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Code · REGISTER · 2007-06-28 · Defense Finance and Accounting Service, DOD · Notices

Notices. Notice to amend a system of records

46,814 words·~213 min read·/register/2007/06/28/07-3168

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

BILLING CODE 6820-EP-S DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE Office of the Secretary [DOD-2007-OS-0067] Privacy Act of 1974; Systems of Records AGENCY: Defense Finance and Accounting Service, DOD. ACTION: Notice to amend a system of records. SUMMARY: The Defense Finance and Accounting Service
(DFAS)is proposing to amend a system of records notice to its existing inventory of records systems subject to the Privacy Act of 1974, (5 U.S.C. 552A), as amended. DATES: This action will be effective without further notice on July 30, 2007 unless comments are received that would result in a contrary determination. ADDRESSES: Send comments to the FOIA/PA Program Manager, Corporate Communications and Legislative Liaison, Defense Finance and Accounting Service—Denver, 6760 E. Irvington Place, Denver, CO 80279-8000. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Linda Krabbenhoft at
(303)676-6045. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Defense Finance and Accounting Service notices for systems of records subject to the Privacy Act of 1074 (5 U.S.C. 552a), as amended, have been published in the **Federal Register** and are available from the address above. The specific changes to the record system being amended are set forth below followed by the notice, as amended, published in its entirety. The proposed amendment is not within the purview of subsection
(r)of the Privacy Act of 1974, (5 U.S.C. 552a), as amended, which requires the submission of a new or altered system report. Dated: June 21, 2007. C.R. Choate, Alternative OSD Federal Register Liaison Officer, Department of Defense. T7333 System name: Travel Payment System (September 19, 2005, 70 FR 54906). Changes: System location: Delete entry and replace with “Defense Finance and Accounting Service—Indianapolis, 8899 East 56th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46249-0160. Defense Finance and Accounting Service—Columbus, 3990 East Broad Street, Columbus, OH 43213-1152.” Categories of individuals covered by the system: Delete entry and replace with “DoD civilian personnel; active duty, former, and retired military members; Army and Air National Guard personnel; Air Force Academy nominees, applicants, and cadets; dependents of military personnel; and all in receipt of competent government travel orders.” Categories of records in the system: Add to entry “Individual's name, Social Security Number (SSN), bank routing number, bank account number. Authority for maintenance of the system: Delete entry and replace with “5 U.S.C. Section 301; Departmental Regulations; 37 U.S.C. Section 404, Travel and transportation allowances: general; DOD Directive 5154.29, DoD Pay and Allowances Policy and Procedures; Department of Defense Financial Management Regulation (DoDFMR) 7000.14-R, Volume 9; and E.O. 9397(SSN).” Policies and practices for storing, retrieving, accessing, retaining, and disposing of records in the system: Storage: Delete entry and replace with “Paper records in file folders and electronic storage media”. Safeguards: Delete “Centers” and replace with “sites”. Retention and disposal: Add to entry “Records are destroyed by degaussing, burning, or shredding.” System manager(s)and address: Delete entry and replace with “System Managers, Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS)—Indianapolis, Travel Pay Systems, 8899 East 56th Street, Indianapolis, Indiana 46249-1460.” Notification procedure: Delete entry and replace with “Individuals seeking to determine whether information about themselves is contained in this system of records should address written inquiries to Defense Finance and Accounting Service, Freedom of Information/Privacy Act Program Manager, Corporate Communications and Legislative Liaison, 6760 East Irvington Place, Denver, CO 80279-8000. Individuals should furnish full name, Social Security Number (SSN), current address, and telephone number.” Record access procedures: Delete entry and replace with “Individuals seeking access to information about themselves in this system of records should address written inquiries to the Defense Finance and Accounting Service, Freedom of Information/Privacy Act Program Manager, Corporate Communications and Legislative Liaison, 6760 East Irvington Place, Denver, CO 80279-8000. Individuals should furnish full name, Social Security Number (SSN), current address, and telephone number.” Record source categories: Delete entry and replace with “Individual, Department of Defense Military Components such as Army, Air Force, Reserves, National Guard, and Air Force Academy.” T7333 System name: Travel Payment System. System location: Defense Finance and Accounting Service—Indianapolis, 8899 East 56th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46249-0160. Defense Finance and Accounting Service—Columbus, 3990 East Broad Street, Columbus, OH 43213-1152 Categories of individuals covered by the system: DoD civilian personnel; active duty, former, and retired military members; Army and Air National Guard personnel; Air Force Academy nominees, applicants, and cadets; dependents of military personnel; and all in receipt of competent government travel orders. Categories of records in the system: Individual's name, Social Security Number (SSN), bank routing number, bank account number, travel vouchers and subvouchers, travel allowance payment lists, travel voucher or subvoucher continuation sheets, vouchers and claims for dependent travel, dislocation or trailer allowances, certificate of non-availability of government quarters and mess, multiple travel payments list, travel payment card, requests for fiscal information concerning transportation requests, bills of lading, meal tickets, public vouchers for fees and claim for reimbursement for expenditures on official business, claim for fees and mileage of witness, certifications for travel under classified orders, travel card envelopes, and statements of adverse effect utilization of government facilities. Authority for maintenance of the system: 5 U.S.C. Section 301; Departmental Regulations; 37 U.S.C. Section 404, Travel and transportation allowances: general; DOD Directive 5154.29, DoD Pay and Allowances Policy and Procedures; Department of Defense Financial Management Regulation (DoDFMR) 7000.14-R, Volume 9; and E.O. 9397 (SSN). Purpose(s): To provide a basis for reimbursing individuals for expenses incident to travel for official Government business purposes and to account for such payments. Routine uses of records maintained in the system, including categories of users and the purposes of such uses: In addition to those disclosures generally permitted under 5 U.S.C. 552a(b) of the Privacy Act, these records or information contained therein may specifically be disclosed outside the DoD as a routine use pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552a(b)(3) as follows: To the Internal Revenue Service to provide information concerning the pay of travel allowances which are subject to federal income tax. The ‘Blanket Routine Uses’ published at the beginning of the DFAS compilation of systems of records notices apply to this system. Disclosure to consumer reporting agencies: Disclosures pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552a(b)(12) may be made from this system to ‘consumer reporting agencies’ as defined in the Fair Credit Reporting Act, 15 U.S.C. 1681a(f) or the Federal Claims Collection Act of 1966, 31 U.S.C. 3701(a)(3). The purpose of the disclosure is to aid in the collection of outstanding debts owed to the Federal Government; typically, to provide an incentive for debtors to repay delinquent Federal Government debts by making these debts part of their credit records. The disclosure is limited to information necessary to establish the identity of the individual, including name, address, and taxpayer identification number (Social Security Number); the amount, status, and history of the claim; and the agency or program under which the claim arose for the sole purpose of allowing the consumer reporting agency to prepare a commercial credit report. Policies and practices for storing, retrieving, accessing, retaining, and deposing of records in the system: Storage: Paper records in file folders and electronic storage media. Retrievability: Retrieved by individual's name and/or Social Security Number (SSN). Safeguards: Records are accessed by person(s) responsible for servicing the record, and who are authorized to use the record system in the performance of their official duties. All individuals are properly screened and cleared for need-to-know. Additionally, at some sites, records are in office buildings protected by guards and controlled by screening of personnel and registering of visitors. Retention and disposal: Records may be temporary in nature and destroyed when superseded, obsolete, no longer needed, or cut off at the end of the fiscal year and destroyed 6 years and 3 months after cutoff. Records are destroyed by degaussing, burning, or shredding. System manager(s) and address: Systems Manager, Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS)—Indianapolis, Travel Pay Systems, 8899 East 56th Street, Indianapolis, Indiana 46249-1460. Notification procedure: Individuals seeking to determine whether information about themselves is contained in this system of records should address written inquiries Defense Finance and Accounting Service, Freedom of Information/Privacy Act Program Manager, Corporate Communications and Legislative Liaison, 6760 East Irvington Place, Denver, CO 80279-8000. Individuals should furnish full name, Social Security Number (SSN), current address, and telephone number. Record access procedures: Individuals seeking access to information about themselves in this system of records should address written inquiries to the Defense Finance and Accounting Service, Freedom of Information/Privacy Act Program Manager, Corporate Communications and Legislative Liaison, 6760 East Irvington Place, Denver, CO 80279-8000. Individuals should furnish full name, Social Security Number(SSN), current address, and telephone number. Contesting record procedures: The DFAS rules for accessing records, for contesting contents and appealing initial agency determinations are published in DFAS Regulation 5400.11-R; 32 CFR part 324; or may be obtained from the Freedom of Information/Privacy Act Program Manager, Office of Corporate Communications, 6760 E. Irvington Place, Denver, CO 80279-8000. Record source categories: Individual, Department of Defense Military Components such as Army, Air Force, Reserves, National Guard, and Air Force Academy. Exemptions claimed for the system: None. [FR Doc. E7-12512 Filed 6-27-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 5001-06-P DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Notice of Proposed Information Collection Requests AGENCY: Department of Education. SUMMARY: The IC Clearance Official, Regulatory Information Management Services, Office of Management, invites comments on the proposed information collection requests as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. DATES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments on or before August 27, 2007. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 3506 of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35) requires that the Office of Management and Budget
(OMB)provide interested Federal agencies and the public an early opportunity to comment on information collection requests. OMB may amend or waive the requirement for public consultation to the extent that public participation in the approval process would defeat the purpose of the information collection, violate State or Federal law, or substantially interfere with any agency's ability to perform its statutory obligations. The IC Clearance Official, Regulatory Information Management Services, Office of Management, publishes that notice containing proposed information collection requests prior to submission of these requests to OMB. Each proposed information collection, grouped by office, contains the following:
(1)Type of review requested, e.g., new, revision, extension, existing or reinstatement;
(2)Title;
(3)Summary of the collection;
(4)Description of the need for, and proposed use of, the information;
(5)Respondents and frequency of collection; and
(6)Reporting and/or Recordkeeping burden. OMB invites public comment. The Department of Education is especially interested in public comment addressing the following issues:
(1)Is this collection necessary to the proper functions of the Department;
(2)will this information be processed and used in a timely manner;
(3)is the estimate of burden accurate;
(4)how might the Department enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and
(5)how might the Department minimize the burden of this collection on the respondents, including through the use of information technology. Dated: June 22, 2007. Angela C. Arrington, IC Clearance Official, Regulatory Information Management Services, Office of Management. Institute of Education Sciences *Type of Review:* New. *Title:* Random Assignment Evaluation of Principles-Based Professional Development to Improve Reading Comprehension for English Language Learners. *Frequency:* On Occasion; annually. *Affected Public:* Individuals or household; State, Local, or Tribal Gov't, SEAs or LEAs. *Reporting and Recordkeeping Hour Burden:* *Responses:* 158. *Burden Hours:* 218. *Abstract:* This study involves the implementation of a professional development program for 4th and 5th grade teachers who teach English language learners
(ELLs)and assesses whether the proposed high-quality professional development model will have measurable impacts on teacher and student outcomes. The target population for the intervention is 4th and 5th grade teachers in four jurisdictions (state education agencies) of the Pacific Region who teach self-contained classes. A rigorous cluster random assignment research design, in which schools are randomly assigned to program and control groups, will be used to evaluate the impact of a principles-based professional development program and report on outcomes at the teacher, classroom, and student level. Requests for copies of the proposed information collection request may be accessed from *http://edicsweb.ed.gov* , by selecting the “Browse Pending Collections” link and by clicking on link number 3368. When you access the information collection, click on “Download Attachments” to view. Written requests for information should be addressed to U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., Potomac Center, 9th Floor, Washington, DC 20202-4700. Requests may also be electronically mailed to *ICDocketMgr@ed.gov* or faxed to 202-245-6623. Please specify the complete title of the information collection when making your request. Comments regarding burden and/or the collection activity requirements should be electronically mailed to *ICDocketMgr@ed.gov.* Individuals who use a telecommunications device for the deaf
(TDD)may call the Federal Information Relay Service
(FIRS)at 1-800-877-8339. [FR Doc. E7-12554 Filed 6-27-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4000-01-P DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request AGENCY: Department of Education. SUMMARY: The IC Clearance Official, Regulatory Information Management Services, Office of Management invites comments on the submission for OMB review as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. DATES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments on or before July 30, 2007. ADDRESSES: Written comments should be addressed to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Attention: Education Desk Officer, Office of Management and Budget, 725 17th Street, NW., Room 10222, Washington, DC 20503. Commenters are encouraged to submit responses electronically by e-mail to *oira_submission@omb.eop.gov* or via fax to
(202)395-6974. Commenters should include the following subject line in their response “Comment: [insert OMB number], [insert abbreviated collection name, e.g., “Upward Bound Evaluation”]. Persons submitting comments electronically should not submit paper copies. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 3506 of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35) requires that the Office of Management and Budget
(OMB)provide interested Federal agencies and the public an early opportunity to comment on information collection requests. OMB may amend or waive the requirement for public consultation to the extent that public participation in the approval process would defeat the purpose of the information collection, violate State or Federal law, or substantially interfere with any agency's ability to perform its statutory obligations. The IC Clearance Official, Regulatory Information Management Services, Office of Management, publishes that notice containing proposed information collection requests prior to submission of these requests to OMB. Each proposed information collection, grouped by office, contains the following:
(1)Type of review requested, e.g., new, revision, extension, existing or reinstatement;
(2)Title;
(3)Summary of the collection;
(4)Description of the need for, and proposed use of, the information;
(5)Respondents and frequency of collection; and
(6)Reporting and/or Recordkeeping burden. OMB invites public comment. Dated: June 22, 2007. Angela C. Arrington, IC Clearance Official, Regulatory Information Management Services,Office of Management. Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services *Type of Review:* Revisions. *Title:* Part D Discretionary Grant Application—Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. *Frequency:* Annually. *Affected Public:* State, Local, or Tribal Governments. *Reporting and Recordkeeping Hour Burden:* *Responses:* 1,200. *Burden Hours:* 30,000. *Abstract:* This collection is being revised to
(1)describe additional burden associated only with the Paperwork Waiver Demonstration Program and the Multi-Year Individualized Education Program Demonstration Program, two priorities to be completed under the Part D, Technical Assistance and Demonstration Program authorized under Public Law 108-446; and
(2)to request approval for use of EDGAR selection criteria in both these programs that differ, in part, from those approved for use in the Model Demonstration Program. The Department's Office of Special Education Programs allowed burden hours in the previous submission of this package to cover these unique requirements; but feels it is necessary for the public to be aware of the actual activities reflected in that burden. This information collection is being submitted under the Streamlined Clearance Process for Discretionary Grant Information Collections (1890-0001). Therefore, the 30-day public comment period notice will be the only public comment notice published for this information collection. Requests for copies of the information collection submission for OMB review may be accessed from *http://edicsweb.ed.gov,* by selecting the “Browse Pending Collections” link and by clicking on link number 3400. When you access the information collection, click on “Download Attachments” to view. Written requests for information should be addressed to U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., Potomac Center, 9th Floor, Washington, DC 20202-4700. Requests may also be electronically mailed to *ICDocketMgr@ed.gov* or faxed to 202-245-6623. Please specify the complete title of the information collection when making your request. Comments regarding burden and/or the collection activity requirements should be electronically mailed to *ICDocketMgr@ed.gov.* Individuals who use a telecommunications device for the deaf
(TDD)may call the Federal Information Relay Service
(FIRS)at 1-800-877-8339. [FR Doc. E7-12555 Filed 6-27-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4000-01-P DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION [CFDA No. 84.282B and 84.282C] Charter Schools Program
(CSP)AGENCY: Office of Innovation and Improvement, Department of Education. ACTION: Correction; Notice inviting applications for new awards for fiscal year
(FY)2007. SUMMARY: On June 20, 2007, we published in the **Federal Register** (72 FR 33986) a notice inviting applications for new awards for two fiscal year
(FY)2007 competitions under the Charter Schools Program (CFDA 84.282B and CFDA 84.282C). That notice incorrectly included Alaska, Missouri, and New Hampshire in the list of States that currently have approved applications under the CSP. Non-State educational agency (Non-SEA) eligible applicants in States that currently have approved applications under the CSP are ineligible to apply under these competitions and must contact the SEA for information related to the State's CSP subgrant competition. Because Alaska, Missouri, and New Hampshire do not currently have approved applications under the CSP, non-SEA eligible applicants from these three states are, in fact, eligible to apply directly to the Department for CSP grants under these competitions. For these reasons, we are removing Alaska, Missouri, and New Hampshire from the list of States that currently have approved applications under the CSP. The *Note* on page 33986, in the third column, under III. *Eligibility Information* , 1. *Eligible Applicants:* *Planning and Initial Implementation (CFDA No. 84.282B)* is corrected to read as follows: Note: *Eligible applicant* is defined in section 5210(3) of the ESEA. The following States currently have approved applications under the CSP: Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, and Wisconsin. In these States, non-SEA eligible applicants interested in participating in the CSP should contact the SEA for information related to the State's CSP subgrant competition. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Erin Pfeltz, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., room 4W255, Washington, DC 20202-5970. Telephone:
(202)205-3525 or by e-mail: *erin.pfeltz@ed.gov.* If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD), call the Federal Relay Service (FRS), toll free, at 1-800-877-8339. Individuals with disabilities can obtain this document and a copy of the application package in an alternative format (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, or computer diskette) on request to the program contact person listed in this section. *Electronic Access to This Document:* You can view this document, as well as all other documents of this Department published in the **Federal Register** , in text or Adobe Portable Document Format
(PDF)on the Internet at the following site: *http://www.ed.gov/news/fedregister.* To use PDF you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is available free at this site. If you have questions about using PDF, call the U.S. Government Printing Office (GPO), toll free, at 1-888-293-6498; or in the Washington, DC, area at
(202)512-1530. Note: The official version of this document is the document published in the **Federal Register** . Free Internet access to the official edition of the **Federal Register** and the Code of Federal Regulations is available on GPO Access at: *http://www.gpoaccess.gov/nara/index.html.* Dated: June 25, 2007. Morgan S. Brown, Assistant Deputy Secretary for Innovation and Improvement. [FR Doc. E7-12544 Filed 6-27-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4000-01-P DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services; Overview Information; National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR)—Disability Rehabilitation Research Projects and Centers Program—Rehabilitation Research and Training Centers (RRTCs)—RRTC on Vocational Rehabilitation (VR); Notice Inviting Applications for New Awards for Fiscal Year
(FY)2007 Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance
(CFDA)Number: 84.133B-3. *Dates:* Applications Available: June 28, 2007. *Deadline for Transmittal of Applications:* August 17, 2007. *Date of Pre-Application Meeting:* July 16, 2007. Full Text of Announcement I. Funding Opportunity Description *Purpose of Program:* The purpose of the RRTC program is to improve the effectiveness of services authorized under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, through advanced research, training of rehabilitation personnel, and providing technical assistance to rehabilitation service providers, individuals with disabilities, and the family members or other authorized representatives of individuals with disabilities. *Priority:* This priority is from the notice of final priority for the Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects and Centers program, RRTC program, published elsewhere in this issue of the **Federal Register** . *Absolute Priority:* For FY 2007, this priority is an absolute priority. Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(3) we consider only applications that meet this priority. This priority is: *Rehabilitation Research and Training Center
(RRTC)on Vocational Rehabilitation (VR).* Note: This program is in concert with President George W. Bush's New Freedom Initiative
(NFI)and NIDRR's Final Long-Range Plan for FY 2005-2009 (Plan). The NFI can be accessed on the Internet at the following site: *http://www.whitehouse.gov/infocus/newfreedom* . The Plan is comprehensive and integrates many issues relating to disability and rehabilitation research topics. The Plan, which was published in the **Federal Register** on February 15, 2006 (71 FR 8165), can be accessed on the Internet at the following site: *http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/osers/nidrr/policy.html* . Through the implementation of the Plan, NIDRR seeks to—(1) Improve the quality and utility of disability and rehabilitation research;
(2)Foster an exchange of expertise, information, and training to facilitate the advancement of knowledge and understanding of the unique needs of traditionally underserved populations;
(3)Determine best strategies and programs to improve rehabilitation outcomes for underserved populations;
(4)Identify research gaps;
(5)Identify mechanisms of integrating research and practice; and
(6)Disseminate findings. *Program Authority:* 29 U.S.C. 762(g) and 764(b)(2). *Applicable Regulations:*
(a)The Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) in 34 CFR parts 74, 75, 77, 80, 81, 82, 84, 85, 86, and 97.
(b)The regulations for this program in 34 CFR part 350.
(c)The notice of final priority for this program, published elsewhere in this issue of the **Federal Register** . Note: The regulations in 34 CFR part 86 apply to institutions of higher education
(IHEs)only. II. Award Information *Type of Award:* Discretionary grants. *Estimated Available Funds:* $650,000. *Maximum Award:* We will reject any application that proposes a budget exceeding $650,000 for a single budget period of 12 months. The Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services may change the maximum amount through a notice published in the **Federal Register** . Note: The maximum amount includes direct and indirect costs. The maximum allowable indirect cost rate is 15 percent. *Estimated Number of Awards:* 1. Note: The Department is not bound by any estimates in this notice. *Project Period:* Up to 60 months. III. Eligibility Information 1. *Eligible Applicants:* States; public or private agencies, including for-profit agencies; public or private organizations, including for-profit organizations; IHEs; and Indian tribes and tribal organizations. 2. *Cost Sharing or Matching:* This competition does not require cost sharing or matching. IV. Application and Submission Information 1. *Address to Request Application Package:* You can obtain an application package via the Internet or from the Education Publications Center (ED Pubs). To obtain a copy via the Internet use the following address: *http://www.ed.gov/fund/grant/apply/grantapps/index.html* . To obtain a copy from ED Pubs, write, fax, or call the following: Education Publications Center, P.O. Box 1398, Jessup, MD 20794-1398. Telephone, toll free: 1-877-433-7827. FAX:
(301)470-1244. If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD), call, toll free: 1-877-576-7734. You can contact ED Pubs at its Web site, also: *http://www.ed.gov/pubs/edpubs.html* or at its e-mail address: *edpubs@inet.ed.gov* . If you request an application from ED Pubs, be sure to identify this competition as follows: CFDA Number 84.133B-3. Individuals with disabilities can obtain a copy of the application package in an alternative format (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, or computer diskette) by contacting the person or team listed under *Alternative Format* in section VIII in this notice. 2. *Content and Form of Application Submission:* Requirements concerning the content of an application, together with the forms you must submit, are in the application package for this competition. *Page Limit:* The application narrative (Part III of the application) is where you, the applicant, address the selection criteria that reviewers use to evaluate your application. We recommend that you limit Part III to the equivalent of no more than 75 pages, using the following standards: • A “page” is 8.5” × 11”, on one side only, with 1” margins at the top, bottom, and both sides. • Double space (no more than three lines per vertical inch) all text in the application narrative. Single spacing may be used for titles, headings, footnotes, quotations, references, and captions, as well as all text in charts, tables, figures, and graphs. • Use a font that is either 12 point or larger or no smaller than 10 pitch (characters per inch). The suggested page limit does not apply to Part I, the cover sheet; Part II, the budget section, including the narrative budget justification; Part IV, the assurances and certifications; or the one-page abstract, the resumes, the bibliography, or the letters of support. However, the page limit does apply to all of the application narrative (Part III). The application package will provide instructions for completing all components to be included in the application. Each application must include a cover sheet (Standard Form 424); budget requirements (ED Form 524) and budget narrative justification; other required forms; an abstract, Human Subjects narrative, Part III narrative; resumes of staff; and other related materials, if applicable. 3. *Submission Dates and Times:* *Applications Available:* June 28, 2007. *Deadline for Transmittal of Applications:* August 17, 2007. *Pre-Application Meeting:* Interested parties are invited to participate in a pre-application meeting to discuss the priority and to receive information and technical assistance through individual consultation. The pre-application meeting will be held on July 16, 2007. Interested parties may participate in this meeting by conference call with NIDRR staff from the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m., Washington, DC time. On the same day, NIDRR staff also will be available from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., by telephone, to provide information and technical assistance through individual consultation. For further information or to make arrangements to participate on the conference call or for an individual consultation, contact Donna Nangle, U.S. Department of Education, Potomac Center Plaza, room 6030, 550 12th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20202. Telephone:
(202)245-7462 or by e-mail: *Donna.Nangle@ed.gov* . Applications for grants under this competition may be submitted electronically using the Grants.gov Apply site (Grants.gov), or in paper format by mail or hand delivery. For information (including dates and times) about how to submit your application electronically, or in paper format by mail or hand delivery, please refer to section IV. 6. *Other Submission Requirements* in this notice. We do not consider an application that does not comply with the deadline requirements. Individuals with disabilities who need an accommodation or auxiliary aid in connection with the application process should contact the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT in section VII in this notice. If the Department provides an accommodation or auxiliary aid to an individual with a disability in connection with the application process, the individual's application remains subject to all other requirements and limitations in this notice. 4. *Intergovernmental Review:* This program is not subject to Executive Order 12372 and the regulations in 34 CFR part 79. 5. *Funding Restrictions:* We reference regulations outlining funding restrictions in the *Applicable Regulations* section in this notice. 6. *Other Submission Requirements:* Applications for grants under this competition may be submitted electronically or in paper format by mail or hand delivery. a. *Electronic Submission of Applications.* To comply with the President's Management Agenda, we are participating as a partner in the Governmentwide Grants.gov Apply site. Rehabilitation Research and Training Centers, CFDA number 84.133B-3, is included in this project. We request your participation in Grants.gov. If you choose to submit your application electronically, you must use the Governmentwide Grants.gov Apply site at *http://www.Grants.gov* . Through this site, you will be able to download a copy of the application package, complete it offline, and then upload and submit your application. You may not e-mail an electronic copy of a grant application to us. You may access the electronic grant application for Rehabilitation Research and Training Centers at *http://www.Grants.gov* . You must search for the downloadable application package for this competition by the CFDA number. Do not include the CFDA number's alpha suffix in your search (e.g., search for 84.133, not 84.133B). Please note the following: • Your participation in Grants.gov is voluntary. • When you enter the Grants.gov site, you will find information about submitting an application electronically through the site, as well as the hours of operation. • Applications received by Grants.gov are date and time stamped. Your application must be fully uploaded and submitted and must be date and time stamped by the Grants.gov system no later than 4:30 p.m., Washington, DC time, on the application deadline date. Except as otherwise noted in this section, we will not consider your application if it is date and time stamped by the Grants.gov system later than 4:30 p.m., Washington, DC time, on the application deadline date. When we retrieve your application from Grants.gov, we will notify you if we are rejecting your application because it was date and time stamped by the Grants.gov system after 4:30 p.m., Washington, DC time, on the application deadline date. • The amount of time it can take to upload an application will vary depending on a variety of factors, including the size of the application and the speed of your Internet connection. Therefore, we strongly recommend that you do not wait until the application deadline date to begin the submission process through Grants.gov. • You should review and follow the Education Submission Procedures for submitting an application through Grants.gov that are included in the application package for this competition to ensure that you submit your application in a timely manner to the Grants.gov system. You can also find the Education Submission Procedures pertaining to Grants.gov at *http://e-Grants.ed.gov/help/GrantsgovSubmissionProcedures.pdf* . • To submit your application via Grants.gov, you must complete all steps in the Grants.gov registration process (see *http://www.grants.gov/applicants/get_registered.jsp* ). These steps include
(1)registering your organization, a multi-part process that includes registration with the Central Contractor Registry (CCR);
(2)registering yourself as an Authorized Organization Representative (AOR); and
(3)getting authorized as an AOR by your organization. Details on these steps are outlined in the Grants.gov 3-Step Registration Guide (see *http://www.grants.gov/section910/Grants.govRegistrationBrochure.pdf* ). You also must provide on your application the same D-U-N-S Number used with this registration. Please note that the registration process may take five or more business days to complete, and you must have completed all registration steps to allow you to submit successfully an application via Grants.gov. In addition you will need to update your CCR registration on an annual basis. This may take three or more business days to complete. • You will not receive additional point value because you submit your application in electronic format, nor will we penalize you if you submit your application in paper format. • If you submit your application electronically, you must submit all documents electronically, including all information you typically provide on the following forms: Application for Federal Assistance (SF 424), the Department of Education Supplemental Information for SF 424, Budget Information—Non-Construction Programs (ED 524), and all necessary assurances and certifications. Please note that two of these forms—the SF 424 and the Department of Education Supplemental Information for SF 424—have replaced the ED 424 (Application for Federal Education Assistance). • If you submit your application electronically, you must attach any narrative sections of your application as files in a .DOC (document), .RTF (rich text), or .PDF (Portable Document) format. If you upload a file type other than the three file types specified in this paragraph or submit a password-protected file, we will not review that material. • Your electronic application must comply with any page-limit requirements described in this notice. • After you electronically submit your application, you will receive from Grants.gov an automatic notification of receipt that contains a Grants.gov tracking number. (This notification indicates receipt by Grants.gov only, not receipt by the Department.) The Department then will retrieve your application from Grants.gov and send a second notification to you by e-mail. This second notification indicates that the Department has received your application and has assigned your application a PR/Award number (an ED-specified identifying number unique to your application). • We may request that you provide us original signatures on forms at a later date. *Application Deadline Date Extension in Case of Technical Issues with the Grants.gov System:* If you are experiencing problems submitting your application through Grants.gov, please contact the Grants.gov Support Desk, toll-free, at 1-800-518-4726. You must obtain a Grants.gov Support Desk Case Number and must keep a record of it. If you are prevented from electronically submitting your application on the application deadline date because of technical problems with the Grants.gov system, we will grant you an extension until 4:30 p.m., Washington, DC time, the following business day to enable you to transmit your application electronically or by hand delivery. You also may mail your application by following the mailing instructions described elsewhere in this notice. If you submit an application after 4:30 p.m., Washington, DC time, on the application deadline date, please contact the person listed elsewhere in this notice under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT and provide an explanation of the technical problem you experienced with Grants.gov, along with the Grants.gov Support Desk Case Number. We will accept your application if we can confirm that a technical problem occurred with the Grants.gov system and that that problem affected your ability to submit your application by 4:30 p.m., Washington, DC time, on the application deadline date. The Department will contact you after a determination is made on whether your application will be accepted. Note: The extensions to which we refer in this section apply only to the unavailability of, or technical problems with, the Grants.gov system. We will not grant you an extension if you failed to fully register to submit your application to Grants.gov before the application deadline date and time or if the technical problem you experienced is unrelated to the Grants.gov system. b. Submission of Paper Applications by Mail. If you submit your application in paper format by mail (through the U.S. Postal Service or a commercial carrier), you must mail the original and two copies of your application, on or before the application deadline date, to the Department at the applicable following address: By mail through the U.S. Postal Service: U.S. Department of Education, Application Control Center, Attention: (CFDA Number 84.133B-3), 400 Maryland Avenue, SW.,Washington, DC 20202-4260 or By mail through a commercial carrier: U.S. Department of Education, Application Control Center, Stop 4260, Attention: (CFDA Number 84.133B-3), 7100 Old Landover Road,Landover, MD 20785-1506. Regardless of which address you use, you must show proof of mailing consisting of one of the following:
(1)A legibly dated U.S. Postal Service postmark.
