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Code · REGISTER · 2006-11-07 · Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior · Notices

Notices. Notice of intent

13,768 words·~63 min read·/register/2006/11/07/06-9091

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

BILLING CODE 4310-55-M DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service Preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement for Issuance of an Incidental Take Permit Associated With a Habitat Conservation Plan for Pacific Gas & Electric Company's Operation, Maintenance, and Minor New Construction Activities in the San Francisco Bay Area, California AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice of intent. SUMMARY: Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), we, the Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) are issuing this notice to advise the public that we intend to gather information necessary to prepare, in coordination with the California Department of Fish and Game (DFG), and Pacific Gas & Electric Company (PG&E), a joint Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report (EIS/EIR) on the PG&E San Francisco Bay Area Operations, Maintenance, and Construction Program (Plan).
The Plan is being prepared under Section 10(a)(1)(B) of the Federal Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended, (Act). PG&E intends to request a permit to cover 66 species federally listed as threatened or endangered and 23 unlisted species that may become listed during the term of the permit. The permit is needed to authorize take of listed species that could occur as a result of implementation activities covered under the Plan. The Service provides this notice to:
(1)Describe the proposed action and possible alternatives;
(2)advise other Federal and State agencies, affected Tribes, and the public of our intent to prepare an EIS/EIR;
(3)announce the initiation of a public scoping period; and
(4)obtain suggestions and information on the scope of issues and alternatives to be included in the EIS/EIR. DATE: Written comments should be received on or before December 7, 2006. Three public meetings will be held on: 1. Tuesday, November 14, 2006 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., Petaluma, CA. 2. Wednesday. November 15, 2006 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., Santa Clara, CA. 3. Wednesday, November 15, 2006 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., Walnut Creek, CA. ADDRESSES: The public meetings will be held at the following locations: 1. Tuesday, November 14, 2006, at the Petaluma Community Center, 320 North McDowell Boulevard, Petaluma, CA 94954. 2. Wednesday, November 15, 2006, at the Santa Clara City Hall-Council Chambers, 1500 Warburton Avenue, Santa Clara, CA 95050. 3. Wednesday November 15, 2006, at the Walnut Creek Public Library-Ygnacio Valley, 2661 Oak Grove Road, Walnut Creek, CA 94598. Information, written comments, or questions related to the preparation of the EIS/EIR and NEPA process should be submitted to Lori Rinek, Chief, Conservation Planning and Recovery Division, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Sacramento Fish and Wildlife Office, 2800 Cottage Way, W-2605, Sacramento, California 95825; FAX 916-414-6713. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sheila Larsen, Fish and Wildlife Biologist, or Lori Rinek, Division Chief, Conservation Planning and Recovery Division, at the Sacramento Fish and Wildlife Office at 916-414-6600. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Reasonable Accommodation Persons needing reasonable accommodations in order to attend and participate in the public meeting should contact Lori Rinek at 916-414-6600 as soon as possible. In order to allow sufficient time to process requests, please call no later than one week before the public meeting. Information regarding this proposed action is available in alternative formats upon request. Background Section 9 of the Act and Federal regulations prohibit the “take” of a fish and wildlife species listed as endangered or threatened. Under the Act, the following activities are defined as take: harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture or collect listed animal species, or attempt to engage in such conduct (16 U.S.C. 1538). However, under section 10(a) of the Act, we may issue permits to authorize “incidental take” of listed species. “Incidental take” is defined by the Act as take that is incidental to, and not the purpose of, carrying out an otherwise lawful activity. Regulations governing permits for threatened species and endangered species, respectively, are at 50 CFR 17.32 and 50 CFR 17.22. Take of listed plant species is not prohibited under the Act and cannot be authorized under a section 10 permit. However, plant species may be included on a permit in recognition of conservation benefits provided for them under the Plan. All species included on the permit would receive assurances under the Service's “No Surprises” regulation 50 CFR 17.22(b)(5) and 17.32(b)(5). Currently, PG&E intends to request a permit for 89 species under the Plan: 66 listed and 23 unlisted species (covered species). These include the endangered California freshwater shrimp ( *Syncaris pacifica* ), Conservancy fairy shrimp ( *Branchinecta conservatio* ), vernal pool tadpole shrimp ( *Lepidurus packardi* ), longhorn fairy shrimp ( *Branchinecta longiantenna* ), mission blue butterfly ( *Icaricia icarioides missionensis* ), callippe silverspot butterfly ( *Speyeria callippe callippe* ), Behren's silverspot butterfly ( *Speyeria zerene behrensii* ), Myrtle's silverspot butterfly ( *Speyeria zerene myrtleae* ), Lange's metalmark butterfly ( *Apodemia mormo langei* ), San Bruno elfin butterfly ( *Incisalia mossii bayensis* ), San Francisco garter snake ( *Thamnophis sirtalis tetrataenia* ), California clapper rail ( *Rallus longirostris obsoletus* ), California least tern ( *Sterna antillarum browni* ), salt marsh harvest mouse ( *Reithrodontomys raviventris* ), San Joaquin kit fox ( *Vulpes macrotis mutica* ), San Mateo thornmint ( *Acanthomintha duttonii* ), Sonoma alopecurus ( *Alopecurus aegualis var. sonomensis* ), marsh sandwort ( *Arenaria paludicola* ), Clara Hunt's milk-vetch ( *Astragalus clarianus* ), Baker's stickyseed = Sonoma sunshine ( *Blennosperma bakeri* ), white sedge ( *Carex albida* ), Tiburon paintbrush = Tiburon Indian paintbrush ( *Castilleja affinis spp. neglecta* ), Coyote ceanothus ( *Ceanothus ferrisae* ), robust spineflower ( *Chorizanthe robusta ssp. robusta* ), fountain thistle ( *Cirsium fontinale var. fontinale* ), Presidio clarkia ( *Clarkia franciscana* ), Vine Hill clarkia ( *Clarkia imbricata* ), soft bird's-beak ( *Cordylanthus mollis ssp. mollis* ), palmate-bracted bird's-beak ( *Cordylanthus palmatus* ), Pennell's bird's-beak ( *Cordylanthus tenuis ssp. capillaris* ), Baker's larkspur ( *Delphinium bakeri* ), yellow larkspur ( *Delphinium luteum* ), Santa Clara Valley dudleya ( *Dudleya setchellii* ), San Mateo woolly sunflower ( *Eriophyllum latilobum* ), Loch Lomond coyote-thistle ( *Eryngium constancei* ), Contra Costa wallflower ( *Erysimum capitatum ssp. angustatum* ), Burke's goldfields ( *Lasthenia burkei* ), Contra Costa goldfields ( *Lasthenia conjugens* ), beach layia ( *Layia carnosa* ), San Francisco lessingia ( *Lessingia germanorum* ), Pitkin Marsh lily ( *Lilium pardalinum ssp. pitkinense* ), Sebastopol meadowfoam ( *Limnanthes vinculans* ), clover lupine = Tidestrom's lupine ( *Lupinus tidestromii* ), many-flowered navarretia ( *Navarretia leucocephala ssp. plieantha* ), Antioch dunes evening primrose ( *Oenothera deltoides ssp. howellii* ), white-rayed pentachaeta ( *Pentachaeta bellidiflora* ), Calistoga allocarya = Calistoga popcorn-flower ( *Plagiobothrys strictus* ), Napa bluegrass ( *Poa napensis* ), Hickman's potentilla = Hickman's cinquefoil ( *Potentilla hickmanii* ), Kenwood Marsh checkermallow ( *Sidalcea oregana ssp. valida* ), Metcalf Canyon jewelflower ( *Streptanthus albidus ssp. albidus* ), Tiburon jewelflower ( *Streptanthus niger* ), California seablight ( *Suaeda californica* ), showy Indian clover ( *Trifolium amoneum* ), and Solano grass ( *Tuctoria mucronata* ); and the threatened vernal pool fairy shrimp ( *Branchinecta lynchi* ), bay checkerspot butterfly ( *Euphydryas editha bayensis* ), valley elderberry longhorn beetle ( *Desmocerus californicus dimorphus* ), Delta green ground beetle ( *Elaphrus viridis* ), California red-legged frog ( *Rana aurora draytonii* ), California tiger salamander ( *Ambystoma californiense* ), Alameda whipsnake ( *Masticophis lateralis euryxanthus* ), giant garter snake ( *Thamnophis gigas* ), bald eagle ( *Haliaeetus leucocephalus* ), northern spotted owl ( *Strix occidentalis caurina* ), marbled murrelet ( *Brachyramphus marmoratus* ), and Marin dwarf-flax = Marin western flax ( *Hesperolinon congestum* ); and their habitats. The unlisted species proposed for coverage under the Plan include: golden eagle ( *Aquila chrysaetos* ), American peregrine falcon ( *Falco peregrinus anatum* ), Swainson's hawk ( *Buteo swainsoni* ), white-tailed (= black-shouldered) kite ( *Elanus leucurus* ), western burrowing owl ( *Athene cunicularia hypugea* ), California black rail ( *Laterallus jamaicensis coturniculus* ), purple martin ( *Progne subis* ), tricolored blackbird ( *Agelaius tricolor* ), San Francisco (= salt marsh) common yellowthroat ( *Geothlypis trichas sinuosa* ), Alameda (= South Bay) song sparrow ( *Melospiza melodia pusillula* ), Baker's manzanita ( *Arctostaphylos bakeri ssp. bakeri* ), Vine Hill manzanita ( *Arctostaphylos densiflora* ), San Bruno Mountain manzanita ( *Arctostaphylos imbricata* ), Point Reyes stickyseed = Point Reyes blennosperma ( *Blennosperma nanum var. robustum* ), Pitkin Marsh Indian paintbrush ( *Castilleja uliginosa* ), Geysers dichanthelium ( *Dichanthelium lanuginosum var. thermale* ), Boggs Lake hedge-hyssop ( *Gratiola heterosepala* ), Mason's lilaeopsis ( *Liliaeopsis masonii* ), Point Reyes meadowfoam ( *Limnanthes douglasii ssp. sulphurea* ), Dudley's lousewort ( *Pedicularis dudleyi* ), San Francisco popcorn-flower ( *Plagiobothrys diffusus* ), North Coast semaphore grass ( *Pleuropogon hooverianus* ), and rock sanicle ( *Sanicula saxatilis* ). Species may be added or deleted during the course of Plan development based on further analysis, new information, agency consultation, and public comment. The Plan area includes the network of PG&E facilities in nine Bay Area Counties (Marin, Sonoma, Napa, Solano, Contra Costa, Alameda, Santa Clara, San Mateo, and San Francisco) and includes approximately 75,000 acres surrounding electric transmission facilities, 34,000 acres surrounding gas transmission facilities, and 500,000 acre areas surrounding electric and gas distribution facilities. Activities that may be covered under the Plan include a variety of tasks associated with the operation, maintenance, and minor new construction of PG&E's gas and electric transmission and distribution system as mandated for public safety by the California Public Utilities Commission, the California Energy Commission, and the California Department of Transportation. More specifically, these activities may include: gas pipeline protection, recoating, repair and replacement; electric line protection, repair, reconductoring, and replacement; electric pole repair/replacement; vegetation management to maintain clearances around facilities; and minor construction for new gas and electric extensions. The Plan would not cover operation, maintenance, or