Notices. Notice of establishment of Federal Advisory Committee

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BILLING CODE 4909-60-M DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Surface Transportation Board [STB Ex Parte No. 670] Establishment of a Rail Energy Transportation Advisory Committee AGENCY: Surface Transportation Board. ACTION: Notice of establishment of Federal Advisory Committee. SUMMARY: As required by section 9(a)(2) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), 5 U.S.C. App., the Surface Transportation Board (Board), hereby gives notice that, following consultation with the General Services Administration, the Board is creating a Rail Energy Transportation Advisory Committee (RETAC).

RETAC will provide advice and guidance to the Board, and serve as a forum for discussion of emerging issues, regarding the transportation by rail of energy resources, particularly, but not necessarily limited to, coal, ethanol and other biofuels. The Board is also requesting suggestions for candidates for membership on RETAC. DATES: Suggestions of candidates for membership on RETAC are due August 9, 2007. ADDRESSES: Suggestions may be submitted either via the Board's e-filing format or in the traditional paper format.

Any person using e-filing should attach a document and otherwise comply with the instructions at the E-FILING link on the Board's Web site, at: *http://www.stb.dot.gov* . Any person submitting a filing in the traditional paper format should send an original and 10 copies to: Surface Transportation Board, Attn: STB Ex Parte No. 670, 395 E Street, SW., Washington, DC 20423-0001. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT: Scott M. Zimmerman at 202-245-0202. [Assistance for the hearing impaired is available through the Federal Information Relay Service

(FIRS)at 1-800-877-8339.] SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Board, created by Congress in 1996 to take over many of the functions previously performed by the Interstate Commerce Commission, exercises broad authority over transportation by rail carriers, including regulation of railroad rates and service (49 U.S.C. 10701-10747, 11101-11124), as well as the construction, acquisition, operation, and abandonment of rail lines (49 U.S.C. 10901-10907) and railroad line sales, consolidations, mergers, and common control arrangements (49 U.S.C. 10902, 11323-11327). The Board views the reliability of the nation's energy supply as crucial to this nation's economic and national security, and the transportation by rail of coal and other energy resources as a vital link in the energy supply chain. The Board is establishing RETAC as an advisory committee consisting of a balanced cross-section of energy and rail industry stakeholders to provide independent, candid policy advice to the Board and to foster open, effective communication among the affected interests on issues such as rail performance, capacity constraints, infrastructure planning and development, and effective coordination among suppliers, carriers, and users of energy resources. RETAC shall function solely as an advisory body, and will comply with the provisions of FACA and its implementing regulations. On March 9, 2007, the Board issued a decision announcing its proposal to establish a rail energy transportation advisory committee and soliciting public comment on the advisability of establishing such a committee, the size and composition of the committee, and the scope of its mandate. In response, comments were received from more than two dozen parties, including rail carriers, energy producers, trade associations, and others. Based on its review of those comments and consultation with the General Services Administration, the Board has decided to establish RETAC and has developed a charter to govern its operation. RETAC will be balanced and representative of interested and affected parties, and will consist of not less than: 5 representatives from the Class I railroads, 3 representatives from Class II and III railroads, 3 representatives from coal producers, 5 representatives from electric utilities (including at least one rural electric cooperative and one state-or municipally-owned utility), 4 representatives from biofuel refiners, processors, or distributors, or biofuel feedstock growers or providers, and 2 representatives from private car owners, car lessors, or car manufacturers. RETAC may also include up to 3 members with relevant experience but not necessarily affiliated with one of the aforementioned industries or sectors. The Chairman of the Board may invite representatives from the U.S. Departments of Agriculture, Energy and Transportation and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to serve on RETAC in advisory capacities as *ex officio* (non-voting) members, and the three members of the Board shall serve as *ex officio* members of the Committee as well. RETAC will meet at least two times per year; the Board anticipates that RETAC will meet in the fall of 2007. No honoraria, salaries, travel or per diem are available to members of the RETAC; however, reimbursement for travel expenses may be sought from the Board in cases of hardship. Chairman Nottingham has appointed Scott M. Zimmerman, Acting Director of the Board's Office of Congressional and Public Services, to serve as the Designated Federal Official—the agency's liaison to RETAC. Suggestions for members of RETAC should be submitted in letter form, identifying the name of the candidate; evidence of the interests the candidate will represent; and a representation that the candidate is willing to serve a two-year term as a member of the RETAC. Suggestions for candidates for membership on the RETAC should be submitted to the Board by August 9, 2007. Copies of the RETAC charter will be available from the Board's contractor, ASAP Document Solutions (mailing address: Suite 103, 9332 Annapolis Rd., Lanham, MD 20706; e-mail address: *asapdc@verizon.net* ; telephone number: 202-306-4004). The charter will also be available for viewing and self-copying in the Board's Public Docket Room, Room 131, and will be posted to the Board's Web site at: *http://www.stb.dot.gov* . This action will not significantly affect either the quality of the human environment or the conservation of energy resources. Authority: 49 U.S.C. 721, 49 U.S.C. 11101; 49 U.S.C. 11121. Decided: July 13, 2007. By the Board, Chairman Nottingham, Vice Chairman Buttrey, and Commissioner Mulvey. Vernon A. Williams, Secretary. [FR Doc. E7-14038 Filed 7-19-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4915-01-P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Surface Transportation Board [STB Docket No. AB-43 (Sub-No. 179X)] Illinois Central Railroad Company—Abandonment Exemption—in Rankin County, MS Illinois Central Railroad Company

