Notices. Notice

9,976 words·~45 min read·/register/2006/11/20/06-9279

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

BILLING CODE 4165-15-M DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES National Institutes of Health National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute: Circulating Biomarkers of Cardiovascular Risk in the NHLBI's Framingham Heart Study AGENCY: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, NIH, HHS. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) seeks partners in a biomarker consortium to promote research on novel serum/plasma/urine biomarkers of cardiovascular disease

(CVD)and related risk factors including atherosclerosis, obesity, insulin resistance, hypertension, and metabolic syndrome. An immediate consequence of this project will be the development of new diagnostic tests to identify individuals at high risk for CVD and its risk factors at a time when intervention is most feasible. A downstream result of the identification of novel biomarkers of CVD (and its risk factors) will be the discovery of disease promoting pathways, which may serve as new therapeutic targets for treating and preventing our nation's leading cause of death. *Background:* Despite steady declines in CVD mortality, CVD remains the leading cause of death in the developed world. The NHLBI's Framingham Heart Study

(FHS)has been instrumental in the identification and elucidation of key modifiable risk factors for CVD, which in turn have facilitated modern approaches to the prevention and treatment of CVD. Because of its prospective study design, the NHLBI's FHS is ideally positioned to enable identification of novel risk factors for CVD. The availability of frozen serum/plasma/urine samples from over 7000 FHS participants in the Offspring and Third Generation cohorts, in concert with new high-throughput quantitative biomarker technology available from commercial collaborators, provides a unique opportunity to explore the biochemical signatures of key CVD phenotypes. In addition, by the end of 2007 genotyping of 550k SNPs will be completed in nearly all the FHS participants as part of the NHLBI's SHARe project and these data will permit analysis of the associations of gene variants with biomarker levels. *Scientific Scope:* The proposed study will measure 150 or more evolving and novel biomarkers from the FHS in 7000 FHS subjects for whom subclinical and clinical CVD and its risk factors have been carefully characterized. Analyses will be conducted for association of biomarkers—individually and collectively—with clinically relevant phenotypes. The aims of the project are to: 1. Identify the biochemical signature of atherosclerosis as determined by:

(a)Aortic and coronary calcification on CT (data available in 3500 people),

(b)aortic plaque burden by MRI (n=2000),

(c)carotid intimal-medial thickness by ultrasound (n=3500),

(d)clinical atherosclerotic CVD (n=500), and

(e)the dynamic balance between arterial calcification and bone demineralization (n=3500). 2. Identify the biochemical signature of metabolic syndrome components including

(a)systolic and diastolic blood pressure (n=7000),

(b)obesity (n=7000) and visceral adiposity by CT (n=3500),

(c)dyslipidemia (n=7000), and

(d)impaired fasting glucose, diabetes, and insulin resistance. Biomarkers for this project will be selected by expert consensus on the basis of

(a)a careful review of the literature for biomarkers of atherosclerosis and metabolic syndrome, and

(b)genes implicated in atherosclerosis and metabolic syndrome (and their constituent components and pathways), or showing evidence of association with the phenotypes of interest. *Technology:* As part of this project, new quantitative tests will be developed to measure circulating biomarker levels using antibody sandwich assays and/or proteomic approaches that are amenable to high throughput application. Critical to this project is the implementation of methods to measure large numbers of biomarkers with minimal sample volume; proteomic, bead-linked immunoassays, and nanotechnology methods may be necessary to accomplish this aim. Pathways to be studied include but are not limited to: Adhesion/chemoattraction, adipokines, cytokines, growth factors, heat shock proteins, inflammation, lipoproteins, neurohormones, thrombosis/fibrinolysis, and vascular calcification. Demonstrated rigorous assay validation using non-FHS samples will be necessary before FHS biospecimens can be used for this project. *Study Sample:* The NHLBI's FHS is community-based <sup>[N1]</sup> , which should contribute to the generalizability of study results. Frozen serum/plasma/urine samples and buffy coats for WBC derived RNA are available in two carefully characterized cohorts comprising over 7000 individuals. The presence of young, middle-aged, and elderly subjects will allow a more complete exploration of biomarkers for relevant traits across a wide age range (20-90 years). The FHS main contracts (N01-HC-38038; N01-HC-25195) have provided for the core examinations of the participants that include physical examination, ECG, multidetector CT scans for coronary calcification and visceral adiposity, and blood specimen collection. In addition, buffy coats and purified white blood cell RNA also are available for WBC-derived RNA expression profiling to complement circulating biomarker and genotypic characterization. ADDRESSES: Interest regarding this notice should be forwarded to: Ms. Lili Portilla, NHLBI Office of Technology Transfer and Development, 6705 Rockledge Drive, Suite 6018 MSC 7992, Bethesda, MD 20892-7992 (E-mail: *PortillL@nhlbi.nih.gov* ). Scientific inquiries should be submitted to Daniel Levy, M.D., FACC, Director, Framingham Heart Study, Center for Population Studies, National Heart, Lung, & Blood Institute, 73 Mt. Wayte Avenue, Suite 2, Framingham, MA 01702 (E-mail: *LevyD@nih.gov* ). DATES: *Effective Dates:* Inquiries regarding this Notice and scientific matters may be forwarded at any time. Confidential, written letters of interest, preferably two pages or less, must be submitted to NHLBI on or before January 19, 2007. Guidelines on next steps will be communicated shortly thereafter to all respondents with whom initial confidential discussions will have established sufficient mutual interest. Dated: November 3, 2006. Suzanne Freeman, NHLBI Project Clearance Liaison, National Institutes of Health. Dated: November 3, 2006. Daniel Levy, Director of the NHLBI Framingham Heart Study, National Institutes of Health. [FR Doc. E6-19522 Filed 11-17-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4140-01-P DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY Bureau of Customs and Border Protection Proposed Collection; Comment Request; Visa Waiver Program Carrier Agreement (Form I-775) ACTION: Notice and request for comments. SUMMARY: As part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection

(CBP)invites the general public and other Federal agencies to comment on an information collection requirement concerning the Visa Waiver Program Carrier Agreement (Form I-775). This request for comment is being made pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13; 44 U.S.C. 3505(c)(2)). DATES: Written comments should be received on or before January 19, 2007, to be assured of consideration. ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection, Information Services Group, Room 3.2.C, 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20229. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information should be directed to Bureau of Customs and Border Protection, *Attn* .: Tracey Denning, Room 3.2.C, 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20229, Tel.