construction of power generation facilities. Under the Plan, the effects on covered species of the covered activities are expected to be minimized and mitigated through participation in a conservation program, which will be fully described in the Plan. This conservation program would focus on providing long-term protection of covered species by protecting biological communities in the Plan area. Components of this conservation program are now under consideration by the Service and PG&E. These components will likely include: avoidance and minimization measures, monitoring, adaptive management, and mitigation measures consisting of preservation, restoration and enhancement of habitat. The Service anticipates that PG&E will request a permit duration of 30 years. Environmental Impact Statement/Report PG&E and the Service have selected North State Resources to prepare the Draft EIS/EIR. The joint document will be prepared in compliance with NEPA and the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Although North State Resources will prepare the EIS/EIR, the Service will be responsible for the scope and content of the document for NEPA purposes, and DFG will be responsible for the scope and content of the CEQA document, as the state lead agency pursuant to CEQA and the permitting entity pursuant to the California Endangered Species Act and Fish and Game Code 2081. The EIS/EIR will consider the proposed action (i.e., the issuance of a section 10(a)(1)(B) permit under the Act), and a reasonable range of alternatives. A detailed description of the proposed action and alternatives will be included in the EIS/EIR. It is anticipated that several alternatives will be developed, which may vary by the level of conservation, impacts caused by the proposed activities, permit area, covered species, or a combination of these factors. Additionally, a No Action alternative will be considered. Under the No Action alternative, the Service would not issue a section 10(a)(1)(B) permit. The EIS/EIR will also identify potentially significant impacts on land use and planning, agricultural resources, biological resources, aesthetics, geology and soils, water resources, cultural resources, transportation and circulation, noise and vibration, air quality, public health/environmental hazards, recreation, environmental justice, socioeconomics, and other environmental issues that could occur directly or indirectly with implementation of the proposed action and alternatives. For all potentially significant impacts, the EIS/EIR will identify mitigation measures where feasible to reduce these impacts to a level below significance. Environmental review of the EIS/EIR will be conducted in accordance with the requirements of NEPA (42 U.S.C. 4321 *et seq.* ), its implementing regulations (40 CFR 1500-1508), other applicable regulations, and Service procedures for compliance with those regulations. This notice is being furnished in accordance with 40 CFR 1501.7 of NEPA to obtain suggestions and information from other agencies and the public on the scope of issues and alternatives to be addressed in the EIS/EIR. The primary purpose of the scoping process is to identify important issues raised by the public, related to the proposed action. Written comments from interested parties are invited to ensure that the full range of issues related to the permit request are identified. Only written comments will be accepted at the public meeting. In addition, you may submit written comments by mail or facsimile transmission (see ADDRESSES ). Our practice is to make comments, including names, home addresses, home phone numbers, and e-mail addresses of respondents, available for public review. Individual respondents may request that we withhold their names and /or homes addresses, etc., but if you wish us to consider withholding this information you must state this prominently at the beginning of your comments. In addition, you must present a rationale for withholding this information. This rationale must demonstrate that disclosure would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of privacy. Unsupported assertions will not meet this burden. In the absence of exceptional, documentable circumstances, this information will be released. We will always make submissions from organization or businesses, and from individuals identifying themselves as representatives of or officials of organizations or businesses, available for public inspection in their entirety. Dated: October 27, 2006. Ken McDermond, Deputy Manager, California/Nevada Operations Office, Sacramento, California. [FR Doc. E6-18704 Filed 11-6-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-55-P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service Receipt of 13 Applications for Incidental Take Permits for Residential Construction in Charlotte County, FL AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice; request for comments. SUMMARY: We, the Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the availability of incidental take permit
(ITP)and Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP). Peter Famulari, Robert Lavelle, and Jeffrey Leonard (Applicants) each request ITPs pursuant to section 10(a)(1)(B) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). The Applicants anticipate taking about 5.42 acres combined of Florida scrub-jay ( *Aphelocoma coerulescens* ) (scrub-jay) foraging and sheltering habitat incidental to lot preparation for the construction of 13 residential units and supporting infrastructure in Charlotte County, Florida (Project). The destruction of 5.42 acres of foraging and sheltering habitat is expected to result in the take of five families of scrub-jays. The Applicants' Habitat Conservation Plan
(HCP)describes the mitigation and minimization measures proposed to address the effects of the Projects to the Florida scrub-jay. DATES: Written comments on the ITP applications and HCP should be sent to the South Florida Ecological Services Office (see ADDRESSES ) and should be received on or before December 7, 2006. ADDRESSES: Persons wishing to review the applications and HCP may obtain a copy by writing the Service's South Florida Ecological Services Office. Please reference Deep Creek Batch HCP in such requests. Documents will also be available for public inspection by appointment during normal business hours at the South Florida Ecological Services Office, 1339 20th Street, Vero Beach, Florida 32960. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Trish Adams, Fish and Wildlife Biologist, South Florida Ecological Services Office, Vero Beach, Florida (see ADDRESSES ), telephone: 772-562-3909, extension 232. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: If you wish to comment, you may submit comments by any one of several methods. Please reference permit numbers TE136149-0, TE136150-0, TE136151-0, TE136153-0, TE136154-0, TE136155-0, TE136157-0, TE136158-0, TE136159-0, TE136160-0, TE136161-0, TE136162-0, and TE136163-0, in such comments. You may mail comments to the Service's South Florida Ecological Services Office (see ADDRESSES ). You may also comment via the Internet to *trish_adams@fws.gov.* Please also include your name and return address in your Internet message. If you do not receive a confirmation from us that we have received your Internet message, contact us directly at the telephone number listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT . Finally, you may hand deliver comments to the Service office listed under ADDRESSES . 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 address from the administrative record. We will honor such requests to the extent allowable by law. There may also be other circumstances in which we would withhold from the administrative record a respondent's identity, as allowable by law. If you wish us to withhold your name and address, you must state this prominently at the beginning of your comments. We will not, however, 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. Residential construction for the Deep Creek Batch HCP will take place within Section 09, Township 40, Range 23, Punta Gorda, Charlotte County, Florida, on 13 lots. Each of these lots is within scrub-jay occupied habitat. The lots combined encompass about 5.42 acres, and the footprint of the homes, infrastructure, and landscaping preclude retention of scrub-jay habitat on each of these respective lots. In order to minimize take on site, the Applicants propose to mitigate for the loss of 5.42 acre of scrub-jay habitat by contributing a total of $392,390 to the Florida Scrub-jay Conservation Fund administered by The Nature Conservancy or acquisition of 10.83 acres of credit at a Service approved conservation bank. The Florida Scrub-jay Conservation Fund is earmarked for use in the conservation and recovery of scrub-jays and may include habitat acquisition, restoration, and/or management. The Service has determined that the Applicants' proposals, including the proposed mitigation and minimization measures, will individually and cumulatively have a minor or negligible effect on the species covered in the HCP. Therefore, the ITPs are “low-effect” projects and qualify as categorical exclusions under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)(40 CFR 1506.6), as provided by the Department of the Interior Manual (516 DM 2 Appendix 1 and 516 DM 6 Appendix 1). This preliminary information may be revised based on our review of public comments that we receive in response to this notice. Low-effect HCPs are those involving
(1)minor or negligible effects on federally listed or candidate species and their habitats, and
(2)minor or negligible effects on other environmental values or resources. The Service will evaluate the HCP and comments submitted thereon to determine whether the applications meet the requirements of section 10(a) of the Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 et. seq.). If it is determined that those requirements are met, the ITPs will be issued for the incidental take of the Florida scrub-jay. The Service will also evaluate whether issuance of the section 10(a)(1)(B) ITPs comply with section 7 of the Act by conducting an intra-Service section 7 consultation. The results of this consultation, in combination with the above findings, will be used in the final analysis to determine whether or not to issue the ITPs. Authority: This notice is provided pursuant to Section 10 of the Endangered Species Act and NEPA regulations (40 CFR 1506.6). Dated: October 5, 2006. Paul Souza, Field Supervisor, South Florida Ecological Services Office. [FR Doc. E6-18766 Filed 11-6-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-55-P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service Conference of the Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES); Fourteenth Regular Meeting; Proposed Resolutions, Decisions, and Agenda Items Being Considered; Taxa Being Considered for Amendments to the CITES Appendices; Public Meeting; Request for Comments or Information; Observer Information AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: We, the United States, as a Party to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), may submit proposed resolutions, decisions, and agenda items for consideration at meetings of the Conference of the Parties to CITES. We may also propose amendments to the CITES Appendices for consideration at meetings of the Conference of the Parties. The fourteenth regular meeting of the Conference of the Parties to CITES (CoP14) will be held in The Hague, Netherlands, June 3-15, 2007. With this notice, we, the Fish and