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Code · REGISTER · 2007-03-26 · Department of Energy (DOE) · Notices

Notices. Notice of open meeting

23,780 words·~108 min read·/register/2007/03/26/07-1464

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BILLING CODE 4000-01-P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Environmental Management Site-Specific Advisory Board, Oak Ridge Reservation AGENCY: Department of Energy (DOE). ACTION: Notice of open meeting. SUMMARY: This notice announces a meeting of the Environmental Management Site-Specific Advisory Board (EM SSAB), Oak Ridge Reservation. The Federal Advisory Committee Act (Pub. L. 92-463, 86 Stat. 770) requires that public notice of this meeting be announced in the **Federal Register** . DATES:
Wednesday, April 11, 2007; 6 p.m. ADDRESSES: DOE Information Center, 475 Oak Ridge Turnpike, Oak Ridge, Tennessee. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Pat Halsey, Federal Coordinator, Department of Energy Oak Ridge Operations Office, P.O. Box 2001, EM-90, Oak Ridge, TN 37831. Phone
(865)576-4025; Fax
(865)576-5333 or e-mail: *halseypj@oro.doe.gov* or check the Web site at *http://www.oakridge.doe.gov/em/ssab* . SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: *Purpose of the Board:* The purpose of the Board is to make recommendations to DOE in the areas of environmental restoration, waste management, and related activities. *Tentative Agenda:* The main presentation topic will be an update on the Balance of Reservation Program and the Integrated Facility Disposition Project. *Public Participation:* The meeting is open to the public. Written statements may be filed with the Board either before or after the meeting. Individuals who wish to make oral statements pertaining to the agenda item should contact Pat Halsey at the address or telephone number listed above. Requests must be received five days prior to the meeting and reasonable provision will be made to include the presentation in the agenda. The Deputy Designated Federal Officer is empowered to conduct the meeting in a fashion that will facilitate the orderly conduct of business. Individuals wishing to make public comment will be provided a maximum of five minutes to present their comments. *Minutes:* Minutes of this meeting will be available for public review and copying at the Department of Energy's Information Center at 475 Oak Ridge Turnpike, Oak Ridge, TN between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, or by writing to Pat Halsey, Department of Energy Oak Ridge Operations Office, P.O. Box 2001, EM-90, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, or by calling her at
(865)576-4025. Issued at Washington, DC, on March 20, 2007. Rachel M. Samuel, Deputy Advisory Committee Management Officer. [FR Doc. E7-5449 Filed 3-23-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6450-01-P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Environmental Management Site-Specific Advisory Board, Nevada AGENCY: Department of Energy (DOE). ACTION: Notice of open meeting. SUMMARY: This notice announces a meeting of the Environmental Management Site-Specific Advisory Board (EM SSAB), Nevada Test Site. The Federal Advisory Committee Act (Pub. L. 92-463, 86 Stat. 770) requires that public notice of this meeting be announced in the **Federal Register** . DATES: Wednesday, April 11, 2007; 5 p.m. ADDRESSES: 7710 West Cheyenne Avenue, Conference Room #130, Las Vegas, Nevada. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kelly Snyder, Deputy Designated Federal Officer, P.O. Box 98518, Las Vegas, Nevada 89193. Phone:
(702)295-2836; E-mail: *snyderk@nv.doe.gov* or *ntscab@aol.com.* SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: *Purpose of the Board:* The purpose of the Board is to make recommendations to DOE in the areas of environmental restoration, waste management, and related activities. *Tentative Agenda:* 1. Briefing entitled “Radiation Fundamentals” 2. Updates by the Board's working committees *Public Participation:* The meeting is open to the public. Written statements may be filed with the Board either before or after the meeting. Individuals who wish to make oral presentations pertaining to agenda items should contact Kelly Snyder at the telephone number listed above. The request must be received five days prior to the meeting and reasonable provision will be made to include the presentation in the agenda. The Deputy Designated Federal Officer is empowered to conduct the meeting in a fashion that will facilitate the orderly conduct of business. Individuals wishing to make public comment will be provided a maximum of five minutes to present their comments. *Minutes:* The minutes of this meeting will be available for public review and copying at the U.S. Department of Energy's Freedom of Information Public Reading Room, 1E-190, Forrestal Building, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20585 between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. Minutes will also be available by writing to Kelly Snyder at the address listed above. Issued at Washington, DC, on March 20, 2007. Rachel Samuel, Deputy Advisory Committee Management Officer. [FR Doc. E7-5450 Filed 3-23-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6450-01-P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Environmental Management Site-Specific Advisory Board, Paducah AGENCY: Department of Energy (DOE). ACTION: Notice of open meeting. SUMMARY: This notice announces a meeting of the Environmental Management Site-Specific Advisory Board (EM SSAB), Paducah. The Federal Advisory Committee Act (Pub. L. 92-463, 86 Stat. 770) requires that public notice of this meeting be announced in the **Federal Register** . DATES: Thursday, April 19, 2007; 6 p.m. ADDRESSES: 111 Memorial Drive, Barkley Centre, Paducah, Kentucky 42001. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Reinhard Knerr, Deputy Designated Federal Officer, Department of Energy, Paducah Site Office, Post Office Box 1410, MS-103, Paducah, Kentucky 42001,
(270)441-6825. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: *Purpose of the Board:* The purpose of the Board is to make recommendations to DOE in the areas of environmental restoration, waste management and related activities. Tentative Agenda: 6 p.m. Call to Order, Introductions, Review of Agenda, and Approval of March Minutes 6:15 p.m. Deputy Designated Federal Officer's Comments 6:30 p.m. Federal Coordinator's Comments 6:35 p.m. Liaisons' Comments 6:45 p.m. Review of Action Items 6:50 p.m. Public Comments and Questions 7 p.m. Presentation: C-400 90% Design Report 7:30 p.m. Subcommittee Reports • Water Disposition/Water Quality Subcommittee • Community Outreach Subcommittee • Long Range Strategy/Stewardship Subcommittee • Executive Committee: EM SSAB Chairs' Meeting Review 7:45 p.m. Public Comments and Questions 7:55 p.m. Administrative Issues: Motions, Review of Work Plan, and Review of Next Agenda 8:05 p.m. Final Comments 8:15 p.m. Adjourn Breaks Taken As Appropriate. *Public Participation:* The meeting is open to the public. Written statements may be filed with the Board either before or after the meeting. Individuals who wish to make oral statements pertaining to agenda items should contact Reinhard Knerr at the address or telephone number listed above. Requests must be received five days prior to the meeting and reasonable provision will be made to include the presentation in the agenda. The Deputy Designated Federal Officer is empowered to conduct the meeting in a fashion that will facilitate the orderly conduct of business. Individuals wishing to make public comment will be provided a maximum of five minutes to present their comments. *Minutes:* The minutes of this meeting will be available for public review and copying at the U.S. Department of Energy's Freedom of Information Public Reading Room, 1E-190, Forrestal Building, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20585 between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday-Friday, except Federal holidays. Minutes will also be available at the Department of Energy's Environmental Information Center and Reading Room at 115 Memorial Drive, Barkley Centre, Paducah, Kentucky between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Monday through Friday or by writing to Reinhard Knerr, Department of Energy, Paducah Site Office, Post Office Box 1410, MS-103, Paducah, Kentucky 42001 or by calling him at
(270)441-6825. Issued at Washington, DC, on March 20, 2007. Rachel M. Samuel, Deputy Advisory Committee Management Officer. [FR Doc. E7-5452 Filed 3-23-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6450-01-P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Docket No. EL07-46-000] Morgan Stanley Capital Group Inc., Barclays Bank, Plc; Notice of Petition for Declaratory Order March 20, 2007. Take notice that on March 15, 2007, Morgan Stanley Capital Group Inc. and Barclays Bank, Plc (collectively “Petitioners”) filed a petition of declaratory order concerning delivery obligations under certain wholesale power contracts in markets operated by Midwest Independent Transmission System Operator, Inc. (“MISO”) and PJM Interconnection, LLC (“PJM”). The Petitioners request the Commission to intervene as it has done in other markets that have transitioned to Locational Marginal Pricing (“LMP”) or nodal pricing and resolve issues concerning the parties’ delivery obligations under so-called “Seller's Choice” contracts. The requested determination is needed in light of the subsequent introduction of LMP into the MISO market and the integration of the former Alliance RTO Companies into the nodal pricing-based PJM market. Any person desiring to intervene or to protest this filing must file in accordance with Rules 211 and 214 of the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure (18 CFR 385.211, 385.214). Protests will be considered by the Commission in determining the appropriate action to be taken, but will not serve to make protestants parties to the proceeding. Any person wishing to become a party must file a notice of intervention or motion to intervene, as appropriate. Such notices, motions, or protests must be filed on or before the comment date. On or before the comment date, it is not necessary to serve motions to intervene or protests on persons other than the Applicant. The Commission encourages electronic submission of protests and interventions in lieu of paper using the “eFiling” link at *http://www.ferc.gov.* Persons unable to file electronically should submit an original and 14 copies of the protest or intervention to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426. This filing is accessible on-line at *http://www.ferc.gov* , using the “eLibrary” link and is available for review in the Commission's Public Reference Room in Washington, DC. There is an “eSubscription” link on the Web site that enables subscribers to receive e-mail notification when a document is added to a subscribed docket(s). For assistance with any FERC Online service, please e-mail *FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov* , or call
(866)208-3676 (toll free). For TTY, call
(202)502-8659. *Comment Date:* 5 p.m. Eastern Time on April 16, 2007. Philis J. Posey, Acting Secretary. [FR Doc. E7-5456 Filed 3-23-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717-01-P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Docket No. EL07-49-000] CAlifornians for Renewable Energy, Inc. (CARE), Complainant v. California Public Utilities Commission, California Department of Water Resources, Pacific Gas and Electric Company, City and County of San Francisco, Respondents; Notice of Complaint March 20, 2007. Take notice that on March 16, 2007, pursuant to section 205 of the Federal Power Act (FPA), CAlifornians for Renewable Energy, Inc. (complainant) filed a formal complaint against California Public Utilities Commission for authorizing on December 15, 2005, City and County of San Francisco to enter in a power purchase agreement with Pacific Gas and Electric Company by assuming contractual obligations of the California Department of Water Resources, in violation of the FPA under the “filed rate doctrine”. The Complainant requests the contract be subject to the Commission's review as required under remand to the Commission on December 16, 2006 by the United State Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit in a pair of opinions, *Public Utility Dist. No. 1* v. *FERC, 471 F.3d 1053 (9th Cir. 2006)* and *Public Utility Commission of California* v. *FERC* , 474 F.3d 587 (9th Cir. Dec. 19, 2006). The Complainant states that copies of this Complaint were served upon the Respondents and other interested parties. Any person desiring to intervene or to protest this filing must file in accordance with Rules 211 and 214 of the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure (18 CFR 385.211, 385.214). Protests will be considered by the Commission in determining the appropriate action to be taken, but will not serve to make protestants parties to the proceeding. Any person wishing to become a party must file a notice of intervention or motion to intervene, as appropriate. The Respondent's answer and all interventions, or protests must be filed on or before the comment date. The Respondent's answer, motions to intervene, and protests must be served on the Complainants. The Commission encourages electronic submission of protests and interventions in lieu of paper using the “eFiling” link at *http://www.ferc.gov.* Persons unable to file electronically should submit an original and 14 copies of the protest or intervention to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426. This filing is accessible on-line at *http://www.ferc.gov,* using the “eLibrary” link and is available for review in the Commission's Public Reference Room in Washington, DC. There is an “eSubscription” link on the Web site that enables subscribers to receive e-mail notification when a document is added to a subscribed docket(s). For assistance with any FERC Online service, please e-mail *FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov,* or call
(866)208-3676 (toll free). For TTY, call
(202)502-8659. *Comment Date:* 5 p.m. Eastern Time on April 5, 2007. Philis J. Posey, Acting Secretary. [FR Doc. E7-5457 Filed 3-23-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717-01-P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Combined Notice of Filings #1 March 20, 2007. Take notice that the Commission received the following electric corporate filings: *Docket Numbers:* *EC07-67-000.* *Applicants:* EBG Holdings LLC; Boston Generating LLC; Mystic I, LLC; Mystic Develop.m.ent, LLC; Fore River Develop.m.ent, LLC; K Road BG Management LLC; Astoria Generating Company Holdings, LLC; Astoria Generating Company, LP; Astoria Generating Company Acquisitions; Astoria Generating Company GP, LLC; U.S. Power Generating Company, LLC; New Astoria Generating Company Holdings; EBG Merger LLC; Astoria Merger LLC. *Description:* EBG Holdings, LLC et al submit a joint application seeking approval of disposition of jurisdictional facilities and on 3/25/07 submit a verification of application. *Filed Date:* 03/13/2007; 03/15/2007. *Accession Number:* 20070319-0125; 20070319-0042. *Comment Date:* 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Tuesday, April 03, 2007. Take notice that the Commission received the following electric rate filings: *Docket Numbers:* ER01-642-007. *Applicants:* Cottonwood Energy Company LP. *Description:* * Cottonwood Energy Company, LP submits revisions to its market based FERC Electric Tariff, Original Volume 1 pursuant to FERC's 2/16/06 Order. * *Filed Date:* 03/16/2007. *Accession Number:* 20070320-0051. *Comment Date:* 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Friday, April 06, 2007. *Docket Numbers:* ER01-642-008; ER01-1335-009; ER01-1011-012. *Applicants:* CottonWood Energy Company LP; Magnolia Energy LP; Redbud Energy LP. *Description:* Cottonwood Energy Company, LP and Magnolia Energy, LP et al submits their triennial market power update in support of their continued authorization to sell energy and capacity at market based rates. *Filed Date:* 03/16/2007. *Accession Number:* 20070320-0055. *Comment Date:* 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Friday, April 06, 2007. *Docket Numbers:* ER01-1011-011. *Applicants:* Redbud Energy LP. *Description:* Redbud Energy LP submits revisions to its market-based Tariff, Original Sheet 1 et al to FERC Electric Tariff, First Revised Volume 1. *Filed Date:* 03/16/2007. *Accession Number:* 20070320-0050. *Comment Date:* 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Friday, April 06, 2007. *Docket Numbers:* ER01-1335-010. *Applicants:* Magnolia Energy LP. *Description:* Magnolia Energy, LP submits revisions to its market-based FERC Electric Tariff, Original Volume 1 pursuant to FERC's 2/16/06 Order. *Filed Date:* 03/16/2007. *Accession Number:* 20070320-0052. *Comment Date:* 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Friday, April 06, 2007. *Docket Numbers:* ER03-985-002. *Applicants:* El Cap II, LLC. *Description:* El Cap II, LLC submits its revised Market-Based Tariff to comply w/Commission Order issued 1/11/07. *Filed Date:* 03/13/2007. *Accession Number:* 20070319-0033. *Comment Date:* 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Tuesday, April 03, 2007. *Docket Numbers:* ER05-273-004. *Applicants:* Midwest Independent Transmission System Operator, Inc. *Description:* Midwest Independent Transmission System Operator, Inc submits proposed revisions to Section 22.2 of its OAT&EM Tariff pursuant to Commission's 2/14/07 order. *Filed Date:* 03/16/2007. *Accession Number:* 20070320-0049. *Comment Date:* 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Friday, April 06, 2007. *Docket Numbers:* ER07-476-001. *Applicants:* ISO New England Inc.; New England Power Pool Participants Committee. *Description:* ISO New England, Inc submits correction to its 1/29/07 filing which included a paragraph that was not completely accurate in its Description of the method of determining Incremental ARR Awards. *Filed Date:* 03/15/2007. *Accession Number:* 20070319-0036. *Comment Date:* 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, April 05, 2007. *Docket Numbers:* ER07-512-001. *Applicants:* Lockhart Power Company. *Description:* Lockhart Power Company submits a supplement to its 2/2/07 request to revise its FERC Electric Tariff, Original Volume 1 pursuant to Order 614 and Part 35 of the Commission's regulations. *Filed Date:* 03/16/2007. *Accession Number:* 20070320-0053. *Comment Date:* 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Monday, March 26, 2007. *Docket Numbers:* ER07-632-000. *Applicants:* PJM Interconnection, L.L.C. *Description:* PJM Interconnection LLC on behalf of Neptune Regional Transmission System LLC submits a new Schedule 14 to PJM's Open Access Transmission Tariff. *Filed Date:* 03/16/2007. *Accession Number:* 20070320-0054. *Comment Date:* 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Friday, April 06, 2007. *Docket Numbers:* ER07-633-000. *Applicants:* New York Independent System Operator, Inc. *Description:* New York Independent System Operator, Inc submits proposed revisions to its Open Access Transmission Tariff and Market Administration Control Area Services Tariff. *Filed Date:* 03/15/2007. *Accession Number:* 20070320-0048. *Comment Date:* 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Friday, March 30, 2007. *Docket Numbers:* ER07-634-000. *Applicants:* American Electric Power Service Corp. *Description:* American Electric Power Service Corporation on behalf of AEP Eastern Operating Companies submits its Third Amended and Restated PJM Services and Cost Allocation Agreement etc. *Filed Date:* 03/16/2007. *Accession Number:* 20070320-0047. *Comment Date:* 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Friday, April 06, 2007. *Docket Numbers:* ER07-635-000. *Applicants:* Western Systems Power Pool Inc. *Description:* Western Systems Power Pool Inc informs FERC that it has changed its name to WSPP Inc and as a result of the change it has succeeded to the pro forma open access transmission tariff et al. *Filed Date:* 03/16/2007. *Accession Number:* 20070320-0056. *Comment Date:* 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Friday, April 06, 2007. Take notice that the Commission received the following electric securities filings: *Docket Numbers:* ES07-24-001. *Applicants:* Trans-Allegheny Interstate Line Company. *Description:* Trans-Allegheny Interstate Line Company submits a Supplement to its filing made 2/22/07 pursuant to Section 204 of the Federal Power Act and Part 34 of FERC's Regulations. *Filed Date:* 03/15/2007. *Accession Number:* 20070319-0032. *Comment Date:* 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Monday, March 26, 2007. Any person desiring to intervene or to protest in any of the above proceedings must file in accordance with Rules 211 and 214 of the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure (18 CFR 385.211 and 385.214) on or before 5 p.m. Eastern time on the specified *Comment Date.* It is not necessary to separately intervene again in a subdocket related to a compliance filing if you have previously intervened in the same docket. Protests will be considered by the Commission in determining the appropriate action to be taken, but will not serve to make protestants parties to the proceeding. Anyone filing a motion to intervene or protest must serve a copy of that document on the Applicant. In reference to filings initiating a new proceeding, interventions or protests submitted on or before the comment deadline need not be served on persons other than the Applicant. The Commission encourages electronic submission of protests and interventions in lieu of paper, using the FERC Online links at *http://www.ferc.gov.* To facilitate electronic service, persons with Internet access who will eFile a document and/or be listed as a contact for an intervenor must create and validate an eRegistration account using the eRegistration link. Select the eFiling link to log on and submit the intervention or protests. Persons unable to file electronically should submit an original and 14 copies of the intervention or protest to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First St., NE., Washington, DC 20426. The filings in the above proceedings are accessible in the Commission's eLibrary system by clicking on the appropriate link in the above list. They are also available for review in the Commission's Public Reference Room in Washington, DC. There is an eSubscription link on the Web site that enables subscribers to receive e-mail notification when a document is added to a subscribed dockets(s). For assistance with any FERC Online service, please e-mail *FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov.* or call
