Notices. Notice

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BILLING CODE 3410-11-M DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration Opportunity for Designation in the Muncie (IN), Fremont (NE), Savage (MN), and West Lafayette

(IN)Areas, and Request for Comments on the Official Agencies Serving These Areas AGENCY: Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration, USDA. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: The designations of the official agencies listed below will end on June 30, 2007. We are asking persons interested in providing official services in the areas served by these agencies to submit an application for designation. We are also asking for comments on the quality of services provided by these currently designated agencies: East Indiana Grain Inspection, Inc. (East Indiana); Fremont Grain Inspection Department, Inc. (Fremont); State Grain Inspection, Inc. (State Grain); and Titus Grain Inspection, Inc. (Titus). DATES: Applications and comments must be received on or before January 8, 2007. ADDRESSES: We invite you to submit applications and comments on this notice. You may submit applications and comments by any of the following methods: * *Hand Delivery or Courier:* Deliver to Karen Guagliardo, Review Branch Chief, Compliance Division, GIPSA, USDA, Room 1647-S, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250. * *Fax:* Send by facsimile transmission to

(202)690-2755, attention: Karen Guagliardo. * *E-mail:* Send via electronic mail to *Karen.W.Guagliardo@usda.gov.* * *Mail:* Send hardcopy to Karen Guagliardo, Review Branch Chief, Compliance Division, GIPSA, USDA, STOP 3604, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250-3604. * *Federal eRulemaking Portal:* Go to *http://www.regulations.gov.* Follow the online instructions for submitting comments. *Read Applications and Comments:* All applications and comments will be available for public inspection at the office above during regular business hours (7 CFR 1.27(b)). FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Karen Guagliardo at 202-720-7312, e-mail *Karen.W.Guagliardo@usda.gov.* SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 7(f)(1) of the United States Grain Standards Act, as amended (USGSA), authorizes GIPSA's Administrator to designate a qualified applicant to provide official services in a specified area after determining that the applicant is better able than any other applicant to provide such official services (7 U.S.C. 79(f)(1)). Section 7(g)(1) of USGSA provides that designations of official agencies will terminate not later than three years and may be renewed according to the criteria and procedures prescribed in Section 7(f) of USGSA. Current Designations Being Announced for Renewal Official agency Main office Designation start Designation end East Indiana West Sacramento, CA 07/01/2004 06/30/2007 Fremont Frankfort, IN 07/01/2004 06/30/2007 State Grain Savage, MN 07/01/2004 06/30/2007 Titus West Lafayette, IN 07/01/2004 06/30/2007 East Indiana In accordance with Section 7(f)(2) of USGSA (7 U.S.C. 79(f)(2)) the following geographic area, in the States of Indiana and Ohio, is assigned to East Indiana: * Bounded on the North by the northern and eastern Grant County lines; the northern Blackford, and Jay County lines; * Bounded on the East by the eastern Jay, Randolph, Wayne, and Union County lines; * Bounded on the South by the southern Union and Fayette County lines; the eastern Rush County line south to State Route 244; State Route 244 west to the Rush County line; and * Bounded on the West by the western Rush and Henry County lines; the southern Madison County line west to State Route 13; State Route 13 north to State Route 132; State Route 132 northwest to Madison County; the western and northern Madison County lines; the northern Delaware County line; the western Blackford County line north to State Route 18; State Route 18 west to County Highway 900E; County Highway 900E north to the northern Grant County line. Darke County, Ohio. Fremont In accordance with Section 7(f)(2) of USGSA (7 U.S.C. 79(f)(2)), the following geographic area, in the States of Iowa and Nebraska, is assigned to Fremont: In Iowa * Carroll (west of U.S. Route 71); Clay (west of U.S. Route 71); Crawford; Dickinson (west of U. S. Route 71); Harrison (east of State Route 183); O'Brien (north of B24 and east of U.S. Route 59); Osceola (east of U.S. Route 59); and Shelby Counties, Iowa. In Nebraska * Bounded on the North by U.S. Route 20 east to the Pierce County line; the eastern Pierce County line; the northern Wayne, Cuming, and Burt County lines east to the Missouri River; * Bounded on the East by the Missouri River south-southeast to State Route 91; State Route 91 west to the Dodge County line; the eastern and southern Dodge County lines west to U.S. Route 77; U.S. Route 77 south to the Saunders County line; * Bounded on the South by the southern Saunders, Butler, and Polk County lines; and * Bounded on the West by the western Polk County line north to the Platte River; the Platte River northeast to the western Platte County line; the western and northern Platte County lines east to U.S. Route 81; U.S. Route 81 north to U.S. Route 20. The following grain elevators, located outside of the above contiguous geographic area, are part of this geographic area assignment: Farmers Cooperative, and Krumel Grain and Storage, both in Wahoo, Saunders County, Nebraska (located inside Omaha Grain Inspection Service, Inc.'s, area). Fremont's assigned geographic area does not include the following grain elevators inside Fremont's area which have been and will continue to be serviced by the following official agencies: 1. Hastings Grain Inspection, Inc.: Huskers Cooperative Grain Company, Columbus, Platte County, Nebraska; and 2. Omaha Grain Inspection Service, Inc.: United Farmers Coop, Rising City, Butler County, Nebraska; and United Farmers Coop (2 elevators), Shelby, Polk County, Nebraska. State Grain In accordance with Section 7(f)(2) of USGSA (7 U.S.C. 79(f)(2)), the following geographic area, in the State of Minnesota, is assigned to State Grain: * Hennepin, Ramsey, Washington, Carver, Scott, Dakota, Brown, Nicollet, Le Sueur, Rice, Goodhue, Watonwan, Blue Earth, Waseca, Steele, Dodge, McLeod, and Sibley Counties. Titus In accordance with Section 7(f)(2) of USGSA (7 U.S.C. 79(f)(2)) the Act, the following geographic area, in the State of Indiana, is assigned to Titus: * Bounded on the North by the northern Pulaski County line; * Bounded on the East by the eastern and southern Pulaski County lines; the eastern White County line; the eastern Carroll County line south to State Route 25; State Route 25 southwest to Tippecanoe County; the eastern Tippecanoe County line; * Bounded on the South by the southern Tippecanoe County line; the eastern and southern Fountain County lines west to U.S. Route 41; and * Bounded on the West by U.S. Route 41 north to the northern Benton County line; the northern Benton County line east to State Route 55; State Route 55 north to U.S. Route 24; U.S. Route 24 east to the White County line; the western White and Pulaski County lines. * The following grain elevators, located outside of the above contiguous geographic area, are part of this geographic area assignment: Boswell Chase Grain, Boswell, Benton County; ADM, Dunn, Benton County; ADM, Raub, Benton County (located inside Champaign-Danville Grain Inspection Departments, Inc.'s, area); and The Andersons, Delphi, Carroll County; Frick Services, Inc., Leiters Ford, Fulton County; and Cargill, Inc., Linden, Montgomery County (located inside Frankfort Grain Inspection, Inc.'s, area). Opportunity for Designation Interested persons, including East Indiana, Fremont, State Grain, and Titus, may apply for designation to provide official services in the geographic areas specified above under the provisions of Section 7(f) of USGSA ( 7 U.S.C. 79(f)(2)), and 9 CFR 800.196(d) regulations. Designation in the specified geographic areas is for the period beginning July 1, 2007, and ending June 30, 2010. To apply for designation, contact the Compliance Division at the address listed above for forms and information, or obtain applications at the GIPSA Web site, *http://www.gipsa.usda.gov.* Request for Comments We are also publishing this notice to provide interested persons the opportunity to present comments on the quality of services provided by the East Indiana, Fremont, State Grain, and Titus official agencies. In the designation process, we will consider substantive comments citing reasons and pertinent data for support or objection to the designation of the applicants. Submit all comments to the Compliance Division at the above address. In determining which applicant will be designated, we will consider applications, comments, and other available information. Authority: 7 U.S.C. 71 *et seq.* James E. Link, Administrator, Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration. [FR Doc. E6-20905 Filed 12-7-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410-KD-P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration Designation for the Sacramento (CA), Frankfort (IN), Indianapolis (IN), and Virginia Areas AGENCY: Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration, USDA. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: We are announcing designation of the following organizations to provide official services under the United States Grain Standards Act, as amended (USGSA): California Agri Inspection Company, Ltd. (California Agri); Frankfort Grain Inspection, Inc. (Frankfort); Indianapolis Grain Inspection & Weighing Service, Inc. (Indianapolis); and Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (Virginia). EFFECTIVE DATE: January 1, 2007. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Karen Guagliardo at 202-720-7312, e-mail *Karen.W.Guagliardo@usda.gov.* SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In the June 16, 2006, **Federal Register** (71 FR 34882-34883), we requested applications for designation to provide official services in the geographic areas assigned to the official agencies named above. Applications were due by July 14, 2006. There were two applicants for the Sacramento area: California Agri and Mid-Iowa Grain Inspection, Inc. (Mid-Iowa); both are currently designated official agencies. Mid-Iowa withdrew its application. Frankfort, Indianapolis, and Virginia were the sole applicants for designation to provide official services in the entire area currently assigned to them, so GIPSA did not ask for additional comments on them. We evaluated all available information regarding the designation criteria in Section 7(f)(l)(A) of USGSA (7 U.S.C. 79(f)) and, according to Section 7(f)(l)(B), determined that California Agri, Frankfort, Indianapolis, and Virginia are able to provide official services in the geographic areas specified in the June 16, 2006, **Federal Register** , for which they applied. You may obtain official services by calling the telephone numbers listed below. Official agency Headquarters location and telephone Designation start—end California Agri West Sacramento, CA,

(916)375-5809 1/01/2007-12/31/2009 Frankfort Frankfort, IN,

(765)258-3624 1/01/2007-12/31/2009 Indianapolis Indianapolis, IN,

(317)899-2337 1/01/2007-12/31/2009 Virginia Richmond, VA,

(757)494-2464 1/01/2007-12/31/2009 Authority: 7 U.S.C. 71 *et seq.* James E. Link, Administrator, Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration. [FR Doc. E6-20906 Filed 12-7-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410-KD-P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Rural Business-Cooperative Service Inviting Applications for Rural Business Opportunity Grants AGENCY: Rural Business-Cooperative Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: The Rural Business-Cooperative Service (RBS), an Agency within the Rural Development mission area, announces the availability of grants of up to $50,000 per application from the Rural Business Opportunity Grant

(RBOG)program for fiscal year

(FY)2007, to be competitively awarded. For multi-State projects, grant funds of up to $150,000 will be available on a competitive basis. The awards are being capped due to limited funding. This notice is being issued prior to passage of a final appropriations bill, which may or may not provide for funding this program, to allow applicants sufficient time to leverage financing, submit applications, and give the Agency time to process applications within the current fiscal year. The Agency will publish a subsequent notice identifying the amount received in the appropriations, if any. DATES: The deadline for the receipt of non-earmarked applications in the Rural Development State Office is March 30, 2007. If the RBOG appropriation provides earmarks for Native American, Empowerment Zones, Enterprise Communities, and Rural Economic Area Partnerships, then those applications must be received in the Rural Development State Office by January 31, 2007. The Agency reserves the right to extend this application deadline. If no earmark is provided in the appropriations, applications from these applicants will compete in the March 30, 2007, competition. Any applications received at a Rural Development State Office after these dates would not be considered for FY 2007 funding. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Cindy Mason, Loan Specialist, USDA Rural Development, STOP 3225, Room 6866, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250-3225. Telephone:

(202)690-1433. ADDRESSES: For further information, entities wishing to apply for assistance should contact a Rural Development State Office to receive copies of the application package. Potential applicants located in the District of Columbia must send their applications to the National Office at: District of Columbia USDA Rural Development, Specialty Lenders Division, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Room 6867, STOP 3225, Washington, DC 20250-3225,

(202)720-1400. A list of Rural Development State Offices follows: Alabama USDA Rural Development State Office, Sterling Centre, Suite 601, 4121 Carmichael Road, Montgomery, AL 36106-3683,