Wildlife Service (the Service): describe proposed resolutions, decisions, and agenda items that the United States is considering submitting for consideration at CoP14; describe proposed amendments to the CITES Appendices (species proposals) that the United States is considering submitting for consideration at CoP14; invite your comments and information on these proposals; announce a public meeting to discuss these proposals; and provide information on how non-governmental organizations based in the United States can attend CoP14 as observers. DATES: The public meeting will be held on December 11, 2006, at 1:30 p.m. We will consider written information and comments you submit concerning potential species proposals, and proposed resolutions, decisions, and agenda items that the United States is considering submitting for consideration at CoP14, and other items relating to CoP14, if we receive them by December 22, 2006. ADDRESSES: Public Meeting The public meeting will be held in the Rachel Carson Room, in the Department of the Interior at 18th and C Streets, NW., Washington, DC. Directions to the building can be obtained by contacting the Division of Management Authority (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT , below). Due to building security in the Department of the Interior, persons planning to attend the meeting must notify the Division of Management Authority by December 8, 2006, to allow us sufficient time to provide the building security staff with a list of persons planning to attend. For more information, see “Announcement of Public Meeting” under SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION . Comment Submission Comments pertaining to proposed resolutions, decisions, and/or agenda items should be sent to the Division of Management Authority; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; 4401 North Fairfax Drive; Room 700; Arlington, VA 22203; or via E-mail at: *cop14@fws.gov;* or via fax at: 703-358-2298. Comments pertaining to species proposals should be sent to the Division of Scientific Authority; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; 4401 North Fairfax Drive; Room 750; Arlington, VA 22203; or via e-mail at: *scientificauthority@fws.gov;* or via fax at: 703-358-2276. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information pertaining to proposed resolutions, decisions, and agenda items contact: Acting Chief, Division of Management Authority, Branch of CITES Operations; phone 703-358-2095; fax 703-358-2298; E-mail: *cop14@fws.gov.* For information pertaining to species proposals contact: Robert R. Gabel, Chief, Division of Scientific Authority; phone 703-358-1708; fax 703-358-2276; E-mail: *scientificauthority@fws.gov.* SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, hereinafter referred to as CITES or the Convention, is an international treaty designed to control and regulate international trade in certain animal and plant species that are now or potentially may become threatened with extinction. These species are listed in Appendices to CITES, which are available on the CITES Secretariat's Web site at *http://www.cites.org/eng/app/index.shtml.* Currently, 169 countries, including the United States, are Parties to CITES. The Convention calls for biennial meetings of the Conference of the Parties, which reviews its implementation, makes provisions enabling the CITES Secretariat in Switzerland to carry out its functions, considers amendments to the list of species in Appendices I and II, considers reports presented by the Secretariat, and makes recommendations for the improved effectiveness of CITES. Any country that is a Party to CITES may propose amendments to Appendices I and II, and resolutions, decisions, and/or agenda items for consideration by all the Parties. This is our second in a series of **Federal Register** notices that, together with announced public meetings, provide you with an opportunity to participate in the development of the U.S. negotiating positions for CoP14. We published our first CoP14-related **Federal Register** notice on January 20, 2006 (71 FR 3319), and with it we requested information and recommendations on species proposals and proposed resolutions, decisions, and agenda items for the United States to consider submitting for consideration at CoP14. You may obtain information on that **Federal Register** notice from the following sources: for information on proposed resolutions, decisions, and agenda items, contact the Division of Management Authority ( ADDRESSES ); and for information on species proposals, contact the Division of Scientific Authority ( ADDRESSES ). Our regulations governing this public process are found in 50 CFR 23.31-23.39. CoP14 is scheduled to be held in The Hague, Netherlands, June 3-15, 2007. I. Recommendations for Resolutions, Decisions, and Agenda Items for the United States To Consider Submitting for CoP14 In our **Federal Register** notice published on January 20, 2006 (71 FR 3319), we requested information and recommendations on potential resolutions, decisions, and agenda items for the United States to submit for consideration at CoP14. We received recommendations for resolutions, decisions, and agenda items from the following organizations: the Species Survival Network (SSN), the International Environmental Law Project (IELP), and the American Herbal Products Association (AHPA). We considered all of the recommendations of the above organizations, as well as the factors described in the U.S. approach for CoP14 discussed in our January 20, 2006, **Federal Register** notice, when compiling a list of possible resolutions, decisions, and agenda items that the United States is likely to submit for consideration by the Parties at CoP14; and lists of resolutions, decisions, and agenda items for consideration at CoP14 that the United States either is currently undecided about submitting, is not considering submitting at this time, or plans to address in other ways. The United States may consider submitting documents on some of the issues for which it is currently undecided or not considering submitting at this time, depending on comments received and the outcome of discussions of these issues in the CITES Animals, Plants, and Standing Committees, or additional consultations with range country governments and knowledgeable experts. Please note that, in sections A, B, and C below, we have listed only those resolutions, decisions, and agenda items that the United States is likely to submit, currently undecided about submitting, or currently not planning to submit. We have posted an extended version of this notice on our Web site at *http://www.fws.gov/international* , with text describing each of these issues and explaining the rationale for the tentative U.S. position on each issue. Copies of the extended version of the notice are also available from the Division of Management Authority at the above address. We welcome your comments and information regarding the resolutions, decisions, and agenda items that the United States is likely to submit, currently undecided about submitting, or currently planning not to submit. A. What Resolutions, Decisions, and Agenda Items Is the United States Likely To Submit for Consideration at CoP14? 1. Proposal to amend Resolutions Conf. 11.21 and Conf. 9.25 (Rev.) regarding use of annotations in Appendices II and III. 2. Discussion document to call for a review of the effectiveness of the CITES universal crocodilian tagging system (Res. Conf. 11.12). 3. Proposed decision for Parties to develop guidelines on the definition and use of purpose codes. 4. Discussion document regarding the procedures for changing text in the “Interpretation” section of the Appendices. 5. Resolution on the cooperation between CITES and the International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO). 6. Document on production systems, including recommendations pertaining to use of the “ranching” code on CITES permits and certificates. B. On What Resolutions, Decisions, and Agenda Items Is the United States Still Undecided, Pending Additional Information and Consultations? 1. Document strengthening the implementation of nationally established export quotas. 2. Resolution or discussion document on wildlife trade and the spread of infectious diseases. 3. Discussion document or proposed resolution on the issue of “introduction from the sea.” 4. Discussion document on the tiger conservation crisis and efforts to halt illegal trade in tigers. 5. Discussion document regarding monitoring and control of international trade in caviar in customs-free zones and for airline and cruiseline catering. 6. Document welcoming the launch of the Coalition Against Wildlife Trafficking. 7. Resolution or discussion document concerning whaling and whale stocks under the competence of the International Whaling Commission (IWC). C. What Resolutions, Decisions, and Agenda Items Is the United States Not Planning To Submit for Consideration at CoP14 Unless We Receive Significant Additional Information? 1. Document clarifying the role of non-detriment findings when establishing export quotas. 2. Proposed resolution establishing and clarifying guidelines for making non-detriment findings for the import of Appendix-I, and the export of Appendix-I and -II, species. 3. Draft decision encouraging Parties to implement National Enforcement Action Plans (NEAPs). 4. Resolution to suspend trade in bigleaf mahogany ( *Swietenia macrophylla* ) from Peru. 5. Resolution to create an action plan on Internet trade in wildlife. 6. Revision of Resolution Conf. 12.3 (Rev. CoP13) on permit verification requirements. 7. Proposed revision of Annotation #10 for plants listed in Appendix II or III. II. Recommendations for Species Proposals for the United States To Consider Submitting at CoP14 In our **Federal Register** notice of January 20, 2006 (71 FR 3319), we requested information and recommendations on potential species proposals for the United States to consider submitting for CoP14. We received recommendations from the public for possible proposals involving 18 taxa. We have undertaken initial assessments of the available trade and biological information on all of these taxa. Based on these assessments, we have made provisional determinations of whether or not to proceed with the development of proposals to list or delist species, or transfer them from one Appendix to another. These determinations were made by considering the quality of biological and trade information available on the species; the presence, absence, and effectiveness of other mechanisms that may preclude the need for a CITES listing ( *e.g.* , range country actions or other international agreements); and availability of resources. Furthermore, our assignment of a taxon to one of these categories, which reflects the likelihood of our submitting a proposal, included consideration of the following factors, which reflect the U.S. approach for CoP14 discussed in our January 20, 2006, **Federal Register** notice:
(1)Is it a native U.S. species that is or may be significantly affected by trade, or if it is a currently listed U.S. species, does the listing accurately reflect the biological and trade status of the species?
(2)Is it a native U.S. species that is not at this time significantly impacted by trade within the United States, but is being significantly impacted elsewhere in its range?
(3)Is it a foreign species, not native to the United States, but which is or may be significantly affected by trade, and the United States is a significant component of the trade ( *i.e.* , as an importing country)?
