Notices. Notice to alter a system of records

23,074 words·~105 min read·/register/2008/02/21/08-776

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

BILLING CODE 3510-DS-S DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE Office of the Secretary [DOD-2008-OS-0011] Privacy Act of 1974; System of Records AGENCY: Office of the Inspector General, DoD. ACTION: Notice to alter a system of records. SUMMARY: The Office of the Inspector General

(OIG)is altering a system of records to its existing inventory of record systems subject to the Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. 552a), as amended. DATES: The changes will be effective on March 24, 2008 unless comments are received that would result in a contrary determination. ADDRESSES: Send comments to Chief, FOIA/PA Office, Inspector General, Department of Defense, 400 Army Navy Drive, Room 201, Arlington, VA 22202-4703. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Darryl R. Aaron at

(703)604-9785. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Office of the Inspector General notices for systems of records subject to the Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. 552a), as amended, have been published in the **Federal Register** and are available from the address above. The proposed systems reports, as required by 5 U.S.C. 552a(r) of the Privacy Act of 1974, as amended, were submitted February 13, 2008, to the House Committee on Government Reform, the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, and the Office of Management and Budget

(OMB)pursuant to paragraph 4c of Appendix I to OMB Circular No. A-130, ‘Federal Agency Responsibilities for Maintaining Records About Individuals,’ dated February 8, 1996 (February 20, 1996, 61 FR 6427). Dated: February 14, 2008 L.M. Bynum, Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison Officer, Department of Defense. CIG 20 Defense Audit Management Information System (DAMIS) (November 29, 2002, 67 FR 71151) Changes: System name: Delete and replace with “Defense Automated Management Information System (DAMIS).” System location: Delete and replace with “Perot Systems Government Services, 8270 Willow Oaks Corporate Drive, Willow Oaks 3, Fairfax, VA 22031-4615.” Categories of individuals covered by the system: Delete and replace with “All active personnel employed by the Office of the Inspector General, Department of Defense, the Naval Audit Service, the Army Audit Agency, and the Air Force Audit Agency.” Purpose(s): Delete and replace with “Information is used to maximize staff resources and to provide project cost summary data; to track staff hours allocated towards project preparation and active projects which will allow for more effective scheduling of unassigned personnel and to categorize indirect time expended for end-of-year reporting; to plan workloads, to assist in providing time and attendance to the centralized payroll system; and to schedule and track training.” Safeguards: Delete and replace with “Access to DAMIS is protected through the use of assigned user/IDs and passwords for entry to the different subsystem applications. Once the user's credentials are acknowledged by the system, individual(s) are only allowed to perform predefined transactions/processes on files according to their access levels and functionality.” Retention and disposal: Delete and replace with “Master file contains data relating to audit projects, final reports, training, and time and attendance. Destroy/delete 20 years after the case is closed. System Outputs include specific use reports (not required periodic reports) or results of queries on selected data. Keep in current file until no longer needed for conducting business, but not longer than 2 years, then destroy.” System manager(s) and address: Delete and replace with “Technical Director, Corporate Analysis and Planning Division, Office of the Deputy Inspector General for Auditing, Office of the Inspector General, DoD, 400 Army Navy Drive, Arlington, VA 22202-4703.” Notification procedure: Delete and replace with “Individuals seeking access to records about themselves contained in this system of records should address written requests to the Chief, Freedom of Information Act Requester Service Center/Privacy Act Office, 400 Army Navy Drive, Arlington, VA 22202-4703. Written request should contain the individual's full name, signature and work organization.” Record access procedures: Delete and replace with “Individuals seeking access to records about themselves contained in this system of records should address written requests to the Chief, Freedom of Information Act Requester Service Center/Privacy Act Office, 400 Army Navy Drive, Arlington, VA 22202-4704. Written request should contain the individual's full name, signature and work organization.” CIG-20 System name: Defense Automated Management Information System (DAMIS) System location: Perot Systems Government Services, 8270 Willow Oaks Corporate Drive, Willow Oaks 3, Fairfax, VA 22031-4615. Categories of individuals covered by the system: All active personnel employed by the Office of the Inspector General, Department of Defense, the Naval Audit Service, the Army Audit Agency, and the Air Force Audit Agency. Categories of records in the system: Individual's name; current employment status; training courses scheduled and received, pay grade, handicap code, duty address, security clearance, audit project position, education number of training days, entered on duty date, date of release, and employee status code. Authority for maintenance of the system: 5 U.S.C. 301, Departmental Regulations; DoD Directive 5106.1, Inspector General of the Department of Defense; and DoD Directive 8320.1, DoD Data Administration. Purpose(s): Information is used to maximize staff resources and to provide project cost summary data; to track staff hours allocated towards project preparation and active projects which will allow for more effective scheduling of unassigned personnel and to categorize indirect time expended for end-of-year reporting; to plan workloads, to assist in providing time and attendance to the centralized payroll system; and to schedule and track training. 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: The DoD ‘Blanket Routine Uses’ set forth at the beginning of the OIG compilation of systems of records notices also apply to this system. Policies and practices for storing, retrieving, accessing, retaining, and disposing of records in the system: Storage: Automated records are maintained on electronic storage media/magnetic tape. Retrievability: Individual's name. Safeguards: Access to Defense Automated Management Information System is protected through the use of assigned user/IDs and passwords for entry to the different subsystem applications. Once entry is acknowledged by the system, individual(s) are only allowed to perform predefined transactions/processes on files according to their access levels and functionality. Retention and disposal: Master file contains data relating to audit projects, final reports, training, and time and attendance. Destroy/delete 20 years after the case is closed. System Outputs include specific use reports (not required periodic reports) or results of queries on selected data. Keep in current file until no longer needed for conducting business, but not longer than 2 years, then destroy. System manager(s) and address: Technical Director, Corporate Analysis and Planning Division, Office of the Deputy Inspector General for Auditing, Office of the Inspector General, DoD, 400 Army Navy Drive, Arlington, VA 22202-4703. Notification procedure: Individuals seeking access to records about themselves contained in this system of records should address written requests to the Chief, Freedom of Information Act Requester Service Center/Privacy Act Office, 400 Army Navy Drive, Arlington, VA 22202-4703. Written request should contain the individual's full name, signature, and work organization. Record access procedures: Individuals seeking access to records about themselves contained in this system of records should address written requests to the Chief, Freedom of Information Act Requester Service Center/Privacy Act Office, 400 Army Navy Drive, Arlington, VA 22202-4703. Written request should contain the individual's full name, signature, and work organization. Contesting record procedures: The OIG's rules for accessing records and for contesting contents and appealing initial agency determinations are published in 32 CFR part 312 or may be obtained from the system manager. Record source categories: From the subject individual and activity supervisors. Exemptions claimed for the system: None. [FR Doc. E8-3210 Filed 2-20-08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 5001-06-P DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE United States Marine Corps; Privacy Act of 1974; System of Records AGENCY: United States Marine Corps, DoD. ACTION: Notice to delete three system of records notices. SUMMARY: The U.S. Marine Corps is deleting three systems of records notices from its inventory of records systems subject to the Privacy Act of 1974, as amended (5 U.S.C. 552a). DATES: Effective March 24, 2008. ADDRESSES: Send comments to Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps, FOIA/PA Section (CMC-ARSE), 2 Navy Annex, Room 1005, Washington, DC 20380-1775. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Tracy D. Ross at

(703)614-4008. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The U.S. Marine Corps' records systems notices for records systems subject to the Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. 552a), as amended, have been published in the **Federal Register** and are available from the address above. The U.S. Marine Corps proposes to delete three systems of records notices from its inventory of record systems subject to the Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. 552a), as amended. The changes to the system of records are 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 new or altered systems reports. February 14, 2008. L.M. Bynum, Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison Officer, Department of Defense. Deletions MMN00018 SYSTEM NAME: Base Security Incident Report System (February 22, 1993, 58 FR 10630). REASON: Navy/Marine system of records notice NM05580-1, Security Incident System, printed in the **Federal Register** on January 9, 2007, with the number of 72 FR 958 is a joint Navy and Marine Corps system that covers this collection. Accordingly, all files have been merged into this system. MMN00036 SYSTEM NAME: Identification Card Control (January 4, 2000, 65 FR 291). REASON: Navy/Marine system of records notice NM05512-2, Badge and Access Control System, printed in the **Federal Register** on August 15, 2007 with the number of 72 FR 45798 is a joint Navy and Marine Corps system that covers this collection. Accordingly, all files have been merged into this system. MMN00038 SYSTEM NAME: Amateur Radio Operator's File (January 4, 2000, 65 FR 291). REASON: Navy/Marine system of records notice NM05000-2, Program Management and Locator System printed in the **Federal Register** on January 24, 2008 with the number of 73 FR 4193 is a joint Navy and Marine Corps system that covers this collection. Accordingly, all files have been merged into this system. [FR Doc. E8-3290 Filed 2-20-08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 5001-06-P DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE Department of the Air Force [USAF-2008-0003] Privacy Act of 1974; System of Records AGENCY: Department of the Air Force, DoD. ACTION: Notice to Add a System of Records Notice. SUMMARY: The Department of the Air Force proposes to add a system of records notice to its inventory of records systems subject to the Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. 552a), as amended. DATES: The actions will be effective on March 24, 2008 unless comments are received that would result in a contrary determination. ADDRESSES: Send comments to the Air Force Privacy Act Officer, Office of Warfighting Integration and Chief Information Officer, SAF/XCX, 1800 Air Force Pentagon, Suite 220, Washington, DC 20330-1800. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Novella Hill at

(703)696-6518. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Department of the Air Force's record system notices for records systems subject to the Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. 552a), as amended, have been published in the **Federal Register** and are available from the address above. The proposed system report, as required by 5 U.S.C. 522a(r) of the Privacy Act of 1974, as amended, was submitted on February 13, 2008, to the House Committee on Government Reform, the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, and the Office of Management and Budget

(OMB)pursuant to paragraph 4c of Appendix I to OMB Circular No. A-130, “Federal Agency Responsibilities for Maintaining Records About Individuals,” dated February 8, 1996 (February 20, 1996, 61 FR 6427). Dated: February 14, 2008. L.M. Bynum, Alternate Federal Register Liaison Officer, Department of Defense. FO36 AETC W System name: Air Force Institute of Technology Management and Information System (AFITMIS). System location: Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT), AFIT Communications and Information Directorate, 2950 Hobson Way, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, OH 45433-7765. Categories of individuals covered by the system: Faculty, staff, graduates, and students currently or previously enrolled in Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT). Categories of records in the system: Name; address; telephone numbers (work, home, cell); Social Security Numbers (SSN); birth date; citizenship; e-Mail address; grades; and Foreign identification numbers and other documents associated with academics. Authority for maintenance of the system: 5 U.S.C 301, Departmental Regulations 10 U.S.C. 8013, Secretary of the Air Force; Air Force Instruction 36-2201, Air Force Training Program; Air Force Instruction 36-2301, Professional Military Education; and E.O. 9397(SSN). Purpose(s): To support the core functions for resident graduate education, management of students in civilian institution programs, and course management for civil engineering education programs. This system will provide faculty and staff one central repository for information on assigned individuals and students that provides up-to-date and streamlined educational data. 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: The Department of Defense “Blanket Routine Uses” published at the beginning of the Air Force's compilation of systems of records notices apply to this system. Policies and practices for storing, retrieving, accessing, retaining, and disposing of records in the system: Storage: Electronic storage media. Retrievability: Name and/or Social Security Number (SSN). Safeguards: Records are accessed by custodian of the record system and by person(s) responsible for servicing the record system in performance of their official duties and who are properly screened and cleared for need-to-know. Additionally, records access is controlled by user profiles. Profiles/role control will ensure that only the data that should be accessible to that individual will appear on the screen. Retention and disposal: Destroy 30 years after individual completes or discontinues a training course. Computer records are destroyed by erasing, deleting or overwriting. Paper records are destroyed by shredding. System manager(s) and address: Director, Communications and Information Directorate, Air Force Institute of Technology, 2950 Hobson Way, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, OH 45433-7765. Notification procedure: Individuals seeking to determine whether information about themselves is contained in this system should address written inquiries to or visit the Communications and Information Directorate, Air Force Institute of Technology, 2950 Hobson Way, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, OH 45433-7765. Include full name and Social Security Number. Individuals may visit Communications and Information Directorate Monday through Friday between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Identification is required. Record access procedures: Individuals seeking access to information about themselves contained in this system should address written inquiries to or visit the Communications and Information Directorate, Air Force Institute of Technology, 2950 Hobson Way, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, OH 45433-7765. Include full name and Social Security Number (SSN). Individuals may visit Office of the Communications and Information Directorate Monday through Friday between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Identification is required. Contesting record procedures: The Air Force rules for accessing records, and for contesting contents and appealing initial agency determinations are published in Air Force Instruction 33-332; 32 CFR Part 806b; or may be obtained from the system manager. Record source categories: Individuals; educational institutions, reports, testing agencies, and on-the-job training officials. Exemptions claimed for the system: None. [FR Doc. E8-3209 Filed 2-20-08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 5001-06-P DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE Department of the Air Force Notice of Settlement Agreement Under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act AGENCY: Department of the Air Force, Defense. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: Pursuant to Section 122(i) of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (“CERCLA”) of 1980, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 9622(i), notice is hereby given that the Department of the Air Force and Raytheon Company (“Raytheon”) entered into a proposed Settlement Agreement and Administrative Order on Consent (“SA-AOC”) to resolve their respective claims for CERCLA response costs relating to environmental response actions at Air Force Plant 44 located in Tucson, Arizona, which is part of the Tucson International Airport Area Superfund Site. The SA-AOC resolves the Air Force's claims under CERCLA Sections 106 and 107, 42 U.S.C. 9606 and 9607, in connection with Plant 44. Under the SA-AOC, Raytheon will pay up to $300,000 per year and up to $20 million in total to reimburse the Air Force for its past and future costs. The SA-AOC also resolves Raytheon's claims against the United States for CERCLA response costs incurred by the company at Plant 44. Under the SA-AOC, the United States, on behalf of the Air Force, will reimburse Raytheon for future CERCLA response costs incurred by the company that exceed $300,000 per year or $20 million in total. DATES: The Department of the Air Force will receive for a period of thirty