(866)208-3676 (toll free). For TTY, call
(202)502-8659. Philis J. Posey, Acting Secretary. [FR Doc. E7-5461 Filed 3-23-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717-01-P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Project No. 2192-022-WI] Consolidated Water Power Company; Notice of Availability of Final Environmental Assessment March 20, 2007. In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's (Commission) regulations, 18 CFR part 380 (Order No. 486, 52 FR 47897), the Office of Energy Projects has reviewed an application for a transfer of project lands and acquisition of lands at the Biron Project (FERC No. 2192), and has prepared a final environmental assessment
(FEA)for the proposal. The proposed transfer of project lands and acquisition of lands would occur on the Biron reservoir in Wood County, Wisconsin. In the application, Consolidated Water Power (licensee) requests Commission authorization to exchange approximately 3.14 acres of licensee-owned lands with 3,000 linear feet of shoreline along the Biron flowage, for three different parcels of land totaling approximately 205.213 total acres. The first parcel has 830 linear feet of river shoreline and consists of 47.546 acres. The second parcel has 126 linear feet of river shoreline and consists of 2.960 acres, abutting an existing licensee-owned boat launch. The third parcel consists of islands in the river, peninsulas, and a roadside access totaling 154.84 acres (48.82 acres above water). These island perimeters, peninsulas, and the roadside access total 33,749 linear feet of waterfront. All lands are currently within the project boundary, and the licensee intends to retain flowage rights over any conveyed lands, and to retain all lands within the project boundary. The FEA contains the Commission staff's analysis of the probable environmental impacts of the proposed land conveyances and exchanges. The FEA is attached to a Commission order titled “Order Amending License to Authorize Land Exchange,” which was issued November 17, 2006, and is available for review and reproduction at the Commission's Public Reference Room, located at 888 First St., NE., Room 2A, Washington, DC 20426. The FEA may also be viewed on the Commission's Web site at *http://www.ferc.gov* using the “elibrary” link. Enter the docket number (prefaced by P- and excluding the last three digits) into the docket number field to access the document. For assistance, contact FERC Online Support at *FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov* or toll-free at
(866)208-3676, or for TTY, contact
(202)502-8659. Philis J. Posey, Acting Secretary. [FR Doc. E7-5459 Filed 3-23-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717-01-P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Project No. 12058-002, Project No. 12686-001] Baker County, OR; Notice of Project Number and Docket Change for the Proposed Mason Dam Hydroelectric Project March 20, 2007. On April 27, 2006, Baker County, Oregon filed a Notice of Intent and Pre-Application Document for the proposed Mason Dam Hydroelectric Project, initiating the pre-filing activities of the Commission's Integrated Licensing Process. On May 23, 2006, Baker County filed an application for a second preliminary permit to allow for continued study of the site. The Commission issued the new preliminary permit to Baker County on January 19, 2007. As a result of the issuance of the new preliminary permit, the project number assigned to Baker County for the proposed Mason Dam Hydroelectric Project has changed. The new project number is P-12686. All future filings being made in regards to the ongoing pre-filing activities of the Integrated Licensing Process for the proposed project should use P-12686-001 to identify the filing. The original project number and docket (P-12058-002), assigned to this proceeding and the proposed project is now CLOSED. All filings made to date, under P-12058-002 with regard to the pre-filing activities of the Commission's Integrated Licensing Process for the proposed Mason Dam Hydroelectric Project, will be cross referenced to the new project number and docket P-12686-001 and will continue to be part of the official public record. Therefore, re-filing of these documents is not necessary. Philis J. Posey, Acting Secretary. [FR Doc. E7-5458 Filed 3-23-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717-01-P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Docket No. RP07-149-000] Gulf South Pipeline Company, LP; Notice of Technical Conference March 20, 2007. Take notice that the Commission will convene a technical conference in the referenced proceeding on Tuesday, April 10, 2007, at 9 a.m. (EDT), in a room to be designated at the offices of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, NE., Washington DC 20426. The Commission's February 28, 2007 order in this proceeding directed that a technical conference be held to address the technical, engineering and operational issues raised by Gulf South Pipeline Company, LP's (Gulf South) proposed gas quality specifications filed in Docket No. RP07-149-000. 1 1 Gulf South Pipeline Company, LP, 118 FERC ¶ 61,161 (2007). Gulf South and the other parties should be prepared to address the following topics at the technical conference and to include technical, engineering and operational information in support: 1. Whether Gulf South's tariff proposals are consistent with the Interim Guidelines in the Natural Gas Council's White Papers on Natural Gas Interchangeability and Non-Combustion End Use and Liquid Hydrocarbon Drop Out in Natural Gas Infrastructure? 2. To the extent Gulf South's proposals are not consistent with the guidelines, has Gulf South supported any divergence from the Interim Guidelines? 3. Whether Gulf South's current operating parameters are sufficient to ensure the acceptance of gas by interconnecting pipelines? FERC conferences are accessible under section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. For accessibility accommodations please send an e-mail to *accessibility@ferc.gov* or call toll free
(866)208-3372 (voice) or 202-502-8659 (TTY), or send a fax to 202-208-2106 with the required accommodations. All interested persons are permitted to attend. For further information please contact David Maranville at
(202)502-6351 or e-mail *david.maranville@ferc.gov.* Philis J. Posey, Acting Secretary. [FR Doc. E7-5460 Filed 3-23-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717-01-P ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY [EPA-HQ-OAR-2006-0895; FRL-8292-1] Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to OMB for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Emission Defect Information Reports and Voluntary Emission Recall Reports (Renewal); EPA ICR No. 0282.14, OMB Control No. 2060-0048 AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA)(44 U.S.C. 3501 *et seq.* ), this document announces that an Information Collection Request
(ICR)has been forwarded to the Office of Management and Budget
(OMB)for review and approval. This is a request to renew an existing approved collection. The ICR, which is abstracted below, describes the nature of the information collection and its estimated burden and cost. DATES: Additional comments may be submitted on or before April 25, 2007. ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, referencing Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2006-0895, to
(1)EPA online using *http://www.regulations.gov* (our preferred method), by e-mail to *a-and-r-docket@epamail.epa.gov,* or by mail to: EPA Docket Center, Environmental Protection Agency, Air and Radiation Docket and Information Center, Mail Code 6102T, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460, and
(2)OMB by mail to: Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget (OMB), Attention: Desk Officer for EPA, 725 17th Street, NW., Washington, DC 20503. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Nydia Y. Reyes-Morales, Mail Code 6403J, Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460; telephone number: 202-343-9264; fax number: 202-343-2804; e-mail address: *reyes-morales.nydia@epa.gov* . SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: EPA has submitted the following ICR to OMB for review and approval according to the procedures prescribed in 5 CFR 1320.12. On January 10, 2007 (72 FR 1221), EPA sought comments on this ICR pursuant to 5 CFR 1320.8(d). EPA received no comments. Any additional comments on this ICR should be submitted to EPA and OMB within 30 days of this notice. EPA has established a public docket for this ICR under Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2006-0895, which is available for online viewing at *http://www.regulations.gov,* or in person viewing at the Air and Radiation Docket and Information Center in the EPA Docket Center (EPA/DC), EPA West, Room 3334, 1301 Constitution Ave., NW., Washington, DC. The EPA/DC Public Reading Room is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays. The telephone number for the Reading Room is 202-566-1744, and the telephone number for the Air and Radiation Docket and Information Center is 202-566-1742. Use EPA's electronic docket and comment system at www.regulations.gov, to submit or view public comments, access the index listing of the contents of the docket, and to access those documents in the docket that are available electronically. Once in the system, select “docket search,” then key in the docket ID number identified above. Please note that EPA's policy is that public comments, whether submitted electronically or in paper, will be made available for public viewing at www.regulations.gov as EPA receives them and without change, unless the comment contains copyrighted material, CBI, or other information whose public disclosure is restricted by statute. For further information about the electronic docket, go to *http://www.regulations.gov* . *Title:* Engines Emission Defect Reports and Voluntary Emission Recall Reports (Renewal). *ICR Numbers:* EPA ICR No. 0282.14, OMB Control No. 2060-0048. *ICR Status:* This ICR is scheduled to expire on March 31, 2007. Under OMB regulations, the Agency may continue to conduct or sponsor the collection of information while this submission is pending at OMB. An Agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of information, unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. The OMB control numbers for EPA's regulations in title 40 of the CFR, after appearing in the **Federal Register** when approved, are listed in 40 CFR part 9, are displayed either by publication in the **Federal Register** or by other appropriate means, such as on the related collection instrument or form, if applicable. The display of OMB control numbers in certain EPA regulations is consolidated in 40 CFR part 9. *Abstract:* Per sections 207(c)(1) and 213 of the Clean Air Act (CAA), when a substantial number of properly maintained and used engines produced by a manufacturer do not conform to emission standards, the manufacturer is required to recall the engines. Manufacturers are also required to submit Defect Information Reports
(DIRs)to alert EPA of the existence of emission-related defects on certain classes of engines that may cause the engines' emissions to exceed the standards and ultimately may lead to a recall. EPA uses these reports to target potentially nonconforming classes of engines for future testing, to monitor compliance with applicable regulations and to order a recall, if necessary. Manufacturers can also initiate a recall voluntarily by submitting a Voluntary Emission Recall Report (VERR). VERRs and VERR updates allow EPA to determine whether the manufacturer conducting the recall is acting in accordance with the CAA and to examine and monitor the effectiveness of the recall campaign. The information is collected by the Heavy-duty and Nonroad Engine Group, Compliance and Innovative Strategies Division, Office of Transportation and Air Quality, Office of Air and Radiation. Confidentiality of proprietary information submitted by manufacturers is granted in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act, EPA regulations at 40 CFR part 2, and class determinations issued by EPA's Office of General Counsel. *Burden Statement:* The annual public reporting and recordkeeping burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 148 hours per response. Burden means the total time, effort, or financial resources expended by persons to generate, maintain, retain, disclose or provide information to or for a Federal agency. This includes the time needed to review instructions; develop, acquire, install, and utilize technology and systems for the purposes of collecting, validating, and verifying information, processing and maintaining information, and disclosing and providing information; adjust the existing ways to comply with any previously applicable instructions and requirements which have subsequently changed; train personnel to be able to respond to a collection of information; search data sources; complete and review the collection of information; and transmit or otherwise disclose the information. *Respondents/Affected Entities:* Manufacturers of on-highway, heavy-duty engines, nonroad compression-ignition and spark-ignition engines (including engines used in recreational vehicles), marine engines, locomotives and locomotive engines. *Estimated Number of Respondents:* 18. *Frequency of Response:* On occasion and quarterly. *Estimated Total Annual Hour Burden:* 5,026. *Estimated Total Annual Cost:* $324,579, includes $571 annualized capital or O&M costs. *Changes in the Estimates:* There is an increase of 609 hours in the total estimated burden currently identified in the OMB Inventory of Approved ICR Burdens. This increase is an adjustment to the estimates to reflect the fact that new manufacturers will take more time to perform certain tasks and to account for an expected increase in respondents. Dated: March 13, 2007. Oscar Morales, Director, Collection Strategies Division. [FR Doc. E7-5486 Filed 3-23-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560-50-P ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY [EPA-HQ-OAR-2003-0152; FRL-8291-8] Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to OMB for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Compliance Assurance Monitoring Program (Renewal); EPA ICR No. 1663.05, OMB Control No. 2060-0376 AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA)(44 U.S.C. 3501 *et seq.* ), this document announces that an Information Collection Request
(ICR)has been forwarded to the Office of Management and Budget
(OMB)for review and approval. This is a request to renew an existing approved collection. The ICR, which is abstracted below, describes the nature of the information collection and its estimated burden and cost. DATES: Additional comments may be submitted on or before April 25, 2007. ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, referencing docket ID number EPA-HQ-OAR-2003-0152, to
(1)EPA online using *http://www.regulations.gov* (our preferred method), or by e-mail to *docket.oeca@epa.gov* , or by mail to: EPA Docket Center (EPA/DC), Environmental Protection Agency, Enforcement and Compliance Docket and Information Center, mail code 2201T, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20460, and
(2)OMB at: Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget (OMB), Attention: Desk Officer for EPA, 725 17th Street, NW., Washington, DC 20503. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Peter Westlin, Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards, Environmental Protection Agency, mail code D243-05, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711; telephone number: 919-541-1058; fax number: 919-541-1039; e-mail address: *westlin.peter@epa.gov.* SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: EPA has submitted the following ICR to OMB for review and approval according to the procedures prescribed in 5 CFR 1320.12. On December 6, 2006 (71 FR 70757), EPA sought comments on this ICR pursuant to 5 CFR 1320.8(d). EPA received no comments. Any additional comments on this ICR should be submitted to EPA and OMB within 30 days of this notice. How Can I Access the Docket and/or Submit Comments? EPA has established a public docket for this ICR under Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2003-0152 which is available either electronically at *http://www.regulations.gov* or in hard copy at the EPA Docket Center, Public Reading Room, EPA West, Room 3334, 1301 Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20004. The normal business hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding Federal holidays. The telephone number is
(202)566-1742. Use *www.regulations.gov* to obtain a copy of the draft collection of information, submit or view public comments, access the index listing of the contents of the docket, and to access those documents in the public docket that are available electronically. Once in the system, select “search,” then key in the docket ID number identified in this document. *Title:* Compliance Assurance Monitoring Program (Renewal). *ICR Numbers:* EPA ICR No. 1663.05, OMB Control No. 2060-0376. *ICR Status:* This ICR is currently scheduled to expire on March 31, 2007. An Agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of information, unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. The OMB control numbers for EPA's regulations in title 40 of the CFR, after appearing in the **Federal Register** when approved, are listed in 40 CFR part 9, are displayed either by publication in the **Federal Register** or by other appropriate means, such as on the related collection instrument or form, if applicable. The display of OMB control numbers in certain EPA regulations is consolidated in 40 CFR part 9. *Abstract:* The Clean Air Act