(202)344-1429. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: CBP invites the general public and other Federal agencies to comment on proposed and/or continuing information collections pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13; 44 U.S.C. 3505(c)(2)). The comments should address:

(a)Whether the collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information shall have practical utility;

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

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

(d)ways to minimize the burden including the use of automated collection techniques or the use of other forms of information technology; and

(e)estimates of capital or start-up costs and costs of operations, maintenance, and purchase of services to provide information. The comments that are submitted will be summarized and included in the request for Office of Management and Budget

(OMB)approval. All comments will become a matter of public record. In this document CBP is soliciting comments concerning the following information collection: *Title:* Visa Waiver Program Carrier Agreement. *OMB Number:* 1651-0110. *Form Number:* Form-I-775. *Abstract:* The Form I-775 provides for certain aliens to be exempt from the non-immigrant visa requirements if seeking entry as a visitor for no more than 90 days, provided that no potential threat exists to the security of the United States. *Current Actions:* There are no changes to the information collection. This submission is to extend the expiration date. *Type of Review:* Extension (without change). *Affected Public:* Individuals. *Estimated Number of Respondents:* 400. *Estimated Time Per Respondent:* 2 hours. *Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours:* 800. *Estimated Total Annualized Cost on the Public:* N/A. Dated: November 14, 2006. Tracey Denning, Agency Clearance Officer, Information Services Branch. [FR Doc. E6-19596 Filed 11-17-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 9111-14-P DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY Bureau of Customs and Border Protection [CBP Dec. 06-35] Re-Accreditation and Re-Approval of Inspectorate America Corporation as a Commercial Gauger and Laboratory AGENCY: Bureau of Customs and Border Protection, Department of Homeland Security. ACTION: Notice of re-approval of Inspectorate America Corporation of Aston, Pennsylvania, as a commercial gauger and laboratory. SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that, pursuant to 19 CFR 151.12 and 151.13, Inspectorate America Corporation, 507 Duttons Mill Road, Suite A-1, Aston, Pennsylvania 19014, has been re-approved to gauge petroleum and petroleum products, organic chemicals and vegetable oils, and to test petroleum and petroleum products for customs purposes, in accordance with the provisions of 19 CFR 151.12 and 151.13. DATES: The re-approval of Inspectorate America Corporation as a commercial gauger and laboratory became effective on June 13, 2006. The next triennial inspection date will be scheduled for June 2009. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Eugene J. Bondoc, Ph.D, or Randall Breaux, Laboratories and Scientific Services, Bureau of Customs and Border Protection, 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Suite 1500N, Washington, DC 20229, 202-344-1060. Dated: November 13, 2006. Ira S. Reese, Executive Director, Laboratories and Scientific Services. [FR Doc. E6-19591 Filed 11-17-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 9111-14-P DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY Bureau of Customs and Border Protection Annual User Fee for Customs Broker Permit and National Permit: General Notice AGENCY: Bureau of Customs and Border Protection, Department of Homeland Security. ACTION: Notice of Due Date for Customs Broker User Fee. SUMMARY: This is to advise Customs brokers that the annual fee of $125 that is assessed for each permit held by a broker whether it may be an individual, partnership, association or corporation, is due by January 19, 2007. This announcement is being published to comply with the Tax Reform Act of 1986. DATES: Due date for payment of fee: January 19, 2007. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bruce Raine, Broker Management Branch,

(202)344-2702. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 13031 of the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (Pub. L. 99-272) established that an annual user fee of $125 is to be assessed for each Customs broker permit and National permit held by an individual, partnership, association or corporation. This fee is set forth in the Customs Regulations in section 111.96 (19 CFR 111.96). Customs Regulations provide that this fee is payable for each calendar year in each broker district where the broker was issued a permit to do business by the due date which will be published in the **Federal Register** annually. Broker districts are defined in the General Notice published in the **Federal Register** , Volume 60, No. 187, September 27, 1995. Section 1893 of the Tax Reform Act of 1986 (Pub. L. 99-514) provides that notices of the date on which the payment is due for each broker permit shall be published by the Secretary of the Treasury in the **Federal Register** by no later than 60 days before such due date. This document notifies brokers that for 2007, the due date of the user fee is January 19, 2007. It is expected that the annual user fees for brokers for subsequent years will be due on or about the 20th of January of each year. Dated: November 9, 2006 Jayson P. Ahern, Assistant Commissioner, Office of Field Operations. [FR Doc. E6-19588 Filed 11-17-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 9111-14-P DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY Federal Emergency Management Agency Agency Information Collection Activities: Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request AGENCY: Federal Emergency Management Agency, DHS. ACTION: Notice and request for comments. SUMMARY: The Federal Emergency Management Agency

(FEMA)has submitted the following information collection to the Office of Management and Budget

(OMB)for review and clearance in accordance with the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. The submission describes the nature of the information collection, the categories of respondents, the estimated burden ( *i.e.* , the time, effort and resources used by respondents to respond) and cost, and includes the actual data collection instruments FEMA will use. *Title:* National Flood Insurance Claims Appeals Process. *OMB Number:* 1660-0095. *Abstract:* This information collection implements the mandates of section 205 of the Bunning-Bereuter-Blumenauer Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2004 to establish an appeal process for National Flood Insurance Program policyholders in cases of unsatisfactory decisions on claims, proofs of loss, and loss estimates made by any insurance company, agent, adjuster, or FEMA employee or contractor. *Affected Public:* Individuals or households and Business or other for profit. *Number of Respondents:* 2,000. *Estimated Time per Respondent:* 2 hours. *Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours:* 4,000. *Frequency of Response:* One-time. *Comments:* Interested persons are invited to submit written comments on the proposed information collection to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management Budget, Attention: Nathan Lesser, Desk Officer, Department of Homeland Security/FEMA, and sent via electronic mail to *oira_submission@omb.eop.gov* or faxed to

(202)395-6974. Comments must be submitted on or before December 20, 2006. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or copies of the information collection should be made to Chief, Records Management, FEMA, 500 C Street, SW., Room 316, Washington, DC 20472, facsimile number

(202)646-3347, or e-mail address *FEMA-Information-Collections@dhs.gov* . Dated: November 13, 2006. John A. Sharetts-Sullivan, Chief, Records Management and Privacy, Information Resources Management Branch, Information Technology Services Division, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Department of Homeland Security. [FR Doc. E6-19529 Filed 11-17-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 9110-11-P DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT [Docket No. FR-5037-N-85] Notice of Submission of Proposed Information Collection to OMB; Utility Allowance Adjustments AGENCY: Office of the Chief Information Officer, HUD. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: The proposed information collection requirement described below has been submitted to the Office of Management and Budget