(30)days from the date of this publication comments relating to the SA-AOC. ADDRESSES: Comments should be addressed to AFLOA/JACE, Environmental Litigation Branch (ATTN: Mr. Douglas D. Sanders), and either e-mailed to *AFLOAJACE.Workflow@pentagon.af.mil* or mailed to 112 Luke Avenue, Suite 343, Bolling AFB, DC 20032 and should refer to the “Department of the Air Force and Raytheon Company Settlement Agreement and Administrative Order on Consent Re: Air Force Plant 44.” Commenters may request an opportunity for a public meeting in the affected area, in accordance with Section 7003(d) of RCRA, 42 U.S.C. 6973(d). FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Douglas D. Sanders either via e-mail at *Douglas.Sanders@pentagon.af.mil* , mail at 112 Luke Avenue, Suite 343, Bolling AFB, DC 20032, fax at

(202)767-1519, or phone at

(202)767-1577. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The SA-AOC may be examined at the Air Force Legal Operations Agency, Environmental Law & Litigation Division, 112 Luke Avenue, Suite 343 (Room 105), Bolling AFB, DC 20032. During the public comment period, the SA-AOC may also be examined on the following Air Force Web site: *http://www.wpafb.af.mil/asc/environmental/index.asp* . A copy of the SA-AOC may also be obtained by contacting Mr. Douglas D. Sanders at the contact information above. Bao-Anh Trinh, Air Force Federal Register Liaison Officer. [FR Doc. E8-3193 Filed 2-20-08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 5001-05-P DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE Department of Navy [USN-2008-0007] Privacy Act of 1974; System of Records AGENCY: Department of Navy, Defense. ACTION: Notice to add a system of records. SUMMARY: The Department of Navy proposes to add a system of records to its inventory of record systems subject to the Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. 552a), as amended. DATES: The changes will be effective on March 24, 2008 unless comments are received that would result in a contrary determination. ADDRESSES: Send comments to the Privacy Act Officer, Mrs. Doris Lama, Department of the Navy, 2000 Navy Pentagon, Washington, DC 20350-2000. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mrs. Doris Lama at

(202)685-6545. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Office of the Secretary of Defense notices for systems of records subject to the Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. 552a), as amended, have been published in the **Federal Register** and are available from the address above. The proposed systems reports, as required by 5 U.S.C. 552a(r) of the Privacy Act of 1974, as amended, were submitted on February 13, 2008, to the House Committee on Government Oversight and Reform, the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, and the Office of Management and Budget

(FY)2008 *Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance

(CFDA)Number:* 84.017A. *Dates:* *Applications Available:* February 21, 2008. *Deadline for Transmittal of Applications:* April 7, 2008. Full Text of Announcement I. Funding Opportunity Description *Purpose of Program:* The International Research and Studies Program provides grants to conduct research and studies to improve and strengthen instruction in modern foreign languages, area studies, and other international fields. *Priorities:* In accordance with 34 CFR 75.105(b)(2)(ii), these priorities are from the regulations for this program (34 CFR 660.10, 660.34). *Competitive Preference Priorities:* For FY 2008 these priorities are competitive preference priorities. Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(2)(i) we award up to an additional five points to an application, depending on how well the application meets these priorities. Competitive Preference Priority 1—Instructional Materials Applications *This priority is:*

(a)The development of specialized instructional materials for use by students and teachers in foreign language and international studies that are focused on one or more of the following critical language areas: Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Russian, as well as Indic, Iranian, and Turkic language families; or

(b)The development of tools, technologies and materials to assess foreign language competency or fluency in one or more of the following critical language areas: Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Russian, as well as Indic, Iranian, and Turkic language families. Competitive Preference Priority 2—Research, Surveys and Studies Applications *This priority is:*

(a)The evaluation of instructional materials and foreign language assessments, including those instructional materials and assessments produced with funds from Title VI of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended, and published in print or electronic media, to determine their efficacy in improving teaching and learning in one or more of the following critical language areas: Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Russian, as well as Indic, Iranian, and Turkic language families; or

(b)The update, expansion, or consolidation of existing foreign language and international studies web-based databases and the evaluation of the materials that are disseminated through those databases, including user comments. Note: You will receive up to an additional five points for responding to a competitive preference priority in your application. Applicants are expected to address only one competitive preference priority in each application, but regardless of how many priorities are addressed, no more than five points in total can be awarded to a single application. *Program Authority:* 20 U.S.C. 1125. *Applicable Regulations:*

(a)The Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) in 34 CFR parts 74, 75, 77, 80, 82, 84, 85, 86, 97, 98, and 99.

(b)The regulations for this program in 34 CFR parts 655 and 660. Note: The regulations in 34 CFR part 86 apply to institutions of higher education only. II. Award Information *Type of Award:* Discretionary grants. *Estimated Available Funds:* $1,642,000. *Estimated Range of Awards:* $50,000-$200,000 per year. *Estimated Average Size of Awards:* $117,000. *Estimated Number of Awards:* 14. Note: The Department is not bound by any estimates in this notice. *Project Period:* Up to 36 months. III. Eligibility Information 1. *Eligible Applicants:* Public and private agencies, organizations, institutions, and individuals. 2. *Cost Sharing or Matching:* This program does not require cost sharing or matching. IV. Application and Submission Information 1. *Address to Request Application Package:* Mr. Ed McDermott, U.S. Department of Education, 1990 K Street, NW., suite 6082, Washington, DC 20006-8521. *Telephone:*

(202)502-7636 or by *e-mail: ed.mcdermott@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 a copy of the application package in an alternative format (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, or computer diskette) by contacting the program contact person listed in this section. 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 program. The International Research and Studies program has two schedules. Research, surveys, and studies applicants must use the application package for 84.017A-1. Instructional materials applicants must use the application package for 84.017A-3. Page Limit: The application narrative is where you, the applicant, address the selection criteria that reviewers use to evaluate your application. You must limit the application narrative to the equivalent of no more than 30 pages, using the following standards: • A “page” is 8.5″ x 11″, on one side only, with 1″ margins at the top, bottom, and both sides. Page numbers and an identifier may be outside of the 1″ margin. • Double space (no more than three lines per vertical inch) all text in the application narrative, except titles, headings, footnotes, quotations, references, captions and all text in charts, tables, figures, and graphs. These items may be single spaced. Charts, tables, figures, and graphs in the application narrative count toward the page limit. • Use a font that is either 12 point or larger or no smaller than 10 pitch (characters per inch). However, you may use a 10 point font in charts, tables, figures, and graphs. • Use one of the following fonts: Times New Roman, Courier, Courier New, or Arial. An application submitted in any other font (including Times Roman and Arial Narrow) will not be accepted. The page limit does not apply to Part I, the Application for Federal Assistance (SF 424); the supplemental information form required by the Department of Education; Part II, the budget information summary form (ED Form 524); or Part IV, the assurances and certifications. The page limit also does not apply to a table of contents. If, however, you include any attachments or appendices not specifically requested, these items will be counted as part of your program narrative (Part III) for purposes of the page limit requirement. You must include your complete response to the selection criteria in the program narrative. We will reject your application if you exceed the page limit; or if you apply other standards and exceed the equivalent of the page limit. 3. *Submission Dates and Times:* *Applications Available:* February 21, 2008. *Deadline for Transmittal of Applications:* April 7, 2008. Applications for grants under this program must be submitted electronically using the Grants.gov Apply site (Grants.gov). For information (including dates and times) about how to submit your application electronically, or in paper format by mail or hand delivery if you qualify for an exception to the electronic submission requirement, 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 program must be submitted electronically unless you qualify for an exception to this requirement in accordance with the instructions in this section. a. *Electronic Submission of Applications.* Applications for grants under the International Research and Studies Program, CFDA Number 84.017A, must be submitted electronically using 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. We will reject your application if you submit it in paper format unless, as described elsewhere in this section, you qualify for one of the exceptions to the electronic submission requirement and submit, no later than two weeks before the application deadline date, a written statement to the Department that you qualify for one of these exceptions. Further information regarding calculation of the date that is two weeks before the application deadline date is provided later in this section under *Exception to Electronic Submission Requirement.* You may access the electronic grant application for the International Research and Studies Program at *http://www.Grants.gov* . You must search for the downloadable application package for this program by the CFDA number. Do not include the CFDA number's alpha suffix in your search (e.g., search for 84.017, not 84.017A). *Please note the following:* • 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 program 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 qualify for an exception to the electronic submission requirement, as described elsewhere in this section, and submit your application in paper format. • 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). • 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 under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT in section VII in this notice 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. *Exception to Electronic Submission Requirement:* You qualify for an exception to the electronic submission requirement, and may submit your application in paper format, if you are unable to submit an application through the Grants.gov system because— • You do not have access to the Internet; or • You do not have the capacity to upload large documents to the Grants.gov system; and • No later than two weeks before the application deadline date (14 calendar days or, if the fourteenth calendar day before the application deadline date falls on a Federal holiday, the next business day following the Federal holiday), you mail or fax a written statement to the Department, explaining which of the two grounds for an exception prevent you from using the Internet to submit your application. If you mail your written statement to the Department, it must be postmarked no later than two weeks before the application deadline date. If you fax your written statement to the Department, we must receive the faxed statement no later than two weeks before the application deadline date. Address and mail or fax your statement to: Ed McDermott, U.S. Department of Education, 1990 K Street, NW., Suite 6082, Washington, DC 20006-8521. FAX:

(202)502-7860. Your paper application must be submitted in accordance with the mail or hand delivery instructions described in this notice. b. *Submission of Paper Applications by Mail.* If you qualify for an exception to the electronic submission requirement, you may mail (through the U.S. Postal Service or a commercial carrier) your application to the Department. 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 84.017A), 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 84.017A), 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 qualify for an exception to the electronic submission requirement, you (or a courier service) may deliver your paper application to the Department by hand. You 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 84.017A), 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 *Selection Criteria:* The selection criteria for this program are from 34 CFR sections 655.31, 660.31, 660.32, and 660.33 and are as follows: For instructional materials— Need for the project (10 points); Potential for the use of materials in other programs (5 points); Account of related materials (10 points); Likelihood of achieving results (10 points); Expected contribution to other programs (5 points); Plan of operation (10 points); Quality of key personnel (5 points); Budget and cost effectiveness (5 points); Evaluation plan (15 points); Adequacy of resources (5 points); Description of final form of materials (5 points); and Provisions for pretesting and revision (15 points). For research, surveys and studies— Need for the project (10 points); Usefulness of expected results (10 points); Development of new knowledge (10 points); Formulation of problems and knowledge of related research (10 points); Specificity of statement of procedures (5 points); Adequacy of methodology and scope of project (10 points); Plan of operation (10 points); Quality of key personnel (10 points); Budget and cost effectiveness (5 points); Evaluation plan (15 points); and Adequacy of resources (5 points). 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 Notification (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 under 34 CFR 75.118. Grantees are required to use the electronic data instrument International Resource Information System

