Proposed Rules. Notice of public hearings

Agency: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce
Action: Notice of public hearings
Citation: FR Doc. 07-2925 · I.D. 021607C · 50 CFR 224

Summary

On April 20, 2007, NMFS proposed the listing of the Cook Inlet beluga whale as an endangered species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA). As part of that proposal, NMFS announced a public comment period to end on June 19, 2007, and then extended the comment period to August 3, 2007. NMFS has received requests for public hearings on this issue. In response, NMFS is announcing that public hearings will be held at two locations in Alaska to provide additional opportunities and formats to receive public input.

Dates

The hearings will be held on July 19, 2007, from 6 to 9 p.m. in Homer and on July 20, 2007, from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. in Anchorage, AK. Written comments must be received by August 3, 2007.

Supplementary Information

Background On April 20, 2007, NMFS published a proposed rule (72 FR 19854) to list the Cook Inlet beluga whale as an endangered species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA), as amended. This action followed completion of the Cook Inlet beluga whale status review, which found this population to be at risk of extinction within the next 100 years and described NMFS' determination that this population constitutes a “species”, or distinct population segment under the ESA. Public Hearings Joint Commerce-Interior ESA implementing regulations state that the Secretary shall promptly hold at least one public hearing if any person requests one within 45 days of publication of a proposed regulation to list a species or to designate critical habitat (see 50 CFR 424.16(c)(3)). In past ESA rule-making NMFS has conducted traditional public hearings, consisting of recorded oral testimony from interested individuals. This format, although providing a means for public input, does not provide opportunities for dialogue and information exchange. NMFS believes that the traditional public hearing format can be improved upon by also including a brief presentation on the results of the Cook Inlet beluga Status Review and other topics of interest. The preferred means for providing public comment to the official record is via written testimony prepared in advance of the meeting which may also be presented orally. Blank “comment sheets” will be provided at the meetings for those without prepared written comments, and opportunity will also be provided for additional oral testimony. There is no need to register for these hearings. In scheduling these public hearings, NMFS has anticipated that many affected stakeholders and members of the public may prefer to discuss the proposed listing directly with staff during the public comment period. These public meetings are not the only opportunity for the public to provide input on this proposal. The public and stakeholders are encouraged to continue to comment and provide input to NMFS on the proposal (via correspondence, e-mail, and the Internet; see ADDRESSES ) up until the scheduled close of the comment period on August 3, 2007. References The proposed rule, status review, maps, a list of the references cited in this document, and other materials relating to the proposed listing can be found on the NMFS Alaska Region Web site http://www.fakr.noaa.gov/ . Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq. Dated: June 8, 2007. Wanda L. Cain, Acting Director, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. E7-11420 Filed 6-12-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-22-S 72 113 Wednesday, June 13, 2007 Notices DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request June 7, 2007. The Department of Agriculture has submitted the following information collection requirement(s) to OMB for review and clearance under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13. Comments regarding (a) Whether the collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of burden including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information to be collected; (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology should be addressed to: Desk Officer for Agriculture, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget (OMB), OIRA_Submission@OMB.EOP.GOV or fax (202) 395-5806 and to Departmental Clearance Office, USDA, OCIO, Mail Stop 7602, Washington, DC 20250-7602. Comments regarding these information collections are best assured of having their full effect if received within 30 days of this notification. Copies of the submission(s) may be obtained by calling (202) 720-8681. An agency may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information unless the collection of information displays a currently valid OMB control number and the agency informs potential persons who are to respond to the collection of information that such persons are not required to respond to the collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. National Agricultural Statistics Service Title: Agricultural Prices. OMB Control Number: 0535-0003. Summary of Collection: Estimates of prices received by farmers and prices paid for production goods and services are needed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Agriculture Statistics Service (NASS) for the following purposes: (a) To compute Parity Prices in accordance with requirements of the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1938 as amended (Title III, Subtitle A, Section 301a, (b) to estimate value of production, inventory values, and cash receipts from farming, (c) to determine the level for farmer owned reserves, (d) to provide guidelines for Risk Management Agency price selection options, (e) to determine Federal disaster prices to be paid, and (f) to determine the grazing fee on Federal lands. General authority for these data collection activities is granted under U.S. Code Title 7, Section 2204. Need and Use of the Information: The NASS price program computes annual U.S. weighted average prices received by farmers for wheat, barley, corn, oats, grain sorghum, rice, and cotton based on monthly marketing. Prices estimates are used by many Government agencies as a general measure of commodity price changes and for disaster and insurance payments. Description of Respondents: Farms; Business or other for-profit. Number of Respondents: 39,592. Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion; Monthly; Annually; Biennially. Total Burden Hours: 12,016. Charlene Parker, Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer. [FR Doc. E7-11327 Filed 6-12-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410-20-P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request June 7, 2007. The Department of Agriculture has submitted the following information collection requirement(s) to OMB for review and clearance under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13. Comments regarding (a) whether the collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of burden including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information to be collected; (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology should be addressed to: Desk Officer for Agriculture, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget (OMB), OIRA_Submission@OMB.EOP.GOV or fax (202) 395-5806 and to Departmental Clearance Office, USDA, OCIO, Mail Stop 7602, Washington, DC 20250-7602. Comments regarding these information collections are best assured of having their full effect if received within 30 days of this notification. Copies of the submission(s) may be obtained by calling (202) 720-8958. An agency may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information unless the collection of information displays a currently valid OMB control number and the agency informs potential persons who are to respond to the collection of information that such persons are not required to respond to the collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Title: Low Pathogenic Avian Influenza; Voluntary Control Program and Payment of Indemnity. OMB Control Number: 0579-0305. Summary of Collection: The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has the authority for administering the National Poultry Improvement Plan (NPIP), the primary purpose of which is to protect the health of the U.S. poultry population. NPIP is a Federal-State-industry cooperative program for the improvement of poultry breeding flocks and products through disease control techniques. Under the Plan, the regulations in 9 CFR part 56, “Control of H5/H7 Low Pathogenic Avian Influenza,” provide for the payment of indemnity for costs associated with the eradication of H5/H7 subtypes of low pathogenic avian influenza. Need and Use of the Information: APHIS will collect information to certify the disease status of poultry through cooperative work performed by the States and industry and for the administration of other regulations intended to protect the health of the U.S. poultry population. The collected information will include sentinel bird identification, the creation and submission of flock testing reports, sales reports, breeding flock participation summaries, salmonella investigation reports, salmonella serotyping requests, and small chick order printouts. If the information is not collected, APHIS would be unable to effectively monitor the health of the nation's poultry population. Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit; State, local and tribal government. Number of Respondents: 2,317. Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; Reporting: On Occasion. Total Burden Hours: 54,946. Ruth Brown, Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer. [FR Doc. E7-11329 Filed 6-12-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410-34-P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service [Docket No. APHIS-2007-0029] Planet Biotechnology, Inc.; Availability of an Environmental Assessment for a Field Release of Nicotiana Hybrids Genetically Engineered To Produce Antibodies AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: We are advising the public that we have prepared an environmental assessment for a proposed field release involving a Nicotiana hybrid line that has been genetically engineered to produce an antimicrobial antibody that binds to a bacterium ( Streptococcus mutans ) associated with tooth decay in humans. The purpose of this field release is to generate plant biomass from which the antibody will be extracted after harvest. We are making the environmental assessment available to the public for review and comment. DATES: We will consider all comments received on or before July 13, 2007. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by either of the following methods: • Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov , select “Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service” from the agency drop-down menu, then click “Submit.” In the Docket ID column, select APHIS-2007-0029 to submit or view public comments and to view supporting and related materials available electronically. Information on using Regulations.gov, including instruction for accessing documents, submitting comments, and viewing the docket after the close of the comment period, is available through the site's “User Tips” link. • Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Please send four copies of your comment (an original and three copies) to Docket No. APHIS-2007-0029, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD APHIS, Station 3A-03.8, 4700 River Road, Unit 118, Riverdale, MD 20737-1238. Please state that your comment refers to Docket No. APHIS-2007-0029. Reading Room: You may read the environmental assessment (EA) and any comments we receive on this docket in our reading room. The reading room is located in room 1141 of the USDA South Building, 14th Street and Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC. Normal reading room hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except holidays. To be sure someone is there to help you, please call (202) 690-2817 before coming. The EA is available on the Internet at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/brs/aphisdocs/05_35403r_ea.pdf . Other Information: Additional information about APHIS and its programs is available on the Internet at http://www.aphis.usda.gov. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Margaret Jones, Biotechnology Regulatory Services, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 147, Riverdale, MD 20737-1236; (301) 734-4880. To obtain copies of the environmental assessment, contact Ms. Cynthia Eck at (301) 734-0667; e-mail: cynthia.a.eck@aphis.usda.