(Act)contains several provisions directing EPA to require source owners to conduct monitoring to support certification as to their status of compliance with applicable requirements. These provisions are set forth title V (operating permits provisions) and title VII (enforcement provisions) of the Act. Title V directs EPA to implement monitoring and certification requirements through the operating permits program. Section 504(b) of the Act allows EPA to prescribe by rule, methods and procedures for determining compliance recognizing that continuous emissions monitoring systems need not be required if other procedures or methods provide sufficiently reliable and timely information for determining compliance. Under section 504(c), each operating permit must “set forth inspection, entry, monitoring, compliance, certification, and reporting requirements to assure compliance with the permit terms and conditions.” Section 114(a)(3) requires EPA to promulgate rules for enhanced monitoring and compliance certifications. Section 114(a)(1) of the Act provides additional authority concerning monitoring, reporting, and record keeping requirements. This section provides the Administrator with the authority to require any owner or operator of a source to install and operate monitoring systems and to record the resulting monitoring data. EPA promulgated the Compliance Assurance Monitoring
(CAM)rule, 40 CFR part 64, on October 22, 1997 (62 FR 54900) to implement these authorities. In accordance with these provisions, the monitoring information that source owners must submit must also be available to the public, except as entitled top protection from disclosure as allowed in section 114(c) of the Act. *Burden Statement:* We estimate the annual public reporting and recordkeeping burden for this collection of information to average about 445 hours per response. Burden means the total time, effort, or financial resources expended by persons to generate, maintain, retain, or disclose or provide information to or for a Federal agency. This includes the time needed to review instructions; develop, acquire, install, and utilize technology and systems for the purposes of collecting, validating, and verifying information, processing and maintaining information, and disclosing and providing information; adjust the existing ways to comply with any previously applicable instructions and requirements which have subsequently changed; train personnel to be able to respond to a collection of information; search data sources; complete and review the collection of information; and transmit or otherwise disclose the information. Based on the Agency's knowledge of the number of title V permits issued since 1997 and the implementation of part 64 through permit renewals, the expected impact of the CAM program for the 3 years from October 1, 2006 until September 30, 2009 is about 3.12 million hours annually. The CAM rule will incur an average annual cost of about $114.5 million in 2005 dollars. There are no annualized capital and operation and maintenance costs. The CAM program potentially affects about 25,000 pollutant-specific emissions units nationwide. The annual burden for source owners or operators is about 3.1 million hours for pollutant-specific emissions units combined. The CAM rule will incur an average annual cost of about $112 million in 2005 dollars. There are no annualized capital and operational and maintenance costs for monitoring programs in the cost burden. During the period, permitting authorities will review CAM rule submittals from source owners or operators whose permits have already been issued and are renewing those permits as the 5-year permit terms expire. Permitting authorities will also be interacting with the source owners or operators in addressing the CAM in semi-annual monitoring reports and reporting CAM data as necessary. We estimate the annual CAM burden to permitting authorities to be about 37,000 hours and about $1.9 million. The ICR provides a detailed explanation of the Agency's estimate, which is only briefly summarized here: *Respondents/Affected Entities:* Owners and operators of title V sources with controlled pollutant specific emissions units that have a pre-control potential to emit major amounts of regulated air pollutants and permitting authorities. *Estimated Number of Respondents:* 418 (sources plus permitting authorities, annually) *Frequency of Response:* Incremental semi-annual and annual reports, plus every 5 years at permit renewal. *Estimated Total Annual Hour Burden:* 3,121,743 hours. *Estimated Total Annual Costs:* $114.5 million. This includes annual labor costs for sources and permitting authorities and no capital or O&M costs. *Changes in the Estimate:* There is an increase of 3,058,055 hours in the total estimated respondent annual burden currently identified in the OMB Inventory of Approved ICR Burdens. This increase reflects the significant increase in number of respondents resulting from the implementation of the rule and an increased number of operating permit renewals, and EPA's reassessment of the reporting and recordkeeping burdens associate with implementing this rule. Dated: March 16, 2007. Oscar Morales, Director, Collection Strategies Division. [FR Doc. E7-5488 Filed 3-23-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560-50-P ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY [EPA-HQ-OECA-2006-0437 FRL-8291-9] Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to OMB for Review and Approval; Comment Request; NSPS for Nitric Acid Plants (Renewal), EPA ICR Number 1056.09, OMB Control Number 2060-0019 AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 *et seq.* ), this document announces that an Information Collection Request
(ICR)has been forwarded to the Office of Management and Budget
(OMB)for review and approval. This is a request to renew an existing approved collection. This ICR is scheduled to expire on April 30, 2007. Under OMB regulations, the Agency may continue to conduct or sponsor the collection of information while this submission is pending at OMB. This ICR describes the nature of the information collection and its estimated burden and cost. DATES: Additional comments may be submitted on or before April 25, 2007. ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, referencing docket ID number EPA-HQ-OECA-2006-0437, to
(1)EPA online using *http://www.regulations.gov* (our preferred method), by e-mail to *docket.oeca@epa.gov,* or by mail to: EPA Docket Center (EPA/DC), Environmental Protection Agency, Enforcement and Compliance Docket and Information Center, Mail Code 2201T, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20460, and
(2)OMB at: Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget (OMB), Attention: Desk Officer for EPA, 725 17th Street, NW., Washington, DC 20503. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Learia Williams, Compliance Assessment and Media Programs Division, Office of Compliance, Mail Code 2223A, Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20460; telephone number:
(202)564-4113; fax number:
(202)564-0050; e-mail address: *williams.learia@epa.gov* . SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: EPA has submitted the following ICR to OMB for review and approval according to the procedures prescribed in 5 CFR 1320.12. On June 21, 2006 (71 *FR* 35652), EPA sought comments on this ICR pursuant to 5 CFR 1320.8(d). EPA received no comments. EPA has established a public docket for this ICR under Docket ID Number EPA-HQ-OECA-2006-0437, which is available for online viewing at *http://www.regulations.gov,* or in person viewing at the Enforcement and Compliance Docket and Information Center in the EPA Docket Center (EPA/DC), EPA West, Room 3334, 1301 Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC. The EPA Docket Center Public Reading Room is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays. The telephone number for the Reading Room is
(202)566-1744, and the telephone number for the Enforcement and Compliance Docket Center is
(202)566-1927. Use EPA's electronic docket and comment system at *http://www.epa.gov,* to submit or view public comments, access the index listing of the contents of the docket, and to access those documents in the docket that are available electronically. Once in the system, select “docket search,” then key in the docket ID number identified above. Please note that EPA's policy is that public comments, whether submitted electronically or in paper, will be made available for public viewing at *www.regulations.gov,* as EPA receives them and without change, unless the comment contains copyrighted material, CBI, or other information whose public disclosure is restricted by statute. For further information about the electronic docket, go to *www.regulations.gov* . *Title:* NSPS for Nitric Acid Plants (Renewal). *ICR Numbers:* EPA ICR Number 1056.09, OMB Control Number 2060-0019. *ICR Status:* This ICR is scheduled to expire on April 30, 2007. Under OMB regulations, the Agency may continue to conduct or sponsor the collection of information while this submission is pending at OMB. An Agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. The OMB control numbers for EPA's regulations in title 40 of the CFR, after appearing in the **Federal Register** when approved, are listed in 40 CFR part 9, are displayed either by publication in the **Federal Register** or by other appropriate means, such as on the related collection instrument or form, if applicable. The display of OMB control numbers in certain EPA regulations is consolidated in 40 CFR part 9. *Abstract:* The New Source Performance Standards
(NSPS)for Nitric Acid Plants were proposed on August 17, 1971, and promulgated on June 14, 1974. These standards apply to nitric acid production units, which commenced construction, modification or reconstruction after the date of proposal. The standards require periodic recordkeeping to document process information relating to the source's ability to meet the requirements of the standard and to note the operational conditions under which compliance was achieved. Owners or operators of the affected facilities described must make the following one-time only reports: Notification of the date of construction or reconstruction; notification of the actual dates of startup, notification of any physical or operational change to an existing facility which may increase the regulated pollutant emission rate; notification of the date of the initial performance test; and the results of the initial performance test. Owners or operators are also required to maintain records of the occurrence and duration of any startup, shutdown, or malfunction in the operation of an affected facility or any period during which the monitoring system is inoperative. These notifications, reports, records and semiannual reports are required of all sources subject to NSPS. This information is used by the Agency to identify sources subject to the standards to insure that the best demonstrated technology is being properly applied. In the Administrator's judgment, volatile organic compound
(VOC)emissions from nitric acid plants cause or contribute to air pollution that may reasonably be anticipated to endanger public health or welfare. Therefore, NSPS were promulgated for this source category. An Agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB Control Number. The OMB Control Number for EPA's regulations are listed in 40 CFR part 9 and 48 CFR chapter 15, and are identified on the form and/or instrument, if applicable. *Burden Statement:* The annual public reporting and recordkeeping burden for this collection of information are estimated to average 25 hours per response. Burden means the total time, effort, or financial resources expended by persons to generate, maintain, retain, or disclose or provide information to or for a Federal agency. This includes the time needed to review instructions; develop, acquire, install, and utilize technology and systems for the purposes of collecting, validating, and verifying information, processing and maintaining information, and disclosing and providing information; adjust the existing ways to comply with any previously applicable instructions and requirements; train personnel to be able to respond to a collection of information; search data sources; complete and review the collection of information; and transmit or otherwise disclose the information. *Respondents/Affected Entities:* Nitric acid plants. *Estimated Number of Respondents:* 24. *Frequency of Response:* Initially and semiannually. *Estimated Total Annual Hour Burden:* 1,290. *Estimated Total Costs:* $2,549,639, which includes $68,000 annualized Capital Start up costs, $2,400,000 annualized Operations & Maintenance (O & M) costs, and $81,639 annualized Labor costs. *Changes in the Estimates:* There is no change in the labor hours or cost in this ICR compared to the previous ICR. This is due to two considerations. First, the regulations have not changed over the past three years and are not anticipated to change over the next three years. Secondly, the growth rate for the industry is very low, negative or non-existent, so there is no significant change in the overall burden. Since there are no changes in the regulatory requirements and there is no significant industry growth, the labor hours and cost figures in the previous ICR are used in this ICR and there is no change in burden to industry. Dated: March 14, 2007. Oscar Morales, Director, Collection Strategies Division. [FR Doc. E7-5490 Filed 3-23-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560-50-P ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY [EPA-HQ-ORD-2007-0143; FRL-8291-5] Request for Nominations to the EPA Human Studies Review Board AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA or Agency) Office of the Science Advisor
(OSA)is soliciting nominations of qualified individuals in the area of biostatistics to serve on the Human Studies Review Board (HSRB). The HSRB is a Federal advisory committee, operating in accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act
(FACA)5 U.S.C. App. 2 section 9, providing advice, information, and recommendations to EPA on issues related to scientific and ethical aspects of human subjects research. DATES: Nominations should be submitted to EPA no later than April 25, 2007. ADDRESSES: Submit your nominations (“comments”), identified by Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-ORD-2007-0143, by one of the following methods: *Internet:* *http://www.regulations.gov:* Follow the on-line instructions for submitting comments. *E-mail:* *ORD.Docket@epa.gov.* *Mail:* ORD Docket, Environmental Protection Agency, *Mailcode:* 28221T, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460. *Hand Delivery:* EPA Docket Center (EPA/DC), Room 3304, EPA West Building, 1301 Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20460, Attention Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-ORD-2007-0143. Deliveries are only accepted from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays. Special arrangements should be made for deliveries of boxed information. *Instructions:* Direct your nominations to Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-ORD-2007-0143. EPA's policy is that all nominations received will be included in the public docket without change and may be made available online at *http://www.regulations.gov,* including any personal information provided, unless the nomination includes information claimed to be Confidential Business Information
(CBI)or other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. Do not submit information that you consider to be CBI or otherwise protected through *http://www.regulations.gov* or e-mail. The *http://www.regulations.gov* Web site is an “anonymous access” system, which means EPA will not know your identity or contact information unless you provide it in the body of your nomination. If you send an e-mail nomination directly to EPA, without going through *http://www.regulations.gov,* your e-mail address will be automatically captured and included as part of the nomination that is placed in the public docket and made available on the Internet. If you submit a nomination electronically, EPA recommends that you include your name and other contact information in the body of your nomination and with any disk or CD-ROM you submit. If EPA cannot read your nomination due to technical difficulties and cannot contact you for clarification, EPA may not be able to consider it. Electronic files should avoid the use of special characters, any form of encryption, and be free of any defects or viruses. *Docket:* All documents in the docket are listed in the *http://www.regulations.gov* index. Although listed in the index, some information is not publicly available, e.g., CBI or other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. Certain other material, such as copyrighted material, will be publicly available only in hard copy. Publicly available docket materials are available either electronically in *http://www.regulations.gov* or in hard copy at the ORD Docket, EPA/DC, Room 3334, EPA West, 1301 Constitution Ave., NW., Washington, DC. The Public Reading Room is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays. The telephone number for the Public Reading Room is
(202)566-1744, and the telephone number for the ORD Docket is
(202)566-1752. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Paul I. Lewis, Office of the Science Advisor, Mail Code 8105R, Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20460; *telephone number:*
(202)564-8381, *fax number:*
(202)564-2070, *e-mail:* *lewis.paul@epa.gov.* I. General Information A. Does This Action Apply to Me? This action is directed to the public in general. This action may, however, be of interest to persons who conduct or assess human studies, especially studies on substances regulated by EPA or to persons who are or may be required to conduct testing of substances under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA) or the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). Since other entities may also be interested, the Agency has not attempted to describe all the specific entities that may be affected by this action. If you have any questions regarding the applicability of this action to a particular entity, consult the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT . B. How Can I Access Electronic Copies of This Document and Other Related Information? In addition to using regulations.gov, you may access this **Federal Register** document electronically through the EPA Internet under the “ **Federal Register** ” listings at *http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/.* C. What Should I Consider as I Prepare My Nomination for EPA? You may find the following suggestions helpful for preparing your nomination: 1. Providing as much supporting information as possible about the nominee, including contact information. 2. Make sure to submit your nomination by the deadline in this document. 3. To ensure proper receipt by EPA, be sure to identify the docket ID number assigned to this action in the subject line on the first page of your response. You may also provide the name, date and **Federal Register** citation. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background On August 2, 2005, the President signed into law the Department of Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2006, Pub. L. 109-54 (Appropriations Act), which provided appropriated funds for the Environmental Protection Agency and other Federal departments and agencies. The Appropriations Act, among other points, addressed intentional dosing human toxicity studies for pesticides and directed the Agency to establish an independent Human Subjects Review Board to review such studies. On February 6, 2006 the Agency published a final rule for protections for subjects in human research (71 FR 6138) that called for creating a new, independent Human Studies Review Board and described its responsibilities in the following language: The Human Studies Review Board shall comment on the scientific and ethical aspects of research proposals and reports of completed research with human subjects submitted by EPA for its review and on request, advise EPA on ways to strengthen its programs for protection of human subjects of research. 40 CFR 26.1603(b) A charter for the Human Studies Review Board dated February 21, 2006 was issued in accordance with the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), 5 U.S.C. App.2 Section 9(c) stating that the HSRB will: Provide advice, information and recommendations on issues related to scientific and ethical aspects of human subjects research. The major objectives are to provide advice and recommendations on:
(a)Research proposals and protocols;
(b)reports of completed research with human subjects; and
(c)how to strengthen EPA's programs for protection of human subjects. This notice requests nominations of candidates to serve as a member of the HSRB in the area of biostatistics. General information concerning the HSRB can be found on the EPA Web site at *http://www.epa.gov/osa/hsrb/.* Process and Deadline for Submitting Nominations Any interested person or organization may nominate individuals to be considered as prospective candidates for the HSRB. Additional avenues and resources may be utilized in the solicitation of nominees to encourage a broad pool of expertise. Nominees should be experts who have sufficient professional qualifications, including training and experience, to be capable of providing expert comments on the ethical and/or scientific issues that may be considered by the HSRB. EPA is seeking nominees who are nationally recognized experts in biostatistics, specifically expertise in statistical design and analysis of research involving human subjects. All nominations should include:
(1)A current curriculum vitae (C.V.) which provides the nominee's educational background, qualifications, leadership positions in national associations or professional publications, relevant research experience and publications; and
(2)a summary of the above in a biographical sketch (“biosketch”) of no more than one page. The qualifications of nominees received in reply to this notice will be assessed in terms of the specific expertise sought for the HSRB. Qualified nominees who agree to be considered further will be included in a smaller subset (known as the “Short List”). This Short List consisting of nominee's name and biosketch will be posted for public comment on the OSA Web site *http://www.epa.gov/osa/index.htm.* The public will be requested to provide relevant information or other documentation on nominees that OSA should consider in evaluating the candidates. Public comments will be accepted for 14 calendar days on the Short List. Board members will be selected from the Short List. Short List candidates not selected for HSRB membership may be considered for future HSRB membership as vacancies become available or as HSRB consultants for future HSRB meetings. The Agency estimates posting the names of Short List candidates sometime in late May. However, please be advised that this is an approximate time frame and the date could change. Thus, if you have any questions concerning posting of Short List candidates on the OSA Web site, please consult the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT . For the HSRB, a balanced panel is characterized by inclusion of members who possess the necessary domains of knowledge, the relevant technical perspectives, and the collective breadth of experience to adequately address the Agency's charge. Interested candidates who are employees of a federal department or agency (other than EPA) or are members of another federal advisory committee are eligible to serve on the HSRB, and their nominations are welcome. Other factors that will be considered include: Availability to participate in the Board's scheduled meetings, absence of any conflicts of interest and absence of an appearance of a lack of impartiality, independence with respect to the matters under review, and public comments in response to the Short List. Though financial conflicts of interest or the appearance of a lack of impartiality, lack of independence, or bias may lead to nonselection, the absence of such concerns does not ensure that a candidate will be selected to serve on the HSRB. Numerous qualified candidates are likely to be identified. Selection decisions will involve careful weighing a number of factors including, but not limited to, the candidates' areas of expertise and professional qualifications, and responses to the Short List in achieving an overall balance of different perspectives on the Board. People who are hired to serve on the Board are subject to the provisions of 5 CFR part 2634, Executive Branch Financial Disclosure, as supplemented by the EPA in 5 CFR part 6401. In anticipation of this requirement, each nominee will be asked to submit a Confidential Financial Disclosure Form for Special Government Employees Serving on Federal Advisory Committees at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA Form 3110-48 [5-02]). This form seeks information regarding the candidate's financial interests, the candidate's employment, stocks, and bonds, and where applicable, sources of research support. However, this form is confidential and will not be disclosed to the public. The EPA will evaluate the candidate's financial disclosure form to assess whether there are financial conflicts of interest, appearance of a lack of impartiality, or any prior involvement with the development of the documents under consideration, including previous scientific peer review, before the candidate is considered further for service on the HSRB. Candidates selected from the Short List will be appointed to the HSRB. HSRB members are to perform several activities including reviewing extensive background materials between meetings of the Board, preparing draft responses to Agency charge questions, attending Board meetings, participating in the discussion and deliberations at these meetings, drafting assigned sections of meeting reports, and reviewing and helping to finalize Board reports. Nominations should be submitted by one of the methods listed under ADDRESSEES . The Agency will consider all nominations for HSRB membership that are received on or before April 25, 2007. However, final selection of members is a discretionary function of the Agency and will be announced on the OSA Web site *http://www.epa.gov/osa/index.htm* soon after comments are received on the Short List. Dated: March 19, 2007. George M. Gray, Science Advisor. [FR Doc. E7-5484 Filed 3-23-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560-50-P ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY [EPA-HQ-ORD-2007-0216; FRL-8291-4] Human Studies Review Board; Notice of Public Meeting AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA or Agency) Office of the Science Advisor
(OSA)announces a public meeting of the Human Studies Review Board
(HSRB)to advise the Agency on EPA's scientific and ethical reviews of human subjects' research. DATES: The public meeting will be held on April 18, 2007 from 10 a.m. to approximately 5:30 p.m., Eastern Time and April 19-20, 2007 from 8:30 a.m. to approximately 5:30 p.m., Eastern Time. *Location:* Environmental Protection Agency, Conference Center—Lobby Level, One Potomac Yard (South Bldg.), 2777 S. Crystal Drive, Arlington, VA 22202. *Meeting Access:* Seating at the meeting will be on a first-come basis. To request accommodation of a disability please contact the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT at least 10 business days prior to the meeting, to allow EPA as much time as possible to process your request. *Procedures for Providing Public Input:* Interested members of the public may submit relevant written or oral comments for the HSRB to consider during the advisory process. Additional information concerning submission of relevant written or oral comments is provided in Unit I.D. of this notice. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Any member of the public who wishes further information should contact Paul Lewis, EPA, Office of the Science Advisor, (8105R), Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460; *telephone number:*
(202)564-8381; f *ax:*
(202)564 2070; *e-mail addresses: lewis.paul@epa.gov* . General information concerning the EPA HSRB can be found on the EPA Web site at *http://www.epa.gov/osa/hsrb/* . ADDRESSES: Submit your written comments, identified by Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-ORD-2007-0216, by one of the following methods: *Internet: http://www.regulations.gov:* Follow the on-line instructions for submitting comments. *E-mail: ORD.Docket@epa.gov* . *Mail:* Environmental Protection Agency, EPA Docket Center (EPA/DC), ORD Docket, Mailcode: 28221T, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460. *Hand Delivery:* The EPA/DC Public Reading Room is located in the EPA Headquarters Library, Room Number 3334 in the EPA West Building, located at 1301 Constitution Ave., NW., Washington DC. The hours of operation are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST), Monday through Friday, excluding Federal holidays. Please call
(202)566-1744 or e-mail the ORD Docket at *ord.docket@epa.gov* for instructions. Updates to Public Reading Room access are available on the Web site ( *http://www.epa.gov/epahome/dockets.htm* ). *Instructions:* Direct your comments to Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-ORD-2007-0216. EPA's policy is that all comments received will be included in the public docket without change and may be made available online at *http://www.regulations.gov,* including any personal information provided, unless the comment includes information claimed to be Confidential Business Information
(CBI)or other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. Do not submit information that you consider to be CBI or otherwise protected through *http://www.regulations.gov* or e-mail. The *http://www.regulations.gov* Web site is an “anonymous access” system, which means EPA will not know your identity or contact information unless you provide it in the body of your comment. If you send an e-mail comment directly to EPA, without going through *http://www.regulations.gov,* your e-mail address will be automatically captured and included as part of the comment that is placed in the public docket and made available on the Internet. If you submit an electronic comment, EPA recommends that you include your name and other contact information in the body of your comment and with any disk or CD-ROM you submit. If EPA cannot read your comment due to technical difficulties and cannot contact you for clarification, EPA may not be able to consider your comment. Electronic files should avoid the use of special characters, any form of encryption, and be free of any defects or viruses. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Public Meeting A. Does This Action Apply to Me? This action is directed to the public in general. This action may, however, be of interest to persons who conduct or assess human studies, especially studies on substances regulated by EPA or to persons who are or may be required to conduct testing of chemical substances under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA) or the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). Since other entities may also be interested, the Agency has not attempted to describe all the specific entities that may be affected by this action. If you have any questions regarding the applicability of this action to a particular entity, consult the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT . B. How Can I Access Electronic Copies of This Document and Other Related Information? In addition to using regulations.gov, you may access this **Federal Register** document electronically through the EPA Internet under the “ **Federal Register** ” listings at *http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/* . *Docket:* All documents in the docket are listed in the *http://www.regulations.gov* index. Although listed in the index, some information is not publicly available, e.g., CBI or other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. Certain other material, such as copyrighted material, will be publicly available only in hard copy. Publicly available docket materials are available either electronically in *http://www.regulations.gov* or in hard copy at the ORD Docket, EPA/DC, Public Reading Room. The EPA/DC Public Reading Room is located in the EPA Headquarters Library, Room Number 3334 in the EPA West Building, located at 1301 Constitution Ave., NW., Washington, DC. The hours of operation are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 a.m. Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday, excluding Federal holidays. Please call
(202)566-1744 or e-mail the ORD Docket at *ord.docket@epa.gov* for instructions. Updates to Public Reading Room access are available on the Web site ( *http://www.epa.gov/epahome/dockets.htm* ). EPA's position paper(s), charge/questions to the HSRB, and the meeting agenda will be available by late March 2007. In addition, the Agency may provide additional background documents as the materials become available. You may obtain electronic copies of these documents, and certain other related documents that might be available electronically, from the regulations.gov Web site and the HSRB Internet Home Page at *http://www.epa.gov/osa/hsrb/* . For questions on document availability or if you do not have access to the Internet, consult the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT . C. What Should I Consider as I Prepare My Comments for EPA? You may find the following suggestions helpful for preparing your comments: a. Explain your views as clearly as possible. b. Describe any assumptions that you used. c. Provide copies of any technical information and/or data you used that support your views. d. Provide specific examples to illustrate your concerns and suggest alternatives. e. To ensure proper receipt by EPA, be sure to identify the docket ID number assigned to this action in the subject line on the first page of your response. You may also provide the name, date, and **Federal Register** citation. D. How May I Participate in This Meeting? You may participate in this meeting by following the instructions in this section. To ensure proper receipt by EPA, it is imperative that you identify docket ID number EPA-HQ-ORD-2007-0216 in the subject line on the first page of your request. a. *Oral comments.* Requests to present oral comments will be accepted up to April 11, 2007. To the extent that time permits, interested persons who have not pre-registered may be permitted by the Chair of the HSRB to present oral comments at the meeting. Each individual or group wishing to make brief oral comments to the HSRB is strongly advised to submit their request (preferably via email) to the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT no later than noon, Eastern Standard Time, April 11, 2007 in order to be included on the meeting agenda and to provide sufficient time for the HSRB Chair and HSRB Designated Federal Officer
(DFO)to review the agenda to provide an appropriate public comment period. The request should identify the name of the individual making the presentation, the organization (if any) the individual will represent, and any requirements for audiovisual equipment (e.g., overhead projector, LCD projector, chalkboard). Oral comments before the HSRB are limited to five minutes per individual or organization. Please note that this limit applies to the cumulative time used by all individuals appearing either as part of, or on behalf of an organization. While it is our intent to hear a full range of oral comments on the science and ethics issues under discussion, it is not our intent to permit organizations to expand these time limitations by having numerous individuals sign up separately to speak on their behalf. If additional time is available, there may be flexibility in time for public comments. Each speaker should bring 25 copies of his or her comments and presentation slides for distribution to the HSRB at the meeting. b. *Written comments.* Although you may submit written comments at any time, for the HSRB to have the best opportunity to review and consider your comments as it deliberates on its report, you should submit your comments at least five business days prior to the beginning of the meeting. If you submit comments after this date, those comments will be provided to the Board members, but you should recognize that the Board members may not have adequate time to consider those comments prior to making a decision. Thus, if you plan to submit written comments, the Agency strongly encourages you to submit such comments no later than noon, Eastern Standard Time, April 11, 2007. You should submit your comments using the instructions in Unit I.C. of this notice. In addition, the Agency also requests that person(s) submitting comments directly to the docket also provide a copy of their comments to the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. There is no limit on the length of written comments for consideration by the HSRB. E. Background A. Topics for Discussion The HSRB is a Federal advisory committee operating in accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act
(FACA)5 U.S.C. app.2 section 9. The HSRB provides advice, information, and recommendations to EPA on issues related to scientific and ethical aspects of human subjects research. The major objectives of the HSRB are to provide advice and recommendations on:
(a)Research proposals and protocols;
(b)reports of completed research with human subjects; and
(c)how to strengthen EPA's programs for protection of human subjects of research. The HSRB reports to the EPA Administrator through EPA's Science Advisor. *At the April 2007 meeting of the HSRB, EPA will present for HSRB review:* • The results of two completed insect repellent efficacy studies on an aerosol formulation of the active ingredient IR3535, studies which the Agency intends to rely in making registration decisions. Protocols for this research were reviewed by the Board at its June and October 2006 meetings. • A proposal for a new field study of the effectiveness of products containing oil of lemon eucalyptus in repelling mosquitoes. • Completed studies of human skin irritation and skin sensitization on two pending pesticide products whose use would involve extensive dermal exposure. These studies were conducted before the effective date of EPA's human studies rules (April 7, 2006). • EPA's assessment of the need for new research on the exposure received by occupational handlers who mix, load, or apply agricultural or antimicrobial pesticides. • An EPA “draft framework” concerning best practices for recruiting and enrolling subjects in studies of occupational exposure. In addition, at the Board's request, EPA will present its interpretation and application of the standard in 40 CFR 26.1705: “EPA shall not rely on data from any research initiated after April 7, 2006, unless EPA has adequate information to determine that the research was conducted in substantial compliance with [EPA's human studies rules].” Finally, the Board may also discuss planning for future HSRB meetings. B. Meeting Minutes and Reports Minutes of the meeting, summarizing the matters discussed and recommendations, if any, made by the advisory committee regarding such matters will be released within 90 calendar days of the meeting. Such minutes will be available at *http://www.epa.gov/osa/hsrb/* and *http://www.regulations.gov* In addition, information concerning a Board meeting report, if applicable, can be found at *http://www.epa.gov/osa/hsrb/* or from the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT . Dated: March 19, 2007. George M. Gray, Science Advisor. [FR Doc. E7-5492 Filed 3-23-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560-50-P COUNCIL ON ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY The National Environmental Policy Act—Collaboration Handbook AGENCY: Council On Environmental Quality. ACTION: Notice and request for comments. SUMMARY: The Council on Environmental Quality