(OMB)for review, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act. The Department is soliciting public comments on the subject proposal. Multifamily project owners are required to advise the Secretary of the need for and request approval of a new utility allowance for tenants. DATES: *Comments Due Date:* December 20, 2006. ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments regarding this proposal. Comments should refer to the proposal by name and/or OMB approval Number (2502-0352) and should be sent to: HUD Desk Officer, Office of Management and Budget, New Executive Office Building, Washington, DC 20503; fax: 202-395-6974. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lillian Deitzer, Departmental Reports Management Officer, QDAM, Department of Housing and Urban Development, 451 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC 20410; e-mail *Lillian_L._Deitzer@HUD.gov* or telephone

(202)708-2374. This is not a toll-free number. Copies of available documents submitted to OMB may be obtained from Ms. Deitzer or from HUD's Web site at *http://hlannwp031.hud.gov/po/i/icbts/collectionsearch.cfm.* SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This notice informs the public that the Department of Housing and Urban Development has submitted to OMB a request for approval of the information collection described below. This notice is soliciting comments from members of the public and affecting agencies concerning the proposed collection of information to:

(1)Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility;

(2)Evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information;

(3)Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and

(4)Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond; including through the use of appropriate automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic submission of responses. This notice also lists the following information: *Title of Proposal:* Utility Allowance Adjustments. *OMB Approval Number:* 2502-0352. *Form Numbers:* None. *Description of the need for the information and its proposed use:* Multifamily project owners are required to advise the Secretary of the need for and request approval of a new utility allowance for tenants. *Frequency of Submission:* On occasion. Number of respondents Annual responses x Hours per response = Burden hours Reporting Burden 4,824 1 0.5 2,412 *Total Estimated Burden Hours:* 2,412. *Status:* Extension of a currently approved collection. Authority: Section 3507 of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, 44 U.S.C. 35, as amended. Dated: November 13, 2006. Lillian L. Deitzer, Departmental Paperwork Reduction Act Officer, Office of the Chief Information Officer. [FR Doc. E6-19497 Filed 11-17-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4210-67-P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management [AK-964-1410-KC-P; F-14895-A and F-14895-A2] 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 NIMA Corporation. The lands are in the vicinity of Dall Lake and on Nunivak Island, Alaska, and are located in: Seward Meridian, Alaska T. 1 N., R. 83 W., Secs. 2, 12 and 13. Containing approximately 1,128 acres. T. 3 N., R. 97 W., Sec. 6. Containing approximately 0.32 acres. T. 3 N., R. 98 W., Sec. 22. Containing 640 acres. T. 3 N., R. 99 W., Secs. 3, 4 and 5; Secs. 7 to 10, inclusive; Secs. 15 to 19, inclusive; Secs. 23, 24 and 30. Containing approximately 6,831 acres. T. 4 N., R. 99 W., Sec. 33. Containing 29.28 acres. Total aggregate approximately 8,691 acres. A portion of the subsurface estate in these lands will be conveyed to Calista Corporation when the surface estate is conveyed to NIMA Corporation. The remaining lands lie within Nunivak Island National Wildlife Refuge, established April 15, 1929. The subsurface estate in the refuge lands will be reserved to the United States at the time of conveyance. Notice of the decision will also be published four times in the Tundra Drums. 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 20, 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. Renee Fencl, Land Law Examiner, Branch of Adjudication II. [FR Doc. E6-19550 Filed 11-17-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-$$-P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management [NV912-07-1990-PO-241A-006F] Sierra Front-Northwestern Great Basin Resource Advisory Council; Notice of Meeting Locations and Times AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior. ACTION: Notice of Meeting Locations and Times for the Sierra Front-Northwestern Great Basin Resource Advisory Council (Nevada). SUMMARY: In accordance with the Federal Land Policy and Management Act and the Federal Advisory Committee Act of 1972 (FACA), two meetings of the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management

(BLM)Sierra Front-Northwestern Great Basin Resource Advisory Council (RAC), Nevada, will be held as indicated below. Topics for discussion at the meetings will include, but are not limited to: manager's reports of field office activities; RAC subcommittee reports; Southern Nevada Public Land Management Act-Round 7 Nominations; Pine Nut Mountain RMP Amendment/DEIS; Winnemucca RMP/DEIS; Alpine County RMP Amendment; Sand Mountain Conservation Strategy; Coer-Rochester Mine Plan/DEIS; Aqua Trac Water Export Project; Echo Canyon Cement Plant Plan; renewable energy projects review; grazing allotment review; and additional topics the council may raise during the meetings. *Dates & Times:* The RAC will meet on Wednesday-Thursday, February 7-8, 2007, at the BLM-Carson City Field Office, 5665 Morgan Mill Road, Carson City, Nevada; and on Wednesday-Thursday, July 11-12, 2007, at the BLM-Winnemucca Field Office, 5100 East Winnemucca Blvd., Winnemucca, Nevada. All meetings are open to the public. A general public comment period, where the public may submit oral or written comments to the RAC, will be held on the first day of each two-day meeting at 4 p.m. (February 7 & July 11). Final agendas, with any additions/corrections to agenda topics, the starting and ending times of each meeting, and details of any planned field trips, will be determined/posted at least two weeks before each two-day meeting on the BLM-Nevada State Office Web site at *http://www.nv.blm.gov/rac;* hard copies of the agendas can also be mailed or sent via FAX. Individuals who need special assistance such as sign language interpretation or other reasonable accommodations, or those who wish a hard copy of the agenda, should contact Mark Struble, Carson City Field Office, 5665 Morgan Mill Road, Carson City, NV 89701, telephone

(775)885-6107, no later than two weeks before each two-day meeting. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mark Struble, Public Affairs Officer, BLM Carson City Field Office, 5665 Morgan Mill Road, Carson City, NV 89701. Telephone:

(775)885-6107. E-mail: *mstruble@nv.blm.gov.* Dated: November 14, 2006. Don Hicks, Field Office Manager, BLM-Carson City Field Office. [FR Doc. E6-19549 Filed 11-17-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-HC-P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management [UT-100-1430-ES; U-82096] Notice of Realty Action; Recreation and Public Purposes Act Classification; Utah AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior. ACTION: Notice of Realty Action. SUMMARY: The Bureau of Land Management

