Title: Food Coupon Accountability Report.

OMB Number: 0584-0009.

Form Number: FNS-250.

Expiration Date: 08/31/2004.

Type of Request: Revision of a currently approved collection.

Abstract: Section 7(d) of the Food Stamp Act of 1977, as amended, (7 U.S.C.2016(d)) and 7 CFR 274.4(b)(1) of the Food Stamp Program regulations require that State agencies report on the coupon inventories of coupon issuers, bulk storage points, and claims collection points. The reporting is done on Form FNS-250, Food Coupon Accountability Report. These reports must be submitted to the Food and Nutrition Service monthly. State agencies must review the reports for accuracy, completeness and reasonableness. Supporting documentation must be included when appropriate and the reports must reach FNS no later than 90 days following the end of each report month. The FNS-250 report reflects beginning inventories, end-of-month inventories, receipt of coupons, transfers of coupons, coupons returned to inventory, and credits. Once all of the States become implemented in the EBT Program and coupons are phased out, this form will become obsolete.

Affected Public: State and local government employees or contractors.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 246.

Estimated Number of Responses per respondent: 12.

Estimated Time per Response: 3 hours.

Estimated Total Annual Burden: 8,856 hours annually.

Growden Dam was built in 1937 as a recreational pond. By 1953, the pond had filled with sediment. The dam is not used for irrigation, flood control, or hydropower. The Growden Dam and Sherman Creek Restoration project is proposed to meet specific purposes and needs.

There is a need to reduce the safety risk from a dam failure. At the time of construction, the pond was 20 feet deep at the dam and approximately 6 acres. In the early 1950's, the Sherman Creek Highway was constructed. During construction of the highway, the dam filled with sediment in three years. This turned the pond into a wetland. The sediment buried the cleanout structure. The outlet structure is a drop structure. The dam has a high risk of failure and would cause severe downstream damage if it washed out.

The Washington Department of Ecology's Dam Safety Section surveyed the dam in 1991. Their analysis revealed that under extreme flood conditions, the dam does not meet current Dam Safety Section Standards. Should a dam failure occur, two permanent residences and several vacation cabins would be inundated. The dam almost washed out in the flood of 1998. This would have caused extensive damage to the channel and highway. Approximately 8 miles of stream would be affected. There are also 3 bridges that would probably wash out. There is a Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife hatchery at the mouth of Sherman Creek. A dam breach would cause significant damage to the hatchery.

There is also a need to reduce downstream stream temperatures to meet Washington State Water Quality temperature standards. Currently as the stream flows through the wetland the maximum water temperatures exceed state standards. In 1999, the Washington Department of Ecology funded a temperature study on Sherman Creek. Two areas showed up as the main contributors to high temperatures. These are Growden Dam and the lower reach of the South Fork of Sherman Creek. Above the influence of the dam, the maximum water temperature was 15.5 degrees C in 1999. At the outlet of the dam the maximum water temperature was 18 degrees C during the same time. South Fork of Sherman Creek adds another 2 degrees C to this, which brought the maximum water temperature to 20 degrees C.

Removing the dam would restore sediment and bed load transport from above Growden to below Growden. The dam also blocks the bed load transport. This has caused portions of the downstream channel to degrade and detach from the floodplain. The stream is no longer able to store wood in these areas. The flows are faster through these areas, causing the debris to be washed out. Bank erosion is increasing in these areas because of the lack of woody debris and floodplain connectivity. Eroding banks are between 5 to 60 feet high. Even though there is sediment coming in from the banks, gravels for spawning are limited. The gravels are being either trapped by the dam or flushed through because of lack of structure to store the gravels.

There is a need to increase sediment storage downstream of Growden to accept new sediment and bedload. In 1998, Sherman Creek was surveyed for habitat parameters. Large woody debris and the number of pools were low. This was caused both by a stream cleanout in 1969 and 1970 and by the dam blocking bed load transport. The downstream channel has downcut and detached from the floodplain. The stream is no longer able to store wood and sediment in these areas. The flows are faster through these areas, causing the debris to be washed out. Without the debris the stream is not able to store sediment. The stream is also not able to reach the larger floodplain that existed before the channel downcut. The floodplain is the most desirable place for sediment deposition. Even with substantial efforts to remove the sediment and restore the historic channel, there will be a short term pulse of sediment delivered to the downstream reaches. The increase in flood plain and stream bank roughness created by LWD (large woody debris) placement will collect and facilitate routing of excess sediment generated by dam decommissioning.

Removal of the dam will restore fish passage through the Growden Reach. The drop structure is a barrier to fish movement. Redband trout and westslope cutthroat trout populations are present in the watershed. The Forest Service has listed these species as sensitive. One of the main populations occurs just below the dam in Lane Creek. This population does not have access to the prime habitat found above the dam.

This project is designed to maintain or restore fully functional and stable riparian and aquatic systems. The Forest Plan has goals of high quality aquatic habitat, water, and riparian resources (Forest Plan Record of Decision Page 4, and Forest Plan page 4-2). The INFISH Forest Plan Amendment has goals of maintaining or restoring stream channel integrity, channel processes, and sediment regime, and diversity and productivity of native and desired non-native plant communities (Inland Native Fish Strategy Attachment A, pages A-1, A-2).

The Growden Dam and Sherman Creek Restoration project is a proposal to remove the Growden Dam and restore approximately 3 miles of fish habitat downstream of the dam. These proposed actions include: removal of Growden Dam; restoring the channel and valley bottom behind the dam to pre-dam elevations; removing sediment deposits from behind the dam and creating a terrace with part of the sediment and taking the rest to the Lane Creek pit; restoration of Lane Creek pit with sediment from behind the dam; improving fish habitat and sediment storage on approximately 3 miles of stream below the dam; riparian vegetation thinning to get the material needed to the stream restoration.

Possible alternatives include alteration of the dam to allow for flow over the dam. This may include creating an emergency spillway on one side of the dam or reducing the height of the dam to the level of the current substrate.

The Ferry Conservation District, the Washington Department of Ecology, and the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration are cooperating agencies for this project.

Sherri Schwenke, District Ranger, Three Rivers District, 255 West 11th, Kettle Falls, WA 99141 (phone 509-738-7700).

The responsible official will decide which, if any, of the alternatives will be implemented. This entails in what way the Growden Dam will be decommissioned to meet the purpose and need. The responsible official will also decide what type of restoration will occur on the lower three miles of habitat. Her decision and rationale for the decision will be documented in the record of decision, which will be subject to Forest Service Appeal Regulations (36 CFR part 215).

The scoping process will include the following: Identify and clarify issues; identify key issues to be analyzed in depth; explore alternatives based on themes which will be derived from issues recognized during scoping activities; and identify potential environmental effects of the Proposed Action and alternatives. A range of alternatives will be considered, including a No-Action alternative.

The issues related to the Growden Dam and Sherman Creek Restoration project include safety, reducing stream temperatures, restoring bedload transport, cultural resource damage, fish passage, noxious weeds, tribal concerns, destruction of wetland and beaver habitat, and recreation.

Safety is the largest issue with the dam. The risk of dam failure must be reduced. The reduction in dam failure risk would be measured by the amount of dam removed.

Sherman Creek exceeds the state standard for temperature. Growden Dam is suspected to be one of two main causes. Removal of Growden Dam may bring temperatures back into state standards. This will be measured by the amount of stream channel improved and the amount of wetland remaining behind the dam.

Growden Dam has blocked most bedload from the lower reach of Sherman Creek. This has caused streambank erosion and stream degradation, which has led to poor fish habitat. Improvement will be measured by the amount of bedload allowed through the dam site and the amount of stream reconnected to the floodplain.

Growden Dam is located on a Civilian Conservation Corp (CCC) era site. The dam was built by the CCC. The dam is being evaluated for historical significance. The amount of alteration to the site is at issue.

There is no fish passage around the dam. The best fish habitat is found in the reaches above the dam. Opening this access up to the rest of the fish population will improve the fisheries.

Noxious weeds are a major concern; there appears to be agreement that noxious weeds are a problem and that weed spread should be prevented. In response to this concern, the Colville National Forest implemented a policy: “Noxious Weeds Prevention Guidelines” in November 1999. Because these guidelines will be incorporated into all action alternatives, there is not expected to be a need to develop alternatives that directly respond to this concern. Potential for noxious weed spread will be measured by the acres of bare soil and miles of roaded access created or closed.

The Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation have reserved hunting, fishing, and gathering rights on the “North Half Reservation,” which includes the Growden Dam and Sherman Creek Restoration project area. These rights are regarded by tribal members as cultural, ceremonial, and spiritual subsistence. The primary concern in the Sherman Creek watershed is the downstream fisheries as potentially affected by aquatic health. To date, there have been no public comments regarding Tribal concerns, other than those already listed above.

The Growden Dam and Sherman Creek Restoration project area is an important recreation area on the Three Rivers Ranger District. The area has one developed campground, paved access, two miles of paved hiking trails, and two developed trailhead/day use areas. The area is used for berry picking, hunting, dispersed camping, fishing, driving for pleasure, and a variety of other recreational activities.

Hydraulic Project Approval from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife under 75.20 RCW is required since the project includes construction of other work, that: will use, divert, obstruct, or change the natural flow or bed of fresh water of the state. This includes all construction or other work waterward and over the ordinary high water line, including dry channels, and may include projects landward of the ordinary high water line ( e.g., activities outside the ordinary high water line that will directly impact fish life and habitat, falling trees into streams or lakes, etc. ).

Section 401 Water Quality Certification from the Washington Department of Ecology under 33 U.S.C. 1341 is needed since a federal approval is required for a project by the Corps of Engineers.

Approval to Allow Temporary Exceedance of Water Quality Standards from the Washington Department of Ecology is required, under 90.48 RCW, since the project may result in a temporary exceedance of water quality criteria established by WAC 173-201A for in water work ( e.g., changes in turbidity from sediment disturbances).

Section 404 Permit from the Corps of Engineers under 33 U.S.C. 1344 is required since the project includes discharge or excavation of dredged or fill material waterward of the ordinary high water mark in waters of the United States, including wetlands; and mechanized land clearing in waters of the United States, including wetlands.

The Forest Service is seeking information, comments, and assistance from other agencies, organizations, Indian Tribes, and individuals who may be interested in or affected by the Proposed Action. This input will be used in preparation of the draft EIS. Your comments are appreciated throughout the analysis process.

Comments received in response to this notice, including names and addresses of those who comment, will be considered part of the public record on this Proposed Action and will be available for public inspection. Comments submitted anonymously will be accepted and considered; however, those who submit anonymous comments will not have standing to appeal the subsequent decision under 36 CFR part 215. Additionally, pursuant to 7 CFR 1.27(d), any person may request the agency to withhold a submission from the public record by showing how the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) permits such confidentiality. Persons requesting such confidentiality should be aware that under the FOIA, confidentiality may be granted in only very limited circumstances, such as to protect trade secrets. The Forest Service will inform the requester of the agency's decision regarding the request for confidentiality, and where the request is denied, the agency will return the submission and notify the requester that the comments may be resubmitted with or without name and address within a specified number of days.

A draft environmental impact statement will be prepared for comment. The comment period on the draft environmental impact statement will be 45 days from the date the Environmental Protection Agency publishes the notice of availability in the Federal Register.

