Notices. Notice; receipt of application for amendment

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BILLING CODE 3510-NK-M DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN 0648-XA88 Marine Mammals; File No.1034-1685 AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice; receipt of application for amendment. SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that Dr. Markus Horning, Marine Mammal Institute, Oregon State University, 2030 SE Marine Science Drive, Newport, OR 97365, has requested an amendment to scientific research Permit No. 1034-1685-01 for research on marine mammals.

DATES: Written, telefaxed, or e-mail comments must be received on or before July 20, 2007. ADDRESSES: The amendment request and related documents are available for review upon written request or by appointment in the following office(s): Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of Protected Resources, NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Room 13705, Silver Spring, MD 20910; phone (301)713-2289; fax (301)427-2521; and Southwest Region, NMFS, 501 West Ocean Blvd., Suite 4200, Long Beach, CA 90802-4213; phone (562)980-4001; fax (562)980-4018.

Written comments or requests for a public hearing on this request should be submitted to the Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, F/PR1, Office of Protected Resources, NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Room 13705, Silver Spring, MD 20910. Those individuals requesting a hearing should set forth the specific reasons why a hearing on this particular amendment request would be appropriate. Comments may also be submitted by facsimile at (301)427-2521, provided the facsimile is confirmed by hard copy submitted by mail and postmarked no later than the closing date of the comment period.

Comments may also be submitted by e-mail. The mailbox address for providing e-mail comments is *NMFS.Pr1Comments@noaa.gov* . Include in the subject line of the e-mail comment the following document identifier: File No. 1034-1685-02. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Amy Sloan or Jaclyn Daly, (301)713-2289. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The subject amendment to Permit No. 1034-1685-01, issued on November 11, 2004 (69 FR 69585), is requested under the authority of the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1361 *et seq.* ) and the regulations governing the taking and importing of marine mammals (50 CFR part 216).

Permit No. 1034-1685-01 authorizes the permit holder to surgically implant dual satellite-linked life history transmitters; attach external satellite tags; collect blood, blubber, and fecal samples; and conduct bioelectrical impedance analysis, deuterium dilution determinations, and blubber ultrasound measurements on California sea lions (Zalophus californianus) at The Marine Mammal Center. The permit also authorizes anesthesia and adrenocorticotropic hormone

(ACTH)injections to measure adrenal stress levels in up to 6 California sea lions. Stress levels are measured through blood and fecal analysis. The permit holder requests authorization to increase the number of California sea lions that receive ACTH injections to 12 animals, and inject 6 animals with a sterile saline solution as a control group. The permit holder also requests the addition of a co-investigator to the study. In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 *et seq.* ), an initial determination has been made that the activity proposed is categorically excluded from the requirement to prepare an environmental assessment or environmental impact statement. Concurrent with the publication of this notice in the **Federal Register** , NMFS is forwarding copies of this application to the Marine Mammal Commission and its Committee of Scientific Advisors. Dated: June 13, 2007. P. Michael Payne, Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. E7-11956 Filed 6-19-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-22-S DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Patent and Trademark Office [Docket No. PTO-C-2007-0023] Public Advisory Committees AGENCY: United States Patent and Trademark Office, DOC. ACTION: Notice and request for nominations. SUMMARY: On November 29, 1999, the President signed into law the Patent and Trademark Office Efficiency Act (the “Act”), Pub. L. 106-113, Appendix I, Title IV, Subtitle G, 113 Stat.1501A-572, which, among other things, established two Public Advisory Committees to review the policies, goals, performance, budget and user fees of the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) with respect to patents, in the case of the Patent Public Advisory Committee, and with respect to trademarks, in the case of the Trademark Public Advisory Committee, and to advise the Director on these matters. The USPTO is requesting nominations for three

(3)members to each Public Advisory Committee for terms of three years that begin from date of appointment. DATES: Nominations must be postmarked or electronically transmitted on or before September 1, 2007. ADDRESSES: Persons wishing to submit nominations should send the nominee's resumé to Chief of Staff, Office of the Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the USPTO, Post Office Box 1450, Alexandria, Virginia 22313-1450; by electronic mail to: *PPACnominations@uspto.gov* for the Patent Public Advisory Committee or *TPACnominations@uspto.gov* for the Trademark Patent Public Advisory Committee; by facsimile transmission marked to the Chief of Staff's attention at

(571)273-0464, or by mail marked to the Chief of Staff's attention and addressed to the Office of the Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the USPTO, Post Office Box 1450,Alexandria, Virginia 22313-1450. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Eleanor K. Meltzer, Chief of Staff, by facsimile transmission marked to her attention at