(2)A legible mail receipt with the date of mailing stamped by the U.S. Postal Service.
(3)A dated shipping label, invoice, or receipt from a commercial carrier.
(4)Any other proof of mailing acceptable to the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education. If you mail your application through the U.S. Postal Service, we do not accept either of the following as proof of mailing:
(1)A private metered postmark.
(2)A mail receipt that is not dated by the U.S. Postal Service. If your application is postmarked after the application deadline date, we will not consider your application. Note: The U.S. Postal Service does not uniformly provide a dated postmark. Before relying on this method, you should check with your local post office. c. *Submission of Paper Applications by Hand Delivery.* If you submit your application in paper format by hand delivery, you (or a courier service) must deliver the original and two copies of your application by hand, on or before the application deadline date, to the Department at the following address: U.S. Department of Education, Application Control Center, *Attention:* (CFDA Number 84.133B-3), 550 12th Street, SW., Room 7041, Potomac Center Plaza, Washington, DC 20202-4260. The Application Control Center accepts hand deliveries daily between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Washington, DC time, except Saturdays, Sundays, and Federal holidays. Note for Mail or Hand Delivery of Paper Applications: If you mail or hand deliver your application to the Department—
(1)You must indicate on the envelope and—if not provided by the Department—in Item 11 of the SF 424 the CFDA number, including suffix letter, if any, of the competition under which you are submitting your application; and
(2)The Application Control Center will mail to you a notification of receipt of your grant application. If you do not receive this notification within 15 business days from the application deadline date, you should call the U.S. Department of Education Application Control Center at
(202)245-6288. V. Application Review Information 1. *Selection Criteria:* The selection criteria for this competition are from 34 CFR 350.54 and are listed in the application package. 2. *Review and Selection Process:* Additional factors we consider in determining the merits of an application are as follows— The Secretary is interested in outcomes-oriented research or development projects that use rigorous scientific methodologies. To address this interest applicants are encouraged to articulate goals, objectives, and expected outcomes for the proposed research or development activities. Proposals should describe how results and planned outputs are expected to contribute to advances in knowledge, improvements in policy and practice, and eventually to public benefits for individuals with disabilities. Applicants should propose projects that are optimally designed to be consistent with these goals. We encourage applicants to include in their application a description of how results will measure progress towards achievement of anticipated outcomes, the mechanisms that will be used to evaluate outcomes associated with specific problems or issues, and how the proposed activities will support new intervention approaches and strategies, including a discussion of measures of effectiveness. Submission of the information identified in this section V. *Review and Selection Process* is voluntary, except where required by the selection criteria listed in the application package. VI. Award Administration Information 1. *Award Notices:* If your application is successful, we notify your U.S. Representative and U.S. Senators and send you a Grant Award Notice (GAN). We may notify you informally, also. If your application is not evaluated or not selected for funding, we notify you. 2. *Administrative and National Policy Requirements:* We identify administrative and national policy requirements in the application package and reference these and other requirements in the *Applicable Regulations* section in this notice. We reference the regulations outlining the terms and conditions of an award in the *Applicable Regulations* section in this notice and include these and other specific conditions in the GAN. The GAN also incorporates your approved application as part of your binding commitments under the grant. 3. *Reporting:* At the end of your project period, you must submit a final performance report, including financial information, as directed by the Secretary. If you receive a multi-year award, you must submit an annual performance report that provides the most current performance and financial expenditure information as directed by the Secretary in 34 CFR 75.118. The Secretary may also require more frequent performance reports under 34 CFR 75.720(c). Note: NIDRR will provide information by letter to grantees on how and when to submit the report. 4. *Performance Measures:* To evaluate the overall success of its research program, NIDRR assesses the quality of its funded projects through review of grantee performance and products. Each year, NIDRR examines, through expert review, a portion of its grantees to determine: • The percentage of newly awarded NIDRR projects that are multi-site, collaborative controlled studies of interventions and programs. • The number of accomplishments (e.g., new or improved tools, methods, discoveries, standards, interventions, programs, or devices) developed or tested with NIDRR funding that have been judged by expert panels to be of high quality and to advance the field. • The percentage of grantee research and development that has appropriate study design, meets rigorous standards of scientific and/or engineering methods, and builds on and contributes to knowledge in the field. • The average number of publications per award based on NIDRR-funded research and development activities in refereed journals. • The percentage of new grants that include studies funded by NIDRR that assess the effectiveness of interventions, programs, and devices using rigorous and appropriate methods. NIDRR uses information submitted by grantees as part of their Annual Performance Reports
(APRs)for these reviews. NIDRR also determines, using information submitted as part of the APR, the number of publications in refereed journals that are based on NIDRR-funded research and development activities. Department of Education program performance reports, which include information on NIDRR programs, are available on the Department's Web site: *http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/opepd/sas/index.html.* Updates on the Government Performance and Results Act of 1993
(GPRA)indicators, revisions and methods appear on the NIDRR Program Review Web site: *http://www.neweditions.net/pr/commonfiles/pmconcepts.html.* Grantees should consult these sites, on a regular basis, to obtain details and explanations on how NIDRR programs contribute to the advancement of the Department's long-term and annual performance goals. VII. Agency Contact FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Donna Nangle, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., room 6029, Potomac Center Plaza, Washington, DC 20202. Telephone:
(202)245-7462 or by e-mail: *donna.nangle@ed.gov.* If you use a TDD, call the FRS, toll free, at 1-800-877-8339. VIII. Other Information *Alternative Format:* Individuals with disabilities can obtain this document and a copy of the application package in an alternative format (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, or computer diskette) by contacting the Grants and Contracts Services Team, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., room 5075, Potomac Center Plaza, Washington, DC 20202-2550. Telephone:
(202)245-7363. If you use a TDD, call the FRS, toll free, at 1-800-877-8339. *Electronic Access to This Document:* You can view this document, as well as all other documents of this Department published in the **Federal Register** , in text or Adobe Portable Document Format
(PDF)on the Internet at the following site: *http://www.ed.gov/news/fedregister.* To use PDF you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is available free at this site. If you have questions about using PDF, call the U.S. Government Printing Office (GPO), toll free, at 1-888-293-6498; or in the Washington, DC, area at
(202)512-1530. Note: The official version of this document is the document published in the **Federal Register** . Free Internet access to the official edition of the **Federal Register** and the Code of Federal Regulations is available on GPO Access at: *http://www.gpoaccess.gov/nara/index.html.* Dated: June 25, 2007. John H. Hager, Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services. [FR Doc. E7-12543 Filed 6-27-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4000-01-P DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research—Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects and Centers Program—Rehabilitation Research and Training Centers (RRTCs) AGENCY: Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, Department of Education. ACTION: Notice of final priority for a RRTC on Vocational Rehabilitation. SUMMARY: The Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services announces a priority on vocational rehabilitation under the Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects and Centers Program administered by the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR). The Assistant Secretary may use this priority for competitions in fiscal year
(FY)2007 and later years. We take this action to focus research attention on areas of national need. We intend this priority to improve rehabilitation services and outcomes for individuals with disabilities. DATES: *Effective Date:* This priority is effective July 30, 2007. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Donna Nangle, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., room 6030, Potomac Center Plaza, Washington, DC 20202-2700. Telephone:
(202)245-7462 or via Internet: *donna.nangle@ed.gov.* If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD), you may call the Federal Relay Service
(FRS)at 1-800-877-8339. Individuals with disabilities may obtain this document in an alternative format (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, or computer diskette) on request to the contact person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT . SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Rehabilitation Research and Training Centers (RRTCs) RRTCs conduct coordinated and integrated advanced programs of research targeted toward the production of new knowledge to improve rehabilitation methodology and service delivery systems, alleviate or stabilize disability conditions, or promote maximum social and economic independence for persons with disabilities. Additional information on the RRTC program can be found at: *http://www.ed.gov/rschstat/research/pubs/res-program.html#RRTC.* General Requirements of RRTCs RRTCs must— • Carry out coordinated advanced programs of rehabilitation research; • Provide training, including graduate, pre-service, and in-service training, to help rehabilitation personnel more effectively provide rehabilitation services to individuals with disabilities; • Provide technical assistance to individuals with disabilities, their representatives, providers, and other interested parties; • Demonstrate in their applications how they will address, in whole or in part, the needs of individuals with disabilities from minority backgrounds; • Disseminate informational materials to individuals with disabilities, their representatives, providers, and other interested parties; and • Serve as centers of national excellence in rehabilitation research for individuals with disabilities, their representatives, providers, and other interested parties. We published a notice of proposed priority
(NPP)for NIDRR's Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects and Centers Program, RRTC program, in the **Federal Register** on March 27, 2007 (72 FR 14263). The NPP included a background statement that described our rationale for the priority proposed in that notice. There are differences between the NPP and this notice of final priority
(NFP)as discussed in the following section. Analysis of Comments and Changes In response to our invitation in the NPP, eleven parties submitted comments on the proposed priority. An analysis of the comments and of any changes in the priority since publication of the NPP follows. Generally, we do not address technical and other minor changes, or suggested changes the law does not authorize us to make under the applicable statutory authority. In addition, we do not address general comments that raised concerns not directly related to the proposed priority. *Comments:* None. *Discussion:* Upon internal review of the NPP, NIDRR wishes to further clarify the focus of research related to “best practices” activities to be conducted under this priority. In the NPP, NIDRR proposed that an RRTC funded under the priority must contribute to several outcomes, including increased knowledge of “best practices” for prioritizing and providing services to individuals with the most significant disabilities. In the NPP, we proposed specifically that the research to be conducted to contribute to this outcome must focus on the “extent to which individuals with the most significant disabilities are given priority for services by their respective State Vocational Rehabilitation
(VR)programs.” We are revising this language to specifically reflect section 101(a)(5)(A) of the Rehabilitation Act, and related regulations under 34 CFR 361.36 to clarify that NIDRR and RSA are specifically interested in research on best practices for administering and implementing an order of selection in serving individuals with the most significant disabilities. *Changes:* NIDRR has revised the priority to clarify that the focus of best practices research to be conducted under paragraph
(d)of the priority must be on the administration and implementation of an order of selection in serving individuals with the most significant disabilities. *Comment:* One commenter noted that a relatively low percentage of consumers of State VR programs who are blind or have low vision, and whose cases have been closed with an employment outcome, obtain competitive employment. Based on this finding, the commenter recommends that paragraph
(e)of the priority be amended to include a focus on individuals who are blind or have low vision. *Discussion:* As described in the NPP, NIDRR and RSA have chosen to focus their research resources on individuals with developmental disabilities
(DD)and individuals with mental illness
(MI)because historically these individuals have had very low employment outcome rates. Individuals with MI have the lowest annual closure rate in the VR system. Individuals with DD also have low rates of closure relative to other subpopulations. These low closure rates, combined with the fact that individuals with DD and MI comprise about half of VR clients nationally, provide the strategic rationale for the proposed focus of paragraph (e). *Changes:* None. *Comment:* Three commenters noted that the findings of the RRTC should be incorporated into training and ongoing educational requirements of VR personnel, and disseminated to individuals with disabilities. These commenters suggest that paragraph
(f)of the priority be amended to include a requirement for a direct VR program delivery impact strategy. *Discussion:* We agree with this commenter's observation that the proposed priority unduly restricts dissemination efforts to “State and Federal administrators of the VR program,” and that applicants should disseminate the results of their research widely throughout the VR service delivery system as well as to individuals with disabilities. It is beyond the scope of this grant, however, to ensure that research findings are formally incorporated into training and education requirements of VR staff. *Changes:* NIDRR has revised paragraph
(f)of the priority to require the RRTC to disseminate research results and provide training and technical assistance to all VR program personnel, as well as individuals with disabilities. *Comment:* Four commenters suggested that the priority be amended to incorporate specific research topics related to services provided to youth in transition from school to employment settings. *Discussion:* NIDRR and RSA have made a strategic decision to focus the work of this RRTC on the State-level structures and systems for providing employment services to individuals with disabilities. As described in the *Background* section in the NPP, the goal of this RRTC is to produce information that will properly contextualize future employment interventions and intervention studies. This new knowledge will help determine the real world applicability of those interventions, and the results of research on them. NIDRR and RSA believe that new knowledge will include information about many State-level systems that serve individuals transitioning from school to postsecondary work activity and agree that this important area could benefit from additional research-based knowledge. NIDRR and RSA believe that an applicant could propose research on transition-related service delivery structures under paragraphs
(b)and
(c)of the priority. However, we have no basis for requiring that all applicants focus their research in this manner. *Changes:* None. *Comment:* Four commenters suggested that the term “home-based employment” utilized in paragraph
(c)of the priority be broadened to include self-employment and entrepreneurship. *Discussion:* NIDRR and RSA are specifically interested in the extent to which State VR systems use home-based employment options to provide VR services. Under paragraph
(c)the priority allows applicants to propose research that examines a wide variety of VR program characteristics. The list of characteristics in paragraph
(c)was not intended to be exhaustive. Accordingly, an applicant could propose to focus research on the broader categories of self-employment and entrepreneurship. However, NIDRR has no basis for requiring that all applicants focus on self-employment or entrepreneurship in responding to the priority. *Changes:* None. *Comment:* Referring specifically to paragraph
(a)of the priority, three commenters suggested that NIDRR require applicants to explore the interaction between State procurement policies and choice provisions that are spelled out in the Rehabilitation Act. *Discussion:* To the extent that research literature on this topic exists, applicants may propose to include it in their literature review and synthesis. Applicants may also propose to examine this topic under paragraphs (b), (c), (d), and
(e)of the priority. However, NIDRR has no basis for requiring that all applicants focus on the interaction between state procurement policies and the choice provisions described in section 102(d) of the Rehabilitation Act. *Changes:* None. *Comment:* Three commenters recommended that paragraph
(b)of the priority be expanded to require research on specific disability employment service topics such as interagency agreements, VR connections to One-Stop Centers, VR connections to apprenticeship programs, policies related to needs-based financing of postsecondary education, and VR connections to programs for military veterans. *Discussion:* The priority allows applicants to propose studies examining these specific characteristics of disability employment services, as well as many others. However, NIDRR has no basis for requiring that all applicants focus on these factors in responding to the priority. *Changes:* None. *Comment:* Three commenters recommended that paragraph
(c)of the priority be expanded to require research on specific VR program characteristics such as extended evaluations and trial work experiences, VR agreements with agencies providing long-term services and employment supports, characteristics of individuals denied VR services, and different types of purchase-of-service agreements. *Discussion:* In paragraph (c), we described the characteristics we thought applicants should examine in their studies, but as noted previously the list of characteristics was not intended to be exhaustive. Accordingly, under paragraph (c), an applicant could propose to examine the characteristics suggested by the commenters, as well as many others. However, NIDRR has no basis for requiring that all applicants focus on the additional characteristics recommended by the commenters. *Changes:* None. *Comment:* One commenter asked whether best-practices research on serving people with MI and DD, under paragraph
(e)of the priority, could focus on services provided by non-VR agencies. *Discussion:* Under paragraph
(e)of the priority, best practices research must be coordinated with and informed by research conducted under paragraphs
(b)and
(c)of the priority. Under paragraph (b), the RRTC must research the role of community non-governmental organizations and government entities in the delivery of services to individuals with disabilities. Accordingly, an applicant's research could include best practices from non-VR service providers. NIDRR and RSA are ultimately interested in application of these best-practices findings within the VR system, regardless of their source. *Changes:* None. *Comment:* One commenter asked whether NIDRR would consider applications that propose randomized controlled intervention designs. *Discussion:* As described in the *Background* section of the NPP, and clearly outlined in the proposed priority, the purpose of this RRTC is to conduct research that is largely descriptive, in order to provide the contextual basis for future interventions and intervention studies. A randomized-controlled trial would not produce information that fulfills this purpose. NIDRR will not consider proposals that are not responsive to paragraphs
(a)through (f). *Changes:* None. *Comment:* One commenter asked NIDRR to define the term “best practices” that is used in the priority. *Discussion:* Generally, the term “best practices” refers to the notion that there are methods or processes that are more closely associated with achieving a desired goal than others. The goal identified in paragraph
(d)is the prioritization of services to those with the most significant disabilities. The goal identified in paragraph
(e)of the priority is achieving a high rate of placing or retaining individuals from specific disability subpopulations in jobs. NIDRR and RSA are specifically interested in research that will help identify current practices, interventions, or service-delivery structures that are associated with achieving these goals. *Changes:* NIDRR has revised the priority to include the following definition of best practices: “For purposes of this priority, best practices are defined as current practices, interventions, or service-delivery structures that are associated with achievement of a particular goal.” *Comment:* One commenter asked whether NIDRR would consider systemic change strategies that enhance the adoption of evidence-based research, as a best practice for serving individuals with MI or DD. *Discussion:* NIDRR requires that best practices research under paragraphs
(d)and
(e)be coordinated with research activities under paragraphs
(b)and (c). Paragraphs
(b)and
(c)require research on the structural and systemic characteristics of the States' disability employment services networks, and the States' VR programs, respectively. To the extent that successful systemic change strategies currently exist within these employment service-delivery structures, applicants are free to examine them in their research on best practices under paragraphs
(d)and (e). *Changes:* None. *Comment:* One commenter suggested that NIDRR require applicants to identify specific strategies for collaboration with the Helen Keller National Center under paragraph
(d)of the priority, given the unique employment challenges of individuals who are deaf-blind. *Discussion:* While the priority requires a RRTC to conduct research to help determine best practices for prioritizing and providing services to individuals with the most significant disabilities, it does not require the RRTC to address the needs of any particular disability group in meeting this requirement. Accordingly, applicants may propose to collaborate with any organizations that they believe will help achieve the desired outcomes under this priority. However, NIDRR has no basis for requiring that all applicants collaborate with the Helen Keller National Center or any other particular organization. *Changes:* None. *Comment:* One commenter noted that the statutory definition of “individual with a significant disability” includes language that restricts this population to those with multiple VR service needs. The commenter notes that this definition precludes prioritization of VR services for people with significant disabilities who only need one VR service. The commenter recommends that NIDRR remove language from the priority that refers to “significant” disability, so that the statutory definition of significant disability does not limit research on the VR prioritization process to those who fit that definition. *Discussion:* Title I of the Rehabilitation Act requires State agencies to give priority to those individuals with the most significant disabilities if it cannot serve all eligible individuals. Through this priority, NIDRR seeks to sponsor research that is directly relevant to the VR State agencies and requirements that govern the operation of the VR program. Making the change suggested by the commenter would not further this goal. *Changes:* None. Note: This notice does not solicit applications. In any year in which we choose to use this priority, we invite applications through a notice in the **Federal Register** . When inviting applications we designate the priority as absolute, competitive preference, or invitational. The effect of each type of priority follows: *Absolute priority:* Under an absolute priority, we consider only applications that meet the priority (34 CFR 75.105(c)(3)). *Competitive preference priority:* Under a competitive preference priority, we give competitive preference to an application by either
(1)Awarding additional points, depending on how well or the extent to which the application meets the competitive preference priority (34 CFR 75.105(c)(2)(i)); or
(2)selecting an application that meets the competitive preference priority over an application of comparable merit that does not meet the priority (34 CFR 75.105(c)(2)(ii)). *Invitational priority:* Under an invitational priority, we are particularly interested in applications that meet the invitational priority. However, we do not give an application that meets the invitational priority a competitive or absolute preference over other applications (34 CFR 75.105(c)(1)). Note: This NFP is in concert with President George W. Bush's New Freedom Initiative
(NFI)and the Plan. The NFI can be accessed on the Internet at the following site: *http://www.whitehouse.gov/infocus/newfreedom.* The Plan, which was published in the **Federal Register** on February 15, 2006 (71 FR 8165), can be accessed on the Internet at the following site: *http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/osers/nidrr/policy.html.* Through the implementation of the NFI and the Plan, NIDRR seeks to—(1) Improve the quality and utility of disability and rehabilitation research;
(2)Foster an exchange of expertise, information, and training to facilitate the advancement of knowledge and understanding of the unique needs of traditionally underserved populations;
(3)Determine best strategies and programs to improve rehabilitation outcomes for underserved populations;
(4)Identify research gaps;
(5)Identify mechanisms of integrating research and practice; and
(6)Disseminate findings. Priority Rehabilitation Research and Training Center
(RRTC)on Vocational Rehabilitation
(VR)The Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services establishes a priority for the funding of a Rehabilitation Research and Training Center
(RRTC)on Vocational Rehabilitation
(VR)Services. The RRTC must conduct research on the complex employment service delivery structures for individuals with disabilities, investigate “best practices” in certain critical areas, and provide training and technical assistance in order to improve VR services and employment outcomes among individuals with disabilities. For purposes of this priority, best practices are defined as current practices, interventions, or service-delivery structures that are associated with achievement of a particular goal. Under this priority, the RRTC must contribute to the following outcomes:
(a)A foundation of available knowledge about the VR program's characteristics and outcomes. The RRTC must contribute to this outcome by conducting a literature review and creating a synthesis of previous research on the system-level characteristics of the VR program, and outcomes associated with those characteristics. This review and synthesis will inform the subsequent research, training, and evaluation efforts of the RRTC.
(b)Increased knowledge about the broad constellation of Federal and State policies and programs through which employment services are delivered to individuals with disabilities, and the characteristics of individuals with disabilities who are receiving those services. The RRTC must contribute to this outcome by researching and providing a detailed State-by-State description of the larger employment services network and the role of the VR program within it. This research must identify and describe key characteristics of Federal, State and local government entities and community non-governmental organizations that either directly deliver or directly purchase employment services for individuals with disabilities.
(c)Increased knowledge of the structure and operations of VR service delivery practices at the State level. The RRTC must contribute to this outcome by researching and providing a detailed description of the key characteristics of each State's VR system. These characteristics should include, but not be limited to, VR service delivery structure and practices, patterns of resource allocation, patterns of internal and external provision of services, the extent to which the VR agency uses cooperative agreements with other agencies to deliver services, operational definitions of “individuals with the most significant disabilities,” characteristics of clients, employment outcomes and settings, the level of integration of work settings, the extent of use of home-based employment, and means of addressing transportation barriers. This research must describe elements internal to each State's VR agency or agencies, and provide a base upon which future researchers can analyze the operational consequences and outcomes of different internal arrangements and agency decisions.
(d)Increased knowledge of “best practices” for prioritizing and providing services to individuals with the most significant disabilities, when the State VR agency cannot serve all eligible individuals. The RRTC must contribute to this outcome by conducting research on the administration and implementation of an order of selection in serving individuals with the most significant disabilities by their respective State VR programs, and identifying best practices among State VR programs for ensuring that individuals with the most significant disabilities receive services on a priority basis. Collection and analysis of data for this research must be coordinated with and informed by research on the disability employment service and VR structures described in paragraphs
(b)and
(c)of this priority. This coordination will allow best practices findings to be properly contextualized, and therefore more likely to be successfully applied in other States or agencies.
(e)Increased knowledge of “best practices” for helping individuals with developmental disabilities
(DD)and individuals with mental illness
(MI)obtain and retain employment. The RRTC must contribute to this outcome by conducting research to determine best practices for placing or retaining individuals with DD or MI in jobs. Collection and analysis of data for this best practices research must be coordinated with and informed by research on the disability employment service and VR structures described in paragraphs
(b)and
(c)of this priority. This coordination will allow best practices findings to be properly contextualized, and therefore more likely to be successfully applied in other States or agencies.