The Forest Service believes, at this early stage, it is important to give reviewers notice of several court rulings related to public participation in the environmental review process. First, reviewers of draft environmental impact statements must structure their participation in the environmental review of the proposal so that it is meaningful and alerts an agency to the reviewer's position and contentions. Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Corp. v. NRDC, 435 U.S. 519, 553 (1978). Also, environmental objections that could be raised at the draft environmental impact statement stage but that are not raised until after completion of the final environmental impact statement may be waived or dismissed by the courts. City of Angoon v. Hodel, 803 F.2d 1016, 1022 (9th Cir. 1986) and Wisconsin Heritages, Inc. v. Harris, 490 F. Supp. 1334, 1338 (E.D. Wis. 1980). Because of these court rulings, it is very important that those interested in this proposed action participate by the close of the 45 day comment period so that substantive comments and objections are made available to the Forest Service at a time when it can meaningfully consider them and respond to them in the final environmental impact statement.

To assist the Forest Service in identifying and considering issues and concerns on the proposed action, comments on the draft environmental impact statement should be as specific as possible. It is also helpful if comments refer to specific pages or chapters of the draft statement. Comments may also address the adequacy of the draft environmental impact statement or the merits of the alternatives formulated and discussed in the statement. Reviewers may wish to refer to the Council on Environmental Quality Regulations for implementing the procedural provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act at 40 CFR 1503.3 in addressing these points.

Comments received, including the names and addresses of those who comment, will be considered part of the public record on this proposal and will be available for public inspection.

The meeting is open to the public. Opportunity will be provided for public input and individuals will have the opportunity to address the Committee at that time.

This action has been reviewed and determined not to be a rule or regulation as defined in Executive Order 12866 and Departmental Regulation 1512-1; therefore, the Executive Order and Departmental Regulation do not apply to this action.

In the September 2, 2003, Federal Register (68 FR 52178), GIPSA asked persons interested in providing official services in the geographic areas assigned to the official agencies named above to submit an application for designation. Applications were due by October 1, 2003.

Champaign, Detroit, Eastern Iowa, Enid, Keokuk, and Michigan were the sole applicants for designation to provide official services in the entire area currently assigned to them, so GIPSA did not ask for additional comments on them.

GIPSA evaluated all available information regarding the designation criteria in section 7(f)(l)(A) of the Act and, according to section 7(f)(l)(B), determined that Champaign, Detroit, Eastern Iowa, Enid, Keokuk, and Michigan are able to provide official services in the geographic areas specified in the September 2, 2003, Federal Register , for which they applied. Interested persons may obtain official services by calling the telephone numbers listed below.

This Action has been reviewed and determined not to be a rule or regulation as defined in Executive Order 12866 and Departmental Regulation 1512-1; therefore, the Executive Order and Departmental Regulation do not apply to this Action.

Section 7(f)(1) of the United States Grain Standards Act, as amended (Act), authorizes GIPSA's Administrator to designate a qualified applicant to provide official services in a specified area after determining that the applicant is better able than any other applicant to provide such official services.

Section 7(g)(1) of the Act provides that designations of official agencies shall end not later than triennially and may be renewed according to the criteria and procedures prescribed in section 7(f) of the Act.

a. Pursuant to section 7(f)(2) of the Act, the following geographic area, in the States of Oklahoma and Texas, is assigned to Amarillo.

In Texas:

Bounded on the North by the Texas-Oklahoma State line to the eastern Clay County line;

Bounded on the East by the eastern Clay, Archer, Throckmorton, Shackelford, and Callahan County lines;

Bounded on the South by the southern Callahan, Taylor, and Nolan County lines;

Bounded on the West by the western Nolan, Fisher, Stonewall, King, and Cottle County lines; the western Childress County line north to U.S. Route 287; U.S. Route 287 northwest to Donley County; the southern Donley and Armstrong County lines west to Prairie Dog Town Fork of the Red River; Prairie Dog Town Fork of the Red River northwest to State Route 217; State Route 217 west to FM 1062; FM 1062 west to U.S. Route 385; U.S. Route 385 north to Oldham County; the southern Oldham County line; the western Oldham, Hartley, and Dallam County lines.

Beaver, Beckham, Cimarron, Ellis, Harper, Roger Mills, and Texas Counties, Oklahoma.

b. Pursuant to section 7(f)(2) of the Act, the following geographic area, in the States of Illinois, Kentucky, and Tennessee, is assigned to Cairo.

Randolph County (southwest of State Route 150 from the Mississippi River north to State Route 3); Jackson County (southwest of State Route 3 southeast to State Route 149; State Route 149 east to State Route 13; State Route 13 southeast to U.S. Route 51; U.S. Route 51 south to Union County); and Alexander, Johnson, Hardin, Massac, Pope, Pulaski, and Union Counties, Illinois.

Ballard, Calloway, Carlisle, Fulton, Graves, Hickman, Livingston, Lyon, Marshall, McCracken, and Trigg Counties, Kentucky.

Benton, Dickson, Henry, Houston, Humphreys, Lake, Montgomery, Obion, Stewart, and Weakley Counties, Tennessee.

Cairo's assigned geographic area does not include the following grain elevator inside Cairo's area which has been and will continue to be serviced by the following official agency: Memphis Grain Inspection Service: Cargill, Inc., Tiptonville, Lake County, Tennessee.

c. Pursuant to section 7(f)(2) of the Act, the following geographic area, the entire State of Louisiana, except those export port locations within the State which are serviced by GIPSA, is assigned to Louisiana.

d. Pursuant to section 7(f)(2) of the Act, the following geographic area, the entire State of North Carolina, except those export port locations within the State which are serviced by GIPSA, is assigned to North Carolina.

e. Pursuant to section 7(f)(2) of the Act, the following geographic area, in the State of Iowa, is assigned to Schaal.

Bounded on the North by the northern Kossuth County line from U.S. Route 169; the northern Winnebago, Worth, and Mitchell County lines;

Bounded on the East by the eastern Mitchell County line; the eastern Floyd County line south to B60; B60 west to T64; T64 south to State Route 188; State Route 188 south to C33;

Bounded on the South by C33 west to T47; T47 north to C23; C23 west to S56; S56 south to C25; C25 west to U.S. Route 65; U.S. Route 65 south to State Route 3; State Route 3 west to S41; S41 south to C55; C55 west to Interstate 35; Interstate 35 southwest to the southern Wright County line; the southern Wright County line west to U.S. Route 69; U.S. Route 69 to C54; C54 west to State Route 17; and

Bounded on the West by State Route 17 north to the southern Kossuth County line; the Kossuth County line west to U.S. Route 169; U.S. Route 169 north to the northern Kossuth County line.

Schaal's assigned geographic area does not include the following grain elevators inside Schaal's area which have been and will continue to be serviced by the following official agencies:

1. Central Iowa Grain Inspection Service, Inc.: Agvantage F.S., Chapin, Franklin County; and Farmers' Coop Society, Rockwell, Cerro Gordo County.

2. A. V. Tischer and Son, Inc.: West Bend Elevator Co., Algona, Kossuth County; Stateline Coop, Burt, Kossuth County; Gold-Eagle, Goldfield, Wright County; and North Central Coop, Holmes, Wright County.

f. Pursuant to section 7(f)(2) of the Act, the following geographic area, the entire State of Wisconsin, except those export port locations within the State, is assigned to Wisconsin.

2. Opportunity for designation. Interested persons, including Amarillo, Cairo, Louisiana, North Carolina, Schaal, and Wisconsin are hereby given the opportunity to apply for designation to provide official services in the geographic areas specified above under the provisions of section 7(f) of the Act and section 800.196(d) of the regulations issued thereunder. Designation in the specified geographic areas is for the period beginning October 1, 2004, and ending September 30, 2007. Persons wishing to apply for designation should contact the Compliance Division at the address listed above for forms and information, or obtain applications at the GIPSA Web site, http://www.usda.gov/gipsa/oversight/parovreg.htm.

3. Request for Comments. GIPSA also is publishing this notice to provide interested persons the opportunity to present comments on the quality of services for the Amarillo, Cairo, Louisiana, North Carolina, Schaal, and Wisconsin official agencies. In commenting on the quality of services, commenters are encouraged to submit pertinent data including information on the timeliness, cost, and scope of services provided. All comments must be submitted to the Compliance Division at the above address.

Applications, comments, and other available information will be considered in determining which applicant will be designated.

The purpose of the Committee is to provide advice to the Administrator of the Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration with respect to the implementation of the U.S. Grain Standards Act (7 U.S.C. 71 et seq. ).

The agenda will include financial status, general program plans, and grain end-use functionality research.

Public participation will be limited to written statements, unless permission is received from the Committee Chairman to orally address the Committee. The meeting will be open to the public.

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication of program information or related accommodations should contact Terri Henry, at the telephone number listed above.

The environmental assessment (EA) of this Federally assisted action indicates that the project will not cause significant local, regional, or national effects on the human environment. As a result of these findings, Rosendo Treviño III, State Conservationist, has determined that the preparation and review of an environmental impact statement are not needed for this project.

The project purpose is flood damage prevention. The action includes the rehabilitation of two floodwater retaring dames and their common disposal system. The Notice of a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) has been forwarded to the Environmental Protection Agency; various Federal, state, and local agencies; and interested parties. A limited number of copies of the FONSI are available to fill single copy requests at the above address. Basic data developed during the EA are on file and may be reviewed by contacting Rosendo Treviño III. No administrative action on implementation of the proposed action will be taken until 30 days after the date of publication in the Federal Register .

To implement EQIP, as amended by the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002, Pub. L. 107-71 (May 13, 2002) (“the 2002 Act”), the NRCS published in the Federal Register a proposed rule with requests for comments (68 FR 6655 (February 10, 2003). At the same time, NRCS made available to the public a Draft Environmental Assessment (EA) that analyzed the impacts of the proposed rule on the quality of the human environment. The Draft EA was prepared on a National Programmatic basis. NRCS was of the preliminary opinion, based on the results of the Draft EA, that implementation of EQIP would have no significant impact on the quality of the human environment, particularly when focusing on the significant adverse impacts which NEPA is intended to help decision makers avoid and mitigate; therefore, NRCS also made a Draft FONSI available to the public at that time. NRCS indicated that it would accept comments on the Draft EA and Draft FONSI through the mail or via the internet until March 12, 2003.

On May 30, 2003, NRCS published in the Federal Register the final rule implementing EQIP, as amended (68 FR 32337 (May 30, 2003)), and at that time provided the public with notice of the availability of the Final EA and FONSI.

In the Final EA, NRCS stated that it “received no comments on the draft EA or draft FONSI.” In fact, however, NRCS had received a comment letter on the Draft EA. NRCS misplaced these comments and they were not considered during formulation of the final EA that was prepared to comply with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended (NEPA). The error was discovered after the EA and FONSI were made available to the public. To ensure the comments received appropriate consideration as part of the NEPA process, NRCS made a determination to correct the record and address the comments by issuing a supplement to the Final EQIP EA.

NEPA requires that Federal agencies prepare Environmental Impact Statements (EISs) for major Federal actions significantly affecting the quality of the human environment. In addition, the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) regulations implementing NEPA (40 CFR parts 1500-1508) require Federal agencies to prepare EAs to assist in determining whether there is a need to prepare an EIS for actions that have not been categorically excluded from NEPA. NRCS has reviewed the comments on the Draft EQIP EA to determine whether the comments provide new information that would lead NRCS to find that publication of the final rule to implement EQIP on a National basis may result in the significant adverse impacts that NEPA is intended to help decision makers avoid and mitigate; and thus, whether an EIS should be prepared.

Upon review of the information in the Supplement to the EQIP EA, the Chief found that no new information was provided in the comments to indicate NRCS should address additional issues or alternatives in the EA or that alters discussions in the Final EA of the potential effects of the program from a National perspective. The Chief of NRCS further found, after considering the information in the comments and the Supplement, the program will not result in a significant impact on the quality of the human environment, particularly when focusing on the significant adverse impacts which NEPA is intended to help decisionmakers avoid and mitigate. Therefore, a FONSI was issued and the determination was made that no EIS is required to support National implementation of EQIP.

