infection in Selected Population Groups 93.947—Tuberculosis Demonstration, Research, Public and Professional Education Dated: September 19, 2006. Elias A. Zerhouni, Director, National Institutes of Health. Approved: September 19, 2006. Michael O. Leavitt, Secretary. [FR Doc. E6-15729 Filed 9-25-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4140-01-P DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Agency Information Collection Activities: Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request Periodically, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) will publish a summary of information collection requests under OMB review, in compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35). To request a copy of these documents, call the SAMHSA Reports Clearance Officer on

(240)276-1243. Proposed Project: Evaluation of the Project Rehabilitation and Restitution Program (OMB No. 0930-0248)—Revision The Rehabilitation and Restitution initiative of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's (SAMHSA) Center for Substance Abuse Treatment seeks to reduce recidivism and increase psychosocial functioning and pro-social lifestyle among substance abusing offenders that have pled to or been convicted of a single felony. Hypotheses of the study are that providing intensive, long-term case management services will facilitate a pro-social lifestyle leading to higher rates of sealing or expunging of criminal records and that the prospect of stigma reduction provided by a sealed criminal record will motivate offenders to remain crime and drug free in order to achieve a felony-free criminal record. The project consists of

(1)providing technical assistance to develop and implement an enhanced model for case management services, and

(2)evaluating of the effectiveness of the case management model in increasing the number of people that have their records sealed or maintain eligibility to have their records sealed. The study is confined to jurisdictions with statutes permitting records to be sealed within the remaining three-year parameters of the study. Two counties in Ohio, one involving an urban setting (Cuyahoga county which includes the city of Cleveland) and the other a rural setting (Clermont county adjacent to Northern Kentucky) were awarded by SAMHSA in 2002 in response to the original SAMHSA Request for Applications (RFA). Target populations, drawn from Cuyahoga and Clermont County Court of Common Pleas Probation Departments, are first-time felons that are eligible to have their felony records sealed, have a diagnosis of substance dependence or abuse, and will receive case management services, including treatment referral, through each County's Treatment Accountability for Safer Communities

(TASC)agency. Technical assistance to participating counties is provided to

(1)develop a strengths-based case management model designed to increase the proportion of offenders that achieve record expungement or maintain eligibility to have their felony records sealed, and