(IRIS)to complete the final report. Electronically formatted instructional materials such as CDs, DVDs, videos, computer diskettes and books produced by the grantee as part of the grant approved activities are also acceptable as final reports. The Secretary may also require more frequent performance reports under 34 CFR 75.720(c). For specific requirements on reporting, please go to *http://www.ed.gov/fund/grant/apply/appforms/appforms.html.* 4. *Performance Measures:* Under the Government Performance and Results Act of 1993 (GPRA), the objective for the International Research and Studies

(IRS)program is to conduct research and support the development of materials in less commonly taught languages and area studies to inform international education. The Department will use the following measures to evaluate the program's success in meeting this objective. *IRS Performance Measure 1:* Number of outreach activities initiated by IRS projects that are adopted or further disseminated within a year, divided by the total number of IRS projects conducted in the current year. *IRS Performance Measure 2:* Percent of IRS projects judged to be successful by the program officer, based on a review of information provided in annual performance reports. The information provided by grantees in their performance reports submitted via the electronic International Resource Information System

(IRIS)performance reporting tool will be the source of data for these measures. VII. Agency Contact FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ed McDermott, International Education Programs Service, U.S. Department of Education, 1990 K Street, NW., suite 6082, Washington, DC 20006-8521. *Telephone:*

(202)502-7636 or by *e-mail: ed.mcdermott@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) on request to the program contact person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT in section VII in this notice *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: February 14, 2008. Diane Auer Jones, Assistant Secretary for Postsecondary Education. [FR Doc. E8-3261 Filed 2-20-08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4000-01-P DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools; Overview Information; Partnerships in Character Education Program; Notice Inviting Applications for New Awards for Fiscal Year

(FY)2008 *Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance

(CFDA)Number:* 84.215S. *Dates:* *Applications Available:* February 21, 2008. *Deadline for Transmittal of Applications:* March 31, 2008. *Deadline for Intergovernmental Review:* May 30, 2008. Full Text of Announcement I. Funding Opportunity Description *Purpose of Program:* Under this program we support Federal grants to design and implement character education programs that can be integrated into classroom instruction, that are consistent with State academic content standards. Such programs may be carried out in conjunction with other educational reform efforts, and must take into consideration the views of parents, students, students with disabilities (including those with mental or physical disabilities), and other members of the community, including members of private, nonprofit organizations or entities, including faith-based organizations and community organizations. *Priorities:* In accordance with 34 CFR 75.105(b)(2)(iv), this priority is from Title V, Part D, Subpart 3, Section 5431 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended by the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001

(ESEA)(20 U.S.C. 7247). *Absolute Priority:* For FY 2008 and any subsequent years in which we make awards from the list of unfunded applicants from this competition, this priority is an absolute priority. Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(3), we consider only applications that meet this priority. *This priority is:* The design and implementation of character education programs that are able to be—

(A)Integrated into classroom instruction and consistent with State academic content standards; and

(B)carried out in conjunction with other educational reform efforts. *Competitive Preference Priority:* Within this absolute priority, we give competitive preference to applications that address the following priority. This priority is from the notice of final priorities for discretionary grant programs, published in the **Federal Register** on January 25, 2005 (70 FR 3585). Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(2)(i), we award up to an additional 20 points to an application, depending on how well the application meets this priority. When using the priority to give competitive preference to an application, the Secretary will review applications using a two-stage process. In the first stage, the application will be reviewed without taking the priority into account. In the second stage of review, the applications rated highest in stage one will be reviewed for competitive preference. *This priority is:* The Secretary establishes a priority for projects proposing an evaluation plan that is based on rigorous scientifically based research methods used to assess the effectiveness of a particular intervention. The Secretary intends that this priority will allow program participants and the Department to determine whether the project produces meaningful effects on student achievement or teacher performance. Evaluation methods using an experimental design are best for determining project effectiveness. Thus, when feasible, the project must use an experimental design under which participants—e.g., students, teachers, classrooms, or schools—are randomly assigned to participate in the project activities being evaluated or to a control group that does not participate in the project activities being evaluated. If random assignment is not feasible, the project may use a quasi-experimental design with carefully matched comparison conditions. This alternative design attempts to approximate a randomly assigned control group by matching participants—e.g., students, teachers, classrooms, orchools—with non-participants having similar pre-program characteristics. In cases where random assignment is not possible and participation in the intervention is determined by a specified cutting point on a quantified continuum of scores, regression discontinuity designs may be employed. For projects that are focused on special populations in which sufficient numbers of participants are not available to support random assignment or matched comparison group designs, single-subject designs such as multiple baseline or treatment-reversal or interrupted time series that are capable of demonstrating causal relationships can be employed. Proposed evaluation strategies that use neither experimental designs with random assignment nor quasi-experimental designs using a matched comparison group nor regression discontinuity designs will not be considered responsive to the priority when sufficient numbers of participants are available to support these designs. Evaluation strategies that involve too small a number of participants to support group designs must be capable of demonstrating the causal effects of an intervention or program on those participants. The proposed evaluation plan must describe how the project evaluator will collect—before the project intervention commences and after it ends—valid and reliable data that measure the impact of participation in the program or in the comparison group. Points awarded under this priority will be determined by the quality of the proposed evaluation method. In determining the quality of the evaluation method, we will consider the extent to which the applicant presents a feasible, credible plan that includes the following:

(1)The type of design to be used (that is, random assignment or matched comparison). If matched comparison, include in the plan a discussion of why random assignment is not feasible.

(2)Outcomes to be measured.

(3)A discussion of how the applicant plans to assign students, teachers, classrooms, or schools to the project and control group or match them for comparison with other students, teachers, classrooms, or schools.

(4)A proposed evaluator, preferably independent, with the necessary background and technical expertise to carry out the proposed evaluation. An independent evaluator does not have any authority over the project and is not involved in its implementation. In general, depending on the implemented program or project, under a competitive preference priority, random assignment evaluation methods will receive more points than matched comparison evaluation methods. Definitions As used in this notice— *Scientifically based research* (section 9101(37) ESEA):

(A)Means research that involves the application of rigorous, systematic, and objective procedures to obtain reliable and valid knowledge relevant to education activities and programs; and

(B)Includes research that—

(i)Employs systematic, empirical methods that draw on observation or experiment;

(ii)Involves rigorous data analyses that are adequate to test the stated hypotheses and justify the general conclusions drawn;

(iii)Relies on measurements or observational methods that provide reliable and valid data across evaluators and observers, across multiple measurements and observations, and across studies by the same or different investigators;

(iv)Is evaluated using experimental or quasi-experimental designs in which individuals entities, programs, or activities are assigned to different conditions and with appropriate controls to evaluate the effects of the condition of interest, with a preference for random-assignment experiments, or other designs to the extent that those designs contain within-condition or across-condition controls;

(v)Ensures that experimental studies are presented in sufficient detail and clarity to allow for replication or, at a minimum, offer the opportunity to build systematically on their findings; and

(vi)Has been accepted by a peer-reviewed journal or approved by a panel of independent experts through a comparably rigorous, objective, and scientific review. *Random assignment or experimental design* means random assignment of students, teachers, classrooms, or schools to participate in a project being evaluated (treatment group) or not participate in the project (control group). The effect of the project is the difference in outcomes between the treatment and control groups. *Quasi-experimental designs* include several designs that attempt to approximate a random assignment design. *Carefully matched comparison groups design* means a quasi-experimental design in which project participants are matched with non-participants based on key characteristics that are thought to be related to the outcome. *Regression discontinuity design* means a quasi-experimental design that closely approximates an experimental design. In a regression discontinuity design, participants are assigned to a treatment or control group based on a numerical rating or score of a variable unrelated to the treatment such as the rating of an application for funding. Eligible students, teachers, classrooms, or schools above a certain score (“cut score”) are assigned to the treatment group and those below the score are assigned to the control group. In the case of the scores of applicants' proposals for funding, the “cut score” is established at the point where the program funds available are exhausted. *Single subject design* means a design that relies on the comparison of treatment effects on a single subject or group of single subjects. There is little confidence that findings based on this design would be the same for other members of the population. *Treatment reversal design* means a single subject design in which a pre-treatment or baseline outcome measurement is compared with a post-treatment measure. Treatment would then be stopped for a period of time, a second baseline measure of the outcome would be taken, followed by a second application of the treatment or a different treatment. For example, this design might be used to evaluate a behavior modification program for disabled students with behavior disorders. *Multiple baseline design* means a single subject design to address concerns about the effects of normal development, timing of the treatment, and amount of the treatment with treatment-reversal designs by using a varying time schedule for introduction of the treatment and/or treatments of different lengths or intensity. *Interrupted time series design* means a quasi-experimental design in which the outcome of interest is measured multiple times before and after the treatment for program participants only. Note: Due to the very short time frame that applicants have to select a proposed evaluator for the required competitive priority, we remind applicants that they can, under 34 CFR 80.36, use informal procedures to select a proposed contractor for this purpose. For example, § 80.36 authorizes simple informal procedures to select contractors for contracts under the simplified acquisition threshold of $100,000. 34 CFR 80.36(d)(1). The regulations only require that you request offers from an adequate number of sources. In addition, even if you expect that the evaluation of your project would cost more than $100,000, the regulations recognize special cases where a contractor must be selected within a very limited time period. Again, you need to request proposals from an adequate number of qualified sources and select the contractor whose proposal is most advantageous to the program, considering price and other selection factors. In these situations, if informal solicitation does not result in an adequate number of proposals, you may select a single bidder so long as you document the facts that formed the basis for your decision. 34 CFR 80.36(d)(1),

(3)& (4). *Invitational Priority:* Within this absolute priority, we are particularly interested in applications that address the following invitational priority. Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(1) we do not give an application that meets this invitational priority a competitive or absolute preference over other applications. *This priority is:* *Faith-based and Community Organizations.* The Secretary is especially interested in applications that propose to engage faith-based and community organizations in the planning and development of character education programs and the delivery of services under this program. *Program Authority:* 20 U.S.C. 7247. *Applicable Regulations:*

(a)The Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) in 34 CFR parts 74, 75, 77, 79, 80, 81, 82, 84, 85, 86, 97, 98, 99 and 299.