(4)Is it a species for which the United States is neither a range country nor a country significantly involved in trade, but for which trade is a serious threat to the continued existence of the species, other mechanisms are lacking or ineffective for bringing trade under control, and action is urgently needed? In sections A, B, and C below, we have listed the current status of each species proposal recommended by the public, as well as species proposals we have been developing on our own. Please note that we have only listed these possible proposals. We have posted an extended version of this notice on our Web site at *http://www.fws.gov/international* , with text describing each possible proposal and explaining the rationale for the tentative U.S. position on each possible proposal. Copies of the extended version of the notice are also available from the Division of Management Authority at the above address. In addition to the species proposals recommended by the public, we are considering whether to submit proposals on five additional species based on work being done by the United States as part of the review of the Appendices by the CITES Animals and Plants Committees. A. What Species Proposals Is the United States Likely To Submit for Consideration at CoP14? The United States is likely to develop and submit proposals for the following taxa. We welcome your comments, especially if you are able to provide any additional biological or trade information on these species. For each species, more detailed information is on file in the Division of Scientific Authority than is presented on our Website. For some of the species below, particularly those not native to the United States, additional consultations with range countries and knowledgeable experts are proceeding ( *see* discussion), and final decisions are pending, based on the outcomes of those consultations and any additional information received. Furthermore, some of these proposals have arisen from the Review of the Appendices by the CITES Animals and Plants Committees. Plants 1. *Taxus cuspidata* —Annotate to exclude specimens of the hybrid *Taxus* x *media* and all cultivars thereof. Invertebrates 2. Pink and red coral ( *Corallium* spp.)—List in Appendix II. Fish 3. Sawfishes (Pristidae)—List in Appendix I. B. On What Species Proposals Is the United States Still Undecided, Pending Additional Information and Consultations? The United States is still undecided on whether to submit proposals for CoP14 for the following taxa. In some cases, we have not completed our consultations with relevant range countries. In other cases, we expect meetings to occur in the immediate future at which participants will generate important recommendations, trade analyses, or biological information on the taxon in question. For each species, more detailed information is available in the Division of Scientific Authority than is presented on our Web site. We welcome your comments, especially if you are able to provide any additional biological and trade information on these species. On our Web site, we delineate what additional information we are seeking or have sought to assist us in making our decision. Plants 1. Dehesa bear-grass ( *Nolina interrata* )—Transfer from Appendix I to Appendix II. 2. Arizona agave or New River agave ( *Agave arizonica* )—Transfer from Appendix I to Appendix II. 3. Santa Cruz striped agave ( *Agave parviflora* )—Transfer from Appendix I to Appendix II. 4. Oconee bells ( *Shortia galacifolia* )—Remove from Appendix II. Fish 5. Porbeagle shark ( *Lamna nasus* )—List in Appendix II. 6. Devil and manta rays (Family *Mobulidae* )—List in Appendix I or II. 7. Banggai cardinalfish ( *Pterapogon kauderni* )—List in Appendix I or II. Birds 8. Gyrfalcon ( *Falco rusticolus* )—Transfer the North American population from Appendix I to Appendix II. Mammals 9. Bobcat ( *Lynx rufus* )—Remove from Appendix II. C. What Species Proposals Is the United States Not Planning To Submit for Consideration at CoP14, Unless We Receive Significant Additional Information? The United States does not intend to submit proposals for the following taxa unless we receive significant additional information indicating that a proposal is warranted. Information currently available for each of the taxa listed below does not support a defensible listing proposal. We welcome your comments, especially any biological and trade information on these species that may cause us to reconsider the submission of a proposal. For each species, more detailed information is available in the Division of Scientific Authority than is presented on our Website, where we describe external factors that diminish the need for a U.S. listing proposal, as well as critical information gaps that prohibit us from developing a proposal. Plants 1. American ginseng ( *Panax quinquefolius* )—Remove from Appendix II. 2. Goldenseal ( *Hydrastis canadensis* )—Remove from Appendix II. Invertebrates 3. Perlemoen ( *Haliotis midae* )—Action to protect the species. Fish 4. Spiny dogfish ( *Squalus acanthias* )—List in Appendix II. 5. Orange roughy ( *Hoplostethus atlanticus* )—List in Appendix II. Amphibians 6. Morelet's or black-eyed tree frog ( *Agalychnis moreletii* )—Include in an Appendix. 7. Madagascar microhylid frogs ( *Scaphiophryne* species)—Include in Appendix II. Reptiles 8. Central American river turtle ( *Dermatemys mawii* )—Transfer from Appendix II to Appendix I. 9. Parson's chameleon ( *Calumma parsonii parsonii* )—Transfer from Appendix II to Appendix I. Birds 10. Timneh grey parrot ( *Psittacus erithacus timneh* )—Transfer from Appendix II to Appendix I. Request for Information and Comments We invite any information and comments concerning any of the possible CoP14 species proposals, resolutions, decisions, and agenda items discussed above. You must submit your information and comments to us no later than the date specified in DATES . Comments and materials received will be available for public inspection, by appointment, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, at either the Division of Management Authority or the Division of Scientific Authority. 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 address from the rulemaking record, which we will honor to the extent allowable by law. There also may be circumstances in which we would withhold from the rulemaking 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. 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. Announcement of Public Meeting We will hold a public meeting to discuss with you species proposals, as well as proposed resolutions, decisions, and agenda items that the United States is considering submitting for consideration at CoP14. The public meeting will be held on the date specified in DATES at the address specified in ADDRESSES . You can obtain directions to the building by contacting the Division of Management Authority ( *see* FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT , above). Please note that the Rachel Carson Room is accessible to the handicapped and all persons planning to attend the meeting will be required to present photo identification when entering the building. Due to building security in the Department of the Interior, persons planning to attend the meeting must notify the Division of Management Authority by December 8, 2006. Persons who plan to attend the meeting and who require interpretation for the hearing impaired should notify the Division of Management Authority as soon as possible. Observers Article XI, paragraph 7 of CITES states the following: Any body or agency technically qualified in protection, conservation or management of wild fauna and flora, in the following categories, which has informed the Secretariat of its desire to be represented at meetings of the Conference by observers, shall be admitted unless at least one-third of the Parties present object:
(a)International agencies or bodies, either governmental or non-governmental, and national governmental agencies and bodies; and
(b)National non-governmental agencies or bodies which have been approved for this purpose by the State in which they are located. Once admitted, these observers shall have the right to participate but not to vote. Persons wishing to be observers representing international non-governmental organizations (which must have offices in more than one country) at CoP14 may request approval directly from the CITES Secretariat. Persons wishing to be observers representing U.S. national non-governmental organizations at CoP14 must receive prior approval from our Division of Management Authority. Once we grant our approval, a U.S. national non-governmental organization is eligible to register with the Secretariat and must do so at least one month prior to the opening of CoP14 to participate as an observer. Individuals who are not affiliated with an organization may not register as observers. An international non-governmental organization with at least one office in the United States may register as a U.S. non-governmental organization if it prefers. A request submitted to us for approval as an observer should include evidence of technical qualifications in protection, conservation, or management of wild fauna and/or flora, on the part of both the organization and the individual representative(s). The request should also include copies of the organization's charter and/or bylaws and a list of representatives it intends to send to CoP14. An organization that we have previously approved as an observer at a meeting of the Conference of the Parties within the past 5 years must submit a request but does not need to provide as much detailed information concerning its qualifications as an organization seeking approval for the first time. Organizations seeking approval for the first time should detail their experience in the protection, conservation, or management of wild fauna and/or flora, as well as their purposes for wishing to participate in CoP14 as an observer. These requests should be sent to the Division of Management Authority ( *see* ADDRESSES ). Once we approve an organization as an observer, we will send the organization instructions for registration with the CITES Secretariat in Switzerland, including a meeting registration form and relevant travel and hotel information. A list of organizations approved for observer status at CoP14 will be available upon request from the Division of Management Authority just prior to the start of CoP14. Future Actions We expect the CITES Secretariat to provide us with a provisional agenda for CoP14 within the next several months. Once we receive the provisional agenda, we will announce it in a **Federal Register** notice and provide the CITES Secretariat's Web site URL, as well as a link to it on our Web site ( *http://www.fws.gov/international* ). The United States will submit any species proposals, and proposed resolutions, decisions, and agenda items for consideration at CoP14 to the CITES Secretariat 150 days prior to the start of the meeting ( *i.e.* , by January 4, 2007). We will consider all available information and comments, including those presented at the public meeting ( *see* DATES ) or received in writing during the comment period, as we decide which species proposals, and proposed resolutions, decisions, and agenda items warrant submission by the United States for consideration by the Parties. Approximately 4 months prior to CoP14, we will post on our Web site an announcement of the species proposals, and proposed resolutions, decisions, and agenda items submitted by the United States to the CITES Secretariat for consideration at CoP14. Through an additional notice and Web site posting in advance of CoP14, we will inform you about preliminary negotiating positions on resolutions, decisions, agenda items and amendments to the Appendices proposed by other Parties for consideration at CoP14. We will also publish an announcement of a public meeting tentatively to be held approximately 2 months prior to CoP14, to receive public input on our positions regarding items submitted by other Parties. *Authors:* The primary authors of this notice are Frank Kohn and Clifton Horton, Division of Management Authority; under the authority of the U.S. Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 *et seq.* ). Marshall P. Jones, Jr., Acting Director. [FR Doc. E6-18722 Filed 11-6-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-55-P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management [AK-964-1410-HY-P; F-14903-F] Alaska Native Claims Selection AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior. ACTION: Notice of decision approving lands for conveyance. SUMMARY: As required by 43 CFR 2650.7(d), notice is hereby given that an appealable decision approving lands for conveyance pursuant to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act will be issued to Toghotthele Corporation. The lands are in the vicinity of Nenana, Alaska, and are located in: Fairbanks Meridian, Alaska T. 5 S., R. 3 W., Sec. 18. Containing 2.70 acres. T. 6 S., R. 3 W., Sec. 9, lots 1 and 2. Containing 7.23 acres. T. 4 S., R. 4 W., Sec. 34, lots 1 and 2. Containing 4.20 acres. Aggregating 14.13 acres. The subsurface estate in these lands will be conveyed to Doyon, Limited, when the surface estate is conveyed to Toghotthele Corporation. Notice of the decision will also be published four times in the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner. DATES: The time limits for filing an appeal are: 1. Any party claiming a property interest which is adversely affected by the decision shall have until December 7, 2006 to file an appeal. 2. Parties receiving service of the decision by certified mail shall have 30 days from the date of receipt to file an appeal. Parties who do not file an appeal in accordance with the requirements of 43 CFR part 4, Subpart E, shall be deemed to have waived their rights. ADDRESSES: A copy of the decision may be obtained from: Bureau of Land Management, Alaska State Office, 222 West Seventh Avenue, #13, Anchorage, Alaska 99513-7599. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT: The Bureau of Land Management by phone at 907-271-5960, or by e-mail at *ak.blm.conveyance@ak.blm.gov.* Persons who use a telecommunication device
(TTD)may call the Federal Information Relay Service
(FIRS)at 1-800-877-8330, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to contact the Bureau of Land Management. Barbara Opp Waldal, Land Law Examiner, Branch of Adjudication II. [FR Doc. E6-18764 Filed 11-6-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-$$-P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Minerals Management Service Environmental Documents Prepared for Proposed Oil and Gas Operations on the Gulf of Mexico Outer Continental Shelf
(OCS)AGENCY: Minerals Management Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice of the availability of environmental documents; prepared for OCS mineral proposals on the Gulf of Mexico OCS. SUMMARY: Minerals Management Service (MMS), in accordance with Federal Regulations that implement the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), announces the availability of NEPA-related Site-Specific Environmental Assessments
(SEA)and Findings of No Significant Impact (FONSI), prepared by MMS for the following oil and gas activities proposed on the Gulf of Mexico OCS. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Public Information Unit, Information Services Section at the number below. Minerals Management Service, Gulf of Mexico OCS Region, Attention: Public Information Office (MS 5034), 1201 Elmwood Park Boulevard, Room 114, New Orleans, Louisiana 70123-2394, or by calling 1-800-200-GULF. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: MMS prepares SEAs and FONSIs for proposals that relate to exploration for and the development/production of oil and gas resources on the Gulf of Mexico OCS. These SEAs examine the potential environmental effects of activities described in the proposals and present MMS conclusions regarding the significance of those effects. Environmental Assessments are used as a basis for determining whether or not approval of the proposals constitutes major Federal actions that significantly affect the quality of the human environment in the sense of NEPA Section 102(2)(C). A FONSI is prepared in those instances where MMS finds that approval will not result in significant effects on the quality of the human environment. The FONSI briefly presents the basis for that finding and includes a summary or copy of the SEA. This notice constitutes the public notice of availability of environmental documents required under the NEPA Regulations. This listing includes all proposals for which the Gulf of Mexico OCS Region prepared a FONSI in the period subsequent to publication of the preceding notice. Activity/operator Location Date Anadarko Petroleum Corporation & Partners, Surface Facilities & Subsea Development Project SEA MMS2005-064 Independence Hub Project located in the Eastern and Central Planning Areas, Gulf of Mexico 11/09/2005 ConocoPhillips, Tension Leg Well Platform Decommissioning SEA Complex ID 23583 Green Canyon, Block 184, Lease OCS-G 04518, located 99 miles from the nearest Louisiana shoreline 12/15/2005 Chevron U.S.A., Inc., Structure Removal SEA ES/SR 06-025 Ship Shoal, Block 208, Lease OCS-G 01228, located 34 miles from the nearest Louisiana shoreline 7/11/2006 Chevron U.S.A., Inc., Structure Removal SEA ES/SR 06-072 Vermilion, Block 24, Lease OCS-G 03543, located 6 miles from the nearest Louisiana shoreline 7/13/2006 Chevron U.S.A., Inc., Structure Removal SEA ES/SR 06-023, 06-024 Ship Shoal, Block 169, Lease OCS-G 00820, located 35 miles from the nearest Louisiana shoreline 7/14/2006 Mariner Energy, Inc., Structure Removal SEA ES/SR 06-081, 06-082 West Cameron, Block 312, Lease OCS-G 07613, located 40 miles from the nearest Louisiana shoreline 7/14/2006 Millennium Offshore Group Inc., Structure Removal SEA ES/SR 06-079 Main Pass, Block 225, Lease OCS-G 14581, located 54 miles from the nearest Louisiana shoreline 7/18/2006 Chevron U.S.A., Inc., Structure Removal SEA ES/SR 06-080 Vermilion, Block 24, Lease OCS-G 03542, located 6 miles from the nearest Louisiana shoreline 7/18/2006 Apache Corporation, Structure Removal SEA ES/SR 06-073 Eugene Island, Block 46, Lease OCS-G 13617, located 22 miles from the nearest Louisiana shoreline 7/19/2006 Millennium Offshore Group, Inc., Structure Removal SEA ES/SR 06-077 East Cameron, Block 171, Lease OCS-G 12836, located 53 miles from the nearest Louisiana shoreline 7/20/2006 Apache Corporation, Structure Removal SEA ES/SR 06-074 Eugene Island, Block 167, Lease OCS-G 11953, located 34 miles from the nearest Louisiana shoreline 7/20/2006 Apache Corporation, Structure Removal SEA ES/SR 06-076 Grand Isle, Block 082, Lease OCS-G 05659, located 29 miles from the nearest Louisiana shoreline 7/20/2006 SPN Resources, LLC, Permit to Modify Removal of Well No.10 Dry Hole Drive Pipe with Internal Casings SEA 177114101700 Ship Shoal, Block 167, Lease OCS-G 00818, located 28 miles from the nearest Louisiana shoreline 7/20/2006 Apache Corporation, Structure Removal SEA ES/SR 06-075 Ship Shoal, Block 187, Lease OCS-G 18013, located 96 miles from the nearest Louisiana shoreline 7/20/2006 Global GeoServices, Geological & Geophysical Exploration for Mineral Resources SEA M06-03, 06-04, 06-05 Located in the eastern Gulf of Mexico south of Apalachicola, Florida 7/24/2006 Millennium Offshore Group, Inc., Structure Removal SEA ES/SR 06-078 High Island, Block 312, Lease OCS-G 14913, located 117 miles from the nearest Texas shoreline 7/25/2006 Sampson Contour Energy E & P, Structure Removal SEA ES/SR 06-047 Vermilion, Block 217, Lease OCS-G 01141, located 58 miles from the nearest Louisiana shoreline 7/25/2006 Newfield Exploration Company, Structure Removal SEA ES/SR 06-095 East Cameron, Block 286, Lease OCS-G 02051, located 85 miles from the nearest Louisiana shoreline 7/27/2006 BP Exploration & Production, Inc., Geological & Geophysical Exploration for Mineral Resources SEA L06-38 Located in the central Gulf of Mexico south of Morgan City, Louisiana 7/27/2006 PGS Exploration
(UK)LTD., Geological & Geophysical Exploration for Mineral Resources SEA T06-19 Located in the central Gulf of Mexico south of Morgan City, Louisiana 7/27/2006 Stone Energy Corporation, Structure Removal SEA ES/SR 06-083 Vermilion, Block 131, Lease OCS-G 00775, located 32 miles from the nearest Louisiana shoreline 7/27/2006 Tri-Union Development Corporation, Structure Removal SEA ES/SR 06-084 South Timbalier, Block 162, Lease OCS-G 01249, located 33 miles from the nearest Louisiana shoreline 7/31/2006 Century Exploration New Orleans, Inc., Structure Removal SEA ES/SR 06-085, 06-086, 06-087, 06-088, 06-089, 06-090 West Cameron, Blocks 367, 368 & 369, Leases OCS-G 21054, 05315 & 22544 respectively, located 60 miles from the nearest Louisiana shoreline 7/31/2006 Palace Operating Company, Structure Removal SEA ES/SR 06-096 Chandeleur, Block 13, Lease OCS-G 25042, located 33 miles from the nearest Louisiana shoreline 8/02/2006 Mariner Energy, Inc., Structure Removal SEA ES/SR 06-106 East Cameron, Block 294, Lease OCS-G 17874, located 81 miles from the nearest Louisiana shoreline 8/03/2006 El Paso Production Company, Structure Removal SEA ES/SR 06-092 Eugene Island, Block 53, Lease OCS-G 00479, located 15 miles from the nearest Louisiana shoreline 8/04/2006 Mariner Energy Resources, Inc., Structure Removal SEA ES/SR 06-093, 06-094 South Marsh Island, Block 11, Lease OCS-G 01182, located 37 miles from the nearest Louisiana shoreline 8/04/2006 Hunt Oil Company, Structure Removal SEA ES/SR 06-097, 06-098 Eugene Island, Blocks 77 & 62, Leases 0CS-G 00466 & 00424, located 12 miles from the nearest Louisiana shoreline 8/08/2006 Maritech Resources, Inc., Structure Removal SEA ES/SR 06-027 South Marsh Island (South), Block 125, Lease OCS-G 02882, located 73 miles from the nearest Louisiana shoreline 8/10/2006 Union Oil Company of California, Structure Removal SEA ES/SR 06-099 Cameron, Block 195, Lease OCS-G 16123, located 41 miles from the nearest Louisiana shoreline 8/14/2006 Chevron U.S.A. Inc., Structure Removal SEA ES/SR 06-022 Eugene Island (South), Block 313, Lease OCS-G 02608, located 73 miles from the nearest Louisiana shoreline 8/14/2006 Chevron U.S.A. Inc., Structure Removal SEA ES/SR 94-021 Eugene Island, Block 238, Lease OCS-G 00982, located 48 miles from the nearest Louisiana shoreline 8/14/2006 Energy Resources Technology, Inc., Structure Removal SEA ES/SR 06-110 South Timbalier, Block 146, Lease OCS-G 18041, located 34 miles from the nearest Louisiana shoreline 8/15/2006 Marlin Energy Offshore, LLC, Structure Removal SEA ES/SR 06-107 South Timbalier Area, Block 21, Lease OCS-G 00263, located 4 miles from the nearest Louisiana shoreline 8/15/2006 Energy Resources Technology, Inc., Structure Removal SEA ES/SR 06-109 Vermilion, Block 201, Lease OCS-G 02075, located 52 miles from the nearest Louisiana shoreline 8/15/2006 Apex Oil & Gas, Inc., Structure Removal SEA ES/SR 06-117 Galveston, Block A-50, Lease OCS-G 12520, located 43 miles from the nearest Texas shoreline 8/16/2006 Maritech Resources, Inc., Structure Removal SEA ES/SR 06-108 High Island, Block 208, Lease OCS-G 07286, located 25 miles from the nearest Texas shoreline 8/16/2006 Mariner Energy, Inc., Structure Removal SEA