Copies of the Supplement to the EA and FONSI may be reviewed at the following location: Conservation Operations Division, NRCS, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Room 5239-S, Washington, DC 20013-2890. The documents may also be accessed on the Internet at http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/Env_Assess/EQIP/EQIP.html

Federal Agency: Rural Utilities Service (RUS).

Funding Opportunity Title: Distance Learning and Telemedicine Loans and Grants.

Announcement Type: Initial announcement.

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 10.855.

Dates: You may submit completed applications for grants on paper or electronically according to the following deadlines:

• Paper copies must be postmarked and mailed, shipped, or sent overnight no later than April 30, 2004, to be eligible for FY 2004 grant funding. Late applications are not eligible for FY 2004 grant funding.

• Electronic copies must be received by April 30, 2004, to be eligible for FY 2004 grant funding. Late applications are not eligible for FY 2004 grant funding.

• RUS will examine applications for items that would disqualify them from consideration if the applications are submitted on paper by March 31, 2004.

You may submit applications for FY 2004 combination loan-grants and loans at any time.

Distance learning and telemedicine loans and grants are specifically designed to provide access to education, training and health care resources for people in rural America. The Distance Learning and Telemedicine (DLT) Program (administered by the DLT Branch of the Rural Utilities Service (RUS)) funds the use of advanced telecommunications technologies to help communities meet those needs.

The grants, which are awarded through competitive process, may be used to fund telecommunications, computer networks and related advanced technologies.

Applications for loans and combination loan-grants are not competitively scored. In addition to the items listed for grants, loans and combination loan-grants may be used to fund construction of necessary transmission facilities on a technology-neutral basis. Examples of such facilities include satellite uplinks, microwave towers and associated structures, T-1 lines, DS-3 lines, and other similar facilities. Loan funds may also be used to obtain mobile units and for some building construction. Please see 7 CFR 1703, subparts D, E, F and G for specifics.

This notice has been formatted to conform to a policy directive issued by the Office of Federal Financial Management (OFFM) of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), published in the Federal Register on June 23, 2003. This notice does not change the DLT Program regulation (7 CFR 1703, subparts D, E, F, and G).

The Administrator has determined that the following amounts are available for grants, combination loan-grants and loans in FY 2004 under 7 CFR 1703.101(g).

a. $15 million is available for grants. Under 7 CFR 1703.124, the Administrator has determined the maximum amount of an application for a grant in FY 2004 is $500,000 and the minimum amount of a grant is $50,000.

b. Assistance instrument: RUS will execute grant documents appropriate to the project prior to any advance of funds with successful applicants.

a. $110 million is available for combination loan-grants ($100 million in loans paired with $10 million in grants, i.e. , $100 loan: $10 grant ratio). Under 7 CFR 1703.133, the Administrator has determined the maximum amount of an application for a combination loan-grant in FY 2004 is $10 million and the minimum amount of a combination loan-grant is $50,000.

b. RUS will execute grant and loan documents appropriate to the project prior to any advance of funds with successful applicants.

a. $200 million is available for loans. Under 7 CFR 1703.143, the Administrator has determined the maximum amount of an application for a loan in FY 2004 is $10 million and the minimum amount of a loan is $50,000.

b. RUS will execute loan documents appropriate to the project prior to any advance of funds with successful applicants.

B. DLT grants, combination loan-grants and loans cannot be renewed. Award documents specify the term of each award. Applications to extend existing projects are welcomed (grant applications must be submitted during the application window) and will be evaluated as new applications.

1. Only entities legally organized as one of the following are eligible for DLT financial assistance:

a. An incorporated organization or partnership,

b. An Indian tribe or tribal organization, as defined in 25 U.S.C. 450b (b) and (c),

c. A State or local unit of government,

d. A consortium, as defined in 7 CFR 1703.102, or

e. Other legal entity, including a private corporation organized on a for-profit or not-for profit basis.

2. Individuals are not eligible for DLT financial assistance directly.

3. Electric and telecommunications borrowers under the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (7 U.S.C. 950aaa et seq. ) are not eligible for grants or combination loan-grants. They are, however, eligible for loans (see 7 CFR 1703.101(f)).

1. Required matching contributions (grants only). See paragraphs IV.B.2.b and IV.B.2.g of this notice for information on documentation of matching contributions. Please see 7 CFR 1703.125(g) for the requirement.

a. Grant applicants must demonstrate a matching contribution, in cash or in kind (new, non-depreciated items), of at least fifteen (15) percent of the total amount of RUS financial assistance requested. Matching contributions must be used for eligible purposes of DLT grant assistance (see 7 CFR 1703.121 and paragraph IV.G of this notice). Greater amounts of eligible matching contributions may increase an applicant's score (see 7 CFR 1703.126(b)(4) and paragraph V.B.2.d of this notice).

b. Combination loan-grants and loans do not require matching contributions.

2. The DLT program is designed to flow the benefits of distance learning and telemedicine to residents of rural America (see 7 CFR 1703.103(a)(2)). Therefore, in order to be eligible, applicants must propose to use the financial assistance to:

a. Operate a rural community facility; or

b. Deliver distance learning or telemedicine services to entities that operate a rural community facility or to residents of rural areas, at rates calculated to ensure that the benefit of the financial assistance is passed through to such entities or to residents of rural areas.

3. If a loan applicant is a telecommunications or electric borrower under the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (7 U.S.C. 901-950aa, et seq. ), they may either pass the loan along to an entity that will fulfill paragraph III.B.2 of this notice; or acquire, install, extend or improve a distance learning or telemedicine facility. Please see 7 CFR 1703.101(f).

4. Rurality. a. All projects that applicants propose to fund with RUS financial assistance must meet a minimum rurality threshold, to ensure that benefits from the projects flow to rural residents. The minimum eligibility score is 20 points. Please see paragraphs IV.B.2.g and V.B.2 of this notice. In addition, please see 7 CFR 1703.126(a)(2) for an explanation of the rurality scoring and eligibility criterion.

b. Each application must apply the following criteria to each of its end-user sites, and hubs that are also proposed as end-user sites, in order to determine a rurality score. The rurality score is the average of all end-user sites' rurality scores.

c. Grants only: The rurality score is also one of the competitive scoring criteria applied to grant applications.

5. Projects located in areas covered by the Coastal Barrier Resources Act (16 U.S.C. 3501 et seq. ) are not eligible for any financial assistance from the DLT Program. Please see 7 CFR 1703.123(a)(11) for grants, 7 CFR 1703.132(a)(5) for combination loan- grants and 7 CFR 1703.142(b)(3) for loans.

C. See paragraph IV.B of this notice for a discussion of the items that make up a completed application. You may also refer to 7 CFR 1703.125 for completed grant application items, 7 CFR 1703.134 for completed combination loan-grant application items, and 7 CFR 1703.144 for completed loan application items.

A. Where to get application information. Application guides, copies of necessary forms and samples, and the DLT Program regulation are available from these sources:

1. The Internet: http://www.usda.gov/rus/telecom/dlt/dlt.htm, or http://www.grants.gov.

2. The DLT Branch of RUS for paper copies of these materials: (202) 720-0413.

B. What constitutes a completed application? 1. Detailed information on each item in the table in paragraph IV.B.6 of this notice can be found in the sections of the DLT Program regulation listed in the table, and the appropriate DLT application guide(s). Applicants are strongly encouraged to read and apply both the regulation and the application guide(s). This notice does not change the requirements for a completed application for any form of DLT financial assistance specified in the DLT Program regulation.

a. When the table refers to a narrative, it means a written statement, description or other written material prepared by the applicant, for which no form exists. RUS recognizes that each project is unique and requests narratives of varying complexity to allow applicants to fully explain their request for financial assistance.

b. When documentation is requested, it means letters, certifications, legal documents or other third party documentation that provide evidence that the applicant meets the listed requirement. For example, to confirm Enterprise Zone (EZ) designations, applicants use various types of documents, such as letters from appropriate government bodies and copies of appropriate USDA Web pages. Leveraging documentation sometimes include letters of commitment from other funding sources, or other documents specifying in-kind donations. Evidence of legal existence is sometimes proven by applicants who submit articles of incorporation. None of the foregoing examples is intended to limit the types of documentation that may be submitted to fulfill a requirement. DLT program regulations and the application guides provide specific guidance on each of the items in the table.

2. The DLT application guides and ancillary materials provide all necessary forms and sample worksheets.

3. While the table in paragraph IV.B.6 of this notice includes all items of a completed application for each program, RUS may ask for additional or clarifying information if the submitted item(s) do not fully address a criterion or other provision. RUS will communicate with applicants if the need for additional information arises.

4. Submit the required application items in the listed order.

5. DUNS Number (new for FY 2004). As required by the OMB, all applicants for grants or combination loan-grants must now supply a Dun and Bradstreet Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number when applying. The Standard Form 424 (SF-424) contains a field for you to use when supplying your DUNS number. Obtaining a DUNS number costs nothing and requires a short telephone call to Dun and Bradstreet. Please see the DLT Web site or Grants.gov for more information on how to obtain a DUNS number or how to verify your organization's number.

6. Table of Required Elements of a Completed Application, by Program:

C. How many copies of an application are required? 1. Applications submitted on paper (grants, combination loan-grants and loans): a. Submit the original application and two (2) copies to RUS. b. Submit one (1) additional copy to the State government point of contact (if one has been designated) at the same time as you submit the application to RUS. See http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants/spoc.html for an updated listing of State government points of contact or contact the DLT branch.

2. Electronically submitted applications (grants and combination loan-grants):

a. The additional paper copies for RUS specified in 7 CFR 1703.128(c) and 7 CFR 1703.136(b) are not necessary if you submit the application electronically through Grants.gov.

b. Submit one (1) copy to the State government point of contact (if one has been designated) at the same time as you submit the application to RUS. See http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants/spoc.html for an updated listing of State government points of contact.

D. How and where to submit an application. Grant and combination loan-grant applications may be submitted on paper or electronically. RUS cannot accept electronic loan applications at this time; please submit loan applications on paper.

1. Submitting applications on paper (grants, combination loan-grants or loans).

a. Address paper applications for grants, combination loan-grants or loans to the Rural Utilities Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Ave., SW., Room 2845, STOP 1550, Washington, DC 20250-1550. Applications should be marked “Attention: Director, Advanced Services Division, Telecommunications Program.”

b. For grants only: paper applications must show proof of mailing or shipping consisting of one of the following:

(i) A legibly dated U.S. Postal Service (USPS) postmark;

(ii) A legible mail receipt with the date of mailing stamped by the USPS; or

(iii) A dated shipping label, invoice, or receipt from a commercial carrier. c. Due to screening procedures at the Department of Agriculture, packages arriving via the USPS are irradiated, which can damage the contents. RUS encourages applicants to consider the impact of this procedure in selecting their application delivery method.

2. Electronically submitted applications (applies only to grants and combination loan-grants).

a. Applications will not be accepted via facsimile machine transmission or electronic mail.

b. Electronic applications for grants or combination loan-grants will be accepted if submitted through the Federal government's Grants.gov initiative at http://www.grants.gov.

c. If you want RUS to review your application for items that would disqualify it for further consideration(see paragraph V.D of this notice), please do not use Grants.gov. Submit your application on paper. Grants.gov does not yet support such pre-application reviews.

d. How to use Grants.gov: (i) Navigate your Web browser to http://www.grants.gov.

(ii) Follow the instructions on that Web site to find grant or combination loan-grant information.

(iii) Download a copy of an application package.