(b)The notice of final priority published in the **Federal Register** on January 25, 2005 (70 FR 3585). Note: The regulations in 34 CFR part 79 apply to all applicants except federally recognized Indian tribes. Note: The regulations in 34 CFR part 86 apply to institutions of higher education only. II. Award Information *Type of Award:* Discretionary grant. *Estimated Available Funds:* $1,106,865. Contingent upon the availability of funds and the quality of applications, we may make additional awards in FY 2009 and subsequent fiscal years from the list of unfunded applicants from this competition. *Estimated Range of Awards:* For State educational agencies (SEAs), $500,000-$750,000. For local educational agencies (LEAs), $250,000-$500,000. We anticipate that applicants who request funding at the higher end of these ranges would respond to the competitive preference priority to implement experimental or quasi-experimental designs. *Estimated Average Size of Awards:* For SEAs, $600,000 for each 12-month budget period. For LEAs, $350,000 for each 12-month budget period. *Minimum Award:* Pursuant to Section 5431(a)(4) of the ESEA, SEAs must propose a total budget that is $500,000 or more for a single budget period. This restriction does not apply to applications from LEAs. *Estimated Number of Awards:* 2. Note: The Department is not bound by any estimates in this notice. *Project Period:* Up to 48 months, of which no more than 12 months may be used for planning and program design. III. Eligibility Information 1. *Eligible Applicants:* (a)(1) An SEA in partnership with one or more LEAs; or

(2)An SEA in partnership with one or more LEAs and nonprofit organizations or entities, including faith-based and community organizations, and an Institute of Higher Education (IHE); and (b)(1) An LEA or consortium of LEAs; or

(2)An LEA in partnership with one or more nonprofit organizations or entities, including faith-based and community organizations, and an IHE. Charter schools that are considered LEAs under State law are also eligible to apply. *Participation by Private School Children and Teachers.* Each eligible entity that receives a grant under this section shall provide, to the extent feasible and appropriate, for the participation of programs and activities under this section of students and teachers in private elementary and secondary schools. 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:* Sharon J. Burton, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., room 3E322, Washington, DC 20202. *Telephone:*

(202)205-8122 or by *e-mail: sharon.burton@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 a copy of the application package in an alternative format (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, or computer diskette) by contacting the program contact person listed in this section. 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. 3. *Submission Dates and Times:* *Applications Available: February 21, 2008.* *Deadline for Transmittal of Applications:* March 31, 2008. 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. *Deadline for Intergovernmental Review:* May 30, 2008. 4. *Intergovernmental Review:* This competition is subject to Executive Order 12372 and the regulations in 34 CFR part 79. Information about Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs under Executive Order 12372 is in the application package for this competition. 5. *Funding Restrictions:* An SEA may use not more than three percent (3%) of the total funds received in any fiscal year for administrative purposes. This does not apply to LEAs. 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. The Partnerships in Character Education Program, CFDA Number 84.215S, 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 the Partnerships in Character Education Program 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 84.215, not 84.215S). *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 under *For Further Information Contact* in section VII in this notice 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 84.215S), 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 84.215S), 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.

(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 84.215S), 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—

(202)245-6288. V. Application Review Information 1. *Selection Criteria:* The selection criteria for this competition are from 34 CFR part 75.210 in EDGAR and are listed in the application package. 2. *Review and Selection Process:* Additional factors we consider in selecting an application for an award are included in 20 U.S.C. 7247. We will ensure that, to the extent practicable, the projects for which we provide funding are equally distributed among the geographic regions of the United States, and among urban, suburban and rural areas. 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 under 34 CFR 75.118. The Secretary may also require more frequent performance reports under 34 CFR 75.720(c). For specific requirements on reporting, please go to *http://www.ed.gov/fund/grant/apply/appforms/appforms.html* . 4. *Performance Measure:* Under the Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA), two performance indicators have been established for the Partnerships in Character Education Program. The indicators are: the percentage of Partnerships in Character Education Program grantees that use an experimental or quasi-experimental design for their evaluation; and the percentage of Partnerships in Character Education Program grantees that use an experimental or quasi-experimental design for their evaluation that are conducted successfully, and that yield scientifically valid results. Consequently, applicants for a grant under this program are advised to give careful consideration to these two measures in conceptualizing the design, implementation, and evaluation of their proposed project. If funded, applicants will be asked to report data in their annual performance reports on evaluation outcomes. The Secretary will use this information to assess the overall quality of performance data obtained through rigorous evaluations conducted by grantees, and to respond to reporting requirements concerning this program established in Section 5431(h) of the ESEA. VII. Agency Contact *For Further Information Contact:* Sharon J. Burton, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., room 3E322, Washington, DC 20202. *Telephone:*

(202)205-8122 or by *e-mail: sharon.burton@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) on request to the program contact person listed under *For Further Information Contact* in section VII in this notice. *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: February 15, 2008. Deborah A. Price, Assistant Deputy Secretary for Safe and Drug-Free Schools. [FR Doc. E8-3250 Filed 2-20-08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4000-01-P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY [Docket No. PP-305] Notice of Availability of Draft Environmental Impact Statement and Public Hearings for the Proposed Montana Alberta Tie Ltd. International Transmission Line AGENCY: U.S. Department of Energy. ACTION: Notice of availability and public hearings. SUMMARY: The Department of Energy

(DOE)and the Montana Department of Environmental Quality

(DEQ)as co-lead agencies, with the Department of the Interior's Bureau of Land Management

(BLM)as a cooperating agency (together, the “Agencies”), announce the availability of the *“Federal Draft Environmental Impact Statement and the State of Montana Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Montana Alberta Tie Ltd.

(MATL)230-kV Transmission Line”* (DOE/EIS-0399) for public review and comment. The Agencies also announce three public hearings on the Draft EIS. The Draft EIS evaluates the environmental impacts of DOE's proposed Federal action of issuing a Presidential permit to MATL for the construction, operation, maintenance, and connection of a 230-kilovolt electric transmission line that would cross the U.S.-Canada border in the vicinity of Cut Bank, Montana. The proposed DEQ action is the issuance of a certificate of compliance under the Montana Facility Siting Act

(MFSA)for construction of the electric transmission line within the State of Montana. BLM's proposed Federal action is issuance of a right-of-way grant to allow the transmission line to cross Federal lands within BLM's management responsibility. DATES: The Agencies invite interested Members of Congress, state and local governments, other Federal agencies, American Indian tribal governments, organizations, and members of the public to provide comments on the Draft EIS during the public comment period. The public comment period started on February 15, 2008, with the publication in the **Federal Register** (73 FR 8869) by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency of the Notice of Availability of the Draft EIS, and will continue until March 31, 2008. Written and oral comments will be given equal weight and all comments received or postmarked by that date will be considered by the Agencies in preparing the Final EIS. Comments received or postmarked after that date will be considered to the extent practicable. Dates for the public hearings are: 1. March 11, 2008, 6-9 p.m., Great Falls, Montana. 2. March 12, 2008, 6-9 p.m., Cut Bank, Montana. 3. March 13, 2008, 6-9 p.m., Conrad, Montana. Requests to speak at a specific public hearing should be received by Mr. Tom Ring as indicated in the ADDRESSES section below on or before March 10, 2008. Requests to speak may also be made at the time of registration for the hearing(s). However, persons who have submitted advance requests to speak will be given priority if time should be limited during the hearing. ADDRESSES: Requests to speak at the public hearings should be addressed to: Mr. Tom Ring, Environmental Sciences Specialist, Montana Department of Environmental Quality, P.O. Box 200901, Helena, MT 59620-0901, or

(406)444-6785, or via electronic mail at *matl@mt.gov.* The locations of the public hearings are: 1. Civic Center, Missouri Room, Great Falls, Montana. 2. Voting Center, Cut Bank, Montana. 3. Blue Sky Villa, Norley Hall, Conrad, Montana. Written comments on the Draft EIS may be addressed to Mr. Ring as indicated in the ADDRESSES section of this notice. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have any questions about the Presidential permit process, please contact Mrs. Ellen Russell at U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability, Mail Stop OE-20, 1000 Independence Ave., SW., Washington, DC 20585, by telephone at 202-586-9624, or by electronic mail at *Ellen.Russell@hq.doe.gov.* For general information on the DOE NEPA process, contact Carol M. Borgstrom, Director, Office of NEPA Policy and Compliance (GC-20), U.S. Department of Energy 1000 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20585, Phone: 202-586-4600 or leave a message at 800-472-2756; Facsimile: 202-586-7031. If you have questions about the Montana MFSA siting process, please contact Mr. Ring at the address provided above. For general information on the State of Montana Environmental Policy Act process contact Greg Hallsten, Environmental Science Specialist, at the same above address or by phone at 406-444-3276. Availability of the Draft EIS Copies of the Draft EIS have been distributed to appropriate Members of Congress, state and local government officials in Montana, American Indian tribal governments, and other Federal agencies, groups, and interested parties. Printed copies of the document may be obtained by contacting Mr. Ring at the above address. Copies of the Draft EIS and supporting documents are also available for inspection in Montana at the Conrad Public Library, Cut Bank Public Library, Dutton Public Library, Great Falls Public Library, and the Montana State Library. The Draft EIS is also available on the DOE NEPA Web site at *http://www.eh.doe.gov/nepa/documentspub.html* or on the State of Montana project Web site at *http://www.deq.mt.gov/mfs/MATL.asp.* Issued in Washington, DC, on February 15, 2008. Ellen Russell, Acting Director, Permitting and Siting, Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability. [FR Doc. E8-3292 Filed 2-20-08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6450-01-P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Sunshine Act Meeting Notice February 14, 2008. The following notice of meeting is published pursuant to section 3(a) of the Government in the Sunshine Act (Pub. L. 94-409), 5 U.S.C. 552b: AGENCY HOLDING MEETING: Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. DATE AND TIME: February 21, 2008, 10 a.m. PLACE: Room 2C, 888 First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426. STATUS: Open. MATTERS TO BE CONSIDERED: Agenda * Note—Items listed on the agenda may be deleted without further notice. CONTACT PERSON FOR MORE INFORMATION: Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary, Telephone

(202)502-8400. For a recorded message listing items struck from or added to the meeting, call

(202)502-8627. This is a list of matters to be considered by the Commission. It does not include a listing of all documents relevant to the items on the agenda. All public documents, however, may be viewed on line at the Commission's Web site at *http://www.ferc.gov* using the eLibrary link, or may be examined in the Commission's Public Reference Room. 930th—Meeting Regular Meeting [February 21, 2008, 10 a.m.] Item No. Docket No. Company Administrative Agenda A-1 AD02-1-000 Agency Administrative Matters. A-2 AD02-7-000 Customer Matters, Reliability, Security and Market Operations. A-3 AD06-3-000 Energy Market Update. Electric E-1 AD07-7-000 RM07-19-000. Wholesale Competition in Regions with Organized Electric Markets. E-2 RM07-15-000 Cross-Subsidization Restrictions on Affiliate Transactions. E-3 RM07-21-000 Blanket Authorization Under FPA Section 203. E-4 PL07-1-001 FPA Section 203 Supplemental Policy Statement. E-5 ER91-195-000 Western Systems Power Pool. EL07-69-000 Western Systems Power Pool Agreement. E-6 ER07-476-000 ISO New England Inc. and New England Power Pool. RM06-8-000 Long-Term Firm Transmission Rights in Organized Electricity Markets. E-7 ER07-1372-000 ER07-1372-001. Midwest Independent Transmission System Operator, Inc. E-8 ER06-278-000 The Nevada Hydro Company, Inc. ER06-278-001 ER06-278-002 ER06-278-003 ER06-278-004 ER06-278-005 ER06-278-006 E-9 OMITTED E-10 RC08-1-000 Southeastern Power Administration. E-11 RC07-3-001 Lee County, Florida. RC07-5-001 Solid Waste Authority of Palm Beach County, Florida. E-12 RM06-16-000 Mandatory Reliability Standards for the Bulk-Power System. RR08-1-000 North American Electric Reliability Corporation. E-13 EF07-2021-000 United States Department of Energy—Bonneville Power Administration. E-14 OMITTED E-15 ER02-136-007 ER02-136-008. Allegheny Power. E-16 ER05-715-002 ISO New England Inc. E-17 EL02-129-004 Southern California Water Company. E-18 EL05-50-003 Jersey Central Power & Light Company v. Atlantic City Electric Company, Delmarva Power & Light Company, PECO Energy Company and Public Service Electric and Gas Company. E-19 ER05-18-002 New Dominion Energy Cooperative. ER05-309-002 Old Dominion Electric Cooperative. E-20 ER07-429-001 New York State Reliability Council. E-21 ER07-547-002 ISO New England Inc. and New England Power Pool. E-22 ER07-799-002 ER07-799-003. EL07-61-001. EL07-61-002. Norwalk Power, LLC. E-23 ER06-1420-002 ER06-1420-003. Midwest Independent Transmission System Operator, Inc. E-24 ER93-465-039 Florida Power & Light Company. ER93-465-040 ER96-417-008 ER96-417-009 ER96-1375-009 ER96-1375-010 OA96-39-016 OA96-39-017 OA97-245-009 OA97-245-010 E-25 EL03-230-003 ExxonMobil Corporation v. Entergy Services, Inc. Gas G-1 RP06-231-003 RP06-231-004. Norstar Operating, LLC v. Columbia Gas Transmission Corporation. RP06-365-001 Columbia Gas Transmission Corporation. RP06-365-002 G-2 RP07-509-003 Columbia Gas Transmission Corporation. G-3 RP07-500-003 Columbia Gulf Transmission Company. G-4 RP96-312-176 Tennessee Gas Pipeline Company. Hydro H-1 P-12447-001 Fort Dodge Hydroelectric Development Company. H-2 P-7115-039 Homestead Energy Resources, LLC. H-3 P-12911-005 The Electric Plant Board of the City of Paducah, Kentucky. H-4 P-2426-208 California Department of Water Resources and the City of Los Angeles. H-5 P-2225-011 DI07-1-001. Public Utility District No. 1 of Pend Oreille County, Washington. H-6 P-1494-328 Grand River Dam Authority. Certificates C-1 CP07-430-000 Kinder Morgan Interstate Gas Transmission LLC. C-2 CP04-13-004 Saltville Gas Storage Company, LLC. C-3 OMITTED C-4 OMITTED C-5 CP08-60-000 Arlington Storage Company, LLC. C-6 CP06-459-001 Transwestern Pipeline Company, LLC. CP07-9-001 El Paso Natural Gas Company. C-7 CP07-32-002 Gulf South Pipeline Company, LP. CP07-32-003 CP07-105-001 CP07-110-001 Destin Pipeline Company, L.L.C. C-8 CP06-407-001 Missouri Interstate Gas, LLC. CP06-408-001 Missouri Gas Company, LLC. CP06-409-001 Missouri Pipeline Company, LLC. RP06-274-001 Missouri Interstate Gas, LLC. CP06-407-002 C-9 CP06-470-001 Southern LNG, Inc. CP06-471-002 Elba Express Company, L.L.C. CP06-472-002 CP06-473-002 CP06-474-002 Southern Natural Gas Company. C-10 OMITTED C-11 OMITTED Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary. A free webcast of this event is available through *http://www.ferc.gov* . Anyone with Internet access who desires to view this event can do so by navigating to *http://www.ferc.gov's* Calendar of Events and locating this event in the Calendar. The event will contain a link to its webcast. The Capitol Connection provides technical support for the free webcasts. It also offers access to this event via television in the DC area and via phone bridge for a fee. If you have any questions, visit *http://www.CapitolConnection.org* or contact Danelle Springer or David Reininger at 703-993-3100. Immediately following the conclusion of the Commission Meeting, a press briefing will be held in the Commission Meeting Room. Members of the public may view this briefing in the designated overflow room. This statement is intended to notify the public that the press briefings that follow Commission meetings may now be viewed remotely at Commission headquarters, but will not be telecast through the Capitol Connection service. [FR Doc. E8-3287 Filed 2-20-08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717-01-P ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY [EPA-HQ-OECA-2007-0033; FRL-8530-9] Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to OMB for Review and Approval; Comment Request; NSPS for Polymeric Coating of Supporting Substrates Facilities (Renewal); EPA ICR Number 1284.08, OMB Control Number 2060-0181 AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 *et seq.* ), this document announces that an Information Collection Request