(f)Enhancement of the knowledge base of:
(1)State and Federal VR program personnel,
(2)personnel of other employment programs for individuals with disabilities, and
(3)individuals with disabilities, by disseminating research results and providing training and technical assistance based on the new knowledge about the disability employment service structures described in paragraphs
(b)and
(c)of this priority, and best practices knowledge described in paragraphs
(d)and
(e)of this priority. In addition, this RRTC must: • Collaborate with RSA's technical assistance mechanisms to effectively disseminate best practices materials developed in the research component of this RRTC. • Coordinate its research, dissemination, training, and technical assistance efforts with grantees in NIDRR's Employment domain, as appropriate. Executive Order 12866 This notice of final priority has been reviewed in accordance with Executive Order 12866. Under the terms of the order, we have assessed the potential costs and benefits of this regulatory action. The potential costs associated with the notice of proposed priority are those resulting from statutory requirements and those we have determined as necessary for administering these programs effectively and efficiently. In assessing the potential costs and benefits—both quantitative and qualitative—of this notice of final priority, we have determined that the benefits of the final priority justify the costs. Summary of Potential Costs and Benefits The potential costs associated with this final priority are minimal while the benefits are significant. The benefits of the Rehabilitation Research and Training Centers have been well established over the years in that similar projects have been completed successfully. This final priority will generate new knowledge and technologies through research, development, dissemination, utilization, and technical assistance projects. Another benefit of this final priority is that the establishment of a new RRTC conducting research projects will support the President's NFI and will improve the lives of persons with disabilities. This RRTC will generate, disseminate, and promote the use of new information that will improve the options for individuals with disabilities to perform regular activities in the community. *Applicable Program Regulations:* 34 CFR part 350. Electronic Access to This Document You may view this document, as well as all other Department of Education documents published in the **Federal Register** , in text or Adobe Portable Document Format
(PDF)on the Internet at the following site: *http://www.ed.gov/news/fedregister.* To use PDF you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is available free at this site. If you have questions about using PDF, call the U.S. Government Printing Office (GPO), toll free, at 1-888-293-6498; or in the Washington, DC, area at
(202)512-1530. Note: The official version of this document is the document published in the **Federal Register** . Free Internet access to the official edition of the **Federal Register** and the Code of Federal Regulations is available on GPO Access at: *http://www.gpoaccess.gov/nara/index.html.* (Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number 84.133B, Rehabilitation Research and Training Centers Program) Program Authority: 29 U.S.C. 762(g) and 764(b)(2). Dated: June 25, 2007. John H. Hager, Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services. [FR Doc. E7-12549 Filed 6-27-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4000-01-P DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Interagency Committee on Disability Research AGENCY: Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, Department of Education. ACTION: Notice of public meetings and request for written comments. SUMMARY: This notice describes the schedule and agenda of a forthcoming meeting of the Interagency Committee on Disability Research (ICDR). Notice of this meeting is intended to inform members of the general public of their opportunity to attend the meeting and provide comment. DATES: The meeting will take place on August 14, 2007. ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Holiday Inn on the Hill, 415 New Jersey Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20001. Telephone:
(202)638-1616. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: During the public meeting and through the submission of written comments, we encourage individuals with disabilities, including persons who represent service providers, service provider organizations, disability and rehabilitation research and policy groups, and representatives of advocacy organizations with specialized knowledge and experience, to suggest specific ways to improve future research for individuals with disabilities. We are also interested in hearing from individuals concerning how well the existing Federal research programs are responding to the changing needs of individuals with disabilities. We are interested in comments covering a wide range of research areas, including, but not limited to, the following: • Rehabilitation, employment and community integration of military service members with disabilities, with a specific interest in input from the military community, including active duty service members and their families, service providers, retirees, and other stakeholders about research issues related to the continuum of care; • Employment of people with disabilities; • Health disparities; • Access to and development of assistive technology and universally designed technologies; and • Transition of youths with disabilities to postsecondary education, employment and independent living. Your input will be used by the ICDR in its deliberations; however, we cannot respond individually to your comments. The meetings will be open and accessible to the general public. Background The ICDR, authorized by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, promotes coordination and cooperation among Federal departments and agencies conducting disability and rehabilitation research programs. Representatives of 16 Federal agencies, including 59 institutes and offices within those agencies, participate in the ICDR. The mandate of the ICDR includes three goals: Identify emerging issues and topic areas in disability and rehabilitation that would benefit from coordinated research planning, program development, and federal funding efforts; assess gaps and duplication in existing research programs, activities, and plans across agencies; and seek to coordinate existing or planned research, programs, activities, or projects among federal agencies. According to statute (Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended): “After receiving input from individuals with disabilities and the individuals’ representatives, the Committee shall identify, assess, and seek to coordinate all Federal programs, activities, and projects, and plans for such programs, activities, and projects with respect to the conduct of research related to rehabilitation of individuals with disabilities.” The ICDR maintains a public Web site at *http://www.icdr.us,* which contains additional information about the ICDR. This public Web site also provides a comment form for collection of comments regarding the Federal research agenda in disability and rehabilitation research. The purpose of this public meeting and request for written comments is to ensure that individuals who may not have access to the Internet and the ICDR public Web site also have an opportunity to submit comments. The Director of the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research, Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, Department of Education is Chair of the ICDR. The Director announces a public meeting in 2007 and invites written comments with respect to the Federal disability and rehabilitation research agenda. Representatives of the ICDR will be present at the meeting to hear your comments. Your comments will be used by the ICDR in its deliberations; however we will not respond individually to your comments. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Constance Pledger, Executive Director ICDR, U.S. Department of Education, 550 12th Street, SW., room 6039, Potomac Center Plaza (PCP), Washington, DC 20202-2700. Telephone:
(202)245-7480. Fax:
(202)245-7630. Internet: *connie.pledger@ed.gov.* Individuals who use a telecommunications device for the deaf
(TDD)may call the Federal Relay Service
(FRS)at 1-800-877-8339. Individuals who need accommodations for a disability in order to attend the meeting (i.e., interpreting services, assistive listening devices, material in alternative format) should notify Constance Pledger at
(202)245-7480 or TDD users may call FRS at 1-800-877-8339 ten business days in advance of the meeting. The meeting location is accessible to individuals with disabilities. *Participants:* Individuals who wish to present comments at the public meeting must reserve time on the agenda by contacting the individual identified under Reservations and Additional Meeting Information. Reservations for presenting comments will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Given the expected number of individuals interested in presenting comments at the meeting, reservations should be made as soon as possible. *Format:* Participants will be allowed approximately five minutes to present their comments, depending upon the number of individuals who reserve time on the agenda. Prior to the meeting, participants must submit written copies of their comments, and other written or electronic versions of any relevant supporting information. Walk-ins must bring two written copies of their comments. *Reservations and Additional Meeting Information:* All individuals attending the public meeting, including those presenting comments, must make reservations by July 31, 2007 by contacting: Constance Pledger, Executive Director ICDR. If time permits, individuals who have not registered in advance may be allowed to make comments. *Assistance to Individuals with Disabilities at the Public Meeting:* The meeting room and proceedings will be accessible to individuals with disabilities. In addition, when making reservations, anyone presenting comments or attending the meetings who needs special accommodations, such as sign language interpreters, Brailled agenda, computer-assisted real-time
(CART)reporting, should inform Constance Pledger, Executive Director ICDR, of his or her specific accessibility needs. You must make requests for accommodations on or before July 31, 2007. Although we will attempt to meet a request we receive after that date, we may not be able to make available the requested auxiliary aid or service because of insufficient time to arrange it. *Due Dates:* We request your registration to attend along with written and e-mail comments to be provided no later than July 31, 2007. *Submit all comments to:* Constance Pledger, Executive Director ICDR, U.S. Department of Education, 550 12th Street, SW., room 6039, PCP, Washington, DC 20202-2700. Telephone:
(202)245-7480. Fax:
(202)245-7630. Internet: *Connie.Pledger@ed.gov.* Individuals who use a telecommunications device for the deaf
(TDD)may call the FRS at 1-800-877-8339. Individuals with disabilities may obtain a copy of this notice in an alternative format (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, or computer diskette) on request on request to the contact person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT . Electronic Access to This Document You may review this document, as well as all other Department of Education documents published in the **Federal Register** , in text or Adobe Portable Document Format
(PDF)on the Internet at the following site: *http://www.ed.gov/news/fedregister.* To use PDF you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is available free at this site. If you have questions about using PDF, call the U.S. Government Printing Office, toll free, at 1-888-293-6498; or in the Washington, DC area, at
(202)512-1530. Note: The official version of this document is the document published in the **Federal Register** . Free Internet access to the official edition of the **Federal Register** and the Code of Federal Regulations is available on GPO Access at: *http://www.gpoaccess.gov/nara/index.html.* Dated: June 22, 2007. John H. Hager, Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services. [FR Doc. E7-12503 Filed 6-27-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4000-01-P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act of 2000; Revision to List of Covered Facilities AGENCY: Department of Energy. ACTION: Notice of revision of listing of covered facilities. SUMMARY: Periodically, the Department of Energy (“Department” or “DOE”) publishes a list of facilities covered under the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act of 2000 (“Act”), Title 36 of Public Law 106-398 (66 FR 4003; 66 FR 31218). This Notice revises the previous lists because it has been found that some designated atomic weapons employers
(AWE)should not have been so designated. Previous lists were published on November 30, 2005, August 23, 2004, July 21, 2003, December 27, 2002, June 11, 2001, and January 17, 2001. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Patricia R. Worthington, PhD, Director, Office of Health and Safety (HS-10),
(301)903-5392. ADDRESSES: The Department welcomes comments on this Notice. Comments should be addressed to: Patricia R. Worthington, PhD, Director, Office of Health and Safety (HS-10), U.S. Department of Energy, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20585. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Purpose The Act establishes a program to provide compensation to certain employees who developed illnesses as a result of their employment with DOE, its predecessor Agencies, and certain of its contractors and subcontractors. Section 3621 defines an AWE as an entity, other than the United States, that
(a)Processed or produced, for use by the United States, material that emitted radiation and was used in the production of an atomic weapon, excluding uranium mining and milling; and
(b)is designated by the Secretary of Energy as an AWE for the purposes of the compensation program. Section 3621 goes on to define an AWE facility as a facility, owned by an AWE, that is or was used to process or produce, for use by the United States, material that emitted radiation and was used in the production of an atomic weapon, excluding uranium mining or milling. It has recently come to the attention of the Department that a number of entities previously designated as AWEs failed the basic definitional test for an AWE because the designated entities were Agencies of the U.S. Government. Since the definition of an AWE specifically excludes the United States, these previously made designations are invalid. To make it clear that these entities are not covered under the Act, this Notice formally removes the following entities from the list. • Naval Research Laboratory, previously designated as an AWE in the District of Columbia. • Philadelphia Navy Yard, previously designated as an AWE in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. • Watertown Arsenal (Building 421), previously designated as an AWE in Watertown, Massachusetts. Issued in Washington, DC, on June 14, 2007. Glenn S. Podonsky, Chief Health, Safety and Security Officer,Office of Health, Safety and Security. [FR Doc. E7-12511 Filed 6-27-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6450-50-P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [IC07-549B-001, FERC 549B] Commission Information Collection Activities, Proposed Collection; Comment Request; Extension June 20, 2007. AGENCY: Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Department of Energy. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: In compliance with the requirements of section 3507 of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, 44 U.S.C. 3507, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (Commission) has submitted the information collection described below to the Office of Management and Budget
(OMB)for review and extension of this information collection requirement. Any interested person may file comments directly with OMB and should address a copy of those comments to the Commission as explained below. The Commission did not receive any comments in response to an earlier **Federal Register** notice of March 19, 2007 (72 FR 12786-12787) and has made a notation in its submission to OMB. DATES: Comments on the collection of information are due by July 28, 2007. ADDRESSES: Address comments on the collection of information to the Office of Management and Budget, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Attention: Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Desk Officer. Comments to OMB should be filed electronically, c/o *oira_submission@omb.eop.gov* and include the OMB Control No. as a point of reference. The Desk Officer may be reached by telephone at 202-395-4650. A copy of the comments should also be sent to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Office of the Executive Director, ED-34, Attention: Michael Miller, 888 First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426. Comments may be filed either in paper format or electronically. Those persons filing electronically do not need to make a paper filing. For paper filings an original and 14 copies, of such comments should be submitted to the Secretary of the Commission, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426 and should refer to Docket No. IC07-549B-001. Documents filed electronically via the Internet must be prepared in WordPerfect, MS Word, Portable Document Format, or ASCII format. To file the document, access the Commission's Web site at *http://www.ferc.gov* and click on “Make an E-Filing,” and then follow the instructions for each screen. First time users will have to establish a user name and password. The Commission will send an automatic acknowledgement to the sender's e-mail address upon receipt of comments. User assistance for electronic filings is available at 202-502-8258 or by e-mail to *efiling@ferc.gov.* Comments should not be submitted to this e-mail address. All comments may be viewed, printed or downloaded remotely via the Internet through FERC's homepage using the “ *eLibrary* ” link. Enter the docket number excluding the last three digits in the docket number field to access the document. For user assistance, contact *FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov* or toll-free at
(866)208-3676, or for TTY, contact
(202)502-8659. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael Miller may be reached by telephone at
(202)502-8415, by fax at
(202)273-0873, and by e-mail at *michael.miller@ferc.gov.* SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Description The information collection submitted for OMB review contains the following: 1. *Collection of Information:* FERC 549B “Gas Pipeline Rates: Capacity Information”. 2. *Sponsor:* Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. 3. *Control No.:* 1902-0169. The Commission is now requesting that OMB approve and extend the expiration date for an additional three years with no changes to the existing collection. The information filed with the Commission is mandatory. 4. *Necessity of the Collection of Information:* Submission of the information is necessary for the Commission to carry out its responsibilities in implementing the statutory provisions of sections 4, 5, and 16 of the NGA, 15 U.S.C. 717c-717o, Public Law 75-688, 52 Stat. 822 and 830 and Title III of the NGPA, 15 U.S.C. 3301-3432, Public Law 95-621. Capacity Reports On April 4, 1992, in Order No. 636, the Commission established a capacity release mechanism under which shippers could release firm transportation and storage capacity on either a short or long term basis to other shippers wanting to obtain capacity. Pipelines posted available firm and interruptible capacity information on their electronic bulletin boards
(EBBs)to inform potential shippers. On September 11, 1992, in Order No. 636-A, the Commission determined, through staff audits, that the efficiency of the capacity release mechanism could be enhanced by standardizing the content and format of capacity release information and the methods by which shippers access this information, posted to EBBs. On April 4, 1995, through Order 577 (RM95-5-000), the Commission amended §284.243(h) of its regulations to allow shippers the ability to release capacity without having to comply with the Commission's advance posting and bidding requirements. To create greater substitution between different forms of capacity and to enhance competition across the pipeline grid, on February 25, 2000, in Order No. 637 RM98-10-000), the Commission revised its capacity release regulations regarding scheduling, segmentation and flexible point rights, penalties, and reporting requirements. This resulted in more reliable capacity information availability and price data that shippers needed to make informed decisions in a competitive market as well as to improve shipper's and the Commission's availability to monitor marketplace behavior. Index of Customers In Order 581, issued September 28, 1995, the Commission established the Index of Customers
(IOC)information requirement. The Index of Customers had two functions, first, for analyzing capacity held on pipelines and second, for providing capacity information to the market. The Index of Customers information aids the capacity release system by enabling shippers to identify and locate those holding capacity rights that the shippers may want to acquire. The information was required to be posted on the pipeline's EBB and filed on electronic media with the Commission. This first Index contained, for all firm customers under contract as of the first day of the calendar quarter, the full legal name of the shipper, the rate schedule number for which service is contracted, the contract effective and expiration dates, and the contract quantities. In Order 637, the Commission required the following additional information: the receipt and delivery points held under contract and the zones or segments in which the capacity is held; the common transaction point codes; the contract number; a shipper identification number, such as DUNS; an indication whether the contract includes negotiated rates; the names of any agents or asset managers that control capacity in a pipeline rate zone; and any affiliate relationship between the pipeline and the holder of capacity. The Index is now provided through a quarterly filing on electronic media to the Commission and is posted on pipelines' Internet Web sites. 5. *Respondent Description:* The respondent universe currently comprises 103 companies (on average) subject to the Commission's jurisdiction. Capacity reports: 179,838 hours/2080 work hours per year × $122,137 = $10,560,035; Index of Customers (IOC): 1,236 hours/2080 work hours per year × $122,137 = $72,578 Total Costs = $10,632,613. The estimated annual cost per respondent is: Capacity Reports: $102,525; Index of Customers: $705. 6. *Estimated Burden:* 181,074 total hours, 103 respondents (average), 6 (Capacity Reports), 4 (Index of Customers) responses per respondent, and 291 (Capacity Reports), 3 (Index of Customers) hours per response (rounded off and average time) 7. *Estimated Cost Burden to respondents:* 181,074 hours/2080 hours per years × $122,137 per year = $10,560,035. The cost per respondent is equal to $102,525; Index of Customers: $705. Statutory Authority: Statutory provisions of sections 4, 5 and 16 Natural Gas Act, 15 U.S.C. 717c-717o. Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary. [FR Doc. E7-12469 Filed 6-27-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717-01-P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Docket No. RP07-413-001] Columbia Gas Transmission Corporation; Notice of Compliance Filing June 20, 2007. Take notice that on June 18, 2007, Columbia Gas Transmission Corporation (Columbia) tendered for filing as part of its FERC Gas Tariff, Second Revised Volume No. 1, with an effective date of August 1, 2007: Seventh Revised Sheet No. 538 First Revised Sheet No. 538A Third Revised Sheet No. 540 Columbia states that it is making this filing in compliance with the Commission's Order in this docket, issued June 5, 2007. Any person desiring to protest this filing must file in accordance with Rule 211 of the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure (18 CFR 385.211). Protests to this filing 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. Such protests must be filed in accordance with the provisions of section 154.210 of the Commission's regulations (18 CFR 154.210). Anyone filing a protest must serve a copy of that document on all the parties to the proceeding. The Commission encourages electronic submission of protests 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 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. Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary. [FR Doc. E7-12472 Filed 6-27-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717-01-P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Docket No. RP07-412-001] Columbia Gulf Transmission Company; Notice of Compliance Filing June 20, 2007. Take notice that on June 18, 2007, Columbia Gulf Transmission Company (Columbia Gulf) tendered for filing as part of its FERC Gas Tariff, Second Revised Volume No. 1, First Revised Sheet No. 333A and First Revised Sheet No. 333C, with an effective date of August 1, 2007. Columbia Gulf states that it is making this filing in compliance with the Commission's Order in this docket issued June 5, 2007. Any person desiring to protest this filing must file in accordance with Rule 211 of the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure (18 CFR 385.211). Protests to this filing 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. Such protests must be filed in accordance with the provisions of section 154.210 of the Commission's regulations (18 CFR 154.210). Anyone filing a protest must serve a copy of that document on all the parties to the proceeding. The Commission encourages electronic submission of protests 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 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. Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary. [FR Doc. E7-12471 Filed 6-27-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717-01-P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Docket No. RP07-490-000] Great Lakes Gas Transmission, Limited Partnership; Notice of Proposed Changes in FERC Gas Tariff June 20, 2007. Take notice that on June 15, 2007, Great Lakes Gas Transmission Limited Partnership (Great Lakes) tendered for filing as part of its FERC Gas Tariff, Second Revised Volume No. 1, the tariff sheets listed on Appendix A to the filing, to become effective August 1, 2007. 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 and 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 in accordance with the provisions of section 154.210 of the Commission's regulations (18 CFR 154.210). Anyone filing an intervention or protest must serve a copy of that document on the Applicant. Anyone filing an intervention or protest on or before the intervention or protest date need not 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. Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary. [FR Doc. E7-12476 Filed 6-27-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717-01-P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Docket No. RP97-81-034] Kinder Morgan Interstate Gas Transmission LLC; Notice of Compliance Filing June 20, 2007. Take notice that on June 15, 2007, Kinder Morgan Interstate Gas Transmission LLC (KMIGT) tendered for filing as part of its FERC Gas Tariff, Fourth Revised Volume No. 1-A, the following tariff sheets, to be effective June 1, 2007: Sixteenth Revised Sheet No. 4G Tenth Revised Sheet No. 4G.01 Fifth Revised Sheet No. 4J Sixth Revised Sheet No. 4K Second Revised Sheet No. 4K.01 Ninth Revised Sheet No. 4L Second Revised Sheet No. 4M KMIGT states that the tariff sheets are being filed in compliance with the Commission's December 31, 1996, “Order Accepting Tariff Filing Subject to Conditions”, in Docket No. RP97-81 (77 FERC ¶ 61,350) and the Commission's Letter Orders dated March 28, 1997 and November 30, 2000 in Docket Nos. RP97-81-001 and RP01-70-000, respectively. KMIGT states that a copy of this filing has been served upon all parties to this proceeding, its customers and affected state commissions. Any person desiring to protest this filing must file in accordance with Rule 211 of the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure (18 CFR 385.211). Protests to this filing 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. Such protests must be filed in accordance with the provisions of section 154.210 of the Commission's regulations (18 CFR 154.210). Anyone filing a protest must serve a copy of that document on all the parties to the proceeding. The Commission encourages electronic submission of protests 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 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. Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary. [FR Doc. E7-12470 Filed 6-27-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717-01-P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Docket No. RP07-492-000] Natural Gas Pipeline Company; Notice of Petition for Temporary Waiver of Tariff Provisions June 20, 2007. Take notice that on June 15, 2007, Natural Gas Pipeline Company of America (Natural) tendered for filing a Petition For Temporary Waiver of Tariff Provisions and Request for Expedited Action. Natural states that the purpose of this filing is to seek a temporary waiver of certain tariff provisions in order to expand opposite leg secondary point rights, so as to offset the impact of an expected outage of Natural's Amarillo Mainline during the months of July through September 2007 that will remove from service a pipeline valve section of Segment 14, extending from the east side of the Mississippi River to Natural's Compressor Station 10 in Henry County, Illinois. 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 and 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 date as indicated below. Anyone filing an intervention or protest must serve a copy of that document on the Applicant. Anyone filing an intervention or protest on or before the intervention or protest date need not 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. *Intervention and Protest Date:* 5 p.m. Eastern Time June 26, 2007. Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary. [FR Doc. E7-12475 Filed 6-27-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717-01-P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Docket No. RP07-491-000] Northern Natural Gas Company; Notice of Proposed Changes in FERC Gas Tariff June 20, 2007. Take notice that on June 15, 2007, Northern Natural Gas Company (Northern) tendered for filing as part of its FERC Gas Tariff, Fifth Revised Volume No. 1, the following tariff sheets, with an effective date of August 1, 2007: 2nd Revised Sheet No. 54B 21 Revised Sheet No. 61 21 Revised Sheet No. 62 1 Revised 24 Revised Sheet No. 63 1 Revised 23 Revised Sheet No. 64 Northern states that the filing is being made in accordance with the provisions for adjusting fuel percentages in the event of the abandonment of compression contained in Sheet No. 54 of its tariff. 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 and 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 in accordance with the provisions of Section 154.210 of the Commission's regulations (18 CFR 154.210). Anyone filing an intervention or protest must serve a copy of that document on the Applicant. Anyone filing an intervention or protest on or before the intervention or protest date need not 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. Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary. [FR Doc. E7-12473 Filed 6-27-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717-01-P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Docket No. RP07-446-001] Northern Natural Gas Company; Notice of Compliance Filing June 20, 2007. Take notice that on June 15, 2007, Northern Natural Gas Company (Northern), tendered for filing in its FERC Gas Tariff, Fifth Revised Volume No. 1, the following tariff sheets, effective June 11, 2007: 1 Revised 2 Revised Sheet No. 206A Substitute 6 Revised Sheet No. 251 Substitute 13 Revised Sheet No. 252 Northern states that it is filing the above-referenced tariff sheets to comply with the Commission Order in Docket No. RP07-446-000, issued on June 8, 2007. Any person desiring to protest this filing must file in accordance with Rule 211 of the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure (18 CFR 385.211). Protests to this filing 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. Such protests must be filed in accordance with the provisions of section 154.210 of the Commission's regulations (18 CFR 154.210). Anyone filing a protest must serve a copy of that document on all the parties to the proceeding. The Commission encourages electronic submission of protests 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 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 email notification when a document is added to a subscribed docket(s). For assistance with any FERC Online service, please email *FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov* , or call
(866)208-3676 (toll free). For TTY, call
(202)502-8659. Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary. [FR Doc. E7-12478 Filed 6-27-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717-01-P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Docket No. EL03-37-007] Town of Norwood, Massachusetts v. National Grid USA, New England Electric System, New England Power Company, Massachusetts Electric Company, The Narragansett Electric Company; Notice of Compliance Filing June 21, 2007. Take notice that on June 14, 2007, New England Power Company filed a compliance filing, pursuant to the Commission's Order on Remand issued May 17, 2007, *Town of Norwood, Massachusetts* v. *National Grid USA, et al.* , 119 FERC ¶ 61,148 (2007). 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. Anyone filing a motion to intervene or protest must serve a copy of that document on the Applicant and all the parties in this proceeding. 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 July 5, 2007. Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary. [FR Doc. E7-12484 Filed 6-27-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717-01-P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Docket No. RP06-200-027] Rockies Express Pipeline LLC; Notice of Tariff and Negotiated Rate Filing June 20, 2007. Take notice that on June 18, 2007, Rockies Express Pipeline LLC
(REX)tendered for filing as part of its FERC Gas Tariff, First Revised Volume No. 1, Twenty-Second Revised Sheet No. 22, to be effective June 19, 2007. 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 and 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 in accordance with the provisions of Section 154.210 of the Commission's regulations (18 CFR 154.210). Anyone filing an intervention or protest must serve a copy of that document on the Applicant. Anyone filing an intervention or protest on or before the intervention or protest date need not 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. Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary. [FR Doc. E7-12474 Filed 6-27-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717-01-P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Docket No. EL07-74-000] Intermountain Rural Electric Association, Complainant v. Public Service Company of Colorado, Respondent; Notice of Complaint June 21, 2007. Take notice that on June 20, 2007, pursuant to Rule 218 of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's (Commission) Rules and Practice and Procedure and sections 206 and 306 of the Federal Power Act, 16 U.S.C. 824e and 825e, Intermountain Rural Electric Association (Complainant) filed a formal complaint against the Public Service Company of Colorado (Respondent), alleging that it believes
(1)That it is being charged unjust and unreasonable rates for distribution losses under the provisions of the Second Restated and Amended Power Purchase Agreement (PPA), Second Revised Rate Schedule No. 51, *Xcel Energy Services, Inc.* , Docket No. ER05-1248-000; and
(2)the Respondent has unilaterally increased the distribution loss percentage without filing with or the approval of the Commission. The Complainant is requesting the Commission to order the Respondent to
(1)Refund, with interest, all amounts unlawfully charged by the Respondent to the Complainant under its PPA;
