Notices. Notice of Public Meetings

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BILLING CODE 8230-01-M DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request The Department of Commerce will submit to the Office of Management and Budget

(OMB)for clearance the following proposal for collection of information under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35). *Agency:* National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). *Title:* Information for Share Transfer in the Wreckfish Fishery. *Form Number(s):* None. *OMB Approval Number:* 0648-0262. *Type of Request:* Regular submission. *Burden Hours:* 1. *Number of Respondents:* 4. *Average Hours Per Response:* 15 minutes. *Needs and Uses:* The individual transferable quota system in the wreckfish fishery is based on percentage shares. Persons holding shares may sell or otherwise transfer them to others, but information about the proposed transfer must first be provided to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The information is needed to manage the quota system, and information about the sales price is used in economic analyses. *Affected Public:* Business or other for-profit organizations. *Frequency:* On occasion. *Respondent's Obligation:* Mandatory. *OMB Desk Officer:* David Rostker,

(202)395-3897. Copies of the above information collection proposal can be obtained by calling or writing Diana Hynek, Departmental Paperwork Clearance Officer,

(202)482-0266, Department of Commerce, Room 6625, 14th and Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230 (or via the Internet at *dHynek@doc.gov* ). Written comments and recommendations for the proposed information collection should be sent within 30 days of publication of this notice to David Rostker, OMB Desk Officer, fax number

(202)395-7285, or *David_Rostker@omb.eop.gov* . Dated: October 18, 2006. Gwellnar Banks, Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer. [FR Doc. E6-17739 Filed 10-23-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-22-P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request The Department of Commerce will submit to the Office of Management and Budget

(OMB)for clearance the following proposal for collection of information under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35). *Agency:* National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). *Title:* Subsistence Fishery For Pacific Halibut in Waters Off Alaska: Registration and Marking of Gear. *Form Number(s):* None. *OMB Approval Number:* 0648-0460. *Type of Request:* Regular submission. *Burden Hours:* 1,816. *Number of Respondents:* 15,983. *Average Hours Per Response:* Applications, 10 minutes; gear-marking, 15 minutes. *Needs and Uses:* This submission seeks renewal of collection-of-information requirements that are part of the program for the Pacific halibut subsistence fishery. The program includes requirements for registration to participate in the fishery, and the marking of setline buoys or kegs used in this fishery. The registration requirement is intended to allow qualified persons to practice the long-term customary and traditional harvest of Pacific halibut for food in a non-commercial manner. The gear-marking requirement aids in enforcement and in actions related to gear damage or loss. The registration information may be submitted by an individual or as a list of multiple individuals from an Alaska Native tribe. The submissions may be made by mail, fax, e-mail or on-line. *Affected Public:* Not-for-profit institutions; business or other for-profit organizations; State, Local or Tribal Government. *Frequency:* Applications, every two or four years; gear marking, annually. *Respondent's Obligation:* Required to obtain or retain benefits. *OMB Desk Officer:* David Rostker,

(202)395-3897. Copies of the above information collection proposal can be obtained by calling or writing Diana Hynek, Departmental Paperwork Clearance Officer,

(202)395-7285, or *David_Rostker@omb.eop.gov* . Dated: October 18, 2006. Gwellnar Banks, Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer. [FR Doc. E6-17740 Filed 10-23-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-22-P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Bureau of the Census Census Advisory Committees AGENCY: Bureau of the Census, Department of Commerce. ACTION: Notice of Public Meetings. SUMMARY: The Bureau of the Census (Census Bureau) is giving notice of the following Census Advisory Committee

(CAC)meeting: A special Joint Census Advisory Committee meeting of the CACs on Race and Ethnic Populations, the 2010 CAC, and the CAC of Professional Associations (CACPA), to be held on November 30, 2006. This special Joint Advisory Committee Meeting will focus on 2010 Census content, including results of the 2005 National Content Test. Separately, the American Indian and Alaska Native

(AIAN)Advisory Committee will meet on November 29, 2006, to discuss AIAN-related geographic issues. DATES: On Thursday, November 30, 2006, the special Joint CAC meeting will begin at 8:30 a.m. and adjourn at 5:30 p.m. On Wednesday, November 29, 2006, the AIAN Advisory Committee meeting will begin at 1 p.m. and adjourn at 5 p.m. Last minute changes to the schedule are possible. ADDRESSES: The meetings will be held at the U.S. Census Bureau, 4600 Silver Hill Road, North Building, Suitland, Maryland 20746. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Jeri Green, Committee Liaison Officer, U.S. Department of Commerce, U.S. Census Bureau, Room 8H153, North Building, Washington, DC 20233, telephone:

(301)763-2070, TTY

(301)457-2540. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The CACs on the African American Population, AIAN Populations, the Asian Population, the Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander Populations, and the Hispanic Population are composed of nine members each, appointed by the Secretary of Commerce. The Committees provide an outside-user perspective about how research and design plans for the reengineered 2010 Decennial Census, the American Community Survey (ACS), and other related programs realize goals and satisfy needs associated with these communities. The committees also assist the Census Bureau on ways that census data can best be disseminated to diverse race and ethnic populations and other users. The 2010 CAC is composed of a Chair, Vice-Chair, and 20 member organizations—all appointed by the Secretary of Commerce. The Committee considers the goals of the decennial census, including the ACS and related programs, and users' needs for information provided by the decennial census from the perspective of outside data users and other organizations having a substantial interest and expertise in the conduct and outcome of the decennial census. The CACPA is composed of 36 members appointed by the presidents of the American Economic Association, the American Statistical Association, the Population Association of America, and the Chairman of the Board of the American Marketing Association. The committee advises the Director of the Census Bureau on the full range of Census Bureau programs and activities in relation to each committee's areas of expertise and focus. All the committees discussed in this notice have been established in accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act (Title 5, United States Code, Appendix 2, Section 10(a)(b)). A brief period will be set aside for public comment. However, individuals with extensive statements for the record must submit them in writing to Ms. Jeri Green, Committee Liaison Officer, 4600 Silver Hill Road, Room 8H153, Washington, DC 20233, or e-mail at *jeri.green@census.gov* at least three- working days prior to the meetings. Seating is available to the public on a first-come, first-served basis. The meeting is physically accessible to people with disabilities. Requests for sign language interpretation or other auxiliary aids should be directed to the Census Bureau Committee Liaison Officer as soon as possible, preferably two weeks prior to the meeting. Dated: October 18, 2006. Charles Louis Kincannon, Director, Bureau of the Census. [FR Doc. E6-17783 Filed 10-23-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-07-P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE International Trade Administration A-570-888 Floor-Standing, Metal-Top Ironing Tables and Certain Parts Thereof From the People's Republic of China: Notice of Extension of Time Limit for Final Results of First Antidumping Administrative Review AGENCY: Import Administration, International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce. EFFECTIVE DATE: October 24, 2006. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kristina Boughton or Bobby Wong, AD/CVD Operations, Office 9, Import Administration, International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, 14th Street and Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20230; telephone:

(202)482-8173 or

(202)482-0409, respectively. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background On September 12, 2006, the Department of Commerce (the Department) published in the **Federal Register** the preliminary results of this antidumping administrative review. *Floor-Standing, Metal-Top Ironing Tables and Certain Parts Thereof from the People's Republic of China: Preliminary Results of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review* , 71 FR 53655 (September 12, 2006). Extension of Time Limits for Final Results Pursuant to Section 751(a)(3)(A) of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (the Act), and section 351.213(h)(1) of the Department's regulations, the Department shall issue the preliminary results of an administrative review within 245 days after the last day of the anniversary month of the date of publication of the order. The Act further provides that the Department shall issue the final results of review within 120 days after the date on which the notice of the preliminary results was published in the **Federal Register** . However, if the Department determines that it is not practicable to complete the review within this time period, section 751(a)(3)(A) of the Act and section 351.213(h)(2) of the Department's regulations allow the Department to extend the 245-day period to 365 days and the 120-day period to 180 days. In the instant review, the Department finds that the current deadline for the final results is not practicable. The Department requires additional time to conduct verifications of the exporters, and review and analyze interested party comments. As a result, the Department has determined to extend the current time limits of this administrative review. For these reasons, the Department is fully extending the time limit for the completion of these final results until no later than Monday, March 12, 2007, which is the first business day 180 days from the date on which the notice of the preliminary results was published. This notice is issued and published in accordance with sections 751(a)(3)(A) and 777(i) of the Act. Dated: October 16, 2006. Stephen J. Claeys, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Import Administration. [FR Doc. E6-17781 Filed 10-23-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-DS-S DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE International Trade Administration A-570-894 Certain Tissue Paper Products from the People's Republic of China: Extension of Time Limit for Preliminary Results of the First Administrative Review AGENCY: Import Administration, International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce. EFFECTIVE DATE: October 24, 2006. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kristina Horgan or Bobby Wong, AD/CVD Operations, Office 9, Import Administration, International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, 14th Street and Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20230; telephone:

(202)482-8173, or

(202)482-0409, respectively. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background On March 30, 2005, the Department of Commerce (the Department) published in the **Federal Register** an antidumping duty order covering certain tissue paper from the People's Republic of China (PRC). *Notice of Amended Final Determination of Sales at Less than Fair Value and Antidumping Duty Order: Certain Tissue Paper Products from the People's Republic of China* , 70 FR 16223 (March 30, 2005). On March 2, 2006, the Department published a *Notice of Opportunity to Request Administrative Review of Antidumping or Countervailing Duty Order, Finding, or Suspended Investigation* , 71 FR 10642 (March 2, 2006). On April 28, 2006, the Department initiated an administrative review of 20 companies. *Initiation of Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Administrative Reviews* , 71 FR 25145 (April 28, 2006). On August 25, 2006, Seaman Paper Company of Massachusetts, Inc., petitioner, filed a letter withdrawing its request for review of five companies, Fujian Naoshan Paper Industry Group Co., Ltd., Fuzhou Magicpro Gifts Co., Ltd., Guilin Qifeng Paper Co., Ltd., Goldwing Co., Ltd., and AR Printing and Packaging. Because petitioner was the only party to request a review of these five companies, on September 29, 2006, the Department rescinded this review with respect to these five companies. *Notice of Partial Rescission of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review: Certain Tissue Paper Products from the People's Republic of China* , 71 FR 57471 (September 29, 2006). The Department has issued its antidumping duty questionnaire to Samsam Productions Ltd. and its affiliated Chinese supplier Guangzhou Baxi Printing Products Co., Ltd. and Max Fortune Industrial Limited and Max Fortune Paper Products Co., Ltd. 1 The deadline for completion of the preliminary results is currently December 1, 2006. 1 The remaining companies have either placed statements on the record of this review claiming no shipments of subject merchandise during the period of review or have stated that they would not participate in the review. Extension of Time Limits for Preliminary Results Section 751(a)(3)(A) of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (the Act), and 19 CFR 351.213(h)(1) require the Department to issue the preliminary results of an administrative review within 245 days after the last day of the anniversary month of the order for which the administrative review was requested, and the final results of the review within 120 days after the date on which the notice of the preliminary results was published in the **Federal Register** . However, if the Department determines that it is not practicable to complete the review within this time period, section 751(a)(3)(A) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.213(h)(2) allow the Department to extend the 245-day period to 365 days and the 120-day period to 180 days. Pursuant to section 751(a)(3)(A) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.213(h), we determine that it is not practicable to complete this administrative review within the statutory time limit of 245 days. The Department requires additional time to issue and analyze supplemental questionnaires and conduct verifications. In particular, there are complex factors of production methodology issues, which the Department requires additional time to review. Therefore, in accordance with section 751(a)(3)(A) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.213(h)(2), the Department is extending the time limit for the completion of these preliminary results by an additional 77 days to February 16, 2007. The final results, in turn, will be due 120 days after the date of issuance of the preliminary results, unless extended. This notice is issued and published in accordance with sections 751(a)(3)(A) and 777(i)(1) of the Act. Dated: October 16, 2006. Stephen J. Claeys, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Import Administration. [FR Doc. E6-17780 Filed 10-23-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-DS-S DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Evaluation of State Coastal Management Programs and National Estuarine Research Reserves AGENCY: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management, National Ocean Service, Commerce. ACTION: Notice of Intent to Evaluate and Notice of Availability of Final Findings. SUMMARY: The NOAA Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management

(OCRM)announces its intent to evaluate the performance of the Texas Coastal Management Program. The Coastal Zone Management Program evaluation will be conducted pursuant to section 312 of the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972, as amended