(iv) Complete the package off-line.

(v) Upload and submit the application via the Grants.gov Web site.

e. Grants.gov contains full instructions on all required passwords, credentialing and software.

f. RUS encourages applicants who wish to apply through Grants.gov to submit their applications in advance of the deadline, in the case of grants.

g. If a system problem occurs or you have technical difficulties with an electronic application, please use the customer support resources available at the Grants.gov Web site.

h. New information for FY 2004 grant and combination loan-grant applications. The Distance Learning and Telemedicine Branch of RUS now offers applicants the opportunity to submit grant (and combination loan-grant) applications online through Grants.gov ( http://www.grants.gov ). The Web site is part of the Government-wide e-Government project under the President's Management Agenda. In addition to online application submission, Grants.gov offers applicants a fully searchable database of Federal grant opportunities. All Federal grant-making organizations are required to post their grant opportunities at Grants.gov, beginning with FY 2004. You can find more information on e-grants at http://www.usda.gov/rus/telecom/dlt/dlt.htm and http://www.grants.gov.

(i) Central Contractor Registry. In addition to the DUNS number now required of all grant applicants, submitting an application through Grants.gov requires that you list your organization in the Central Contractor Registry (CCR). Setting up a CCR listing (a one-time procedure with annual updates) takes up to five business days, so RUS strongly recommends that you obtain your organization's DUNS number and CCR listing well in advance of the deadline specified in this notice.

(ii) Credentialing and authorization of applicants. Grants.gov will also require some one-time credentialing and online authentication procedures. These procedures may take several business days to complete, further emphasizing the need for early action to complete the sign-up, credentialing and authorization procedures at Grants.gov before you submit an application at that Web site.

E. Deadlines. 1. Grants only: Paper applications must be postmarked and mailed, shipped, or sent overnight no later than April 30, 2004, to be eligible for FY 2004 grant funding. Late applications are not eligible for FY 2004 grant funding.

2. Electronic grant applications must be received by April 30, 2004, to be eligible for FY 2004 funding. Late applications are not eligible for FY 2004 grant funding.

3. RUS will examine applications for items that would disqualify them from consideration if the applications are submitted on paper by March 31, 2004.

4. Applications for FY 2004 combination loan-grants (paper or electronic) and loans (paper only) may be submitted at any time.

F. Intergovernmental Review. All DLT programs are subject to Executive Order 12372, “Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs.” As stated in paragraph IV.C of this notice, a copy of a DLT grant or combination loan-grant application must be submitted to the State single point of contact if one has been designated. Please see http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants/spoc.html to determine whether your state has a single point of contact.

G. Funding Restrictions. 1. Eligible purposes. a. End-user sites may receive financial assistance; hub sites (rural or non-rural) may also receive financial assistance if they are necessary to provide DLT services to end-user sites. Please see 7 CFR 1703.101(h).

b. To fulfill the policy goals laid out for the DLT Program in 7 CFR 1703.101, the following table lists purposes for financial assistance and whether each purpose is eligible for the assistance. Please consult the application guide(s) and the regulations (7 CFR 1703.102 for definitions, in combination with the portions of the regulation cited in the table for each type of financial assistance) for detailed requirements for the items in the table.

2. Eligible Equipment & Facilities. Please see 7 CFR 1703.102 for definitions of eligible equipment, eligible facilities and telecommunications transmission facilities as used in the table above.

1. American Samoa, Guam, Virgin Islands, and Northern Mariana Islands applications are exempt from the matching requirement up to a match amount of $200,000 (see 48 U.S.C. 1469a; 91 Stat. 1164).

2. Related Preferences: 7 CFR 1703.112 directs that an RUS telecommunications borrower will receive expedited consideration and determination of a loan application or advance under the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (7 U.S.C. 901-950aa, et seq. ) if the loan funds in question are to be used in conjunction with a DLT grant, loan or combination loan-grant (See 7 CFR 1737 for loans and 7 CFR 1744 for advances).

1. Grant applications are scored competitively and subject to the criteria listed below. Combination loan-grants and loan applications are not scored competitively. However, they are evaluated on the basis of technical, financial, economic and other criteria. Please see paragraph IV.B.2.g of this notice for the items that will be evaluated for a combination loan-grant or loan application, and paragraph V.B.3.b. of this notice for a brief listing of evaluation standards.

2. Grant application scoring criteria (total possible points: 235) See 7 CFR 1703.125 for the items that will be reviewed during scoring, and 7 CFR 1703.126 for scoring criteria.

a. Need for services proposed in the application, and the benefits that will be derived if the application receives a grant (up to 55 points).

b. Rurality of the proposed service area (up to 45 points).

c. Percentage of students eligible for the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) in the proposed service area (demonstrates economic need of the area) (up to 35 points).

d. Leveraging resources above the required matching level (up to 35 points). Please see paragraph III.B.1.a of this notice for a brief explanation of matching contributions.

e. Level of innovation demonstrated by the project (up to 15 points).

f. System cost-effectiveness (up to 35 points).

g. Project overlap with Empowerment Zone, Enterprise Communities or Champion Communities designations (up to 15 points).

1. Grants. In addition to the scoring criteria that rank applications against each other, RUS evaluates grant applications for possible awards on the following items, according to 7 CFR 1703.127:

a. Financial feasibility.

b. Technical considerations. If the application contains flaws that would prevent the successful implementation, operation or sustainability of a project, RUS will not award a grant.

c. Other aspects of proposals that contain inadequacies that would undermine the ability of the project to comply with the policies of the DLT Program.

2. Combination loan-grants and loans.

a. RUS evaluates applications' financial feasibility using the following information. Please see paragraph IV.B.g of this of this notice for the items that constitute a completed combination loan-grant or loan application. Also, see 7 CFR 1703 Subpart F for combination loan-grants and 7 CFR 1703 Subpart G for loans:

(i) Applicant's financial ability to compete the project;

(ii) Project feasibility;

(iii) Applicant's financial information;

(iv) Projects sustainability;

(v) Ability to repay the loan portion of a combination loan-grant, including revenue sources;

(vi) Collateral for which the applicant has perfected a security interest; and

(vii) Adequate security for a loan or the loan portion of a combination loan-grant.

b. Services to be provided by the project.

c. Project cost.

d. Project design.

e. Other characteristics.

D. As a courtesy, RUS will examine, provide comment, and return applications that include items that would disqualify them from further consideration for modification, if the applications are submitted by March 31, 2004. If you want RUS to examine your application in this manner, please submit your application on paper. Grants.gov does not currently support this kind of pre-application review.

1. Grants. Grant applications are ranked by final score, and by application purpose (education or medical). RUS selects applications based on those rankings, subject to the availability of funds. RUS may allocate grant awards between medical and educational purposes, but is not required to do so. In addition, RUS has the authority to limit the number of applications selected in any one State during a fiscal year. See 7 CFR 1703.127.

2. Combination loan-grants and loans. Based on the review standards listed above and in the DLT Program regulation, RUS will process successful loan applications on a first-in, first-out basis, dependent upon the availability of funds. Please see 7 CFR 1703.135 for combination loan-grant application processing and selection; and 7 CFR 1703.145 for loan application processing and selection.

RUS recognizes that each funded project is unique, and therefore may attach conditions to different projects' award documents.

1. Grants. RUS generally notifies applicants whose projects are selected for awards by faxing an award letter. RUS follows the award letter with a grant agreement that contains all the terms and conditions for the grant. An applicant must execute and return the grant agreement, accompanied by any additional items required by the grant agreement, within 120 days of the selection date.

2. Combination loan-grants and loans.

a. RUS generally sends a letter defining the characteristics of a loan (or the loan portion of a combination loan-grant) such as the term, interest rate and any conditions on the loan. An applicant must communicate agreement with the characteristics of the loan to RUS before a loan or combination loan-grant moves into the approval process. b. After receiving the applicant's agreement on the loan characteristics, RUS supplies an approval letter to the applicant. Loan documents (and a grant agreement, if applicable) are then sent by RUS. The applicant has 120 days to sign and return the documents, along with any additional material required by the loan or grant documents.

The items listed in paragraph IV.B.2.g of this notice, and the DLT Program regulation, application guides and accompanying materials implement the appropriate administrative and national policy requirements.

1. Performance reporting. All recipients of DLT financial assistance must provide annual performance activity reports to RUS until the project is complete and the funds are expended. A final performance report is also required; the final report may serve as the last annual report. The final report must include an evaluation of the success of the project in meeting DLT Program objectives. See 7 CFR 1703.107.

2. Financial reporting. All recipients of DLT financial assistance must provide an annual audit, beginning with the first year a portion of the financial assistance is expended. Audits are governed by United States Department of Agriculture audit regulations. Please see 7 CFR 1703.108.

A. Web site: http://www.usda.gov/rus/telecom/dlt/dlt.htm. The RUS’ DLT Web site maintains up-to-date resources and contact information for DLT programs.

B. Phone: 202-720-0413.

C. Fax: 202-720-1051.

D. E-mail: dltinfo@usda.gov.

E. Main point of contact: Orren E. Cameron, III, Director, Advanced Services Division, Rural Utilities Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture.

I. Abstract

The SCL Procedure authorizes multiple shipments of items from the U.S. or from approved consignees abroad who are approved in advance by BIS to conduct the following activities: servicing, support services, stocking spare parts, maintenance, capital expansion, manufacturing, support scientific data acquisition, reselling and reexporting in the form received, and other activities as approved on a case-by-case basis.

Submitted on forms.

OMB Number: 0694-0089.

Form Number: BIS-748P and BIS-752P.

Type of Review: Regular submission for extension of a currently approved collection.

Affected Public: Individuals, businesses or other for-profit and not-for-profit institutions.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 10.

Estimated Time Per Response: 27 hours per response.

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 1,017.

Estimated Total Annual Cost: No start-up or capital expenditures.

Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information shall have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden (including hours and cost) of the proposed collection of information; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized and/or included in the request for OMB approval of this information collection; they will also become a matter of public record.

Background

The Department's procedures for the conduct of sunset reviews are set forth in 19 CFR 351.218. Guidance on methodological or analytical issues relevant to the Department's conduct of sunset reviews is set forth in the Department's Policy Bulletin 98.3— Policies Regarding the Conduct of Five-Year (“Sunset”) Reviews of Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Orders; Policy Bulletin, 63 FR 18871 (April 16, 1998) (“ Sunset Policy Bulletin ”).

In accordance with 19 CFR 351.218(c), we are initiating sunset reviews of the following antidumping duty orders:

As a courtesy, we are making information related to sunset proceedings, including copies of the Department's regulations regarding sunset reviews (19 CFR 351.218) and Sunset Policy Bulletin, the Department's schedule of sunset reviews, case history information ( i.e. , previous margins, duty absorption determinations, scope language, import volumes), and service lists, available to the public on the Department's sunset Internet Web site at the following address: “ http://ia.ita.doc.gov/sunset/ ”.

All submissions in these sunset reviews must be filed in accordance with the Department's regulations regarding format, translation, service, and certification of documents. These rules can be found at 19 CFR 351.303. Also, we suggest that parties check the Department's sunset Web site for any updates to the service list before filing any submissions. The Department will make additions to and/or deletions from the service list provided on the sunset website based on notifications from parties and participation in these reviews. Specifically, the Department will delete from the service list all parties that do not submit a substantive response to the notice of initiation.

Because deadlines in a sunset review are, in many instances, very short, we urge interested parties to apply for access to proprietary information under administrative protective order (“APO”) immediately following publication in the Federal Register of the notice of initiation of the sunset review. The Department's regulations on submission of proprietary information and eligibility to receive access to business proprietary information under APO can be found at 19 CFR 351.304-306.