(CEQ)used an interagency work group to develop a handbook to help NEPA practitioners improve the effectiveness of their NEPA processes through collaboration. The handbook focuses on collaboration in the context of the NEPA process, outlines general principles, presents useful steps, and provides information on methods of collaboration. CEQ invites comments on the proposed handbook, “Collaboration in NEPA—A Handbook for NEPA Practitioners,” that is available from CEQ directly or at *http://www.NEPA.gov* in the Current Developments section. DATES: Written comments should be submitted on or before May 4, 2007. ADDRESSES: Copies of the proposed handbook can be requested from CEQ. Electronic comments on the proposed handbook and requests for a copy of the proposed handbook can be sent to *horst_greczmiel@ceq.eop.gov* with the subject line reading “NEPA Modernization (Collaboration).” Fax written comments and requests to
(202)456-0753 with the subject line reading “NEPA Modernization (Collaboration).” Electronic or facsimile comments or requests are preferred because Federal offices experience intermittent mail delays caused by security screening. Written comments and requests may also be submitted to “NEPA Modernization (Collaboration), Attn: Associate Director for NEPA Oversight, 722 Jackson Place, NW., Washington, DC 20503.” FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Horst Greczmiel, 202-395-5750. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Council on Environmental Quality
(CEQ)established a National Environmental Policy Act
(NEPA)Task Force and is now implementing recommendations designed to modernize the implementation of NEPA and make the NEPA process more effective and efficient. Additional information is available on the task force Web site at *http://ceq.eh.doe.gov/ntf.* The proposed handbook, “Collaboration in NEPA—A Handbook for NEPA Practitioners,” was developed to assist those responsible for conducting National Environmental Policy Act
(NEPA)analyses in expanding the effective use of collaboration as part of the NEPA process. Collaboration is defined for purposes of the handbook as seeking agreements at one or more stages of the NEPA process by cultivating shared vision, trust, and communication. The main goal of the handbook is to encourage collaboration by providing examples and case studies that show how agencies have collaborated with other agencies and interested parties in the past and how agencies can better collaborate throughout a NEPA process. The handbook describes the context for when collaboration works well, provides a basic approach to designing a collaborative NEPA process, examines the various opportunities for collaboration throughout the NEPA process, and addresses challenges to collaboration during the NEPA process. In addition to examples of strategies for preventing conflict, the handbook provides examples of Memoranda of Understanding, case studies, and resources for practitioners. Public comments to the proposed handbook are requested by May 4, 2007. March 19, 2007. James L. Connaughton, Chairman, Council on Environmental Quality. [FR Doc. E7-5454 Filed 3-23-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3125-W7-P FEDERAL MARITIME COMMISSION Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request AGENCY: Federal Maritime Commission (FMC). ACTION: Notice and request for comments. SUMMARY: As part of our continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, and as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Federal Maritime Commission invites comments on the continuing information collection (extension with no changes) listed below in this notice. DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before May 25, 2007. ADDRESSES: You may send comments to: Derek O. Scarbrough, Chief Information Officer, Office of Administration, Federal Maritime Commission, 800 North Capitol Street, NW, Washington, DC 20573, (Telephone:
(202)523-5800), *cio@fmc.gov.* Please reference the information collection's title and OMB number in your comments. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: To obtain additional information, copies of the information collection and instructions, or copies of any comments received, contact Jane Gregory, Management Analyst, Office of Administration, Federal Maritime Commission, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., Washington, DC 20573, (Telephone:
(202)523-5800), *jgregory@fmc.gov.* SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Request for Comments The Federal Maritime Commission, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to comment on the continuing information collection listed in this notice, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 *et seq.* ). Comments submitted in response to this notice will be included or summarized in our request for Office of Management and Budget approval of the relevant information collection. All comments are part of the public record and subject to disclosure. Please do not include any confidential or inappropriate material in your comments. We invite comments on:
(1)The necessity and utility of the proposed information collection for the proper performance of the agency's functions;
(2)the accuracy of the estimated burden;
(3)ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and
(4)the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology to minimize the information collection burden. An automated form for the license application, FMC-18, is currently in development. A rule will be published as soon as the automated form is available, for use at the option of the applicant. Information Collection Open for Comment *Title:* 46 CFR 515—Licensing, Financial Responsibility Requirements and General Duties for Ocean Transportation Intermediaries and Related Forms. *OMB Approval Number:* 3072-0018 (Expires July 31, 2007). *Abstract:* Section 19 of the Shipping Act of 1984 (the “Act”), 46 U.S.C. 40101-41309 (2006), as modified by Pub. L. 105-258 (The Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 1998) and Section 424 of Pub. L. 105-383 (The Coast Guard Authorization Act of 1998), provides that no person in the United States may act as an ocean transportation intermediary
(OTI)unless that person holds a license issued by the Commission. The Commission shall issue an OTI license to any person that the Commission determines to be qualified by experience and character to act as an OTI. Further, no person may act as an OTI unless that person furnishes a bond, proof of insurance or other surety in a form and amount determined by the Commission to ensure financial responsibility. The Commission has implemented the provisions of section 19 in regulations contained in 46 CFR 515, including financial responsibility forms FMC-48, FMC-67, FMC-68, and FMC-69, Optional Rider Forms FMC-48A and FMC-69A, and its related license application form, FMC-18. *Current Actions:* There are no changes to this information collection, and it is being submitted for extension purposes only. *Type of Review:* Extension. *Needs and Uses:* The Commission uses information obtained under this part and through Form FMC-18 to determine the qualifications of OTIs and their compliance with shipping statutes and regulations and to enable the Commission to discharge its duties under the Act by ensuring that OTIs maintain acceptable evidence of financial responsibility. If the collection of information were not conducted, there would be no basis upon which the Commission could determine if applicants are qualified for licensing. *Frequency:* This information is collected when applicants apply for a license or when existing licensees change certain information in their application forms. *Type of Respondents:* The types of respondents are persons desiring to obtain a license to act as an OTI. Under the Act, OTIs may be either an ocean freight forwarder, a non-vessel-operating common carrier, or both. *Number of Annual Respondents:* The Commission estimates a potential annual respondent universe of 4,765 entities. *Estimated Time Per Response:* The time per response for completing Application Form FMC-18 averages 2 hours. The time to complete a financial responsibility form averages 20 minutes. *Total Annual Burden:* The Commission estimates the total annual person-hour burden at 3,595 person-hours. Bryant L. VanBrakle, Secretary. [FR Doc. E7-5483 Filed 3-23-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6730-01-P FEDERAL RESERVE SYSTEM Agency Information Collection Activities: Announcement of Board Approval Under Delegated Authority and Submission to OMB AGENCY: Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System SUMMARY: Background. Notice is hereby given of the final approval of proposed information collection by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (Board) under OMB delegated authority, as per 5 CFR 1320.16 (OMB Regulations on Controlling Paperwork Burdens on the Public). Board-approved collections of information are incorporated into the official OMB inventory of currently approved collections of information. Copies of the Paperwork Reduction Act Submission, supporting statements and approved collection of information instrument(s) are placed into OMB's public docket files. The Federal Reserve may not conduct or sponsor, and the respondent is not required to respond to, an information collection that has been extended, revised, or implemented on or after October 1, 1995, unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Federal Reserve Board Clearance Officer --Michelle Shore--Division of Research and Statistics, Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, Washington, DC 20551 (202-452-3829). OMB Desk Officer--Mark Menchik--Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, New Executive Office Building, Room 10235, Washington, DC 20503, or e-mail to *mmenchik@omb.eop.gov* . Final approval under OMB delegated authority the revision, without extension, of the following reports: *1. Report title:* Consolidated Financial Statements for Bank Holding Companies. *Agency form number:* FR Y-9C. *OMB control number:* 7100-0128. *Frequency:* Quarterly. *Reporters:* Bank holding companies (BHCs). *Annual reporting hours:* 117,504 hours. *Estimated average hours per response:* 38.35 hours. *Number of respondents:* 766. *General description of report:* This information collection is mandatory (12 U.S.C. 1844(c)). Confidential treatment is not routinely given to the data in this report. However, confidential treatment for the reporting information, in whole or in part, can be requested in accordance with the instructions to the form, pursuant to section (b)(4) of the Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 522(b)(4). *Abstract:* The FR Y-9 family of reports historically has been, and continues to be, the primary source of financial information on BHCs between on-site inspections. Financial information from these reports is used to detect emerging financial problems, to review performance and conduct pre-inspection analysis, to monitor and evaluate capital adequacy, to evaluate BHC mergers and acquisitions, and to analyze a BHC's overall financial condition to ensure safe and sound operations. The FR Y-9C consists of standardized financial statements similar to the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council's Consolidated Reports of Condition and Income (Call Report) (FFIEC 031 & 041; OMB No. 7100-0036) filed by commercial banks. The FR Y-9C collects consolidated data from the BHC and is generally filed by top-tier BHCs with total consolidated assets of $500 million or more. *Current actions:* On January 11, 2007, the Federal Reserve published a notice in the Federal Register (72 FR 1325) requesting public comment for 60 days on the revision, without extension, of the Consolidated Financial Statements for Bank Holding Companies, effective with the March 31, 2007, report date. The comment period expired on March 12, 2007. The Federal Reserve did not receive any comment letters. However, five comments were received by the Federal Reserve, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, and Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (the banking agencies) on proposed revisions to the Call Reports that parallel the proposed revisions to the FR Y-9C, and were taken into consideration for this proposal. The comments are summarized and addressed below. Reporting on Fair Value Measurements and the Use of the Fair Value Option On September 15, 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board
(FASB)issued Statement No. 157, Fair Value Measurements (FAS 157), which is effective for banking institutions and other entities for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. Earlier adoption of FAS 157 is permitted as of the beginning of an earlier fiscal year, provided the BHC has not yet issued a financial statement or filed a FR Y-9C report for any period of that fiscal year. Thus, a BHC with a calendar year fiscal year may voluntarily adopt FAS 157 as of January 1, 2007. The fair value measurements standard provides guidance on how to measure fair value and would require BHCs and other entities to disclose the inputs used to measure fair value based on a three-level hierarchy for all assets and liabilities that are remeasured at fair value on a recurring basis. 1 1 The FASB's three-level fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3). Level 1 inputs are quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the reporting bank holding company has the ability to access at the measurement date (e.g., the FR Y-9C as-of date). Level 2 inputs are inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs for the asset or liability. The FASB issued a final Statement No. 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities (FAS 159), on February 15, 2007. This standard allows BHCs and other entities to report certain financial assets and liabilities at fair value with the changes in fair value included in earnings. The Federal Reserve anticipates that relatively few BHCs will elect to use the fair value option for a significant portion of their financial assets and liabilities. According to the FASB's web site (www.fasb.org), the FASB Board has decided to require that the effective date of the final fair value option standard be the same as the effective date of FAS 157. Thus, the final fair value option standard should be effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. The FASB Board has also decided to permit an entity to early adopt the final fair value option standard provided that the entity also adopts all of the requirements (measurement and disclosure) of FAS 157 concurrent with or prior to the early adoption of the final fair value option standard. Furthermore, the FASB Board would permit early adoption of the final fair value option standard within 120 days of the beginning of the entity's fiscal year, thereby making the fair value option election retroactive to the beginning of that fiscal year (or the date of initial recognition, if later) provided that the entity has not yet issued any interim financial statements for that fiscal year. Thus, a BHC with a calendar year fiscal year that voluntarily adopts FAS 157 as of January 1, 2007, would also be able to adopt the final fair value option standard as of that same date. The Federal Reserve proposed to clarify the FR Y-9C reporting instructions to explain where financial assets and liabilities measured under the fair value option should be reported in the existing line items of the FR Y-9C. The Federal Reserve also proposed to add a new Schedule HC-Q to the FR Y-9C to collect data, by major asset and liability category, on the amount of assets and liabilities to which the fair value option has been applied along with separate disclosure of the amount of such assets and liabilities whose fair values were estimated under level two and under level three of the FASB's fair value hierarchy. The categories are: • Securities held for purposes other than trading with changes in fair value reported in current earnings; • Loans and leases; • All other financial assets and servicing assets; • Deposit liabilities; • All other financial liabilities and servicing liabilities; and • Loan commitments (not accounted for as derivatives). In addition, the Federal Reserve proposed to collect data on trading assets and trading liabilities in the new schedule from those BHCs that complete Schedule HC-D, Trading Assets and Liabilities, i.e., BHCs that reported average trading assets of $2 million or more for any quarter of the preceding calendar year. In the proposed new schedule, such BHCs would report the carrying amount of trading assets and trading liabilities whose fair values were estimated under level two and under level three of the FASB's fair value hierarchy. The FASB's fair value measurements standard requires banking organizations and other entities to consider the effect of a change in their own creditworthiness when determining the fair value of a financial liability. The Federal Reserve proposed to add one new data item to Schedule HC-R, Regulatory Capital, for the cumulative change in the fair value of all financial liabilities accounted for under the fair value option that is attributable to changes in the BHC's own creditworthiness. This amount would be excluded from the BHC's retained earnings for purposes of determining Tier 1 capital under the Federal Reserve's regulatory capital standards. Finally, the Federal Reserve proposed to clarify the instructions to Schedule HI for the treatment of interest income on financial assets and interest expense on financial liabilities measured under a fair value option. The instructions would be modified to instruct BHCs to separate the contractual year-to-date amount of interest earned on financial assets and interest incurred on financial liabilities that are reported under a fair value option from the overall year-to-date fair value adjustment and report these contractual amounts in the appropriate interest income or interest expense data items on Schedule HI. Only one commenter, a banking trade association, offered comments on fair value option reporting in the Call Report, urging “the agencies to proceed cautiously with any major revisions to the Call Report or TFR prior to the official release of the Fair Value Option statement.” The trade association also requested that the agencies delay the March 31, 2007, effective date of the proposed reporting revisions related to the fair value option if the release of the FASB's final fair value option standard is delayed beyond its expected issuance in the first quarter of 2007. The trade association did not address the proposed reporting revisions for the fair value option and fair value measurements themselves. The Federal Reserve agrees on the need for caution in implementing the proposed reporting revisions related to the fair value option and fair value measurements. Accordingly, only if BHCs adopt this standard in the first quarter of 2007 for other financial reporting purposes would the fair value option reporting requirements in the FR Y-9C take effect as of March 31, 2007. Otherwise, these reporting requirements would be delayed until BHCs elect the fair value option for other financial reporting purposes. Additionally, the Federal Reserve will proceed with the new Schedule HC-R data item for fair value changes included in retained earnings that are attributable to changes in a BHC's own creditworthiness. Reporting of Certain Data on 1-4 Family Residential Mortgage Loans withTerms that Allow for Negative Amortization The Federal Reserve proposed to collect certain data items to monitor the extent of holdings of closed-end 1-4 family residential mortgage loan products whose terms allow for negative amortization. As proposed, all BHCs would report the total amount of their holdings of such closed-end mortgage loans in a new memorandum item in Schedule HC-C, Loans and Leases. The Federal Reserve also proposed to collect two additional memorandum items on Schedule HC-C and another new memorandum item on Schedule HI, Income Statement, from BHCs with a significant volume of negatively amortizing 1-4 family residential mortgage loans. The two additional Schedule HC-C memorandum items would be