(334)279-3400/TDD

(334)279-3495. Alaska USDA Rural Development State Office, 800 West Evergreen, Suite 201, Palmer, AK 99645-6539,

(907)761-7705/TDD

(907)761-8905. Arizona USDA Rural Development State Office, 230 N. 1st Ave., Suite 206, Phoenix, AZ 85003,

(602)280-8701/TDD

(602)280-8705. Arkansas USDA Rural Development State Office, 700 West Capitol Avenue, Room 3416, Little Rock, AR 72201-3225,

(501)301-3200/TDD

(501)301-3279. California USDA Rural Development State Office, 430 G Street, #4169, Davis, CA 95616-4169,

(530)792-5800/TDD

(530)792-5848. Colorado USDA Rural Development State Office, 655 Parfet Street, Room E100, Lakewood, CO 80215,

(720)544-2903/TDD

(720)544-2976. Delaware-Maryland USDA Rural Development State Office, 1221 College Park Drive, Suite 200, Dover, DE 19904,

(302)857-3580/TDD

(302)857-3585. Florida/Virgin Islands USDA Rural Development State Office, 4440 NW 25th Place, P.O. Box 147010, Gainesville, FL 32614-7010,

(352)338-3400/TDD

(352)338-3499. Georgia USDA Rural Development State Office, Stephens Federal Building, 355 E. Hancock Avenue, Athens, GA 30601-2768,

(706)546-2162/TDD

(706)546-2034. Hawaii USDA Rural Development State Office, Federal Building, Room 311, 154 Waianuenue Avenue, Hilo, HI 96720,

(808)933-8380/TDD

(808)933-8321. Idaho USDA Rural Development State Office, 9173 West Barnes Drive, Suite A1, Boise, ID 83709,

(208)378-5600/TDD

(208)378-5644. Illinois USDA Rural Development State Office, 2118 W. Park Court, Suite A, Champaign, IL 61821,

(217)403-6200/TDD

(217)403-6240. Indiana USDA Rural Development State Office, 5975 Lakeside Boulevard, Indianapolis, IN 46278,

(317)290-3100/TDD

(317)290-3343. Iowa USDA Rural Development State Office, Federal Building, Room 873, 210 Walnut Street, Des Moines, IA 50309,

(515)284-4663/TDD

(515)284-4858. Kansas USDA Rural Development State Office, 1303 S.W. First American Place, Suite 100, Topeka, KS 66604-4040,

(785)271-2700/TDD

(785)271-2767. Kentucky USDA Rural Development State Office, 771 Corporate Drive, Suite 200, Lexington, KY 40503,

(859)224-7300/TDD

(859)224-7422. Louisiana USDA Rural Development State Office, 3727 Government Street, Alexandria, LA 71302,

(318)473-7921/TDD

(318)473-7655. Maine USDA Rural Development State Office, 967 Illinois Avenue, Suite 4, P.O. Box 405, Bangor, ME 04402-0405,

(207)990-9160/TDD

(207)942-7331. Massachusetts/Rhode Island/Connecticut USDA Rural Development State Office, 451 West Street, Suite 2, Amherst, MA 01002-2999,

(413)253-4300/TDD

(413)253-4590. Michigan USDA Rural Development State Office, 3001 Coolidge Road, Suite 200, East Lansing, MI 48823,

(517)324-5190/TDD

(517)324-5169, Minnesota USDA Rural Development State Office, 375 Jackson Street, Suite 410, St. Paul, MN 55101-1853,

(651)602-7800/TDD

(651)602-3799. Mississippi USDA Rural Development State Office, Federal Building, Suite 831, 100 West Capitol Street, Jackson, MS 39269,

(601)965-4316/TDD

(601)965-5850. Missouri USDA Rural Development State Office, 601 Business Loop 70 West, Parkade Center, Suite 235, Columbia, MO 65203,

(573)876-0976/TDD

(573)876-9480. Montana USDA Rural Development State Office, 900 Technology Boulevard, Suite B, P.O. Box 850, Bozeman, MT 59771,

(406)585-2580/TDD

(406)585-2562. Nebraska USDA Rural Development State Office, Federal Building, Room 152, 100 Centennial Mall North, Lincoln, NE 68508,

(402)437-5551/TDD

(402)437-5093. Nevada USDA Rural Development State Office, 1390 South Curry Street, Carson City, NV 89703-5146,

(775)887-1222/TDD

(775)885-0633. New Jersey USDA Rural Development State Office, 8000 Midlantic Drive, 5th Floor North, Suite 500, Mt. Laurel, NJ 08054,

(856)787-7700/TDD

(856)787-7784. New Mexico USDA Rural Development State Office, 6200 Jefferson Street NE, Room 255, Albuquerque, NM 87109,

(505)761-4950/TDD

(505)761-4938. New York USDA Rural Development State Office, The Galleries of Syracuse, 441 South Salina Street, Suite 357, Syracuse, NY 13202-2541,

(315)477-6400/TDD

(315)477-6447. North Carolina USDA Rural Development State Office, 4405 Bland Road, Suite 260, Raleigh, NC 27609,

(919)873-2000/TDD

(919)873-2003. North Dakota USDA Rural Development State Office, Federal Building, Room 208, 220 East Rosser, P.O. Box 1737, Bismarck, ND 58502-1737,

(701)530-2037/TDD

(701)530-2113. Ohio USDA Rural Development State Office, Federal Building, Room 507, 200 North High Street, Columbus, OH 43215-2418,

(614)255-2400/TDD

(614)255-2554. Oklahoma USDA Rural Development State Office, 100 USDA, Suite 108, Stillwater, OK 74074-2654,

(405)742-1000/TDD

(405)742-1007. Oregon USDA Rural Development State Office, 1201 NE Lloyd Blvd., Suite 801, Portland, OR 97232,

(503)414-3300/TDD

(503)414-3387. Pennsylvania USDA Rural Development State Office, One Credit Union Place, Suite 330, Harrisburg, PA 17110-2996,

(717)237-2299/TDD

(717)237-2261. Puerto Rico USDA Rural Development State Office, IBM Building, Suite 601, 654 Munos Rivera Avenue, San Juan, PR 00918-6106,

(787)766-5095/TDD

(787)766-5332. South Carolina USDA Rural Development State Office, Strom Thurmond Federal Building, 1835 Assembly Street, Room 1007, Columbia, SC 29201,

(803)765-5163/TDD

(803)765-5697. South Dakota USDA Rural Development State Office, Federal Building, Room 210, 200 Fourth Street, SW., Huron, SD 57350,

(605)352-1100/TDD

(605)352-1147. Tennessee USDA Rural Development State Office, 3322 West End Avenue, Suite 300, Nashville, TN 37203-1084,

(615)783-1300. Texas USDA Rural Development State Office, Federal Building, Suite 102, 101 South Main, Temple, TX 76501,

(254)742-9700/TDD

(254)742-9712. Utah USDA Rural Development State Office, Wallace F. Bennett Federal Building, 125 South State Street, Room 4311, Salt Lake City, UT 84147-0350,

(801)524-4320/TDD

(801)524-3309. Vermont/New Hampshire USDA Rural Development State Office, City Center, 3rd Floor, 89 Main Street, Montpelier, VT 05602,

(802)828-6000/TDD

(802)223-6365. Virginia USDA Rural Development State Office, 1606 Santa Rosa Road, Suite 238, Richmond, VA 23229-5014,

(804)287-1550/TDD

(804)287-1753. Washington USDA Rural Development State Office, 1835 Black Lake Boulevard SW., Suite B, Olympia, WA 98512-5715,

(360)704-7740/TDD

(360)704-7760. West Virginia USDA Rural Development State Office, Federal Building, 75 High Street, Room 320, Morgantown, WV 26505-7500,

(304)284-4860/TDD

(304)284-4836. Wisconsin USDA Rural Development State Office, 4949 Kirschling Court, Stevens Point, WI 54481,

(715)345-7600/TDD

(715)345-7614. Wyoming USDA Rural Development State Office, 100 East B, Federal Building, Room 1005, P.O. Box 11005, Casper, WY 82602-5006,

(307)233-6700/TDD

(307)233-6733. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The RBOG program is authorized under section 306 of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (CONACT) (7 U.S.C. 1926(a)(11)). The Rural Development State Offices administer the RBOG program on behalf of USDA Rural Development at the State level. The primary objective of the program is to improve the economic conditions of rural areas. Assistance provided to rural areas under this program may include technical assistance for business development and economic development planning. To ensure that a broad range of communities have the opportunity to benefit from the program, no grant will exceed $50,000, unless it is a multi-State project where funds may not exceed $150,000. There is no project dollar amount limitation on applications for earmarked funds. Awards are made on a competitive basis using specific selection criteria contained in 7 CFR part 4284, subpart G. Information required to be in the application package are contained in 7 CFR part 4284, subpart G. The State Director may assign up to 15 discretionary points to an application, and the Agency Administrator may assign up to 20 additional discretionary points for projects funded from the national office reserve. Discretionary points awarded by the State Director or Administrator must be based on geographic distribution of funds, special importance for implementation of a strategic plan in partnership with other organizations, or extraordinary potential for success due to superior project plans or qualifications of the grantee. Applications will be tentatively scored by the State Offices and submitted to the National Office for final review and selection. The National Office will review the scores based on the grant selection criteria and weights contained in 7 CFR part 4284, subpart G. All applicants will be notified by RBS of the Agency's decision on the awards. Application Requirements Applicants are encouraged to submit applications through the Grants.gov Web site at: *http://www.grants.gov.* Applications may be submitted in either electronic or paper format. Users of Grants.gov will be able to download a copy of the application package, complete it off line, and then upload and submit the application via the Grants.gov site. Applications may not be submitted by electronic mail. • When you enter the Grants.gov site, you will find information about submitting an application electronically through the site as well as the hours of operation. USDA Rural Development strongly recommends that you do not wait until the application deadline date to begin the application process through Grants.gov. To use Grants.gov, applicants must have a Dun and Bradstreet Data Universal Numbering System

(DUNS)number which can be obtained at no cost via a toll-free request line at 1-866-705-5711. • You may submit all documents electronically through the Web site, including all information typically included on the application for RBOGs and all necessary assurances and certifications. • After electronically submitting an application through the Web site, the applicant will receive an automatic acknowledgement from Grants.gov that contains a Grants.gov tracking number. • USDA Rural Development may request that the applicant provide original signatures on forms at a later date. • If applicants experience technical difficulties on the closing date and are unable to meet the deadline, you may submit a paper copy of your application to your respective Rural Development State Office. Paper applications submitted to a Rural Development State Office must meet the closing date and local time deadline. Please note that applicants must locate the downloadable application package for this program by the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number or FedGrants Funding Opportunity Number, which can be found at *http://www.fedgrants.gov.* In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the information collection requirement contained in this Notice is approved by the Office of Management and Budget

(OMB)under OMB Control Number 0570-0024. Nondiscrimination Statement “The U.S. Department of Agriculture

(USDA)prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or part of an individual's income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA's TARGET Center at

(202)720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250-9410, or call

(800)795-3272 (voice), or

(202)720-6382 (TDD). “USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.” Dated: December 1, 2006. William F. Hagy III, Acting Administrator, Rural Business-Cooperative Service. [FR Doc. E6-20875 Filed 12-7-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410-XY-P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Rural Business-Cooperative Service Maximum Dollar Amount on Awards Under the Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant Program for Fiscal Year 2007 AGENCY: Rural Business-Cooperative Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: The Rural Business-Cooperative Service, an Agency within the Rural Development mission area, hereby announces the maximum dollar amount on loan and grant awards under the Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant (REDLG) program for fiscal year

(FY)2007. This notice is being issued prior to passage of a final appropriations bill, which may or may not provide funding for these programs, to allow applicants sufficient time to leverage financing, submit applications, and give the Agency time to process applications within the current fiscal year. The awards made as a result of this notice are effective for loans and grants made during the fiscal year beginning October 1, 2006, and ending September 30, 2007. REDLG loans and grants are available to any electric or telecommunications cooperative (borrower) under the Rural Electrification Act that does not have any delinquent debt with the Federal Government that has not been resolved pursuant to 31 CFR 285.13. REDLG loans and grants are to assist in economically developing rural areas. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Todd S. Hubbell, Loan Specialist, USDA Rural Development, STOP 3225, Room 6866, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250-3225. Telephone:

(202)690-2516, FAX:

(202)720-2213. ADDRESSES: For further information, entities wishing to apply for assistance should contact a Rural Development State Office to receive further information and copies of the application package. A list of Rural Development State Offices follows: District of Columbia USDA Rural Development, Specialty Lenders Division, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., STOP 3225, Room 6867, Washington, DC 20250-3225,

(202)720-1400. Alabama USDA Rural Development State Office, Sterling Centre, Suite 601, 4121 Carmichael Road, Montgomery, AL 36106-3683,

(334)279-3400/TDD

(334)279-3495. Alaska USDA Rural Development State Office, 800 West Evergreen, Suite 201, Palmer, AK 99645-6539,

(907)761-7705/TDD

(907)761-8905. Arizona USDA Rural Development State Office, 230 N. 1st First Ave., Suite 206, Phoenix, AZ 85003,

(602)280-8701/TDD

(602)280-8705. Arkansas USDA Rural Development State Office, 700 West Capitol Avenue, Room 3416, Little Rock, AR 72201-3225,

(501)301-3200/TDD

(501)301-3279. California USDA Rural Development State Office, 430 G Street, # 4169, Davis, CA 95616-4169,

(530)792-5800/TDD

(530)792-5848. Colorado USDA Rural Development State Office, 655 Parfet Street, Room E100, Lakewood, CO 80215,

(720)544-2903/TDD

(720)544-2976. Delaware-Maryland USDA Rural Development State Office, 1221 College Park Drive, Suite 200, Dover, DE 19904,

(302)857-3580/TDD

(302)857-3585. Florida/Virgin Islands USDA Rural Development State Office, 4440 NW 25th Place, P.O. Box 147010, Gainesville, FL 32614-7010,

(352)338-3400/TDD

(352)338-3499. Georgia USDA Rural Development State Office, Stephens Federal Building, 355 E. Hancock Avenue, Athens, GA 30601-2768,

(706)546-2162/TDD

(706)546-2034. Hawaii USDA Rural Development State Office, Federal Building, Room 311, 154 Waianuenue Avenue, Hilo, HI 96720,

(808)933-8380/TDD

(808)933-8321. Idaho USDA Rural Development State Office, 9173 West Barnes Dr., Suite A1, Boise, ID 83709,

(208)378-5600/TDD

(208)378-5644. Illinois USDA Rural Development State Office, 2118 W. Park Court, Suite A, Champaign, IL 61821,

(217)403-6200/TDD

(217)403-6240. Indiana USDA Rural Development State Office, 5975 Lakeside Boulevard, Indianapolis, IN 46278,

(317)290-3100/TDD

(317)290-3343. Iowa USDA Rural Development State Office, Federal Building, Room 873, 210 Walnut Street, Des Moines, IA 50309,

(515)284-4663/TDD

(515)284-4858. Kansas USDA Rural Development State Office, 1303 S.W. First American Place, Suite 100, Topeka, KS 66604-4040,

(785)271-2700/TDD

(785)271-2767. Kentucky USDA Rural Development State Office, 771 Corporate Drive, Suite 200, Lexington, KY 40503,

(859)224-7300/TDD

(859)224-7422. Louisiana USDA Rural Development State Office, 3727 Government Street, Alexandria, LA 71302,

(318)473-7921/TDD

(318)473-7655. Maine USDA Rural Development State Office, 967 Illinois Avenue, Suite 4, P.O. Box 405, Bangor, ME 04402-0405,

(207)990-9160/TDD

(207)942-7331. Massachusetts/Rhode Island/Connecticut USDA Rural Development State Office, 451 West Street, Suite 2, Amherst, MA 01002-2999,

(413)253-4300/TDD

(413)253-4590. Michigan USDA Rural Development State Office, 3001 Coolidge Road, Suite 200, East Lansing, MI 48823,

(517)324-5190/TDD

(517)324-5169. Minnesota USDA Rural Development State Office, 375 Jackson Street, Suite 410, St. Paul, MN 55101-1853,

(651)602-7800/TDD

(651)602-3799. Mississippi USDA Rural Development State Office, Federal Building, Suite 831, 100 W. Capitol Street, Jackson, MS 39269,

(601)965-4316/TDD

(601)965-5850. Missouri USDA Rural Development State Office, 601 Business Loop 70 West, Parkade Center, Suite 235, Columbia, MO 65203,

(573)876-0976/TDD

(573)876-9480. Montana USDA Rural Development State Office, 900 Technology Boulevard, Suite B, P.O. Box 850, Bozeman, MT 59771,

(406)585-2580/TDD

(406)585-2562. Nebraska USDA Rural Development State Office, Federal Building, Room 152, 100 Centennial Mall North, Lincoln, NE 68508,

(402)437-5551/TDD

(402)437-5093. Nevada USDA Rural Development State Office, 1390 South Curry Street, Carson City, NV 89703-5146,

(775)887-1222/TDD

(775)885-0633. New Jersey USDA Rural Development State Office, 8000 Midlantic Drive, 5th Floor North, Suite 500, Mt. Laurel, NJ 08054,

(856)787-7700/TDD

(856)787-7784. New Mexico USDA Rural Development State Office, 6200 Jefferson Street, NE, Room 255, Albuquerque, NM 87109,

(505)761-4950/TDD

(505)761-4938. New York USDA Rural Development State Office, The Galleries of Syracuse, 441 South Salina Street, Suite 357, Syracuse, NY 13202-2541,

(315)477-6400/TDD

(315)477-6447. North Carolina USDA Rural Development State Office, 4405 Bland Road, Suite 260, Raleigh, NC 27609,

(919)873-2000/TDD

(919)873-2003. North Dakota USDA Rural Development State Office, Federal Building, Room 208, 220 East Rosser, P.O. Box 1737, Bismarck, ND 58502-1737,

(701)530-2037/TDD

(701)530-2113. Ohio USDA Rural Development State Office, Federal Building, Room 507, 200 North High Street, Columbus, OH 43215-2418,

(614)255-2400/TDD

(614)255-2554. Oklahoma USDA Rural Development State Office, 100 USDA, Suite 108, Stillwater, OK 74074-2654,

(405)742-1000/TDD

(405)742-1007. Oregon USDA Rural Development State Office, 1201 NE Lloyd Blvd., Suite 801, Portland, OR 97232,

(503)414-3300/TDD

(503)414-3387. Pennsylvania USDA Rural Development State Office, One Credit Union Place, Suite 330, Harrisburg, PA 17110-2996,

(717)237-2299/TDD

(717)237-2261. Puerto Rico USDA Rural Development State Office, IBM Building, Suite 601, 654 Munos Rivera Avenue, San Juan, PR 00918-6106,

(787)766-5095/TDD

(787)766-5332. South Carolina USDA Rural Development State Office, Strom Thurmond Federal Building, 1835 Assembly Street, Room 1007, Columbia, SC 29201,

(803)765-5163/TDD

(803)765-5697. South Dakota USDA Rural Development State Office, Federal Building, Room 210, 200 Fourth Street, SW., Huron, SD 57350,

(605)352-1100/TDD

(605)352-1147. Tennessee USDA Rural Development State Office, 3322 West End Avenue, Suite 300, Nashville, TN 37203-1084,

(615)783-1300. Texas USDA Rural Development State Office, Federal Building, Suite 102, 101 South Main, Temple, TX 76501,

(254)742-9700/TDD

(254)742-9712. Utah USDA Rural Development State Office, Wallace F. Bennett Federal Building, 125 South State Street, Room 4311, Salt Lake City, UT 84147-0350,

(801)524-4320/TDD

(801)524-3309. Vermont/New Hampshire USDA Rural Development State Office, City Center, 3rd Floor, 89 Main Street, Montpelier, VT 05602,

(802)828-6000/TDD

(802)223-6365. Virginia USDA Rural Development State Office, 1606 Santa Rosa Road, Suite 238, Richmond, VA 23229-5014,

(804)287-1550/TDD

(804)287-1753. Washington USDA Rural Development State Office, 1835 Black Lake Boulevard SW., Suite B, Olympia, WA 98512-5715,

(360)704-7740/TDD

(360)704-7760. West Virginia USDA Rural Development State Office, Federal Building, 75 High Street, Room 320, Morgantown, WV 26505-7500,

(304)284-4860/TDD

(304)284-4836. Wisconsin USDA Rural Development State Office, 4949 Kirschling Court, Stevens Point, WI 54481,

(715)345-7600/TDD

(715)345-7614. Wyoming USDA Rural Development State Office, 100 East B, Federal Building, Room 1005, P.O. Box 11005, Casper, WY 82602-5006,

(307)233-6700/TDD

(307)233-6733. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Regulations for these programs are at 7 CFR part 1703, subpart B. The maximum loan and grant awards are determined in accordance with 7 CFR 1703.28. The maximum loan and grant awards are calculated at 3.0 percent of the projected program levels, rounded to the nearest $10,000; however, as specified in 7 CFR 1703.28(b), regardless of the projected total amount that will be available, the maximum size may not be lower than $200,000. The projected program level during FY 2007 for zero-interest loans is $34,652,000, and the projected level for grants is $10,000,000. Applying the 3.0 percent to the program level for loans, rounded to the nearest $10,000, results in a projected maximum loan award of $1,040,000. Applying the specified 3.0 percent to the program level for grants results in an amount higher than $200,000. Therefore, the projected grant award for FY 2007 is $300,000. This notice will be amended should funding in excess of the projected levels be received. Nondiscrimination Statement “The U.S. Department of Agriculture

(USDA)prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or part of an individual's income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA's TARGET Center at

(202)720-2600 (voice and TDD).” To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250-9410, or call

(800)795-3272 (voice), or

(202)720-6382 (TDD). “USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.” Dated: December 1, 2006. William F. Hagy III, Acting Administrator, Rural Business-Cooperative Service. [FR Doc. E6-20871 Filed 12-7-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410-XY-P COMMITTEE FOR PURCHASE FROM PEOPLE WHO ARE BLIND OR SEVERELY DISABLED Procurement List; Additions and Deletions AGENCY: Committee for Purchase from People Who are Blind or Severely Disabled. ACTION: Deletions from Procurement List. SUMMARY: This action deletes from the Procurement List products previously furnished by nonprofit agencies employing persons who are blind or have other severe disabilities. DATES: *Effective Date:* January 7, 2007. ADDRESS: Committee for Purchase From People Who are Blind or Severely Disabled, Jefferson Plaza 2, Suite 10800, 1421 Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington, Virginia 22202-3259. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sheryl D. Kennerly, Telephone:

(703)603-7740, Fax:

(703)603-0655, or e-mail *CMTEFedReg@jwod.gov.* SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Deletions On October 13, 2006, the Committee for Purchase From People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled published notice (71 FR 60471) of proposed deletions to the Procurement List. After consideration of the relevant matter presented, the Committee has determined that the products listed below are no longer suitable for procurement by the Federal Government under 41 U.S.C. 46-48c and 41 CFR 51-2.4. Regulatory Flexibility Act Certification I certify that the following action will not have a significant impact on a substantial number of small entities. The major factors considered for this certification were: 1. The action may result in additional reporting, recordkeeping or other compliance requirements for small entities. 2. The action may result in authorizing small entities to furnish the products to the Government. 3. There are no known regulatory alternatives which would accomplish the objectives of the Javits-Wagner-O'Day Act (41 U.S.C. 46-48c) in connection with the products deleted from the Procurement List. End of Certification Accordingly, the following products are deleted from the Procurement List: Products *PRODUCT/NSN:* Computer Accessories. NSN: 7045-01-483-7843—Visionguard Plus Anti-Glare Screen. NSN: 7045-01-483-7836—Quick Keyboard Drawer. NSN: 7045-01-483-7449—Disk File 100 for 3 1/2 ” Disks. NSN: 7045-01-483-7839—Ergo Gel Keyboard Drawer. NPA: Wiscraft Inc.—Wisconsin Enterprises for the Blind, Milwaukee, WI. Contracting Activity: Office Supplies & Paper Products Acquisition Ctr, New York, NY. *PRODUCT/NSN:* Drape, Surgical. NSN: 6530-00-299-9604—Drape, Surgical. NSN: 6530-00-299-9605—Drape, Surgical. NSN: 6530-00-299-9607—Drape, Surgical. NSN: 6530-00-299-9608—Drape, Surgical. NPA: In-Sight, Warwick, RI. NPA: Alabama Industries for the Blind, Talladega, AL. NPA: Mississippi Industries for the Blind, Jackson, MS. Contracting Activity: Defense Supply Center Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA. *PRODUCT/NSN:* Kit, Suture Removal. NSN: 6515-01-443-0976—Kit, Suture Removal. NPA: Washington-Greene County Branch, PAB, Washington, PA. Contracting Activity: Veterans Affairs National Acquisition Center, Hines, IL. *PRODUCT/NSN:* Mask, Surgical. NSN: 6515-00-982-7493—Mask, Surgical. NPA: Industries of the Blind, Inc., Greensboro, NC. NPA: Susquehanna Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired, Lancaster, PA. NPA: Washington-Greene County Branch, PAB, Washington, PA. Contracting Activity: Defense Supply Center Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA. Contracting Activity: Veterans Affairs National Acquisition Center, Hines, IL. *PRODUCT/NSN:* Mat, Floor. NSN: 7220-00-205-3192—Mat, Floor (For Chairs), 36′x48′. NSN: 7220-00-205-3182—Mat, Floor (For Chairs), 49′x55′. NPA: Northeastern Michigan Rehabilitation and Opportunity Center (NEMROC), Alpena, MI. Contracting Activity: GSA, Southwest Supply Center, Fort Worth, TX. *PRODUCT/NSN:* Tape, Electronic Data Processing. NSN: 7045-01-293-4809—Tape, Electronic Data Processing. NPA: North Central Sight Services, Inc., Williamsport, PA. Contracting Activity: Defense Supply Center Columbus, Columbus, OH. *PRODUCT/NSN:* Thumbtacks, Maptacks and Pushpins. NSN: 7510-00-285-5844—Maptacks, Assorted Colors. NSN: 7510-00-272-3099—Maptacks, White. NPA: Delaware County Chapter, NYSARC, Inc., Walton, NY. Contracting Activity: Office Supplies & Paper Products Acquisition Ctr, New York, NY. *PRODUCT/NSN:* Tracheotomy Care Kit. NSN: 6515-01-447-1720—Tracheotomy Care Kit. NPA: Washington-Greene County Branch, PAB, Washington, PA. Contracting Activity: Veterans Affairs National Acquisition Center, Hines, IL. Sheryl D. Kennerly, Director, Information Management. [FR Doc. E6-20879 Filed 12-7-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6353-01-P COMMITTEE FOR PURCHASE FROM PEOPLE WHO ARE BLIND OR SEVERELY DISABLED Procurement List; Proposed Additions AGENCY: Committee for Purchase from People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled. ACTION: Proposed additions to procurement list. SUMMARY: The Committee is proposing to add to the Procurement List services to be furnished by nonprofit agencies employing persons who are blind or have other severe disabilities. *Comments Must Be Received On Or Before:* January 14, 2007. ADDRESSES: Committee for Purchase From People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled, Jefferson Plaza 2, Suite 10800, 1421 Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington, Virginia 22202-3259. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION OR TO SUBMIT COMMENTS CONTACT: Sheryl D. Kennerly, Telephone:

(703)603-7740, Fax:

(703)603-0655, or e-mail *CMTEFedReg@jwod.gov.* SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This notice is published pursuant to 41 U.S.C. 47(a)(2) and 41 CFR 51-2.3. Its purpose is to provide interested persons an opportunity to submit comments on the proposed actions. If the Committee approves the proposed additions, the entities of the Federal Government identified in the notice for each service will be required to procure the services listed below from nonprofit agencies employing persons who are blind or have other severe disabilities. Regulatory Flexibility Act Certification I certify that the following action will not have a significant impact on a substantial number of small entities. The major factors considered for this certification were: 1. If approved, the action will not result in any additional reporting, recordkeeping or other compliance requirements for small entities other than the small organizations that will furnish the services to the Government. 2. If approved, the action will result in authorizing small entities to furnish the services to the Government. 3. There are no known regulatory alternatives which would accomplish the objectives of the Javits-Wagner-O'Day Act (41 U.S.C. 46-48c) in connection with the services proposed for addition to the Procurement List. Comments on this certification are invited. Commenters should identify the statement(s) underlying the certification on which they are providing additional information. End of Certification The following services are proposed for addition to Procurement List for production by the nonprofit agencies listed: Services Service Type/Location: Custodial Services, 10 W. Jackson Boulevard and 18 W. Jackson, Chicago, IL. NPA: Bona Fide Conglomerate, Inc., Lakeside, CA. Contracting Activity: GSA, Public Buildings Service, Region 5, Chicago, IL. Service Type/Location: Custodial Services, Coast Guard Housing Office, 227 S. Oakwood, Novato, CA. NPA: North Bay Rehabilitation Services, Inc., Rohnert Park, CA. Contracting Activity: U.S. Coast Guard—Alameda, Alameda, CA. Service Type/Location: Facilities Maintenance, Dryden Flight Research Center, Edwards, CA. NPA: PRIDE Industries, Inc., Roseville, CA. Contracting Activity: NASA-Dryden Flight Research Center, Edwards, CA. Service Type/Location: Patient Escort Service, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, 1055 Clermont Drive, Denver, CO. NPA: Bayaud Industries, Inc., Denver, CO. Contracting Activity: VISN 19 Eastern Colorado Health Care System, Denver, CO. Sheryl D. Kennerly, Director, Information Management. [FR Doc. E6-20880 Filed 12-7-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6353-01-P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request The Department of Commerce will submit to the Office of Management and Budget

(OMB)for clearance the following proposal for collection of information under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35). *Agency:* National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). *Title:* Steller Sea Lion Protection Economic Survey. *Form Number(s):* None. *OMB Approval Number:* None. *Type of Request:* Regular submission. *Burden Hours:* 1,373. *Number of Respondents:* 3,325. *Average Hours per Response:* Mail survey, 30 minutes; follow-up telephone survey, 6 minutes. *Needs and Uses:* The objective of the survey is to collect data for measuring the preferences, and economic values, that U.S. residents have for protecting Steller sea lions, a listed species under the Endangered Species Act. These preferences are currently not known, but are needed for decision makers to more fully understand the trade-offs involved in choosing among protection alternatives and to complement other information available about the costs, benefits, and impacts of Steller sea lion protection alternatives. The data collection consists of conducting a mail survey of U.S. households. *Affected Public:* Individuals or households. *Frequency:* One-time only. *Respondent's Obligation:* Voluntary. *OMB Desk Officer:* David Rostker,

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

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

(202)395-7285, or *David_Rostker@omb.eop.gov* . Dated: December 4, 2006. Gwellnar Banks, Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer. [FR Doc. E6-20793 Filed 12-7-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-22-P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request The Department of Commerce will submit to the Office of Management and Budget

(OMB)for clearance the following proposal for collection of information under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35). *Agency:* National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). *Title:* Evaluation of the NOAA Coastal Management Fellowship Program. *Form Number(s):* None. *OMB Approval Number:* None. *Type of Request:* Regular submission. *Burden Hours:* 75. *Number of Respondents:* 127. *Average Hours per Response:* Current and past fellow surveys, 35 minutes; current and past mentor surveys, 40 minutes; and Coastal Services Center Partners and Sea Grant Director surveys, 25 minutes. *Needs and Uses:* The NOAA National Ocean Service Coastal Services Center will conduct an evaluation of the NOAA Coastal Management Fellowship Program. The evaluation is designed to assess the effectiveness of the fellowship program. Respondents include: Current and past fellows, current and past state coastal zone management program mentors, and Center partners. The results of the evaluation will allow the Center to identify aspects of the program that enhance state coastal zone management programs and determine how the fellowship impacts a fellow's professional experiences. *Affected Public:* Individuals or households; not-for-profit institutions. *Frequency:* One-time only. *Respondent's Obligation:* Voluntary. *OMB Desk Officer:* David Rostker,

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

(202)395-7285, or *David_Rostker@omb.eop.gov* . Dated: December 4, 2006. Gwellnar Banks, Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer. [FR Doc. E6-20794 Filed 12-7-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-08-P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request The Department of Commerce will submit to the Office of Management and Budget

(OMB)for clearance the following proposal for collection of information under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35). *Agency:* National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). *Title:* Southeast Region Logbook Family of Forms. *Form Number(s):* None. *OMB Approval Number:* 0648-0016. *Type of Request:* Regular submission. *Burden Hours:* 18,714. *Number of Respondents:* 7,389. *Average Hours per Response:* Annual fixed-cost reports, 30 minutes; economic cost per trip reports, 10 minutes; headboat and Colombian fishery logbooks, 18 minutes; golden crab, reef fish-mackerel, wreckfish and shrimp logbooks, 10 minutes; live rock and discard logbooks, 18 minutes; no-fishing responses for golden crab, reef fish-makerel and Colombian fisheries, 2 minutes. *Needs and Uses:* The catch and effort data are needed for scientific analyses that support critical conservation and management decisions that are made by national and international fishery management agencies. In addition, biologist need data on the amount of fish, marine mammals, and sea turtles are caught or interacted with. This family of forms also includes the collection of cost-earning information and discards reported by fishermen. *Affected Public:* Business or other for-profit organizations; individuals or households. *Frequency:* Annually and by trip. *Respondent's Obligation:* Mandatory. *OMB Desk Officer:* David Rostker,

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

(202)395-7285, or *David_Rostker@omb.eop.gov* . Dated: December 4, 2006. Gwellnar Banks, Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer. [FR Doc. E6-20795 Filed 12-7-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-22-P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Bureau of the Census [Docket Number 061130319-6319-01] Annual Surveys in the Manufacturing Area AGENCY: Bureau of the Census, Commerce. ACTION: Notice of determination. SUMMARY: The Bureau of the Census (Census Bureau) is conducting the 2006 Annual Surveys in the Manufacturing Area. The 2006 Annual Surveys consist of the Current Industrial Reports surveys, the Annual Survey of Manufactures, the Survey of Industrial Research and Development, the Survey of Plant Capacity Utilization, and the Survey of Pollution Abatement Costs and Expenditures. We have determined that annual data collected from these surveys are needed to aid the efficient performance of essential governmental functions and have significant application to the needs of the public and industry. The data derived from these surveys, most of which have been conducted for many years, are not publicly available from non-governmental or other governmental sources. ADDRESSES: The Census Bureau will furnish report forms to organizations included in the survey. Additional copies are available upon written request to the Director, U.S. Census Bureau, Washington, DC 20233-0101. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Thomas E. Zabelsky, Chief, Manufacturing and Construction Division, at