Domestic interested parties (defined in 19 CFR 351.102(b) and section 771(9)(C), (D), (E), (F), and (G) of the Act ) wishing to participate in these sunset reviews must respond not later than 15 days after the date of publication in the Federal Register of the notice of initiation by filing a notice of intent to participate. The required contents of the notice of intent to participate are set forth at 19 CFR 351.218(d)(1)(ii). In accordance with the Department's regulations, if we do not receive a notice of intent to participate from at least one domestic interested party by the 15-day deadline, the Department will automatically revoke the order without further review. See 19 CFR 351.218(d)(1)(iii).

If we receive an order-specific notice of intent to participate from a domestic interested party, the Department's regulations provide that all parties wishing to participate in the sunset review must file complete substantive responses not later than 30 days after the date of publication in the Federal Register of the notice of initiation. The required contents of a substantive response, on an order-specific basis, are set forth at 19 CFR 351.218(d)(3). Note that certain information requirements differ for respondent and domestic parties. Also, note that the Department's information requirements are distinct from the International Trade Commission's information requirements. Please consult the Department's regulations for information regarding the Department's conduct of sunset reviews. 1 Please consult the Department's regulations at 19 CFR part 351 for definitions of terms and for other general information concerning antidumping and countervailing duty proceedings at the Department.

This notice of initiation is being published in accordance with section 751(c) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.218(c).

On December 6, 1973, the Department of Treasury published in the Federal Register (38 FR 33593) the antidumping finding on PR from Japan. On January 14, 2004, SDK submitted a letter stating that they are the successor-in-interest to Showa DDE Manufacturing K.K. (SDEM) and DDE Japan Kabushiki Kaisha (DDE Japan) (collectively, SDEM/DDE Japan) and, as such, entitled to receive the same antidumping treatment as these companies have been accorded. Accordingly, SDK requested that the Department conduct an expedited changed circumstances review of the antidumping duty finding on PR from Japan pursuant to section 751(b)(1) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.221(c)(3)(ii) of the Department's regulations.

Imports covered by this review are shipments of PR, an oil resistant synthetic rubber also known as polymerized chlorobutadiene or neoprene, currently classifiable under items 4002.41.00, 4002.49.00, 4003.00.00 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS). HTSUS item numbers are provided for convenience and customs purpose. The Department's written description of the scope remains dispositive.

Pursuant to section 751(b)(1) of the Act, the Department will conduct a changed circumstances review upon receipt of information concerning, or a request from an interested party for a review of, an antidumping duty finding which shows changed circumstances sufficient to warrant a review of the order. Information submitted by SDK regarding a change in ownership of the prior SDEM/DDE Japan joint venture shows changed circumstances sufficient to warrant a review. See 19 CFR 351.216(d).

In antidumping duty changed circumstances reviews involving a successor-in-interest determination, the Department typically examines several factors including, but not limited to, changes in: (1) management; (2) production facilities; (3) supplier relationships; and (4) customer base. See Brass Sheet and Strip from Canada: Notice of Final Results of Antidumping Administrative Review , 57 FR 20460, 20462 (May 13, 1992) ( Canadian Brass ). While no single factor or combination of factors will necessarily be dispositive, the Department generally will consider the new company to be the successor to the predecessor company if the resulting operations are essentially the same as those of the predecessor company. See, e.g., Industrial Phosphoric Acid from Israel: Final Results of Changed Circumstances Review , 59 FR 6944, 6945 (February 14, 1994), and Canadian Brass , 57 FR 20460. Thus, if the record evidence demonstrates that, with respect to the production and sale of the subject merchandise, the new company operates as the same business entity as the predecessor company, the Department may assign the new company the cash deposit rate of its predecessor. See, e.g., Fresh and Chilled Atlantic Salmon from Norway: Final Results of Changes Circumstances Antidumping Duty Administrative Review , 64 FR 9979, 9980 (March 1, 1999). Although SDK submitted information indicating, allegedly, that with respect to subject merchandise, it operates in the same manner as its predecessor, SDEM/DDE Japan, the Department has determined that the submitted information is deficient and is currently in the process of collecting supplemental information.

Concerning SDK's request that the Department conduct an expedited antidumping duty changed circumstances review, the Department has determined that it would be inappropriate to expedite this action by combining the preliminary results of review with this notice of initiation, as permitted under 19 CFR 351.221(c)(3)(ii). Because the submitted record supporting SDK's claims is deficient, the Department finds that an expedited proceeding is impracticable. Therefore, the Department is not issuing the preliminary results of its antidumping duty changed circumstances review at this time.

The Department will publish in the Federal Register a notice of preliminary results of antidumping duty changed circumstances review, in accordance with 19 CFR 351.221(b)(4) and 19 CFR 351.221(c)(3)(i). This notice will set forth the factual and legal conclusions upon which our preliminary results are based and a description of any action proposed based on those results. Pursuant to 19 CFR 351.221(b)(4)(ii), interested parties will have an opportunity to comment on the preliminary results of review. In accordance with 19 CFR 351.216(e), the Department will issue the final results of its antidumping duty changed circumstances review not later than 270 days after the date on which the review is initiated.

During the course of this antidumping duty changed circumstances review, we will not change the cash deposit requirements for the merchandise subject to review. The cash deposit will only be altered, if warranted, pursuant to the final results of this review.

This notice of initiation is in accordance with sections 751(b)(1) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.221(b)(1).

Title III of the Export Trading Company Act of 1982 (15 U.S.C. 4001-21) authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to issue Export Trade Certificates of Review. The regulations implementing Title III are found at 15 CFR part 325 (2003).

The Office of Export Trading Company Affairs (“OETCA”) is issuing this notice pursuant to 15 CFR 325.6(b), which requires the Department of Commerce to publish a summary of a Certificate in the Federal Register . Under section 305(a) of the Act and 15 CFR 325.11(a), any person aggrieved by the Secretary's determination may, within 30 days of the date of this notice, bring an action in any appropriate district court of the United States to set aside the determination on the ground that the determination is erroneous.

The Association for Manufacturing Technology's (“AMT”) original certificate was issued on May 19, 1987 (52 FR 19371, May 22, 1987) and lastly amended on March 1, 2002 (67 FR 12524 , March 19, 2002).

AMT's Certificate has been amended as follows:

(1) The following companies have been added as “Members” of the Certificate within the meaning of section 325.2(l) of the Regulations (15 CFR 325.2(l)):

(2) The following companies have been deleted as “Members” of the Certificate within the meaning of section 325.2(l) of the Regulations (15 CFR 325.2(l)):

(3) The listings of the following “Members” have been changed:

“ABB Flexible Automation Systems, Inc.” to “ABB Inc.-Mfg & Consumer Industries Grp”; “Advanced Assembly Automation, Inc.” to “DT Industries”; “The Beckwood Corporation” to “Beckwood Press Company”; “The Bodine Corporation” to “Bodine Assembly and Test Systems”; “Broaching Machine Specialties” to “Broaching Machine Specialties Co.”; “Brown & Sharpe Manufacturing Co.” to “Brown & Sharpe, Inc.”; “Capco, Inc.” to “Capco Machinery Systems, Inc.”; “Chas. G Allen Co.” to “Chas. G Allen Co., Inc.”; “The Cincinnati Gilbert Mach. Tool Co. L.L.C.” to “The Cincinnati Gilbert Mach. Tool Co.”; “Crankshaft Machine Group” to “CMG”; “Dake” to “Dake-JSJ Corporation”; “Denford Machine Tools, USA, Inc.” to “Denford Inc.”; “DT Industries, Inc.” to “DT Industries”; “ESAB L-TEC Cutting Systems” to “ESAB Cutting Systems”; “Fayscott Co.” to “Fayscott LLC”; “The Gem City Engineering Co.” to “GCE Technologies”; “Hess Engineering, Inc.” to “Hess Industries, Inc.”; “Industrial Metal Products Corp.” to “IMPCO Machine Tools”; “Kingsbury Machine Tool Corporation” to “Kingsbury Corporation”; “Kleer-Flo Company” to “KLEENTEC/KLEERFLO”; “Lapmaster International” to “Lapmaster International-US”; “Livernois Engineering” to “Outokumpu Livernois Engineering LLC”; “Milacron, Inc.” to “Milicron, Inc.-Headquarters”; “Miyano Machinery USA Inc.” to “Miyano Machinery Inc.”; “Moline Tool Company, Inc.” to “Moline Tool”; “Murata Wiedemann, Inc.” to “Murata Machinery USA, Inc.-Machine Tools”; “National Broach & Machine Co.” to “Nachi Machining Technology Company”; “Newcor, Inc.” to “Newcor Bay City”; “New Nine Inc., d/b/a GWI Engineering” to “GWI Engineering, Inc.”; “Okuma, Inc.” to “Okuma America Corporation (OAC)”; “RMT Technologies” to “RMT Technology”; “Seneca Falls Technology Group” to “Seneca Falls Tech Grp—Machine Blders Division”; “SMS Group Inc.” to “Saginaw Machine Systems”; “Strippit, Inc.” to “Strippit/LVD”; “UNOVA Inc.” to “UNOVA Industrial Automation Systems”; “Wilton Machinery” to “WMH Tool Group”.

On July 2, 2003, the Department published a notice of opportunity to request an administrative review of the antidumping duty order on stainless steel sheet and strip in coils from Italy. See Antidumping or Countervailing Duty Order, Finding, or Suspended Investigation; Opportunity to Request Administrative Review , 68 FR 39511 (July 2, 2003). On July 31, 2003, Thyssen Krupp Acciai Speciali S.p.A. (“TKAST”), an Italian producer of subject merchandise requested that the Department conduct an administrative review. Additionally, on July 31, 2003, Petitioners requested that the Department conduct an administrative review of TKAST. On August 22, 2003, the Department published a notice of initiation of an administrative review of the antidumping duty order on stainless steel sheet and strip in coils, for the period July 1, 2002 through June 30, 2003. See Initiation of Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Administrative Reviews and Requests for Revocation in Part , 68 FR 50750 (August 22, 2003). The preliminary results of this administrative review are currently due no later than April 1, 2004.

Pursuant to section 751(a)(3)(A) of the Act, and section 351.213(h)(2) of the Department's regulations, the Department may extend the deadline for completion of the preliminary results of a review if it determines that it is not practicable to complete the preliminary results within the statutory time limit of 245 days from the date on which the review was initiated. Due to the complexity of issues present in this administrative review, such as home market affiliated downstream sales, and complicated cost accounting issues, the Department has determined that it is not practicable to complete this review within the original time period provided in section 751(a)(3)(A) of the Act and section 351.213(h)(2) of the Department's regulations. Therefore, we are extending the due date for the preliminary results by 60 days, until no later than May 31, 2003. The final results continue to be due 120 days after the publication of the preliminary results.

Chapter 19 of the North American Free-Trade Agreement (“Agreement”) establishes a mechanism to replace domestic judicial review of final determinations in antidumping and countervailing duty cases involving imports from a NAFTA country with review by independent binational panels. When a Request for Panel Review is filed, a panel is established to act in place of national courts to review expeditiously the final determination to determine whether it conforms with the antidumping or countervailing duty law of the country that made the determination.

Under Article 1904 of the Agreement, which came into force on January 1, 1994, the Government of the United States, the Government of Canada and the Government of Mexico established Rules of Procedure for Article 1904 Binational Panel Reviews (“Rules”). These Rules were published in the Federal Register on February 23, 1994 (59 FR 8686). The panel review in this matter was requested and terminated pursuant to these Rules.