(1)the total maximum remaining amount of negative amortization contractually permitted on closed-end loans secured by 1-4 family residential properties and
(2)the total amount of negative amortization on closed-end loans secured by 1-4 family residential properties that is included in the carrying amount of these loans. The Schedule HI memorandum item would be the year-to-date noncash income on closed-end loans with a negative amortization feature secured by 1-4 family residential properties. The Federal Reserve's proposal stated that the threshold for identifying BHCs with a significant volume of negatively amortizing residential mortgage loans would be based on the aggregate amount of these loans being in excess of either a certain dollar amount, e.g., $100 million or $250 million, or a certain percentage of the total loans and leases (in domestic offices) reported on Schedule HC-C, e.g., 5 percent or 10 percent. For reporting during 2007, a BHC with negatively amortizing loans would determine whether it met the size threshold for reporting the three additional memorandum items using data reflected in its December 31, 2006, FR Y-9C report. For reporting in 2008 and subsequent years, the determination would be based on data from the previous year-end FR Y-9C. Thus, BHCs with negatively amortizing 1-4 family residential mortgage loans in excess of the reporting threshold as of the end of any particular calendar year would report these three data items for the next entire calendar year. The Federal Reserve requested comment on the specific dollar amount and percentage of loans that should be used in setting the size threshold for additional reporting on negatively amortizing loans. The comments received from a banking organization and a banking trade association addressed the comparable threshold proposed for the Call Report. In this regard, the banking organization recommended that the agencies base their reporting threshold only on a percentage of an institution's total loans and leases and not also include a fixed dollar amount of negatively amortizing loans in the threshold test. The organization stated that using a percentage test “is more in line with the Agencies' goals of ensuring the safety and soundness of institutions while minimizing the burden of information collection” because “safety and soundness concerns become more prominent only as an institution's concentration in these loans increases relative to the rest of its portfolio.” In its comments, the banking trade association referred to the agencies' Interagency Guidance on Nontraditional Mortgage Product Risks, which they published at the beginning of October 2006, 2 noting that this guidance “specifically states that the agencies did not intend to establish concentration caps for institutions that underwrite” nontraditional mortgages, including the residential mortgages with negative amortization features on which data would be reported in the Call Report. The trade association expressed concern that the establishment of a reporting threshold for reporting certain data on these loans would be “a de facto concentration limit above which heightened regulatory scrutiny could be implied for such loans.” This “would be inconsistent with the Interagency Guidance.” As a consequence, the trade association suggested eliminating the entire proposed reporting requirement for negatively amortizing residential mortgage loans. Alternatively, if the proposed reporting requirement were to be retained, the trade association recommended eliminating the reporting threshold for the three additional data items and requiring all banks to report these data items. 2 See 71 FR 58609, October 4, 2006. The Federal Reserve has considered these comments that focus on the reporting threshold. The intent of the proposal to establish a reporting threshold for certain additional data on negatively amortizing residential mortgage loans was not to establish concentration limits for these mortgage products. Rather, as noted in the proposal, the Federal Reserve currently “has no readily available means of identifying the industry's exposure” to these products, which led to the proposal to collect certain data to assist the Federal Reserve in “monitor[ing] the extent of use of negatively amortizing residential mortgage loans in the industry.” Thus, the reporting of data on these mortgages is intended to support agency analysis at both the institution level and the industry level. The threshold for reporting additional data on negatively amortizing residential mortgage loans that are present at an institution in a significant volume was designed to limit the reporting burden on institutions, particularly small BHCs, with a nominal volume of these loans. A threshold based solely on a percentage of total loans and leases would not enable the Federal Reserve to gain an industry perspective on the amount of remaining contractually permitted negative amortization, capitalized negative amortization, and noncash income from negative amortization and how they relate to the amount of negatively amortizing residential mortgages. Therefore, the Federal Reserve is proceeding with a reporting threshold for the three additional data items that incorporates both a dollar amount test and a percentage test. More specifically, BHCs will report the three additional data items pertaining to their negatively amortizing residential mortgages if the amount of these mortgages exceeds the lesser of $100 million or 5 percent of their total loans and leases (in domestic offices), both held for sale and held for investment. A data processing servicer commented on the proposed March 31, 2007, effective date for reporting this information. The servicer observed that the end of the proposal's comment period is less than 90 days before this effective date, while it typically needs a minimum of 180 days to implement programming changes after requirements are finalized. As a consequence, the servicer stated that it would not be able to commit to completing the programming, testing, and implementation of changes to its mortgage software by March 31, 2007, to enable its client banks to report the proposed information on negatively amortizing residential mortgages. The Interagency Guidance on Nontraditional Mortgage Product Risks indicates that management information and reporting systems “should allow management to detect changes in the risk profile of its nontraditional mortgage loan portfolio. The structure and content should allow the isolation of key loan products, risk-layering loan features, and borrower characteristics.” The guidance further provides that “[a]t a minimum, information should be available by loan type,” such as for the closed-end residential mortgage loans with negative amortization features that are the subject of this proposal, and “by borrower performance (e.g., payment patterns, delinquencies, interest accruals, and negative amortization).” These risk management expectations for information systems were set forth approximately 180 days before the March 31, 2007, effective date of the proposed FR Y-9C items for negatively amortizing residential mortgages. In addition, for the March 31, 2007, report date, BHCs may provide reasonable estimates for these new FR Y-9C items if the requested information is not readily available. Reporting of Certain Brokered Time Deposit Information The banking agencies proposed to revise the reporting treatment of brokered time deposits on Call Report Schedule RC-E, Deposit Liabilities. Memorandum item 2.b, Total time deposits of less than $100,000, would be revised to include brokered time deposits issued in denominations of $100,000 or more that are participated out by the broker in shares of less than $100,000, as well as brokered certificates of deposit issued in $1,000 amounts under a master certificate of deposit. Memorandum item 2.c, Total time deposits of $100,000 or more, would be revised to exclude such brokered deposits. The Federal Reserve proposed to make similar instructional changes to seven data items on Schedule HC-E, Deposit Liabilities, to retain consistent definitions with the Call Report and to accommodate the consolidation of subsidiary bank information into the FR Y-9C report. The Federal Reserve proposed to revise the instructions for data item 1.d, Time deposits of less than $100,000 held in domestic offices of commercial bank subsidiaries; data item 2.d, Time deposits of less than $100,000 held in domestic offices of other depository institution subsidiaries; Memorandum item 1, Brokered deposits less than $100,000 with a remaining maturity of one year or less; and Memorandum item 2, Brokered deposits less than $100,000 with a remaining maturity of more than one year, to include brokered time deposits issued in denominations of $100,000 or more that are participated out by the broker in shares of less than $100,000 and brokered certificates of deposit issued in $1,000 amounts under a master certificate of deposit. Data item 1.e, Time deposits of $100,000 or more held in domestic offices of commercial bank subsidiaries; data item 2.e, Time deposits of $100,000 or more held in domestic offices of other depository institution subsidiaries; and Memorandum item 3, Time deposits of $100,000 or more with a remaining maturity of one year or less, would be revised to exclude such brokered time deposits. The banking agencies received no comments on the proposed time deposit reporting changes, and the Federal Reserve is implementing the time deposit instructional changes as proposed. Instructional Clarifications Servicing of Loan Participations Bank holding companies report the outstanding principal balance of loans and other assets serviced for others in Memorandum items 2.a, 2.b, and 2.c of Schedule HC-S, Servicing, Securitization, and Asset Sale Activities. The instructions for these Memorandum items do not explicitly state whether a BHC that has sold a participation in a loan or other financial asset, which it continues to service, should include the servicing in Memorandum item 2.a, 2.b, or 2.c, as appropriate. Because the absence of clear instructional guidance has resulted in questions from bankers and has produced diversity in practice among BHCs, the Federal Reserve proposed to clarify the instructions to these Schedule HC-S memorandum items to explicitly state that the amount of loan participations serviced for others should be included in these data items. The banking agencies received no comments specifically addressing this instructional clarification, and the Federal Reserve is implementing the clarification as proposed. *2. Report title:* Financial Statements of U.S. Nonbank Subsidiaries of U.S. Bank Holding Companies. *Agency form number:* FR Y-11. *OMB control number:* 7100-0244. *Frequency:* Quarterly and annually. *Reporters:* Bank holding companies (BHCs). *Annual reporting hours:* FR Y-11. (quarterly), 32,690 hours; FR Y-11. (annually), 1,911 hours. *Estimated average hours per response:* FR Y-11 (quarterly), 6.35 hours; FR Y-11 (annually), 6.35 hours. *Number of respondents:* FR Y-11 (quarterly), 1,287; FR Y-11 (annually), 301. *General description of report:* This information collection is mandatory (12 U.S.C. 1844(c)). Confidential treatment is not routinely given to the data in these reports. However, confidential treatment for the reporting information, in whole or in part, can be requested in accordance with the instructions to the form, pursuant to section (b)(4) of the Freedom of Information Act [5 U.S.C. 522(b)(4)]. *Abstract:* The FR Y-11 reports collect financial information for individual U.S. nonbank subsidiaries of domestic BHCs. BHCs file the FR Y-11 on a quarterly or annual basis according to filing criteria. The FR Y-11 data are used with other BHC data to assess the condition of BHCs that are heavily engaged in nonbanking activities and to monitor the volume, nature, and condition of their nonbanking operations. *Current actions:* On January 11, 2007, the Federal Reserve published a notice in the **Federal Register** (72 FR 1325) requesting public comment for 60 days on the revision, without extension, of the Financial Statements of U.S. Nonbank Subsidiaries of U.S. Bank Holding Companies. The comment period expired on March 12, 2007. The Federal Reserve did not receive any comment letters. All reporting changes will be implemented effective with the March 31, 2007, report date. Recently, the volume of 1-4 family residential mortgage loan products whose terms allow for negative amortization and the number of institutions providing borrowers with such loans has increased significantly. Loans with this feature are structured in a manner that may result in an increase in the loan's principal balance even when the borrower's payments are technically current. When loans with negative amortization are not prudently underwritten and not properly monitored, they raise safety and soundness concerns. Currently, the Federal Reserve has no readily available means of identifying the industry's exposure to such loans. Therefore, the Federal Reserve proposed to collect four data items at the nonbank subsidiary level to monitor the extension of negatively amortizing residential mortgage loans in the industry and to parallel the data items being proposed for inclusion on the FR Y-9C. The Federal Reserve proposed to collect one memorandum item from all nonbank subsidiaries on Schedule BS-A, Loan and Leases Financing Receivables, for the total amount of closed-end loans with negative amortization features secured by 1-4 family residential properties in order to obtain an overall measure of this potentially higher risk lending activity. In addition, the Federal Reserve proposed to collect two memorandum items on Schedule BS-A and one memorandum item on Schedule IS, Income Statement, from nonbank subsidiaries with a significant volume of negatively amortizing 1-4 family residential mortgage loans. The threshold for significant volume would be based on the aggregate carrying amount of negatively amortizing loans in excess of 5 percent of the total loans and leases reported on Schedule BS-A. A nonbank with negatively amortizing loans would determine whether it met the size threshold for reporting the three additional memorandum items based on data reported from the previous year-end FR Y-11. The Federal Reserve also proposed two additional Schedule BS-A memorandum items to collect
(1)the total maximum remaining amount of negative amortization contractually permitted on closed-end loans secured by 1-4 family residential properties and
(2)the total amount of negative amortization on closed-end loans secured by 1-4 family residential properties that is included in the carrying amount of these loans. The first memorandum item would provide a measure of the maximum exposure that could be incurred for negative amortization loans in the current 1-4 family residential property loan portfolio. The second memorandum item would then identify what component of 1-4 family mortgage loans is comprised of negative amortization loans. The Schedule IS memorandum item is year-to-date non-cash income on closed-end loans with a negative amortization feature secured by 1-4 family residential properties. This memorandum item would identify the amount and extent of interest revenue accrued and uncollected to ascertain the degree this potentially higher risk lending activity supports the BHC's overall net income. All nonbank subsidiaries with negatively amortizing 1-4 family residential loans in excess of the reporting threshold would report these data items for the entire calendar year following the end of any calendar year when the threshold was exceeded. *3. Report title:* Financial Statements of Foreign Subsidiaries of U.S. Banking Organizations. *Agency form number:* FR 2314. *OMB control number:* 7100-0073. *Frequency:* Quarterly and annually. *Reporters:* Foreign subsidiaries of U.S. state member banks (SMBs), bank holding companies (BHCs), and Edge or agreement corporations. *Annual reporting hours:* FR 2314 (quarterly), 5,402 hours; FR 2314 (annually), 966 hours. *Estimated average hours per response:* FR 2314 (quarterly), 6.40 hours; FR 2314 (annually), 6.40 hours. *Number of respondents:* FR 2314 (quarterly), 211; FR 2314 (annually), 151. *General description of report:* This information collection is mandatory (12 U.S.C. 324, 602, 625, and 1844(c). Confidential treatment is not routinely given to the data in these reports. However, confidential treatment for the reporting information, in whole or in part, can be requested in accordance with the instructions to the form, pursuant to section (b)(4) of the Freedom of Information Act [5 U.S.C. 522(b)(4)]. *Abstract:* The FR 2314 reports collect financial information for direct or indirect foreign subsidiaries of U.S. SMBs, Edge and agreement corporations, and BHCs. Parent organizations (SMBs, Edge and agreement corporations, or BHCs) file the FR 2314 on a quarterly or annual basis according to filing criteria. The FR 2314 data are used to identify current and potential problems at the foreign subsidiaries of U.S. parent companies, to monitor the activities of U.S. banking organizations in specific countries, and to develop a better understanding of activities within the industry, in general, and of individual institutions, in particular. *Current actions:* On January 11, 2007, the Federal Reserve published a notice in the Federal Register (72 FR 1325) requesting public comment for 60 days on the revision, without extension, of the Financial Statements of Foreign Subsidiaries of U.S. Banking Organizations. The comment period expired on March 12, 2007. The Federal Reserve did not receive any comment letters. All reporting changes will be implemented effective with the March 31, 2007, report date. Recently, the volume of 1-4 family residential mortgage loan products whose terms allow for negative amortization and the number of institutions providing borrowers with such loans has increased significantly. Loans with this feature are structured in a manner that may result in an increase in the loan's principal balance even when the borrower's payments are technically current. When loans with negative amortization are not prudently underwritten and not properly monitored, they raise safety and soundness concerns. Currently the Federal Reserve has no readily available means of identifying the industry's exposure to such loans. Therefore, the Federal Reserve proposed to collect four data items at the nonbank subsidiary level to monitor the extension of negatively amortizing residential mortgage loans in the industry and to parallel the data items being proposed for inclusion on the FR Y-9C. The Federal Reserve proposed to collect one memorandum item from all nonbank subsidiaries on Schedule BS-A, Loan and Leases Financing Receivables, for the total amount of closed-end loans with negative amortization features secured by 1-4 family residential properties in order to obtain an overall measure of this potentially higher risk lending activity. In addition, the Federal Reserve proposed to collect two memorandum items on Schedule BS-A and one memorandum item on Schedule IS, Income Statement, from nonbank subsidiaries with a significant volume of negatively amortizing 1-4 family residential mortgage loans. The threshold for significant volume would be based on the aggregate carrying amount of negatively amortizing loans in excess of 5 percent of the total loans and leases reported on Schedule BS-A. A nonbank with negatively amortizing loans would determine whether it met the size threshold for reporting the three additional memorandum items based on data reported from the previous year-end FR 2314. The Federal Reserve also proposed two additional Schedule BS-A memorandum items to collect
(1)the total maximum remaining amount of negative amortization contractually permitted on closed-end loans secured by 1-4 family residential properties and