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The regulations in 7 CFR part 340, “Introduction of Organisms and Products Altered or Produced Through Genetic Engineering Which Are Plant Pests or Which There Is Reason to Believe Are Plant Pests,” regulate, among other things, the introduction (importation, interstate movement, or release into the environment) of organisms and products altered or produced through genetic engineering that are plant pests or that there is reason to believe are plant pests. Such genetically engineered organisms and products are considered “regulated articles.” A permit must be obtained or a notification acknowledged before a regulated article may be introduced. The regulations set forth the permit application requirements and the notification procedures for the importation, interstate movement, or release in the environment of a regulated article. On December 21, 2005, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) received a permit application (APHIS No. 05-354-03r) from Planet Biotechnology, Inc., of Hayward, CA, for a field trial using a transgenic Nicotiana hybrid. Permit application 05-354-03r describes a Nicotiana hybrid line ( Nicotiana tabacum X Nicotiana glauca ), designated as 06PBCarHG1, that produces a chimeric antimicrobial antibody (trade name CaroRx) TM that binds to the bacterium ( Streptococcus mutans ) associated with tooth decay in humans. Expression of the gene sequence is controlled by the cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV) promoter and terminated by NOS from Agrobacterium tumefaciens and utilizes the selectable marker NPTII from Escherichia coli. Constructs were inserted into the recipient organisms via a disarmed Agrobacterium tumefaciens vector system. The antibodies generated from this planting will be extracted after harvest. The subject Nicotiana hybrid is considered a regulated article under the regulations in 7 CFR part 340 because it has been genetically engineered using genetic sequences from plant pathogens. To provide the public with documentation of APHIS' review and analysis of any potential environmental impacts and plant pest risks associated with the proposed release of these Nicotiana hybrids, we have prepared an environmental assessment (EA). The EA was prepared in accordance with (1) The National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), as amended (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq. ), (2) regulations of the Council on Environmental Quality for implementing the procedural provisions of NEPA (40 CFR parts 1500-1508), (3) USDA regulations implementing NEPA (7 CFR part 1b), and (4) APHIS' NEPA Implementing Procedures (7 CFR part 372). The EA may be viewed on the Regulations.gov Web site or in our reading room. (Instructions for accessing Regulations.gov and information on the location and hours of the reading room are provided under the heading ADDRESSES at the beginning of this notice.) In addition, copies may be obtained by calling or writing to the individual listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT . Authority: 7 U.S.C. 7701-7772 and 7781-7786; 31 U.S.C. 9701; 7 CFR 2.22, 2.80, and 371.3. Done in Washington, DC, this 7th day of June, 2007. Kevin Shea, Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. [FR Doc. E7-11481 Filed 6-12-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410-34-P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Rural Housing Service Farm Service Agency Notice of Request for Extension of a Currently Approved Information Collection AGENCIES: Rural Housing Service (RHS) and Farm Service Agency (FSA), USDA. ACTION: Proposed collection; comments requested. SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the Agencies intention to request an extension for a currently approved information collection in support of the programs for Form RD 1940-59, “Settlement Statement.” DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by August 13, 2007 to be assured of consideration. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Teresa Sumpter, Loan Specialist, Single Family Housing Direct Loan Division, Rural Housing Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Mail STOP 0783, 1400 Independence Ave., SW., Washington, DC 20250-0783, Telephone 202-720-1485. (This is not a toll free number.) SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title: Form RD 1940-59, “Settlement Statement.” OMB Number: 0575-0088. Expiration Date of Approval: October 30, 2007. Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved information collection. Abstract: The Agencies are requesting an extension of the OMB clearance for Form RD 1940-59, “Settlement Statement.” The Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA), as amended, required the disclosure of real estate settlement costs to home buyers and sellers. The Secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) was instructed by the RESPA to develop a standard form for the statement of settlement costs to be used for all federally related transactions. Form RD 1940-59 is similar to the HUD-1 Settlement Statement used by HUD, the Veterans Administration, and the private mortgage industry, with some minor adaptations acceptable under RESPA. Form RD 1940-59 is completed by Settlement Agents, Closing Attorneys, and Title Insurance Companies performing the closing of RHS loans and credit sales used to purchase or refinance Section 502 Housing, Rural Rental Housing, and Farm Labor Housing. The same parties performing the closing of FSA Farm Ownership loans and credit sales also complete the form. The information is collected to provide the buyer and seller with a statement detailing the actual costs of the settlement services involved in the Agencies financed real estate transactions. Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average .36 hours per response. Respondents: Settlement Agents, Closing Attorneys, and Title Insurance Companies performing the closing of the Agencies loans and credit sales. Estimated Number of Respondents: 11,928. Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.8. Estimated Number of Responses: 21,135. Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 7,530 hours. Copies of this information collection can be obtained from Renita Bolden, Regulations and Paperwork Management Branch, at (202) 692-0035. Comments: Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Agencies, including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the Agencies' estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques, or other forms of information technology. Comments may be sent to Renita Bolden, Regulation and Paperwork Management Branch, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Stop 0742, 1400 Independence Ave., SW., Washington, DC 20250-0742. All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the request for OMB approval. All comments will also become a matter of public record. Dated: June 6, 2007. Russell T. Davis, Administrator, Rural Housing Service. Dated: June 6, 2007. Glen L. Keppy, Acting Administrator, Farm Service Agency. [FR Doc. 07-2925 Filed 6-12-07; 8:45 am]