(571)273-0464, or by mail marked to her attention and addressed to the Office of the Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the USPTO, Post Office Box 1450, Alexandria, Virginia 22313-1450. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Advisory Committees' duties include: • Review policies, goals, performance, budget, and user fees of the USPTO relating to patents and trademarks, respectively, and advise the Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the USPTO on these matters; and • Within 60 days after the end of each fiscal year:

(1)Prepare an annual report on matters listed above;

(2)transmit a report to the Secretary of Commerce, the President, and the Committees on the Judiciary of the Senate and the House of Representatives; and

(3)publish the report in the Official Gazette of the USPTO. Members of the Patent and Trademark Public Advisory Committees are appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the Secretary of Commerce for three (3)-year terms. Advisory Committees The Public Advisory Committees are each composed of nine

(9)voting members who are appointed by the Secretary of Commerce (the “Secretary”). The Public Advisory Committee members must be United States citizens and represent the interests of diverse users of the USPTO, both large and small entity applicants in proportion to the number of such applications filed. The Committees must include members who have “substantial backgrounds and achievement in finance, management, labor relations, science, technology, and office automation.” 35 U.S.C. 5(b)(3). In the case of the Patent Public Advisory Committee, at least twenty-five

(25)percent of the members must represent “small business concerns, independent inventors, and nonprofit organizations,” and at least one member must represent the independent inventor community. 35 U.S.C. 5(b)(2).Each of the Public Advisory Committees also includes three

(3)non-voting members representing each labor organization recognized by the USPTO. Procedures and Guidelines of the Patent and Trademark Public Advisory Committees Each newly appointed member of the Patent and Trademark Public Advisory Committees will serve for a term of three years from date of appointment. As required by the Act, members of the Patent and Trademark Public Advisory Committees will receive compensation for each day while the member is attending meetings or engaged in the business of that Advisory Committee. The rate of compensation is the daily equivalent of the annual rate of basic pay in effect for level III of the Executive Schedule under section 5314 of title 5, United States Code.While away from home or regular place of business, each member will be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, as authorized by section 5703 of title 5,United States Code. The USPTO will provide the necessary administrative support, including technical assistance, for the Committees. Applicability of Certain Ethics Laws Members of each Public Advisory Committee shall be special Government employees within the meaning of section 202 of title 18, United States Code. The following additional information includes several, but not all, of the ethics rules that apply to members, and assumes that members are not engaged in Public Advisory Committee business more than sixty days during each calendar year: • Each member will be required to file a confidential financial disclosure form within thirty

(30)days of appointment. 5 CFR 2634.202(c), 2634.204, 2634.903, and 2634.904(b). • Each member will be subject to many of the public integrity laws, including criminal bars against representing a party, 18 U.S.C. 205(c), in a particular matter that came before the member's committee and that involved at least one specific party. *See also* 18 U.S.C. 207 for post-membership bars. A member also must not act on a matter in which the member (or any of certain closely related entities) has a financial interest. 18 U.S.C. 208. • Representation of foreign interests may also raise issues. 35 U.S.C. 5(a)(1) and 18 U.S.C. 219. Meetings of the Patent and Trademark Public Advisory Committees Meetings of each Advisory Committee will take place at the call of the Chair to consider an agenda set by the Chair. Meetings may be conducted in person, electronically through the Internet, or by other appropriate means. The meetings of each Advisory Committee will be open to the public except each Advisory Committee may, by majority vote, meet in executive session when considering personnel, privileged, or other confidential matters. Nominees must also have the ability to participate in Committee business through the Internet. Procedures for Submitting Nominations Submit resumés for nomination for the Patent Public Advisory Committee and the Trademark Public Advisory Committee to: Chief of Staff to the Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office, utilizing the addresses provided above. Dated: June 14, 2007. Jon W. Dudas, Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office. [FR Doc. E7-11918 Filed 6-19-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-16-P DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE Department of the Army Notice of Availability

(NOA)of the Final Fort Carson Transformation Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), Clean Air Act General Conformity Determination, and Evaluation of Environmental Effects of Renewed Land and Mineral Withdrawal Under Public Law 104-201, Colorado AGENCY: Department of the Army, Department of Defense. ACTION: Notice of availability. SUMMARY: The Army announces the availability of the Final Fort Carson Transformation EIS evaluating the environmental effects of implementing restationing actions of the Base Realignment and Closure