(2)the total amount of negative amortization on closed-end loans secured by 1-4 family residential properties that is included in the carrying amount of these loans. The first memorandum item would provide a measure of the maximum exposure that could be incurred for negative amortization loans in the current 1-4 family residential property loan portfolio. The second memorandum item would then identify what component of 1-4 family mortgage loans is comprised of negative amortization loans. The Schedule IS memorandum item is year-to-date non-cash income on closed-end loans with a negative amortization feature secured by 1-4 family residential properties. This memorandum item would identify the amount and extent of interest revenue accrued and uncollected to ascertain the degree this potentially higher risk lending activity supports the BHC's overall net income. All nonbank subsidiaries with negatively amortizing 1-4 family residential loans in excess of the reporting threshold would report these data items for the entire calendar year following the end of any calendar year when the threshold was exceeded. The Federal Reserve proposed to add the section Notes to the Financial Statements to allow respondents the opportunity to provide, at their option, any material information included in specific data items on the financial statements that the parent U.S. banking organization wishes to explain. The addition of this section would enable the Federal Reserve to automate information that respondents may want to report as footnotes to various reported data items and provide for release of this information to the public. This section is currently included on the FR Y-11. Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, March 21, 2007. Jennifer J. Johnson, Secretary of the Board. [FR Doc. E7-5503 Filed 3-23-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6210-01-S FEDERAL RESERVE SYSTEM Change in Bank Control Notices; Acquisition of Shares of Bank or Bank Holding Companies The notificants listed below have applied under the Change in Bank Control Act (12 U.S.C. 1817(j)) and § 225.41 of the Board’s Regulation Y (12 CFR 225.41) to acquire a bank or bank holding company. The factors that are considered in acting on the notices are set forth in paragraph 7 of the Act (12 U.S.C. 1817(j)(7)). The notices are available for immediate inspection at the Federal Reserve Bank indicated. The notices also will be available for inspection at the office of the Board of Governors. Interested persons may express their views in writing to the Reserve Bank indicated for that notice or to the offices of the Board of Governors. Comments must be received not later than April 10, 2007. **A. Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City** (Donna J. Ward, Assistant Vice President) 925 Grand Avenue, Kansas City, Missouri 64198-0001: *1. William Scott Martin Trust and William S. Martin* , Miami Beach, Florida, as trustee; to acquire control of Green Country Bancorporation, Inc., and thereby indirectly acquire control of The First State Bank, both in Ketchum, Oklahoma. Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, March 21, 2007. Robert deV. Frierson, Deputy Secretary of the Board. [FR Doc. E7-5437 Filed 3-23-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6210-01-S FEDERAL RESERVE SYSTEM Formations of, Acquisitions by, and Mergers of Bank Holding Companies The companies listed in this notice have applied to the Board for approval, pursuant to the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956 (12 U.S.C. 1841 *et seq.* ) (BHC Act), Regulation Y (12 CFR part 225), and all other applicable statutes and regulations to become a bank holding company and/or to acquire the assets or the ownership of, control of, or the power to vote shares of a bank or bank holding company and all of the banks and nonbanking companies owned by the bank holding company, including the companies listed below. The applications listed below, as well as other related filings required by the Board, are available for immediate inspection at the Federal Reserve Bank indicated. The application also will be available for inspection at the offices of the Board of Governors. Interested persons may express their views in writing on the standards enumerated in the BHC Act (12 U.S.C. 1842(c)). If the proposal also involves the acquisition of a nonbanking company, the review also includes whether the acquisition of the nonbanking company complies with the standards in section 4 of the BHC Act (12 U.S.C. 1843). Unless otherwise noted, nonbanking activities will be conducted throughout the United States. Additional information on all bank holding companies may be obtained from the National Information Center website at *http://www.ffiec.gov/nic/* . Unless otherwise noted, comments regarding each of these applications must be received at the Reserve Bank indicated or the offices of the Board of Governors not later than April 16, 2007. **A. Federal Reserve Bank of New York** (Anne McEwen, Financial Specialist) 33 Liberty Street, New York, New York 10045-0001: *1. Boymelgreen Financial Holdings Inc.* , New York, New York; to become a bank holding company by acquiring 100 percent of the voting shares of LibertyPointe Bank, both of New York, New York. **B. Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago** (Patrick M. Wilder, Assistant Vice President) 230 South LaSalle Street, Chicago, Illinois 60690-1414: *1. Marshall & Ilsley Corporation* , Milwaukee, Wisconsin; to acquire 100 percent of the voting shares of Excel Bank Corporation, Minneapolis, Minnesota, and thereby indirectly acquire voting shares of Excel Bank Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota. Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, March 19, 2007. Robert deV. Frierson, Deputy Secretary of the Board. [FR Doc. E7-5424 Filed 3-23-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6210-01-S FEDERAL RESERVE SYSTEM Formations of, Acquisitions by, and Mergers of Bank Holding Companies The companies listed in this notice have applied to the Board for approval, pursuant to the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956 (12 U.S.C. 1841 *et seq.* ) (BHC Act), Regulation Y (12 CFR Part 225), and all other applicable statutes and regulations to become a bank holding company and/or to acquire the assets or the ownership of, control of, or the power to vote shares of a bank or bank holding company and all of the banks and nonbanking companies owned by the bank holding company, including the companies listed below. The applications listed below, as well as other related filings required by the Board, are available for immediate inspection at the Federal Reserve Bank indicated. The application also will be available for inspection at the offices of the Board of Governors. Interested persons may express their views in writing on the standards enumerated in the BHC Act (12 U.S.C. 1842(c)). If the proposal also involves the acquisition of a nonbanking company, the review also includes whether the acquisition of the nonbanking company complies with the standards in section 4 of the BHC Act (12 U.S.C. 1843). Unless otherwise noted, nonbanking activities will be conducted throughout the United States. Additional information on all bank holding companies may be obtained from the National Information Center website at *http://www.ffiec.gov/nic/* . Unless otherwise noted, comments regarding each of these applications must be received at the Reserve Bank indicated or the offices of the Board of Governors not later than April 20, 2007. **A. Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas** (W. Arthur Tribble, Vice President) 2200 North Pearl Street, Dallas, Texas 75201-2272: *1. SWNB Bancorp, Inc.* , Houston, Texas; to acquire 100 percent of the voting shares of Nevada National Bank, Las Vegas, Nevada, a *de novo* bank. Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, March 21, 2007. Robert deV. Frierson, Deputy Secretary of the Board. [FR Doc. E7-5438 Filed 3-23-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6210-01-S FEDERAL RESERVE SYSTEM Notice of Proposals to Engage in Permissible Nonbanking Activities or to Acquire Companies that are Engaged in Permissible Nonbanking Activities The companies listed in this notice have given notice under section 4 of the Bank Holding Company Act (12 U.S.C. 1843) (BHC Act) and Regulation Y (12 CFR Part 225) to engage *de novo* , or to acquire or control voting securities or assets of a company, including the companies listed below, that engages either directly or through a subsidiary or other company, in a nonbanking activity that is listed in § 225.28 of Regulation Y (12 CFR 225.28) or that the Board has determined by Order to be closely related to banking and permissible for bank holding companies. Unless otherwise noted, these activities will be conducted throughout the United States. Each notice is available for inspection at the Federal Reserve Bank indicated. The notice also will be available for inspection at the offices of the Board of Governors. Interested persons may express their views in writing on the question whether the proposal complies with the standards of section 4 of the BHC Act. Additional information on all bank holding companies may be obtained from the National Information Center website at *http://www.ffiec.gov/nic/* . Unless otherwise noted, comments regarding the applications must be received at the Reserve Bank indicated or the offices of the Board of Governors not later than April 16, 2007. **A. Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago** (Patrick M. Wilder, Assistant Vice President) 230 South LaSalle Street, Chicago, Illinois 60690-1414: *Capitol Bancorp, Ltd.* , Lansing, Michigan; to convert Ohio Commerce Bank, Beachwood, Ohio, and Bank of Maumee, Maumee, Ohio, into savings institutions, and thereby engage in operating savings and loan associations, pursuant to section 225.28(b)(4)(ii) of Regulation Y. Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, March 19, 2007. Robert deV. Frierson, Deputy Secretary of the Board. [FR Doc. E7-5425 Filed 3-23-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6210-01-S GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION Federal Travel Regulation
(FTR)Maximum Per Diem Rates for the States of California, Georgia, Idaho, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Ohio, South Carolina, Utah and Wyoming AGENCY: Office of Governmentwide Policy, General Services Administration (GSA). ACTION: Notice of Per Diem Bulletin 07-03, revised continental United States (CONUS) per diem rates. SUMMARY: The General Services Administration
(GSA)has reviewed the lodging rates for certain locations in the States of California, Georgia, Idaho, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Ohio, South Carolina, Utah and Wyoming, using more current lodging industry data, as well as data on where Federal travelers actually stay when visiting these locations. Also, GSA has reviewed the meals and incidental expenses (M&IE) rate for certain locations in the States of Georgia, Idaho, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi, Utah and Wyoming. The per diem rates prescribed in Bulletin 07-03 may be found at *http://www.gsa.gov/perdiem.* DATES: This notice is effective March 30, 2007 and applies to travel performed on or after March 30, 2007. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For clarification of content, contact Mr. Cy Greenidge, Office of Governmentwide Policy, Travel Management Policy, at
(202)219-2349. Please cite FTR Per Diem Bulletin 07-03. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A. Background After an analysis of the per diem rates established for FY 2007 (see the **Federal Register** notice at 71 FR 43772, August 2, 2006), the per diem rate is being changed in the following locations: State of California • Alameda County • Monterey County • Santa Barbara County • San Mateo County State of Georgia • Chatham County • Clayton County • Coweta County • Fayette County State of Idaho Elmore County State of Kentucky • Kenton County State of Louisiana • Lafayette Consolidated Government State of Maryland • Frederick County State of Mississippi • Desoto County • Forrest County • Grenada County • Lamar County State of Missouri • Boone County State of Montana • Silver Bow State of Ohio • Clermont County • Hamilton County State of South Carolina • Charleston County • Berkeley County • Dorchester County State of Utah • Davis County State of Wyoming • Campbell County • Natrona County • Sheridan County • Sweetwater County • Uinta County Per diem rates are published on the Internet at *http://www.gsa.gov/perdiem* as an FTR Per Diem Bulletin and published in the **Federal Register** on a periodic basis. This process ensures timely increases or decreases in per diem rates established by GSA for Federal employees on official travel within CONUS. Notices published periodically in the **Federal Register** , such as this one, now constitute the only notification of revisions in CONUS per diem rates to agencies. Dated: March 20, 2007. Becky Rhodes, Deputy Associate Administrator, Office of Transportation and Personal Property. [FR Doc. E7-5481 Filed 3-23-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6820-14-P DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Statement of Organization, Functions, and Delegations of Authority Part C (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) of the Statement of Organization, Functions, and Delegations of Authority of the Department of Health and Human Services (45 FR 67772-76, dated October 14, 1980, and corrected at 45 FR 69296, October 20, 1980, as amended most recently at 72 FR 4514, dated January 31, 2007) is amended to reflect the reorganization of Office of Workforce and Career Development, Office of the Director, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Section C-B, Organization and Functions, is hereby amended as follows: Delete in their entirety the functional statements for the *Office of Workforce and Career Development (CAL), Office of the Director (CA), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (C),* and insert the following: *Office of Workforce and Career Development (CAL).*
(1)Develops goals and objectives and provides leadership, policy formation, scientific oversight, and guidance in program planning and development;
(2)plans, directs, and manages CDC-wide training programs and internship and fellowship programs;
(3)provides consultation, technical assistance, and training on epidemiology, public health informatics, and prevention effectiveness to CDC/ATSDR, States, other agencies, other countries, and domestic and international organizations;
(4)develops, designs and implements an accredited comprehensive strategic human resource leadership development and career management program for all occupational series throughout CDC; provides technical assistance in organizational development, career management, employee development, and training;
(5)maximizes economies of scale through systematic planning and evaluation of agency-wide training initiatives to assist CDC employees in achieving required competencies;
(6)assists in the definition and analysis of training needs of public health workers, and develops and evaluates instructional products designed to meet those needs;
(7)works with partners, internally and externally, to develop a strategic vision for the public health workforce;
(8)collaborates with CDC partners to develop workforce goals for all of CDC/ATSDR;
(9)coordinates the Excellence in Learning Council to coordinate, inform, and share strategic vision for all of CDC's Coordinating Centers/Coordinating Offices (CC/CO);
(10)conducts internal succession planning, forecasting services, and environmental scanning to ascertain both current and future public health workforce needs;
(11)provides leadership, oversight, and guidance in the management and operations of OWCD's programs;
(12)in carrying out the above functions, collaborates, as appropriate, with the CDC Office of the Director (OD), CC/CO)s, domestic and international agencies and organizations; and
(13)provides a focus for short- and long-term planning within OWCD. *Office of the Director (CAL1).*
(1)Provides leadership and overall direction for OWCD;
(2)develops goals and objectives, and provides leadership, policy formation, scientific oversight, and guidance in program planning and development;
(3)plans, coordinates, and develops research plans for OWCD;
(4)provides overall scientific leadership and advice including but not limited to OWCD Institutional Review Board activities;
(5)ensures adherence and provides training to OWCD on CDC and HHS science-related policies;
(6)oversees and manages OWCD clearance process for scientific and technical documents;
(7)uses modeling and forecasting tools for workforce planning and decision making;
(8)coordinates all program reviews;
(9)reviews, prepares, coordinates, and develops proposed legislation, Congressional testimony, and briefing materials;
(10)assists OWCD programs in establishing performance metrics and coordinates quarterly reviews with programs to ascertain status on meeting of the metrics;
(11)coordinates OWCD budget formulation/negotiation related to program initiatives and goals management;
(12)identifies relevant scanning/benchmarking on workforce and career development processes, services and products;
(13)provides leadership and guidance on new developments and national trends for public health workforce;
(14)establishes policies governing major learning initiatives and new learning activities, and works collaboratively within OWCD and other components of CDC in planning, developing and implementing policies related to training initiatives, including but not limited to, Individual Learning Accounts, Individual Development Plans, and loan repayment programs;
(15)provides a neutral advocate and avenue for employees to raise issues and concerns at CDC and works toward understanding, mediation and resolution of disputes between employees and management utilizing Ombudsman services;
(16)develops unified OWCD-wide administrative systems and advocates and supports the commitment of resources to application development;
(17)coordinates management information systems and analyses of data for improved utilization of OWCD resources; and
(18)directs systems analysis and design, programming, and systems training as it relates to implementation of new and existing administrative, management, and executive information systems. *Business Services Activity (CAL13).*
(1)Provides leadership, oversight, and guidance in the management and operations of OWCD's programs;
(2)plans, coordinates, and provides administrative management support, advice, and guidance to OWCD, involving the areas of fiscal management, personnel, travel, and other administrative services;
(3)coordinates the development of the OWCD annual budget request;
(4)conducts management analyses of OWCD programs and staff to ensure optimal utilization of resources and accomplishment of program objectives;
(5)plans, allocates, and monitors OWCD resources;
(6)maintains liaison and collaborates with other CDC components and external organizations in support of OWCD management and operations;
(7)works closely with other Federal agencies involved with OWCD interagency agreements;
(8)coordinates OWCD requirements relating to procurement, grants, cooperative agreements, materiel management, and interagency agreements;
(9)provides fiscal management and stewardship of grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements; and
(10)develops and implements administrative policies, procedures, and operations, as appropriate for OWCD, and prepares special reports and studies, as required, in the administrative management areas. *Career Development Division (CALC).*
(1)Plans, directs, and manages CDC-wide training and service programs for the teaching and training of public health professionals in applies epidemiology and other public health sciences including preventive medicine, public health informatics, prevention effectiveness, and public health program planning, implementation, and evaluation;