(2)confirm to the Respondent may not modify the distribution loss percentage, or any other aspect of the PPA, without filing for and obtaining the Commission's acceptance under section 205 of the Federal Power Act, U.S.C. 824d, and under section 5 of the Rate Schedule A of the PPA, Second Revised Sheet No. 20, the Respondent cannot make any such filing with the Commission that would result in an increase to the Complainant's base rates to become effective prior to January 1, 2009. 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 July 10, 2007. Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary. [FR Doc. E7-12480 Filed 6-27-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717-01-P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Combined Notice of Filings #1 June 21, 2007. Take notice that the Commission received the following electric rate filings: *Docket Numbers:* ER01-1305-014. *Applicants:* Westar Generating, Inc. *Description:* Westar Generating, Inc submits its compliance filing in accordance with Article IV, Informational Filing of the Settlement Agreement. *Filed Date:* 06/18/2007. *Accession Number:* 20070619-0139. *Comment Date:* 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Monday, July 9, 2007. *Docket Numbers:* ER05-231-006. *Applicants:* PSEG Power Connecticut, LLC. *Description:* Compliance filing of the Settling Parties and Alternative Request for Rehearing of FERC's 5/18/07 Order re PSEG Power Connecticut LLC. *Filed Date:* 06/18/2007. *Accession Number:* 20070620-0129. *Comment Date:* 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Monday, July 9, 2007. *Docket Numbers:* ER07-478-001. *Applicants:* Midwest Independent Transmission System Operator, Inc. *Description:* Midwest Independent Transmission System Operator Inc submits proposed revisions to its Open Access Transmission and Energy Markets Tariff to comply with specific directives set forth in FERC's 5/17/07 Order. *Filed Date:* 06/18/2007. *Accession Number:* 20070620-0128. *Comment Date:* 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Monday, July 9, 2007. *Docket Numbers:* ER07-648-001. *Applicants:* California Independent System Operator Corporation. *Description:* California Independent System Operator Corp submits its filing in compliance with FERC's 5/18/07 Order conditionally accepting tariff amendments etc. *Filed Date:* 06/18/2007. *Accession Number:* 20070620-0119. *Comment Date:* 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Monday, July 9, 2007. *Docket Numbers:* ER07-777-001. *Applicants:* American Electric Power Service Corporation. *Description:* The American Electric Power Service Corp as designated agent for AEP Operating Companies submits an Amendment to the Interconnection & Local Delivery Service Agreement 1422 with the Village of Deshler. *Filed Date:* 06/18/2007. *Accession Number:* 20070620-0107. *Comment Date:* 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Monday, July 9, 2007. *Docket Numbers:* ER07-778-001. *Applicants:* American Electric Power Service Corporation. *Description:* The American Electric Power Service Corp as designated agent for AEP Operating Companies submits an Amendment to the Interconnection & Local Delivery Service Agreement 1416 with the Village of Arcadia. *Filed Date:* 06/18/2007. *Accession Number:* 20070620-0108. *Comment Date:* 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Monday, July 9, 2007. *Docket Numbers:* ER07-779-001. *Applicants:* American Electric Power Service Corporation. *Description:* The American Electric Power Service Corp as designated agent for AEP Operating Companies submits an Amendment to the Interconnection & Local Delivery Service Agreement 1423 with the Village of Greenwich. *Filed Date:* 06/18/2007. *Accession Number:* 20070620-0114. *Comment Date:* 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Monday, July 9, 2007. *Docket Numbers:* ER07-780-001. *Applicants:* American Electric Power Service Corporation. *Description:* The American Electric Power Service Corp as designated agent for AEP Operating Companies submits an Amendment to the Interconnection & Local Delivery Service Agreement 1417 with the Village of Bloomdale. *Filed Date:* 06/18/2007. *Accession Number:* 20070620-0116. *Comment Date:* 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Monday, July 9, 2007. *Docket Numbers:* ER07-781-001. *Applicants:* American Electric Power Service Corporation. *Description:* The American Electric Power Service Corp agent for AEP Operating Companies submits an Amendment to the Interconnection & Local Delivery Service Agreement 1418 with the City of Bryan. *Filed Date:* 06/18/2007. *Accession Number:* 20070620-0105. *Comment Date:* 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Monday, July 9, 2007. *Docket Numbers:* ER07-785-001. *Applicants:* American Electric Power Service Corporation. *Description:* The American Electric Power Service Corp as designated agent for AEP Operating Companies submits an Amendment to the Interconnection & Local Delivery Service Agreement 1424 with the Village of Plymouth. *Filed Date:* 06/18/2007. *Accession Number:* 20070620-0111. *Comment Date:* 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Monday, July 9, 2007. *Docket Numbers:* ER07-786-001. *Applicants:* American Electric Power Service Corporation. *Description:* The American Electric Power Service Corp as designated agent for AEP Operating Companies submits an Amendment to the Interconnection & Local Delivery Service Agreement 1427 with the City of St Clairsville. *Filed Date:* 06/18/2007. *Accession Number:* 20070620-0110. *Comment Date:* 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Monday, July 9, 2007. *Docket Numbers:* ER07-787-001. *Applicants:* American Electric Power Service Corporation. *Description:* The American Electric Power Service Corp as designated agent for AEP Operating Companies submits an Amendment to the Interconnection & Local Delivery Service Agreement 1424 with the Village of Ohio City. *Filed Date:* 06/18/2007. *Accession Number:* 20070620-0106. *Comment Date:* 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Monday, July 9, 2007. *Docket Numbers:* ER07-789-001. *Applicants:* American Electric Power Service Corporation. *Description:* The American Electric Power Service Corp as designated agent for AEP Operating Companies submits an Amendment to the Interconnection & Local Delivery Service Agreement 1429 with the Village of Sycamore. *Filed Date:* 06/18/2007. *Accession Number:* 20070620-0112. *Comment Date:* 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Monday, July 9, 2007. *Docket Numbers:* ER07-790-001. *Applicants:* American Electric Power Service Corporation. *Description:* The American Electric Power Service Corp as designated agent for AEP Operating Companies submits an Amendment to the Interconnection & Local Delivery Service Agreement 1428 with the Village of Shiloh. *Filed Date:* 06/18/2007. *Accession Number:* 20070620-0117. *Comment Date:* 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Monday, July 9, 2007. *Docket Numbers:* ER07-791-001. *Applicants:* American Electric Power Service Corporation. *Description:* The American Electric Power Service Corp as designated agent for AEP Operating Companies submits an Amendment to the Interconnection & Local Delivery Service Agreement 1430 with the City of Wapakoneta. *Filed Date:* 06/18/2007. *Accession Number:* 20070620-0115. *Comment Date:* 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Monday, July 9, 2007. *Docket Numbers:* ER07-797-001. *Applicants:* American Electric Power Service Corporation. *Description:* The American Electric Power Service Corp as designated agent for AEP Operating Companies submits an Amendment to the Interconnection & Local Delivery Service Agreement 1431 with the Village of Wharton. *Filed Date:* 06/18/2007. *Accession Number:* 20070620-0109. *Comment Date:* 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Monday, July 9, 2007. *Docket Numbers:* ER07-798-001. *Applicants:* American Electric Power Service Corporation. *Description:* The American Electric Power Service Corp as designated agent for AEP Operating Companies submits an Amendment to the Interconnection & Local Delivery Service Agreement 1420 with the City of Clyde. *Filed Date:* 06/18/2007. *Accession Number:* 20070620-0113. *Comment Date:* 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Monday, July 9, 2007. *Docket Numbers:* ER07-800-001. *Applicants:* American Electric Power Service Corporation. *Description:* The American Electric Power Service Corp as designated agent for AEP Operating Companies submits an Amendment to the Interconnection & Local Delivery Service Agreement 1419 w/ the Village of Carey. *Filed Date:* 06/18/2007. *Accession Number:* 20070620-0121. *Comment Date:* 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Monday, July 9, 2007. *Docket Numbers:* ER07-878-001. *Applicants:* Atlantic City Electric Company. *Description:* Atlantic City Electric Co submits an executed Interconnection Agreement with the City of Vineland, New Jersey. *Filed Date:* 06/18/2007. *Accession Number:* 20070620-0120. *Comment Date:* 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Monday, July 9, 2007. *Docket Numbers:* ER07-912-001. *Applicants:* Potomac Electric Power Company. *Description:* Answer of PEPCO to Motion for Partial Summary Disposition, Protest, and Expression of Support. *Filed Date:* 06/20/2007. *Accession Number:* 20070620-5049. *Comment Date:* 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Wednesday, July 11, 2007. *Docket Numbers:* ER07-914-001. *Applicants:* Delmarva Power & Light Company. *Description:* Motion for Leave to Answer and Answer of Delmarva Power and Light Company. *Filed Date:* 06/20/2007. *Accession Number:* 20070620-5050. *Comment Date:* 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Wednesday, July 11, 2007. *Docket Numbers:* ER07-974-001. *Applicants:* Wisconsin Electric Power Company. *Description:* Errata to WDSA between Wisconsin Electric Power Company and City of Norway, Michigan. *Filed Date:* 06/12/2007. *Accession Number:* 20070612-5048. *Comment Date:* 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Tuesday, July 03, 2007. *Docket Numbers:* ER07-1047-000. *Applicants:* New York State Electric and Gas Corporation. *Description:* New York State Electric & Gas Corp submits this supplement to FERC Rate Schedule 200—Facilities Agreement w/ the New York Power Authority pursuant to section 205 of the Federal Power Act etc. *Filed Date:* 06/18/2007. *Accession Number:* 20070620-0118. *Comment Date:* 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Monday, July 9, 2007. *Docket Numbers:* ER07-1048-000. *Applicants:* Southern California Edison Company. *Description:* Southern California Edison Company submits its revised rate sheets to Grand Crossing E Street Wholesale Distribution Load Interconnection Facility Agreement etc. *Filed Date:* 06/19/2007. *Accession Number:* 20070620-0127. *Comment Date:* 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Tuesday, July 10, 2007. Take notice that the Commission received the following electric securities filings *Docket Numbers:* ES07-41-000. *Applicants:* Duquesne Light Company. *Description:* Request for Permission to Issue short term debt of Duquesne Light Company under ES07-41. *Filed Date:* 06/20/2007. *Accession Number:* 20070620-5054. *Comment Date:* 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Wednesday, July 11, 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 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. Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary. [FR Doc. E7-12467 Filed 6-27-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717-01-P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Combined Notice of Filings #1 June 20, 2007. Take notice that the Commission received the following electric corporate filings: *Docket Numbers: EC07-104-000.* *Applicants:* Granite Ridge I SPE LLC; Granite Ridge Energy, LLC; Merrill Lynch Credit Products, LLC; Electron Holdings, LLC; Cargill Financial Services International; King Street Capital, L.P.; KSCH Energy V Limited; TPG Credit Opportunities Fund, L.P. *Description:* Granite Ridge I SPE LLC *et al.* submit an application for order authorizing the Disposition of Jurisdictional Facilities under section 203 of the FPA. *Filed Date:* 6/14/2007. *Accession Number: 20070618-0132.* *Comment Date:* 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, July 5, 2007. *Docket Numbers: EC07-105-000.* *Applicants:* Phelps Dodge Corporation; Phelps Dodge Energy Services, LLC; Phelps Dodge Power Marketing, LLC. *Description:* Phelps Dodge Corporation *et al.* submit a joint application for authorization to transfer ownership interest in exempt wholesale generators and on 6/15/07 submit an errata to this filing. *Filed Date:* 6/14/2007; 6/15/2007. *Accession Number: 20070618-0130.* *Comment Date:* 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, July 5, 2007. *Docket Numbers: EC07-106-000.* *Applicants:* Williams Power Company, Inc.; Bear Energy LP. *Description: Williams Power Co, Inc and Bear Energy LP submits joint application for authorization of the disposition of jurisdictional facilities.* *Filed Date:* 6/14/2007. *Accession Number: 20070618-0134.* *Comment Date:* 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, July 5, 2007. *Docket Numbers: EC07-107-000.* *Applicants:* Reliant Energy Power Supply, LLC; Reliant Energy Solutions East, LLC; Merrill Lynch Commodities, Inc. *Description: Reliant Energy Power Supply, LLC, Reliant Energy Solutions East, LLC and Merrill Lynch Commodities, Inc submit an application for authorization for an indirect transfer of control over certain jurisdictional facilities.* *Filed Date:* 6/15/2007. *Accession Number: 20070619-0199.* *Comment Date:* 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Friday, July 6, 2007. *Docket Numbers: EC07-108-000.* *Applicants:* Acadia Power Partners, LLC; Calpine Acadia Holdings, LLC; Acadia Power Holdings, LLC. *Description:* Joint application for approval of Acadia Power Partners, LLC, Calpine Acadia Holdings, LLC and Acadia Power Holdings, LLC on the indirect transfer of its existing interest. *Filed Date:* 6/15/2007. *Accession Number: 20070619-0198.* *Comment Date:* 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Friday, July 6, 2007. Take notice that the Commission received the following exempt wholesale generator filings: *Docket Numbers: EG07-58-000.* *Applicants:* Forward Energy LLC. *Description: Forward Energy LLC submits a Notice of Self-Certification of Exempt Wholesale Generator Status pursuant to Sections 3.66.1 and 366.7(a) of the Commission's Regulations.* *Filed Date:* 6/12/2007. *Accession Number: 20070614-0108.* *Comment Date:* 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Tuesday, July 03, 2007. *Docket Numbers: EG07-59-000.* *Applicants:* Kleen Energy Systems, LLC. *Description: Kleen Energy Systems, LLC as the Owner of the Kleen Energy Generating Facility submits a notice of Self-Certification of Exempt Wholesale Generator Status.* *Filed Date:* 6/15/2007. *Accession Number: 20070615-5015.* *Comment Date:* 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Friday, July 6, 2007. *Docket Numbers: EG07-60-000.* *Applicants:* Hopewell Cogeneration Ltd Partnership. *Description: Notice of Self-Certification of Exempt Wholesale Generator Status of Hopewell Cogeneration Limited Partnership.* *Filed Date:* 6/15/2007. *Accession Number: 20070615-5052.* *Comment Date:* 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Friday, July 6, 2007. Take notice that the Commission received the following electric rate filings: *Docket Numbers: ER00-980-015.* *Applicants:* Bangor Hydro-Electric Company. *Description:* Bangor Hydro-Electric Co submits an informational filing showing the implementation of their formula rate for the charges that became effective 6/1/07. *Filed Date:* 6/15/2007. *Accession Number: 20070619-0141.* *Comment Date:* 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Friday, July 6, 2007. *Docket Numbers: ER00-1053-020.* *Applicants:* Maine Public Service Company. *Description: Maine Public Service Company submits this informational filing setting forth the changed open access transmission tariff charges effective 6/1/07 together with back-up materials etc.* *Filed Date:* 06/15/2007. *Accession Number: 20070619-0135.* *Comment Date:* 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Friday, July 6, 2007. *Docket Numbers: ER03-198-008.* *Applicants:* Pacific Gas & Electric Company. *Description: Pacific Gas & Electric Company (PG&E) submits a notice of change in status due to execution and CPUC approval of a multi-year tolling agreement between Mirant Delta, LLC (Mirant) and PG&E.* *Filed Date:* 6/14/2007. *Accession Number: 20070614-5029.* *Comment Date:* 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, July 5, 2007. *Docket Numbers: ER04-944-003.* *Applicants:* Reliant Energy Wholesale Generation, LLC. *Description:* Reliant Energy Wholesale Generation LLC submits its triennial market power analysis and revisions to its market-based rate tariff to remove sheets codifying FERC's previously effective market behavior rules. *Filed Date:* 6/15/2007. *Accession Number: 20070619-0137.* *Comment Date:* 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Friday, July 6, 2007. *Docket Numbers: ER05-17-008.* *Applicants:* Trans-Electric NTD Path 15, LLC. *Description: Trans-Elec NTD Path 15, LLC submits revisions to its Transmission Owner Tariff, including the Transmission Revenue Requirement contained in accordance w/FERC's order on initial decision.* *Filed Date:* 6/12/2007. *Accession Number: 20070614-0092.* *Comment Date:* 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Tuesday, July 03, 2007. *Docket Numbers: ER06-1088-002.* *Applicants:* Entergy Services, Inc. *Description: Entergy Services Inc submits its compliance refund report.* *Filed Date:* 6/14/2007. *Accession Number: 20070618-0127.* *Comment Date:* 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, July 5, 2007. *Docket Numbers: ER06-1552-003.* *Applicants:* Midwest Independent Transmission System Operator, Inc. *Description: Midwest Independent Transmission System Operator Inc submits its proposed revisions to its Open Access Transmission and Energy Markets Tariff etc.* *Filed Date:* 6/18/2007. Accession Number: 20070619-0160 *Comment Date:* 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Monday, July 9, 2007. *Docket Numbers: ER07-284-003.* *Applicants:* San Diego Gas & Electric Company. *Description:* San Diego Gas & Electric Company submits its compliance filing. *Filed Date:* 6/15/2007. *Accession Number: 20070619-0138.* *Comment Date:* 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Friday, July 6, 2007. *Docket Numbers: ER07-478-001.* *Applicants:* Midwest Independent Transmission System Operator, Inc. *Description:* Midwest Independent Transmission System Operator Inc submits proposed revisions to its Open Access Transmission and Energy Markets Tariff to comply with specific directives set forth in FERC's 5/17/07 Order. *Filed Date:* 6/18/2007. *Accession Number: 20070620-0128.* *Comment Date:* 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Monday, July 9, 2007. *Docket Numbers: ER07-583-002.* *Applicants:* Commonwealth Edison Company. *Description:* Commonwealth Edison Company of Indiana Inc submits its compliance filing. *Filed Date:* 6/15/2007. *Accession Number: 20070619-0136.* *Comment Date:* 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Friday, July 6, 2007. *Docket Numbers: ER07-1013-000.* *Applicants:* PJM Interconnection, L.L.C. *Description: PJM Interconnection LLC submits an executed interconnection service agreement among PJM, FirstEnergy Nuclear Operating Company et al and notices of cancellation for an interim interconnection services.* *Filed Date:* 6/5/2007. *Accession Number: 20070607-0201.* *Comment Date:* 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Tuesday, June 26, 2007. *Docket Numbers: ER07-1033-000.* *Applicants:* New York Independent System Operator, Inc. *Description: New York Independent System Operator Inc submits proposed revisions to its Market Administration and Control Area Services Tariff to revised methodology by which the NYISO included start-up costs etc.* *Filed Date:* 6/13/2007. *Accession Number: 20070615-0300.* *Comment Date:* 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, July 5, 2007. *Docket Numbers: ER07-1034-000.* *Applicants:* California Independent System Operator Corporation *Description: Southern California Edison submits an unexecuted Large Generation Interconnection Agreement with Green Borders Geothermal LLC.* *Filed Date:* 6/14/2007. *Accession Number: 20070615-0305.* *Comment Date:* 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, July 5, 2007. *Docket Numbers: ER07-1035-000.* *Applicants:* California Independent System Operator Corporation. *Description: California Independent System Operator Corporation submits a notice regarding the revised transmission Access Charges effective 3/1/07.* *Filed Date:* 6/14/2007. *Accession Number: 20070618-0124.* *Comment Date:* 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, July 5, 2007. *Docket Numbers: ER07-1036-000.* *Applicants:* PJM Interconnection, LLC. *Description: PJM Interconnection LLC submits revisions to its Credit Policy Attachment Q of its Open Access Transmission Tariff, FERC Electric, Sixth Revised Volume 1.* *Filed Date:* 6/14/2007. *Accession Number: 20070618-0123.* *Comment Date:* 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, July 5, 2007. *Docket Numbers: ER07-1037-000.* *Applicants:* Duke Energy Indiana, Inc. *Description: Duke Energy Indiana Inc submits a Power Coordination Agreement designated as Rate Schedule 269 with Indiana Municipal Power Agency dated 4/26/07.* *Filed Date:* 6/14/2007. *Accession Number: 20070618-0122.* *Comment Date:* 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, July 5, 2007. *Docket Numbers: ER07-1038-000.* *Applicants:* California Independent System Operator Corporation. * Description: California Independent System Operator Corporation submits an amendment to the ISO Tariff 2007 Reference Price Amendment. * *Filed Date:* 6/14/2007. *Accession Number: 20070618-0125.* *Comment Date:* 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, July 5, 2007. *Docket Numbers: ER07-1039-000.* *Applicants:* Central Maine Power. *Description: Central Maine Power Company submits an executed Form of Local Service agreement for point-to-point service and executed Service Agreement for Local Network Transmission Service.* *Filed Date:* 6/15/2007. *Accession Number: 20070618-0126.* *Comment Date:* 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Friday, July 6, 2007. *Docket Numbers: ER07-1041-000.* *Applicants:* Avista Corporation. *Description: Avista Corporation submits Second Revised Sheet 6 et al to its FERC Rate Schedule 323.* *Filed Date:* 6/18/2007. *Accession Number: 20070619-0157.* *Comment Date:* 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Monday, July 9, 2007. *Docket Numbers: ER07-1042-000.* *Applicants:* Southern California Edison Company. *Description: Southern California Edison Company submits revised rate sheets to the Interconnection Facilities Agreement with Gas Recovery Systems Inc, Service Agreement 118 etc.* *Filed Date:* 6/18/2007. *Accession Number: 20070619-0158.* *Comment Date:* 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Monday, July 9, 2007. *Docket Numbers: ER07-1043-000.* *Applicants:* Southern California Edison Company. *Description: Southern California Edison Company submits a Small Generator Interconnection Agreement and a Service Agreement for Wholesale Distribution Service with Cambrian Energy Woodville LLC.* *Filed Date:* 6/18/2007. *Accession Number: 20070619-0159.* *Comment Date:* 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Monday, July 9, 2007. *Docket Numbers: ER07-1045-000.* *Applicants:* Kentucky Utilities Company. *Description: E.ON US, LLC submits a Letter Agreement between Kentucky Utilities Co and twelve existing KU wholesale municipal customers which receive power from the Southeastern Power Administration.* *Filed Date:* 6/15/2007. *Accession Number: 20070619-0134.* *Comment Date:* 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Friday, July 6, 2007. *Docket Numbers: ER07-1046-000.* *Applicants:* Dresden Energy, LLC. *Description: Dresden Energy, LLC submits a Notice of Cancellation of a revised tariff sheet to terminate its market-based rate tariff, designated as FERC Electric Tariff, Original Volume 1.* *Filed Date:* 6/18/2007. *Accession Number: 20070619-0143.* *Comment Date:* 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Monday, July 9, 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 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. Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary. [FR Doc. E7-12468 Filed 6-27-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717-01-P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Project No. 12447-001] Fort Dodge Hydroelectric Development Co; Notice of Availability of Environmental Assessment June 21, 2007. In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's regulations, 18 CFR Part 380 (Order No. 486, 52 FR 47879), the Office of Energy Projects has reviewed the application for an original license for the Fort Dodge Mill Dam Hydroelectric Project (project), to be located on the Des Moines River in Webster County, Iowa, and has prepared an Environmental Assessment (EA). In the EA, Commission staff analyzed the potential environmental effects of licensing the project and conclude that issuing a license for the project, with appropriate environmental measures, would not constitute a major federal action significantly affecting the quality of the human environment. A copy of the EA is on file with the Commission and is available for public inspection. The EA may also be viewed on the Commission's Web site at *http://www.ferc.gov* using the “eLibrary” link. Enter the docket number excluding the last three digits in the docket number field to access the document. For assistance, contact FERC Online Support at *FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov* or toll-free at 1-866-208-3676, or for TTY,
(202)502-8659. Any comments should be filed within 30 days from the issuance date of this notice, and should be addressed to the Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, NE., Room 1-A, Washington, DC 20426. Please affix “Fort Dodge Mill Dam Hydroelectric Project No. 12447-001” to all comments. Comments may be filed electronically via Internet in lieu of paper. The Commission strongly encourages electronic filings. See 18 CFR 385.2001(a)(1)(iii) and the instructions on the Commission's Web site under the “eFiling” link. For further information, contact Patrick Murphy at
(202)502-8755. Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary. [FR Doc. E7-12479 Filed 6-27-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717-01-P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Project No. 12778-001] Fall Creek Hydro, LLC; Notice of Application Accepted for Filing and Soliciting Comments, Protests, and Motions To Intervene June 21, 2007. Take notice that the following hydroelectric application has been filed with the Commission and is available for public inspection: a. *Type of Application:* Preliminary Permit. b. *Project No.:* 12778-001. c. *Date filed:* March 12, 2007. d. *Applicant:* Fall Creek Hydro, LLC. e. *Name and Location of Project:* The proposed Fall Creek Hydroelectric Project would be located on Fall Creek in Lane County, Oregon. The existing Fall Creek Dam is administered by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. f. *Filed Pursuant to:* Federal Power Act, 16 U.S.C. 791(a)-825(r). g. *Applicant contact:* Mr. Brent Smith, Northwest Power Services, Inc., 975 South State Highway, Logan, UT 84321,
(208)745-0834. h. *FERC Contact:* Tom Papsidero,
(202)502-6002. i. *Deadline for filing comments, protests, and motions to intervene:* 60 days from the issuance date of this notice. All documents (original and eight copies) should be filed with Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426. Comments, protests and interventions may be filed electronically via the Internet in lieu of paper; see 18 CFR 385.2001(a)(1)(iii) and the instructions on the Commission's Web site under the “e-Filing” link. The Commission strongly encourages electronic filings. Please include the project number (P-12778-001) on any comments or motions filed. The Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure require all intervenors filing documents with the Commission to serve a copy of that document on each person in the official service list for the project. Further, if an intervenor files comments or documents with the Commission relating to the merits of an issue that may affect the responsibilities of a particular resource agency, they must also serve a copy of the document on that resource agency. j. *Description of Existing Facilities and Proposed Project:* The proposed project, utilizing the existing U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Fall Creek Dam and reservoir would consist of:
(1)A proposed intake structure,
(2)a proposed 650-foot-long, 144-inch-diameter steel penstock,
(3)a proposed powerhouse containing three generator units with an installed capacity of 10.0 megawatts,
(4)a 1.0-mile-long, 15 kV transmission line, and
(5)appurtenant facilities. The project would have an annual generation of 18.7 GWh. k. *Location of Applications:* A copy of the application is available for inspection and reproduction at the Commission in the Public Reference Room or may be viewed on the Commission's Web site at *http://www.ferc.gov* using the “eLibrary” link. Enter the docket number excluding the last three digits in the docket number field to access the document. For assistance, call toll-free 1-866-208-3676 or e-mail *FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov.* For TTY, call
(202)502-8659. A copy is also available for inspection and reproduction at the address in item g above. l. Individuals desiring to be included on the Commission's mailing list should so indicate by writing to the Secretary of the Commission. m. *Competing Preliminary Permit:* Anyone desiring to file a competing application for preliminary permit for a proposed project must submit the competing application itself, or a notice of intent to file such an application, to the Commission on or before the specified comment date for the particular application (see 18 CFR 4.36). Submission of a timely notice of intent allows an interested person to file the competing preliminary permit application no later than 30 days after the specified comment date for the particular application. A competing preliminary permit application must conform with 18 CFR 4.30(b) and 4.36. n. *Competing Development Application:* Any qualified development applicant desiring to file a competing development application must submit to the Commission, on or before a specified comment date for the particular application, either a competing development application or a notice of intent to file such an application. Submission of a timely notice of intent to file a development application allows an interested person to file the competing application no later than 120 days after the specified comment date for the particular application. A competing license application must conform with 18 CFR 4.30(b) and 4.36. o. *Notice of Intent:* A notice of intent must specify the exact name, business address, and telephone number of the prospective applicant, and must include an unequivocal statement of intent to submit, if such an application may be filed, either a preliminary permit application or a development application (specify which type of application). A notice of intent must be served on the applicant(s) named in this public notice. p. *Proposed Scope of Studies under Permit:* A preliminary permit, if issued, does not authorize construction. The term of the proposed preliminary permit would be 36 months. The work proposed under the preliminary permit would include economic analysis, preparation of preliminary engineering plans, and a study of environmental impacts. Based on the results of these studies, the Applicant would decide whether to proceed with the preparation of a development application to construct and operate the project. q. *Comments, Protests, or Motions to Intervene:* Anyone may submit comments, a protest, or a motion to intervene in accordance with the requirements of Rules of Practice and Procedure, 18 CFR 385.210, .211, .214. In determining the appropriate action to take, the Commission will consider all protests or other comments filed, but only those who file a motion to intervene in accordance with the Commission's Rules may become a party to the proceeding. Any comments, protests, or motions to intervene must be received on or before the specified comment date for the particular application. Comments, protests and interventions may be filed electronically via the Internet in lieu of paper; See 18 CFR 385.2001(a)(1)(iii) and the instructions on the Commission's web site under “e-filing” link. The Commission strongly encourages electronic filing. r. *Filing and Service of Responsive Documents:* Any filings must bear in all capital letters the title “COMMENTS”, “NOTICE OF INTENT TO FILE COMPETING APPLICATION”, “COMPETING APPLICATION”, “PROTEST”, or “MOTION TO INTERVENE”, as applicable, and the Project Number of the particular application to which the filing refers. Any of the above-named documents must be filed by providing the original and the number of copies provided by the Commission's regulations to: The Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426. An additional copy must be sent to Director, Division of Hydropower Administration and Compliance, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, at the above-mentioned address. A copy of any notice of intent, competing application or motion to intervene must also be served upon each representative of the Applicant specified in the particular application. s. *Agency Comments:* Federal, State, and local agencies are invited to file comments on the described application. A copy of the application may be obtained by agencies directly from the Applicant. If an agency does not file comments within the time specified for filing comments, it will be presumed to have no comments. One copy of an agency's comments must also be sent to the Applicant's representatives. Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary. [FR Doc. E7-12481 Filed 6-27-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717-01-P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Docket No. DI07-10-000] David and John Baxter; Notice of Declaration of Intention and Soliciting Comments, Protests, and/or Motions to Intervene June 21, 2007. Take notice that the following application has been filed with the Commission and is available for public inspection: a. *Application Type:* Declaration of Intention. b. *Docket No.:* DI07-10-000. c. *Date Filed:* June 4, 2007. d. *Applicant:* David and John Baxter. e. *Name of Project:* Baxter Ranch Hydropower Project. f. *Location:* The proposed Baxter Ranch Hydropower Project will be located on Birch Creek, near Big Pine, in Inyo County, California, affecting T. 10 S., R. 34 E, sec. 19, Mt. Diablo Meridian. g. *Filed Pursuant to:* Section 23(b)(1) of the Federal Power Act, 16 U.S.C. 817(b). h. *Applicant Contact:* Rachel Weksler, 363 Academy Avenue, Bishop, CA 93514; telephone:
(760)873-4211. i. *FERC Contact:* Any questions on this notice should be addressed to Henry Ecton,
(202)502-8768, or E-mail address: *henry.ecton@ferc.gov.* j. *Deadline for filing comments, protests, and/or motions:* July 23, 2007. All documents (original and eight copies) should be filed with: Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426. Comments, protests, and/or interventions may be filed electronically via the Internet in lieu of paper. Any questions, please contact the Secretary's Office. See, 18 CFR 385.2001(a)(1)(iii) and the instructions on the Commission's Web site at *http://www.ferc.gov* under the “e-Filing link. Please include the docket number (DI07-10-000) on any comments, protests, and/or motions filed. k. *Description of Project:* The proposed run-of-river Baxter Ranch Hydropower Project will include:
(1)A 67-foot-long conduit from Birch Creek to the powerhouse, including a 25-foot-long sand trap;
(2)A 16-foot-square powerhouse containing an impulse turbine and a 30-kW generator;
(3)a 65-foot-long tailrace to Birch Creek; and
(4)appurtenant facilities. The proposed project will provide power to ranch facilities, including a honey house and irrigation facilities. The project will not be connected to an interstate grid, and will not occupy any tribal or federal lands When a Declaration of Intention is filed with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the Federal Power Act requires the Commission to investigate and determine if the interests of interstate or foreign commerce would be affected by the project. The Commission also determines whether or not the project:
(1)Would be located on a navigable waterway;
(2)would occupy or affect public lands or reservations of the United States;
(3)would utilize surplus water or water power from a government dam; or
(4)if applicable, has involved or would involve any construction subsequent to 1935 that may have increased or would increase the project's head or generating capacity, or have otherwise significantly modified the project's pre-1935 design or operation. l. *Locations of the Application:* Copies of this filing are on file with the Commission and are available for public inspection. This filing may be viewed on the web at *http://www.ferc.gov* using the “eLibrary” link, select “Docket#” and follow the instructions. For assistance, please contact FERC Online Support at *FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov* or toll-free at
(866)208-3676, or TTY, contact
(202)502-8659. m. Individuals desiring to be included on the Commission's mailing list should so indicate by writing to the Secretary of the Commission. n. *Comments, Protests, or Motions to Intervene:* Anyone may submit comments, a protest, or a motion to intervene in accordance with the requirements of Rules of Practice and Procedure, 18 CFR 385.210, .211, .214. In determining the appropriate action to take, the Commission will consider all protests or other comments filed, but only those who file a motion to intervene in accordance with the Commission's Rules may become a party to the proceeding. Any comments, protests, or motions to intervene must be received on or before the specified comment date for the particular application. o. *Filing and Service of Responsive Documents:* Any filings must bear in all capital letters the title “COMMENTS”, “PROTESTS”, AND/OR “MOTIONS TO INTERVENE”, as applicable, and the Docket Number of the particular application to which the filing refers. A copy of any motion to intervene must also be served upon each representative of the Applicant specified in the particular application. p. *Agency Comments:* Federal, State, and local agencies are invited to file comments on the described application. A copy of the application may be obtained by agencies directly from the Applicant. If an agency does not file comments within the time specified for filing comments, it will be presumed to have no comments. One copy of an agency's comments must also be sent to the Applicant's representatives. Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary. [FR Doc. E7-12482 Filed 6-27-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717-01-P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Project No. 9074-051] Warrensburg Hydro Power Limited Partnership; Notice of Application for Amendment of License and Soliciting Comments, Motions To Intervene, and Protests June 21, 2007. Take notice that the following hydroelectric application has been filed with the Commission and is available for public inspection: a. *Type of Application:* Request for temporary variance of the reservoir elevation requirement. b. *Project No.:* 9074-051. c. *Date Filed:* June 18, 2007. d. *Applicant:* Warrensburg Hydro Power Limited Partnership. e. *Name of Project:* Warrensburg Hydroelectric Project. f. *Location:* Schroon River, in Warren County, New York. g. *Filed Pursuant to:* Federal Power Act, 16 U.S.C. 791a-825r. h. *Applicant Contact:* Daniel McCarty, Boralex Hydro Operations, Inc., 39 Hudson Falls Road, South Glens Falls, New York 12803,
(518)747-0930. i. *FERC Contact:* Thomas LoVullo at