(2)involve the various stake holders, such as case managers, probation officers and administrators, prosecutors, public defenders, judges, and treatment providers in the implementation of the case management model. A formative evaluation provides feedback on the implementation of the program. A systems evaluation examines the services offered to the felons, and changes in attitudes towards sealing records on the part of critical stakeholders, such as prosecutors, judges and service providers, and criminal justice systemic evolution. An outcomes evaluation examines the effect of the case management model on maintaining eligibility to have records sealed, and social, psychological and health status, HIV risk behavior, and the proportion of subjects who have their records sealed. In Cuyahoga County a longitudinal study examines two groups of randomly assigned subjects: An intent-to-treat, experimental group participates in a strengths-based case management model during the first six months of a one-year period of judicial supervision followed by three years of outreach services availability through a faith-based community organization; and a control group receives treatment as usual, consisting of the regular TASC case management model now in place with no outreach service availability. Each group is stratified by Standard Court Referral (SCR), *i.e.* , convicted first-time felons that must remain crime-free for three years after release from probation to maintain eligibility to apply for expungement; and Felony Diversion Referral (FDR), *i.e.* , first-time felons whose guilty pleas are held for one year pending successful completion of treatment and probation when the case may be expunged. The evaluation procedures consist of a baseline interview and follow-up interviews over a 4-year period that track outcomes to the point at which most subjects would be eligible to apply for sealing of records. Follow-up interviews and file studies test for a wide array of possible effects, including recidivism, employment, education, drug use, family relationships, support of children, mental and physical health, HIV/AIDS risk factors, assumption of personal responsibility, life adjustment factors, and program costs. In Cuyahoga the evaluation has recruited 645 participants who have volunteered to participate for the four-year period. Evaluation interviews take place at baseline, 6 months, 12 months, 24 months, and 36 months. The 24-month interview is an additional interview point to the original OMB approval because it enriches the study by providing data covering the critical first year an offender is off supervision. The additional interview does not increase the burden because the original OMB approval provided for 150 more participants in Cuyahoga and also did not provide for attrition at follow-up. Because a 36-month interview point provides a final interview for all participants before project end date, it replaces the 42-month interview point. The PRR baseline interview included 997 variables. Six-month and twelve-month follow-ups were increased to 1100 variables in order to collect client clinical experience data. Twenty-four and thirty-six month interviews are further increased to 1184 variables in order to measure perception and effect on participants of stigma reduction provided through the elimination of felony records. Each interview lasts 1 to 2 hours depending on the memory and speed of the respondents. The interview goal is a minimum 80% follow-up completion rate. During the first two years of follow-up both 6- and 12-month rates exceeded 85%. Interview data is supplemented by file studies of arrest records, including the number of participants maintaining sealing eligibility, and the number of criminal records expunged. Additionally, two focus groups of clients receiving strengths-based services will be conducted in each county at 3, 6, 12, 18, 24, and 30 months to provide feedback on client perceptions. Groups will consist of clients both in compliance and not in compliance and of case managers for both experimental and control groups. Groups will consist of 8 to 12 participants chosen at random. Additional file study data will be gathered on the number of case management sessions and the number and frequency of other interventions in the intent-to-treat and control groups. In Clermont County the first-time felon pool is of insufficient size to support an evaluation design with experimental and control groups; however, because the first-time felony substance-abusing population presents unique demographics for analysis, *e.g.* rural, Caucasian, and greater percentage of females, examining the relationship of case management and motivation for stigma reduction is important. In Clermont, 150 first-time felons will participate in a strengths-based case management model and complete the evaluation instrument at baseline, 6-, 12-, and 24-month points. Because the recruitment window was wider than in Cuyahoga, Clermont participants will not complete a 36-month instrument. A case study, including client, key informant, focus group and file data, will report the Clermont experience. This OMB revision provides for conclusion of data collection by way of 24- and 36-month participant interviews, 24- and 30-month participant focus groups, case manager focus groups, and electronic files that will inform the Program Restitution and Rehabilitation Evaluation. Data collection Number of respondents Responses per respondent Hours per response Total hour burden Cuyahoga Follow-up Battery: 24- & 36-month 874 1 1.85 1,617 Clermont Follow-up Battery: 24-month 90 1 1.85 167 Client Focus Groups: Cuyahoga @ 24- & 30-month 120 1 1.50 180 Electronic File Data: MCSIS

(1)Probation

(2)CISAI (1), TASC (1), 5 2 4.00 40 Quality Assurance (Tx Staff) Multimodality Quality Assurance

(MQA)6 1 .75 5 Stakeholders: Attitudes Towards Sealing Records 18 2 .08 3 Cuyahoga and Clermont Focus Groups 18 2 1.50 45 Case Manager Focus Groups 15 6 1.50 135 Total Burden 1,046 2,192 3-Year Annual Average 349 731 Written comments and recommendations concerning the proposed information collection should be sent by October 26, 2006 to: SAMHSA Desk Officer, Human Resources and Housing Branch, Office of Management and Budget, New Executive Office Building, Room 10235, Washington, DC 20503; due to potential delays in OMB's receipt and processing of mail sent through the U.S. Postal Service, respondents are encouraged to submit comments by fax to: 202-395-6974. Dated: September 18, 2006. Anna Marsh, Director, Office of Program Services. [FR Doc. E6-15714 Filed 9-25-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4162-20-P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Office of the Secretary Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor Commission: Notice of Meeting Notice is hereby given in accordance with Section 552b of Title 5, United States Code, that a meeting of the John H. Chafee Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor Commission will be held on Thursday, November 2, 2006. The Commission was established pursuant to Public Law 99-647. The purpose of the Commission is to assist Federal, State and local authorities in the development and implementation of an integrated resource management plan for those lands and waters within the Corridor. The meeting will convene on November 2, 2006 at 8 a.m. at Mass. Audubon Society at Broadmeadow Brook Wildlife Sanctuary, 414 Massasoit Road, Worcester, MA 01604. 1. Approval of Minutes. 2. Chairman's Report. 3. Executive Director's Report. 4. Financial Budget. 5. Public Input. It is anticipated that about twenty-five people will be able to attend the session in addition to the Commission members. Interested persons may make oral or written presentations to the Commission or file written statements. Such requests should be made prior to the meeting to: Larry Gall, Interim Executive Director, John H. Chafee Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor Commission, One Depot Square, Woonsocket, RI 02895, tel.:

(401)762-0250. Further information concerning this meeting may be obtained from Larry Gall, Interim Executive Director of the Commission at the aforementioned address. Larry Gall, Interim Executive Director, BRVNHCC. [FR Doc. E6-15713 Filed 9-25-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-RK-P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service Endangered Species Recovery Permit Applications AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice of receipt of permit applications; request for comment. SUMMARY: We invite the public to comment on the following applications to conduct certain activities with endangered species. DATES: Comments on these permit applications must be received on or before October 26, 2006. ADDRESSES: Written data or comments should be submitted to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Chief, Endangered Species, Ecological Services, 911 NE. 11th Avenue, Portland, Oregon 97232-4181 (telephone: 503-231-2063; fax: 503-231-6243). Please refer to the respective permit number for each application when submitting comments. All comments received, including names and addresses, will become part of the official administrative record and may be made available to the public. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Linda Belluomini, Fish and Wildlife Biologist, at the above Portland address, (telephone: 503-231-2063; fax: 503-231-6243). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The following applicants have applied for scientific research permits to conduct certain activities with endangered species pursuant to section 10(a)(1)(A) of the Endangered Species Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 *et seq.* ). The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (“we”) solicits review and comment from local, State, and Federal agencies, and the public on the following permit requests. Permit No. TE-132849 *Applicant:* Thomas R. Payne & Associates, Arcata, California The applicant requests a permit to take (harass by survey, capture, handle, and release) the tidewater goby ( *Eucyclogobius newberryi* ) in conjunction with surveys throughout the range of the species in California for the purpose of enhancing its survival. Permit No. TE-744878 *Applicant:* Institute for Wildlife Studies, Arcata, California The permittee requests an amendment to take (conduct diagnostic tests) the Santa Cruz Island fox ( *Urocyon littoralis santacruzae* ) and the Santa Catalina Island fox ( *Urocyon littoralis catalinae* ) in conjunction with allergen testing for the purpose of enhancing their survival throughout the range of the species in California. Permit No. TE-134367 *Applicant:* Loren R. Hays, Huntington Beach, California The applicant requests a permit to take (harass by survey, locate and monitor nests) the light-footed clapper rail ( *Rallus longirostris levipes* ), the California least tern ( *Sternula antillarum browni* ), the southwestern willow flycatcher ( *Empidonax traillii extimus* ), and the least Bell's vireo ( *Vireo bellii pusillus* ) in conjunction with surveys and monitoring throughout the range of the species in California for the purpose of enhancing their survival. Permit No. TE-134332 *Applicant:* Andrew S. Drummond, San Diego, California The applicant requests a permit to take (survey by pursuit) the Quino checkerspot butterfly ( *Euphydryas editha quino* ) in conjunction with surveys throughout the range of the species in California for the purpose of enhancing its survival. Permit No. TE-134333 *Applicant:* California State University, Chico, California The applicant requests a permit to take (capture, handle, release, and harass by survey) the California tiger salamander ( *Ambystoma californiense* ) in conjunction with population monitoring in Sonoma and Santa Barbara Counties, California, for the purpose of enhancing its survival. Permit No. TE-134334 *Applicant:* Lincoln Hulse, Mission Viejo, California The applicant requests a permit to take (capture and release) the Stephens' kangaroo rat ( *Dipodomys stephensi* ), the San Bernardino kangaroo rat ( *Dipodomys merriami parvus* ), and the Pacific pocket mouse ( *Perognathus longimembris pacificus* ) in conjunction with surveys throughout the range of the species in California for the purpose of enhancing their survival. Permit No. TE-134337 *Applicant:* Christopher M. Powers, Carlsbad, California The applicant requests a permit to take (capture, and collect and kill) the Conservancy fairy shrimp ( *Branchinecta conservatio* ), the longhorn fairy shrimp ( *Branchinecta longiantenna* ), the vernal pool tadpole shrimp ( *Lepidurus packardi* ), the Riverside fairy shrimp ( *Streptocephalus wootoni* ), and the San Diego fairy shrimp ( *Branchinecta sandiegonensis* ) in conjunction with surveys throughout the range of each species in California for the purpose of enhancing their survival. Permit No. TE-134338 *Applicant:* Brenna A. Ogg, San Diego, California The applicant requests a permit to take (survey by pursuit) the Quino checkerspot butterfly ( *Euphydryas editha quino* ) in conjunction with surveys throughout the range of the species in California for the purpose of enhancing its survival. Permit No. TE-134370 *Applicant:* Brant C. Primrose, San Diego, California The applicant requests a permit to take (survey by pursuit) the Quino checkerspot butterfly ( * Euphydryas editha quino * ) in conjunction with surveys throughout the range of the species in California for the purpose of enhancing its survival. Permit No. TE-134347 *Applicant:* California Department of Parks and Recreation, Mendocino, California The applicant requests a permit to take (harm, harass) the Point Arena mountain beaver ( *Aplodontia rufa nigra* ) and the Behren's silverspot butterfly ( *Speyeria zerene behrensii* ) in conjunction with habitat restoration activities in Mendocino County, California, for the purpose of enhancing their survival. We solicit public review and comment on each of these recovery permit applications. Our practice is to make comments, including names and home addresses of respondents, available for public review during regular business hours. Individual respondents may request that we withhold their home addresses from the record, which we will honor to the extent allowable by law. There also may be circumstances in which we would withhold