(CZMA)and regulations at 15 CFR Part 923, Subpart L. The CZMA requires continuing review of the performance of states with respect to coastal program implementation. Evaluation of a Coastal Management Program requires findings concerning the extent to which a state has met the national objectives, adhered to its Coastal Management Program document approved by the Secretary of Commerce, and adhered to the terms of financial assistance awards funded under the CZMA. Each evaluation will include a site visit, consideration of public comments, and consultations with interested Federal, State, and local agencies and members of the public. Two public meetings will be held as part of the site visit. Notice is hereby given of the dates of the site visit for the listed evaluation, and the dates, local times, and locations of the public meetings during the site visit. Date and Time: The Texas Coastal Management Program evaluation site visit will be held December 4-8, 2006. Two public meetings will be held during the week. The first public meeting will be held on Tuesday, December 5, 2006, at 5:30 p.m. at the Club Padre, 5800 Padre Boulevard, South Padre Island, Texas. The second public meeting will be held on Thursday, December 7, 2006, at 1 p.m. at the Stephen F. Austin Building, Room 170, 1700 North Congress Avenue, Austin, Texas. ADDRESSES: Copies of a State's most recent performance reports, as well as OCRM's evaluation notification and supplemental information request letters to the state, are available upon request from OCRM. Written comments from interested parties regarding this Program are encouraged and will be accepted until 15 days after the last public meeting held for the Program. Please direct written comments to Ralph Cantral, Chief, National Policy and Evaluation Division, Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management, NOS/NOAA, 1305 East-West Highway, 10th Floor, N/ORM7, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910. When the evaluation is completed, OCRM will place a notice in the **Federal Register** announcing the availability of the Final Evaluation Findings. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Notice is hereby given of the availability of the final evaluation findings for the Puerto Rico, North Carolina, and American Samoa Coastal Management Programs

(CMPs)and the ACE Basin (South Carolina), North Inlet/Winyah Bay (South Carolina), Kachemak Bay (Alaska), and the Tijuana River (California) National Estuarine Research Reserves (NERRs). Sections 312 and 315 of the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 (CZMA), as amended, require a continuing review of the performance of coastal states with respect to approval of CMPs and the operation and management of NERRs. The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the State of North Carolina, and the Territory of American Samoa were found to be implementing and enforcing their federally approved coastal management programs, addressing the national coastal management objectives identified in CZMA Section 303(2)(A)-(K), and adhering to the programmatic terms of their financial assistance awards. The ACE Basin (South Carolina), North Inlet/Winyah Bay (South Carolina), Kachemak Bay (Alaska), and the Tijuana River (California) NERRs were found to be adhering to programmatic requirements of the NERR System. Copies of these final evaluation findings may be obtained upon written request from: Ralph Cantral, Chief, National Policy and Evaluation Division, Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management, NOS/NOAA, 1305 East-West Highway, 10th Floor, N/ORM7, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910, or *Ralph.Cantral@noaa.gov.* FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ralph Cantral, Chief, National Policy and Evaluation Division, Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management, NOS/NOAA, 1305 East-West Highway, 10th Floor, N/ORM7, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910, (301)563-7118. Federal Domestic Assistance Catalog 11.419: Coastal Zone Management Program Administration. Dated: October 18, 2006. Elizabeth R. Scheffler, Associate Assistant Administrator, for Management, Ocean Services and Coastal Zone Management. [FR Doc. E6-17750 Filed 10-23-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-08-P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [I.D. 092706C] Notice of Intent To Conduct Public Scoping and To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement Related to the Washington Department of Natural Resources Aquatic Lands Habitat Conservation Plan AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), Interior; National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice; scoping meetings, request for comments. SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Marine Fisheries Service (Services) advise interested parties of their intent to conduct public scoping under the National Environmental Policy Act

(NEPA)to gather information to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement

(EIS)related to a permit application from the Washington Department of Natural Resources

(WDNR)for the incidental take of species listed under the Endangered Species Act. The permit application would be associated with the WDNR's Aquatic Lands Habitat Conservation Plan. DATES: See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section for meeting dates. Written comments should be received on or before December 8, 2006. ADDRESSES: See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section for meeting locations. All comments concerning preparation of the EIS and the NEPA process should be addressed to: Jo Ellen Henry, FWS, 510 Desmond Drive, SE., Suite 102, Lacey, WA 98503, facsimile number 360-753-9518; or John Stadler, NMFS, 510 Desmond Drive, SE., Suite 103, Lacey, WA 98503, facsimile number 360-753-9517. Submit electronic comments to *WADNRaquaticlandsHCP.nwr@noaa.gov.* In the subject line of the electronic mail, include the document identifier: Washington DNR Aquatics HCP EIS. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jo Ellen Henry, FWS, telephone 360-753-7766; or John Stadler, NMFS, telephone 360-753-9576. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Five public scoping meetings are scheduled from 7 to 9:30 p.m. for the following dates and locations:

(1)October 24, 2006; at the Student Union Building, Spokane Falls Community College, 3410 West Fort George Wright Drive, Spokane, WA 99224-5288.

(2)October 25, 2006; at the Student Union Building, Central Washington University, 400 East University Way, Ellensburg, WA 98926.