(ICR)has been forwarded to the Office of Management and Budget

(OMB)for review and approval. This is a request to renew an existing approved collection. The ICR which is abstracted below describes the nature of the collection and the estimated burden and cost. DATES: Additional comments may be submitted on or before March 24, 2008. ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, referencing docket ID number EPA-HQ-OECA-2007-0033, to

(1)EPA online using *http://www.regulations.gov* (our preferred method), or by e-mail to *docket.oeca@epa.gov,* or by mail to: EPA Docket Center (EPA/DC), Environmental Protection Agency, Enforcement and Compliance Docket and Information Center, mail code 2201T, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20460, and

(2)OMB at: Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget (OMB), Attention: Desk Officer for EPA, 725 17th Street, NW., Washington, DC 20503. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Leonard Lazarus, Compliance Assessment and Media Programs Division (CAMPD), Office of Compliance, (2223A), Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460; telephone number:

(202)564-6369; fax number:

(202)564-0050; e-mail address: *lazarus.leonard@epa.gov.* SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: EPA has submitted the following ICR to OMB for review and approval according to the procedures prescribed in 5 CFR 1320.12. On March 9, 2007 (72 FR 10735), EPA sought comments on this ICR pursuant to 5 CFR 1320.8(d). EPA received no comments. Any additional comments on this ICR should be submitted to EPA and OMB within 30 days of this notice. EPA has established a public docket for this ICR under docket ID number EPA-HQ-EPA-HQ-OECA-2007-0033, which is available for public viewing online at *http://www.regulations.gov,* or in person viewing at the Enforcement and Compliance Docket and Information Center in the EPA Docket Center (EPA/DC), EPA West, Room 3334, 1301 Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC. The EPA Docket Center Public Reading Room is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays. The telephone number for the Reading Room is

(202)566-1744, and the telephone number for the Enforcement and Compliance Docket is

(202)566-1752. Use EPA's electronic docket and comment system at *http://www.regulations.gov* to submit or view public comments, access the index listing of the contents of the docket, and to access those documents in the docket that are available electronically. Once in the system, select “docket search,” then key in the docket ID number identified above. Please note that EPA's policy is that public comments, whether submitted electronically or in paper, will be made available for public viewing at *http://www.regulations.gov,* as EPA receives them and without change, unless the comment contains copyrighted material, Confidential Business Information (CBI), or other information whose public disclosure is restricted by statute. For further information about the electronic docket, go to *http://www.regulations.gov.* *Title:* NSPS for Polymeric Coating of Supporting Substrates Facilities (Renewal) *ICR Numbers:* EPA ICR Number 1284.08, OMB Control Number 2060-0181. *ICR Status:* This ICR is scheduled to expire on March 31, 2008. Under OMB regulations, the Agency may continue to conduct or sponsor the collection of information while his submission is pending at OMB. An Agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. The OMB control numbers for EPA's regulations in title 40 of the CFR, after appearing in the **Federal Register** when approved, are listed in 40 CFR part 9, and displayed either by publication in the **Federal Register** or by other appropriate means, such as on the related collection instrument or form, if applicable. The display of OMB control numbers in certain EPA regulations is consolidated in 40 CFR part 9. *Abstract:* Particulate matter emissions from polymeric coating of supporting substrates facilities cause or contribute to air pollution that may reasonably be anticipated to endanger public health or welfare. Therefore, NSPS were promulgated for this source category. The control of emissions of volatile organic compounds

(VOCs)from polymeric coating of supporting substrates facilities requires not only the installation of properly designed equipment, but also the operation and maintenance of that equipment. Emissions of VOCs from polymeric coating of supporting substrates facilities are generated by each coating operation and the associated onsite coating mix preparation equipment used to prepare coatings for the polymeric coating of supporting substrates. These standards rely on: The capture of VOC emissions by a partial or total enclosure around the coating operation, and/or by covers on each piece of affected mix preparation equipment; the reduction of VOC emissions to the atmosphere from the coating operation to a control device, and/or from the affected covered equipment to a control device; and the recovery of VOC emissions at one coating operation if the liquid material balance is used to demonstrate compliance. In order to ensure compliance with these standards, adequate reporting and recordkeeping is necessary. In the absence of such information, enforcement personnel would be unable to determine whether the standards are being met on a continuous basis, as required by the Clean Air Act. All reports are sent to the delegated state or local authority. In the event that there is no such delegated authority, the reports are sent directly to the EPA regional office. Notifications are used to inform the Agency or delegated authority when a source becomes subject to the standard. The reviewing authority may then inspect the source to check if the pollution control devices are properly installed and operated. Performance test reports are needed as these are the Agency's record of a source's initial capability to comply with the emission standard and note the operating conditions under which compliance was achieved. The quarterly reports are used for problem identification, as a check on source operation and maintenance, and for compliance determinations. The standard also requires semiannual reporting of deviations from monitored opacity, as this is a good indicator of the source's compliance status. Responses to this information collection are mandatory (40 CFR part 60, subpart VVV). Any information submitted to the Agency for which a claim of confidentiality is made will be safeguarded according to the Agency policies set forth in title 40, chapter 1, part 2, subpart B—Confidentiality of Business Information (see 40 CFR part 2; 41 FR 36902, September 1, 1976; amended by 43 FR 40000, September 8, 1978; 43 FR 42251, September 20, 1978; 44 FR 17674, March 23, 1979). *Burden Statement:* The annual public reporting and recordkeeping burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 83 hours per response. Burden means the total time, effort, or financial resources expended by persons to generate, maintain, retain, or disclose or provide information to or for a Federal agency. This includes the time needed to review instructions; develop, acquire, install, and utilize technology and systems for the purposes of collecting, validating, and verifying information, processing and maintaining information, and disclosing and providing information; adjust the existing ways to comply with any previously applicable instructions and requirements which have subsequently changed; train personnel to be able to respond to a collection of information; search data sources; complete and review the collection of information; and transmit or otherwise disclose the information. *Respondents/Affected Entities:* Polymeric Coating of Supporting Substrates Facilities. *Estimated Number of Respondents:* 53. *Frequency of Response:* Initially, quarterly and semiannually. *Estimated Total Annual Hour Burden:* 12,623 hours. *Estimated Total Annual Cost:* $1,410,367, which includes $48,500 Capital Startup costs, $556,500 annualized Operating and Maintenance (O&M) costs, and $805,367 annualized Labor costs. *Changes in the Estimates:* There are no changes in the labor hours or costs in this ICR compared to the previous ICR (see rounding-off adjustment below). This is due to two considerations. First, the regulations have not changed over the past three years and are not anticipated to change over the next three years. Secondly, the growth rate for the industry is very low, negative or non-existent, so there is no significant change in the overall burden. Since there are no changes in the regulatory requirements and there is no significant industry growth, the labor hours and cost figures in the previous ICR are used in this ICR and there is no change in burden to industry. The labor hour and cost burden in this ICR are the same as in the previous ICR; however, there is a small adjustment in the “Estimated Total Annual Cost” due to rounding up/down in the previous ICR. Dated: February 12, 2008. Sara Hisel-McCoy, Director, Collection Strategies Division. [FR Doc. E8-3228 Filed 2-20-08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560-50-P ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY [EPA-HQ-OECA-2007-0054; FRL-8531-1] Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to OMB for Review and Approval; Comment Request; NESHAP for Vinyl Chloride (Renewal); EPA ICR Number 0186.11, OMB Control Number 2060-0071 AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 *et seq.* ), this document announces that an Information Collection Request

(ICR)has been forwarded to the Office of Management and Budget

(202)564-4113; fax number:

(202)564-0050; e-mail address: *williams.learia@epa.gov.* SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: EPA has submitted the following ICR to OMB for review and approval according to the procedures prescribed in 5 CFR 1320.12. On March 9, 2007 (72 FR 10735), EPA sought comments on this ICR pursuant to 5 CFR 1320.8(d). EPA received no comments. Any additional comments on this ICR should be submitted to EPA and OMB within 30 days of this notice. EPA has established a public docket for this ICR under docket ID number EPA-HQ-OECA-2007-0054, which is available for public viewing online at *http://www.regulations.gov,* or in person viewing at the Enforcement and Compliance Docket and Information Center in the EPA Docket Center (EPA/DC), EPA West, Room 3334, 1301 Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC. The EPA Docket Center Public Reading Room is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays. The telephone number for the Reading Room is

(202)566-1744, and the telephone number for the Enforcement and Compliance Docket is

(202)566-1752. Use EPA's electronic docket and comment system at *http://www.regulations.gov,* to submit or view public comments, access the index listing of the contents of the docket, and to access those documents in the docket that are available electronically. Once in the system, select “docket search,” then key in the docket ID number identified above. Please note that EPA's policy is that public comments, whether submitted electronically or in paper, will be made available for public viewing at *http://www.regulations.gov,* as EPA receives them and without change, unless the comment contains copyrighted material, Confidential Business Information (CBI), or other information whose public disclosure is restricted by statute. For further information about the electronic docket, go to *http://www.regulations.gov.* *Title:* NESHAP for Vinyl Chloride (Renewal). *ICR Numbers:* EPA ICR Number 0186.11, OMB Control Number 2060-0071. *ICR Status:* This ICR is scheduled to expire on April 30, 2008. Under OMB regulations, the Agency may continue to conduct or sponsor the collection of information while this submission is pending at OMB. An Agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. The OMB control numbers for EPA's regulations in title 40 of the CFR, after appearing in the **Federal Register** when approved, are listed in 40 CFR part 9, and displayed either by publication in the **Federal Register** or by other appropriate means, such as on the related collection instrument or form, if applicable. The display of OMB control numbers in certain EPA regulations is consolidated in 40 CFR part 9. *Abstract:* The National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) for Vinyl Chloride