(301)763-4598. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Census Bureau may conduct surveys necessary to furnish current data on the subjects covered by the major censuses, as authorized by Title 13, United States Code, Sections 61, 81, 131, 182, 193, 224, and 225. These surveys will provide continuing and timely national statistical data on manufacturing for the period between economic censuses. The next economic censuses will be conducted for the year 2007. The data collected in these surveys will be within the general scope and nature of those inquiries covered in the economic censuses. Current Industrial Reports Most of the following commodity or product surveys provide data on shipments or production, stocks, unfilled orders, orders booked, consumption, etc. Reports will be required of all, or a sample of, establishments engaged in the production of the items covered by the following list of surveys: Survey Title MA314Q Carpets and Rugs. MA321T Lumber Production and Mill Stocks. MA325F Paint and Allied Products. MA325G Pharmaceutical Preparations, except Biologicals. MA327C Refractories. MA327E Consumer, Scientific, Technical, and Industrial Glassware. MA331B Steel Mill Products. MA332Q Antifriction Bearings. MA333A Farm Machinery and Lawn and Garden Equipment. MA333D Construction Machinery. MA333F Mining Machinery and Mineral Processing Equipment. MA333M Refrigeration, Air-conditioning, and Warm Air Equipment. MA333P Pumps and Compressors. MA334A Electromedical Equipment and Analytical Instruments. MA334C Control Instruments. MA334D Defense, Navigational and Aerospace Electronics. MA334M Consumer Electronics. MA334Q Semiconductors, Electronic Components, and Semiconductor Manufacturing Equipment. MA334T Meters and Test Devices. MA335E Electric Housewares and Fans. MA335F Major Household Appliances. MA335J Insulated Wire and Cable. MA335K Wiring Devices and Supplies. The following list of surveys represent annual counterparts of monthly and quarterly surveys and will cover only those establishments that are not canvassed, or do not report, in the more frequent surveys. Accordingly, there will be no duplication in reporting. The content of these annual reports (listed below) will be identical with that of the monthly and quarterly reports: Survey Title M311H Animal and Vegetable Fats and Oils (Stocks). M311J Oilseeds, Beans, and Nuts (Primary Producers). M311L Fats and Oils (Renderers). M311M Animal and Vegetable Fats and Oils (Consumption and Stocks). M311N Animal and Vegetable Fats and Oils (Production, Consumption, and Stock). M313P Consumption on the Cotton System. M313N Cotton and Raw Linters in Public Storage. M327G Glass Containers. M336G Civil Aircraft and Aircraft Engines. MQ311A Flour Milling Products. MQ313A Textiles. MQ315A Apparel. MQ315B Socks. MQ325A Inorganic Chemicals. MQ325B Fertilizer Materials. MQ327D Clay Construction Products. MQ333W Metalworking Machinery. MQ334P Telecommunications. MQ334R Computers and Peripheral Equipment. MQ335C Fluorescent Lamp Ballasts. Annual Survey of Manufactures The Annual Survey of Manufactures collects industry statistics, such as total value of shipments, employment, payroll, workers' hours, capital expenditures, cost of materials consumed, supplemental labor costs, and so forth. This survey, conducted on a sample basis, covers all manufacturing industries, including data on plants under construction but not yet in operation. Survey of Industrial Research and Development The Survey of Industrial Research and Development measures spending on research and development activities in private U.S. businesses. The Census Bureau collects and compiles this information in accordance with a joint project agreement between the National Science Foundation

(NSF)and the Census Bureau. The NSF publishes the results in its publication series. Five data items in the survey provide interim statistics to those collected in the Census Bureau's economic censuses. These items (total company sales, total employment, total expenditures for research and development conducted within the company, federally-funded expenditures for research and development conducted within the company, and total expenditures and federally-funded expenditures for research and development within the company by state) are collected on a mandatory basis under the authority of Title 13, United States Code. Responses to all other data collected are voluntary. Survey of Plant Capacity Utilization The Survey of Plant Capacity Utilization is designed to measure the use of industrial capacity. The survey collects information on actual output and estimates of potential output in terms of value of production. These data are the basis for calculating rates of utilization of full production capability and use of production capability under national emergency conditions. Survey of Pollution Abatement Costs and Expenditures Under a joint project agreement with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Survey of Pollution Abatement Costs and Expenditures is designed to collect from establishments in manufacturing, mining, and electric utilities industries the total expenditures by industry and geographic area to abate pollutant emissions. The survey covers current operating costs and capital expenditures to abate air and water pollution and solid waste. The survey also obtains the costs recovered from abatement activities. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no person is required to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to a penalty for failure to comply with, a collection of information subject to the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act

(PRA)unless that collection of information displays a current, valid Office of Management and Budget

(OMB)control number. In accordance with the PRA, 44 U.S.C., Chapter 35, the OMB approved the 2006 Annual Surveys under the following OMB control numbers: Current Industrial Reports—0607-0392, 0607-0395, and 0607-0476; Annual Survey of Manufactures—0607-0449; Survey of Industrial Research and Development—0607-0912; Survey of Plant Capacity Utilization—0607-0175, and Survey of Pollution Abatement Costs and Expenditures—0607-0176. Based upon the foregoing, I have directed that the Annual Surveys in the Manufacturing Area be conducted for the purpose of collecting these data. Dated: December 5, 2006. Charles Louis Kincannon, Director, Bureau of the Census. [FR Doc. E6-20870 Filed 12-7-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-07-P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE International Trade Administration Government Trade Information Request ACTION: Proposed collection; comment request. SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burdens, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on the continuing information collections, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)). DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before February 6, 2007. ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Diana Hynek, Departmental Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 6625, 1401 Constitution Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20230, or e-mail *dHynek@doc.gov.* FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Request for additional information or copies of the information collection instrument and instructions should be directed to: Jessica Sanderson, The Advocacy Center, Room 3814A, Department of Commerce, 1401 Constitution Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20230; Phone number:

(202)482-2429, and fax number:

(202)482-3508. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Abstract The U.S. Department of Commerce invites the general public and other Federal Agencies to comment on the proposed extension of the use of the U.S. Government

(USG)Trade Information Request Form by the Trade Promotion Coordination Committee's

(TPCC)Advocacy Network. The form is used to evaluate requests for USG advocacy in connection with overseas commercial bids, offers, and proposals directed at foreign governments. The International Trade Administration's

(ITA)Advocacy Center marshals federal resources to assist U.S. commercial interests competing for foreign government commercial projects, procurements, investments, and business ventures worldwide. The mission of the Advocacy Center is to coordinate USG commercial advocacy in order to promote U.S. exports and trade, which both creates and sustains U.S. employment. The Advocacy Center works with and coordinates activities within the TPCC, which is chaired by the Secretary of Commerce and includes 19 federal agencies involved in export promotion. The purpose of the Trade Information Request is to collect the information necessary to evaluate whether it would be in the U.S. national interest to provide advocacy on a specific case. USG advocacy guidelines exist to assist USG personnel in determining whether and to what extent USG advocacy is appropriate in connection with a transaction involving U.S. interests. The Trade Information Request Form was developed to collect only the information necessary to help the USG make a national interest determination consistent with the advocacy guidelines. The Advocacy Center, appropriate ITA officials, U.S. Embassy/Consulate officials worldwide, and other federal government agencies (the Advocacy Network) that provide advocacy support, will require firms seeking USG advocacy support to complete the request. II. Method of Collection When U.S. commercial interests request USG advocacy assistance, they are either sent Form ITA-4136P or referred to the Advocacy Center's Web site from which Form ITA-4136P may be downloaded, completed, signed, and filed. III. Data *OMB Number:* 0625-0238. *Form Number:* ITA-4136P. *Type of Review:* Regular Submission. *Affected Public:* Commercial Interests seeking USG advocacy. *Estimated Number of Respondents:* 200. *Estimated Time per Response:* 30 minutes. *Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours:* 205. *Estimated Total Annual Costs:* $15,300.00 ($9,175.00 for respondents and $6,125.00 for federal government). IV. Request for Comments Comments are invited on

(a)Whether the proposed 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 estimate of the burden (including hours and costs) of the proposed collection of information;

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

(d)ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or forms of information technology. Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized and/or included in the request for OMB approval of this information collection; they also will become a matter of public record. Dated: December 5, 2006. Madeleine Clayton, Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer. [FR Doc. E6-20881 Filed 12-7-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-FP-P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE International Trade Administration Internet Export Finance Matchmaker; Proposed Collection; Comment Request AGENCY: International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce. ACTION: Proposed collection; comment request. SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burdens, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on the continuing information collections, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)). DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before February 6, 2007. ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Diana Hynek, Departmental Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 6625, 1401 Constitution Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20230, or e-mail *dHynek@doc.gov.* FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Request for additional information or copies of the information collection instrument and instructions should be directed to: Jessica Sanderson, The Advocacy Center, Room 3814A, Department of Commerce, 1401 Constitution Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20230; Phone number:

(202)482-2429, and fax number;

(202)482-3508. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Abstract The U.S. Department of Commerce invites the general public and other Federal agencies to comment on the proposed extension of the use of the Internet Export Finance Matchmaker. The program is used to assist U.S. firms in identifying trade finance opportunities and promoting the competitiveness of U.S. financial services in international trade. The mission of the International Trade Administration

(ITA)is to coordinate U.S. Government

(USG)commercial advocacy in order to promote U.S. exports and trade, which both creates and sustains U.S. employment. The ITA interacts with private financial institutions in insurance, banking, leasing, factoring, bartering, and counter-trade; U.S. financing agencies, such as the Export-Import Bank and the Overseas Private Investment Corporation; multilateral development banks, such as the World Bank, Asian Development Bank, and others. To facilitate contact between exporters and financial institutions, the Office of Finance has developed an interactive Internet trade finance matchmaking program to link exporters seeking trade finance with banks and other financial institutions. The information collected from financial institutions regarding the trade finance products and services they offer is compiled into a database. An exporter is able to electronically submit a one-page form identifying the potential export transaction and type of financing requested. This information is electronically matched with the financial institution(s) that meet the requirements of the exporter. After a match has been made, a message is electronically sent to both the exporter and the financial institution containing information about the match, and contact information for either party to initiate communication. This program is designed to implement the Department of Commerce's goal of improving access to trade financing for small business exporters. II. Method of Collection Electronic submission to the International Trade Administration. III. Data *OMB Number:* 0625-0232. *Form Number:* ITA-4146P. *Type of Review:* Regular Submission. *Affected Public:* Business or other For-Profit Organizations. *Estimated Number of Respondents:* 500. *Estimated Time per Response:* Exporters: 10 Minutes. *Financial Institutions:* 30 Minutes. *Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours:* 90. *Estimated Total Annual Costs:* $3,150. IV. Request for Comments Comments are invited on

(a)Whether the proposed 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 estimate of the burden (including hours and costs) of the proposed collection of information;

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

(202)482-5131 (this is not a toll-free number) or e-mail at *oetca@ita.doc.gov.* SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title III of the Export Trading Company Act of 1982 (15 U.S.C. 4001-21) authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to issue Export Trade Certificates of Review. An Export Trade Certificate of Review protects the holder and the members identified in the Certificate from state and federal government antitrust actions and from private treble damage antitrust actions for the export conduct specified in the Certificate and carried out in compliance with its terms and conditions. Section 302(b)(1) of the Export Trading Company Act of 1982 and 15 CFR 325.6(a) require the Secretary to publish a notice in the **Federal Register** identifying the applicant and summarizing its proposed export conduct. Request for Public Comments Interested parties may submit written comments relevant to the determination whether an amended Certificate should be issued. If the comments include any privileged or confidential business information, it must be clearly marked and a nonconfidential version of the comments (identified as such) should be included. Any comments not marked privileged or confidential business information will be deemed to be nonconfidential. An original and five

(5)copies, plus two

(2)copies of the nonconfidential version, should be submitted no later than 20 days after the date of this notice to: Export Trading Company Affairs, International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, Room 7021-B H, Washington, DC 20230. Information submitted by any person is exempt from disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552). However, nonconfidential versions of the comments will be made available to the applicant if necessary for determining whether or not to issue the Certificate. Comments should refer to this application as “Export Trade Certificate of Review, application number 05-2A001.” A summary of the application for an amendment follows. Summary of the Application *Applicant:* Central America Poultry Export Quota, Inc. (“CA-PEQ”), 901 New York Avenue, NW., Third Floor, Washington, DC 20001-4413. *Contact:* Kyd D. Brenner, Partner, DTB Associates, LLP, Telephone:

(202)661-7098. *Application No.:* 05-2A001. *Date Deemed Submitted:* November 28, 2006. The original CA-PEQ Certificate was issued on January 30, 2006 (71 FR 6753, February 9, 2006) and last amended on July 11, 2006 (71 FR 40076, July 14, 2006). Proposed Amendment 1. CA-PEQ seeks to amend the Export Trade Activities and Methods of Operation section of its certificate at part 2 (Implementation), F (Contents of Bid), first sentence,

(ii)*from:* the quantity of poultry bid, in an amount that is a multiple of 25 metric tons *to:* the quantity of poultry bid, with a minimum bid of one metric ton. 2. CA-PEQ seeks to allow for the public disclosure of the following two additional pieces of information regarding the result of its public tender process:

(a)The average bid price for all successful bids; and

(b)the names of the successful bidders. This change would be reflected by amending the Export Trade Activities and Methods of Operation section of its certificate at part 2 (Implementation), H (Confidentiality of Information) *from:* The Administrator shall treat all bids and their contents as confidential. The Administrator shall disclose any such information only to another neutral third party or authorized government official of the United States, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras or Nicaragua, signatories to the DR-CAFTA, and only where necessary to ensure the effective operation of the TRQ System or where required by law (including appropriate disclosure in connection with the arbitration of a dispute). However, after the issuance of all TRQ Certificates from an open-tender process, the Administrator shall notify all bidders and shall disclose publicly

(i)the total tonnage for which TRQ Certificates were awarded, and

(ii)the lowest price per metric ton of all successful bids *to:* The Administrator shall treat all bids and their contents as confidential. The Administrator shall disclose any such information only to another neutral third party or authorized government official of the United States, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras or Nicaragua, signatories to the DR-CAFTA, and only where necessary to ensure the effective operation of the TRQ System or where required by law (including appropriate disclosure in connection with the arbitration of a dispute). However, after close of each open-tender process the Administrator shall notify all bidders and shall disclose publicly

(i)the total tonnage for which TRQ certificates were awarded,

(ii)the lowest price per metric ton of all successful bids,

(iii)the average price per metric tons for all successful bids, and

(iv)the names of the winning bidders. Dated: December 4, 2006. Jeffrey Anspacher, Director, Export Trading Company Affairs. [FR Doc. E6-20904 Filed 12-7-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-DR-P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Regional Economic Data Collection Program for Gulf Coast Alaska AGENCY: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before February 6, 2007. ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Diana Hynek, Departmental Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 6625, 14th and Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230 (or via the Internet at *dHynek@doc.gov* ). FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or copies of the information collection instrument and instructions should be directed to Chang Seung,

(206)526-4250 or *Chang.Seung@noaa.gov.* SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Abstract The regional or community economic analysis of proposed fishery management policies is required by the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA), National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), and Executive Order 12866, among others. To satisfy these mandates and inform policymakers and the public of the likely regional economic impacts associated with fishery management policies, appropriate economic models and the data to implement these models are needed. Much of the data required for regional economic analysis associated with Gulf Coast Alaska fisheries are either unavailable or unreliable. The accurate fishery-level data on employment, labor income, and expenditures in the Gulf Coast Alaska fishery and related industries are not currently available but are needed to estimate the effects of fisheries on the economy of Gulf Coast Alaska. In this survey effort, data on these important regional economic variables will be collected and used to develop models that will provide more reliable estimates and significantly improve policy-makers' ability to assess policy effects on fishery-dependent communities in Gulf Coast Alaska. The survey will be a one-time survey. Mail surveys will be used to collect data on employment and labor income from a random sample of 530 vessel owners whose boats delivered fish to Gulf Coast Alaska processors. In-person interviews and telephone calls

(130)with businesses involved in the fishery and related industries will be used to obtain

(a)Vessel expenditure/cost data;

(b)regional economic data for non-fishery industries; and

(c)regional economic data for the fish processing sector. II. Method of Collection Mail surveys, in-person interviews, and telephone surveys will be used as described above. III. Data *OMB Number:* None. *Form Number:* None. *Type of Review:* Regular submission. *Affected Public:* Business or other for-profit organizations. *Estimated Number of Respondents:* 660. *Estimated Time per Response:* Mail survey: 10 minutes; phone call or local interview with fish processors: 30 minutes; phone calls with local small businesses: 10 minutes. *Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours:* 132 hours. *Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public:* $0. IV. Request for Comments Comments are invited on:

(a)Whether the proposed 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 estimate of the burden (including hours and cost) of the proposed collection of information;

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

(d)ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology. Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized and/or included in the request for OMB approval of this information collection; they also will become a matter of public record. Dated: December 4. 2006. Gwellnar Banks, Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer. [FR Doc. E6-20802 Filed 12-7-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-22-P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Confidential Conflict of Interest Disclosure for Prospective Non-Federal Government Peer Reviewers of Government Science Documents AGENCY: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Department of Commerce. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before February 6, 2007. ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Diana Hynek, Departmental Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 6625, 14th and Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230 (or via e-mail at *dHynek@doc.gov* ). FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or copies of the information collection instrument and instructions should be directed to Tom Gleason,

(301)713-2367 x 158, *Tom.Gleason@noaa.gov.* SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Abstract The Office of Management and Budget

(OMB)issued government-wide guidance to enhance the practice of peer review of government science documents. OMB's Final Information Quality Bulletin for Peer Review (“Peer Review Bulletin” or PRB) (available at *http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/memoranda/fy2005/m05-03.pdf* ) establishes minimum peer review standards for influential scientific information that Federal agencies intend to disseminate. The Peer Review Bulletin also directs Federal agencies to adopt or adapt the National Academy of Sciences

(NAS)policy for evaluating conflicts of interest when selecting peer reviewers who are not Federal government employees (federal employees are subject to Federal ethics requirements). For peer review purposes, the term “conflicts of interest” means any financial or other interest which conflicts with the service of the individual because it could:

(1)Significantly impair the individual's objectivity; or

(2)create an unfair competitive advantage for any person or organization. NOAA has adapted the NAS policy and developed two confidential conflict disclosure forms which the agency will use to examine prospective reviewers' potential financial conflicts and other interests that could impair objectivity or create an unfair advantage. One form is for peer reviewers of studies related to government regulation and the other form is for all other influential scientific information subject to the Peer Review Bulletin. The forms include questions about employment as well as investment and property interests and research funding. Both forms also require the submission of *curriculum vitae.* NOAA is seeking to collect this information from potential peer reviewers who are not government employees when conducting a peer review pursuant to the PRB. The number of peer reviews conducted pursuant to the PRB each year will vary, but for illustrative purposes, NOAA currently has thirty-nine peer review plans posted on the Department of Commerce Peer Review Agenda, indicating that for a six-month period in FY 2006, thirty-nine agency reports had recently been completed, were presently undergoing, or were planning to begin peer review. The information collected in the conflict of interest disclosure is essential to NOAA's compliance with the OMB PRB, and helps to ensure that government studies are reviewed by independent, impartial peer reviewers. II. Method of Collection Forms may be downloaded from the Internet and are fillable and signable electronically or manually. They may be submitted, along with the Curriculum Vitae, via e-mail or regular mail. III. Data *OMB Number:* None. *Form Number:* None. *Type of Review:* Regular submission. *Affected Public:* Individuals or households. *Estimated Number of Respondents:* 300. *Estimated Time per Response:* 30 minutes. *Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours:* 150. *Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public:* $0. IV. Request for Comments Comments are invited on:

(a)Whether the proposed 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 estimate of the burden (including hours and cost) of the proposed collection of information;

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

(MMPA)regulations, notification is hereby given that NMFS has issued an Incidental Harassment Authorization

(IHA)to Dr. Glenn VanBlaricom (Dr. VanBlaricom) for the take of marine mammals, by Level B harassment only, incidental to the assessment of black abalone populations at San Nicolas Island (SNI), CA. DATES: Effective from December 1, 2006, through November 30, 2007. ADDRESSES: A copy of the IHA and the application are available by writing to Michael Payne, Chief, Permits, Conservation, and Education Division, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910-3225, or by telephoning the contact listed here. A copy of the application containing a list of references used in this document may be obtained by writing to this address, by telephoning the contact listed here ( FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT ) or online at: *http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/permits/incidental.htm* . Documents cited in this notice may be viewed, by appointment, during regular business hours, at the aforementioned address. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jolie Harrison, Office of Protected Resources, NMFS,

(301)713-2289, ext. 166. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background Sections 101(a)(5)(A) and

(D)of the MMPA (16 U.S.C. 1361 *et seq.* ) direct the Secretary of Commerce to allow, upon request, the incidental, but not intentional, taking of marine mammals by U.S. citizens who engage in a specified activity (other than commercial fishing) within a specified geographical region if certain findings are made and either regulations are issued or, if the taking is limited to harassment, a notice of a proposed authorization is provided to the public for review. Authorization shall be granted if NMFS finds that the taking will have a negligible impact on the species or stock(s), will not have an unmitigable adverse impact on the availability of the species or stock(s) for subsistence uses, and that the permissible methods of taking and requirements pertaining to the mitigation, monitoring and reporting of such takings are set forth. NMFS has defined “negligible impact” in 50 CFR 216.103 as ”...an impact resulting from the specified activity that cannot be reasonably expected to, and is not reasonably likely to, adversely affect the species or stock through effects on annual rates of recruitment or survival.” Section 101(a)(5)(D) of the MMPA established an expedited process by which citizens of the United States can apply for an authorization to incidentally take small numbers of marine mammals by harassment. Except with respect to certain activities not pertinent here, the MMPA defines “harassment” as: any act of pursuit, torment, or annoyance which

(i)has the potential to injure a marine mammal or marine mammal stock in the wild [Level A harassment]; or

(ii)has the potential to disturb a marine mammal or marine mammal stock in the wild by causing disruption of behavioral patterns, including, but not limited to, migration, breathing, nursing, breeding, feeding, or sheltering [Level B harassment]. Section 101(a)(5)(D) establishes a 45-day time limit for NMFS review of an application followed by a 30-day public notice and comment period on any proposed authorizations for the incidental harassment of marine mammals. Within 45 days of the close of the comment period, NMFS must either issue or deny issuance of the authorization. Summary of Request On August 10, 2006, NMFS received a letter from Dr. VanBlaricom, of the Washington Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, requesting renewal of an IHA that was first issued to him on September 23, 2003 (68 FR 57427, October 3, 2003), and was last reissued on November 30, 2005 (70 FR 73732, December 13, 2005). The proposed 2006/2007 IHA was published, and comments solicited, on October 23, 2006 (71 FR 62087). This final IHA will authorize the take, by harassment, of small numbers of California sea lions ( *Zalophus californianus* ), Pacific harbor seals ( *Phoca vitulina* ), and northern elephant seals ( *Mirounga angustirostris* ) incidental to research surveys performed for the purpose of assessing trends in black abalone ( *Haliotis cracherodii* ) populations at SNI, Ventura County, California. The research consists of 2 researchers, on foot, counting abalone at nine permanent sites (1 m2 each) on SNI twice a year, with one brief additional visit to each site for maintenance. Population trend data for black abalone populations have become important in a conservation context because of:

(a)the reintroduction of sea otters to SNI in 1987, raising the possibility of conflict between otter conservation and abalone populations (abalones are often significant prey for sea otters);

(b)the appearance of a novel exotic disease, abalone withering syndrome, at SNI in 1992, resulting in dramatically increased rates of abalone mortality at the Island; and,