(BLM)has examined and found suitable for classification for lease or conveyance to the City of Washington under the provisions of the Recreation and Public Purposes Act (R&PP), as amended, 15 acres of public land located in Washington County, Utah. The City of Washington proposes to the use the land for a wareyard to accomodate office and storage space for City departments. ADDRESSES: Bureau of Land Management, St. George Field Office, 345 E. Riverside Drive, St. George, Utah 84790. DATES: Interested persons may submit written comments to the BLM at the address stated below. Comments must be received by not later than January 4, 2007. FOR FUTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kathy Abbott, BLM Realty Specialist, at the address above or at

(435)688-3234. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The following described public land in Washington County, Utah has been examined and found suitable for classification for lease or conveyance for a municipal wareyard under provisions of the Recreation and Public Purposes (R&PP) Act, as amended (43 U.S.C. 869 *et seq.* ), and is hereby classified accordingly: Salt Lake Meridian T. 42 S., R. 15 W., sec. 24, portions of S 1/2 NW 1/4 SE 1/4 SW 1/4 , S 1/2 SE 1/4 SW 1/4 . The area described contains 15 acres in Washington County. The City of Washington has filed with BLM an application pursuant to the R&PP Act, as amended. The City of Washington proposes to the use the land for a wareyard to accommodate office and storage space for City departments based on a plan submitted with the application. The public land is not required for any Federal purpose. Lease/conveyance is consistent with current BLM planning for this area and would be in the public interest. The lease/conveyance, when issued, would be subject to the following terms, conditions, and reservations: 1. Provisions of the R&PP Act and all applicable regulations of the Secretary of the Interior. 2. A right-of-way for ditches and canals constructed by the authority of the United States, Act of August 30, 1890 (43 U.S.C. 945). 3. All minerals are reserved to the United States, together with the right to prospect for, mine, and remove the minerals, under applicable laws and regulations established by the Secretary of the Interior. 4. All valid existing rights. 5. Any other reservations that the authorized officer determines appropriate to ensure public access and proper management of Federal lands and interests therein. Detailed information concerning the proposed lease or conveyance, including environmental records, is available at the BLM St. George Field Office at the address above. On November 20, 2006, the above described land will be segregated from all other forms of appropriation under the public land laws, including the general mining laws, except for lease or conveyance under the R&PP Act and leasing under the mineral leasing laws. Interested persons may submit comments regarding the proposed classification or lease/conveyance of the land to the Field Office Manager, BLM St. George Field Office at the address above. Comments must be received by not later than January 4, 2007. Classification Comments Interested parties may submit comments involving the suitability of the lands for a City wareyard. Comments on the classification are restricted to whether the land is physically suited for the proposal, whether the use will maximize the future use or uses of the land, whether the use is consistent with local planning and zoning, or if the use is consistent with State and Federal programs. Application Comments Interested parties may submit comments regarding the specific use proposed in the City of Washington's application, whether the BLM followed proper administrative procedures in processing the application and in reaching the proposed decision, or any other factor not directly related to the suitability of the land for City wareyard purposes. All submissions from organizations or businesses will be made available for public inspection in their entirety. Individuals may request confidentiality with respect to their name, address, and phone number. If you wish to have your name or street address withheld from public review, or from disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act, the first line of the comment should start with the words “CONFIDENTIALITY REQUEST” in uppercase letters in order for BLM to comply with your request. Such requests will be honored to the extent allowed by law. Comment contents will not be kept confidential. Any adverse comments will be reviewed by the State Director. In the absence of any adverse comments, the decision to lease or convey will become the final decision of the Department of the Interior. In the absence of any adverse comments, the classification will become effective on January 19, 2007. The land will not be offered for lease/conveyance until after the classification becomes effective. (Authority: 43 CFR 2741.5) Dated: July 18, 2006. Kim Leany, Acting Field Office Manager. Editorial Note: This document was received at the Office of the Federal Register on November 14, 2006. [FR Doc. E6-19507 Filed 11-17-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-DQ-P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management [ES-960-1420-BJ-TRST; Group No. 17, North Carolina] Eastern States: Filing of Plat of Survey AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior. ACTION: Notice of Filing of Plat of Survey; North Carolina. SUMMARY: The Bureau of Land Management

(BLM)will file the plat of survey of the lands described below in the BLM-Eastern States, Springfield, Virginia, 30 calendar days from the date of publication in the **Federal Register** . FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bureau of Land Management, 7450 Boston Boulevard, Springfield, Virginia 22153. Attn: Cadastral Survey. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This survey was requested by the Bureau of Indian Affairs. The lands we surveyed are: District Number 9, Graham County, North Carolina Tract Number 88 and a portion of Tract Number 87. The plat of survey represents the dependent resurvey of Tract Number 88 and a portion of Tract Number 87, and was accepted November 1, 2006. We will place a copy of the plat we described in the open files. It will be available to the public as a matter of information. If BLM receives a protest against this survey, as shown on the plat, prior to the date of the official filing, we will stay the filing pending our consideration of the protest. We will not officially file the plat until the day after we have accepted or dismissed all protests and they have become final, including decisions on appeals. Dated: November 1, 2006. Joseph W. Beaudin, Acting Chief Cadastral Surveyor. [FR Doc. E6-19567 Filed 11-17-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-GJ-P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Minerals Management Service Agency Information Collection Activities: Submitted for Office of Management and Budget

(OMB)Review; Comment Request AGENCY: Minerals Management Service (MMS), Interior. ACTION: Notice of an extension of an information collection (1010-0091). SUMMARY: To comply with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), we are notifying the public that we have submitted to OMB an information collection request

(ICR)to renew approval of the paperwork requirements in the regulations under 30 CFR part 254, “Oil-Spill Response Requirements for Facilities Located Seaward of the Coast Line.” This notice also provides the public a second opportunity to comment on the paperwork burden of these regulatory requirements. DATES: Submit written comments by December 20, 2006. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on this information collection directly to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, OMB, Attention: Desk Officer for the Department of the Interior via OMB e-mail: ( *OIRA_DOCKET@omb.eop.gov* ); or by fax

(202)395-6566; identify with (1010-0091). Submit a copy of your comments to the Department of the Interior, MMS, via: • MMS's Public Connect on-line commenting system, *https://ocsconnect.mms.gov* . Follow the instructions on the Web site for submitting comments. • E-mail MMS at *rules.comments@mms.gov* . Use Information Collection Number 1010-0091, in the subject line. • *Fax:* 703-787-1093. Identify with Information Collection Number 1010-0091. • Mail or hand-carry comments to the Department of the Interior; Minerals Management Service; *Attention:* Rules Processing Team (RPT); 381 Elden Street, MS-4024; Herndon, Virginia 20170-4817. Please reference “Information Collection 1010-0091” in your comments. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Cheryl Blundon, Regulations and Standards Branch,