(3)November 1, 2006; at the Main Branch, Public Library, 210 Central Avenue, Bellingham, WA 98225.

(4)November 7, 2006; at the Cowlitz County Public Utility District Office, 961 12th Avenue, Longview, WA 98632.

(5)November 8, 2006; at the National Marine Fisheries Service, 7600 Sand Point Way, NE., Seattle, WA 98115. Statutory Authority Section 9 of the Endangered Species Act (ESA), as amended (16 U.S.C. 1538) and implementing regulations prohibit the taking of endangered species. The term “take” is defined under the ESA (16 U.S.C. 1532(19)) as harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture, or collect, or to attempt to engage in any such conduct. “Harm” is defined by FWS regulation to include significant habitat modification or degradation where it actually kills or injures wildlife by significantly impairing essential behavioral patterns, including breeding, feeding, or sheltering (50 CFR 17.3). NMFS' definition of “harm” includes significant habitat modification or degradation where it actually kills or injures fish or wildlife by significantly impairing essential behavioral patterns, including breeding, feeding, spawning, migrating, rearing, or sheltering (64 FR 60727, November 8, 1999). Section 10 of the ESA and implementing regulations specify requirements for the issuance of incidental take permits

(ITPs)to non-Federal applicants for the take of endangered and threatened species. Any proposed take must be incidental to otherwise lawful activities and must not appreciably reduce the likelihood of the survival and recovery of the species in the wild. In addition, the applicant must prepare a habitat conservation plan