On February 19, 2004, MBDA published a Federal Register Notice revising the funding level for the MBDC program (69 FR 7725). Due to an inadvertent error, the February 19, 2004 notice incorrectly states the closing date for applications for the Minority Business Development Center (MBDC) program. MBDA publishes this notice to clarify that the closing date for competitive applications for the MBDC program is March 12, 2004, as published in the original Federal Register Notice on February 11, 2004 (69 FR 6642).

Under Department of Commerce procedures established in Title 15 Code of Federal Regulations Part 10, Procedures for the Development of Voluntary Product Standards, and administered by NIST, the American Lumber Standard Committee acts as the Standing Committee for PS 20-99, American Softwood Lumber Standard, and is responsible for maintaining, revising, and interpreting the standard. The Committee is comprised of producers, distributors, users, and others with an interest in the standard.

Voluntary Product Standard (PS) 20-99 establishes standard sizes and requirements for developing and coordinating the lumber grades of the various species of softwood lumber, the assignment of design values, and the preparation of grading rules applicable to each species. Its provisions include implementation of the standard through an accreditation and certification program; establishment of principal trade classifications and lumber sizes for yard, structural, and factory/shop use; classification, measurement, grading, and grade-marking of lumber; definitions of terms and procedures to provide a basis for the use of uniform methods in the grading inspection, measurement, and description of softwood lumber; commercial names of the principal softwood species; definitions of terms used in describing standard grades of lumber; and commonly used industry abbreviations. The standard also includes the organization and functions of the American Lumber Standard Committee, the Board of Review, and the National Grading Rule Committee.

All public comments will be reviewed and considered. The American Lumber Standard Committee and NIST will revise the standard accordingly.

NOAA published its first omnibus notice announcing the availability of grant funds for both projects and fellowships/scholarships/internships for Fiscal Year 2004 in the Federal Register on June 30, 2003 (68 FR 38678). The evaluation criteria and selection procedures contained in the June 30, 2003, omnibus notice are applicable to this solicitation. For a copy of the June 30, 2003, omnibus notice, please go to: http://www.ofa.noaa.gov/~amd/SOLINDEX.HTML.

The full funding announcement for each program is available via Web site http://www.ofa.noaa.gov/~amd/SOLINDEX.HTML or by contacting the program official identified below. These announcements will also be available through FedGrants at http://www.fedgrants.gov.

This third omnibus notice describes funding opportunities for the following NOAA discretionary grant programs:

Summary Description: The North Atlantic right whale is among the world's most endangered cetaceans. The population is believed to number only about 300 individuals and appears to be declining. The lack of recovery is due in part to high mortality from human sources, notably fishing gear entanglements and vessel collisions. A Recovery Plan is in effect, and conservation of this species is a high priority for NOAA Fisheries. Research directed at facilitating such conservation or to provide monitoring of the population's status and health, is also a high priority for the agency. The RWRGP is conducted by NOAA to provide Federal assistance to eligible researchers for: (1) Detection and tracking of right whales; (2) behavior of right whales in relation to ships; (3) relationships between vessel speed, size or design with whale collisions; (4) modeling of ship traffic along the Atlantic coast; (5) population monitoring and assessment studies; (6) reproduction, health and genetic studies; (7) development of a Geographic Information System database or other system designed to investigate predictive modeling of right whale distribution in relation to environmental variables; (8) habitat quality studies including food quality and pollutant levels; and (9) any other work relevant to the recovery of North Atlantic right whales.

Funding Availability: This solicitation announces that a maximum of $2.0M may be available for distribution under the FY 2004 RWRGP, in award amounts to be determined by the proposals and available funds. Applicants are hereby given notice that funds have not yet been appropriated for this program. There is no guarantee that sufficient funds will be available to make awards for all qualified projects. The exact amount of funds that may be awarded will be determined in pre-award negotiations between the applicant and NOAA representatives. Publication of this notice does not oblige NOAA to award any specific project or to obligate any available funds. There is no set minimum or maximum amount for any award, and there is no limit on the number of applications that can be submitted by the same researcher during the 2004 competitive grant cycle. However, there are insufficient funds to award financial assistance to every applicant. If an application for a financial assistance award is selected for funding, NOAA/NMFS has no obligation to provide any additional funding in connection with that award in subsequent years.

Statutory Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1380.

CFDA: 11.472, Unallied Science Programs.

Application Deadline: Proposals must be postmarked by 5 p.m. eastern time on April 12, 2004.

Address for Submitting Proposals: NOAA Fisheries Right Whale Grants Program, Protected Species Branch, Northeast Fisheries Science Center, 166 Water Street, Woods Hole, MA 02543, 508-495-2316.

Information Contact(s): Dr. Phillip J. Clapham, Northeast Fisheries Science Center, 166 Water Street, Woods Hole, MA 02543, 508 495-2316, e-mail rightwhalegrants@noaa.gov.

Eligibility: Eligible applicants are individuals, institutions of higher education, other nonprofits, commercial organizations, international organizations, foreign governments, organizations under the jurisdiction of foreign governments, and State, local and Indian tribal governments. Federal agencies, or employees of Federal agencies are not eligible to apply.

Cost Sharing Requirements: No cost sharing is required under this program.

Applications under this program are subject to Executive Order 12372, “Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs.”

Summary Description: The B-WET grant program is a competitively based program that supports existing environmental education programs, fosters the growth of new programs, and encourages the development of partnerships among environmental education programs throughout the Hawaiian Islands. Funded projects provide “meaningful” outdoor experiences for students and professional development opportunities for teachers in the area of environmental education.

Funding Availability: This solicitation announces that approximately $400,000 may be available for FY 2004 in award amounts to be determined by the proposals and available funds. It is anticipated that approximately 10 grants will be awarded with these funds. About $200,000 will be for proposals that provide opportunities for students to participate in a “meaningful” outdoor experience. About $200,000 will be for proposals that provide opportunities for professional development in the area of environmental education for teachers. Proposals may be submitted for up to 3 years. However, funds will be made available for only a 12-month award period. The Pacific Services Center may review the grants funded under this announcement pending submission of successful proposals subject to technical and panel review, adequate progress on previous award(s) and/or site visits, and available funding.

Statutory Authority: 33 U.S.C. 883d, 15 U.S.C. 1540.

CFDA: 11.473, Coastal Services Center.

Application Deadline: Proposals must be received by 5 p.m. Pacific time on March 29, 2004.

Address for Submitting Proposals: Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Office; 299 Foam Street, Monterey, CA 93940. Facsimile transmissions and electronic mail submission of proposals will not be accepted.

Information Contact: Seaberry Nachbar, phone 831-647-4201, fax 831-647-4250, Internet at seaberry.nachbar@noaa.gov.

Eligibility: Eligible applicants for both areas of interest (“meaningful outdoor experience” and professional development in the area of environmental education for teachers) are K-through-12 public and independent schools and school systems, institutions of higher education, commercial and nonprofit organizations, State or local government agencies, and Indian tribal governments. Applicants that are not eligible are individuals and Federal agencies.

Cost Sharing Requirements: No cost sharing is required under this program; however, the Pacific Services Center strongly encourages applicants to share as much of the costs of the award as possible. Funds from other Federal awards may not be considered matching funds. The nature of the contribution (cash versus in-kind) and the amount of matching funds will be taken into consideration in the review process with cash being the preferred method of contribution.

Intergovernmental Review: Applications under this program are not subject to Executive Order 12372, “Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs.”

Summary Description: The B-WET grant program is a competitively based program that supports existing environmental education programs, fosters the growth of new programs, and encourages the development of partnerships among environmental education programs throughout the Monterey Bay watershed. Funded projects provide “meaningful” outdoor experiences for students and professional development opportunities for teachers in the area of environmental education.

Funding Availability: This solicitation announces that approximately $475,000 may be available in FY 2004 in award amounts to be determined by the proposals and available funds. It is anticipated that approximately 15 grants will be awarded with these funds. About $250,000 will be for proposals that provide opportunities for students to participate in a “meaningful” outdoor experience. About $225,000 will be for proposals that provide opportunities for professional development in the area of environmental education for teachers. Proposals may be submitted for up to 3 years. However, funds will be made available for only a 12-month award period and any renewal of the award period will depend on submission of a successful proposal subject to technical and panel review, adequate progress on previous award(s), and available funding to renew the award. The NMSP may renew the grants funded under this announcement pending submission of successful proposals subject to technical and panel reviews, adequate progress on previous award(s) and/or site visits, and available funding.

Statutory Authority: 15 U.S.C. 1440.

CFDA: 11.429, Marine Sanctuary Program.

Application Deadline: Proposals must be received by 5 p.m. Pacific time on March 29, 2004.

Address for Submitting Proposals: Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Office; 299 Foam Street, Monterey, CA 93940. Facsimile transmissions and electronic mail submission of proposals will not be accepted.

Information Contact: Seaberry Nachbar, phone 831-647-4201, fax 831-647-4250, Internet at seaberry.nachbar@noaa.gov.

Eligibility: Eligible applicants for both areas of interest (“meaningful outdoor experiences” and professional development in the area of environmental education for teachers) are K-through-12 public and independent schools and school systems, institutions of higher education, commercial and nonprofit organizations, State or local government agencies, and Indian tribal governments. Applicants that are not eligible are individuals and Federal agencies.

Cost Sharing Requirements: No cost sharing is required under this program; however, the National Marine Sanctuary Program strongly encourages applicants to share as much of the costs of the award as possible. Funds from other Federal awards may not be considered matching funds. The nature of the contribution (cash versus in-kind) and the amount of matching funds will be taken into consideration in the review process with cash being the preferred method of contribution.

Intergovernmental Review: Applications under this program are not subject to Executive Order 12372, “Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs.”

Summary Description: The Technical Assistance for Coastal Managers program represents an NOAA/CSC effort to improve the use of monitoring data and geospatial information and technology in coastal management through collaborative work with members of the coastal management community that have expertise in community planning and resource management. These activities will engage coastal managers from multiple organizations and levels of government and improve the management of coastal resources by applying geospatial knowledge, practices, and principles to new approaches for managing coastal resources. The Technical Assistance for Coastal Managers program contributes to other efforts at the NOAA/CSC and is designed to complement those efforts. Five program priorities will be targeted as a result of this announcement. They are:

(1) Increasing coordination and planning between local land trusts, State agencies, and regional planning agencies within New England.

(2) Development of a nationally consistent inventory system for geospatial data at the state level.

(3) Increasing education and research opportunities in the application of CIS and remote-sensing technologies to coastal resource management, with emphasis on recruiting under-represented minorities.

(4) Incorporation of seagrass into the monitoring of the health of special management areas.

(5) Pilot projects supporting the Data Management and Communications component of the Integrated Ocean Observing System.

NOAA/CSC will give sole attention to individual proposals that address one or more of the program priorities described above. Proposals must clearly specify which program priority is being addressed. A proposal must contain tasks that address each element listed for the priority chosen. All awards will be in the form of a cooperative agreement, which allows the NOAA/CSC to have substantial involvement in the projects in addition to providing funds. Applicants must propose a role for the NOAA/CSC that constitutes the substantial involvement listed for that priority.

The names, affiliations, and phone numbers of relevant NOAA/CSC personnel are provided below. Prospective applicants should communicate with these focal points to ensure the role specified for the NOAA/CSC is practicable. Focal points cannot assist in the conceptual design of the project nor can they help with the design of specific elements included in a proposal.

Funding Availability for FY2004: This funding opportunity announces that approximately $1,750,000 will be available through this announcement for fiscal year 2004 for cooperative agreements. Proposals should be prepared assuming a total budget of no more than $500,000 for priorities (1) and (4), and $125,000 for priorities (2), (3), and (5). It is expected that one award will be made for priority areas (1) through (4) and up to three awards for priority (5), depending on availability of funds.