from the record a respondent's identity, as allowable by law. If you wish us to withhold your name and/or address, you must state this prominently at the beginning of your comment, but you should be aware that we may be required to disclose your name and address pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act. However, we will not consider anonymous comments. We will make all submissions from organizations or businesses, and from individuals identifying themselves as representatives or officials of organizations or businesses, available for public inspection in their entirety. Comments and materials received will be available for public inspection, by appointment, during normal business hours at the above address. Dated: September 7, 2006. Michael Fris, Acting Manager, California/Nevada Operations Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. [FR Doc. E6-15704 Filed 9-25-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-55-P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service Endangered Species Recovery Permit Applications AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice of receipt of permit applications; request for comment. SUMMARY: We invite the public to comment on the following applications to conduct certain activities with endangered species. DATES: Comments on these permit applications must be received on or before October 26, 2006. ADDRESSES: Written data or comments should be submitted to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Chief, Endangered Species, Ecological Services, 911 NE. 11th Avenue, Portland, Oregon 97232-4181 (telephone: 503-231-2063; fax: 503-231-6243). Please refer to the respective permit number for each application when submitting comments. All comments received, including names and addresses, will become part of the official administrative record and may be made available to the public. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Linda Belluomini, Fish and Wildlife Biologist, at the above Portland address (telephone: 503-231-2063; fax: 503-231-6243). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The following applicants have applied for scientific research permits to conduct certain activities with endangered species pursuant to section 10(a)(1)(A) of the Endangered Species Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 *et seq.* ). The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (“we”) solicits review and comment from local, State, and Federal agencies, and the public on the following permit requests. Permit No. TE-129577 *Applicant:* Bureau of Land Management, Arcata, California The applicant requests a permit to remove/reduce to possession *Layia carnosa* (beach layia) in conjunction with ecological research in Humboldt County, California, for the purpose of enhancing its survival. Permit No. TE-816204 *Applicant:* University of California, Davis, California The permittee requests an amendment to take (capture, mark, collect tissue samples and voucher specimens, and release) the Buena Vista lake shrew ( *Sorex ornatus relictus* ), the giant kangaroo rat ( *Dipodomys ingens* ), the Fresno kangaroo rat ( *Dipodomys nitratoides exilis* ), the Tipton kangaroo rat ( *Dipodomys nitratoides nitratoides* ), and the Riparian woodrat ( *Neotoma fuscipes riparia* ) in conjunction with scientific research in San Joaquin, Merced, Stanislaus, Tulare, and Kern Counties, California, for the purpose of enhancing their survival. Permit No. TE-046262 *Applicant:* Blake A. Claypool, Encinitas, California The permittee requests an amendment to take (capture, and collect and kill) the Conservancy fairy shrimp ( *Branchinecta conservatio* ), the longhorn fairy shrimp ( *Branchinecta longiantenna* ), the vernal pool tadpole shrimp ( *Lepidurus packardi* ), the Riverside fairy shrimp ( *Streptocephalus wootoni* ), and the San Diego fairy shrimp ( *Branchinecta sandiegonensis* ) in conjunction with surveys throughout the range of each species in California for the purpose of enhancing their survival. Permit No. TE-128256 *Applicant:* Steven Kramer, Arcata, California The applicant requests a permit to take (harass by survey, capture, handle, and release) the tidewater goby ( *Eucyclogobius newberryi* ) in conjunction with surveys throughout the species range in California for the purpose of enhancing its survival. We solicit public review and comment on each of these recovery permit applications. Our practice is to make comments, including names and home addresses of respondents, available for public review during regular business hours. Individual respondents may request that we withhold their home addresses from the record, which we will honor to the extent allowable by law. There also may be circumstances in which we would withhold from the record a respondent's identity, as allowable by law. If you wish us to withhold your name and/or address, you must state this prominently at the beginning of your comment, but you should be aware that we may be required to disclose your name and address pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act. However, we will not consider anonymous comments. We will make all submissions from organizations or businesses, and from individuals identifying themselves as representatives or officials of organizations or businesses, available for public inspection in their entirety. Comments and materials received will be available for public inspection, by appointment, during normal business hours at the above address. Dated: August 23, 2006. Michael Fris, Acting Manager, California/Nevada Operations Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. [FR Doc. E6-15707 Filed 9-25-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-55-P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service Draft Safe Harbor Agreement With Assurances and Application for an Enhancement of Survival Permit for the Houston Toad on the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA)/Lost Pines Scout Reservation in Bastrop County, TX AGENCY: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice of availability; receipt of application. SUMMARY: Boy Scouts of America/Capital Area Council (Applicant) has applied to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) for an enhancement of survival permit pursuant to section 10(a)(1)(A) of the Endangered Species Act