(BRAC)2005 and other Army transformation programs at the Fort Carson military installation near Colorado Springs, Colorado. The final EIS also documents the U.S. Army's evaluation of environmental effects of withdrawal of public land and mineral rights under Public Law 104-201. DATES: The waiting period for the Final EIS will end 30 days after publication of an NOA in the **Federal Register** by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. ADDRESSES: To obtain a copy of the FEIS contact the Fort Carson National Environmental Policy Act (NEPAP) Coordinator, Directorate of Environmental Compliance and Management, 1638 Elwell Street, Building 6236, Fort Carson, Colorado 80913-4000; e-mail: *carsdecamnepa@conus.army.mil.* FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Fort Carson NEPA Coordinator at

(719)526-4666 or fax

(719)526-1705. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Final Fort Carson Transformation EIS evaluates the environmental and socioeconomic effects of implementing three Army transformation programs at Fort Carson: BRAC 2005, Integrated Global Presence and Basing Strategy (also known as Global Defense Posture Realignment), and the Army Modular Force initiative. These programs are part of the overall Army restructuring and are needed to prepare the Army's combat forces for deployment around the world. The Proposed Action evaluated in the Final Fort Carson Transformation EIS is the Army's preferred alternative to implement the three transformational programs. The Proposed Action includes three primary components:

(1)Changes in force structure resulting in a net gain of military units and personnel;

(2)facility construction, renovation, and demolition; and

(3)increased frequency of live-fire and maneuver training. The EIS also documents the compliance of the Proposed Action with the General Conformity Rule requirements of the Clean Air Act. In addition, the Final EIS evaluates the environmental effects of renewal of the current withdrawal and reservation of 3,133.02 acres of public land and 11,415.16 acres of federally owned minerals at Fort Carson (as required by Section 2908 of Public Law 104-201). Under the Proposed Action alternative, the number of troops at Fort Carson will increase by approximately 8,500 Soldiers. Military dependent, civilian, and contractor worker populations supported by Fort Carson also will increase. In total, Soldiers, their dependents, and support personnel will grow to approximately 59,700 by 2011, an increase of approximately 21,300 persons (60 percent) over the implementation period. The Army will construct 25 projects, primarily in the Cantonment area. In addition, facilities and infrastructure no longer needed to support the Proposed Action alternative will be demolished; facilities will be relocated to support new construction; and existing facilities and infrastructure will be renovated to support the new population and training activities. The Proposed Action alternative will provide for increased frequency of training for existing and new units stationed at Fort Carson. The installation's downrange area will be used more frequently for individual and crew live fire, maneuver, and combined live fire and maneuver training. Fort Carson will continue to implement its existing land and environmental management programs to balance training requirements and land sustainability. Large area maneuver training for Fort Carson's troops will continue to occur at the Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site, which is Fort Carson's maneuver-training area located approximately 150 miles southeast of Fort Carson. The Final EIS also evaluated the No Action alternative, which would result in not implementing the Proposed Action troop restationing; construction, renovation, and demolition projections; and increased frequency of training. The No Action alternative is not feasible because restationing has been directed by BRAC 2005. It was included in the Final EIS, as required by the Council on Environmental Quality and the Army's NEPA implementing regulations, to provide a benchmark by which to compare the magnitude of environmental effects of the Proposed Action. Permanent restationing alternatives, therefore, were not considered in the Final EIS in accordance with the BRAC Act of 1990, which does not permit decisions on restationing troops to alternate installations to be revisited in NEPA documents. Other alternatives considered by the Army, but determined not to be feasible, included training troops at other locales, acquiring additional land for training, or varying training schedules to account for operational deployments. These alternatives were determined not to be reasonable because they either did not meet the purpose and need of the action or unreasonably restricted the Army's ability to react to changing conditions. The Proposed Action has the potential to result in adverse effects to land use, air quality, geology and soils, water resources, biological resources, cultural resources, transportation, utilities, and hazardous and toxic materials. It could also result in cumulative environmental effects. Beneficial effects of the Proposed Action will result for socioeconomic resources. With implementation of mitigation measures and best management practices, significant adverse environmental impacts will not occur. An electronic version of the Final EIS can be viewed or downloaded online at *http://www.hqda.army.mil/acsim/brac/nepa_eis_docs.htm.* Copies can be requested from the Fort Carson NEPA Coordinator or viewed at local libraries. Dated: June 13, 2007. Addison D. Davis, IV Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army (Environmental, Safety and Occupational Health). [FR Doc. 07-3025 Filed 6-19-07; 8:45 am]

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