(703)787-1607. You may also contact Cheryl Blundon to obtain a copy, at no cost, of the ICR and the regulations that require the subject collection of information. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: *Title:* 30 CFR 254, “Oil-Spill Response Requirements for Facilities Located Seaward of the Coast Line.” *OMB Control Number:* 1010-0091. *Abstract:* The Federal Water Pollution Control Act (FWPCA), as amended by the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA), requires that a spill-response plan be submitted for offshore facilities prior to February 18, 1993. The OPA specifies that after that date, an offshore facility may not handle, store, or transport oil unless a plan has been submitted. This authority and responsibility are among those delegated to the Minerals Management Service

(MMS)by Executive Order 12777. Regulations at 30 CFR part 254 establish requirements for spill-response plans for oil-handling facilities seaward of the coast line, including associated pipelines. The MMS uses the information collected under 30 CFR 254 to determine compliance with OPA by owners/operators. Specifically, MMS needs the information to: • Determine effectiveness of the spill-response capability of owners/operators. • Review plans prepared under the regulations of a State and submitted to MMS to satisfy the requirements to ensure that they meet minimum requirements of OPA. • Verify that personnel involved in oil-spill response are properly trained and familiar with the requirements of the spill-response plans and to witness spill-response exercises. • Assess the sufficiency and availability of contractor equipment and materials. • Verify that sufficient quantities of equipment are available and in working order. • Oversee spill-response efforts and maintain official records of pollution events. • Assess the efforts of owners/operators to prevent oil spills or prevent substantial threats of such discharges. No proprietary, confidential, or sensitive information is collected. However, we will protect any information from respondents considered proprietary under the Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552) and its implementing regulations (43 CFR part 2) and under regulations at 30 CFR parts 250, 251, and 252. Responses are mandatory. *Frequency:* On occasion, monthly, annually, biennially, and triennially. *Estimated Number and Description of Respondents:* Approximately 197 owners or operators of facilities located in both State and Federal waters seaward of the coast line. *Estimated Reporting and Recordkeeping “Hour” Burden:* The estimated annual “hour” burden for this information collection is a total of 35,070 hours. In calculating the burdens, we assumed that respondents perform certain requirements in the normal course of their activities. We consider these to be usual and customary and took that into account in estimating the burden. Citation 30 CFR 254 Reporting requirement Hour burden Average number of annual responses Annual burden hours 254.1(a) thru (d); 254.2(a); 254.3 thru 254.5; 254.7; 254.20 thru 254.29; 254.44(b) Submit spill response plan for OCS facilities and related documents 120 26 new plans 3,120 254.1(e) Request MMS jurisdiction over facility landward of coast line (no recent request received) 0.5 2 requests 1 254.2(b) Submit certification of capability to respond to worst case discharge or substantial threat of such 15 1 certification 15 254.2(c); 254.30 Submit revised spill response plan for OCS facilities at least every 2 years; notify MMS of no change 36 1 177 revised plans 1 No change 6,372 1 254.2(c) Request deadline extension for submission of revised plan 4 11 44 254.8 Appeal MMS orders or decisions Exempt under 5 CFR 1320.4(a)(2),

(c)0 254.40 Make records of all OSRO-provided services, equipment, personnel available to MMS 5 20 100 254.41 Conduct annual training; retain training records for 2 years 25 197 owners/operators 4,925 254.42(a) thru

(e)Conduct triennial response plan exercise; retain exercise records for 3 years 110 134 exercises 14,740 254.42(f) Inform MMS of the date of any exercise (triennial) 1 170 notifications 170 254.43 Inspect response equipment monthly; retain inspection & maintenance records for 2 years 3.5 55 inspections × 12 months = 660 2,310 254.46(a) Notify NRC of all oil spills from owner/operator facility Burden would be included in the NRC inventory 0 254.46(b) Notify MMS of oil spills of one barrel or more from owner/operator facility; submit follow-up report 2 61 notifications & reports 122 254.46(c) Notify MMS & responsible party of oil spills from operations at another facility 2 24 notifications 48 254.50; 254.51 Submit response plan for facility in State waters by modifying existing OCS plan 42 10 plans 420 254.50; 254.52 Submit response plan for facility in State waters following format for OCS plan 100 9 plans 900 254.50; 254.53 Submit response plan for facility in State waters developed under State requirements 89 18 plans 1,602 254.54 Submit description of oil-spill prevention procedures 5 36 submissions 180 Total Hour Burden 1,557 35,070 *Estimated Reporting and Recordkeeping “Non-Hour Cost” Burden:* We have identified no paperwork “non-hour cost” burdens associated with the collection of information. *Public Disclosure Statement:* The PRA (44 U.S.C. 3501, *et seq.* ) provides that an agency may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. Until OMB approves a collection of information, you are not obligated to respond. *Comments:* Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the PRA (44 U.S.C. 3501, *et seq.* ) requires each agency “* * * to provide notice* * * and otherwise consult with members of the public and affected agencies concerning each proposed collection of information * * *” Agencies must specifically solicit comments to:

(a)Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the agency to perform its duties, including whether the information is useful;

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

(c)enhance the quality, usefulness, and clarity of the information to be collected; and

(d)minimize the burden on the respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology. To comply with the public consultation process, on April 10, 2006, we published a **Federal Register** notice (71 FR 18113) announcing that we would submit this ICR to OMB for approval. The notice provided the required 60-day comment period. In addition, 30 CFR 254.9 displays the OMB control number, specifies that the public may comment at anytime on the collection of information required in the 30 CFR 254 regulations, and provides the address to which they should send comments. We have received no comments in response to those efforts. If you wish to comment in response to this notice, you may send your comments to the offices listed under the ADDRESSES section of this notice. OMB has up to 60 days to approve or disapprove the information collection but may respond after 30 days. Therefore, to ensure maximum consideration, OMB should receive public comments by December 20, 2006. *Public Comment Procedures:* MMS's practice is to make comments, including names and addresses of respondents, available for public review. If you wish your name and/or address to be withheld, you must state this prominently at the beginning of your comment. MMS will honor the request to the extent allowable by the law; however, anonymous comments will not be considered. There may be circumstances in which we would withhold from the record a respondent's identity, as allowable by the law. If you wish us to withhold your name and/or address, you must state this prominently at the beginning of your comment. In addition, you must present a rationale for withholding this information. This rationale must demonstrate that disclosure “would constitute an unwarranted invasion of privacy.” Unsupported assertions will not meet this burden. In the absence of exceptional, documentable circumstances, this information will be released. All submissions from organizations or businesses, and from individuals identifying themselves as representatives or officials of organizations or businesses, will be made available for public inspection in their entirety. *MMS Information Collection Clearance Officer:* Arlene Bajusz,