(c)the recent designation of California populations of black abalones as a species of concern in the context of listing pursuant to the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Research is done under the auspices of the Washington Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, the University of Washington, and the U.S. Navy (owner of SNI), with additional logistical support from the University of California, Santa Cruz. Since the abalone are not handled or removed in the course of the research, neither a state nor federal permit is needed. Additional information on the research is contained in the application and is available upon request (see ADDRESSES ). Project Description Nine permanent abalone research study areas are located in rocky intertidal habitats on SNI in Ventura County, CA. The applicant has made 106 separate field trips to SNI from September 1979 through March 2006, participating in abalone survey work on 564 different days at nine permanent study sites. Under the 2005/2006 authorization, Dr. VanBlaricom made five different visits and conducted work for 30 total days in the one year period. Quantitative abalone surveys on SNI began in 1981, at which point permanent research sites were chosen based on the presence of dense patches of abalone in order to monitor changes over time in dense abalone aggregations. Research is conducted by counting black abalone in plots of 1 m2 (3.3 ft2) along permanent transect lines in rocky intertidal habitats at each of the nine study sites on the island. Permanent transect lines are demarcated by stainless steel eyebolts embedded in the rock substrata and secured with marine epoxy compound. Lines are placed temporarily between bolts during surveys and are removed once surveys are completed. Survey work is done by two field biologists working on foot (sites are accessed by hiking to water from vehicle parked inland) and monitoring of black abalone populations at SNI can be done only during periods of extreme low tides. The exact date of a visit to any given site is difficult to predict because variation in surf height and sea conditions can influence the safety of field biologists as well as the quality of data collected. In most years survey work is done during the months of January, February, March, July, November, and December because of optimal availability of low tides. All work is done during daylight hours due to of safety considerations. During the year, each of the nine permanent study sites at SNI will be visited three times. Abalone surveys, which take no more than 4 hours at each site, are conducted during two of the three visits to each of the nine sites. The third, and final, visit is a maintenance visit, which takes less than half of an hour at each site and is used to take measurements and make necessary repairs to plots and is conducted in a month when smaller numbers of pinnipeds are present. The affected marine mammal populations at SNI, especially California sea lions and northern elephant seals, have grown substantially since the beginning of abalone research in 1979 and have occupied an expanded distribution on the island due to population growth. Sites previously accessible with no risk of marine mammal harassment are now being utilized by marine mammals at levels such that approach without the possibility of harassment is difficult. An IHA is warranted for this study because of the nine study sites used for the abalone surveys, only two sites can be occupied without the possibility of disturbing at least one species of pinniped. Description of Habitat and Marine Mammals in the Activity Area San Nicolas is one of the eight Channel Islands, located in the Santa Barbara Channel off Southern California. Nine miles long (14.5 km) and about 3 1/2 miles (5.6 km) across at its widest point, it is the farthest island from the mainland, more than 60 miles (96.6 km) offshore and about 85 miles (136.8 km) southwest of Los Angeles, California. SNI is owned and operated by the U.S. Navy and is off-limits to civilians without specific permission. Many of the beaches in the Channel Islands provide resting, molting or breeding places for species of pinnipeds. On SNI, three pinniped species (northern elephant seal, Pacific harbor seal, and California sea lion) can be expected to occur on land in the vicinity of abalone research sites either regularly or in large numbers during certain times of the year. In addition, a single adult male Guadalupe fur seal ( *Arctocephalus townsendi* ) (federally listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act) was seen at one abalone research site on two occasions during the summer months in the mid-1980's. However, none have been seen since those original sightings. Further information on the biology and distribution of these species and others in the region can be found in Dr. VanBlaricom's application, which is available upon request (see ADDRESSES ), and the Marine Mammal Stock Assessment Reports, which are available online at *http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/prot_res/PR2/Stock_Assessment_Program/individual_sars.html* . California Sea Lions The U.S. stock of California sea lions extends from the U.S./Mexico border north into Canada. Breeding areas of the sea lion are on islands located in southern California, western Baja California, and the Gulf of California and they primarily use the central California area to feed during the non-breeding season. Population estimates for the U.S. stock of California sea lions, which are based on counts conducted in 2001 and extrapolations from the number of pups, range from a minimum of 138,881 to an average of 244,000 animals, with a current growth rate of 5.4 to 6.1 percent per year (Carretta et al., 2005). The California sea lion is not listed under the ESA and the U.S. stock is not considered depleted under the MMPA. California sea lions haul out at many sites on SNI and are by far the most common pinniped on the island. Over the course of a year, up to 100,000 sea lions may use SNI. Numbers of sea lions at SNI increased by about 21 percent per year between 1983 and 1995 (NMFS, 2003) and sea lions have recently started occupying areas that were not formerly used. Pupping occurs on the beaches of SNI from mid-June to mid-July. Females nurse their pups for about eight days and then begin an alternating pattern of foraging at sea vs. attending and nursing the pup on land, which lasts for about eight months, and sometimes up to a year. California sea lions also haul out at SNI during the molting period in September, and smaller numbers of females and juveniles haul out during most of the year. Pacific Harbor Seals Harbor seals are widely distributed in the North Atlantic and North Pacific. In California, approximately 400-500 harbor seal haul-out sites are distributed along the mainland and on offshore islands, including intertidal sandbars, rocky shores and beaches (Hanan, 1996). A complete count of all harbor seals in California is impossible because some are always away from the haul-out sites. A complete pup count (as is done for other pinnipeds in California) is also not possible because harbor seals are precocious, with pups entering the water almost immediately after birth. Based on the most recent harbor seal counts (2004 and 2005) and including a correction factor for the above, the estimated population of harbor seals in California is 34,233 (Caretta et al., 2005), with an estimated minimum population of 31,600 for the California stock of harbor seals. Counts of harbor seals in California showed a rapid increase from 1972 to 1990, but since 1990 there has been no net population growth along the mainland or the Channel Islands. Though no formal determination of Optimal Sustainable Population

(OSP)has been made, the decrease in the growth rate may indicate that the population has reached its carrying capacity. The harbor seal is not listed under the ESA and the California stock is not considered depleted under the MMPA. Harbor seals haul out at various sandy, cobble, and gravel beaches around SNI and pupping occurs on the beaches from late February to early April, with nursing of pups extending into May. Harbor seals may also haul out during molting period in late Spring, and smaller numbers haul out at other times of year. Harbor seal abundance increased at SNI from the 1960s until 1981, but since the average counts have not changed significantly. From 1982 to 1994, numbers of harbor seals have fluctuated between 139 and 700 harbor seals based on both peak ground counts and annual photographic survey photos. The most recent aerial count on SNI was of 457 harbor seals in 1994. Northern Elephant Seals Northern elephant seals breed and give birth in California (U.S.) and Baja California primarily on offshore islands, from December to March (Stewart *et al.* , 1994). The California breeding stock, which includes the animals on SNI, is now demographically separated from the Baja California population. Based on trends in pup counts, northern elephant seal colonies appeared to be increasing in California through 2001. The population size of northern elephant seals in California is estimated to be 101,000 animals, with a minimum population estimate of 60,547 (Carretta *et al.* , 2005). A continuous average growth rate (though it has declined a bit in recent years) of 8.3 percent has seen numbers of this species increase from 100 in 1900 to the current population size (Caretta *et al.* , 2005). The northern elephant seal is not listed under the ESA and the California stock is not considered depleted under the MMPA. Increasing numbers of elephant seals haul out at various sites around SNI. Based on a pup count in 1995 that found 6,575 pups, scientists estimated that over 23,000 elephant seals may use SNI in a year (NMFS, 2003). From 1988 to 1995 the pup counts on SNI increased at an average rate of 15.4 percent per year, however, the growth rate of the population as a whole seems to have declined in recent years (NMFS, 2003). Pupping occurs on the beaches of SNI from January to early February, with nursing of pups extending into March. Northern elephant seals also haul out during the molting periods in the spring and summer, and smaller numbers haul out at other times of the year. Comments and Responses On October 23, 2006, NMFS published in the **Federal Register** a notice of a proposed IHA for Dr. VanBlaricom's request to take marine mammals incidental to conducting black abalone research on SNI, and requested comments regarding this proposed IHA (See 71 FR 62087). During the 30-day public comment period, NMFS received one comment from the Marine Mammal Commission recommending NMFS issue the IHA as proposed. Potential Effects of Activities on Marine Mammals Variable numbers of sea lions, harbor seals, and elephant seals typically haul out near seven of the nine study sites used for abalone research, with breeding activity occurring at four of these seven sites. Pinnipeds likely to be affected by abalone research activity are those that are hauled out on land at or near study sites. Incidental harassment may result if hauled animals move away from the abalone researchers. For the purpose of estimating numbers of pinnipeds taken by these activities, NMFS conservatively estimates that pinnipeds that move or change the direction of their movement in response to the presence of researchers are taken by Level B Harassment. Animals that raise their head and look at the researcher are not considered to have been taken. Although marine mammals will not be deliberately approached by abalone survey personnel, approach may be unavoidable if pinnipeds are hauled out directly upon the permanent abalone study plots. In almost all cases, shoreline habitats near the abalone study sites are gently sloping sandy beaches or horizontal sandstone platforms with unimpeded and non-hazardous access to the water. If disturbed, hauled animals may move toward the water without risk of encountering significant hazards. In these circumstances, the risk of serious injury or death to hauled animals is very low. The risk of marine mammal injury or mortality associated with abalone research increases somewhat if disturbances occur during breeding season, as it is possible that mothers and dependent pups could become separated. If separated pairs don't reunite fairly quickly, risks of mortality to pups (through starvation) may increase. Also, adult northern elephant seals may trample elephant seal pups if disturbed, which could potentially result in the of injury or death of pups. However, the IHA will include time of year restrictions intended to limit the presence of researchers to months that California sea lion and harbor seal dependent pups are not present at the survey sites. Additionally, though elephant seal pups are occasionally present at abalone surveys, risk of pup mortalities are very low because elephant seals are far less reactive to researcher presence than the other two species (an estimated 30 total elephant seals have been disturbed in the last three years out of 1594 present around the study site). Last, researchers use great care approaching sites and pups are on the sand while the permanent study sites are on rocks, which leaves the two always separated by at least 50 m (164 ft). Because of the circumstances and the IHA requirements discussed above, NMFS believes it highly unlikely that the authorized activities would result in the injury or mortality of pinnipeds (and none have been recorded in the 27 years that the researcher has been conducting this research). The results of Dr. VanBlaricom's monitoring under the previous IHA are summarized in Table 1, which shows the numbers of each species present at Dr. VanBlaricom's survey sites as well as the numbers disturbed during his visits in the last year. As part of the required monitoring, Dr. VanBlaricom records the numbers of disturbed animals that flush into the water, the number that move more than 1 m, but do not enter the water, and the number that become alert and move, but not move more than 1 m (see the application for these numbers). Animals that raised their head and looked at the researcher without moving were not considered disturbed (or harrassed pursuant to the MMPA). For the purposes of estimating take in the IHA, NMFS conservatively estimates take as the total of all three categories of disturbed behavior recorded. As indicated in Table 1, approximately 25 percent of the total animals harassed by this activity responded by flushing into the water (221 sea lions, 46 harbor seals, and 0 elephant seals) and the rest responded to a lesser degree by moving some distance on land when the researchers approached. Though the researchers have not stayed to find how soon pinnipeds return after flushing (leaving as soon as possible minimizes the effects), increasing numbers at some of the sites and pinniped presence at sites where they were not present before suggest that the research is not having any long-term detrimental effects on the population of any of these three species. Older, weaned sea lion pups were seen and disturbed at sites 6, 7, and 8, however, none were flushed into the water or injured in any way. Year Month Date Site # California Sea Lions Present at site Disturbed Pacific Harbor Seals Present at site Disturbed Northern Elephant Seals Present at site Disturbed 2006 January 2 1 54 1 0 0 0 0 2006 January 12 1 50 3 0 0 1 0 2006 February 25 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 2006 February 26 1 32 28 0 0 0 0 2005 December 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 2005 December 3 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 2006 January 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 2006 January 15 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 2006 January 29 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 2006 February 24 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 2005 December 2 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 2006 January 16 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 2006 January 30 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 2006 January 31 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 2006 February 28 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 2005 December 4 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 2006 January 25 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 2006 January 30 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 2006 March 1 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 2006 January 26 5 27 5 27 25 88 4 2006 January 14 6 86 69 13 13 216 7 2006 January 26 6 97 90 17 12 203 2 2006 January 27 7 610 386 0 0 60 0 2005 December 30 8 226 195 0 0 3 0 2006 January 13 8 241 227 0 0 5 0 2006 January 28 8 140 40 0 0 14 0 2005 December 29 9 0 0 0 0 14 1 2005 December 31 9 0 0 0 0 19 0 Totals 1564 1045 57 50 623 14 # that flushed into water 221 (21%) 46 (92%) 0 # moved >1m, but not into water 680 (65%) 3 (6%) 11 (79%) # came alert, but did not move >1 m 144 (14%) 1 (2%) 3 (21%) Table 1. Results from 2006 monitoring. Number of “disturbed” animals indicates total of the three categories of recorded reactions, which include: animals that flushed into the water; animals that moved more than 1 m, but did not enter the water; and, animals that moved or changed direction, but did not move more than 1 m. Mitigation Several mitigation measures to reduce the potential for harassment from population assessment research surveys will be implemented as part of the SNI abalone research activities. Primarily, mitigation of the risk of disturbance to pinnipeds requires that researchers are judicious in the route of approach to abalone study sites, avoiding close contact with pinnipeds hauled out on shore. In no case will marine mammals be deliberately approached by abalone survey personnel, and in all cases every possible measure will be taken to select a pathway of approach to study sites that minimizes the number of marine mammals harassed. Each visit to a given study site will last for a maximum of 4 hours, after which the site is vacated and can be re-occupied by any hauled marine mammals that may have been disturbed by the presence of abalone researchers. The potential risk of injury or mortality will be avoided with measures required under the authorization. Disturbances to females with dependent pups (in the cases of California sea lions and Pacific harbor seals) will be mitigated to the greatest extent practicable by avoiding visits to the four black abalone study sites with resident pinnipeds during periods of breeding and lactation from mid-February through the end of October. During this period, abalone research would be confined to the other five sites where pinniped breeding and post-partum nursing does not occur. Limiting visits to the four breeding and lactation sites (5, 6, 7, and 8) to periods when these activities do not occur (November, December, January, and the first half of February) will reduce the possibility of incidental harassment and the potential for serious injury or mortality of dependent California sea lion pups and Pacific harbor seal pups to near zero. Northern elephant seal pups are present at four sites during winter months. Risks of injury or mortality of elephant seal pups by mother/pup separation or trampling are limited to the period from January through March when pups are born, nursed, and weaned, ending about 30 days post-weaning when pups depart land for foraging areas at sea. However, elephant seals have a much higher tolerance of nearby human activity than sea lions or harbor seals. Also, elephant seal pupping typically occurs on the sandy beaches at SNI, approximately 50 m (164 ft) or more away from the abalone study sites. Possible take of northern elephant seal pups will be minimized by using a very careful approach to the study sites and avoiding the proximity of hauled seals and any seal pups during collection of abalone population data. One individual Guadalupe fur seal was seen at study site 8 on two separate occasions during the summer months in the mid-1980's. Since the original sightings, no individuals of this species have been seen during abalone research. However, to ensure that Gaudelupe fur seals are not affected by these activities and that authorization is not needed pursuant to the MMPA or the ESA, researchers will only visit site 8 from November through January and work will be immediately suspended and researchers vacated if an individual is seen. Guadalupe fur seals are distinctive in appearance and behavior, and can be readily identified at a distance without any disturbance. Sea otters, which are federally listed as threatened under the ESA and managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, are not expected ashore during the time periods when the research activities would be conducted. However, if sea otters are sighted ashore during the abalone research, Dr. VanBlaricom would follow similar procedures in place for fur seals to avoid impacts, suspending research activities in any areas California sea otters are occupying. Monitoring Currently, all biological research activities at SNI are subject to approval and regulation by the Environmental Planning and Management Department (EPMD), U.S. Navy. The U.S. Navy owns SNI and closely regulates all civilian access to and activity on the island, including biological research. Therefore, monitoring activities will be closely coordinated with Navy marine mammal biologists located on SNI. In addition, status and trends of pinniped aggregations at SNI are monitored by the NMFS Southwest Fisheries Science Center. Also, long-term studies of pinniped population dynamics, migratory and foraging behavior, and foraging ecology at SNI are conducted by staff at Hubbs-Sea World Research Institute (HSWRI). Monitoring requirements in relation to Dr. VanBlaricom's abalone research surveys will include observations made by the applicant and his associates. Information recorded will include species counts (with numbers of pups), numbers of observed disturbances, and descriptions of the disturbed behaviors during the abalone surveys. Observations of unusual behaviors, numbers, or distributions of pinnipeds on SNI will be reported to EPMD, NMFS, and HSWRI so that any potential follow-up observations can be conducted by the appropriate personnel. In addition, observations of tag-bearing pinniped carcasses as well as any rare or unusual species of marine mammals will be reported to EPMD and NMFS. If at any time injury or death of any marine mammal occurs that may be a result of the authorized abalone research, Dr. VanBlaricom will suspend research activities and contact NMFS immediately to determine how best to proceed to ensure that another injury or death does not occur and to ensure that the applicant remains in compliance with the MMPA. Reporting A draft final report must be submitted to NMFS within 60 days after the conclusion of the year-long field season. The report will include a summary of the information gathered pursuant to the monitoring requirements set forth in the IHA. A final report must be submitted to the Regional Administrator within 30 days after receiving comments from NMFS on the draft final report. If no comments are received from NMFS, the draft final report will be considered to be the final report. Dr. VanBlaricom has already submitted the final report required by the current IHA and it may be viewed on the NMFS website (see ADDRESSES ). Numbers of Marine Mammals Expected to be Harassed NMFS has determined that small numbers, relative to population estimates, of California sea lions, Pacific harbor seals, and northern elephant seals may be taken by harassment as a result of this activity (1.3, 0.2, and .04 percent of the minimum population, respectively). The distribution of pinnipeds hauled out on beaches is not even between sites or at different times of the year. The number of marine mammals disturbed will vary by month and location, and, compared to animals hauled out on the beach farther away from survey activity, only those animals hauled out closest to the actual survey transect plots contained within each research site are likely to be disturbed by the presence of researchers and alter their behavior or attempt to move out of the way. Table 2 depicts the total numbers of animals encountered and disturbed by Level B Harasssment in Dr. VanBlaricom's 2004, 2005, and 2006 abalone survey field seasons. As discussed earlier, NMFS considers an animal to have been harassed if it moved any distance in response to the researcher's presence or if the animal was already moving and changed direction. Animals that raised their head and looked at the researcher without moving were not considered disturbed. Based on past observations and assuming a maximum level of incidental harassment of marine mammals at each site during periods of visitation, NMFS estimates that the maximum total possible numbers of individuals that will be incidentally harassed during the effective dates of the IHA would be 1770 California sea lions, 75 Pacific harbor seals, and 25 northern elephant seals. Three visits to each site are anticipated during the year-long validity of the IHA. Year California Sea Lions Present around Site Est. Harassed Pacific Harbor Seals Present around Site Est. Harassed Northern Elephant Seal Present around Site Est. Harassed 2004 2239 1472 108 99 562 7 2005 1383 983 99 88 409 9 2006 1564 1045 57 50 623 14 Table 2. Estimated number of each species harassed over the last three years of abalone research. Minimum population estimates for California sea lions, Pacific harbor seals, and Northern elephant seals are 138881, 31600, and 60547,respectively. Potential Effects of Activities on Marine Mammal Habitat NMFS anticipates that the action will result in no impacts to marine mammal habitat beyond rendering the areas immediately around each of the nine study sites less desirable as haulout sites for a total of 8.5 hours per year. ESA For the reasons already described in this **Federal Register** Notice, NMFS has determined that the described abalone research and the accompanying IHA will have no effect on species or critical habitat protected under the ESA (specifically, the Guadelope fur seal). Therefore, consultation under section 7 of the ESA was not required. National Environmental Policy Act