ES/SR 06-100, 06-101, 06-102, 06-103, 06-104 West Cameron, Blocks 312 and 313, Leases OCS-G 05303 and 07613, located 45 miles from the nearest Louisiana shoreline 8/18/2006 Maritech Resources, Inc., Structure Removal SEA ES/SR 06-111 Galveston, Block 273, Lease OCS-G 09037, located 14 miles from the nearest Texas shoreline 8/22/2006 Maritech Resources, Inc., Structure Removal SEA ES/SR 06-121 Matagorda Island, Block 688, Lease OCS-G 08548, located 14 miles from the nearest Texas shoreline 8/22/2006 Apache Corporation, Structure Removal SEA ES/SR 06-049 Mustang Island, Block A85, Lease OCS-G 03061, located 47 miles from the nearest Texas shoreline 8/22/2006 Maritech Resources, Inc., Structure Removal SEA ES/SR 01-038B Eugene Island (South Addition), Block 305, OCS-G 02108, located 73 miles from the nearest Louisiana shoreline 8/23/2006 F-W Oil Exploration L.L.C., Structure Removal SEA ES/SR 06-123 North Padre Island, Block 996, OCS-G 23130, located 25 miles from the nearest Texas shoreline 8/23/2006 Targa Midstream Services Limited, Structure Removal SEA ES/SR 98-061A West Cameron, Block 229, Lease OCS-G 01856, located 42 miles from the nearest Louisiana shoreline 8/23/2006 Mariner Energy, Inc., Structure Removal SEA ES/SR 06-124 West Cameron, Block 315, Lease OCS-G 08407, located 40 miles from the nearest Louisiana shoreline 8/23/2006 Stone Energy Corporation, Structure Removal SEA ES/SR 06-122 East Cameron, Block 64, Lease OCS-G 00089, located 22 miles from the nearest Louisiana shoreline 8/24/2006 Dominion Exploration & Production, Inc., Permit to Modify Removal of Well No. WC-132-001 (API No. 177004124500) and Well No. WC-202-001 (API No. 177004124202) and associated temporary caissons, SEA WC202-132 West Cameron, Blocks 132 & 202, Leases OCS-G 27003 & 24718, located 48 miles from the nearest Louisiana shoreline 8/25/2006 Apex Oil and Gas, Inc., Structure Removal SEA ES/SR 06-125 Vermilion, Block 89, Lease OCS-G 22615, located 24 miles from the nearest Louisiana shoreline 8/28/2006 Stone Energy, Structure Removal SEA ES/SR 06-126 West Cameron, Block 176, Lease OCS-G 00762, located 23 miles from the nearest Louisiana shoreline 9/06/2006 Dominion Exploration & Production, Inc., Structure Removal SEA ES/SR 06-130 West Cameron, Block 225, Lease OCS-G 00900, located 40 miles from the nearest Louisiana shoreline 9/15/2006 Stone Energy Corporation, Structure Removal SEA ES/SR 06-128 West Cameron, Block 56, Lease OCS-G 00301, located 10 miles from the nearest Louisiana shoreline 9/15/2006 Chevron USA, Inc., Initial Development Operations Coordination SEA N-8693 Mississippi Canyon, Blocks 650 (unleased), 695 & 696, Leases OCS-G 21182 & 16641 respectively, located in the central Gulf of Mexico approximately 70 miles from the nearest Louisiana shoreline 9/19/2006 Devon Energy Production Company, L.P., Structure Removal SEA ES/SR 06-132 South Marsh Island, Block 128, Lease OCS-G 02587, located 74 miles from the nearest Louisiana shoreline 9/21/2006 Forest Oil Corporation, Structure Removal SEA ES/SR 06-005 Eugene Island, Block 266, Lease OCS 00911, located 61 miles from the nearest Louisiana shoreline 9/22/2006 Persons interested in reviewing environmental documents for the proposals listed above or obtaining information about SEAs and FONSIs prepared for activities on the Gulf of Mexico OCS are encouraged to contact MMS at the address or telephone listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section. Dated: October 5, 2006. Chris C. Oynes, Regional Director, Gulf of Mexico OCS Region. [FR Doc. E6-18731 Filed 11-6-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-MR-P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR National Park Service Notice of Availability of the Record of Decision for the Environmental Impact Statement on the Schoodic General Management Plan Amendment, Acadia National Park, ME AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice of Availability of the Record of Decision for the Environmental Impact Statement on the Schoodic General Management Plan Amendment, Acadia National Park, Maine. SUMMARY: The National Park Service
(NPS)announces the availability of the Record of Decision
(ROD)for the Schoodic General Management Plan Amendment, Acadia National Park, Maine. Acadia National Park includes 2,366 acres on the Schoodic Peninsula, which offers exceptional views of the rocky coast and surrounding islands in an uncrowded environment and attracts approximately 250,000 visits a year. The Schoodic District contains two “Rare Natural Communities” (Jack Pine Woodland and Maritime Shrubland), several rare plant species, and significant wildlife habitat, as identified by the Maine Natural Areas Program. Schoodic also protects pristine intertidal areas, exemplary geologic features, and extraordinary scenery. In addition, much of the Schoodic District is eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places because of its historically significant cultural landscape. In 2002, the NPS acquired a former navy base located within the Schoodic District. The former base contains 36 major buildings, totaling approximately 206,000 square feet. Only two buildings on the former navy base, the Rockefeller Building (a 1935 apartment and office building) and its powerhouse, are eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. This ROD documents the decision by the NPS to implement the preferred alternative (Alternative C—Collaborative Management) of the Schoodic General Management Plan Amendment as the selected action. Under this alternative, the NPS will develop the Schoodic Education and Research Center
(SERC)at the former navy base to facilitate research and education that promotes the understanding, protection, and conservation of natural and cultural resources of the National Park System and advance related research and education at the regional, national, and international levels. The NPS will enter into a long-term cooperative agreement with an independent nonprofit organization to assist in carrying out the mission of SERC. The cooperative agreement will include the assignment of real property to the nonprofit organization for its direct use and possible reassignment to tenant partners. The nonprofit organization will, among other responsibilities, promote appropriate research and education, cultivate and facilitate partnerships, and manage facilities and services at SERC. The nonprofit organization will have sufficient autonomy to be creative and flexible in developing and managing SERC consistent with NPS laws, regulations, policies, and management documents. A full range of revenue-generating and fundraising approaches will be used to support SERC to ensure that its programs and activities are financially viable. The NPS will collaborate with the nonprofit organization and other partners at SERC to provide research and educational opportunities. The NPS will provide security, law enforcement, emergency medical services, and fire protection for the SERC campus, and maintain its roads, grounds, building envelopes, and utility systems. The NPS and nonprofit organization will share responsibilities for site renovation and construction to convert buildings to research and education use and facilitate the efficient reuse of the site. The NPS will redesign the landscape of the former navy base to create a suitable setting for research and education activities, minimize impervious surfaces, and improve its appearance. Incompatible elements that diminish the safety, appearance, or efficient use of the campus will be mitigated or removed. The NPS will manage resources and visitor use consistent with the management zone in which they are located. The NPS will implement management actions to ensure that natural, cultural, and scenic resources and values are protected, and the character of the Schoodic District is preserved. The NPS will encourage compatible land use adjacent to the park on the Schoodic Peninsula and surrounding islands through acquisition of conservation easements and participation in the land use planning and regulatory processes of the State of Maine and neighboring jurisdictions. The NPS will also cooperate with the State of Maine, local governments, and others to achieve collective goals, such as land protection, mutual aid for emergency medical services and fire protection, and management of the Schoodic National Scenic Byway. The ROD briefly discusses the selected action, other alternatives considered, basis for decision, and measures to minimize impacts and address public concerns. ADDRESSES: The ROD and supporting documents can be found online at *http://www.nps.gov/acad/schoodic/home.htm.* Copies of the ROD are available on request from: John T. Kelly, Park Planner, Acadia National Park, P.O. Box 177, Bar Harbor, Maine 04609. Telephone:
(207)288-8703. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John T. Kelly, Park Planner, Acadia National Park, P.O. Box 177, Bar Harbor, Maine 04609. Telephone:
(207)288-8703. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The NPS completed an environmental impact statement for the Schoodic General Management Plan Amendment in 2005, consistent with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, and Council of Environmental Quality regulations (40 CFR part 1500). The NPS published a Notice of Intent to prepare an environmental impact statement in the **Federal Register** on July 29, 2002 (FR Doc. 02-19096, Vol. 67, No. 145, Page 49034), which formally initiated the environmental impact statement process. The Environmental Protection Agency noticed the availability of the draft environmental impact statement in the **Federal Register** on September 24, 2004 (FR Doc. 04-21492, Vol. 69, No. 185, Pages 57277-57278), which initiated a 60-day public comment period that ended November 23, 2004. The Environmental Protection Agency noticed the availability of the final environmental impact statement in the **Federal Register** on February 3, 2006 (FR Doc. E6-1510, Vol. 71, No. 23, Pages 5837—5838), which initiated a 30-day no action period. The final environmental impact statement described and analyzed the environmental impacts of two action alternatives and a no-action alternative. The NPS has selected the preferred alternative for implementation, as presented in the final environmental impact statement. Acadia National Park began with the establishment of Sieur de Monts National Monument by Presidential Proclamation 1339 in 1916 (40 Stat. 1173), which was followed by the redesignation of the national monument as Lafayette National Park in 1919 (45 Stat. 1083). In 1929, legislation (45 Stat. 1083) changed the named to Acadia National Park and established the NPS's authority to expand the park through donations of property within Hancock County and certain islands in Knox County. This allowed the NPS to accept the donation of more than 2,000 acres on the Schoodic Peninsula as an addition to Acadia National Park. Several laws have been enacted that are specific to the Schoodic District. In 1935, the first of these laws (49 Stat. 795) provided for the exchange of land between the NPS and U.S. Navy. The act transferred the control and jurisdiction of a 26-acre site within the Schoodic District to the U.S. Navy for “naval radio purposes.” In 1947, legislation (61 Stat. 519) transferred an additional 152 acres to the U.S. Navy with the provision that the land would revert to the park should it become “surplus to the needs of the Department of the Navy.” In 1977, the U.S. Navy exercised this provision and transferred 81 acres back to the park. In 2002, Section 2845 of Public Law 107-107 authorized transfer of the original parcel back to the park without consideration, along with buildings and personal property associated with the land. The law directed the U.S. Navy to transfer this parcel concurrently with the remaining land it had acquired in 1947. The U.S. Navy transferred control and jurisdiction of its remaining land within Acadia National Park (100 acres) to the NPS on July 1, 2002. Public Law 107-206, enacted in 2002, directed the Secretary of Defense to obligate the funds made available under Public Law 107-117 for the conversion of the former navy base at Schoodic to a research and education center for Acadia National Park. In addition, Public Law 107-248, enacted in 2002, authorized the Secretary of Defense to use the funding for community adjustment activities related to the closure of the navy base and the reuse of the base as a research and education center consistent with the purposes of Acadia National Park. Public Law 95-625, the National Parks and Recreation Act, requires the preparation and timely revision of a general management plan for each unit of the national park system. Section 604 of that act describes the requirements for general management plans as including: “(1) measures for the preservation of the area's resources;