Statutory Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1456c and 33 U.S.C 1442.

CFDA: 11.473, Coastal Services Center.

Application Deadline: Applicants applying for Federal assistance under the Technical Assistance for Coastal Managers Program, must submit their applications by 5 p.m. local time March 15, 2004.

Address for Submitting Proposals: Coastal Services Center, 2234 South Hobson Avenue, Charleston, South Carolina 29405-2413 to the attention of Violet Legette, room 218.

Information Contact(s): For administrative questions on all five program priorities, contact Violet Legette, NOAA CSC, 2234 South Hobson Avenue, Room 218, Charleston, South Carolina 29405-2413, or by phone at 843-740-1222, or by fax 843-740-1232, or via Internet at Violet.Legette@noaa.gov . For technical questions on program priorities (1), (2), and (3), contact Hamilton Smillie, NOAA CSC, 2234 South Hobson Avenue, Room 153, Charleston, South Carolina 29405-2413, or by phone at 843-740-1192, or by fax 843-740-1315, or via Internet at Hamilton.Smillie@noaa.gov . For technical questions on program priority (4), contact Pace Wilber, NOAA CSC, 2234 South Hobson Avenue, Room 234B, Charleston, South Carolina 29405-2413, or by phone at 843-740-1235, or by fax 843-740-1315, or via Internet at Pace.Wilber@noaa.gov . For technical questions on program priority (5), contact Anne Ball, NOAA CSC, 2234 South Hobson Avenue, Room 211, Charleston, South Carolina 29405-2413, or by phone at 843-740-1229, or by fax 843-740-1315, or via Internet at Anne.Ball@noaa.gov .

Eligibility: Eligible applicants are institutions of higher education, hospitals, other non-profits, commercial organizations, foreign governments, organizations under the jurisdiction of foreign governments, international organizations, and State, local and Indian tribal governments. Federal agencies or institutions are not eligible to receive Federal assistance under this announcement.

Cost Sharing Requirements: None.

Intergovernmental Review: Applications under this program are subject to Executive Order 12372, “Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs.”

Summary Description: The goal of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Educational Partnership Program with Minority Serving Institutions (EPP/MSI) is to strengthen the capacity of Minority Serving Institutions to foster student careers, entrepreneurship opportunities and advanced academic degrees in sciences directly related to NOAA's mission. The Environmental Entrepreneurship Program is designed to support education and training programs to engage students in applying the necessary skills, tools, methods and technologies in sciences directly related to NOAA's mission. This includes fostering educational opportunities in coastal, oceanic, atmospheric, environmental sciences, and remote sensing technology, coupled with training in economics, marketing, product development, and services to create jobs, businesses, and economic development opportunities. The Environmental Entrepreneurship Program promotes partnerships with MSIs, NOAA and the public-private sector.

Funding Availability: Subject to appropriations, approximately $3 million will be available for the Environmental Entrepreneurship Program competition in 2004. Proposals are limited to a total of $500,000 for a maximum of three years and approximately six proposals will be funded.

Statutory Authority: 15 U.S.C. 1540.

CFDA: 11.481 Educational Partnership Program with Minority Serving Institutions.

Application Deadline: Proposals must be received by 5 p.m. eastern time on March 15, 2004.

Address for Submitting Applications: NOAA EPP/MSI: Environmental Entrepreneurship Program, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Room 10725, SSMC3, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910. Facsimile transmissions and electronic mail submission of proposals will not be accepted.

Information Contact: Jewel G. Linzey, Program Manager, Environmental Entrepreneurship Program, (301) 713-9437, ext. 118, facsimile (301) 713-9465, e-mail Jewel.Griffin-Linzey@noaa.gov.

Eligibility: Minority Serving Institutions eligible to submit proposals include institutions of higher education identified by the Department of Education as:

(i) Historically black colleges and universities,

(ii) Hispanic-serving institutions,

(iii) Tribal colleges and universities,

(iv) Alaska Native or Native Hawaiian serving institutions

Cost Sharing Requirements: There is no cost-sharing requirement.

Intergovernmental Review: Applications under this program are not subject to Executive Order 12372, “Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs.”

In no event will NOAA or the Department of Commerce be responsible for proposal preparation costs if these programs fail to receive funding or are cancelled because of other agency priorities. Publication of this announcement does not oblige NOAA to award any specific project or to obligate any available funds.

NOAA must analyze the potential environmental impacts, as required by the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), for applicant projects or proposals which are seeking NOAA Federal funding opportunities. Detailed information on NOAA compliance with NEPA can be found at the following NOAA NEPA Web site: http://www.nepa.noaa.gov/, including our NOAA Administrative Order 216-6 for NEPA, http://www.nepa.noaa.gov/NAO216_6_TOC.pdf , and the Council on Environmental Quality implementation regulations, http://ceq.eh.doe.gov/nepa/regs/ceq/toc_ceq.htm. Consequently, as part of an applicant's package, and under their description of their program activities, applicants are required to provide detailed information on the activities to be conducted, locations, sites, species and habitat to be affected, possible construction activities, and any environmental concerns that may exist ( e.g. , the use and disposal of hazardous or toxic chemicals, introduction of non-indigenous species, impacts to endangered and threatened species, aquaculture projects, and impacts to coral reef systems).

In addition to providing specific information that will serve as the basis for any required impact analyses, applicants may also be requested to assist NOAA in drafting of an environmental assessment, if NOAA determines an assessment is required. Applicants will also be required to cooperate with NOAA in identifying and implementing feasible measures to reduce or avoid any identified adverse environmental impacts of their proposal. The failure to do so shall be grounds for the denial of an application.

The Department of Commerce Pre-Award Notification Requirements for Grants and Cooperative Agreements contained in the Federal Register notice of October 1, 2001 (66 FR 49917), as amended by the Federal Register notice published on October 30, 2002 (67 FR 66109), are applicable to this solicitation.

This document contains collection-of-information requirements subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA). The use of Standard Forms 424, 424A, 424B, SF-LLL, and CD-346 has been approved by Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under the respective control numbers (0348-0043, 0348-0044, 0348-0040, 0348-0046, and 0605-0001). Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no person is required to respond to, nor shall any person be subject to a penalty for failure to comply with, a collection of information subject to the requirements of the PRA unless that collection of information displays a currently valid OMB control number.

This notice has been determined to be not significant for purposes of Executive Order 12866.

It has been determined that this notice does not contain policies with federalism implications as that term is defined in Executive Order 13132.

Prior notice and an opportunity for public comment are not required by the Administrative Procedure Act or any other law for rules concerning public property, loans, grants, benefits, and contracts (5 U.S.C. 553(a)(2)). Because notice and opportunity for comment are not required pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553 or any other law, the analytical requirements of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq. ) are inapplicable. Therefore, a regulatory flexibility analysis has not been prepared.

The Advisory Committee to the U.S. Section to ICCAT will meet in an open session on March 15, 2004, for a workshop to receive and discuss information on the upcoming ICCAT intersessional on integrated and coordinated management of Atlantic bluefin tuna, including Atlantic bluefin tuna stock composition; a historical review of Atlantic bluefin tuna management; and the 2001 ICCAT report on bluefin tuna mixing. In addition, the Committee will receive information on the results of the review of bluefin tuna and marlin landings estimates previously reported to ICCAT. The Advisory Committee will meet again in an open session on March 16 and 17, 2004, to receive and discuss information on (1) the 2003 ICCAT meeting results and U.S. implementation of ICCAT decisions; (2) 2003 ICCAT and NMFS research and monitoring activities; (3) 2004 Commission activities; (4) the Atlantic Tunas Convention Act required consultation on the identification of countries that are diminishing the effectiveness of ICCAT; (5) the results of the meetings of the Committee's Species Working Groups; and (6) other matters relating to the international management of ICCAT species. The public will have access to the open sessions of the meeting, but there will be no opportunity for public comment.

The Advisory Committee will go into executive session during part of the afternoon of March 15, 2004, to discuss sensitive information relating to upcoming international negotiations. In addition, the Committee will meet in its Species Working Groups for a portion of the afternoon of March 16 and morning of March 17, 2004. These sessions are not open to the public, but the results of the species working group discussions will be reported to the full Advisory Committee during the Committee's morning open session on March 17.

The meeting location is physically accessible to people with disabilities. Requests for sign language interpretation or other auxiliary aids should be directed to Erika Carlsen at (301) 713-2276 at least 5 days prior to the meeting date.

The subject modification request to Permit No. 1260, issued on June 29, 2001 (66 FR 34621) is requested under the authority of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq. ) and the regulations governing the taking, importing, and exporting of endangered and threatened species (50 CFR 222-226).

Permit No. 1260 authorizes the permit holder to take loggerhead (Caretta caretta), leatherback ( Dermochelys coriacea ), Kemp's ridley ( Lepidochelys kempii ), hawksbill ( Eretmochelys imbricata ), green ( Chelonia mydas ) and olive ridley ( Lepidochelys olivacea ) sea turtles for scientific research. The permit holder requests authorization to increase the number of sea turtles that can be sampled after they are incidentally captured during separately authorized trawl, bottom longline and pelagic longline resource assessment cruises. The permit holder proposes to take an additional 14 loggerhead and six Kemp's ridley sea turtles and also requests authorization to take nine leatherback, six green and six hawksbill sea turtles during the cruises. The applicant proposes to handle, flipper tag, measure and release all turtles associated with these cruises. None of the activities authorized under this modification are expected to result in mortality. The research will be conducted in waters of the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico during the remainder of the permit which expires June 30, 2006.

Maine DMR submitted an application on December 19, 2003, to conduct an experimental Atlantic halibut fishery using up to six commercial longline and tub trawl vessels in a portion of the GOM RMA. The proposed experiment is a continuation of experimental fisheries conducted by Maine DMR in 2000, 2001, 2002, and 2003 the fifth in a series of at least five anticipated studies aimed at collecting biological information to be used in the long-term management of this species. As with the prior studies, this year’s application proposes to collect data on the distribution, relative abundance, migration, stock definition, mortality rates, stock size, yield, and other significant biological reference points for Atlantic halibut.

The proposed 2004 experimental fishery would take place from May 1 to June 30, 2004, or 60 days concurrent from the start date, in a portion of the GOM RMA defined as follows:

Participating vessels would be authorized to use only traditional longline or tub trawl gear during the experiment. These vessels would be limited to a maximum of 700 hooks per boat, and would be restricted to using only circle hooks no smaller than 14∕0 in size.

Each of the six vessels would be limited to a total allowable catch (TAC) of 50 halibut, with no possession or landing limit prior to reaching this amount. Once the TAC is reached by an individual vessel, that vessel would be restricted to possessing and landing no more than four legal-sized halibut per day. The maximum number of Atlantic halibut that could be harvested as part of this study would be 500, the same number authorized to be harvested in the 2003 experimental fishery.

The EA prepared for the 2002 halibut experimental fishery and the 2003 Supplement to the 2002 EA, prepared for the 2003 halibut experimental fishery, concluded that the activities conducted under the 2002 and 2003 EFPs were consistent with the goals and objectives of the FMP and would have no negative environmental impacts including impacts to Essential Fish Habitat, marine mammals, and protected species. A Draft 2004 Amended Environmental Assessment (EA) Prepared for the Experimental Halibut Fishery in Groundfish Closed Areas in the Eastern Gulf of Maine has been prepared that analyzes the impacts of the proposed 2004 experimental fishery on the human environment. The draft Amended EA determines that the proposed experimental fishery to collect biological and ecological information on Atlantic halibut will not significantly affect the quality of the human environment.