(202)502-8900, or *thomas.lovullo@ferc.gov.* j. *Deadline for filing comments, motions to intervene and protests:* July 16, 2007. All documents (original and eight copies) should be filed with: Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426. Please include the project number (P-9074) on any comments or motions filed. The Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure require all intervenors filing documents with the Commission to serve a copy of that document on each person whose name appears on the official service list for the project. Further, if an intervenor files comments or documents with the Commission relating to the merits of an issue that may affect the responsibilities of a particular resource agency, they must also serve a copy of the document on that resource agency. A copy of any motion to intervene must also be served upon each representative of the Applicant specified in the particular application. k. *Description of Request:* Warrensburg Hydro Power Limited Partnership (licensee) is requesting a temporary variance of the reservoir elevation requirement stipulated in the Warrensburg Hydroelectric Project license to complete maintenance work. The south abutment or berm wall area of the project exhibits leakage that began shortly after the completion of the project in 1988. Based on continual leakage monitoring programs, numerous leakage mitigation measures have taken place over the years. The mitigation measures appear to have managed or controlled the situation; however, undesirable leakage continues. Based on the findings of two independent engineering assessments, the integrity of the south berm wall is not believed to be compromised in its current condition. Nevertheless, based on recommendations, the licensee would like to proceed in implementing a plan (begun in 2005) to correct the leakage situation. The work activities would require the reservoir to be drawn down as similarly done in 2005 and 2006. The proposed schedule indicates the draw down to commence on July 31 and the construction work to occur over a four to six week period. l. *Location of the Application:* The filing is available for inspection and reproduction at the Commission's Public Reference Room, located at 888 First Street, NE., Room 2A, Washington, DC 20426 or by calling
(202)502-8371, or by calling
(202)502-8371. This filing may also be viewed on the Commission's Web site at *http://ferc.gov* using the “eLibrary” link. Enter the docket number excluding the last three digits in the docket number field to access the document. You may also register online at *http://www.ferc.gov/docsfiling/esubscription.asp* to be notified vial e-mail or new filings and issuances related to this or other pending projects. For assistance, call 1-866-208-3676 or e-mail *FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov,* for TTY, call
(202)502-8659. A copy is also available for inspection and reproduction at the address in item
(h)above. m. Individuals desiring to be included on the Commission's mailing list should so indicate by writing to the Secretary of the Commission. n. *Comments, Protests, or Motions to Intervene:* Anyone may submit comments, a protest, or a motion to intervene in accordance with the requirements of Rules of Practice and Procedure, 18 CFR 385.210, .211, .214. In determining the appropriate action to take, the Commission will consider all protests or other comments filed, but only those who file a motion to intervene in accordance with the Commission's Rules may become a party to the proceeding. Any comments, protests, or motions to intervene must be received on or before the specified comment date for the particular application. o. Any filings must bear in all capital letters the title “COMMENTS”, “PROTEST”, or “MOTION TO INTERVENE”, as applicable, and the Project Number of the particular application to which the filing refers. p. *Agency Comments:* Federal, state, and local agencies are invited to file comments on the described application. A copy of the application may be obtained by agencies directly from the Applicant. If an agency does not file comments within the time specified for filing comments, it will be presumed to have no comments. One copy of an agency's comments must also be sent to the Applicant's representatives. q. Comments, protests and interventions may be filed electronically via the Internet in lieu of paper. See, 18 CFR 385.2001(a)(I)(iii) and the instructions on the Commission's Web site at *http://www.ferc.gov* under the “e-Filing” link. Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary. [FR Doc. E7-12483 Filed 6-27-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717-01-P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Project No. 12678-002] ORPC Alaska, LLC; Notice of Surrender of Preliminary Permit June 20, 2007. Take notice that ORPC Alaska, LLC, permittee for the proposed Resurrection Bay OCGen TM Power Project, has requested that its preliminary permit be terminated. The permit was issued on April 16, 2007, and would have expired on March 31, 2010. 1 The project would have been located in Resurrection Bay in the Gulf of Alaska between Aialik Peninsula and Resurrection Peninsula, near the City of Seward in Kenai Peninsula Borough, Alaska. 1 119 FERC ¶ 62,042. The permittee filed the request on May 29, 2007, and the preliminary permit for Project No. 12678 shall remain in effect through the thirtieth day after issuance of this notice unless that day is a Saturday, Sunday, part-day holiday that affects the Commission, or legal holiday as described in section 18 CFR 385.2007, in which case the effective date is the first business day following that day. New applications involving this project site, to the extent provided for under 18 CFR Part 4, may be filed on the next business day. Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary. [FR Doc. E7-12477 Filed 6-27-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717-01-P ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY [FRL-8332-9; Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-ORD-2007-0517] Integrated Science Assessment for Particulate Matter AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency. ACTION: Notice; call for information. SUMMARY: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Office of Research and Development National Center for Environmental Assessment
(NCEA)is preparing an Integrated Science Assessment
(ISA)as part of the review of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for particulate matter (PM). This ISA is intended to update and revise, where appropriate, the scientific assessment presented in the Air Quality Criteria for Particulate Matter (PM), EPA/600/P-99/002aF-bF, published in October 2004. Interested parties are invited to assist the EPA in developing and refining the scientific information base for PM by submitting research studies that have been published, accepted for publication, or presented at a public scientific meeting. DATES: All communications and information should be submitted by August 27, 2007. ADDRESSES: Information may be submitted electronically, by mail, by facsimile, or by hand delivery/courier. Please follow the detailed instructions as provided in the section of this notice entitled SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION . FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For details on submitting research information from the public, contact the Office of Environmental Information
(OEI)Docket; telephone: 202-566-1752; facsimile: 202-566-1753; or e-mail: *ORD.Docket@epa.gov.* For technical information, contact Lori White, PhD, NCEA; telephone: 919-541-3146; facsimile: 919-541-1818; or e-mail: *white.lori@epa.gov.* SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Information About the Project Section 108(a) of the Clean Air Act
(CAA)directs the Administrator to identify certain pollutants which “in his judgment, may reasonably be anticipated to endanger public health and welfare” and whose “presence * * * in the ambient air results from numerous or diverse mobile or stationary sources” and to issue air quality criteria for them. These air quality criteria are to “accurately reflect the latest scientific knowledge useful in indicating the kind and extent of all identifiable effects on public health or welfare which may be expected from the presence of [a] pollutant in the ambient air. * * *” Under section 109 of the CAA, EPA establishes National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for each pollutant for which EPA has issued criteria. Section 109(d) requires periodic review and, if appropriate, revision of existing air quality criteria to reflect advances in scientific knowledge on the effects of the pollutant on public health and welfare. EPA is then to revise the NAAQS, if appropriate, based on the revised air quality criteria. Particulate matter is one of six principal (or “criteria”) pollutants for which EPA has established NAAQS. Periodically, EPA reviews the scientific basis for these standards by preparing an Integrated Science Assessment (ISA), historically referred to as an Air Quality Criteria Document (AQCD). The ISA and supplementary annexes are the scientific bases for the additional technical and policy assessments that form the basis for EPA decisions on the adequacy of a current NAAQS and the appropriateness of new or revised standards. Early steps in this process include announcing the beginning of this periodic NAAQS review and the development of the ISA and requesting that the public submit scientific literature that they want to bring to the attention of the Agency as it begins this process. The Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee (CASAC), an independent science advisory committee whose function is mandated by section 109(d)(2) of the CAA, is charged with independent expert scientific review of EPA's draft ISAs. As the process proceeds, the public will have opportunities to review and comment on the draft PM ISA. These opportunities will also be announced in the **Federal Register** . Since completion of the 2004 Air Quality Criteria for PM, EPA has continued to follow the scientific research on PM exposure and its effects on health and the environment. On July 21, 2006, EPA published a Provisional Assessment of Recent Studies on Health Effects of Particulate Matter Exposure (EPA/600/R-06/063) which presents findings of EPA's survey and provisional assessment of studies relevant to assessing the health effects of PM that were published too recently to be included in the 2004 PM AQCD. (71 FR 41409-10) The Agency is interested in obtaining additional new information relevant to this review of the NAAQS for PM. We are especially interested in information concerning:
(a)Toxicological studies of effects of controlled exposure to PM on laboratory animals, humans, and in vitro systems;
(b)epidemiologic (observational) studies of health effects associated with ambient exposures of human populations to PM; and
(c)ecological studies of the effects on agricultural crops and natural terrestrial and/or aquatic ecosystems of ambient exposures to PM. EPA also seeks recent information in other areas of PM research such as chemistry and physics, sources and emissions, analytical methodology, transport and transformation in the environment, and ambient concentrations. This and other selected literature relevant to a review of the NAAQS for PM will be assessed in the forthcoming PM ISA. One or more drafts of the PM ISA are expected to be made available by EPA for public comment and CASAC review during 2008 and 2009. Other opportunities for submission of new peer-reviewed, published (or in-press) papers will be possible as part of public comment on the additional draft documents that will be reviewed by CASAC. As part of this review of the PM NAAQS, EPA is also sponsoring a workshop entitled, “Workshop to Discuss Policy-Relevant Science to Inform EPA's Integrated Plan for the Review of the Primary Particulate Matter
(PM)National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS)” to highlight significant new and emerging PM research, and to make recommendations to the Agency regarding the design and scope of the review for the primary (health-based) PM standards to ensure that it addresses key policy-relevant issues and considers the new science that is relevant to informing our understanding of these issues. (72 FR 34003-04). II. How To Submit Information to the Docket at www.regulations.gov. Submit your materials, identified by Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-ORD-2007-0517 by one of the following methods: • *http://www.regulations.gov:* Follow the on-line instructions for submitting information. • *E-mail: ORD.Docket@epa.gov.* • *Fax:* 202-566-1753. • *Mail:* Office of Environmental Information
(OEI)Docket (Mail Code: 2822T), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460. The phone number is 202-566-1752. • *Hand Delivery:* The OEI Docket is located in the EPA Headquarters Docket Center, Room 3334 EPA West Building, 1301 Constitution Ave., 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 Public Reading Room is 202-566-1744. Such deliveries are only accepted during the docket's normal hours of operation, and special arrangements should be made for deliveries of boxed information. If you provide information by mail or hand delivery, please submit three copies of the materials. For attachments, provide an index, number pages consecutively, and submit an unbound original and three copies. *Instructions:* Direct your materials to Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-ORD-2007-0517. It is EPA's policy to include all submitted materials in the public docket without change and to make the information available online at *http://www.regulations.gov,* including any personal information provided, unless it 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 within the submitted materials. If you submit information directly to EPA by e-mail without going through *http://www.regulations.gov,* your e-mail address will be automatically captured and included as part of the information that is placed in the public docket and made available on the Internet. If you submit materials electronically, 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 submitted material due to technical difficulties and cannot contact you for clarification, EPA may not be able to consider your submission. Electronic files should avoid the use of special characters, any form of encryption, and be free of any defects or viruses. For additional information about EPA's public docket visit the EPA Docket Center homepage at *http://www.epa.gov/epahome/dockets.htm.* *Docket:* 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 materials, such as copyrighted material, are 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 OEI Docket in the EPA Headquarters Docket Center. Dated: June 22, 2007. Peter W. Preuss, Director,National Center for Environmental Assessment. [FR Doc. E7-12569 Filed 6-27-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560-50-P ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY [FRL-8332-7] Science Advisory Board Staff Office; Request for Nominations for Science Advisory Board Panels on Uncertainty Analysis and Expert Elicitation AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: The EPA Science Advisory Board
(SAB)Staff Office announces the formation of SAB Panels to address issues related to uncertainty analysis and expert elicitation and is soliciting nominations for members of the Panels. DATES: Nominations should be submitted by July 19, 2007 per the instructions below. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Members of the public who wish to obtain further information regarding this announcement may contact Dr. Angela Nugent, Designated Federal Officer, via telephone at:
(202)343-9981 or e-mail at: *nugent.angela@epa.gov.* The SAB mailing address is: U.S. EPA Science Advisory Board (1400F), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460. General information about the SAB as well as any updates concerning this request for nominations may be found on the SAB Web site at: *http://www.epa.gov/sab.* SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: There has been a recent increase in interest in the use of uncertainty analysis and expert elicitation as tools to be used in regulatory analyses and in support of EPA decision-making. At the request of EPA's Office of Air and Radiation and Office of the Science Advisor, the SAB plans to form several expert panels, as needed, to provide technical advice to EPA through the chartered SAB regarding the Agency's ongoing work in uncertainty analyses and expert elicitation. The SAB is a chartered Federal Advisory Committee, established by 42 U.S.C. 4365, to provide independent scientific and technical advice, consultation, and recommendations to the EPA Administrator on the technical bases for EPA policies and actions. The SAB expert panels to be formed to address scientific issues related to uncertainty analysis and expert elicitation will comply with the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act
(FACA)and all appropriate SAB procedural policies. Several specific reports have called for increased attention to quantitative uncertainty analysis and expert elicitation. In 2002, the National Research Council
(NRC)published a Report to Congress, titled “Estimating the Health-Risk-Reduction Benefits of Proposed Air Pollution Regulations.” One of the recommendations of the NRC was that “EPA should begin to move the assessment of uncertainties from its ancillary analyses into the primary analysis by conducting probabilistic, multiple-source uncertainty analyses. This shift will require specification of probability distributions for major sources of uncertainty. These distributions should be based on available data and expert judgment.” More recently, the Office of Management and Budget
(OMB)suggested using expert elicitation as a tool in addressing Circular A-4 requirements (OMB, 2004) for probabilistic uncertainty analysis and also discussed its use in a Proposed Risk Assessment Bulletin (OMB, 2006). Provisions for expert elicitation were also included in EPA's recently revised cancer guidelines (2005). EPA's experience conducting expert elicitations has been limited, with the majority of experience in the Office of Air and Radiation. The SAB Staff Office has received requests for advice from the SAB on four new advisory activities related to implementation of methods related to uncertainty analysis and expert elicitation. These four activities are summarized below. EPA's Office of Air and Radiation has requested SAB review of a draft document, “Hierarchy of Methods Report,” that catalogues quantitative and qualitative methods available for characterizing uncertainty in risk assessments and regulatory impact analyses. The document provides guidance for selecting methods, given the type of uncertainty being addressed, the quantity and type of available evidence or data, and the ability to gather additional data. The document summarizes data requirements associated with different methods, resource needs, experience and acceptability, and other considerations on their use to support regulatory decisions. The Office of Air and Radiation requests SAB review of the characterization of methods described in the report, including the applicability, limitations and resource needs and the soundness of the approaches outlined on how to select specific approaches to characterizing uncertainty for risk assessments and regulatory impact analyses. The Office of Air and Radiation has requested SAB advice on a draft “Influence Analysis Report,” designed to help improve EPA analyses by identifying the sources of greatest impact on overall uncertainty. The Office of Air and Radiation requests advice on the methodological approach for developing the “Influence Analysis Report” to ensure that the office follows best practices for conducting influence analyses and adequately covers the issues contributing to uncertainty in analyses related to the benefits of air pollution-related environmental protection. EPA's Office of the Science Advisor has requested SAB review of an “Expert Elicitation
(EE)Task Force White Paper.” The White Paper discusses the potential utility of using expert elicitation to support EPA regulatory and non-regulatory analyses and decision-making, provides recommendations for expert elicitation “good practices,” and describes steps for a broader application across EPA. The Office of the Science Advisor has asked the SAB to provide advice regarding the potential usefulness of expert elicitation, how to strengthen the scientific basis for its use, and the implications for possible implementation at EPA. EPA's Office of Air and Radiation has requested SAB review of an expert elicitation conducted to estimate the benefits of reduced premature mortalities associated with exposures to fine particles in the air. This expert elicitation was conducted in support of regulatory analyses for an upcoming proposed rulemaking (the Regulatory Impact Analysis of the Particulate Matter National Ambient Air Quality Standards). The Office of Air and Radiation has asked the SAB to review the design, implementation, and results of the expert elicitation and EPA's interpretation of those results within the particulate matter Regulatory Impact Analysis. The Agency seeks SAB advice on whether the interpretation and application of the results of the elicitation in the Regulatory Impact Analysis are consistent with the recommendations from the NRC and whether the results are presented in a valid, clear, and concise manner for use by a wide variety of audiences, including scientists, policy analysts, decision-makers, and the public. *Availability of the Review Materials:* The EPA draft documents to be reviewed by the SAB Panel will be made available by the Office of Air and Radiation and Office of the Science Advisor. For questions and information concerning the review materials of the documents being developed by the Office of Air and Radiation, please contact Dr. Lisa Connor, at
(919)541-5060, or *connor.lisa@epa.gov* . For questions and information concerning the review materials of the documents being developed by the Office of the Science Advisor, please contact Dr. Robert Hetes, at
(919)541-1589, or *hetes.robert@epa.gov* . *Request for Nominations:* The SAB Staff Office is requesting nominations for nationally and internationally recognized non-EPA scientists with expertise and experience related to uncertainty analysis or expert elicitation in the following fields: Statistics, mathematics, biostatistics, cognitive psychology, decision analysis, environmental economics, human health sciences, ecological science, epidemiology, policy analysis, risk assessment, and risk communication. *Process and Deadline for Submitting Nominations:* Any interested person or organization may nominate qualified individuals to add expertise to the SAB Uncertainty and Expert Elicitation Expert Panels in the areas of expertise described above. Nominations should be submitted in electronic format through the SAB Web site at the following URL: *http://www.epa.gov/sab* ; or directly via the Form for Nominating Individuals to Panels of the EPA Science Advisory Board link found at URL: *http://www.epa.gov/sab/panels/paneltopics.html* . Please follow the instructions for submitting nominations carefully. To be considered, nominations should include all of the information required on the associated forms. Anyone unable to submit nominations using the electronic form and who has any questions concerning the nomination process may contact Dr. Angela Nugent, DFO, as indicated above in this notice. Nominations should be submitted in time to arrive no later than July 19, 2007. For nominees to be considered, please include: Contact information; a curriculum vitae; a biosketch of no more than two paragraphs (containing information on the nominee's current position, educational background, areas of expertise and research activities, service on other advisory committees and professional societies; the candidate's special expertise related to the panel being formed; and sources of recent grant and/or contract support). The EPA SAB Staff Office will acknowledge receipt of nominations. The names and biosketches of qualified nominees identified by respondents to the **Federal Register** notice and additional experts identified by the SAB Staff will be posted on the SAB Web site at: *http://www.epa.gov/sab.* Public comments on this “Short List” of candidates will be accepted for 21 calendar days. The public will be requested to provide relevant information or other documentation on nominees that the SAB Staff Office should consider in evaluating candidates. For the EPA SAB Staff Office, a balanced subcommittee or review panel includes candidates who possess the necessary domains of knowledge, the relevant scientific perspectives (which, among other factors, can be influenced by work history and affiliation), and the collective breadth of experience to adequately address the charge. To establish individual expert panels for the advisory activities described above, the SAB Staff Office will consider public comments on the “Short List” of candidates, information provided by the candidates themselves, and background information independently gathered by the SAB Staff Office. Specific criteria to be used for Panel membership include:
(a)Scientific and/or technical expertise, knowledge, and experience (primary factors);
(b)availability and willingness to serve;
(c)absence of financial conflicts of interest;
(d)absence of an appearance of a lack of impartiality; and
(e)skills working in committees, subcommittees and advisory panels; and, for the Panel as a whole,
(f)diversity of, and balance among, scientific expertise, viewpoints, etc. The SAB Staff Office's evaluation of an absence of financial conflicts of interest will include a review of the “Confidential Financial Disclosure Form for Special Government Employees Serving on Federal Advisory Committees at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency” (EPA Form 3110-48). This confidential form allows Government officials to determine whether there is a statutory conflict between that person's public responsibilities (which includes membership on an EPA Federal advisory committee) and private interests and activities, or the appearance of a lack of impartiality, as defined by Federal regulation. The form may be viewed and downloaded from the following URL address: *http://www.epa.gov/sab/pdf/epaform3110-48.pdf.* The approved policy under which the EPA SAB Office selects subcommittees and review panels is described in the following document: Overview of the Panel Formation Process at the Environmental Protection Agency Science Advisory Board (EPA-SAB-EC-02-010), which is posted on the SAB Web site at: *http://www.epa.gov/sab/pdf/ec02010.pdf.* Dated: June 22, 2007. Anthony F. Maciorowski, Deputy Director, EPA Science Advisory Board Staff Office. [FR Doc. E7-12538 Filed 6-27-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560-50-P ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY [FRL-8332-8] Science Advisory Board Staff Office; Notification of Public Meetings of the Science Advisory Board Hypoxia Advisory Panel AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: The EPA's Science Advisory Board
(SAB)Staff Office is announcing two public teleconferences of the SAB Hypoxia Advisory Panel to discuss revisions to its draft advisory report concerning the hypoxic zone in the Gulf of Mexico. DATES: The teleconferences will be held on July 30, 2007 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. (Eastern time) and August 1, 2007 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. (Eastern time). FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Any member of the public wishing further information regarding the public meeting may contact Dr. Holly Stallworth, Designated Federal Officer (DFO), U.S. EPA Science Advisory Board Staff Office by telephone/voice mail at
(202)343-9867, or via e-mail at: *stallworth.holly@epa.gov.* The SAB mailing address is: US EPA, Science Advisory Board (1400F), 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20460. General information about the SAB, as well as any updates concerning the meetings announced in this notice, may be found in the SAB Web Site at: *http://www.epa.gov/sab.* SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: *Background:* Pursuant to the Federal Advisory Committee Act, Public Law 92-463, notice is hereby given that the SAB Hypoxia Advisory Panel will hold public meetings to develop a report that details advances in the state of the science regarding hypoxia in the Northern Gulf of Mexico. The SAB was established by 42 U.S.C. 4365 to provide independent scientific and technical advice to the EPA Administrator on the technical basis for Agency positions and regulations. The SAB is a Federal Advisory Committee chartered under the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), as amended, 5 U.S.C., App. The SAB will comply with the provisions of FACA and all appropriate SAB Staff Office procedural policies. EPA participates with other Federal agencies, states and tribes in the Mississippi River/Gulf of Mexico Watershed Nutrient Task Force. In 2001, the Task Force released the Action Plan for Reducing, Mitigating and Controlling Hypoxia in the Northern Gulf of Mexico (or Action Plan available at: *http://www.epa.gov/msbasin/taskforce/actionplan.htm).* The Action Plan was informed by the science described in 2000 in An Integrated Assessment of Hypoxia in the Northern Gulf of Mexico (or Integrated Assessment available at: *http://www.noaa.gov/products/hypox_finalfront.pdf* ) developed by the National Science and Technology Council, Committee on Environment and Natural Resources. Six technical reports provided the scientific foundation for the Integrated Assessment and are available at: *http://www.nos.noaa.gov/products/pub_hypox.html* . Given the passage of 6 years, EPA's Office of Water has requested that the SAB develop a report that evaluates the updated science regarding the causes and extent of hypoxia in the Gulf of Mexico, as well as the scientific basis of possible management options in the Mississippi River Basin. In response to EPA's request, the SAB Staff Office formed the SAB Hypoxia Advisory Panel. Background on the Panel formation process was provided in a **Federal Register** notice published on February 17, 2006 (71 FR 8578-8580). The SAB Hypoxia Advisory Panel has previously held several face-to-face meetings (71 FR 45543-45544, 71 FR 66329-66330, 72 FR 5968-5969 and 72 FR 17158-17159) and teleconferences (71 FR 55786-55787, 71 FR 59107, 71 FR 77743-77744 and 72 FR 11359-11360). Information about the SAB Hypoxia Advisory Panel is available on the SAB Web site at: *http://www.epa.gov/sab.* *Availability of Meeting Materials:* Materials in support of these meetings will be placed on the SAB Web Site at: *http://www.epa.gov/sab/* in advance of the meeting. *Procedures for Providing Public Input:* Interested members of the public may submit relevant written or oral information for the SAB to consider during the advisory process. *Oral Statements:* In general, individuals or groups requesting an oral presentation at a public teleconference will be limited to five minutes per speaker, with no more than a total of one hour for all speakers. Interested parties should contact Dr. Stallworth, DFO, at the contact information noted above, no later than July 23, 2007, to be placed on the public speaker list for the July 30 or August 1 meetings. *Written Statements:* Written statements should be received in the SAB Staff Office no later than July 23, 2007 so that the information may be made available to the SAB for their consideration prior to this meeting. Written statements should be supplied to the DFO in the following formats: one hard copy with original signature, and one electronic copy via e-mail at: *stallworth.holly@epa.gov* (acceptable file format: Adobe Acrobat PDF, WordPerfect, MS Word, MS PowerPoint, or Rich Text files in IBM-PC/Windows 98/2000/XP format). *Meeting Access:* For information on access or services for individuals with disabilities, please contact Dr. Stallworth at
(202)343-9867 or *stallworth.holly@epa.gov.* To request accommodation of a disability, please contact Dr. Stallworth, preferably at least 10 days prior to the teleconference to give EPA as much time as possible to process your request. Dated: June 22, 2007. Anthony F. Maciorowski, Deputy Director, EPA Science Advisory Board Staff Office. [FR Doc. E7-12568 Filed 6-27-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560-50-P ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY [Docket # EPA-RO4-SFUND-2007-0489; FRL-8332-5] Anaconda/Milgo; Miami, Dade County, FL; Notice of Amended Settlement AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Notice of Amended Settlement. SUMMARY: In the **Federal Register** notice dated April 9, 2007 (72 FR 17551), EPA posted a Notice of Settlement under Section 122(h) of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA), concerning the Anaconda/Milgo Superfund Site located in Miami, Dade County, Florida. In the body of the settlement one of the settling PRPs, Dade Metals Corporation, was mistakenly not listed as one of the settling parties. EPA has amended the settlement to add Dade Metals Corporation. The past cost portion of the settlement remains unchanged. DATES: The Agency will consider public comments only on the amended portion of the settlement until July 30, 2007. The Agency will consider all comments received and may modify or withdraw its consent to the settlement if comments received disclose facts or considerations which indicate that the settlement is inappropriate, improper, or inadequate. ADDRESSES: Copies of the amended portion of the settlement are available from Ms. Paula V. Batchelor. Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID No. EPA-RO4-SFUND-2007-0489 or Site name Anaconda/Milgo Superfund Site by one of the following methods: • *www.regulations.gov:* Follow the on-line instructions for submitting comments. • *E-mail: Batchelor.Paula@epa.gov* . • *Fax:* 404/562-8842/Attn Paula V. Batchelor. *Mail:* Ms. Paula V. Batchelor, U.S. EPA Region 4, SD-SEIMB, 61 Forsyth Street, SW., Atlanta, Georgia 30303. “In addition, please mail a copy of your comments on the information collection provisions to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget (OMB), Attn: Desk Officer for EPA, 725 17th St., NW., Washington, DC 20503.” *Instructions:* Direct your comments to Docket ID No. EPA-R04-SFUND-2007-0489. EPA's policy is that all comments received will be included in the public docket without change and may be made available online at *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 *www.regulations.gov* or e-mail. The *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 *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. For additional information about EPA's public docket visit the EPA Docket Center homepage at *http://www.epa.gov/epahome/dockets.htm* . *Docket:* All documents in the docket are listed in the *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 *www.regulations.gov* or in hard copy at the U.S. EPA Region 4 office located at 61 Forsyth Street, SW., Atlanta, Georgia 30303. Regional office is open from 7 a.m. until 6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays. Written comments may be submitted to Ms. Batchelor within 30 calendar days of the date of this publication. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Paula V. Batchelor at 404/562-8887. Dated: June 15, 2007. De'Lyntoneus Moore, Acting Chief, Superfund Enforcement & Information Management Branch, Superfund Division. [FR Doc. E7-12586 Filed 6-27-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560-50-P ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY [FRL-8332-3] Clean Water Act Section 303(d): Availability of 52 Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Notice of availability. SUMMARY: This notice announces the availability of the administrative record file for comment on 52 TMDLs and the calculations for these TMDLs prepared by EPA Region 6 for waters listed in the state of Arkansas under section 303(d) of the Clean Water Act (CWA). These TMDLs were completed in response to the lawsuit styled *Sierra Club, et al.* v. *Browner, et al.,* No. LR-C-99-114. DATES: Comments must be submitted in writing to EPA on or before July 30, 2007. ADDRESSES: Comments on the 52 TMDLs should be sent to Ms. Diane Smith, Environmental Protection Specialist, Water Quality Protection Division, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 6, 1445 Ross Ave., Dallas, TX 75202-2733, facsimile
(214)665-7373, or e-mail: *smith.diane@epa.gov.* For further information, contact Diane Smith at
(214)665-2145. Documents from the administrative record file for these TMDLs are available for public inspection at this address as well. Documents from the administrative record file may be viewed at *http://www.epa.gov/region6/6wq/npdes/tmdl/index.htm,* or obtained by calling
(214)665-2145 or writing Ms. Smith at the above address. Please contact Ms. Smith to schedule an inspection. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Diane Smith at
(214)665-2145. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In 1999, five Arkansas environmental groups, the Sierra Club, Federation of Fly Fishers, Crooked Creek Coalition, Arkansas Fly Fishers, and Save our Streams (plaintiffs), filed a lawsuit in Federal Court against the EPA, styled *Sierra Club, et al.* v. *Browner, et al.* , No. LR-C-99-114. Among other claims, plaintiffs alleged that EPA failed to establish Arkansas TMDLs in a timely manner. EPA proposes these TMDLs pursuant to a consent decree entered in this lawsuit. EPA Seeks Comments on 52 TMDLs By this notice EPA is seeking comment on the following 52 TMDLs for waters located within the state of Arkansas: Segment-reach Waterbody name Pollutant 08040205-005 Deep Bayou Fecal coliform and E. coli. 08040205-013 Bayou Bartholomew Fecal coliform and E. coli. 08040205-901 Bearhouse Creek Fecal coliform and E. coli. 08040205-902 Harding Creek Fecal coliform and E. coli. 08040205-903 Melton's Creek Fecal coliform and E. coli. 08040205-904 Jacks Bayou Fecal coliform and E. coli. 08040205-905 Cross Bayou Fecal coliform and E. coli. 08040205-907 Chemin-A-Haut Creek Fecal coliform and E. coli. 11010012-003 Cooper Creek Fecal coliform and E. coli. 11010012-008 Strawberry River Fecal coliform and E. coli. 11010012-010 Little Strawberry River Fecal coliform and E. coli. 11010012-011 Strawberry River Fecal coliform and E. coli. 11010012-014 Reeds Creek Fecal coliform and E. coli. 11010012-015 Mill Creek Fecal coliform and E. coli. 11010012-016 Caney Creek Fecal coliform and E. coli. 11010009-902 Data Creek Fecal coliform and E. coli. 11010014-004 Overflow Creek Fecal coliform and E. coli. 11010014-006 Overflow Creek Fecal coliform and E. coli. 11010014-007 Little Red River Fecal coliform and E. coli. 11010014-008 Little Red River Fecal coliform and E. coli. 11010014-009 Ten Mile Creek Fecal coliform and E. coli. 11010014-010 Little Red River Fecal coliform and E. coli. 11010014-012 Little Red River Fecal coliform and E. coli. 11010014-027 Middle Fork Little Red River Fecal coliform and E. coli. 11010014-028 Middle Fork Little Red River Fecal coliform and E. coli. 11010014-038 South Fork Little Red River Fecal coliform and E. coli. EPA requests that the public provide to EPA any water quality related data and information that may be relevant to the calculations for these 52 TMDLs. EPA will review all data and information submitted during the public comment period and revise the TMDLs and determinations where appropriate. EPA will then forward the TMDLs to the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ). The ADEQ will incorporate the TMDLs into its current water quality management plan. Dated: June 20, 2007. Miguel I. Flores, Director, Water Quality Protection Division, EPA Region 6. [FR Doc. E7-12576 Filed 6-27-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560-50-P GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION [PBS-N01] Notice of Availability to Distribute a Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Construction of a New Border Station Facility in Derby Line, Vermont AGENCY: Public Buildings Service, GSA. ACTION: Notice of Availability. SUMMARY: The General Services Administration