(Act)of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 *et seq.* ). The requested permit, which is for a period of 15 years, includes a draft Safe Harbor Agreement

(SHA)for the endangered Houston toad ( *Bufo houstonensis* ) in Bastrop County, Texas. We invite public comment. DATES: To ensure consideration, written comments must be received on or before October 26, 2006. ADDRESSES: Persons wishing to review the application may obtain a copy by writing to the Regional Director, P.O. Box 1306, Room 4102, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87103. Persons wishing to review the draft SHA or other related documents may obtain a copy by written or telephone request to Paige Najvar, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 10711 Burnet Road, Suite 200, Austin, Texas 78758 (512-490-0057; Fax 512-490-0974). The documents will also be available for public inspection, by appointment only, during normal business hours (8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) at the Service's Austin office. Comments concerning the draft SHA or other related documents should be submitted in writing to the Field Supervisor at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 10711 Burnet Road, Suite 200, Austin, Texas 78758. Please refer to permit number TE-133115-0 when submitting comments. All comments received will become a part of the official administrative record and may be made available to the public. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Paige Najvar at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 10711 Burnet Road, Suite 200, Austin, Texas 78758 (512-490-0057; Fax 512-490-0974), or *Paige_Najvar@fws.gov.* SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Applicant has applied to the Service for a section 10(a)(1)(A) enhancement of survival permit for the endangered Houston toad in Bastrop County, Texas for a period of 15 years. The Service has worked with the Applicant to design and implement conservation activities that are expected to have a net conservation benefit to the Houston toad in Bastrop County, Texas. Conservation activities the Applicant will undertake according to the SHA include:

(1)Prescribed burning in every management area on the LCRA/Lost Pines Scout Reservation in order to control invasive woody understory species and decrease existing fuel load;

(2)brush thinning activities in forested areas in the eastern, south, and southeastern areas of the property to control invasive woody understory species and to evaluate trends in forest floor plant diversity under different brush control management approaches;

(3)restoring and replanting native vegetation in the eastern, south, and southeastern areas of the property to help facilitate Houston toad movement;

(4)creating shallow, ephemeral ponds to facilitate and enhance Houston toad breeding success; and

(5)treating red imported fire ant ( *Solenopsis invicta* ) mounds at newly constructed ponds. These conservation activities are expected to

(1)facilitate the establishment of native, herbaceous vegetation as well as expand and enhance potential breeding, foraging, and hibernating habitats for the Houston toad currently on adjacent and nearby properties;

(2)protect and preserve habitat to enhance the movement of Houston toads among existing foraging and breeding areas to the south and southeast of the LCRA/Lost Pines Scout Reservation;

(3)create Houston toad breeding habitat through pond creation; and

(4)collect research data related to the effects of the conservation activities and planned enhancements to help design future management strategies for the Houston toad. The incidental take of Houston toads may occur from

(1)habitat management actions conducted in accordance with the conservation activities in the Agreement,

(2)on-going Boy Scout camp activities that may have an increased chance of taking the species if toad numbers increase, as expected, and

(3)cessation of the conservation activities, at some point in the future, if the Applicant exercises their authorization to do so under the permit. We provide this notice pursuant to section 10(c) of the Act, the National Environmental Policy Act (42 U.S.C 4371 *et seq.* ), and its implementing regulations (40 CFR 1506.6). Christopher Todd Jones, Acting Regional Director, Region 2, Albuquerque, New Mexico. [FR Doc. E6-15708 Filed 9-25-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-55-P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management [WY-920-1320-EL, WYW173097] Notice of Invitation for Coal Exploration License Application, Wyoming AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior. ACTION: Notice of Invitation for Coal Exploration License Application, Ark Land Company, WYW173097, Wyoming. SUMMARY: Pursuant to section 2(b) of the Mineral Leasing Act of 1920, as amended by section 4 of the Federal Coal Leasing Amendments Act of 1976, 90 Stat. 1083, 30 U.S.C. 201(b), and to the regulations adopted as 43 Code of Federal Regulations