(HCP)describing the impact that will likely result from such taking, what steps will be taken to minimize and mitigate the impacts of the take, the funding available to implement such steps, alternatives to such taking, and the reason such alternatives are not being implemented. NEPA (42 U.S.C. 4321 *et seq.* ) requires that Federal agencies conduct an environmental analysis of their proposed actions to determine if the actions may significantly affect the human environment. Under NEPA, a reasonable range of alternatives to proposed projects is developed and considered in the Services' environmental review. Alternatives considered for analysis in an EIS may include variations in the scope of covered activities; variations in the number of covered species; variations in the location, amount, and type of conservation; variations in permit duration; or a combination of these elements. In addition, the EIS will identify potentially significant direct, indirect, and cumulative effects on biological resources, land use, air quality, water quality, water resources, socioeconomics, and other environmental issues that could occur with the implementation of the applicant's proposed actions and alternatives. For potentially significant impacts, an EIS may identify avoidance, minimization, or mitigation measures to reduce these impacts, where feasible, to a level below significance. Background An EIS for the WDNR HCP would analyze the potential issuance of two ITPs, one by NMFS and one by the FWS. To obtain an ITP, the applicant must prepare an HCP that meets the issuance criteria established by the ESA and Service regulations (50 CFR 17.22(b)(2), 17.32(b)(2), and 222.307). Should a permit or permits be issued, the permit(s) may include assurances under the Services' “No Surprises” regulations. Approximately 2.4 million acres in Washington are state-owned aquatic lands managed by the WDNR, that include tidelands, shorelands, and bedlands. Nearly all of the freshwater and marine bedlands, approximately 30 percent of the tidelands, and approximately 70 percent of the shorelands of the navigable lakes and rivers in Washington are under state ownership. The WDNR authorizes a wide variety of activities undertaken by individuals, businesses, and government entities, and conducts activities on state-owned aquatic lands, such as derelict vessel removal, control of aquatic nuisance species, identification and management of areas for conservation or restoration, designation of aquatic reserves, and aquaculture of shellfish and finfish. Several species of fish, birds, marine mammals, and other species that use habitat on state-owned aquatic land have been listed as threatened, endangered, species of concern, or candidate species by Federal or state governments. Federally threatened or endangered species within the proposed HCP area include the bald eagle, marbled murrelet, western snowy plover, bull trout, killer whale, and several species of salmonids. The species under consideration for coverage in the HCP include the brown pelican ( *Pelecanus occidentalis* ), bald eagle ( *Haliaeetus leucocephalus* ), marbled murrelet ( *Brachyramphus marmoratus* ), bull trout ( *Salvelinus confluentus* ), western snowy plover ( *Charadrius alexandrinus nivosus* ), western toad ( *Bufo boreas* ), Columbia spotted frog ( *Rana luteiventris* ), northern leopard frog (Rana pipiens), western pond turtle (Clemmys marmorata), black tern ( *Chlidonias niger* ), common loon ( *Gavia immer* ), harlequin duck ( *Histrionicus histrionicus* ), Dolly Varden ( *Salvelinus malma* ), Chinook salmon ( *Oncorhynchus tschawytscha* ), chum salmon ( *O. keta* ), coastal cutthroat trout ( *O. clarkii clarkii* ), coho salmon ( *O. kisutch* ), pink salmon ( *O. gorbuscha* ), sockeye/kokanee salmon ( *O. nerka* ), steelhead ( *O. mykiss* ), and killer whale ( *Orcinus orca* ). The draft HCP to be prepared by WDNR in support of the ITP applications will describe the impacts of take on proposed covered species and propose a conservation strategy to minimize and mitigate those impacts to the maximum extent practicable. With assistance from the Services, WDNR will develop habitat conservation measures for fish and wildlife and their associated habitats. The Services are responsible for determining whether the HCP satisfies the ESA section 10 permit issuance criteria. Under NEPA, a reasonable range of alternatives to the proposed project must be developed and considered in the Services' environmental review. The Services have identified the following preliminary alternatives for public evaluation during the scoping period: *Alternative 1:* No Action—Under this alternative, ITPs would not be issued by the Services and the HCP would not be approved. WDNR would continue managing and leasing state-owned aquatic lands in accordance with current practices, and no specific management strategies would be implemented to ensure compliance with the ESA. The WDNR would not conduct a direct evaluation under the ESA of the effects of its management actions, nor would it consider the cumulative effects of its activities. *Alternative 2:* Proposed Alternative—Development of an HCP and issuance of ITPs by FWS and NOAA authorizing covered activities in freshwater, marine, and estuarine environments, provided all legal requirements are met. A preliminary list of activities under consideration for coverage includes: aquaculture of finfish and shellfish; complex, water-dependent activities (such as marinas, shipyards, and terminals); overwater structures; public access; log booming and storage; commercial sand and gravel removal; and small-scale mining. *Alternative 3:* Development of an HCP and issuance of ITPs by each agency limiting covered activities to those in marine and estuarine environments, provided all legal requirements are met. The activities, species, and area covered under this alternative would generally be a subset of those included under Alternative 2, and the HCP would focus on those species most likely to be affected. Additional project alternatives may be developed based on input received from the public scoping process. Request for Comments The primary purpose of the scoping process is for the public to assist the Services in developing the EIS by identifying important issues and alternatives related to the applicant's proposed action. The scoping meetings will allocate time for presentations by the Services and WDNR, followed by informal questions and discussions. Written comments from interested parties are welcome to ensure that the full range of issues related to the proposed permit request is identified. All comments and materials received, including names and addresses, will become part of the administrative record and may be released to the public. Comments and materials received will be available for public inspection, by appointment, during normal business hours at the offices listed in the ADDRESSES section of this notice. The Services request that comments be specific. In particular, we request information regarding: Direct, indirect, and cumulative impacts that implementation of the proposed HCP or other alternatives could have on endangered and threatened and other covered species, and their communities and habitats; other possible alternatives that meet the purpose and need; potential adaptive management and/or monitoring provisions; funding issues; existing environmental conditions in the plan area; other plans or projects that might be relevant to this proposed project; permit duration; maximum acreage that should be covered; specific species that should or should not be covered; specific aquatic lands that should or should not be covered; and appropriate minimization and mitigation efforts. NMFS and FWS estimate that the draft EIS will be available for public review by January 2008. The environmental review of this project will be conducted in accordance with the requirements of the NEPA of 1969 as amended (42 U.S.C. 4321 *et seq.* ), Council on Environmental Quality Regulations (40 CFR parts 1500-1508), other applicable Federal laws and regulations, and applicable policies and procedures of the Services. This notice is being furnished in accordance with 40 CFR 1501.7 of the NEPA regulations to obtain suggestions and information from other agencies and the public on the scope of issues and alternatives to be addressed in the EIS. Reasonable Accommodation Persons needing reasonable accommodations to attend and participate in the public meeting should contact Jo Ellen Henry, FWS, at 360-753-7766 or John Stadler, NMFS, at 360-753-9576. To allow sufficient time to process requests, please call no later than 1 week before the public meeting. Information regarding the applicant's proposed action is available in alternative formats upon request. Dated: October 4, 2006. David J. Wesley, Deputy Regional Director, Fish and Wildlife Service, Region 1, Portland, Oregon. Dated: September 28, 2006. Angela Somma, Chief, Endangered Species Division, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 06-8860 Filed 10-23-06; 8:45 am]

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