(2)indications of types and general intensities of development * * * associated with public enjoyment and use of the area* * *;
(3)identification of and implementation commitments for visitor carrying capacities for all areas of the unit; and
(4)indications of potential modifications to the external boundaries of the unit and the reasons therefor.” The NPS completed a general management plan for Acadia National Park in 1992; however, it does not address the transfer of the former navy base at Schoodic to the NPS. The primary purpose of the Schoodic General Management Plan Amendment is to provide guidance for future use, management, and development of the former navy base. The Schoodic General Management Plan Amendment identifies the mission, goals, and planning issues for the Schoodic District. It also provides a framework for guiding future decisions and outlines long-term, collaborative strategies for protecting park resources, providing high-quality visitor experiences, expanding partnership opportunities, and providing for efficient park operations. Dated: September 26, 2006. Chrysandra L. Walter, Acting Regional Director, Northeast Region. [FR Doc. E6-18756 Filed 11-6-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-2N-P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR National Park Service National Capital Region; Notice/Request for Comments—The Christmas Pageant of Peace SUMMARY: The National Park Service is seeking public comments and suggestions on the planning of the 2006 Christmas Pageant of Peace. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The National Park Service is seeking public comments and suggestions on the planning of the 2006 Christmas Pageant of Peace, which opens on December 7, 2006, on the Ellipse (President's Park), south of the White House. The meeting will be held at 9 a.m. on November 27, 2006 in Room 234 of the National Capital Region Headquarters Building, at 1100 Ohio Drive, SW., Washington, DC (East Potomac Park). Persons who would like to comment at the meeting should notify the National Park Service by November 22, 2006 by calling the White House Visitor Center weekdays between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., at
(202)208-1631. Written comments may be sent to the Park Manager, White House Visitor Center, 1100 Ohio Drive, SW., Washington, DC 20242, and will be accepted until November 27, 2006. DATES: The meeting will be held on November 27, 2006. Written comments will be accepted until November 27, 2006. ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at 9 a.m. on November 27, 2006, in room 234 of the National Capital Region Headquarters Building, at 1100 Ohio Drive, SW., Washington, DC (East Potomac Park). Written comments may be sent to the Park Manager, White House Visitor Center, 1100 Ohio Drive, SW., Washington, DC 20242. Due to delays in mail delivery, it is recommended that comments be provided by telefax at 202-208-1643 or by e-mail to *John_Stanwich@nps.gov* . Comments may also be delivered by messenger to the White House Visitor Center at 1450 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW. in Washington, DC. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John Stanwich at the White House Visitor Center weekdays between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., at
(202)208-1631. Dated: November 2, 2006. Maria Santo, Deputy NPS Liaison to the White House. [FR Doc. E6-18816 Filed 11-6-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4312-54-P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Reclamation Central Valley Project Improvement Act, Water Management Plans AGENCY: Bureau of Reclamation, Interior. ACTION: Notice of availability. SUMMARY: The following Water Management Plans are available for review: • Patterson Irrigation District. • Porterville Irrigation District. • Pixley Irrigation District. • Lower Tule River Irrigation District. To meet the requirements of the Central Valley Project Improvement Act of 1992 (CVPIA) and the Reclamation Reform Act of 1982, the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) developed and published the Criteria for Evaluating Water Management Plans (Criteria). Note: For the purpose of this announcement, Water Management Plans (Plans) are considered the same as Water Conservation Plans. The above entities have developed a Plan, which Reclamation has evaluated and preliminarily determined to meet the requirements of these Criteria. Reclamation is publishing this notice in order to allow the public to review the plans and comment on the preliminary determinations. Public comment on Reclamation's preliminary ( *i.e.* , draft) determination is invited at this time. DATES: All public comments must be received by December 7, 2006. ADDRESSES: Please mail comments to Laurie Sharp, Bureau of Reclamation, 2800 Cottage Way, Sacramento, California 95825, or contact at 916-978-5232 (TDD 978-5608), or e-mail at *lsharp@mp.usbr.gov.* FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: To be placed on a mailing list for any subsequent information, please contact Mrs. Sharp at the e-mail address or telephone number above. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: We are inviting the public to comment on our preliminary ( *i.e.* , draft) determination of Plan adequacy. Section 3405(e) of the CVPIA (Title 34, Pub. L. 102-575), requires the Secretary of the Interior to establish and administer an office on Central Valley Project water conservation best management practices that shall. “* * * develop criteria for evaluating the adequacy of all water conservation plans developed by project contractors, including those plans required by section 210 of the Reclamation Reform Act of 1982.” Also, according to Section 3405(e)(1), these criteria must be developed “* * * with the purpose of promoting the highest level of water use efficiency reasonably achievable by project contractors using best available cost-effective technology and best management practices.” These criteria state that all parties (Contractors) that contract with Reclamation for water supplies (municipal and industrial contracts over 2,000 acre-feet and agricultural contracts over 2,000 irrigable acres) must prepare Plans that contain the following information: 1. Description of the District. 2. Inventory of Water Resources. 3. Best Management Practices
(BMPs)for Agricultural Contractors. 4. BMPs for Urban Contractors. 5. Plan Implementation. 6. Exemption Process. 7. Regional Criteria. 8. Five-Year Revisions. Reclamation will evaluate Plans based on these criteria. A copy of these Plans will be available for review at Reclamation's Mid-Pacific
(MP)Regional Office located in Sacramento, California, and the local area office. Our practice is to make comments, including names and home addresses of respondents, available for public review. Individual respondents may request that Reclamation withhold their home address from public disclosure, and we will honor such request to the extent allowable by law. There also may be circumstances in which Reclamation would elect to withhold a respondent's identity from public disclosure, 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 comments. We will make all submissions from organizations, businesses, and from individuals identifying themselves as representatives or officials of organizations or businesses available for public disclosure in their entirety. If you wish to review a copy of these Plans, please contact Mrs. Sharp to find the office nearest you. Dated: October 17, 2006. Michael Heaton, Acting Regional Resources Manager, Mid-Pacific Region, Bureau of Reclamation. [FR Doc. E6-18760 Filed 11-6-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-MN-P DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE Drug Enforcement Administration Importer of Controlled Substances; Notice of Registration By notice dated May 17, 2006, and published in the **Federal Register** on May 25, 2006, (71 FR 30166), Mallinckrodt Inc., 3600 North Second Street, St. Louis, Missouri 63147, made application by renewal to the Drug Enforcement Administration
(DEA)to be registered as an importer of the basic classes of controlled substances listed in schedule II: Drug Schedule Phenylacetone
(8501)II Coca Leaves
(9040)II Opium, raw
(9600)II Poppy Straw
(9650)II Poppy Straw Concentrate
(9670)II The company plans to import the listed controlled substances for the manufacture of controlled substances in bulk for distribution to its customers. One comment was received; however, pursuant to 21 U.S.C. 958
(i)and 21 CFR 1301.34 (a), the commenter which is not a registered bulk manufacturer of the above listed controlled substances, has no legal standing to object or to request a hearing on this application. DEA has considered the factors in 21 U.S.C. 823(a) and 952(a) and determined that the registration of Mallinckrodt Inc., to import the basic classes of controlled substances is consistent with the public interest and with United States obligations under international treaties, conventions, or protocols in effect on May 1, 1971. DEA has investigated Mallinckrodt Inc. to ensure that the company's registration is consistent with the public interest. The investigation has included inspection and testing of the company's physical security systems, verification of the company's compliance with state and local laws, and a review of the company's background and history. Therefore, pursuant to 21 U.S.C. 952(a) and 958(a), and in accordance with 21 CFR 1301.34, the above named company is granted registration as an importer of the basic classes of controlled substances listed. Dated: October 31, 2006. Joseph T. Rannazzisi, Deputy Assistant Administrator, Office of Diversion Control, Drug Enforcement Administration. [FR Doc. E6-18716 Filed 11-6-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4410-09-P DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE Drug Enforcement Administration Manufacturer of Controlled Substances; Notice of Application Pursuant to § 1301.33(a), Title 21 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), this is notice that on June 26, 2006, and August 17, 2006, Siegfried (USA), Inc., Industrial Park Road, Pennsville, New Jersey 08070, made application by letter to the Drug Enforcement Administration
(DEA)to be registered as a bulk manufacturer of the basic classes of controlled substances listed in schedules I and II: Drug Schedule Dihydromorphine
(9145)I Oxymorphone