(IC)has filed a notice of exemption under 49 CFR Part 1152 Subpart F— *Exempt Abandonments* to abandon a 2.10-mile line of railroad between milepost 70.20 and milepost 68.10, in Flowood, Rankin County, MS. The line traverses United States Postal Service Zip Code 39232. IC has certified that:

(1)No local traffic has moved over the line for at least 2 years;

(2)there is no overhead traffic to be rerouted over other lines;

(3)no formal complaint filed by a user of rail service on the line (or by a state or local government entity acting on behalf of such user) regarding cessation of service over the line either is pending with the Board or with any U.S. District Court or has been decided in favor of complainant within the 2-year period; and

(4)the requirements of 49 CFR 1105.7 (environmental report), 49 CFR 1105.8 (historic report), 49 CFR 1105.11 (transmittal letter), 49 CFR 1105.12 (newspaper publication), and 49 CFR 1152.50(d)(1) (notice to governmental agencies) have been met. As a condition to this exemption, any employee adversely affected by the abandonment shall be protected under *Oregon Short Line R. Co.—Abandonment—Goshen,* 360 I.C.C. 91 (1979). To address whether this condition adequately protects affected employees, a petition for partial revocation under 49 U.S.C. 10502(d) must be filed. Provided no formal expression of intent to file an offer of financial assistance

(OFA)has been received, this exemption will be effective on August 21, 2007, unless stayed pending reconsideration. Petitions to stay that do not involve environmental issues, 1 formal expressions of intent to file an OFA under 49 CFR 1152.27(c)(2), 2 and trail use/rail banking requests under 49 CFR 1152.29 must be filed by July 30, 2007. Petitions to reopen or requests for public use conditions under 49 CFR 1152.28 must be filed by August 9, 2007, with the Surface Transportation Board, 395 E Street, SW., Washington, DC 20423-0001. 1 The Board will grant a stay if an informed decision on environmental issues (whether raised by a party or by the Board's Section of Environmental Analysis

(SEA)in its independent investigation) cannot be made before the exemption's effective date. *See Exemption of Out-of-Service Rail Lines,* 5 I.C.C.2d 377 (1989). Any request for a stay should be filed as soon as possible so that the Board may take appropriate action before the exemption's effective date. 2 Each OFA must be accompanied by the filing fee, which is currently set at $1,300. *See* 49 CFR 1002.2(f)(25). A copy of any petition filed with the Board should be sent to IC's representative: Thomas J. Healey, 17641 S. Ashland Avenue, Homewood, IL 60430-1345. If the verified notice contains false or misleading information, the exemption is void *ab initio.* IC has filed environmental and historic reports which address the effects, if any, of the abandonment on the environment and historic resources. SEA will issue an environmental assessment

(EA)by July 27, 2007. Interested persons may obtain a copy of the EA by writing to SEA (Room 1100, Surface Transportation Board, Washington, DC 20423-0001) or by calling SEA, at

(202)245-0305. [Assistance for the hearing impaired is available through the Federal Information Relay Service

(FIRS)at 1-800-877-8339.] Comments on environmental and historic preservation matters must be filed within 15 days after the EA becomes available to the public. Environmental, historic preservation, public use, or trail use/rail banking conditions will be imposed, where appropriate, in a subsequent decision. Pursuant to the provisions of 49 CFR 1152.29(e)(2), IC shall file a notice of consummation with the Board to signify that it has exercised the authority granted and fully abandoned the line. If consummation has not been effected by IC's filing of a notice of consummation by July 20, 2008, and there are no legal or regulatory barriers to consummation, the authority to abandon will automatically expire. Board decisions and notices are available on our website at: *http://www.stb.dot.gov.* Decided: July 10, 2007. By the Board, David M. Konschnik, Director, Office of Proceedings. Vernon A. Williams, Secretary. [FR Doc. E7-13759 Filed 7-19-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4915-01-P DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY Office of the Secretary List of Countries Requiring Cooperation With an International Boycott In order to comply with the mandate of section 999(a)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, the Department of the Treasury is publishing a current list of countries which require or may require participation in, or cooperation with, an international boycott (within the meaning of section 999(b)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986). On the basis of the best information currently available to the Department of the Treasury, the following countries require or may require participation in, or cooperation with, an international boycott (within the meaning of section 999(b)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986). Kuwait Lebanon Libya Qatar Saudi Arabia Syria United Arab Emirates Yemen, Republic of Iraq is not included in this list, but its status with respect to future lists remains under review by the Department of the Treasury. Dated: July 16, 2007. John L. Harrington, Acting International Tax Counsel (Tax Policy). [FR Doc. 07-3533 Filed 7-19-07; 8:45 am]

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