(VC)were proposed on December 24, 1975, promulgated on October 21, 1976, and amended on June 7, 1977, September 30, 1986, September 23, 1988, and December 23, 1992. These standards apply to exhaust gases and oxychlorination vents at ethylene dichloride

(EDC)plants; exhaust gas at vinyl chloride monomer

(VCM)plants; and exhaust gases, reactor opening losses, manual vent valves, and stripping residuals at polyvinyl chloride

(PVC)plants. The standards also apply to relief valves and fugitive emission sources at all three types of plants. In the Administrator's judgment, vinyl chloride emissions from polyvinyl chloride (PVC), ethylene dichloride (EDC), and vinyl chloride monomer

(VCM)plants cause or contribute to air pollution that may reasonably be anticipated to result in an increase in mortality or an increase in serious irreversible, or incapacitating reversible illness. Vinyl chloride is a known human carcinogen which causes a rare cancer of the liver. In order to ensure compliance with the standard, adequate recordkeeping and reporting is necessary. This information enables the Agency to:

(1)Ensure that facilities that are affected continue to operate the control equipment and use proper work practices to achieve compliance;

(2)notification of startup indicates to enforcement personnel when a new facility has been constructed and is thus subject to the standards; and

(3)provides a means for ensuring compliance. The standards require daily measurements from the continuous monitoring system and of the reactor pressure and temperature. Establishment of a continuous monitoring program is a high priority of the Agency. The continuous monitoring system monitors VC emissions from the stack to judge compliance with the numerical limits in the standards. The parameters are used to judge the operation of the reactor so that the source and EPA will be aware of improper operation and maintenance. The standards implicitly require the initial reports required by the General Provisions of 40 CFR 61.7 and 61.9. These initial reports include application for approval of construction or modification, and notification of startup. The standards also require quarterly reporting of vinyl chloride emissions from stripping, reactor openings, and exhausts. Reports must be submitted within 10 days of each valve discharge and manual vent valve discharge. The owner/operator must make the following one-time-only reports: Application for approval of construction or modification; notification of startup; application of a waiver of testing (if desired by source); and an initial report. The initial report includes a list of the equipment installed for compliance, a description of the physical and functional characteristics of each piece of equipment, a description of the methods which have been incorporated into the standard operation procedures for measuring or calculating emissions, and a statement that equipment and procedures are in place and are being used. Generally, the one-time-only reports are required of all sources subject to NESHAP regulation. Any owner or operator subject to the provisions of this part shall maintain a file of these measurements, and retain the file for at least five years following the date of such measurements, maintenance reports, and records. All reports are sent to the delegated state or local authority. In the event that there is no such delegated authority, the reports are sent directly to the EPA regional office. This information is being collected to assure compliance with 40 CFR part 63, subpart W, and 40 CFR part 63, subpart A, as authorized in section 112 and 114(a) of the Clean Air Act. The required information consists of emissions data and other information that have been determined to be private. An Agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB Control Number. The OMB Control Number for EPA's regulations are listed in 40 CFR part 9 and 48 CFR chapter 15, and are identified on the form and/or instrument, if applicable. *Burden Statement:* The annual public reporting and recordkeeping burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 60 hours per response. Burden means the total time, effort, or financial resources expended by persons to generate, maintain, retain, or disclose or provide information to or for a Federal agency. This includes the time needed to review instructions; develop, acquire, install, and utilize technology and systems for the purposes of collecting, validating, and verifying information, processing and maintaining information, and disclosing and providing information; adjust the existing ways to comply with any previously applicable instructions and requirements which have subsequently changed; train personnel to be able to respond to a collection of information; search data sources; complete and review the collection of information; and transmit or otherwise disclose the information. *Respondents/Affected Entities:* Vinyl Chloride. *Estimated Number of Respondents:* 28. *Frequency of Response:* On occasion, quarterly and initially. *Estimated Total Annual Hour Burden:* 11,825. *Estimated Total Annual Cost:* $2,014,515, which is comprised of $0 annualized Capital Startup costs, $1,260,000 in annualized Operating and Maintenance (O&M) costs, and $754,515 annualized Labor costs. *Changes in the Estimates:* There is no change in the labor hours or cost in this ICR compared to the previous ICR. This is due to two considerations. First, the regulations have not changed over the past three years and are not anticipated to change over the next three years. Secondly, the growth rate for the industry is very low, negative or non-existent, so there is no significant change in the overall burden. Since there are no changes in the regulatory requirements and there is no significant industry growth, the labor hours and cost figures in the previous ICR are used in this ICR and there is no change in burden to industry. Dated: February 12, 2008. Sara Hisel-McCoy, Director, Collection Strategies Division. [FR Doc. E8-3229 Filed 2-20-08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560-50-P ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY [EPA-HQ-OPPT-2007-0271; FRL-8530-8] Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to OMB for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Lead-Based Paint Pre-Renovation Information Dissemination—TSCA Sec. 406(b); EPA ICR No. 1669.05, OMB No. 2070-0158 AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 *et seq.* ), this document announces that an Information Collection Request

(ICR)has been forwarded to the Office of Management and Budget

(OMB)for review and approval. This is a request to renew an existing approved collection. The ICR, which is abstracted below, describes the nature of the information collection activity and its expected burden and costs. DATES: Additional comments may be submitted on or before March 24, 2008. ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, referencing docket ID Number EPA-HQ-OPPT-2007-0271 to

(1)EPA online using *http://www.regulations.gov* (our preferred method), by e-mail to *oppt.ncic@epa.gov* or by mail to: Document Control Office (DCO), Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics (OPPT), Environmental Protection Agency, Mail Code: 7407T, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460, and

(2)OMB at: Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget (OMB), Attention: Desk Officer for EPA, 725 17th Street, NW., Washington, DC 20503. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Barbara Cunningham, Director, Environmental Assistance Division, Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics, Environmental Protection Agency, Mailcode: 7408-M, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460; telephone number: 202-554-1404; e-mail address: *TSCA-Hotline@epa.gov* . SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: EPA has submitted the following ICR to OMB for review and approval according to the procedures prescribed in 5 CFR 1320.12. On June 13, 2007 (72 FR 32642), EPA sought comments on this renewal ICR pursuant to 5 CFR 1320.8(d). EPA received one comment during the comment period. The comment is addressed in Attachment 4 of the Supporting Statement. Any comments related to this ICR should be submitted to EPA and OMB within 30 days of this notice. EPA has established a public docket for this ICR under Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OPPT-2007-0271 which is available for online viewing at *http://www.regulations.gov* , or in person inspection at the OPPT Docket in the EPA Docket Center (EPA/DC), EPA West, Room 3334, 1301 Constitution Ave., NW., Washington, DC. The EPA Docket Center Public Reading Room is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays. The telephone number for the Reading Room is 202-566-1744, and the telephone number for the Pollution Prevention and Toxics Docket is 202-566-0280. Use EPA's electronic docket and comment system at *www.regulations.gov* to submit or view public comments, access the index listing of the contents of the public docket, and to access those documents in the docket that are available electronically. Once in the system, select “docket search,” then key in the docket ID number identified above. Please note that EPA's policy is that public comments, whether submitted electronically or in paper, will be made available for public viewing in *http://www.regulations.gov* as EPA receives them and without change, unless the comment contains copyrighted material, Confidential Business Information (CBI), or other information whose public disclosure is restricted by statute. For further information about the electronic docket, go to *http://www.regulations.gov* . *Title:* Lead-Based Paint Pre-Renovation Information Dissemination—TSCA Sec. 406(b). *ICR Numbers:* EPA ICR No. 1669.05, OMB Control No. 2070-0158. *ICR Status:* This ICR is currently scheduled to expire on February 29, 2008. An Agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of information, unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. The OMB control numbers for EPA's regulations in title 40 of the CFR, after appearing in the **Federal Register** when approved, are listed in 40 CFR part 9, are displayed either by publication in the **Federal Register** or by other appropriate means, such as on the related collection instrument or form, if applicable. The display of OMB control numbers in certain EPA regulations is consolidated in 40 CFR part 9. *Abstract:* This information collection involves third-party notification to owners and occupants of housing that will allow these individuals to avoid exposure to lead-contaminated dust and lead-based paint debris that are sometimes generated during renovations of housing where lead-based paint is present, thereby protecting public health. Since young children are especially susceptible to the hazards of lead, owners and occupants with children can take action to protect their children from lead poisonings. Section 406(b) of the Toxic Substances Control Act

(TSCA)requires EPA to promulgate regulations requiring certain persons who perform renovations of target housing for compensation to provide a lead hazard information pamphlet (developed under TSCA section 406(a)) to the owner and occupants of such housing prior to beginning the renovation. Those who fail to provide the pamphlet as required may be subject to both civil and criminal sanctions. Responses to the collection of information are mandatory (see 40 CFR part 745). Respondents may claim all or part of a notice as CBI. EPA will disclose information that is covered by a CBI claim only to the extent permitted by, and in accordance with, the procedures in 40 CFR part 2. *Burden Statement:* The annual public notification and recordkeeping burden for this collection of information is estimated to be 0.09 hours per response. Burden means the total time, effort or financial resources expended by persons to generate, maintain, retain or disclose or provide information to or for a Federal agency. This includes the time needed to review instructions; develop, acquire, install and utilize technology and systems for the purposes of collecting, validating and verifying information, processing and maintaining information, and disclosing and providing information; adjust the existing ways to comply with any previously applicable instructions and requirements; train personnel to be able to respond to a collection of information; search data sources; complete and review the collection of information; and transmit or otherwise disclose the information. *Respondents/Affected Entities:* Entities potentially affected by this action are persons who perform renovations of certain types of housing, constructed prior to 1978, for compensation. *Frequency of Collection:* On occasion. *Estimated No. of Respondents:* 2,625,500. *Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents:* 3,122,486 hours. *Estimated Total Annual Materials Costs:* $9,428,849. There is a net decrease of 339,056 hours (from 3,461,542 hours to 3,122,486 hours) in the total estimated respondent burden compared with that identified in the ICR currently approved by OMB. This decrease primarily reflects EPA's revised estimates in the number of renovation events in rental housing units. A more detailed analysis of the change in burden appears in the Supporting Statement. This change is an adjustment. Dated: February 12, 2008. Sara Hisel-McCoy, Director, Collection Strategies Division. [FR Doc. E8-3230 Filed 2-20-08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560-50-P ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY [EPA-HQ-SFUND-2007-0278; FRL-8531-2] Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to OMB for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Continuous Release Reporting Regulations

(CRRR)Under CERCLA 1980 (Renewal); EPA ICR No. 1445.07, OMB Control No. 2050-0086 AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act

(PRA)(44 U.S.C. 3501 *et seq.* ), this document announces that an Information Collection Request

(ICR)has been forwarded to the Office of Management and Budget

(OMB)for review and approval. This is a request to renew an existing approved collection. The ICR, which is abstracted below, describes the nature of the information collection and its estimated burden and cost. DATES: Additional comments may be submitted on or before March 24, 2008. ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, referencing Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-SFUND-2007-0278, to

(1)EPA online using *www.regulations.gov* (our preferred method), by e-mail to *superfund.docket@epa.gov* , or by mail to: EPA Docket Center, Environmental Protection Agency, Superfund Docket (2822T), 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460, and

(2)OMB by mail to: Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget (OMB), Attention: Desk Officer for EPA, 725 17th Street, NW., Washington, DC 20503. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lynn M. Beasley, Regulation and Policy Development Division, Office of Emergency Management, (5104A), Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460; telephone number:

(202)564-1965; fax number:

(202)564-2625; e-mail address: *Beasley.lynn@epa.gov* . SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: EPA has submitted the following ICR to OMB for review and approval according to the procedures prescribed in 5 CFR 1320.12. On September 28, 2007 (72 FR 55197), EPA sought comments on this ICR pursuant to 5 CFR 1320.8(d). EPA received no comments during the comment period. Any additional comments on this ICR should be submitted to EPA and OMB within 30 days of this notice. EPA has established a public docket for this ICR under Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-SFUND-2007-0278, which is available for online viewing at *www.regulations.gov,* or in person viewing at the Superfund Docket in the EPA Docket Center (EPA/DC), EPA West, Room 3334, 1301 Constitution Ave., NW., Washington, DC. The EPA/DC Public Reading Room is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays. The telephone number for the Reading Room is 202-566-1744, and the telephone number for the Superfund Docket is 202-566-0276. Use EPA's electronic docket and comment system at *www.regulations.gov,* to submit or view public comments, access the index listing of the contents of the docket, and to access those documents in the docket that are available electronically. Once in the system, select “docket search,” then key in the docket ID number identified above. Please note that EPA's policy is that public comments, whether submitted electronically or in paper, will be made available for public viewing at *www.regulations.gov* as EPA receives them and without change, unless the comment contains copyrighted material, Confidential Business Information (CBI), or other information whose public disclosure is restricted by statute. For further information about the electronic docket, go to *www.regulations.gov* . *Title:* Continuous Release Reporting Regulations

(CRRR)under CERCLA 1980 (Renewal). *ICR numbers:* EPA ICR No. 1445.07, OMB Control No. 2050-0086. *ICR Status:* This ICR is scheduled to expire on February 29, 2008. Under OMB regulations, the Agency may continue to conduct or sponsor the collection of information while this submission is pending at OMB. An Agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of information, unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. The OMB control numbers for EPA's regulations in title 40 of the CFR, after appearing in the **Federal Register** when approved, are listed in 40 CFR part 9, are displayed either by publication in the **Federal Register** or by other appropriate means, such as on the related collection instrument or form, if applicable. The display of OMB control numbers in certain EPA regulations is consolidated in 40 CFR part 9. *Abstract:* Section 103(a) of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), as amended, requires the person in charge of a vessel or facility to immediately notify the National Response Center

(NRC)of a hazardous substance release into the environment if the amount of the release equals or exceeds the substance's reportable quantity (RQ). The RQ of every hazardous substance is found in Table 302.4 of 40 CFR 302.4. Section 103(f)(2) of CERCLA provides facilities relief from this per-occurrence notification requirement if the hazardous substance release at or above the RQ is continuous and stable in quantity and rate. Under the Continuous Release Reporting Requirements (CRRR), to report such a release as a continuous release you must make an initial telephone call to the NRC, an initial written report to the EPA Region, and, if the source and chemical composition of the continuous release does not change and the level of the continuous release does not significantly increase, a follow-up written report to the EPA Region one year after submission of the initial written report. If the source or chemical composition of the previously reported continuous release changes, notifying the NRC and EPA Region of a change in the source or composition of the release is required. Further, a significant increase in the level of the previously reported continuous release must be reported immediately to the NRC according to section 103(a) of CERCLA. Finally, any change in information submitted in support of a continuous release notification must be reported to the EPA Region. The reporting of a hazardous substance release that is equal to or above the substance's RQ allows the Federal government to determine whether a Federal response action is required to control or mitigate any potential adverse effects to public health or welfare or the environment. The continuous release of hazardous substance information collected under CERCLA section 103(f)(2) is also available to EPA program offices and other Federal agencies who use the information to evaluate the potential need for additional regulations, new permitting requirements for specific substances or sources, or improved emergency response planning. State and local government authorities and facilities subject to the CRRR use release information for purposes of local emergency response planning. Members of the public, who have access to release information through the Freedom of Information Act, may request release information for purposes of maintaining an awareness of what types of releases are occurring in different localities and what actions, if any, are being taken to protect public health and welfare and the environment. *Burden Statement:* The annual public reporting and recordkeeping burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 10.5 hours per response. Burden means the total time, effort, or financial resources expended by persons to generate, maintain, retain, or disclose or provide information to or for a Federal agency. This includes the time needed to review instructions; develop, acquire, install, and utilize technology and systems for the purposes of collecting, validating, and verifying information, processing and maintaining information, and disclosing and providing information; adjust the existing ways to comply with any previously applicable instructions and requirements which have subsequently changed; train personnel to be able to respond to a collection of information; search data sources; complete and review the collection of information; and transmit or otherwise disclose the information. *Respondents/Affected Entities:* EPA expects a number of different industrial categories to report hazardous substances releases under the provisions of the CRRR. No one industry sector or group of sectors is disproportionately affected by the information collection burden. *Estimated Number of Respondents:* 3,587. *Frequency of Response:* On occasion. *Estimated Total Annual Hour Burden:* 301,508 hours. *Estimated Total Annual Cost:* $10,290,207, includes $128,076 annualized capital or O&M costs. *Changes in the Estimates:* There is an increase of 17,354 hours in the total estimated burden currently identified in the OMB Inventory of Approved ICR Burdens. This increase is primarily from the use of data on the actual number of continuous release reports from several regions and applying a growth rate consistent with prior years reporting. Dated: February 12, 2008. Sara Hisel-McCoy, Director, Collection Strategies Division. [FR Doc. E8-3232 Filed 2-20-08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560-50-P ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY [FRL-8531-3] Public Water System Supervision Program Variance and Exemption Review for the State of Colorado AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Notice of Results of Review. SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Agency

(EPA)Region 8 has completed its statutory review of variances and exemptions issued by the State of Colorado under the Safe Drinking Water Act

(SDWA)Public Water System Supervision

(PWSS)program. This review was announced in the **Federal Register** published September 25, 2007, 72 FR 54445, and provided the public with an opportunity to comment. No comments related to Variances and/or Exemptions issued or proposed by the State of Colorado were received. The Environmental Protection Agency

(EPA)Region 8 determined as a result of this review that the State of Colorado did not abuse its discretion on any variance or exemption granted or proposed as of the date of the on site review on September 25, 2007. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jack Theis at 303-312-6347 or e-mail at *Theis.Jack@epa.gov.* SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Colorado has an EPA approved program for assuming primary enforcement authority for the PWSS program, pursuant to section 1413 of SDWA, 42 U.S.C. 300g-2 and 40 CFR Part 142. A. Why do States issue variances and exemptions? States with primary PWSS enforcement authority are authorized to grant variances and exemptions from National Primary Drinking Water Regulations due to particular situations with specific public water systems providing these variances and exemptions meet the requirements of SDWA, Sections 1415 and 1416, and are protective of public health. B. Why is a review of the variances and exemption necessary? Colorado is authorized to grant variances and exemptions to drinking water systems in accordance with the SDWA. The SDWA requires that EPA periodically review State issued variances and exemptions to determine compliance with the Statute. 42 U.S.C. 300g-4(e)(8); 42 U.S.C. 300g-5(d). Dated: December 19, 2007. Kerrigan G. Clough, Deputy Regional Administrator, Region 8. Editorial Note: This document was received at the Office of the Federal Register on February 15, 2008. [FR Doc. E8-3236 Filed 2-20-08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560-50-P ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY [FRL-8531-4] Public Water System Supervision Program Variance and Exemption Review for the State of Montana AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Region 8 will conduct a statutory review of variances and exemptions issued by the State of Montana under the Safe Drinking Water Act

(SDWA)Public Water System Supervision

(PWSS)program. The SDWA, 42 U.S.C. 300 *et seq.* , requires that EPA periodically review variances and exemptions issued by states with primary enforcement authority to determine compliance with requirements of the statute 42 U.S.C. 300g-4(e)(8); 42 U.S.C. 300g-5(d). In accordance with these provisions in the SDWA, and its regulations, EPA is giving public notice that the EPA, Region 8 will conduct a review of the variances and exemptions issued by the State of Montana to Public Water Systems under its jurisdiction. The review will be conducted during February, 2008. The public is invited to submit comments on any or all variances and/or exemptions issued by the State of Montana, and on the need for continuing them, by March 15, 2008. Results of this review will be published in the **Federal Register** . ADDRESSES: Comments on variances and exemptions issued by the State of Montana should be addressed to: Robert E. Roberts, Regional Administrator, c/o Eric Finke, U.S. EPA, Region 8, Montana Office, 10 West 15th Street, Suite 3200, Helena, Montana 59620. All data and other information with respect to the variances and exemptions issued by the State of Montana are located at the Montana Department of Environmental Quality, Public Water Subdivisions Bureau, Lee Metcalf Building, 1520 East 6th Avenue, Helena, Montana 59620. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Eric Finke at 406-457-5024 or *finke.eric@epa.gov.* SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Montana has an EPA approved program for primary enforcement authority for the PWSS program, pursuant to section 1413 of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), 42 U.S.C. 300g-2 and 40 CFR 142.22. A. Why do states issue variances and exemptions? States with primary enforcement authority are authorized to grant variances and exemptions from National Primary Drinking Water Regulations to specific public water systems, provided these variances and exemptions meet the requirements of the SDWA, sections 1415 and 1416, and are protective of public health. B. Why is a review of the variances and exemptions necessary? Montana is authorized to grant variances and exemptions to drinking water systems in accordance with the SDWA. The SDWA requires that EPA periodically review State issued variances and exemptions to determine compliance with the Statute. 42 U.S.C. 300g-4(e)(8); 42 U.S.C.300g-5(d). Dated: February 12, 2008. Judith Wong, Acting Regional Administrator, Region 8. [FR Doc. E8-3233 Filed 2-20-08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560-50-P FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION Notice of Public Information Collection(s) Being Submitted for Review to the Office of Management and Budget February 5, 2008. SUMMARY: The Federal Communications Commission, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork burden invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on the following information collection(s), as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act

(PRA)of 1995, 44 U.S.C. 3501-3520. An agency may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid control number. No person shall be subject to any penalty for failing to comply with a collection of information subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act

(PRA)that does not display a valid control number. Comments are requested concerning

(a)whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Commission, including whether the information shall have practical utility;

(b)the accuracy of the Commission's burden estimate;

(c)ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information collected; and

(d)ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on the respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology. DATES: Written Paperwork Reduction Act

(PRA)comments should be submitted on or before April 21, 2008. If you anticipate that you will be submitting PRA comments, but find it difficult to do so within the period of time allowed by this notice, you should advise the FCC contact listed below as soon as possible. ADDRESSES: Direct all PRA comments to Nicholas A. Fraser, Office of Management and Budget,

(202)395-5887, or via fax at 202-395-5167 or via internet at *Nicholas_A._Fraser@omb.eop.gov* and to *Judith-B.Herman@fcc.gov* , Federal Communications Commission, or an e-mail to *PRA@fcc.gov* . To view a copy of this information collection request

(ICR)submitted to OMB:

(1)Go to the Web page *http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain* ,

(2)look for the section of the Web page called “Currently Under Review”,

(3)click on the downward-pointing arrow in the “Select Agency” box below the “Currently Under Review” heading,

(4)select “Federal Communications Commission” from the list of agencies presented in the “Select Agency” box,

(5)click the “Submit” button to the right of the “Select Agency” box, and

(6)when the list of FCC ICRs currently under review appears, look for the title of this ICR (or its OMB Control Number, if there is one) and then click on the ICR Reference Number to view detailed information about this ICR. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For additional information, contact Judith B. Herman at 202-418-0214 or via the Internet at *Judith-B.Herman@fcc.gov* . SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: *OMB Control Number:* 3060-0795. *Title:* Associate WTB and PSHSB Call Sign and Antenna Structure Registration Numbers with Licensee's FRN. *Form No.:* FCC Form 606. *Type of Review:* Extension of a currently approved collection. *Respondents:* Individuals or households, business or other for-profit, not-for-profit institutions, and state, local or tribal government. *Number of Respondents:* 429,000 respondents; 429,000 responses. *Estimated Time Per Response:* 1 hour. *Frequency of Response:* On occasion reporting requirement and third party disclosure requirement. *Obligation to Respond:* Required to obtain or retain benefits. *Total Annual Burden:* 429,000 hours. *Total Annual Cost:* N/A. *Privacy Act Impact Assessment:* Yes. *Nature and Extent of Confidentiality:* In general there is no need for confidentiality. On a case-by-case basis, the Commission may be required to withhold from disclosure certain information about the location, character, or ownership of a historic property, including traditional religious sites. *Needs and Uses:* The Commission will submit this information collection to the OMB after this 60-day comment period as an extension (no change in reporting and/or third-party disclosure requirements) to obtain the full three-year clearance from them. There is no change in the burden estimates. Licensees use the FCC Form 606 to associate their FCC Registration Number