(CFR)3410, all interested qualified parties, as provided in 43 CFR 3472.1, are hereby invited to participate with Ark Land Company on a pro rata cost sharing basis in a program for the exploration of coal deposits owned by the United States of America in the following-described lands in Campbell County, Wyoming: T. 46 N., R. 70 W., 6th P.M., Wyoming Sec. 18: Lots 7 through 10, 14 through17; Sec. 19: Lots 7 through 10, 15 through18; Sec. 30: Lots 5 through 20; Sec. 31: Lots 1, 5 through 19; Sec. 32: Lots 5 through 8, 11 through 14. Containing 2,274.14 acres, more or less. DATES: Any party electing to participate in this exploration program must send written notice to both the Bureau of Land Management and Ark Land Company, as provided in the ADDRESSES section below, which must be received within 30 days after publication of this Notice of Invitation in the **Federal Register** . ADDRESSES: Copies of the exploration plan are available for review during normal business hours in the following offices (serialized under number WYW173097): Bureau of Land Management, Wyoming State Office, 5353 Yellowstone Road, P.O. Box 1828, Cheyenne, WY 82003; and Bureau of Land Management, Casper Field Office, 2987 Prospector Drive, Casper, WY 82604. The written notice should be sent to the following addresses: Ark Land Company, Attn: Mike Lincoln, P.O. Box 460, Hanna, WY 82327, and the Bureau of Land Management, Wyoming State Office, Branch of Solid Minerals, Attn: Mavis Love, P.O. Box 1828, Cheyenne, WY 82003. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: All of the coal in the above-described land consists of unleased Federal coal within the Powder River Basin Known Coal Leasing Area. The purpose of the exploration program is to gain additional knowledge of the coal underlying the exploration area for the purpose of assessing the reserves contained in a potential lease. This notice of invitation will be published in The News-Record of Gillette, WY, once each week for two consecutive weeks beginning the week of August 28, 2006, and in the **Federal Register** . The foregoing is published in the **Federal Register** pursuant to 43 CFR 3410.2-1(c)(1). Dated: August 14, 2006. Alan Rabinoff, Deputy State Director, Minerals and Lands. [FR Doc. E6-15717 Filed 9-25-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-22-P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management [NV-040-5101-ER-F345; N-78803] Notice To Extend Public Comment Period for Reopened Public Scoping Process for the Proposed Clark, Lincoln, and White Pine Counties Groundwater Development Project AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior. ACTION: Notice to Extend Public Comment Period for Reopened Public Scoping Process for the Proposed Clark, Lincoln, and White Pine Counties Groundwater Development Project. SUMMARY: Public comment period is being extended on the Proposed Clark, Lincoln, and White Pine Counties Groundwater Development Project. The comment period is being extended due to extensive public comment and a high level of public interest. DATES: The public comment period is being extended to October 17, 2006. Submissions should be in writing or by Fax ( *see* ADDRESSES below). ADDRESSES: Comments should be submitted in writing to: Penny Woods, Bureau of Land Management, Nevada State Office, 1340 Financial Boulevard, P.O. Box 12000, Reno, Nevada 89520-0006 or by Fax to: 775-861-6466. Comments submitted during this EIS process, including names and street addresses of respondents will be available for public review at the Nevada State Office during regular business hours 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except holidays. Individual respondents may request confidentiality. If you wish to withhold your name and address from public review or disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act, you must state this prominently at the beginning of your comments. Such requests will be honored to the extent allowed by law. All submissions from organizations or businesses, and from individuals identifying themselves as representatives or officials of organizations or businesses, will be made available for public inspection in their entirety. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information or to have your name added to/removed from the EIS mailing list, contact Penny Woods at the Nevada State Office ( *see* ADDRESSES above), telephone 775-861-6466. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Notice to Reopen the Public Scoping Process for the Proposed Clark, Lincoln, and White Pine Counties Groundwater Development Project was originally published in the **Federal Register** on July 19, 2006 (71 FR 138). Information concerning the reopening of scoping can also be found on the Nevada BLM Web site at *http://www.nv.blm.gov.* Amy Lueders, Associate State Director. [FR Doc. E6-15725 Filed 9-25-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-HC-P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Minerals Management Service Notice of Public Hearings on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed 5-Year Outer Continental Shelf

(OCS)Oil and Gas Leasing Program for 2007-2012 AGENCY: Minerals Management Service (MMS), Interior. SUMMARY: Pursuant to the regulations implementing the procedural provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act (42 U.S.C. 4321, *et seq.* ), the Minerals Management Service

(MMS)will hold Public Hearings to solicit comments on the Draft EIS for the Proposed 2007-2012 OCS Oil and Gas 5-Year Leasing Program, as announced in the **Federal Register** notifying the availability of the Draft EIS on August 25, 2006. Statements, both oral and written, will be received at the venues listed below. Persons wishing to speak may be put on the speakers' list by the MMS contacts in advance of the specific public hearing or may sign up at the hearing. Time limits may be set on oral testimony to allow time for all speakers to participate. The following Public Hearings are planned for the DEIS. Dates Locations for Public Hearings: September 25, 2006—Unalaska City Council Chambers, Unalaska, Alaska, 6:30 p.m., contact: Mr. Albert Barros,