(202)208-7744. Dated: October 16, 2006. E.P. Danenberger, Chief, Office of Offshore Regulatory Programs. [FR Doc. E6-19513 Filed 11-17-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-MR-P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Minerals Management Service Agency Information Collection Activities: Submitted for Office of Management and Budget

(OMB)Review; Comment Request AGENCY: Minerals Management Service (MMS), Interior. ACTION: Notice of a revision of an information collection (1010-0071). SUMMARY: To comply with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), we are notifying the public that we have submitted to OMB an information collection request

(ICR)to renew approval of the paperwork requirements in the regulations under 30 CFR part 203, “Relief or Reduction in Royalty Rates.” This notice also provides the public a second opportunity to comment on the paperwork burden of these regulatory requirements. DATES: Submit written comments by December 20, 2006. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on this information collection directly to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, OMB, Attention: Desk Officer for the Department of the Interior via OMB e-mail: ( *OIRA_DOCKET@omb.eop.gov* ); or by fax

(202)395-6566; identify with (1010-0071). Submit a copy of your comments to the Department of the Interior, MMS, via: • MMS's Public Connect on-line commenting system, *https://ocsconnect.mms.gov* . Follow the instructions on the Web site for submitting comments. • E-mail MMS at *rules.comments@mms.gov.* Use Information Collection Number 1010-0071 in the subject line. • Fax: 703-787-1093. Identify with Information Collection Number 1010-0071. • Mail or hand-carry comments to the Department of the Interior, Minerals Management Service, Attention: Rules Processing Team (RPT), 381 Elden Street, MS-4024, Herndon, Virginia 20170-4817. Please reference “Information Collection 1010-0071” in your comments. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Cheryl Blundon, Rules Processing Team,

(703)787-1600. You may also contact Cheryl Blundon to obtain a copy, at no cost, of the ICR and regulations that require the subject collection of information. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: *Title:* 30 CFR part 203, “Relief or Reduction in Royalty Rates.” *OMB Control Number:* 1010-0071. *Abstract:* The Outer Continental Shelf

(OCS)Lands Act, as amended by Public Law 104-58, Deep Water Royalty Relief Act (DWRRA), gives the Secretary of the Interior (Secretary) the authority to reduce or eliminate royalty or any net profit share specified in OCS oil and gas leases to promote increased production. The DWRRA also authorized the Secretary to suspend royalties when necessary to promote development or recovery of marginal resources on producing or non-producing leases in the Gulf of Mexico

(GOM)west of 87 degrees, 30 minutes West longitude. Section 302 of the DWRRA provides that new production from a lease in existence on November 28, 1995, in a water depth of at least 200 meters, and in the GOM west of 87 degrees, 30 minutes West longitude qualifies for royalty suspension in certain situations. To grant a royalty suspension, the Secretary must determine that the new production or development would not be economic in the absence of royalty relief. The Secretary must then determine the volume of production on which no royalty would be due in order to make the new production from the lease economically viable. This determination is done on a case-by-case basis. Production from leases in the same water depth and area issued after November 28, 2000, also can qualify for royalty suspension in addition to any that may be included in their lease terms. In addition, Federal policy and statute require us to recover the cost of services that confer special benefits to identifiable non-Federal recipients. The Independent Offices Appropriation Act (31 U.S.C. 9701), Office of Management and Budget

(OMB)Circular A-25, and the Omnibus Appropriations Bill (Pub. L. 104-133 110 Stat. 1321, April 26, 1996) authorize the Minerals Management Service

(MMS)to collect these fees to reimburse us for the cost to process applications or assessments. Regulations at 30 CFR part 203 implement these statutes and policy and require respondents to pay a fee to request royalty relief. Section 203.3 states that, “We will specify the necessary fees for each of the types of royalty-relief applications and possible MMS audits in a Notice to Lessees. We will periodically update the fees to reflect changes in costs as well as provide other information necessary to administer royalty relief.” The MMS use the information to make decisions on the economic viability of leases requesting a suspension or elimination of royalty or net profit share. These decisions have enormous monetary impacts to both the lessee and the Federal Government. Royalty relief can lead to increased production of natural gas and oil, creating profits for lessees and royalty and tax revenues for the government that they might not otherwise receive. We could not make an informed decision without the collection of information required by 30 CFR part 203. We will protect information from respondents considered proprietary according to 30 CFR parts 203.6(b) and 250, and the Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552) and its implementing regulations (43 CFR part 2). No items of a sensitive nature are collected. Responses are required to obtain a benefit. *Frequency:* On occasion. *Estimated Number and Description of Respondents:* Approximately 130 Federal OCS oil and gas lessees. *Estimated Reporting and Recordkeeping “Hour” Burden:* The estimated annual “hour” burden for this information collection is a total of 4,721 hours. The following chart details the individual components and estimated hour burdens. In calculating the burdens, we assumed that respondents perform certain requirements in the normal course of their activities. We consider these to be usual and customary and took that into account in estimating the burden. Citation 30 CFR 203 Reporting or recordkeeping requirement 30 CFR part 203 Application fees Hour burden Average number of annual responses Annual burden hours 43(a); 46(a) Notify MMS of intent to begin drilling 1 45 45 43(b)(1), (2), (d),