(GSA)announces its intent to distribute a Final Environmental Impact Statement (Final EIS) under the National Environmental Policy Act
(NEPA)of 1969, as amended, 42 USC 4321-4347
(NEPA)to assess the potential impacts of the construction of a New Border Station Facility in Derby Line, Vermont (the “Proposed Action”). At the request of Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the GSA is proposing to construct a new border station facility which meets their needs, and the design requirements of the GSA. The existing facilities are undersized and obsolete, and consequently incapable of providing the level of security now required. The Proposed Action has been defined and includes:
(a)identification of land requirements, including acquisition of adjoining land;
(b)demolition of existing government structures at the border station;
(c)construction of a main administration building and ancillary support buildings; and
(d)consequent potential alterations to secondary roads. Studied alternatives have identified alternative locations for the components of the border station including the main administration and ancillary support buildings, the associated roadway network and parking. A No Action alternative has also been studied and evaluates the consequences of not constructing the new border station facility. This alternative has been included to provide a basis for comparison to the action alternatives described above as required by NEPA regulations (40 CFR 1002.14(d)). DATES: July 30, 2007. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT David M. Drevinsky P.E., PMP, Regional Environmental Quality Advocate (REQA), U.S. General Services Administration, 10 Causeway Street, Room 975, Boston, MA 02222. Fax:
(617)565-5967. Phone:
(617)565-6596. E-mail: *david.drevinsky@gsa.gov* . DISTRIBUTION: GSA will distribute ten reading copies of the Final EIS at the Daily Memorial Library, Goodrich Memorial Library and Haskell Free Library located on 101 Jr. High Drive in Derby Line, 202 Main Street in Newport and 96 Caswell Avenue in Derby Line; respectively. Dated: June 13, 2007. Glenn C. Rotondo, Assistant Regional Administrator, Public Buildings Service, New England Region [FR Doc. E7-12552 Filed 6-27-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6820-A8-S GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION Revised Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement AGENCY: General Services Administration (GSA), National Capital Region. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: Pursuant to the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), 42 U.S.C. § 4321-4347, the Council on Environmental Quality Regulations (40 CFR parts 1500-1508), GSA Order PBS P 1095.1F (Environmental considerations in decision-making, dated October 19, 1999), and the GSA Public Buildings Service NEPA Desk Guide, GSA is revising its June 7, 2005, notice of intent announcing the preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement
(EIS)for the redevelopment of the St. Elizabeths West Campus (St. Elizabeths) in Southeast Washington, DC. The initial notice of intent defined the purpose of the proposed action as “develop[ing] secure office space in the District of Columbia to accommodate substantial Federal operations.” Since that notice was issued, GSA has identified a specific tenant for this site. Accordingly, the primary purpose of the proposed action is now defined as “developing secure office space in the District of Columbia to house the consolidated headquarters of the Department of Homeland Security
(DHS)and its Components, including the United States Coast Guard, in accordance with the DHS National Capital Region housing plan.” GSA has initiated consultation under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, 16 U.S.C. § 470f, for the proposed redevelopment. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Denise Decker, NEPA Lead, General Services Administration, National Capital Region, at
(202)205-5821. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The notice of intent is as follows: Revised Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Redevelopment of the St. Elizabeths West Campus in Southeast Washington, DC, to house the Headquarters of the Department of Homeland Security and its Components, including the United States Coast Guard, in accordance with the DHS National Capital Region housing plan. The General Services Administration is preparing an Environmental Impact Statement
(EIS)to analyze the potential impacts resulting from redevelopment of the St. Elizabeths West Campus (St. Elizabeths) in Southeast Washington, DC. GSA is also preparing a master plan for the redevelopment of the St. Elizabeths West Campus (“the site” or the “West Campus”) for Federal use. The primary purpose for this proposed action is to develop secure office space in the District of Columbia to accommodate the headquarters of the Department of Homeland Security and its Components, including the United States Coast Guard, in accordance with the DHS National Capital Region housing plan. Background In June 2005, GSA issued the initial notice of intent to prepare an EIS for the proposed Master Plan for the redevelopment of the St. Elizabeths West Campus. The initial notice of intent defined the purpose of the proposed action as “develop[ing] secure office space in the District of Columbia to accommodate substantial Federal operations.” At that time, GSA had only identified potential tenants for the site. Therefore, GSA considered a wide range of potential development densities in the initial stages of its master planning for this site. In late calendar year 2005, DHS approached GSA and requested assistance in meeting DHS’ housing needs in the National Capital Region, including the need for a new Coast Guard headquarters. GSA has reviewed DHS' space needs and has determined that
(i)DHS headquarters and its components are scattered in over 60 buildings throughout the National Capital Region, which adversely impacts critical communication, coordination, and cooperation across components particularly in responding to significant natural disasters or terrorist threats;
(ii)the DHS housing plan requires certain core elements of its organization, including the Coast Guard, to be located on a single campus, for reasons of both efficiency and organizational effectiveness;
(iii)DHS has an immediate need for the consolidation of these core elements;
(iv)DHS requires the highest level of secure Federal office space for its headquarters campus, including buffer zones around the perimeter of such facility; and
(v)DHS headquarters is required by statute (4 USC §§ 71-72) to be located within the District of Columbia. Based on these findings, there is a need to establish a secure campus within the District of Columbia to house the consolidated headquarters and components of DHS, including the Coast Guard headquarters, consistent with DHS' housing plan. Therefore, GSA is redefining the purpose of this proposed action as follows: The primary purpose of this proposed action is to develop secure office space in the District of Columbia to accommodate the headquarters of the Department of Homeland Security and its Components, including the United States Coast Guard, in accordance with the DHS housing plan. In addition, based on an analysis of alternative locations, as well as consideration of applicable legislation regarding relocation of the Coast Guard headquarters, GSA has determined that the only reasonable alternatives for meeting the DHS space needs are alternatives involving the redevelopment of the St. Elizabeths West Campus. Alternatives Under Consideration Based on a comprehensive review of its housing needs and organizational mission, DHS has determined that its headquarters and components require a single campus, within the District of Columbia, that includes 4.5 million gross square feet of office space plus parking for a total of approximately 6.4 million gross square feet. In the EIS, GSA will consider a range of alternatives for consolidating DHS headquarters at St. Elizabeths consistent with DHS' operational requirements. Four alternatives previously under consideration, two at 1.4 million gross square feet of office space and two at 3.0 million gross square feet of office space, will no longer be considered. Consistent with the requirements of Section 110 of the National Historic Preservation Act, GSA will consider alternatives to minimize harm to the St. Elizabeths West Campus, which has been designated as a National Historic Landmark (NHL). GSA specifically invites comments on potential alternatives that accommodate DHS space needs and organizational requirements, while minimizing harm to the contributing elements of the NHL. In addition, as required by NEPA, GSA is studying the no action alternative. Under the No Action alternative, GSA would not consolidate the DHS headquarters and its components at St. Elizabeths, and would not redevelop the St. Elizabeths West Campus. GSA would only perform the needed maintenance to keep the historic buildings and property on the West Campus from further deterioration until it determines the feasibility of retaining the property or disposing of it through the Federal real property disposal process. As part of the EIS, GSA will study the impacts of the alternatives on the human environment. Scoping Process In accordance with NEPA, GSA is reinitiating the scoping process to assess significant issues related to the proposed redevelopment of St. Elizabeths for the consolidation of DHS headquarters and its components. Scoping will be accomplished through correspondence to potentially interested persons, agencies, and organizations, and meetings with agencies having an interest in the St. Elizabeths redevelopment plan. It is important that Federal, regional, and local agencies, and interested individuals and groups take this opportunity to identify environmental concerns that should be addressed in the Draft EIS. It is not necessary to resubmit previous comments as part of this process. GSA is also using this reinitiated NEPA process to continue consultation with the public under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (36 CFR Part 800 [Protection of Historic Properties]). GSA welcomes comments from the public to ensure that it takes into account the effects of its action on historic and cultural resources. *Written Comments:* Agencies and the public are encouraged to provide written comments on the scoping issues. Written comments regarding the environmental analysis for the redevelopment of the St. Elizabeths must be submitted no later than 30 days after publication of this notice in the **Federal Register** . Comments may be submitted by regular mail to the following address: General Services Administration, National Capital Region, Attention: Denise Decker, NEPA Lead, 301 7th Street, SW, Room 7600, Washington, DC 20407. Comments also may be submitted by facsimile or e-mail: Fax
(202)708—7671; *denise.decker@gsa.gov* . Dated: June 11, 2007. Bart Bush, Assistant Regional Administrator, Public Buildings Service. [FR Doc. E7-12596 Filed 6-27-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6820-23-S DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Bilingual/Bicultural Demonstration Grant Program AGENCY: Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Secretary, Office of Public Health and Science, Office of Minority Health. ACTION: Notice. *Announcement Type:* Competitive, Initial Announcement of Availability of Funds. *Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number:* Bilingual/Bicultural Demonstration Grant Program—93.105. DATES: To receive consideration, applications must be received by the Office of Grants Management, Office of Public Health and Science (OPHS), Department of Health and Human Services
(DHHS)c/o WilDon Solutions, Office of Grants Management Operations Center, Attention Office of Minority Health Bilingual/Bicultural Demonstration Grant Program, no later than 5 p.m. Eastern Time on July 30, 2007. The application due date requirement in this announcement supercedes the instructions in the OPHS-1 form. ADDRESSES: Application kits may be obtained electronically by accessing Grants.gov at *http://www.grants.gov* or GrantSolutions at *http://www.GrantSolutions.gov.* To obtain a hard copy of the application kit, contact WilDon Solutions at 1-888-203-6161. Applicants may fax a written request to WilDon Solutions at
(703)351-1138 or e-mail the request to *OPHSgrantinfo@teamwildon.com.* Applications must be prepared using Form OPHS-1 “Grant Application,” which is included in the application kit. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: WilDon Solutions, Office of Grants Management Operations Center, 1515 Wilson Blvd., Third Floor Suite 310, Arlington, VA 22209 at 1-888-203-6161, e-mail *OPHSgrantinfo@teamwildon.com,* or fax 703-351-1138. SUMMARY: This announcement is made by the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS or Department), Office of Minority Health
(OMH)located within the Office of Public Health and Science (OPHS), and working in a “One-Department” approach collaboratively with participating HHS agencies and program (entities). OMH is authorized to conduct the Bilingual/Bicultural Demonstration Grant Program (hereafter referred to as the Bilingual/Bicultural Program) under 42 U.S.C. 300u-6, section 1707 of the Public Health Service Act, as amended. The mission of the OMH is to improve the health of racial and ethnic minority populations through the development of policies and programs that address disparities and gaps. OMH serves as the focal point within the HHS for leadership, policy development and coordination, service demonstrations, information exchange, coalition and partnership building, and related efforts to address the health of racial and ethnic minorities. OMH activities are implemented in an effort to address Healthy People 2010, a comprehensive set of disease prevention and health promotion objectives for the Nation to achieve over the first decade of the 21st century ( *http://www.healthypeople.gov* ). This funding announcement is also made in support of the OMH National Partnership for Action initiative. The mission of the National Partnership for Action is to work with individuals and organizations across the country to create a Nation free of health disparities with quality health outcomes for all by achieving the following five objectives: increasing awareness of health disparities; strengthening leadership at all levels for addressing health disparities; enhancing patient-provider communication; improving cultural and linguistic competency in delivering health services; and better coordinating and utilizing research and outcome evaluations. The Bilingual/Bicultural Program was developed in response to a congressional mandate to develop the capacity of health care professionals to address the cultural and linguistic barriers to health delivery and increase access to health care for limited English-proficient
(LEP)populations, particularly those who are racial ethnic minorities. OMH is committed to working with faith- and community-based organizations to improve and enhance access to quality and comprehensive health services for LEP, particularly racial/ethnic minority, populations. The OMH intends to demonstrate the merit of projects partnering community-based, minority-serving organizations and health care facilities in a collaborative effort to address cultural and linguistic barriers to effective health care service delivery, and to increase access to quality and comprehensive health care for LEP and racial/ethnic minority populations living in the United States. The Bilingual/Bicultural Program seeks to improve the health status of LEP populations, particularly racial and ethnic minorities who face cultural and linguistic barriers to health services by: reducing barriers to care; increasing access to quality care; supporting and increasing national, state and local efforts to expand the pool of health care professionals, paraprofessionals, and students who are from diverse communities to provide linguistically and culturally competent services; conducting and disseminating research to connect cultural competency behaviors to specific health outcomes; and assessing the impact of cultural and linguistic training models. As cited in the National Healthcare Disparities Report, clear communication is an important component of effective health care delivery. It is vital for providers to understand patients' health care needs and for patients to understand providers' diagnoses and treatment recommendations. Communication barriers can relate to language, culture, and health literacy. 1 About 47 million Americans, or 18 percent of the population, spoke a language other than English at home in 2000, up from 32 million in 1990. 2 Census data convey a sense of the growing portion of the United States population that is likely to experience LEP. 3 The 2000 Census reported that 4.4 million households are linguistically isolated, meaning that no person in the household speaks English “very well.” This is a significant increase from 1990, when 2.9 million households were linguistically isolated. 4 In responding to the need to ensure that all people entering the health care system receive equitable and effective treatment in a culturally and linguistically appropriate manner, the OMH published the National Standards on Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services
(CLAS)in Health Care for voluntary adoption by health care organizations. 5 CLAS consists of 14 standards that are organized by three themes—Culturally Competent Care (Standards 1-3), Language Access Services (Standards 4-7), and Organizational Supports for Cultural Competence (Standards 8-14). The standards are intended to be inclusive of all cultures and not limited to any particular population group or sets of groups, to contribute to the elimination of racial and ethnic health disparities, and to improve the health of all Americans. 1 National Healthcare Disparities Report, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Agency for Health Care Research and Quality (AHRQ), Rockville, MD, December 2006. 2 Ibid. 3 What a Difference an Interpreter Can Make. Health Care Experiences of Uninsured with Limited English Proficiency, April 2002. 4 U.S. Census Bureau, 2003, 9-10. 5 National Standards for Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services in Health Care Final Report, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Public Health and Science, Office of Minority Health, Washington, DC, March 2001. Eliminating the disproportionate health care disparities is an HHS priority, and the second goal of Healthy People 2010. The risk of many diseases and health conditions are reduced through preventative actions. A culture of wellness diminishes debilitating and costly health problems. Individual health care is built on a foundation of responsibility for personal wellness, which includes participating in regular physical activity, eating a healthful diet, taking advantage of medical screenings, and making healthy choices to avoid risky behaviors. Background information on health issue areas in which significant racial/ethnic disparities are documented may be found in Section VIII of this announcement. It is intended that the Bilingual/Bicultural Program will result in: increased patient knowledge on how best to access care and engagement in a continuum of care; increased client/patient and health provider knowledge on health disparities, and culturally and linguistically appropriate health care services; and increased utilization of preventive health care and treatment services. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Table of Contents Section I. Funding Opportunity Description 1. Purpose. 2. OMH Expectations. 3. Applicant Project Results. 4. Project Requirements. Section II. Award Information Section III. Eligibility Information 1. Eligible Applicants. 2. Cost Sharing or Matching. 3. Other. Section IV. Application and Submission Information 1. Address to Request Application Package. 2. Content and Form of Application Submission. 3. Submission Dates and Times. 4. Intergovernmental Review. 5. Funding Restrictions. Section V. Application Review Information 1. Criteria. 2. Review and Selection Process. 3. Anticipated Award Date. Section VI. Award Administration Information 1. Award Notices. 2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements. 3. Reporting Requirements. Section VII. Agency Contacts Section VIII. Other Information 1. Background Information. 2. Healthy People 2010. 3. Definitions. Section I. Funding Opportunity Description Authority: The program is authorized under 42 U.S.C. 300u-6, section 1707 of the Public Health Service Act, as amended. 1. *Purpose:* The purpose of the Bilingual/Bicultural Program is to improve the health status of LEP populations, particularly racial and ethnic minorities (see definitions of LEP individuals and minority populations in Section VIII.3 of this announcement) by eliminating disparities. Through this FY 2007 announcement, OMH is continuing to build communication bridges and reduce the linguistic, cultural and social barriers LEP populations, particularly racial/ethnic minorities, encounter when accessing health services by supporting programs that focus on: improving and expanding the linguistic and cultural competence capacity and ability of health care professionals and paraprofessionals working in such communities, and improving the accessibility and utilization of health care services among the targeted populations. This program is intended to ascertain the effectiveness of partnerships between community-based, minority serving organizations and health care facilities in addressing:cultural and linguistic barriers to effective health care service delivery; and access to quality and comprehensive health care for LEP populations, particularly racial and ethnic minorities, living in the United States. 2. *OMH Expectations:* It is intended that the Bilingual/Bicultural Program will result in:Increased patient knowledge on how best to access care and engagement in a continuum of care;Increased client/patient and health provider knowledge on health disparities, and culturally and linguistically appropriate health care services; and/or Increased utilization of preventive health care and treatment services. 3. *Applicant Project Results:* Applicants must identify 3 of the 5 following anticipated project results that are consistent with the Bilingual/Bicultural Program overall and OMH expectations: Strengthening leadership at all levels for addressing health disparities; Improving patient-provider interaction; Improving cultural and linguistic competency; and Improving coordination and utilization of research and outcome evaluations. The outcomes of these projects will be used to develop other national efforts to address health disparities among similar populations. 4. *Project Requirements:* Each applicant under the Bilingual/Bicultural Program must: Implement the project using a collaborative partnership arrangement between a community-based, minority-serving organization and a health care facility. The partnership must have the capacity to plan, implement, and coordinate activities that focus on reducing cultural and linguistic barriers to health care for LEP populations, particularly racial and ethnic minorities who face such barriers. Carry out activities to reduce barriers to care and improve access to health care for the LEP populations, particularly racial/ethnic minorities. In addition, carry out one additional activity relevant to one of the following: —Supporting and increasing national, state and local efforts to expand the pool of health care professionals, paraprofessionals, and students who are from diverse communities to provide linguistically and culturally competent services; —Conducting and disseminating research to connect cultural competency behaviors to specific health outcomes; or —Assessing the impact of cultural and linguistic training models. Address at least 1, but no more than 3, of the identified health areas (see Section 5 below). 5. *Health Areas To Be Addressed:* The activities and interventions implemented under the Bilingual/Bicultural Program may target 1 but no more than 3 of the following ten
(10)priority health areas: Adult Immunization. Asthma. Cancer. Diabetes. Heart Disease and Stoke. Hepatitis B. HIV. Infant Mortality. Mental Health. Obesity and Overweight. Section II. Award Information *Estimated Funds Available for Competition:* $2,300,000 in FY 2007 (Grant awards are subject to the availability of funds.) *Anticipated Number of Awards:* 12 to 15. *Range of Awards:* $150,000 to $175,000 per year. *Anticipated Start Date:* September 1, 2007. *Period of Performance:* 3 Years (September 1, 2007 to August 31, 2010). *Budget Period Length:* 12 months. *Type of Award:* Grant. *Type of Application Accepted:* New, Competing Continuation. Section III. Eligibility Information 1. Eligible Applicants To qualify for funding, an applicant must be a: Private nonprofit, community-based, minority-serving organization which addresses health and human services for LEP populations, particularly racial and ethnic minorities who face cultural and linguistic barriers to health services (see definitions of LEP individuals and minority populations in Section VIII.3.) Public (local or tribal government) community-based organization which addresses health and human services; or Tribal entity which addresses health and human services. All applicants must have an established infrastructure with three years or more experience in addressing health and human services. In addition, all applicants must provide services to a targeted community and have an established partnership consisting of at least two discrete organizations that includes: A community-based, minority-serving organization (the applicant); and a health care facility (e.g., community health center, migrant health center, health department, or medical center). The partnership must be documented through a single, signed Memorandum of Agreement
(MOA)between the community-based, minority-serving organization (the applicant) and the health care facility (the partner). Each member of the partnership must have a specific, significant role in conducting the proposed project. The MOA must specify in detail the roles and resources that each entity will bring to the project, and the terms of the agreement. The MOA must cover the entire project period. The MOA must be signed by individuals with the authority to obligate the organization (e.g., president, chief executive officer, executive director). Other entities that meet the definition of a private non-profit community-based, minority-serving organization and the above criteria that are eligible to apply are: Faith-based organizations. Tribal organizations. Local affiliates of national, state-wide, or regional organizations. National, state-wide, and regional organizations, universities and other institutes of higher education may not apply for these grants. As the focus of the program is at the local, grassroots level, OMH is looking for entities that have ties to local communities. National, state-wide, and regional organizations operate on a broader scale and are not as likely to effectively access the targeted population in the specific, local neighborhood and communities. The organization submitting the application will: Serve as the lead agency for the project, responsible for its implementation and management; and Serve as the fiscal agent for the Federal grant awarded. 2. Cost Sharing or Matching Matching funds are not required for this program. 3. Other Organizations applying for funds under the Bilingual/Bicultural Program must submit documentation of nonprofit status with their applications. If documentation is not provided, the application will be considered non-responsive and will not be entered into the review process. The organization will be notified that the application did not meet the submission requirements. Any of the following serves as acceptable proof of nonprofit status: A reference to the applicant organization's listing in the Internal Revenue Service's
(IRS)most recent list of tax-exempt organizations described in section 501(c)(3) of the IRS Code. A copy of a currently valid IRS tax exemption certificate. A statement from a State taxing body, State Attorney General, or other appropriate State official certifying that the applicant organization has a nonprofit status and that none of the net earnings accrue to any private shareholders or individuals. A certified copy of the organization's certificate of incorporation or similar document that clearly establishes nonprofit status. For local, nonprofit affiliates of state or national organizations, a statement signed by the parent organization indicating that the applicant organization is a local nonprofit affiliate must be provided in addition to any one of the above acceptable proof of nonprofit status. If funding is requested in an amount greater than the ceiling of the award range, the application will be considered non-responsive and will not be entered into the review process. The application will be returned with notification that it did not meet the submission requirements. Applications that are not complete or that do not conform to or address the criteria of this announcement will be considered non-responsive and will not be entered into the review process. The application will be returned with notification that it did not meet the submission requirements. An organization may submit no more than one application to the Bilingual/Bicultural Program. Organizations submitting more than one proposal for this grant program will be deemed ineligible. The multiple proposals from the same organization will be returned without comment. Organizations are not eligible to receive funding from more than one OMH grant program to carry out the same project and/or activities. Section IV. Application and Submission Information 1. Address To Request Application Package Application kits for the Bilingual/Bicultural Demonstration Grant Program may be obtained by accessing Grants.gov at *http://www.grants.gov* or the GrantSolutions system at *http://www.grantsolutions.gov* . To obtain a hard copy of the application kit for this grant program, contact WilDon Solutions at 1-888-203-6161. Applicants may also fax a written request to WilDon Solutions at
(703)351-1138 or e-mail the request to *OPHSgrantinfo@teamwildon.com* . Applications must be prepared using Form OPHS-1, which can be obtained at the Web sites noted above. 2. Content and Form of Application Submission A. Application and Submission Applicants must use Grant Application Form OPHS-1 and complete the Face Page/Cover Page (SF 424), Checklist, and Budget Information Forms for Non-Construction Programs (SF 424A). In addition, the application must contain a project narrative. The project narrative (including summary and appendices) is limited to 75 pages double-spaced. For those organizations that previously received funding under the OMH-funded Bilingual/Bicultural Service Demonstration Program, in addition to the project narrative, you must attach a report on that program and its results. This report is limited to 15 pages double-spaced, which do not count against the page limitation. The narrative description of the project must contain the following, in the order presented: Table of Contents Project Summary (Overview): Describe key aspects of the Background, Objectives, Program Plan, and Evaluation Plan. The summary is limited to 3 pages. Background: *Statement of Need:* Identify which of the health issue areas (up to 3) are being addressed. Describe and document (with data) demographic information on the targeted local geographic area, and the significance or prevalence of the health problem(s) or issue(s) affecting the local target minority group(s). Describe the local minority group(s) targeted by the project (e.g., race/ethnicity, age, gender, educational level/income). *Experience:* Describe the applicant organization's background, and the background/experience of the proposed partner organization(s). Provide a rationale for inclusion of the partner organization(s) in the project. Describe any similar projects implemented to work with the targeted population and the results of those projects. (For those institutions that previously received funding under the OMH-supported Bilingual/Bicultural Service Demonstration Program, you must attach a report on that specific project and its results.) Discuss the applicant organization's experience (over the past three years) in managing health and human services-related projects/activities, especially those targeting the population to be served. Indicate where the project will be located within the applicant organization's structure and the reporting channels. Provide a chart of the proposed project's organizational structure, showing who will report to whom. Describe how the partner organization(s) will interface with the applicant organization. *Objectives:* Provide objectives stated in measurable terms including baseline data, improvement targets, and time frames for achievement for the three-year project period. Explain how the stated objectives relate to the expected results of the project. *Program Plan:* Provide a plan that clearly describes how the project will be carried out. Describe specific activities and strategies planned to achieve each objective. For each activity, describe how, when, where, by whom, and for whom the activity will be conducted. Include the role of the partner organization(s). Provide a description of the proposed program staff, including resumes and job descriptions for key staff, qualifications and responsibilities of each staff member, and percent of time each will commit to the project. Provide a description of duties for any proposed consultants. Describe any products to be developed by the project. Provide a time line for each of the three years of the project period. *Evaluation Plan:* Delineate how program activities will be evaluated. The evaluation plan must clearly articulate how the project will be evaluated to determine if the intended results have been achieved. The evaluation plan must describe, for all funded activities: —Specific problem(s) and factors causing or contributing to the problem(s) that will be addressed; —Intended results (i.e., impacts and outcomes); —How impacts and outcomes will be measured (i.e., what indicators or measures will be used to monitor and measure progress toward achieving project results); —Methods for collecting and analyzing data on measures; —Evaluation methods that will be used to assess impacts and outcomes; —Evaluation expertise that will be available for this purpose; —How results are expected to contribute to the objectives of the program as a whole, and relevant Healthy People 2010 goals and objectives; and —The potential for replicating the evaluation methods for similar efforts. Discuss plans and describe the vehicle (e.g., manual, CD) that will be used to document the steps which others may follow to replicate the proposed project in similar communities. Describe plans for disseminating project results to other communities. *Appendices:* Include MOAs and other relevant information in this section. If required, attach a report on the project and outcomes supported under the Bilingual/Bicultural Service Demonstration Program (does not count against page limitation). In addition to the project narrative, the application must contain a detailed budget justification which includes a narrative explanation and indicates the computation of expenditures for each year for which grant support is requested. The budget request must include funds for key project staff to attend an annual OMH grantee meeting. (The budget justification does not count toward the page limitation.) B. Data Universal Numbering System Number
(DUNS)Applications must have a Dun & Bradstreet (D&B) Data Universal Numbering System number as the universal identifier when applying for Federal grants. The D&B number can be obtained by calling
(866)705-5711 or through the Web site at *http://www.dnb.com/us/* . 3. Submission Dates and Times To be considered for review, applications must be received by the Office of Public Health and Science, Office of Grants Management, c/o WilDon Solutions, by 5 p.m. Eastern Time on July 30, 2007. Applications will be considered as meeting the deadline if they are received on or before the deadline date. The application due date requirement in this announcement supercedes the instructions in the OPHS-1 form. Submission Mechanisms The Office of Public Health and Science