(2)plans, directs, and manages CDC-wide training and service programs for fellowships and internships sponsored by other partner organizations and implemented within CDC (CDC Experience, Hubert Fellowship in International Health, Emerging Leaders Program and Presidential Management Fellowship);
(3)responds to domestic and international requests for assistance and consultation;
(4)works with partner agencies to articulate and build curriculum for public health workforce competencies;
(5)maintains liaison with other governmental agencies, academic institutions and organizations, State and local health agencies, private health organizations, professional organizations, and other outside groups;
(6)assumes an active national and international leadership role in public health training; and
(7)in carrying out the above functions, collaborates, as appropriate, with the CDC OD, other CC/COs, and domestic and international agencies. *Office of the Director (CALC1).*
(1)Provides leadership, direction, coordination, and management oversight to the activities of the division;
(2)develops long-range plans, sets annual objectives, monitors progress, and evaluates results;
(3)sets policies and procedures;
(4)plans, allocates, and monitors resources;
(5)coordinates with the OWCD/OD, the Atlanta Human Resources Center (AHRC), the Procurement and Grants Office, and the Financial Management Office on administrative guidance and oversight in the areas of personnel, travel, and other administrative services;
(6)coordinates collaborative activities of the division and maintains liaison with other national centers (NC), other Federal agencies, and other outside groups; and
(7)manages several smaller fellowship programs: Public Health Informatics Fellowship Program; CDC Experience; epi-elective programs. *Epidemic Intelligence Service Branch (CALCB).*
(1)Establishes overall policies, plans, and procedures, and evaluates the effectiveness of program activities;
(2)develops and maintains a strategic plan for officer recruitment, analyzes data to more effectively target recruitment efforts, and conducts recruitment in accordance with the CDC workforce diversity goals;
(3)plans, directs, and coordinates the application, interview, selection, and assignment processes for new Epidemic Intelligence Service
(EIS)officers;
(4)plans, directs, coordinates, and conducts training and training activities for EIS officers in applied epidemiology and public health practice;
(5)monitors the completion of program requirements by EIS officers;
(6)maintains liaison with supervisors of EIS officers, and evaluates EIS assignments within CDC;
(7)coordinates the assignment and deployment of EIS officers in response to natural disasters, terrorist events, and other large scale public health emergencies;
(8)reviews and approves requests for epidemiologic assistance (EPI-AIDs) from domestic and international sources and authorizes the expenditures of funds to support such requests;
(9)maintains liaison with alumni within and outside CDC to assist with recruitment and promotional activities; and
(10)plans, directs, and coordinates the Epidemiologic Elective Program for medical and veterinary students. *Leadership and Management Programs Branch (CALCC).*
(1)Establishes overall policies, plans, and procedures, and evaluates the effectiveness of leadership/management program activities, including, but not limited to, Presidential Management Fellows and Emerging Leaders Program;
(2)develops and maintains a strategic plan for recruitment, analyzes data to more effectively target recruitment efforts, and conducts recruitment in accordance with the CDC workforce diversity goals;
(3)plans, directs, and coordinates the CDC application, interview, selection, and assignment processes for fellows in accordance with OPM/HHS policies;
(4)plans, directs, coordinates, and/or conducts training and training activities for fellows in the respective leadership and management competency domains outlined by OPM/HHS;
(5)monitors the completion of program requirements by fellows;
(6)provides guidance and supervision to fellows assigned to NCs, other Operating Divisions (OpDivs), and State and local health agencies;
(7)monitors and evaluates the quality of assignments through site visits and by maintaining liaison with supervisors of fellows within CDC, other OpDivs, state and local health agencies, and other sponsoring organizations;
(8)acts as a liaison to OPM/HHS steering committees/advisory groups charged with advising on policy matters concerning the program; and
(9)maintains liaison with alumni within and outside CDC to assist with recruitment and promotional activities. *Public Health Prevention Services Branch (CALCD).*
(1)Establishes overall policies, plans, and procedures, and evaluates the effectiveness of program activities;
(2)develops and maintains a strategic plan for Public Health Prevention Service
(PHPS)fellow recruitment, analyzes data to more effectively target recruitment efforts, and conducts recruitment in accordance with the CDC workforce diversity goals;
(3)plans, directs, and coordinates the application, interview, selection, and assignment processes for new PHPS fellows;
(4)plans, directs, coordinates, and conducts training and training activities for PHPS fellows in public health program management, including the development, implementation, and evaluation of public health programs and interventions;
(5)monitors the completion of program requirements by PHPS fellows;
(6)provides guidance and supervision to PHPS fellows assigned to NCs, State and local health agencies and other sponsoring organizations;
(7)monitors and evaluates the quality of assignments through site visits and by maintaining liaison with supervisors of PHPS fellows within CDC, State and local health agencies, and other sponsoring organizations;
(8)coordinates provides staff support to a steering committee/advisory group charged with advising on policy matters concerning the program; and
(9)maintains liaison with alumni within and outside CDC to assist with recruitment and promotional activities. *EIS Field Assignments Branch (CALCE).*
(1)Establishes overall policies, plans, and procedures, and evaluates the effectiveness of program activities;
(2)provides individual training and consultations in applied epidemiology and biostatistics; technical and scientific oversight of projects, presentations and manuscripts; and administrative support for EIS officers assigned to State and local health departments, and other sponsoring institutions in the field;
(3)monitors field EIS officer projects for adherence to CDC human subjects guidelines;
(4)coordinates field training activities for field EIS officers;
(5)monitors the completion of EIS program requirements and evaluates the performance of field EIS officers;
(6)monitors and evaluates the quality of field assignments through site visits and regular communications with field supervisors in State and local health departments and other sponsoring organizations;
(7)participates in recruitment, interviewing, placement, teaching and training activities for all EIS officers;
(8)provides coordination role between State and local health departments and other components of CDC during multi-State disease outbreak investigations;
(9)helps State and local health department officials to get timely and appropriate CDC assistance;
(10)provides consultations with State and local health departments, and other CDC programs, on establishment and maintenance of epidemiology programs; and
(11)serves as a liaison between EIS and health departments and public health organizations. *Prevention Effectiveness and Health Economics Branch (CALCG).*
(1)Establishes overall policies, plans, and procedures, and evaluates the effectiveness of program activities;
(2)develops and maintains a strategic plan for Prevention Effectiveness
(PE)fellow recruitment, analyzes data to more effectively target recruitment efforts, and conducts recruitment in accordance with the CDC workforce diversity goals;
(3)plans, directs, and coordinates the application, interview, selection, and assignment processes for new PE fellows
(4)maintains liaison with alumni within and outside CDC to assist with recruitment and promotional activities;
(5)plans, directs, coordinates, and conducts training and training activities for PE fellows;
(6)monitors the completion of program activities by PE fellows;
(7)monitors and evaluates the quality of assignments through site visits and by maintaining liaison with supervisors of PE fellows within CDC;
(8)promotes capacity in the public health community to conduct and use economic and decision analysis;
(9)provides economic technical assistance and training, consultation, direction, review and information resources to other organizational units within OWCD;
(10)plans, directs, coordinates and conducts continuing education programs in economics and decision science for CDC employees; and
(11)supports CDC's Health Economics Research Group. *Preventive Medicine Residency Branch (CALCH).*
(1)Operates and maintains an accredited preventive medicine residency program for physicians in the CDC through the Accreditation Committee on Graduate Medical Education and a complementary fellowship program for public health veterinarians;
(2)establishes overall policies, plans, and procedures, and evaluates the effectiveness of program activities;
(3)develops and maintains a strategic plan for officer recruitment, analyzes data to more effectively target recruitment efforts, and conducts recruitment in accordance with the CDC workforce diversity goals;
(4)maintains liaison with alumni within and outside CDC to assist with recruitment and promotional activities;
(5)recruits and places residents and fellows in assignments throughout CDC and the nation for completion of on-the-job training requirements in preventive medicine and public health;
(6)supplements their on-the-job learning with selected competency-based curricula in leadership, management, policy development, and program evaluation;
(7)monitors and evaluates the quality of assignments through site visits and by maintaining liaison with supervisors and other individuals ;
(8)monitors and evaluates the performance of the residents and fellows;
(9)serves as the focal point for requests from state and local health departments and CDC programs about the Preventive Medicine Residence
(PMR)program;
(10)completes all requirements to maintain accreditation of the PMR program; and
(11)in partnership with other CDC programs and partners in State and local health agencies, as well as other health-related organizations, works to maintain the PMR program as a vital element of CDC's workforce development strategy. *Training Services Division (CALD).*
(1)Evaluates the efficiency and effectiveness of health education and training, development of training tools and implementation methods and the impact of education/training on the quality of laboratory practice;
(2)incorporates principles of adult learning theory and current learning standards into the design, delivery, and evaluation of health education and training products;
(3)maintains knowledge of continuing education standards to uphold national accreditations and provides guidance and consultation, incorporating principles of adult learning theory, to course developers to ensure educational activities are accredited for continuing education;
(4)develops and conducts training to facilitate the timely transfer of emerging laboratory technology and standards for laboratory practice nationwide;
(5)provides technical assistance, consultation, and laboratory training to improve the capacity and capability of regional health organizations and State health agencies;
(6)develops and maintains decentralized training networks for the nation's laboratory professionals;
(7)fosters communications to assist regional, State, and local health agencies in the identification and utilization of laboratory resources in support of the nation's health objectives; and
(8)leads content development and implementation of workforce development programs intended to increase the number of individuals choosing public health careers. *Office of the Director (CALD1).*
(1)Strategically develops and aligns divisional programs, projects, and activities with the OWCD vision, mission, goals, and objectives;
(2)provides leadership, direction, coordination, and management oversight;
(3)plans, allocates, and monitors resources;
(4)provides technical assistance and consultation for programs at the national, State, regional and international levels to develop the leadership and management competencies of current and emerging public health officials; and
(5)leads content development, implementation, and evaluation of workforce development programs for youth K-12 plus college level pipeline programs to increase number of individuals choosing public health careers. *Learning Standards, Design and Delivery Branch (CALDB).*
(1)Provides consultation, guidance, and technical assistance to managers, content developers, and learners for consistent design and delivery of education and training,
(2)maintains knowledge of information technology and learning standards as they apply to health education and competency assessment to promote compliance in CDC's health education and training products;
(3)leads and guides CDC programs as they adopt the learning management system within the HHS Learning Portal to deliver health education and training products that adhere to learning standards;
(4)applies the principles of instructional design to design, produce, and deliver informational and instructional products;
(5)incorporates principles of learning theory and current learning standards into the design and delivery of health education and training products;
(6)evaluates the efficiency and effectiveness of health education and training products and their impact;
(7)maintains knowledge of continuing education standards to uphold national accreditations;
(8)provides accreditation guidance and consultation, incorporating principles of learning theory, to ensure educational activities are accredited for continuing education;
(9)assesses need and demand for additional accreditations to support professional license and certificate needs of technical and professional staff within the health workforce;
(10)implements, monitors, and maintains the CDC Training and Continuing Education Online web-based registration system; and
(11)provides technical assistance and guidance to learners to ensure accreditation support. *Science Education and Laboratory Training Branch (CALDC).*
(1)Evaluates the efficiency and effectiveness of health education and training, development of lab training tools and implementation methods and the impact of education/training on the quality of laboratory practice;
(2)designs, produces, and delivers a variety of visual materials and instructional products;
(3)assists in the definition and analysis of lab training needs of public health workers, and develops and evaluates instructional products designed to meet those needs;
(4)develops and maintains continuing education unit accreditation;
(5)develops and conducts lab training to facilitate the timely transfer of newly emerging laboratory technology and standards for laboratory practice nationwide;
(6)provides technical assistance, consultation, and training for trainers to improve the capacity and capability of regional health organizations and State health agencies to develop and maintain decentralized training networks for the nation's laboratory professionals; and
(7)fosters communications to assist regional, State, and local health agencies in the identification and utilization of laboratory resources in support of the nation's health objectives. *CDC University Division (CALE).*
(1)Designs, develops, implements and evaluates a comprehensive strategic human resource leadership and career training and development program for all occupational series throughout CDC;
(2)develops and implements strategies and activities that contribute to the agency's mission, goals and objectives;
(3)maintains employee training records;
(4)maximizes economies of scale through systematic planning and evaluation of agency-wide training initiatives to assist CDC employees in achieving required competencies;
(5)develops and validates occupational and functional competencies and develops related training plans;
(6)develops and administers intern and professional development programs, the long-term training program, and the mentoring program;
(7)administers and monitors the Training and Learning Management System for compliance with the Government Employees Training Act;
(8)conducts training needs assessment of CDC employees nationwide;
(9)provides analysis and data to correlate individual training with corporate strategic plans;
(10)develops and maintains assessment tools to identify core competency requirements for each occupational series throughout the agency;
(11)provides consultation, guidance, and technical assistance to managers and employees in organizational development, career management, employee development, and training;
(12)develops and delivers education and training programs to meet the identified needs of the public health workforce;
(13)promotes, develops, and implements training needs assessment methodology to establish priorities for training interventions;
(14)develops and implements policies related to employee training; and
(15)in carrying out the above functions, collaborates, as appropriate, with the CDC/OD, other CC/COs, DHHS, OPM and other domestic and international agencies and organizations. *Office of the Director (CALE1)* .
(1)Plans, directs, implements, supports, and coordinates the activities of the division;
(2)provides leadership and guidance in all functional areas of the CDC University; and
(3)participates with division and OWCD management in program planning, policy determination, evaluations, budget and decisions concerning the division. *Strategic Workforce Development Division (CALG)* .
(1)Works with AHRC, Office of the Chief Operating Officer, CDC Excellence in Learning Council, Workforce and Career Development Officers, and agency managers to carry out human capital management planning and development activities;
(2)provides guidance and oversight on the development of policies, procedures and processes associated with agency awards;
(3)coordinates development and implementation of an agency-wide strategic human capital plan;
(4)establishes and monitors a human capital accountability system framework for management of strategic human capital management aligned with OPM's Human Capital Assessment and Accountability Framework and HHS' associated procedures and deliverables;
(5)identifies mission-critical occupations and their associated competencies to assess potential “gaps” in occupations and competencies that are essential to CDC achieving its strategic goals;
(6)reports progress in meeting human capital management improvement objectives associated with the President's Management Agenda, and other related government-wide human capital initiatives;
(7)coordinates implementation of a succession plan for key leadership and technical positions with an emphasis on mission-critical occupations;
(8)develops an agency-wide strategic hiring plan that includes recruitment and retention strategies to facilitate hiring members of under-represented groups and those with the requisite professional/scientific skills for closing occupational series and/or competency gaps in the workforce; and
(9)provides information on Commissioned Corps pay, benefits, performance management, assignments, retirement, etc., to members of the Corps and CDC management, and coordinates the Commissioned Corps promotion and award programs. *Office of the Director (CALG1)* .
(1)Plans, directs, implements, supports, and coordinates the activities of the division;
(2)provides leadership and guidance to all functional areas of the division; and
(3)participates with division and OWCD management in program planning, policy determination, evaluations, budget and decisions concerning the division. Dated: March 13, 2007. William H. Gimson, Chief Operating Officer, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). [FR Doc. 07-1464 Filed 3-23-07; 8:45 am]
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