(e)Notify MMS that production has begun, request extension, request confirmation of the size of RSV 2 15 30 46 Provide data from well to confirm and attest well drilled was an unsuccessful certified well and request supplement 8 10 80 51; 83; 84 Application—leases that generate earnings that cannot sustain continued production (end-of-life lease) 100 1 Application every 3 years 34 (rounded) Application 1/3 × $8,000 = $2,667 (rounded)* Audit 1/3 × $12,500 = $4,167 (rounded) 55 Renounce relief arrangement (end-of-life) (seldom, if ever will be used; minimal burden to prepare letter) 1 1 Letter every 3 years 1 (rounded) 61; 62; 64; 65; 71; 83; 85-89 Application—leases in designated areas of GOM deep water acquired in lease sale before 11/28/95 or after 11/28/00 and are producing (deep water expansion project) 2,000 1 Application every 3 years 667 (rounded) Application 1/3 × $19,500 = $6,500 61; 62; 64; 65; 203.71; 203.83; 203.85-89 Application—leases in designated areas of deep water GOM, acquired in lease sale before 11/28/95 or after 11/28/00, that have not produced (pre-act or post-2000 deep water leases) 2,000 1 Application every 3 years 667 (rounded) Application 1/3 × $34,000 = $11,334 (rounded)* Audit 1/3 × $37,500 = $12,500 61; 62; 64; 65; 71; 83; 85-89 Application—preview assessment (seldom if ever will be used as applicants generally opt for binding determination by MMS instead) 900 1 Application every 3 years 300 Application 1/3 × $34,000 = $11,334 (rounded) 74; 75 Redetermination 500 1 Redetermination every 3 years 167 (rounded) Application 1/3 × $16,000 = $5,334 (rounded)* 70; 81; 90; 91 Submit fabricator's confirmation report 20 1 Report every 3 years 7 (rounded) 70; 81; 90; 92 Submit post-production development report 50 1 Report* every 3 years 17 (rounded) 70; 79(a) Request reconsideration of MMS field designation 400 1 Request every 3 years 134 (rounded) 77 Renounce relief arrangement (deep water) (seldom, if ever will be used; minimal burden to prepare letter) 1 1 Letter every 3 years 1 (rounded) 79(c) Request extension of deadline to start construction 2 1 Request every 3 years 1 (rounded) 80 Application—apart from formal programs for royalty relief for marginal producing lease (Special Case Relief) 250 2 applications 500 Application 2 × $8,000** = $16,000 Audit 1 × $10,000 = $10,000 80 Application—apart from formal programs for royalty relief for marginal expansion project or marginal non-producing lease (Special Case Relief) GOM 1,000 2 Applications 2000 Application 2 × $19,500** = $39,000 Audit 1 × $20,000 = $20,000 POCS 40 1 Application 40 Application 1 × $6,500*** = $6,500 81; 83-89 Required reports Burden included with applications 0 83 Application—short form to add or assign pre-Act lease 40 1 Application every 3 years 14 (rounded) Application 1/3 × $1,000 = $334 (rounded) 91 Retain supporting cost records for post-production development/fabrication reports (records retained as usual/customary business practice; minimal burden to make available at MMS request) 8 2 Recordkeepers 16 Total Annual Burden 89 Responses 4,721 Hours Total Fees = $145,670 *Estimated Reporting and Recordkeeping “Non-Hour Cost” Burden:* There are two non-hour costs associated with this information collection. The estimated non-hour cost burden is $280,670. This estimate is based on:

(a)*Application and audit fees.* The total annual estimated cost burden for these fees is $145,670 (refer to burden chart).

(b)*Cost of reports prepared by independent certified public accountants.* Under § 203.81, a report prepared by an independent certified public accountant

(CPA)must accompany the application and post-production report (expansion project, short form, and preview assessment applications are excluded). The OCS Lands Act applications will require this report only once; the DWRRA applications will require this report at two stages—with the application and post-production development report for successful applicants. MMS estimates approximately three submissions each year at an average cost of $45,000 per report, for a total estimated annual cost burden of $135,000. The total of the two burdens is estimated at $280,670. *Public Disclosure Statement:* The PRA (44 U.S.C. 3501, *et seq.* ) provides that an agency may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. Until OMB approves a collection of information, you are not obligated to respond. *Comments:* Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the PRA (44 U.S.C. 3501, *et seq.* ) requires each agency “* * * to provide notice * * * and otherwise consult with members of the public and affected agencies concerning each proposed collection of information * * * ” Agencies must specifically solicit comments to:

(a)Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the agency to perform its duties, including whether the information is useful;

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

(c)enhance the quality, usefulness, and clarity of the information to be collected; and

(d)minimize the burden on the respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology. To comply with the public consultation process, on March 15, 2006, we published a **Federal Register** notice (71 FR 13420) announcing that we would submit this ICR to OMB for approval. The notice provided the required 60-day comment period. In addition, § 203.82 provides the OMB control number for the information collection requirements imposed by the 30 CFR part 203 regulations. The regulation also informs the public that they may comment at any time on the collections of information and provides the address to which they should send comments. We received two comments in response to these efforts. Neither comment was germane to the IC cost or hour burden or the subject of the collection itself. If you wish to comment in response to this notice, you may send your comments to the offices listed under the ADDRESSES section of this notice. OMB has up to 60 days to approve or disapprove the information collection but may respond after 30 days. Therefore, to ensure maximum consideration, OMB should receive public comments by December 20, 2006. *Public Comment Procedures:* MMS's practice is to make comments, including names and addresses of respondents, available for public review. If you wish your name and/or address to be withheld, you must state this prominently at the beginning of your comment. MMS will honor the request to the extent allowable by the law; however, anonymous comments will not be considered. There may be circumstances in which we would withhold from the record a respondent's identity, as allowable by the law. If you wish us to withhold your name and/or address, you must state this prominently at the beginning of your comment. In addition, you must present a rationale for withholding this information. This rationale must demonstrate that disclosure “would constitute an unwarranted invasion of primary.” Unsupported assertions will not meet this burden. In the absence of exception, documentable circumstances, this information will be released. All submissions from organizations or businesses, and from individuals identifying themselves as representatives or officials of organizations or businesses, will be made available for public inspection in their entirety. *MMS Information Collection Clearance Officer:* Arlene Bajusz,

(202)208-7744. Dated: September 12, 2006. E.P. Danenberger, Chief, Office of Offshore Regulatory Programs. [FR Doc. E6-19514 Filed 11-17-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-MR-P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR National Park Service Final General Management Plan and Comprehensive River Management Plan/Middle and South Forks of the Kings River and North Fork of the Kern River; Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, Tulare and Fresno Counties, California; Notice of Availability of Final Environmental Impact Statement *Summary:* Pursuant to § 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (Pub. L. 91-190, as amended), and the Council on Environmental Quality Regulations (40 CFR part 1500-1508), the National Park Service, Department of the Interior, has prepared a Final Environmental Impact Statement