(907)334-5209. September 26, 2006—Cold Bay Community Center, Cold Bay, Alaska, 7 p.m., contact: Mr. Albert Barros,

(907)334-5209. September 27, 2006—Allan Nelson Community Building, Nelson Lagoon, Alaska, 4:30 p.m., contact: Mr. Albert Barros,

(907)334-5209. September 28, 2006—Centerpoint Building, 1st Floor Conference Room, 3801 Centerpoint Drive, Anchorage, Alaska, 5 p.m., contact: Mr. Fred King,

(907)334-5271. September 28, 2006—Sand Point City Council Chambers, Sand Point, Alaska, 7 p.m., contact: Mr. Albert Barros,

(907)334-5209. October 9, 2006—City of Goodnews Bay Council Chambers, Goodnews Bay, Alaska, 5 p.m., contact: Mr. Albert Barros,

(907)334-5209. October 10, 2006—Bristol Bay Borough Building, Naknek, Alaska, 6:30 p.m., contact: Mr. Albert Barros,

(907)334-5209. October 11, 2006—Dillingham City Council Chambers, Dillingham, Alaska, 6:30 p.m., contact: Mr. Albert Barros,

(907)334-5209. October 30, 2006—Marriott Houston Intercontinental at George Bush Intercontinental Airport, 18700 John F. Kennedy Blvd., Houston, Texas, 1 p.m., contact: Mr. Dennis Chew,

(504)736-2793. October 31, 2006—Hampton Inn and Suites New Orleans-Elmwood, 5150 Mounes Street, Harahan, Louisiana, 1 p.m., contact: Mr. Dennis Chew,

(504)736-2793. November 1, 2006—Riverview Plaza Hotel, 64 South Water Street, Mobile, Alabama, 1 p.m., contact: Mr. Dennis Chew,

(504)736-2793. November 8, 2006—Nuiqsut Community Center, Nuiqsut, Alaska, 7 p.m., contact: Mr. Albert Barros,

(907)334-5209. November 10, 2006—Kaktovik Community Center, Kaktovik, Alaska, 7 p.m., contact: Mr. Albert Barros,

(907)334-5209. November 13, 2006—Robert James Community Center, Wainwright, Alaska, 7 p.m., contact: Mr. Albert Barros,

(907)334-5209. November 14, 2006—Norfolk, Virginia (exact venue will be announced in a subsequent **Federal Register** Notice, please also check our Web site at *http://www.mms.gov/5-year/* ), contact: Dr. Norman Froomer,

(703)787-1644. November 14, 2006—Point Lay Community Center, Point Lay, Alaska, 7 p.m., contact: Mr. Albert Barros,

(907)334-5209. November 15, 2006—Marriott Bay Point Resort, 4000 Marriott Drive, Panama City Beach, Florida, 1 p.m., contact: Mr. Dennis Chew,

(504)736-2793. November 15, 2006—Kalgi Center, Point Hope, Alaska, 7 p.m., contact: Mr. Albert Barros,

(907)334-5209. November 16, 2006—Inupiat Heritage Center, Barrow, Alaska, 7 p.m., contact: Mr. Albert Barros,

(907)334-5209. Information concerning the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed 5-Year Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program for 2007-2012 can be accessed at *http://www.mms.gov/5-year/.* We would also like to correct an error in our August 25, 2006, **Federal Register** Notice of Availability of the DEIS. The correct address and phone number for the Alaska Region Office is: Alaska OCS Region, Minerals Management Service, 3801 Centerpoint Drive, Suite 500, Anchorage, Alaska, 99503-5823,

(907)334-5206/5207, FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Minerals Management Service, Mr. James Bennett, Chief, Branch of Environmental Assessment, 381 Elden Street, Mail Stop 4042, Herndon, Virginia 20170,

(703)787-1660. Dated: September 19, 2006. Francis Hodsoll, Acting Director, Minerals Management Service. [FR Doc. 06-8267 Filed 9-21-06; 4:40 pm]

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