(9652)II The company plans to manufacture the listed controlled substances in bulk for distribution to its customers. Any other such applicant and any person who is presently registered with DEA to manufacture such substances may file comments or objections to the issuance of the proposed registration pursuant to 21 CFR 1301.33(a). Any such written comments or objections being sent via regular mail should be addressed, in quintuplicate, to the Deputy Assistant Administrator, Office of Diversion Control, Drug Enforcement Administration, Washington, DC 20537, Attention: DEA Federal Register Representative/ODL; or any being sent via express mail should be sent to DEA Headquarters, Attention: DEA Federal Register Representative/ODL, 2401 Jefferson-Davis Highway, Alexandria, Virginia 22301; and must be filed no later than January 8, 2007. Dated: October 31, 2006. Joseph T. Rannazzisi, Deputy Assistant Administrator, Office of Diversion Control, Drug Enforcement Administration. [FR Doc. E6-18714 Filed 11-6-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4410-09-P NATIONAL FOUNDATION ON THE ARTS AND THE HUMANITIES National Endowment for the Humanities; No Fear Act Notice AGENCY: National Endowment for the Humanities, National Foundation on the Arts and the Humanities. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: The National Endowment for the Humanities
(NEH)is publishing this notice under the “Notification and Federal Employee Antidiscrimination and Retaliation Act of 2002,” which is known as the No FEAR Act, to inform current employees, former employees, and applicants for NEH employment of the rights and protections available to them under Federal antidiscrimination, whistleblower protection and retaliation laws. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Heather C. Gottry, Acting General Counsel, Office of General Counsel, NEH, 1100 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Room 529, Washington, DC 20506; OGC Internet E-mail: *gencounsel@neh.gov* (for E-mail messages, the subject line should include the following reference—“No FEAR Act Notice”); *Telephone:*
(202)606-8322; TDD
(202)606-8282; *Fax:*
(202)606-8600. A copy of the No FEAR Act Notice will be posted on NEH's Web site ( *http://www.neh.gov* ). Persons who cannot access this No FEAR Act Notice through the Internet may request a paper or electronic copy by contacting Ms. Gottry at the address, e-mail address, telephone numbers, or Fax number listed above. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On May 15, 2002, Congress enacted the “Notification and Federal Employee Antidiscrimination and Retaliation Act of 2002,” which is now known as the No FEAR Act. One purpose of the Act is to require that Federal agencies be accountable for violations of antidiscrimination and whistleblower protection laws. In support of this purpose, Congress found that “agencies cannot be run effectively if those agencies practice or tolerate discrimination.” Public Law 107-174, Section 101(1), 116 Stat. 566. The Act also requires this Agency to provide this notice to Federal employees, former Federal employees and applicants for Federal employment to inform them of the rights and protections available to them under Federal antidiscrimination, whistleblower protection, and retaliation laws. Antidiscrimination Laws A Federal agency cannot discriminate against an employee or applicant with respect to the terms, conditions or privileges of employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status or political affiliation. Discrimination on these bases is prohibited by one or more of the following statutes: 5 U.S.C. 2302(b)(1), 29 U.S.C. 206(d), 29 U.S.C. 631, 29 U.S.C. 633a, 29 U.S.C. 791, and 42 U.S.C. 2000e-16. If you believe that you have been the victim of unlawful discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin or disability, you must contact an Equal Employment Opportunity
(EEO)counselor within 45 calendar days of the alleged discriminatory action, or, in the case of a personnel action, within 45 calendar days of the effective date of the action, before you can file a formal complaint of discrimination with your agency. *See, e.g.* 29 CFR part 1614. If you believe that you have been the victim of unlawful discrimination on the basis of age, you must either contact an EEO counselor as noted above or give notice of intent to sue to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
(EEOC)within 180 calendar days of the alleged discriminatory action. If you are alleging discrimination based on marital status or political affiliation, you may file a written complaint with the U.S. Office of Special Counsel
(OSC)(see contact information below). In the alternative (or in some cases, in addition), you may pursue a discrimination complaint by filing a grievance through your agency's administrative or negotiated grievance procedures, if such procedures apply and are available. Whistleblower Protection Laws A Federal employee with authority to take, direct others to take, recommend or approve any personnel action must not use that authority to take or fail to take, or threaten to take or fail to take, a personnel action against an employee or applicant because of disclosure of information by that individual that is reasonably believed to evidence violations of law, rule or regulation; gross mismanagement; gross waste of funds; an abuse of authority; or a substantial and specific danger to public health or safety, unless disclosure of such information is specifically prohibited by law and such information is specifically required by Executive order to be kept secret in the interest of national defense or the conduct of foreign affairs. Retaliation against an employee or applicant for making a protected disclosure is prohibited by 5 U.S.C. 2302(b)(8). If you believe that you have been the victim of whistleblower retaliation, you may file a written complaint (Form OSC-11) with the U.S. Office of Special Counsel at 1730 M Street NW., Suite 218, Washington, DC 20036-4505 or online through the OSC Web site— *http://www.osc.gov.* Retaliation for Engaging in Protected Activity A Federal agency cannot retaliate against an employee or applicant because that individual exercises his or her rights under any of the Federal antidiscrimination or whistleblower protection laws listed above. If you believe that you are the victim of retaliation for engaging in protected activity, you must follow, as appropriate, the procedures described in the Antidiscrimination Laws and Whistleblower Protection Laws sections or, if applicable, the administrative or negotiated grievance procedures in order to pursue any legal remedy. Disciplinary Actions Under the existing laws, each agency retains the right, where appropriate, to discipline a Federal employee for conduct that is inconsistent with Federal Antidiscrimination and Whistleblower Protection Laws up to and including removal. If OSC has initiated an investigation under 5 U.S.C. 1214, however, according to 5 U.S.C. 1214(f), agencies must seek approval from the Special Counsel to discipline employees for, among other activities, engaging in prohibited retaliation. Nothing in the No FEAR Act alters existing laws or permits an agency to take unfounded disciplinary action against a Federal employee or to violate the procedural rights of a Federal employee who has been accused of discrimination. Additional Information For further information regarding the No FEAR Act regulations, refer to 5 CFR part 724, as well as the appropriate offices within your agency (e.g., EEO, Office of Human Resources, Office of the General Counsel). Additional information regarding Federal antidiscrimination, whistleblower protection and retaliation laws can be found at the EEOC Web site— *http://www.eeoc.gov* and the OSC Web site— *http://www.osc.gov.* Existing Rights Unchanged Pursuant to section 205 of the No FEAR Act, neither the Act nor this notice creates, expands or reduces any rights otherwise available to any employee, former employee or applicant under the laws of the United States, including the provisions of law specified in 5 U.S.C. 2302(d). Dated: November 2, 2006. Heather C. Gottry, Acting General Counsel, National Endowment for the Humanities. [FR Doc. E6-18720 Filed 11-6-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7536-01-P NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION National Science Board Commission on 21st Century Education in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics; Notice of Meeting In accordance with the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act
(FACA)(Pub. L. 92-463) the following meeting is being announced. *Name:* Commission on 21st Century Education in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (#29127). *Dates/Time:* The meeting will take place on November 20 and 21, 2006. The meeting will be held from 11 a.m. to no later than 5:45 p.m. on November 20 and from 8:15 a.m. to no later than 12:45 p.m. on November 21. *Place:* The meeting will be held in the Auditorium at the Museum of Science and Industry, 57th Street and Lakeshore Drive, Chicago, IL 60637. Directions to the Museum may be found at *http://www.msichicago.org.* *Type of Meeting:* Open. *Contact Person:* Dr. Elizabeth Strickland, Commission Executive Secretary, National Science Board Office, 4201 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22230; *Phone:* 703-292-4527; *E-mail: estrickl@nsf.gov.* *Purpose of Meeting:* The purpose of this meeting is for the Commission to discuss its ongoing work and to receive briefings relating to STEM education. Further information about the Commission and a provisional agenda for the meeting may be found at *http://www.nsf.gov/nsb/edu_com/* . *Agenda:* Plenary Session I (11 a.m.-12:15 p.m., November 20): Invited speakers to address science, technology, engineering, and mathematics
(STEM)education. Plenary Session II (1:15 p.m.-5:45 p.m., November 20): Presentations and discussions by Working Groups of the Commission. Plenary Session III (8:15 a.m.-10 a.m., November 21): Invited speakers to address STEM Education. Plenary Session IV (10:20 a.m.-12:45 p.m., November 21): Discussion among Commission Members. *Public Meeting Attendance:* The public is welcome to attend the entire meeting. Those wishing to attend the meeting may follow posted signs to the West Pavilion North Entrance of the Museum building. Those requiring special assistance may make arrangements in advance by e-mailing *NSBEDdCom@nsf.gov.* *Public Comment:* Written comments to the Commission may be submitted by e-mail to *NSBEdCom@nsf.gov.* Those wishing to make brief public comments during the meeting may register to do so either by signing up at the information table on the day of the meeting or in advance by sending an e-mail to *NSBEdCom@nsf.gov.* Dated: November 1, 2006. Susanne E. Bolton, Committee Management Officer. [FR Doc. 06-9091 Filed 11-6-06; 8:45 am]
Connectionstraces to 16
Traces to 16 documents
23 references not yet in our index
  • 50 CFR 17.32
  • 50 CFR 17.22
  • 50 CFR 17.22(b)(5)
  • 40 CFR 1500
  • 40 CFR 1501.7
  • 40 CFR 1506.6
  • 50 CFR 23.31-23
  • 43 CFR 2650.7(d)
  • 43 CFR 4
  • 40 Stat. 1173
  • 49 Stat. 795
  • 61 Stat. 519
  • Pub. L. 107-107
  • Pub. L. 107-206
  • Pub. L. 107-117
  • Pub. L. 107-248
  • Pub. L. 95-625
  • Pub. L. 102-575
  • Pub. L. 107-174
  • 116 Stat. 566
  • 29 CFR 1614
  • 5 CFR 724
  • Pub. L. 92-463
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cites case law
Notices
Notice of intent
U.S.C.§ 1538
U.S.C.§ 4321
U.S.C.§ 1531
Stat.Chapter 77
U.S.C.§ 958
C.F.R.§ 1301.34
U.S.C.§ 823
U.S.C.§ 952
C.F.R.§ 1301.33
Cite50 CFR 17.32
Cite50 CFR 17.22
Cite50 CFR 17.22(b)(5)
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