(EIS)for the General Management Plan

(GMP)and Comprehensive River Management for the Middle and South Forks Kings River and the North Fork Kern River and for Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks located in California. The purpose and need for the plans is to establish a park vision for the next 15-20 years, provide direction for the management of wild and scenic rivers, replace an outdated master plan, guide management of cultural and natural resources, address unresolved issues in specific areas, and address the changing context of the parks within the regional ecosystem. *Proposed Plan and Alternatives:* The final EIS describes and analyzes five alternatives which respond to both NPS planning requirements and to the issues identified during the public scoping process. The *No-Action* alternative would continue current management direction, and it is the baseline for comparing the other alternatives (it was originally Alternative B when the alternatives were first presented to the public in the winter of 2000). The *Preferred Alternative* would accommodate sustainable growth and visitor enjoyment, protect ecosystem diversity, and preserve basic character while adapting to changing user groups (this was also determined to be “environmentally preferred”). *Alternative A* would emphasize natural ecosystems and biodiversity, with reduced use and development; *Alternative C* would preserve the parks' traditional character and retain the feel of yesteryear, with guided growth; and *Alternative D* would preserve the basic character and adapt to changing user groups. Also included is a comprehensive river management plan for the portions of the Middle and South Forks of the Kings River and the North Fork of the Kern River, which have been designated by Congress as components of the national wild and scenic rivers system. The purpose of the river management plan is to provide direction and overall guidance on the management of lands and uses within the river corridors. Regarding wilderness, although the GMP does address compatibility of the alternatives with the park's backcountry and wilderness values, there is no new wilderness designation proposed under any of the alternatives. The foreseeable environmental consequences of each alternative, and appropriate mitigation strategies, are identified and analyzed in the EIS. *Public Review and Changes in the Final Document:* Prior to development of the Draft EIS, nine scoping meetings were held, seven planning newsletters issued; alternatives planning workshops were held in seven cities; and the parks regularly communicated with the cooperating association and concessioners authorized to operate in the parks. Meetings and contacts have occurred with special use permittees, private landowners; and numerous other stakeholders. The project mailing list included more than 3700 entries. The Draft EIS was available for 150 days review during May-October, 2004. It was made available at local area libraries, and could be reviewed electronically via *http://www.nps.gov/seki or http://planning.den.nps.gov/seki.* Printed and CD copies were sent upon request, and also distributed to agencies and organizations listed as recipients in the Consultation and Coordination section of the EIS. Public meetings to facilitate review and comment on the Draft EIS were held during the comment period both in the parks, as well as in the following locations: Thee Rivers, Visalia, Fresno/Clovis, Sacramento, San Francisco, Los Angeles and Bishop. Approximately 400 comments were received; this information resulted in minor corrections and clarifications to the Draft EIS/GMP. Editorial changes and additional explanatory text on topics of interest were incorporated. There were no substantive changes due to public commentary. Following the closure of the public comment period, Pub. L. 108-447 was enacted and changes to the document to accommodate this public law were made with regard to two areas with special use permits:

(1)The law that appended the Mineral King area to the park in 1978 required that use of cabins at Mineral King be phased out upon the deaths of the permittees of record. Pub. L. 108-447 amended Pub. L. 95-625 by authorizing indefinite extension of special use permits to heirs, successors and assigns; and

(2)Pub. L. 108-447 amended Pub. L. 99-338 to allow the Secretary to permit Southern California Edison Co. up to two additional ten-year permit periods of hydroelectric operations until 2026. *Description of Alternatives:* The Final EIS for the GMP/Comprehensive River Management Plans includes four action alternatives and a no-action alternative which continues current management. The Comprehensive River management Plan would be common to every alternative. The *No-Action* Alternative (Continue Current Management): The parks are managed as they are now in accordance with approved plans (such as development concept plans, and the 1996 Giant Forest Interim Management Plan); negative resource impacts and visitor demands are mitigated by relocating development, reducing some uses, or confining new developed areas. Visitor uses are reassessed and revised as new information about natural and cultural resource impacts and visitor needs emerges. Current facilities are inadequate for park needs and visitor use levels, and crowding is common in some areas. *Preferred Alternative:* The parks' appeal is broadened to be more relevant to diverse user groups, Increased day use is accommodated, and overnight visitation is retained. The integrity of park resources is paramount. Stronger educational and outreach programs provide enjoyment and introduce park conservation values. The basic character of park activities and the rustic architecture of facilities are retained so that the parks remain strikingly different from surrounding areas. Park administrative facilities are redesigned and may be relocated outside the parks. Park facilities accommodate sustainable growth. Stock use continues with appropriate management and monitoring. *Alternative A:* Emphasize Natural Ecosystems and Biodiversity; Reduce Use and Development: The parks are natural resource preserves; they are primarily valued because they contain publicly owned resources that will be conserved for the future. Levels of use are lower than at present, and visitor experiences are more directly connected to natural resources and provide more solitude. The parks contrast strongly with surrounding lands which are continuing to develop. Park managers aggressively cooperate with the managers of surrounding lands to enhance range-wide biodiversity. *Alternative C:* Preserve Traditional Character and Retain the Feel of Yesteryear; Guide Growth: The parks present a traditional character and the feeling of yesteryear, where experiences are more reminiscent of how visitors used the parks in the past. This is conveyed through rustic architecture and lower impact recreational activities (such as sightseeing and hiking) that were popular from the 1920s to the 1960s, providing an experience that is strikingly different from that in an urban setting. Redesigned developed areas accommodate limited growth; overnight stays are encouraged. Negative impacts on natural resources are controlled, so as to maintain or improve resource conditions. *Alternative D:* Preserve Basic Character and Adapt to Changing User Groups; Guide Growth: The parks preserve some of their traditional character and rustic architecture, but diverse new user groups and uses are encouraged. Day use is more common. Facilities are expanded to meet users' needs, while frequent interpretive programs are offered to educate, entertain, and instill a sense of park conservation values. Negative impacts on natural resources are controlled or mitigated, so as to maintain or improve resource conditions. *Addresses and Further Information:* Copies of the Final EIS will be available for public review in the office of the Superintendent and at local area public libraries, and may also be requested (by those not presently on the mailing list) by contacting the park by letter at: Final EIS/GMP, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, 47050 Generals Highway, Three Rivers, CA 93271-9651; by telephone at

(559)565-3101; or by e-mail at *seki_superintendent@nps.gov* . Please note that names and addresses of all respondents will become part of the public record. Our practice is to make all 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 home 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 organizations or businesses, and from individuals identifying themselves as representatives of or officials of organizations or businesses, available for public inspection in their entirety. *Decision:* The National Park Service will execute a Record of Decision not sooner than 30 days following publication by the Environmental Protection Agency of their notice of filing of the Final EIS in the **Federal Register** . As a delegated EIS the official responsible for the final approval of the General Management Plan and Comprehensive River Management Plan is the Regional Director; subsequently the official responsible for implementing the new plans would be the Superintendent, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. Dated: October 6, 2006. George J. Turnbull, Acting Regional Director, Pacific West Region. [FR Doc. 06-9279 Filed 11-17-06; 8:45 am]

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