(OPHS)provides multiple mechanisms for the submission of applications, as described in the following sections. Applicants will receive notification via mail from the OPHS Office of Grants Management confirming the receipt of applications submitted using any of these mechanisms. Applications submitted to the OPHS Office of Grants Management after the deadlines described below will not be accepted for review. Applications which do not conform to the requirements of the grant announcement will not be accepted for review and will be returned to the applicant. While applications are accepted in hard copy, the use of the electronic application submission capabilities provided by the Grants.gov and GrantSolutions.gov systems is encouraged. Applications may only be submitted electronically via the electronic submission mechanisms specified below. Any applications submitted via any other means of electronic communication, including facsimile or electronic mail, will not be accepted for review. In order to apply for new funding opportunities which are open to the public for competition, you may access the Grants.gov Web site portal. All OPHS funding opportunities and application kits are made available on Grants.gov. If your organization has/had a grantee business relationship with a grant program serviced by the OPHS Office of Grants Management, and you are applying as part of ongoing grantee related activities, please access GrantSolutions.gov. Electronic grant application submissions must be submitted no later than 5 p.m. Eastern Time on the deadline date specified in the DATES section of the announcement using one of the electronic submission mechanisms specified below. All required hardcopy original signatures and mail-in items must be received by the OPHS Office of Grants Management, c/o WilDon Solutions, no later than 5 p.m. Eastern Time on the next business day after the deadline date specified in the DATES section of the announcement. Applications will not be considered valid until all electronic application components, hardcopy original signatures, and mail-in items are received by the OPHS Office of Grants Management according to the deadlines specified above. Application submissions that do not adhere to the due date requirements will be considered late and will be deemed ineligible. Applicants are encouraged to initiate electronic applications early in the application development process, and to submit early on the due date or before. This will aid in addressing any problems with submissions prior to the application deadline. Electronic Submissions via the Grants.gov Web Site Portal The Grants.gov Web site Portal provides organizations with the ability to submit applications for OPHS grant opportunities. Organizations must successfully complete the necessary registration processes in order to submit an application. Information about this system is available on the Grants.gov Web site, *http://www.grants.gov* . In addition to electronically submitted materials, applicants may be required to submit hard copy signatures for certain Program related forms, or original materials as required by the announcement. It is imperative that the applicant review both the grant announcement, as well as the application guidance provided within the Grants.gov application package, to determine such requirements. Any required hard copy materials, or documents that require a signature, must be submitted separately via mail to the OPHS Office of Grants Management, c/o WilDon Solutions, and if required, must contain the original signature of an individual authorized to act for the applicant agency and the obligations imposed by the terms and conditions of the grant award. When submitting the required forms, do not send the entire application. Complete hard copy applications submitted after the electronic submission will not be considered for review. Electronic applications submitted via the Grants.gov Web site Portal must contain all completed online forms required by the application kit, the Program Narrative, Budget Narrative and any appendices or exhibits. All required mail-in items must be received by the due date requirements specified above. Mail-in items may only include publications, resumes, or organizational documentation. When submitting the required forms, do not send the entire application. Complete hard copy applications submitted after the electronic submission will not be considered for review. Upon completion of a successful electronic application submission via the Grants.gov Web site Portal, the applicant will be provided with a confirmation page from Grants.gov indicating the date and time (Eastern Time) of the electronic application submission, as well as the Grants.gov Receipt Number. It is critical that the applicants print and retain this confirmation for their records, as well as a copy of the entire application package. All applications submitted via the Grants.gov Web site Portal will be validated by Grants.gov. Any applications deemed “Invalid” by the Grants.gov Web site Portal will not be transferred to the GrantSolutions system, and OPHS has no responsibility for any application that is not validated and transferred to OPHS from the Grants.gov Web site Portal. Grants.gov will notify the applicant regarding the application validation status. Once the application is successfully validated by the Grants.gov Web site Portal, applicants should immediately mail all required hard copy materials to the OPHS Office of Grants Management, c/o WilDon Solutions, to be received by the deadlines specified above. It is critical that the applicant clearly identify the Organization name and Grants.gov Application Receipt Number on all hard copy materials. Once the application is validated by Grants.gov, it will be electronically transferred to the GrantSolutions system for processing. Upon receipt of both the electronic application from the Grants.gov Web site Portal, and the required hard copy mail-in items, applicants will receive notification via mail from the OPHS Office of Grants Management confirming the receipt of the application submitted using the Grants.gov Web site Portal. Applicants should contact Grants.gov regarding any questions or concerns regarding the electronic application process conducted through the Grants.gov Web site Portal. Electronic Submissions via the GrantSolutions System OPHS is a managing partner of the GrantSolutions.gov system. GrantSolutions is a full life-cycle grants management system managed by the Administration for Children and Families, Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and is designated by the Office of Management and Budget
(OMB)as one of the three Government-wide grants management systems under the Grants Management Line of Business initiative (GMLoB). OPHS uses GrantSolutions for the electronic processing of all grant applications, as well as the electronic management of its entire Grant portfolio. When submitting applications via the GrantSolutions system, applicants are required to submit a hard copy of the application face page (Standard Form 424) with the original signature of an individual authorized to act for the applicant agency and assume the obligations imposed by the terms and conditions of the grant award. If required, applicants will also need to submit a hard copy of the Standard Form LLL and/or certain Program related forms (e.g., Program Certifications) with the original signature of an individual authorized to act for the applicant agency. When submitting the required forms, do not send the entire application. Complete hard copy applications submitted after the electronic submission will not be considered for review. Electronic applications submitted via the GrantSolutions system must contain all completed online forms required by the application kit, the Program Narrative, Budget Narrative and any appendices or exhibits. The applicant may identify specific mail-in items to be sent to the Office of Grants Management separate from the electronic submission; however these mail-in items must be entered on the GrantSolutions Application Checklist at the time of electronic submission, and must be received by the due date requirements specified above. Mail-in items may only include publications, resumes, or organizational documentation. When submitting the required forms, do not send the entire application. Complete hard copy applications submitted after the electronic submission will not be considered for review. Upon completion of a successful electronic application submission, the GrantSolutions system will provide the applicant with a confirmation page indicating the date and time (Eastern Time) of the electronic application submission. This confirmation page will also provide a listing of all items that constitute the final application submission including all electronic application components, required hard copy original signatures, and mail-in items, as well as the mailing address of the OPHS Office of Grants Management where all required hard copy materials must be submitted. As items are received by the OPHS Office of Grants Management, the electronic application status will be updated to reflect the receipt of mail-in items. It is recommended that the applicant monitor the status of their application in the GrantSolutions system to ensure that all signatures and mail-in items are received. Mailed or Hand-Delivered Hard Copy Applications Applicants who submit applications in hard copy (via mail or hand-delivered) are required to submit an original and two copies of the application. The original application must be signed by an individual authorized to act for the applicant agency or organization and to assume for the organization the obligations imposed by the terms and conditions of the grant award. Mailed or hand-delivered applications will be considered as meeting the deadline if they are received by the OPHS Office of Grant Management, c/o WilDon Solutions, on or before 5 p.m. Eastern Time on the deadline date specified in the DATES section of the announcement. The application deadline date requirement specified in this announcement supersedes the instructions in the OPHS-1. Applications that do not meet the deadline will be returned to the applicant unread. 4. Intergovernmental Review The Bilingual/Bicultural Service Demonstration Program is subject to the requirements of Executive Order 12372 which allows States the options of setting up a system for reviewing applications from within their States for assistance under certain Federal programs. The application kits available under the notice will contain a list of States which have chosen to set up a review system and will include a State Single Point of Contact
(SPOC)in the State for review. The SPOC list is also available on the Internet at the following address: *http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants/spoc.html.* Applicants (other than federally recognized Indian tribes) should contact their SPOC as early as possible to alert them to the prospective applications and receive any necessary instructions on the State process. The due date for State process recommendations is 60 days after the application deadlines established by the OPHS Grants Management Officer. The OMH does not guarantee that it will accommodate or explain its responses to State process recommendations received after that date. (See “Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs,” Executive Order 12372, and 45 CFR Part 100 for a description of the review process and requirements.) The Bilingual/Bicultural Program is subject to Public Health Systems Reporting Requirements. Under these requirements, community-based non-governmental applicants must prepare and submit a Public Health System Impact Statement (PHSIS). The PHSIS is intended to provide information to State and local officials to keep them apprised of proposed health services grant applications submitted by community-based organizations within their jurisdictions. Community-based non-governmental applicants are required to submit, no later than the Federal due date for receipt of the application, the following information to the head of the appropriate State or local health agencies in the area(s) to be impacted:
(a)A copy of the face page of the application (SF 424), and
(b)a summary of the project (PHSIS), not to exceed one page, which provides:
(1)A description of the population to be served,
(2)a summary of the services to be provided, and
(3)a description of the coordination planned with the appropriate State or local health agencies. Copies of the letter forwarding the PHSIS to these authorities must be contained in the application materials submitted to the OPHS. 5. Funding Restrictions Budget Request: If funding is requested in an amount greater than the ceiling of the award range, the application will be considered non-responsive and will not be entered into the review process. The application will be returned with notification that it did not meet the submission requirements. Grant funds may be used to cover costs of: Personnel. Consultants. Equipment. Supplies (including screening and outreach supplies). Grant-related travel (domestic only), including attendance at an annual OMH grantee meeting. Other grant-related costs. Grant funds may not be used for: Building alterations or renovations. Construction. Fund raising activities. Job training. Medical care, treatment or therapy. Political education and lobbying. Research studies involving human subjects. Vocational rehabilitation. Guidance for completing the budget can be found in the Program Guidelines, which are included with the complete application kits. Section V. Application Review Information 1. Criteria The technical review of the Bilingual/Bicultural Program applications will consider the following four generic factors listed, in descending order of weight. A. Factor 1: Program Plan (40%) Appropriateness and merit of proposed approach and specific activities for each objective. Logic and sequencing of the planned approaches as they relate to the statement of need and to the objectives. The degree to which the project design, proposed activities and products to be developed are culturally/linguistically appropriate. Soundness of the established partnership and the role of the partnership member in the program. Qualifications and appropriateness of proposed staff or requirements for “to be hired” staff and consultants. Proposed staff level of effort. Appropriateness of defined roles including staff reporting channels and that of any proposed consultants. B. Factor 2: Evaluation Plan (25%) The degree to which expected results are appropriate for the objectives of the Bilingual/Bicultural Program overall, stated objectives of the proposed project and proposed activities. Appropriateness of the proposed data collection plan (including demographic data to be collected on project participants), analysis and reporting procedures. Suitability of process, outcome, and impact measures. Clarity of the intent and plans to assess and document progress towards achieving objectives, planned activities, and intended outcomes. Potential for the proposed project to impact the health status of the target population(s) relative to the health area(s) addressed. Soundness of the plan to document the project for replication in similar communities. Soundness of the plan to disseminate project results. C. Factor 3: Background and Demonstrated Capability (20%) Demonstrated knowledge of the problem at the local level. Significance and prevalence of targeted health issues in the proposed community and target population(s). Extent to which the applicant demonstrates access to the target community(ies), and whether it is well positioned and accepted within the community(ies) to be served. Extent and documented outcome of past efforts and activities with the target population(s). Applicant's capability to manage and evaluate the project as determined by: The applicant organization's experience in managing project/activities involving the target population. The applicant's organizational structure, proposed project organizational structure, and the manifestation of an established infrastructure with three years or more experience. Clear lines of authority among the proposed staff within and between the partner organization(s). If applicable, the extent and documented outcome(s) of activities conducted under the OMH-supported Bilingual/Bicultural Service Demonstration Grant Program included in the required progress report. D. Factor 4: Objectives (15%) Merit of the objectives. Relevance to Healthy People 2010 and National Partnership for Action objectives. Relevance to the Bilingual/Bicultural Program purpose and expectations, and to the stated problem to be addressed by the proposed project. Degree to which the objectives are stated in measurable terms. Attainability of the objectives in the stated time frames. 2. Review and Selection Process Accepted Bilingual/Bicultural Program applications will be reviewed for technical merit in accordance with PHS policies. Applications will be evaluated by an Objective Review Committee (ORC). Committee members are chosen for their expertise in minority health, health disparities, and their understanding of the unique health problems and related issues confronted by the racial and ethnic minority populations in the United States. Funding decisions will be determined by the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Minority Health who will take under consideration: The recommendations and ratings of the ORC. Geographic distribution of applicants. A balanced distribution of populations to be served. The health areas to be addressed. 3. Anticipated Award Date September 1, 2007 Section VI: Award Administration Information 1. Award Notices Successful applicants will receive a notification letter from the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Minority Health and a Notice of Grant Award (NGA), signed by the OPHS Grants Management Officer. The NGA shall be the only binding, authorizing document between the recipient and the Office of Minority Health. Unsuccessful applicants will receive notification from OPHS. 2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements In accepting this award, the grantee stipulates that the award and any activities thereunder are subject to all provisions of 45 CFR parts 74 and 92, currently in effect or implemented during the period of the grant. The DHHS Appropriations Act requires that, when issuing statements, press releases, requests for proposals, bid solicitations, and other documents describing projects or programs funded in whole or in part with Federal money, all grantees shall clearly state the percentage and dollar amount of the total costs of the program or project which will be financed with Federal money and the percentage and dollar amount of the total costs of the project or program that will be financed by non-governmental sources. 3. Reporting Requirements A successful applicant under this notice will submit:
(1)Semi-annual progress reports;
(2)an annual Financial Status Report; and
(3)a final progress report and Financial Status Report in the format established by the OMH, in accordance with provisions of the general regulations which apply under “Monitoring and Reporting Program Performance,” 45 CFR 74.51-74.52, with the exception of State and local governments to which 45 CFR part 92, subpart C reporting requirements apply. Uniform Data Set: The Uniform Data Set
(UDS)is a web-based system used by OMH grantees to electronically report progress data to OMH. It allows OMH to more clearly and systematically link grant activities to OMH-wide goals and objectives, and document programming impacts and results. All OMH grantees are required to report program information via the UDS ( *http://www.dsgonline.com/omh/uds* ). Training will be provided to all new grantees on the use of the UDS system during the annual grantee meeting. Grantees will be informed of the progress report due dates and means of submission. Instructions and report format will be provided prior to the required due date. The Annual Financial Status Report is due no later than 90 days after the close of each budget period. The final progress report and Financial State Report are due 90 days after the end of the project period. Instructions and due dates will be provided prior to required submission. Section VII. Agency Contacts For application kits, submission of applications, and information on budget and business aspects of the application, please contact: WilDon Solutions, Office of Grants Management Operations Center, 1515 Wilson Boulevard, Third Floor Suite 310, Arlington, VA 22209 at 1-888-203-6161, e-mail *OPHSgrantinfo@teamwildon.com,* or fax 703-351-1138. For questions related to the Bicultural/Bilingual Program or assistance in preparing a grant proposal, contact Ms. Sonsiere Cobb-Souza, Acting Director, Division of Program Operations, Office of Minority Health, Tower Building, Suite 600, 1101 Wootton Parkway, Rockville, MD 20852. Ms. Cobb-Souza can be reached by telephone at
(240)453-8444; or by e-mail at *sonsiere.cobb-souza@hhs.gov.* For additional technical assistance, contact the OMH Regional Minority Health Consultant for your region listed in your grant application kit. For health information, call the OMH Resource Center (OMHRC) at 1-800-444-6472. Section VIII. Other Information 1. Background Information Limited English proficiency is a barrier to quality health care for many Americans. As reported in the National Healthcare Disparities Report, 47 percent of individuals with limited English proficiency do not have a usual source of care. Quality health care requires that patients and providers communicate effectively. The ability of providers and patients to communicate clearly with one another can be compromised if they do not speak the same language. It is vital for providers to understand patients' health care needs and for patients to understand providers' diagnosis and treatment recommendations. 6 According to the Commonwealth Fund's 2001 Health Quality Survey, 33 percent of all Hispanics, 27 percent of all Asian Americans, and 23 percent of all African Americans report having difficulty communicating with their doctors, as compared with only 16 percent of white Americans. 7 6 National Healthcare Disparities Report, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Agency for Health Care Research and Quality (AHRQ), Rockville, MD, December 2006. 7 Collins, Karen Scott, & others. Diverse Communities, Common Concerns: Assessing Health Care Quality for Minority Americans, The Commonwealth Fund, March 2002. Although many aspects of health in the U.S. have improved, significant racial and ethnic disparities remain. The prevalence of overweight in 2003-04 was significantly higher among Hispanic and Black children than white children, and approximately 45 percent of Black and 37 percent of Hispanic adults were obese compared to 30 percent of whites. 8 American Indians/Alaska Natives are 2.2 times as likely to have diabetes than whites, and Blacks are 1.8 times as likely to have the disease. 9 The rates of hepatitis B have declined among all racial ethnic groups; however, rates were highest among non-Hispanic Blacks in 2004. 10 According to data from the CDC, 50 percent of adults and adolescents diagnosed with HIV/AIDS in 2004 were Black (13 percent of population), 18 percent were Hispanic (12.5 percent of population), and 1 percent were American Indian/Alaska Native (.7 percent of population). In 2005, 18.1 percent of Native American/Alaska Natives reported frequent mental distress (14 or more mentally unhealthy days) compared to 9.6 percent of whites. 11 Higher percentages of Blacks (11.8) and Hispanics (10.2) also reported frequent mental distress than whites. American Indians/Alaska Natives also had the highest prevalence of asthma in 2002, when 11.6 percent of that population reported having asthma compared to 7.6 percent of whites. 12 8 2004 Fact Sheet—Obesity Still a Major Problem, New Data Show, NCHS, Hyattsville, MD, 2006. 9 American Diabetes Association, Web site, November 27, 2006 *http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-statistics/prevalence.jsp.* 10 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Hepatitis Surveillance Report No. 61. Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2006. 11 Health Related Quality of Life Survey, CDC, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, 2006. 12 Asthma Prevalence and Control Characteristics by Race/Ethnicity—United States, 2002, MMWR Weekly, February 27, 2004, CDC. In 2002, American Indian/Alaska Native women had the lowest cancer incidence rate, yet the third highest cancer death rate. Breast cancer was the leading cause of cancer death among Hispanic women. Black men and women had the highest cancer death rates for all cancers among all races. 13 Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women in the U.S.; the 2002 age-adjusted death rates for diseases of the heart were 30 percent higher among Blacks than whites. The mortality rates for infants of Black (13.6), American Indian/Alaska Native (8.7), and Puerto Rican (8.2) mothers all exceeded the rate for infants of white mothers (5.7) in 2003. 14 Influenza vaccination coverage among adults 50-64 years of age was about 30 percent lower for non-Hispanic Blacks and Hispanic persons than non-Hispanic white persons. Similarly, influenza vaccination rate among adults 65 years of age and over were about 30 percent lower for non-Hispanic Blacks and Hispanic persons than for non-Hispanic whites. 15 13 United States Cancer Statistics: 1999-2002 Incidence and Mortality Web-based Report, U.S. Cancer Statistics Working Group, CDC and National Cancer Institute, Atlanta, GA, 2005. 14 Health United States, 2006. 15 Health, United States, National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), Hyattsville, MD, November 2006. 2. Healthy People 2010 The Public Health Service
(PHS)is committed to achieving the health promotion and disease prevention objectives of Healthy People 2010, a PHS-lead national activity announced in January 2000 to eliminate health disparities and improve years and quality of life. More information may be found on the Healthy People 2010 Web site: *http://www.healthypeople.gov* and copies of the document may be downloaded. Copies of the Healthy People 2010: Volumes I and II can be purchased by calling
(202)512-1800 (cost $70 for printed version; $20 for CD-ROM). Another reference is the Healthy People 2010 Final Report—2001. For one free copy of the Healthy People 2010, contact: The National Center for Health Statistics, Division of Data Services, 3311 Toledo Road, Hyattsville, MD 20782, or by telephone at
(301)458-4636. Ask for HHS Publication No.
(PHS)99.1256. This document may also be downloaded from: *http://www.healthypeople.gov.* 3. Definitions For purposes of this announcement, the following definitions apply: Community-Based Organizations—Private, nonprofit organizations and public organizations (local and tribal governments) that are representative of communities or significant segments of communities where the control and decision-making powers are located at the community level. Community-Based, Minority-Serving Organization—A community-based organization that has a demonstrated expertise and experience in serving racial/ethnic minority populations. (See definition of Minority Populations below.) Cultural Competency—Having the capacity to function effectively as an individual and an organization within the context of the cultural beliefs, behaviors and needs presented by consumers and their communities. Health Care Facility—A private non-profit or public facility that has an established record for providing comprehensive health care services to a targeted, racial/ethnic minority community. A health care facility may be a hospital, outpatient medical facility, community health center, migrant health center, or a mental health center. Facilities providing only screening and referral activities are not included in this definition. Limited-English-Proficient
(LEP)Individuals—Individuals (particularly Minority Populations as defined below) who do not speak English as their primary language and who have a limited ability to read, write, speak, or understand English. These individuals must communicate in their primary language in order to participate effectively in and benefit from any aid, service or benefit provided by the health provider. Memorandum of Agreement (MOA)—A single document signed by authorized representatives of each community partnership member organization which details the roles and resources each entity will provide for the project and the terms of the agreement (must cover the entire project period). Minority Populations—American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander (42 U.S.C. 300u-6, section 1707 of the Public Health Service Act, as amended). Nonprofit Organizations—Corporations or associations, no part of whose net earnings may lawfully inure to the benefit of any private shareholder or individual. Proof of nonprofit status must be submitted by private nonprofit organizations with the application or, if previously filed with PHS, the applicant must state where and when the proof was submitted. (See III, 3. Other, for acceptable evidence of nonprofit status.) Partnership—At least two discrete organizations and/or institutions that have a history of service to LEP racial/ethnic minority populations (see definition of LEP and Minority Populations above). Sociocultural Barriers—Policies, practices, behaviors and beliefs that create obstacles to health care access and service delivery. Examples of sociocultural barriers include: Cultural differences between individuals and institutions Cultural differences of beliefs about health and illness Customs and lifestyles Cultural differences in languages or nonverbal communication styles Dated: June 13, 2007. Garth N. Graham, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Minority Health. [FR Doc. E7-12513 Filed 6-27-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4150-29-P DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES HIV/AIDS Health Promotion and Education Program AGENCY: Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Secretary, Office of Public Health and Science, Office of Minority Health. ACTION: Notice. Announcement Type: Competitive, Initial Announcement of Availability of Funds. Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: HIV/AIDS Health Promotion and Education Program—93.004. DATES: To receive consideration, applications must be received by the Office of Grants Management, Office of Public Health and Science (OPHS), Department of Health and Human Services
(DHHS)c/o WilDon Solutions, Office of Grants Management Operations Center, attention Office of Minority Health HIV/AIDS Health Promotion and Education Program, no later than 5 p.m. Eastern Time on July 30, 2007. The application due date requirement in this announcement supercedes the instructions in the OPHS-1 form. ADDRESSES: Application kits may be obtained electronically by accessing *Grants.gov* at *http://www.grants.gov* or GrantSolutions at *http://www.GrantSolutions.gov.* To obtain a hard copy of the application kit, contact WilDon Solutions at 1-888-203-6161. Applicants may fax a written request to WilDon Solutions at
(703)351-1138 or e-mail the request to *OPHSgrantinfo@teamwildon.com.* Applications must be prepared using Form OPHS-1 “Grant Application,” which is included in the application kit. Contacts: For further information contact WilDon Solutions, Office of Grants Management Operations Center, 1515 Wilson Blvd., Third Floor Suite 310, Arlington, VA 22209, at 1-888-203-6161, e-mail *OPHSgrantinfo@teamwildon.com* or fax 703-351-1138. SUMMARY: This announcement is made by the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS or Department), Office of Minority Health
(OMH)located within the Office of Public Health and Science (OPHS), and working in a “One-Department” approach collaboratively with participating HHS agencies and programs (entities). As part of a continuing HHS effort to improve the health and well being of racial and ethnic minorities, the Department announces availability of FY 2007 funding for the HIV/AIDS Health Promotion and Education Program (hereafter referred to as the HIV/AIDS Program). OMH is authorized to conduct this program under 42 U.S.C. 300 u-6, section 1707 of the Public Health Service Act, as amended. The mission of the OMH is to improve the health of racial and ethnic minority populations through the development of policies and programs that address disparities and gaps. OMH serves as the focal point within the HHS for leadership, policy development and coordination, service demonstrations, information exchange, coalition and partnership building, and related efforts to address the health of racial and ethnic minorities. OMH activities are implemented in an effort to address *Healthy People 2010,* a comprehensive set of disease prevention and health promotion objectives for the Nation to achieve over the first decade of the 21st century ( *http://www.healthypeople.gov* ). This funding announcement is also made in support of the OMH National Partnership for Action initiative. The mission of the National Partnership for Action is to work with individuals and organizations across the country to create a Nation free of health disparities with quality health outcomes for all by achieving the following five objectives: Increasing awareness of health disparities, strengthening leadership at all levels for addressing health disparities; enhancing patient-provider communication; improving cultural and linguistic competency in delivering health services; and better coordinating and utilizing research and outcome evaluations. Minority communities are currently at the center of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in this country. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC)estimates that more than 1.1 million Americans were living with HIV/AIDS at the end of 2005. 1 The CDC also states that young people in the U.S. are at persistent risk for HIV infection. “This risk is especially notable for youth of minority races and ethnicities.” 2 Multifaceted approaches to HIV/AIDS prevention which involve peers, school, faith-based, and community components are necessary to reduce the incidence of HIV/AIDS among young people. 3 Background information on racial/ethnic disparities in HIV/AIDS can be found in Section VIII of this announcement. 1 HIV/AIDS Surveillance Report; Cases of HIV Infection and AIDS in the United States, 2005; Volume 17. 2 CDC HIV/AIDS Fact Sheet: HIV/AIDS Among Youth, June 2006. 3 Ibid. The HIV/AIDS Program is designed to support activities implemented by national minority serving organizations on college campuses in rural and urban communities that will increase awareness of HIV/AIDS risk factors, and positively alter the future course of HIV/AIDS among young adult minority populations. It is intended that this program will demonstrate that the involvement of national minority-serving organizations in partnership with institutions of higher education (particularly those with a history of serving minority populations, such as Historically Black Colleges and Universities—HBCUs, Hispanic Serving Institutions—HSIs, Tribal Colleges and Universities—TCUs, and other accredited minority-serving post-secondary institutions) can be vital in effectively reaching and educating young adult minority populations at risk for, affected by and/or infected with HIV/AIDS. The risk of many diseases and health conditions, including HIV/AIDS, are reduced through preventative actions. Under this program, support will be provided to projects that emphasize prevention, one of the HHS priorities. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Table Of Contents *Section I. Funding Opportunity Description* 1. Purpose 2. OMH Expectations 3. Applicant Project Results 4. Project Requirements *Section II. Award Information* *Section III. Eligibility Information* 1. Eligible Applicants 2. Cost Sharing or Matching 3. Other *Section IV. Application and Submission Information* 1. Address to Request Application Package 2. Content and Form of Application Submission 3. Submission Dates and Times 4. Intergovernmental Review 5. Funding Restrictions *Section V. Application Review Information* 1. Criteria 2. Review and Selection Process 3. Anticipated Award Date *Section VI. Award Administration Information* 1. Award Notices 2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements 3. Reporting Requirements *Section VII. Agency Contacts* *Section VIII. Other Information* 1. Background 2. Healthy People 2010 3. Definitions Section I. Funding Opportunity Description 1. Purpose The purpose of the HIV/AIDS Health Promotion and Education Program is to improve the health status, relative to HIV/AIDS, of young adult high risk populations, particularly racial and ethnic minorities (see definition of minority populations in Section VIII.3 of this announcement) by eliminating disparities. Through this FY 2007 announcement, the OMH promotes partnerships between national minority-serving organizations and institutions of higher education, particularly those with a history of serving minority populations, such as Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs), Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs), and other accredited minority-serving post-secondary institutions. This program also promotes promising practices and model programs targeting unique minority communities. 2. OMH Expectations It is intended that the HIV/AIDS Health Promotion and Education Program will result in: Increased awareness of risk factors for HIV/AIDS, and knowledge of methods, such as abstinence, by which transmission of HIV/AIDs can be prevented; Adoption of health promoting behaviors; Reduction in high-risk behaviors; Improved access to HIV/AIDS services for high-risk populations; and Increased counseling and testing services for high-risk populations, connection to a continuum of care, and increased patient knowledge on how best to access such care. 3. Applicant Project Results Applicants must identify at least 2 of the following project results that are consistent with the HIV/AIDS Program overall and OMH expectations. Project results should fall within the following general categories: Increased awareness of health disparities, relative to HIV/AIDS among minorities; Improved patient-provider interaction; and/or Improved cultural, linguistic and literacy competency. The outcomes of these projects will be used to develop other national efforts to address health disparities among racial and ethnic minority populations. 4. Project Requirements Each applicant under the HIV/AIDS Health Promotion and Education Program must: Implement the project through collaborative partnership arrangements between the applicant and at least two institutions of higher education, particularly those with a history of serving minority populations (one rural and one urban). The partnership must have the capacity to: Develop, implement and conduct demonstration projects on college campuses and in high-risk minority communities, urban and/or rural; Conduct outreach, screening, prevention information dissemination and education, and risk reduction-focused activities; Plan and coordinate age-appropriate activities which reduce existing sociocultural, linguistic, and literacy barriers for individuals seeking and accepting HIV/AIDS services; Identify problems such as gaps in services, or issues, such as access to health care; Link to enabling services to ensure that participants followup with referrals and treatment; and Identify existing resources in the targeted communities which will be linked to the proposed project. 5. Federal Involvement Projects supported under the HIV/AIDS Program will be funded via a cooperative agreement mechanism. Cooperative agreements involve significant Federal interaction with the recipient organization in the implementation of program activities. For this program, this interaction includes, but is not limited to: Oversight and clearance for the implementation, conduct and assessment of project activities. Collaborative work with funding recipients to develop and implement evaluation strategies incorporating the required Uniform Data Set which is to be used to report program information. Review and approval of assessment and evaluation instruments and/or plans. Direction to funding recipients on the submission of project data to OMH. Coordination and communication between funding recipients and other national organizations. Serving in a liaison capacity between funding recipients and appropriate federal government agencies. Planning and conducting an annual grantee meeting. Section II. Award Information *Estimated Funds Available for Competition:* $2,300,000 in FY 2007 (Grant awards are subject to the availability of funds.) *Anticipated Number of Awards:* 10 to 12. *Range of Awards:* $175,000 to $200,000 per year. *Anticipated Start Date:* September 1, 2007. *Period of Performance:* 3 Years (September 1, 2007 to August 31, 2010). *Budget Period Length:* 12 months. *Type of Award:* Cooperative Agreement. *Type of Application Accepted:* New, Competing Continuation. Section III. Eligibility Information 1. Eligible Applicants To qualify for funding, an applicant must: Be a private, nonprofit national minority-serving organization which addresses health and human services and has a history of service to racial and ethnic minority populations. Examples of national minority-serving organizations that may apply include, but are not limited to: Organizations representing community health organizations serving minority populations; Organizations that focus on minority health, education, leadership development, and national partnerships; and Organizations whose membership represents minority-focused health professionals. Implement the project through a collaborative partnership arrangement with at least two institutions of higher education, particularly those with a history of serving minority populations (one rural, one urban). The collaboration must be documented through separate signed Memorandum of Agreement