(FRN)with their Wireless Telecommunications Bureau call signs and antenna structure registration numbers. In addition, those antenna structure tenant licensees subject to the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1998 must use FCC Form 606 to register their antenna structures. The form must be submitted before filing any subsequent applications associated with the existing license or antenna structure registration. The information collected in the FCC Form 606 is used to populate the Universal Licensing System

(ULS)for licensees and antenna structure registration owners who interact with ULS. This information is also used to match records in the ULS database to the Revenue Accounting Management Information System (RAMIS) records to validate payment for application and for debt collection purposes. Federal Communications Commission. Marlene H. Dortch, Secretary. [FR Doc. E8-3157 Filed 2-20-08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6712-01-P FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION Notice of Public Information Collection(s) Being Reviewed by the Federal Communications Commission, Comments Requested; Correction AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission. ACTION: Notice; correction. SUMMARY: The Federal Communications Commission published a document in the **Federal Register** on February 13, 2008, concerning request for comments on public information collections. The document contained the incorrect FCC number. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Cathy Williams, 202-418-2918. Correction In the **Federal Register** of February 13, 2008, in FR Doc. E8-2675; on page 8315, in the second column, correct the “Needs and Uses” to read: *Needs and Uses:* On February 1, 2008, the Commission released a Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, In the Matter of Leased Commercial Access, MB Docket No. 07-42, FCC 07-208. In this Report and Order, we modify the leased access rules. With respect to leased access, we modify the leased access rate formula; adopt customer service obligations that require minimal standards and equal treatment of leased access programmers with other programmers; eliminate the requirement for an independent accountant to review leased access rates; and require annual reporting of leased access statistics. We also adopt expedited time frames for resolution of complaints and improve the discovery process. The commercial leased access requirements are set forth in Section 612 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended. The statute and corresponding leased access rules require a cable operator to set aside channel capacity for commercial use by unaffiliated video programmers. The Commission's rules implementing the statute require that cable operators with 36 or more channels calculate rates for leased access channels, maintain and provide on request information pertaining to leased access channels, and provide billing and collection services as required. The Commission may be required to resolve complaints about rates, terms and conditions of leased access. Changes to the rules increased the quantity of information maintained and provided, increase the information needed to calculate rates and require the filing of an annual report with the Commission on the status of leased access channels. In addition, the Commission is consolidating information collection OMB Control Number 3060-0569 (Commercial leased access dispute resolution) into this collection OMB Control Number 3060-0568. Federal Communications Commission. Marlene H. Dortch, Secretary. [FR Doc. E8-3226 Filed 2-20-08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6712-01-P FEDERAL MARITIME COMMISSION Notice of Agreements Filed The Commission hereby gives notice of the filing of the following agreements under the Shipping Act of 1984. Interested parties may submit comments on agreements to the Secretary, Federal Maritime Commission, Washington, DC 20573, within ten days of the date this notice appears in the **Federal Register** . Copies of agreements are available through the Commission's Office of Agreements (202-523-5793 or *tradeanalysis@fmc.gov* ). *Agreement No.:* 011284-065. *Title:* Ocean Carrier Equipment Management Association Agreement. *Parties:* APL Co. Pte. Ltd.; American President Lines, Ltd.; A.P. Moller-Maersk A/S; CMA CGM, S.A.; Atlantic Container Line; China Shipping Container Lines Co., Ltd.; China Shipping Container Lines (Hong Kong) Co., Ltd.; Companhia Libra de Navegacao; Compania Libra de Navegacion Uruguay S.A.; Compania Sudamericana de Vapores, S.A.; COSCO Container Lines Company Limited; Crowley Maritime Corporation; Evergreen Line Joint Service Agreement; Hamburg-Süd; Hapag-Lloyd USA LLC; Hanjin Shipping Co., Ltd.; Hyundai Merchant Marine Co. Ltd.; Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd.; Mitsui O.S.K. Lines Ltd.; Nippon Yusen Kaisha Line; Norasia Container Lines Limited; Orient Overseas Container Line Limited; Yang Ming Marine Transport Corp.; and Zim Integrated Shipping Services, Ltd. *Filing Party:* Jeffrey F. Lawrence, Esq.; Sher & Blackwell LLP; 1850 M Street, NW.; Suite 900; Washington, DC 20036. *Synopsis:* The amendment would add Mediterranean Shipping Company SA as a party to the agreement. The parties request expedited review. *Agreement No.:* 012028. *Title:* WWL/Hoegh Middle East Space Charter Agreement. *Parties:* Hoegh Autoliners AS and Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics AS. *Filing Party:* Wayne R. Rohde, Esq.; Sher & Blackwell LLP; 1850 M Street, NW., Suite 900; Washington, DC 20036. *Synopsis:* The Agreement would authorize the parties to charter space between one another from the U.S. Atlantic coast to ports in countries bordering the Red Sea and Arabian Gulf. *Agreement No.:* 201160-001. *Title:* Marine Terminal Lease and Operating Agreement Between Broward County and Mediterranean Shipping Company, S.A. *Parties:* Broward County, Florida, and Mediterranean Shipping Company, S.A. *Filing Party:* Candace J. McCann; Broward County Board of County Commissioners; Office of the County Attorney; 1850 Eller Drive, Suite 502; Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316. *Synopsis:* The agreement provides for revisions to the demised premises section, rental and minimum guaranteed payment terms, and other additional terms and conditions of the agreement. *Agreement No.:* 201178. *Title:* Los Angeles/Long Beach Port/Terminal Operator Administration and Implementation Agreement. *Parties:* The West Coast MTO Agreement; The City of Los Angeles, acting by and through its Board of Harbor Commissioners; and The City of Long Beach, acting by and through its Board of Harbor Commissioners. *Filing Party:* David F. Smith, Esq.; Sher & Blackwell LLP; 1850 M Street, NW.; Suite 900; Washington, DC 20036; and C. Jonathan Benner, Esq.; Troutman Sanders LLP; 401 9th Street, NW.; Washington, DC 20004. *Synopsis:* The Agreement would authorize the parties to discuss and reach agreement on implementation and/or administration of various portions of the Clean Air Action Programs that have been adopted by the Ports' Boards of Harbor Commissioners. Dated: February 15, 2008. By order of the Federal Maritime Commission. Karen V. Gregory, Assistant Secretary. [FR Doc. E8-3260 Filed 2-20-08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6730-01-P FEDERAL RESERVE SYSTEM Formations of, Acquisitions by, and Mergers of Bank Holding Companies The companies listed in this notice have applied to the Board for approval, pursuant to the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956 (12 U.S.C. 1841 *et seq.* ) (BHC Act), Regulation Y (12 CFR Part 225), and all other applicable statutes and regulations to become a bank holding company and/or to acquire the assets or the ownership of, control of, or the power to vote shares of a bank or bank holding company and all of the banks and nonbanking companies owned by the bank holding company, including the companies listed below. The applications listed below, as well as other related filings required by the Board, are available for immediate inspection at the Federal Reserve Bank indicated. The applications also will be available for inspection at the offices of the Board of Governors. Interested persons may express their views in writing on the standards enumerated in the BHC Act (12 U.S.C. 1842(c)). If the proposal also involves the acquisition of a nonbanking company, the review also includes whether the acquisition of the nonbanking company complies with the standards in section 4 of the BHC Act (12 U.S.C. 1843). Unless otherwise noted, nonbanking activities will be conducted throughout the United States. Additional information on all bank holding companies may be obtained from the National Information Center website at *www.ffiec.gov/nic/* . Unless otherwise noted, comments regarding each of these applications must be received at the Reserve Bank indicated or the offices of the Board of Governors not later than March 17, 2008. **A. Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City** (Todd Offenbacker, Assistant Vice President) 925 Grand Avenue, Kansas City, Missouri 64198-0001: *1. Prime Bank Group, Inc.* , to become a bank holding company by acquiring 100 percent of the voting shares of Prime Bank (in organization), both in Edmond, Oklahoma. **B. Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas** (W. Arthur Tribble, Vice President) 2200 North Pearl Street, Dallas, Texas 75201-2272: *1. National Bank & Trust Employee Stock Ownership Plan With 401(k) Provisions* ; to become a bank holding company by acquiring up to 26 percent of the voting shares of First La Grange Bancshares, Inc., and indirectly acquire voting shares of National Bank & Trust, all of La Grange, Texas. Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, February 15, 2008. Robert deV. Frierson, Deputy Secretary of the Board. [FR Doc. E8-3202 Filed 2-20-08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6210-01-S DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality Office for Civil Rights: Audio Conference on Proposed Regulations Related to Patient Safety AGENCY: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, HHS; Office for Civil Rights, HHS. ACTION: Notice of audio conference. SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality Director Dr. Carolyn Clancy and Office for Civil Rights Deputy Director of Health Information Privacy Susan McAndrew will host a joint audio conference February 29, 2008 from 2-3 p.m. (Eastern Standard Time) to discuss the recently published proposed regulation regarding Patient Safety and Quality Improvement and statutory confidentiality protections. The purpose of this audio conference is to facilitate public understanding of the proposed regulation and rulemaking process outlined in the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking published in the **Federal Register** February 12, 2008. To register for the audio conference, log on to *http://www.academyhealth.org/ahrq/psoaudio/.* DATES: The live audio conference will be Feb. 29 from 2-3 p.m. (Eastern Standard Time). ADDRESSES: The proposed regulation can be viewed on the Federal eRulemaking Portal at *http://www.regulations.gov/fdmspublic/ContentViewer?objectId=09000064803acce8&disposition=attachment&contentType=html.* The audio conference is open to everyone; however, discussions during this forum will not be included in official public comments. Public comment on the proposed regulations will be accepted through April 14, 2008. Comments can be submitted by any of the following methods: Federal eRulemaking Portal: *http://www.regulations.gov/fdmspublic/component/main?main=SubmitComment&o=09000064803acce8.* Comments should include the agency name (Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality and/or Office for Civil Rights) and RIN 0919-AA01. Mail/Hand Delivery/Courier: Center for Quality Improvement and Patient Safety, Attention: Patient Safety Act Notice of Proposed Rulemaking Comments, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, 540 Gaither Road, Rockville, Maryland 20850. Comments sent by facsimile

(FAX)transmission or electronic mail will not be accepted. Comments received through the eRulemaking Portal can be viewed online at either of the Web sites listed above. All comments received through the eRulemaking Portal, mail, and hand delivery/courier are available for public inspection at the AHRQ Information Resources Center, which is located at 540 Gaither Road, Rockville, Maryland 20850. The Information Resources Center is open from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ellen Crown, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, 301-427-1258 or *ellen.crown@ahrq.hhs.gov.* SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the Patient Safety and Quality Improvement Act of 2005 (Patient Safety Act), the Secretary is authorized to list Patient Safety Organizations (PSOs), organizations that will work with providers to collect and analyze patient safety related data. The Statute sets forth and the recently published proposed regulation explains certifications that must be submitted by entities in order to be listed as PSOs. PSOs will provide analysis of data and feedback to providers to assist them in improving patient safety. The Patient Safety Act protects the confidentiality of data shared by providers prepared by the PSO as well as other related materials, defined in the statute and proposed regulations. This legal protection of information addresses significant barriers that currently exists—the fear of legal liability or sanctions that can result from reporting a patient safety event. Strong confidentiality provisions are key to encouraging voluntary reporting, and facilitating the aggregation of large volumes of data which in turn aids in identifying patterns of patient safety events. Under the Patient Safety Act, the imposition of civil monetary penalties is authorized for breaches of its confidentiality provisions. The confidentiality protections of patient safety information are to be implemented in a way that does not interfere with other health care reporting obligations of providers, e.g., under State or local laws. Dated: February 13, 2008. Carolyn M. Clancy, AHRQ, Director. [FR Doc. 08-776 Filed 2-20-08; 8:45am]

Connectionstraces to 23

Traces to 23 documents

U.S. Code