(NEPA)NMFS prepared an Environmental Assessment

(EA)of the Issuance of an IHA to Take Marine Mammals, by Harassment, During Black Abalone Research at SNI, California, which analyzed the issuance of multiple IHAs over several years for these activities, and subsequently issued a Finding of No Significant Impact on November 21, 2005. A copy of the EA and FONSI are available upon request (see ADDRESSES ). Conclusions Based on Dr. VanBlaricom's application and monitoring reports for previous field seasons, as well as the analysis contained herein, NMFS has determined that the impact of the described abalone research at SNI will result, at most, in a temporary modification in behavior by small numbers of California sea lions, Pacific harbor seals, and northern elephant seals, in the form of head alerts, movement away from the researchers and/or flushing from the beach. In addition, no take by injury or death is anticipated, and take by harassment will be at the lowest level practicable due to incorporation of the mitigation measures mentioned previously in this document. NMFS has further determined the anticipated takes will have a negligible impact on the affected species. Authorization NMFS has issued an IHA to Dr. Glenn R. VanBlaricom for the harassment of California sea lions, Pacific harbor seals, and northern elephant seals incidental to black abalone population trend research, provided the previously mentioned mitigation, monitoring, and reporting requirements are incorporated. Dated: December 1, 2006. James H. Lecky, Director, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. E6-20950 Filed 12-7-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-22-S COMMITTEE FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF TEXTILE AGREEMENTS Adjustment of an Import Limit for Certain Wool Textile Products Produced or Manufactured in Ukraine December 4, 2006. AGENCY: Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements (CITA). ACTION: Issuing a directive to the Commissioner, Bureau of Customs and Border Protection adjusting a limit. EFFECTIVE DATE: December 8, 2006. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ross Arnold, International Trade Specialist, Office of Textiles and Apparel, U.S. Department of Commerce,

(202)482-4212. For information on the quota status of these limits, refer to the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection website (http://www.cbp.gov), or call

(202)344-2650. For information on embargoes and quota re-openings, refer to the Office of Textiles and Apparel website at http://otexa.ita.doc.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Authority: Section 204 of the Agricultural Act of 1956, as amended (7 U.S.C. 1854); Executive Order 11651 of March 3, 1972, as amended. The Bilateral Textile Agreement of July 22, 1998, as amended and extended by exchange of notes on November 19, 2004, December 31, 2004, and February 7, 2005, between the Governments of the United States and Ukraine (the “Bilateral Agreement”) establishes limits for certain wool textile products, produced or manufactured in Ukraine and exported during the period beginning on January 1, 2006 and extending through December 31, 2006. On December 2, 2005, the Chairman of CITA directed the Commissioner, Bureau of Customs and Border Protection to reduce the 2006 Category 435 limit for carryforward to be applied to the 2005 limit. See **Federal Register** Notice, 70 FR 72992 (December 8, 2005). Because the carryforward was not fully used in 2005, consistent with paragraph 5.D. of the Bilateral Agreement, the current limit for Category 435 is being increased for the recrediting of unused 2005 carryforward. A description of the textile and apparel categories in terms of HTS numbers is available in the CORRELATION: Textile and Apparel Categories with the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (refer to the Office of Textiles and Apparel website at http://otexa.ita.doc.gov). Also see **Federal Register** notice 70 FR 72992, published on December 8, 2005. Philip J. Martello, Acting Chairman, Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements. Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements December 4, 2006. Commissioner, *Commissioner, Bureau of Customs and Border Protection, Washington, DC 20229* Dear Commissioner: This directive amends, but does not cancel, the directive issued to you on December 2, 2005, by the Chairman, Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements. That directive concerns imports of certain wool textile products, produced or manufactured in Ukraine and exported during the twelve-month period which began on January 1, 2006 and extends through December 31, 2006. Effective on December 8, 2006, you are directed to increase the current limit for Category 435 to 110,160 dozen 1 , as provided for under the bilateral agreement between the Governments of the United States and Ukraine: 1 The limit has not been adjusted to account for any imports exported after December 31, 2005. The Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements has determined that this action falls within the foreign affairs exception to the rulemaking provisions of 5 U.S.C. 553(a)(1). Sincerely, Philip J. Martello, *Acting Chairman, Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements.* [FR Doc. E6-20942 Filed 12-7-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-DS DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE Department of the Army Board of Visitors, United States Military Academy

(USMA)AGENCY: Department of the Army, DoD. ACTION: Notice of open meeting. SUMMARY: In accordance with Section 10(a)(2) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (Pub. L. 92-463), announcement is made of the following committee meeting: *Name of Committee:* Board of Visitors, United States Military Academy. *Date:* Wednesday, January 31, 2007. *Place of Meeting:* Veterans Affairs Conference room, Room 418, Senate Russell Building, Washington, DC. *Start Time of Meeting:* Approximately 9 a.m. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lieutenant Colonel Shaun T. Wurzbach, United States Military Academy, West Point, NY 10996-5000,

(845)938-4200. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: *Proposed Agenda:* Organizational Meeting of the Board of Visitors. Review of the Academic, Military and Physical Programs at the USMA. Elections for Board of Visitor Leadership positions will also be held. All proceedings are open. Brenda S. Bowen, Army Federal Register Liaison Officer. [FR Doc. 06-9596 Filed 12-07-06; 8:45 am]

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