(MOA)between the applicant and each partnering institution of higher education. The partners must each have a specific, significant role in conducting the proposed project. The MOA must specify in detail the roles and resources that each entity will bring to the project, and the terms of the agreement. The MOA must cover the entire project period. The MOA must be signed by individuals with the authority to obligate the organization (e.g., president of college or university, chief executive officer, executive director). Be an established national (defined by charter or bylaws to operate nationally), nonprofit organization (a non-governmental, nonprofit corporation or association whose net earnings in no part accrue to the benefit of private shareholders or individuals). Bylaws and/or charter must be furnished with the application. Other entities that meet the definition of a private non-profit national minority-serving organization eligible to apply, such as national faith-based and/or national tribal organizations. Because the intent of this program is to address the HIV/AIDS epidemic at the national level, only organizations with a national reach are eligible to apply. The organization submitting the application will: Serve as the lead agency for the project; Be responsible for implementation and management; and Serve as the fiscal agent for the Federal grant awarded. 2. Cost Sharing or Matching Matching funds are not required for the HIV/AIDS Program. 3. Other Organizations applying for funds under the HIV/AIDS Health Promotion and Education Program must submit documentation of nonprofit status and documentation of an established national nonprofit organization as defined by charter or bylaws to operate nationally with their applications. If documentation is not provided, the application will be considered non-responsive and will not be entered into the review process. The organization will be notified that the application did not meet the submission requirements. Any of the following serves as acceptable proof of nonprofit status: A reference to the applicant organization's listing in the Internal Revenue Service
(IRS)most recent list of tax-exempt organizations described in section 501(c)(3) of the IRS Code. A copy of a currently valid IRS tax exemption certificate. A statement from a State taxing body, State Attorney General, or other appropriate State official certifying that the applicant organization has a nonprofit status and that none of the net earnings accrue to any private shareholders or individuals. A certified copy of the organization's certificate of incorporation or similar document that clearly establishes nonprofit status. If funding is requested in an amount greater than the ceiling of the award range, the application will be considered non-responsive and will not be entered into the review process. The application will be returned with notification that it did not meet the submission requirements. Applications that are not complete or that do not conform to or address the criteria of this announcement will be considered non-responsive and will not be entered into the review process. The application will be returned with notification that it did not meet the submission requirements. An organization may submit no more than one application to the HIV/AIDS Health Promotion and Education Program. Organizations submitting more than one proposal for this cooperative agreement program will be deemed ineligible. The multiple proposals from the same organization will be returned without comment. Organizations are not eligible to receive funding from more than one OMH grant program to carry out the same project and/or activities. Section IV. Application and Submission Information 1. Address To Request Application Kit Application kits for the HIV/AIDS Health Promotion and Education Program may be obtained by accessing Grants.gov at *http://www.grants.gov* or the GrantsSolutions system at *http://www.grantsolutions.gov.* To obtain a hard copy of the application kit for this cooperative agreement program, contact WilDon Solutions at 1-888-203-6161. Applicants may also fax a written request to WilDon Solutions at
(703)351-1138 or e-mail the request to *OPHSgrantinfo@teamwildon.com.* Applications must be prepared using Form OPHS-1, which can be obtained at the Web sites noted above. 2. Content and Form of Application Submission A. Application and Submission Applicants must use Grant Application Form OPHS-1 and complete the Face Page/Cover Page (SF 424), Checklist, and Budget Information Forms for Non-Construction Programs (SF 424A). In addition, the application must contain a project narrative. The project narrative (including summary and appendices) is limited to 75 pages double-spaced. For those institutions that previously received funding under the OMH-supported HIV/AIDS Health Promotion and Education Program, in addition to the project narrative, you must attach a report on that program and its results. This report is limited to 15 pages double-spaced, which do not count against the page limitation The narrative description of the project must contain the following, in the order presented: Table of Contents. Project Summary (Overview): Briefly describe key aspects of the Background, Objectives, Program Plan, and Evaluation Plan. The summary is limited to 3 pages. Background: *Statement of Need:* Describe and document, with data, demographic information on the targeted local geographic area, and the significance or prevalence of HIV/AIDS health problem(s) or issue(s) affecting the local target minority group(s), especially young adult minority populations. Identify problems such as gaps in services, or issues such as access to HIV/AIDS health care, social and cultural barriers, or mental health concerns affecting the targeted communities to be addressed by the proposed project. Describe the minority group(s) targeted by the project (e.g., race/ethnicity, age, gender, educational level/income). *Experience:* Describe the applicant organization's background, and the background/experience of all participating institutions of higher education, as well as any additional partners. Provide a rationale for their inclusion in the project. Describe any similar projects implemented to work with the targeted population(s) and the results of those projects. Document at least three years of experience working with the targeted minority populations, and the capacity to conduct HIV/AIDS programs and activities. (For those institutions that previously received funding under the OMH-supported HIV/AIDS Health Promotion and Education Program, you must attach a report on that specific project and its results.) Discuss the applicant organization's experience in managing projects/activities, especially those targeting the high-risk population to be served. Indicate where the project will be located within the applicant organization's structure and the reporting channels. Provide a chart of the proposed project's organizational structure, showing who will report to whom. Describe how the partner institutions of higher education, as well as any additional partners, will interface with the applicant organization. *Objectives:* Provide objectives stated in measurable terms including baseline data, improvement targets, and time frames for achievement for the three-year project period. Explain how the stated objectives relate to the expected results of the project. *Program Plan:* Provide a plan which clearly describes how the project will be carried out. Describe specific activities and strategies planned to achieve each objective. For each activity, describe how, when, where, by whom, and for whom the activity will be conducted. Describe how outreach, counseling and testing, prevention information and education to reduce risk behaviors and promote the adoption of health promoting behaviors, and connecting to enabling services and to treatment will be accomplished. Include the role of each participating partner institution of higher education as well as any additional partners and/or collaborating agencies. Provide a description of the proposed program staff, including resumes and job descriptions for key staff, qualifications and responsibilities of each staff member, and percent of time each will commit to the project. Provide a description of duties for any proposed consultants. Describe any products to be developed by the project. Provide a time line for each year of the three-year project period. *Evaluation Plan:* Delineate how program activities will be evaluated. The evaluation plan must clearly articulate how the project will be evaluated to determine if the intended results have been achieved. The evaluation plan must describe, for all funded activities: —Intended results (i.e., impacts and outcomes); —How impacts and outcomes will be measured (i.e., what indicators or measures will be used to monitor and measure progress toward achieving project results); —Methods for collecting and analyzing data on measures; —Evaluation methods that will be used to assess impacts and outcomes; —Evaluation expertise that will be available for this purpose; —How results are expected to contribute to: The objectives of the Program as a whole, and Healthy People 2010 goals and objectives; and —The potential for replicating the evaluation methods for similar efforts by this or other applicants. Discuss plans and describe the vehicle (e.g., manual, CD) that will be used to document the steps which others may follow to replicate the proposed project in similar communities. Describe plans for disseminating project results to other communities. *Appendices:* —Submit a Memorandum of Agreement between the applicant and each partnering institution of higher education with the application for funding. —Include other relevant information in this section, such as documentation of non-profit status, and bylaws and/or charter to operate nationally must be furnished with the application. If required, attach a report on the project and outcomes supported under the HIV/AIDS Health Promotion and Education Program (does not count against page limitation). In addition to the project narrative, the application must contain a detailed budget justification which includes a narrative explanation and indicates the computation of expenditures for each year for which grant support is requested. The budget request must include funds for key project staff to attend an annual OMH grantee meeting. (The budget justification does not count toward the page limitation.) B. Data Universal Numbering System Number
(DUNS)Applications must have a Dun & Bradstreet (D&B) Data Universal Numbering System number as the universal identifier when applying for Federal grants. The D&B number can be obtained by calling
(866)705-5711 or through the Web site at *http://www.dnb.com/us/.* 3. Submission Dates and Times To be considered for review, applications must be received by the Office of Public Health and Science, Office of Grants Management, c/o WilDon Solutions, by 5 p.m. Eastern Time on July 30, 2007. Applications will be considered as meeting the deadline if they are received on or before the deadline date. The application due date requirement in this announcement supercedes the instructions in the OPHS-1 form. Submission Mechanisms The Office of Public Health and Science
(OPHS)provides multiple mechanisms for the submission of applications, as described in the following sections. Applicants will receive notification via mail from the OPHS Office of Grants Management confirming the receipt of applications submitted using any of these mechanisms. Applications submitted to the OPHS Office of Grants Management after the deadlines described below will not be accepted for review. Applications which do not conform to the requirements of the grant announcement will not be accepted for review and will be returned to the applicant. While applications are accepted in hard copy, the use of the electronic application submission capabilities provided by the Grants.gov and GrantSolutions.gov systems is encouraged. Applications may only be submitted electronically via the electronic submission mechanisms specified below. Any applications submitted via any other means of electronic communication, including facsimile or electronic mail, will not be accepted for review. In order to apply for new funding opportunities which are open to the public for competition, you may access the Grants.gov Web site portal. All OPHS funding opportunities and application kits are made available on Grants.gov. If your organization has/had a grantee business relationship with a grant program serviced by the OPHS Office of Grants Management, and you are applying as part of ongoing grantee related activities, please access GrantSolutions.gov. Electronic grant application submissions must be submitted no later than 5 p.m. Eastern Time on the deadline date specified in the DATES section of the announcement using one of the electronic submission mechanisms specified below. All required hardcopy original signatures and mail-in items must be received by the OPHS Office of Grants Management, c/o WilDon Solutions, no later than 5 p.m. Eastern Time on the next business day after the deadline date specified in the DATES section of the announcement. Applications will not be considered valid until all electronic application components, hardcopy original signatures, and mail-in items are received by the OPHS Office of Grants Management according to the deadlines specified above. Application submissions that do not adhere to the due date requirements will be considered late and will be deemed ineligible. Applicants are encouraged to initiate electronic applications early in the application development process, and to submit early on the due date or before. This will aid in addressing any problems with submissions prior to the application deadline. Electronic Submissions via the Grants.gov Web Site Portal The Grants.gov Web site Portal provides organizations with the ability to submit applications for OPHS grant opportunities. Organizations must successfully complete the necessary registration processes in order to submit an application. Information about this system is available on the Grants.gov Web site, *http://www.grants.gov.* In addition to electronically submitted materials, applicants may be required to submit hard copy signatures for certain Program related forms, or original materials as required by the announcement. It is imperative that the applicant review both the grant announcement, as well as the application guidance provided within the Grants.gov application package, to determine such requirements. Any required hard copy materials, or documents that require a signature, must be submitted separately via mail to the OPHS Office of Grants Management, c/o WilDon Solutions, and if required, must contain the original signature of an individual authorized to act for the applicant agency and the obligations imposed by the terms and conditions of the grant award. When submitting the required forms, do not send the entire application. Complete hard copy applications submitted after the electronic submission will not be considered for review. Electronic applications submitted via the Grants.gov Web site Portal must contain all completed online forms required by the application kit, the Program Narrative, Budget Narrative and any appendices or exhibits. All required mail-in items must received by the due date requirements specified above. Mail-In items may only include publications, resumes, or organizational documentation. When submitting the required forms, do not send the entire application. Complete hard copy applications submitted after the electronic submission will not be considered for review. Upon completion of a successful electronic application submission via the Grants.gov Web site Portal, the applicant will be provided with a confirmation page from Grants.gov indicating the date and time (Eastern Time) of the electronic application submission, as well as the Grants.gov Receipt Number. It is critical that the applicant print and retain this confirmation for their records, as well as a copy of the entire application package. All applications submitted via the Grants.gov Web site Portal will be validated by Grants.gov. Any applications deemed “Invalid” by the Grants.gov Web site Portal will not be transferred to the GrantSolutions system, and OPHS has no responsibility for any application that is not validated and transferred to OPHS from the Grants.gov Web site Portal. Grants.gov will notify the applicant regarding the application validation status. Once the application is successfully validated by the Grants.gov Web site Portal, applicants should immediately mail all required hard copy materials to the OPHS Office of Grants Management, c/o WilDon Solutions, to be received by the deadlines specified above. It is critical that the applicant clearly identify the Organization name and Grants.gov Application Receipt Number on all hard copy materials. Once the application is validated by Grants.gov, it will be electronically transferred to the GrantSolutions system for processing. Upon receipt of both the electronic application from the Grants.gov Web site Portal, and the required hardcopy mail-in items, applicants will receive notification via mail from the OPHS Office of Grants Management confirming the receipt of the application submitted using the Grants.gov Web site Portal. Applicants should contact Grants.gov regarding any questions or concerns regarding the electronic application process conducted through the Grants.gov Web site Portal. Electronic Submissions via the GrantSolutions System OPHS is a managing partner of the GrantSolutions.gov system. GrantSolutions is a full life-cycle grants management system managed by the Administration for Children and Families, Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and is designated by the Office of Management and Budget
(OMB)as one of the three Government-wide grants management systems under the Grants Management Line of Business initiative (GMLoB). OPHS uses GrantSolutions for the electronic processing of all grant applications, as well as the electronic management of its entire Grant portfolio. When submitting applications via the GrantSolutions system, applicants are required to submit a hard copy of the application face page (Standard Form 424) with the original signature of an individual authorized to act for the applicant agency and assume the obligations imposed by the terms and conditions of the grant award. If required, applicants will also need to submit a hard copy of the Standard Form LLL and/or certain Program related forms (e.g., Program Certifications) with the original signature of an individual authorized to act for the applicant agency. When submitting the required forms, do not send the entire application. Complete hard copy applications submitted after the electronic submission will not be considered for review. Electronic applications submitted via the GrantSolutions system must contain all completed online forms required by the application kit, the Program Narrative, Budget Narrative and any appendices or exhibits. The applicant may identify specific mail-in items to be sent to the Office of Grants Management separate from the electronic submission; however these mail-in items must be entered on the GrantSolutions Application Checklist at the time of electronic submission, and must be received by the due date requirements specified above. Mail-in items may only include publications, resumes, or organizational documentation. When submitting the required forms, do not send the entire application. Complete hard copy applications submitted after the electronic submission will not be considered for review. Upon completion of a successful electronic application submission, the GrantSolutions system will provide the applicant with a confirmation page indicating the date and time (Eastern Time) of the electronic application submission. This confirmation page will also provide a listing of all items that constitute the final application submission including all electronic application components, required hardcopy original signatures, and mail-in items, as well as the mailing address of the OPHS Office of Grants Management where all required hard copy materials must be submitted. As items are received by the OPHS Office of Grants Management, the electronic application status will be updated to reflect the receipt of mail-in items. It is recommended that the applicant monitor the status of their application in the GrantSolutions system to ensure that all signatures and mail-in items are received. Mailed or Hand-Delivered Hard Copy Applications Applicants who submit applications in hard copy (via mail or hand-delivered) are required to submit an original and two copies of the application. The original application must be signed by an individual authorized to act for the applicant agency or organization and to assume for the organization the obligations imposed by the terms and conditions of the grant award. Mailed or hand-delivered applications will be considered as meeting the deadline if they are received by the OPHS Office of Grant Management, c/o WilDon Solutions, on or before 5 p.m. Eastern Time on the deadline date specified in the DATES section of the announcement. The application deadline date requirement specified in this announcement supersedes the instructions in the OPHS-1. Applications that do not meet the deadline will be returned to the applicant unread. 4. Intergovernmental Review The HIV/AIDS Program is subject to requirements of Executive Order 12372 which allows States the options of setting up a system for reviewing applications from within their States for assistance under certain Federal programs. The application kits available under this notice will contain a list of States which have chosen to set up a review system and will include a State Single Point of Contact
(SPOC)in the State for review. The SPOC list is also available on the Internet at the following address: *http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants/spoc.html.* Applicants (other than federally recognized Indian tribes) should contact their SPOC as early as possible to alert them to the prospective applications and receive any necessary instructions on the State process. The due date for State process recommendations is 60 days after the application deadlines established by the OPHS Grants Management Officer. The OMH does not guarantee that it will accommodate or explain its responses to State process recommendations received after that date. (See “Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs,” Executive Order 12372, and 45 CFR Part 100 for a description of the review process and requirements.) 5. Funding Restrictions *Budget Request:* If funding is requested in an amount greater than the ceiling of the award range, the application will be considered non-responsive and will not be entered into the review process. The application will be returned with notification that it did not meet the submission requirements. *Grant funds may be used to cover costs of:* Personnel. Consultants. Equipment. Supplies (including screening and outreach supplies). Grant-related travel (domestic only), including attendance at an annual OMH grantee meeting. Other grant-related costs. *Grant funds may not be used for:* Building alterations or renovations. Construction. Fund raising activities. Job training. Medical care, treatment or therapy. Political education and lobbying. Research studies involving human subjects. Vocational rehabilitation. Tuition/support for a regular course of education leading to a degree, certificate, license or diploma. Guidance for completing the budget can be found in the Program Guidelines, which are included with the complete application kit. Section V. Application Review Information 1. Criteria The technical review of the HIV/AIDS Health Promotion and Education Program applications will consider the following four generic factors listed, in descending order of weight. A. Factor 1: Program Plan (40%) Appropriateness and merit of proposed approach and specific activities for each objective. Logic and sequencing of the planned approaches as they relate to the statement of need and to the objectives. Soundness of established partnership and the roles of the partnership members in the program. Qualifications and appropriateness of proposed staff or requirements for “to be hired” staff and consultants. Proposed staff level of effort. Appropriateness of defined roles including staff reporting channels and that of any proposed consultants. B. Factor 2: Evaluation Plan (25%) The degree to which intended results are appropriate for the objectives of the HIV/AIDS Program overall, stated objectives of the proposed project and proposed activities. Appropriateness of the proposed methods for data collection (including demographic data to be collected on project participants), analysis and reporting. Suitability of process, outcome, and impact measures. Clarity of the intent and plans to assess and document progress towards achieving objectives, planned activities, and intended outcomes. Potential for the proposed project to impact the health status of the target population(s) relative to the health areas addressed. Soundness of the plan to document the project for replicability in similar communities. Soundness of the plan to disseminate project results. The potential for replicating the evaluation methods for similar efforts. C. Factor 3: Background (20%) Demonstrated knowledge of the problem at the national and local level. Significance and prevalence of HIV/AIDS issues on the proposed campuses, in surrounding community(ies) and among the target population(s). Extent to which the applicant demonstrates access to the target community(ies), and whether it is well positioned and accepted within the community(ies) to be served. Extent and documented outcome of past efforts and activities with the target high-risk and/or HIV/AIDS minority population. Applicant's capability to manage and evaluate the project as determined by: The applicant organization's experience in managing HIV/AIDS-oriented project/activities involving the targeted young adult minority population. The applicant's organizational structure and proposed project organizational structure. Clear lines of authority among and between the proposed staff and the partnership organizations. If applicable, the extent and documented outcome(s) of activities conducted under the OMH-supported HIV/AIDS Health Promotion and Education Program included in the required progress report. D. Factor 4: Objectives (15%) Merit of the objectives. Relevance to Healthy People 2010 and National Partnership for Action objectives Relevance to the HIV/AIDS Health Promotion and Education Program purpose and expectations, and to the stated problem to be addressed by the proposed project. Degree to which the objectives are stated in measurable terms. Attainability of the objectives in the stated time frames. 2. Review and Selection Process Accepted HIV/AIDS Program applications will be reviewed for technical merit in accordance with PHS policies. Applications will be evaluated by an Objective Review Committee (ORC). Committee members are chosen for their expertise in minority health and health disparities, and their understanding of the unique health problems and related issues confronted by the racial and ethnic minority populations in the United States. Funding decisions will be determined by the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Minority Health who will take under consideration: The recommendations and ratings of the ORC. Geographic distribution of applicants. A balanced distribution of populations to be served. 3. Anticipated Award Date September 1, 2007. Section VI. Award Administration Information 1. Award Notices Successful applicants will receive a notification letter from the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Minority Health and a Notice of Grant Award (NGA), signed by the OPHS Grants Management Officer. The NGA shall be the only binding, authorizing document between the recipient and the Office of Minority Health. Unsuccessful applicants will receive notification from OPHS. 2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements In accepting this award, the grantee stipulates that the award and any activities thereunder are subject to all provisions of 45 CFR parts 74 and 92, currently in effect or implemented during the period of the grant. The DHHS Appropriations Act requires that, when issuing statements, press releases, requests for proposals, bid solicitations, and other documents describing projects or programs funded in whole or in part with Federal money, all grantees shall clearly state the percentage and dollar amount of the total costs of the program or project which will be financed with Federal money and the percentage and dollar amount of the total costs of the project or program that will be financed by non-governmental sources. 3. Reporting Requirements A successful applicant under this notice will submit:
(1)Semi-annual progress reports;(2) an Annual Financial Status Report; and
(3)a final progress report and Financial Status Report in the format established by the OMH, in accordance with provisions of the general regulations which apply under “Monitoring and Reporting Program Performance,” 45 CFR 74.51-74.52, with the exception of State and local governments to which 45 CFR part 92, Subpart C reporting requirements apply. Uniform Data Set: The Uniform Data Set
(UDS)is a web-based system used by OMH grantees to electronically report progress data to OMH. It allows OMH to more clearly and systematically link grant activities to OMH-wide goals and objectives, and document programming impacts and results. All OMH grantees are required to report program information via the UDS ( *http://www.dsgonline.com/omh/uds* ). Training will be provided to all new grantees on the use of the UDS system during the annual grantee meeting. Grantees will be informed of the progress report due dates and means of submission. Instructions and report format will be provided prior to the required due date. The Annual Financial Status Report is due no later than 90 days after the close of each budget period. The final progress report and Financial Status Report are due 90 days after the end of the project period. Instructions and due dates will be provided prior to required submission. Section VII. Agency Contact(s) For application kits, submission of applications, and information on budget and business aspects of the application, please contact: WilDon Solutions, Office of Grants Management Operations Center, 1515 Wilson Blvd., Third Floor, Suite 310, Arlington, VA 22209 at 1-888-203-6161, e-mail *OPHSgrantinfo@teamwildon.com* , or fax 703-351-1138. For questions related to the HIV/AIDS Health Promotion and Education Program or assistance in preparing a grant proposal, contact Ms. Sonsiere Cobb-Souza, Acting Director, Division of Program Operations, Office of Minority Health, Tower Building, Suite 600, 1101 Wootton Parkway, Rockville, MD 20852. Ms. Cobb-Souza can be reached by telephone at
(240)453-8444; or by e-mail at *Sonsiere.Cobb-Souza@hhs.gov.* For health information, call the OMH Resource Center (OMHRC) at 1-800-444-6472. Section VIII. Other Information 1. Background From 2001 to 2005, African Americans accounted for 48% of newly diagnosed cases of HIV/AIDS, despite the fact that they comprise only 13% of the U.S. population. Similarly, Hispanics, who comprise 14% of the U.S. population, accounted for nearly 17% of newly diagnosed cases. With respect to HIV/AIDS trends among youth age 15 to 24 years, scientists believe that HIV infection trends are an indicator of the future course of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, since infections among youth are fairly recent. Up until 2003 there were an estimated 9,789 deaths from HIV reported for youth aged 15 to 24. Although the death rate from AIDS for youth has declined 71% (from 1989 through 2003), the challenge of assisting youth living with AIDS have long-term implications in terms of disparities in care, preventing secondary transmission of HIV, and addressing their social and medical needs. 4 4 HIV Prevention in the Third Decade; Specific Populations, How Are they Affected?; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; January 24, 2006. 2. Healthy People 2010 The Public Health Service
(PHS)is committed to achieving the health promotion and disease prevention objectives of Healthy People 2010, a PHS-led national activity announced in January 2000 to eliminate health disparities and improve years and quality of life. More information may be found on the Healthy People 2010 Web site: *http://www.healthypeople.gov/* and copies of the documents may be downloaded. Copies of the Healthy People 2010: Volumes I and II can be purchased by calling
(202)512-1800 (cost $70.00 for printed version; $20.00 for CD-ROM). Another reference is the Healthy People 2010 Final Review—2001. For one free copy of the Healthy People 2010, contact: The National Center for Health Statistics, Division of Data Services, 3311 Toledo Road, Hyattsville, MD 20782, or by telephone at
(301)458-4636. Ask for HHS Publication No.
(PHS)99-1256. This document may also be downloaded from: *http://www.healthypeople.gov.* 2. Definitions For purposes of this announcement, the following definitions apply: Memorandum of Agreement (MOA)—A document signed by the applicant and an authorized representative of each participating institution of higher education, as well as any additional partnering entities. The MOA should detail the roles and resources each entity will provide for the project, the terms, and the duration of the agreement (must cover the entire project period). Minority Populations—American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, and Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander (42 U.S.C. 300u-6, section 1707 of the Public Health Service Act, as amended). National Minority-Serving Organization—A national private non-profit organization whose mission focuses on health issues affecting minority communities nationwide and that has a history of service to racial/ethnic minority populations. National Organizations—A national private, nonprofit organization which addresses health or human services. Nonprofit Organizations—Corporations or associations, no part of whose net earnings may lawfully inure to the benefit of any private shareholder or individual. Proof of nonprofit status must be submitted by private nonprofit organizations with the application or, if previously filed with PHS, the applicant must state where and when the proof was submitted. (Section III, 3. Other, for acceptable evidence of non-profit status.) Sociocultural Barriers—Policies, practices, behaviors and beliefs that create obstacles to health care access and service delivery. Examples of sociocultural barriers include: Cultural differences between individuals and institutions. Cultural differences of beliefs about health and illness. Customs and lifestyles. Cultural differences in languages or nonverbal communication styles. Dated: June 13, 2007. Garth N. Graham, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Minority Health. [FR Doc. E7-12530 Filed 6-27-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4150-29-P DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology; American Health Information Community Chronic Care Workgroup Meeting ACTION: Announcement of meeting. SUMMARY: This notice announces the 17th meeting of the American Health Information Community Chronic Care Workgroup in accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act (Pub. L. 92-463, 5 U.S.C., App.). DATES: July 17, 2007, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time. ADDRESSES: Mary C. Switzer Building (330 C Street, SW., Washington, DC 20201), Conference Room 4090. Please bring photo ID for entry to a Federal building. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: *http://www.hhs.gov/healthit/ahic/chroniccare/.* SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Workgroup will discuss barriers to availability of care in the virtual setting. The meeting will be available via Web cast. For additional information, go to: *http://www.hhs.gov/healthit/ahic/chroniccare/cc_instruct.html.* Dated: June 20, 2007. Judith Sparrow, Director, American Health Information Community, Office of Programs and Coordination, Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology. [FR Doc. 07-3168 Filed 6-27-07; 8:45 am]
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U.S. Code
23 references not yet in our index
  • 5 USC 552A
  • 32 CFR 324
  • Pub. L. 108-446
  • 34 CFR 350
  • 34 CFR 86
  • 34 CFR 79
  • 34 CFR 350.54
  • Pub. L. 106-398
  • 15 USC 717c-717o
  • Pub. L. 75-688
  • 15 USC 3301-3432
  • Pub. L. 95-621
  • 18 CFR 380
  • 16 USC 791a-825r
  • 18 CFR 4
  • Pub. L. 92-463
  • 42 USC 4321-4347
  • 40 CFR 1002.14(d)
  • 4 USC 71-72
  • 36 CFR 800
  • 45 CFR 100
  • 45 CFR 74.51-74
  • 45 CFR 92
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