Sensor applications stand to transform the way business is conducted by yielding greater efficiencies and by reducing costs for the retail, manufacturing, security, shipping and transportation industries by billions of dollars. These industries currently use limited radio frequency identification (RFID) technology in security systems, tollbooths, gasoline pumps, electronic ear tags for livestock, antitheft devices, toys and other products. 1 Market analysts project that sensor technologies will be the next billion-dollar market for the information technology industry, with current RFID projects and services generating $1 billion annually, but potentially growing to $7 billion by 2008. 2

According to the RFID Journal, RFID is a generic term used to describe technologies that use radio waves to automatically identify objects and consumer goods and products. RFID uses several methods to identify such items. One such method employs an RFID reader, which can process serial numbers stored on a microchip attached to an antenna (collectively known as the RFID tag). The RFID chip transmits information about the product to the RFID reader via radio waves. 3

The Department of Commerce's forum on wireless sensor technologies is being held at a critical time when companies are actively debating the design and implementation of sensor applications worldwide. 4 By holding this event, the Department of Commerce will increase awareness of sensor technology applications, their potential future economic impact, and public policy issues they may raise.

Public Participation: The panel discussions will be open to the public and press on a first-come, first-served basis. Space is limited. Due to security requirements and to facilitate entry to the Department of Commerce building, attendees must present photo identification and/or a U.S. Government building pass, if applicable, and should arrive at least one-half hour ahead of the panel sessions. The public meeting is physically accessible to people with disabilities. Any member of the public wishing to attend and requiring special services, such as sign language interpretation or other ancillary aids, should contact Wendy Lader at (202) 482-1880 or at wlader@ntia.doc.gov at least three (3) days prior to the meeting.

Under the PRA, Federal agencies must obtain approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for each collection of information they conduct or sponsor. “Collection of information” is defined in 44 U.S.C. 3502(3) and 5 CFR 1320.3(c) and includes agency requests or requirements that members of the public submit reports, keep records, or provide information to a third party. Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the PRA, 44 Section 3506(c)(2)(A), requires Federal Agencies to provide a 60-day notice in the Federal Register concerning each proposed collection of information, including each proposed extension of an existing collection of information, before submitting the collection to OMB for approval. To comply with this requirement, the CFTC is publishing notice of the proposed collection of information listed below.

With respect to the following collection of information, the CFTC invites comments on:

• Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Commission, including whether the information will have a practical use;

• The accuracy of the Commission's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used;

• Ways to enhance the quality of, usefulness, and clarity of the information to be collected; and

• Ways to minimize the burden of collection of information on those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic submission of responses.

Section 124 of the Commodity Futures Modernization Act of 2000 (“CFMA”) amends the Commodity Exchange Act (the “Act”) and adds a new section 5g to the Act to make the Commission a Federal functional regulator for purposes of applying the provisions of Title V, Subtitle A of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (“GLB Act”) addressing consumer privacy to any futures commission merchant, commodity trading advisor, commodity pool operator or introducing broker that is subject to the Commission's jurisdiction with respect to any financial activity. In general, Title V requires financial institutions to provide notice to consumers about the institution's privacy policies and practices, to restrict the ability of a financial institution to share nonpublic personal information about consumers to non-affiliated third parties, and to permit consumers to prevent the institution from disclosing nonpublic personal information about them to certain non-affiliated third parties by “opting out” of that disclosure. This rule implements the mandates of Section 124 and Title V of the GLB Act.

The Commission estimates the burden of this collection of information as follows:

Number of Respondents: 4,128.

Total Annual Responses: 317,414.

Hours per Response: .27.

Total Annual Hours: 85,690.

Proposed Agenda: Organizational Meeting of the Board of Visitors. Review of the Academic, Military and Physical Programs at the USMA. All proceedings are open.

Section 3506 of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35) requires that the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) provide interested Federal agencies and the public an early opportunity to comment on information collection requests. OMB may amend or waive the requirement for public consultation to the extent that public participation in the approval process would defeat the purpose of the information collection, violate State or Federal law, or substantially interfere with any agency's ability to perform its statutory obligations. The Leader, Regulatory Information Management Group, Office of the Chief Information Officer, publishes that notice containing proposed information collection requests prior to submission of these requests to OMB. Each proposed information collection, grouped by office, contains the following: (1) Type of review requested, e.g. new, revision, extension, existing or reinstatement; (2) Title; (3) Summary of the collection; (4) Description of the need for, and proposed use of, the information; (5) Respondents and frequency of collection; and (6) Reporting and/or Recordkeeping burden. OMB invites public comment.

Comments regarding burden and/or the collection activity requirements should be directed to Katrina Ingalls at her e-mail address Katrina.Ingalls@ed.gov. Individuals who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339.

Type of Review: New.

Title: Social and Character Development Research Program National Evaluation.

Frequency: On Occasion.

Affected Public:

Not-for-profit institutions; Individuals or household.

Reporting and Recordkeeping Hour Burden:

Responses: 22,196.

Burden Hours: 15,339.

Abstract: The Social and Character Development (SACD) National Evaluation will evaluate the success of seven school-based interventions designed to promote positive social and character development among elementary school children. The research will determine, through randomized field trials, whether one or more program interventions produce meaningful effects. The study's three primary research questions are: (1) Do the SACD interventions affect social-emotional competence, school climate, positive and negative behavior, and academic achievement? (2) For whom, and under what conditions, are the interventions effective? and (3) What is the process by which the interventions affect children's behavior? Data collection activities will include the administration of surveys to children, teachers, principals, and primary caregivers; school observations, and school record abstractions over a three year period: from 2004-05 to 2006-07. Results from the evaluation will provide school districts and education professionals with information they need to make informed choices about which SACD interventions to adopt, and will offer policymakers rigorous evidence for use in making decisions about program funding.

Requests for copies of the submission for OMB review; comment request may be accessed from http://edicsweb.ed.gov, by selecting the “Browse Pending Collections” link and by clicking on link number 2428. When you access the information collection, click on “Download Attachments “ to view. Written requests for information should be addressed to Vivian Reese, Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., Room 4050, Regional Office Building 3, Washington, DC 20202-4651 or to the e-mail address vivan.reese@ed.gov. Requests may also be electronically mailed to the Internet address OCIO_RIMG@ed.gov or faxed to 202-708-9346. Please specify the complete title of the information collection when making your request.

Section 3506 of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35) requires that the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) provide interested Federal agencies and the public an early opportunity to comment on information collection requests. OMB may amend or waive the requirement for public consultation to the extent that public participation in the approval process would defeat the purpose of the information collection, violate State or Federal law, or substantially interfere with any agency's ability to perform its statutory obligations. The Leader, Regulatory Information Management Group, Office of the Chief Information Officer, publishes that notice containing proposed information collection requests prior to submission of these requests to OMB. Each proposed information collection, grouped by office, contains the following: (1) Type of review requested, e.g. new, revision, extension, existing or reinstatement; (2) Title; (3) Summary of the collection; (4) Description of the need for, and proposed use of, the information; (5) Respondents and frequency of collection; and (6) Reporting and/or Recordkeeping burden. OMB invites public comment.

Type of Review: New.

Title: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) Minimum Data Set (MDS).

Frequency: One time.

Affected Public: Businesses or other for-profit; Not-for-profit institutions.

Reporting and Recordkeeping Hour Burden: Responses: 13,000. Burden Hours: 1,827.

Abstract: IPEDS is a system of surveys designed to collect basic data from postsecondary institutions in the US. To date, the main focus of IPEDS has been Title IV institutions, but institutions that do not participate in these federal student financial aid programs are becoming an increasingly important source of educational opportunity in the country. But their scope and nature are not well known. This survey is designed to arrive at a statistical estimate of the number of non-Title IV institutions.

Requests for copies of the submission for OMB review; comment request may be accessed from http://edicsweb.ed.gov, by selecting the “Browse Pending Collections” link and by clicking on link number 2432. When you access the information collection, click on “Download Attachments “ to view. Written requests for information should be addressed to Vivian Reese, Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., Room 4050, Regional Office Building 3, Washington, DC 20202-4651 or to the e-mail address vivan.reese@ed.gov. Requests may also be electronically mailed to the Internet address OCIO_RIMG@ed.gov or faxed to 202-708-9346. Please specify the complete title of the information collection when making your request.

Comments regarding burden and/or the collection activity requirements should be directed to Kathy Axt at her e-mail address Kathy.Axt@ed.gov. Individuals who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339.

Section 3506 of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. chapter 35) requires that the Director of OMB provide interested Federal agencies and the public an early opportunity to comment on information collection requests. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) may amend or waive the requirement for public consultation to the extent that public participation in the approval process would defeat the purpose of the information collection, violate State or Federal law, or substantially interfere with any agency's ability to perform its statutory obligations. The Leader, Information Management Group, Office of the Chief Information Officer, publishes this notice containing proposed information collection requests at the beginning of the Departmental review of the information collection. Each proposed information collection, grouped by office, contains the following: (1) Type of review requested, e.g. , new, revision, extension, existing or reinstatement; (2) Title; (3) Summary of the collection; (4) Description of the need for, and proposed use of, the information; (5) Respondents and frequency of collection; and (6) Reporting and/or Recordkeeping burden. ED invites public comment. The Department of Education is especially interested in public comment addressing the following issues: (1) Is this collection necessary to the proper functions of the Department; (2) will this information be processed and used in a timely manner; (3) is the estimate of burden accurate; (4) how might the Department enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (5) how might the Department minimize the burden of this collection on respondents, including through the use of information technology.

Type of Review: New.

Title: Assurances for the Protection and Advocacy for Assistive Technology (PAAT) Program.

Abstract: This document will be used by grantees to request funds to carry out the PAAT program. PAAT is mandated by the Assistive Technology Act of 1998, to provide protection and advocacy services to individuals with disabilities for the purposes of assisting in the acquisition, utilization, or maintenance of assistive technology or assistive technology services.

Additional Information: Section 102 of the Assistive Technology Act of 1998 (Act) requires that the Secretary make a grant to an entity in each State to support protection and advocacy services through the systems established to provide protection and advocacy services under the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000 (DD Act), for the purposes of assisting in the acquisition, utilization, or maintenance of assistive technology or assistive technology services for individuals with disabilities.

Frequency: Periodically.

Affected Public: Not-for-profit institutions; State, Local, or Tribal Gov't, SEAs or LEAs.

Reporting and Recordkeeping Hour Burden:

 Responses: 56.

 Burden Hours: 9.

Requests for copies of the proposed information collection request may be accessed from http://edicsweb.ed.gov, by selecting the “Browse Pending Collections” link and by clicking on link number 2469. When you access the information collection, click on “Download Attachments” to view. Written requests for information should be addressed to Vivian Reese, Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., Room 4050, Regional Office Building 3, Washington, DC 20202-4651 or to the e-mail address vivan.reese@ed.gov. Requests may also be electronically mailed to the Internet address OCIO_RIMG@ed.gov or faxed to 202-708-9346. Please specify the complete title of the information collection when making your request.

Comments regarding burden and/or the collection activity requirements, contact Sheila Carey at her e-mail address Sheila.Carey@ed.gov. Individuals who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339.

The Privacy Act (5 U.S.C. 552a(e)(4)) requires the Department to publish in the Federal Register this notice of a new system of records maintained by the Department. The Department's regulations implementing the Privacy Act are contained in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) in 34 CFR part 5b.

The Privacy Act applies to a record about an individual that contains individually identifiable information that is retrieved by a unique identifier associated with each individual, such as a name or social security number. The information about each individual is called a “record” and the system, whether manual or computer-based, is called a “system of records.” The Privacy Act requires each agency to publish notices of systems of records in the Federal Register and to prepare reports to OMB whenever the agency publishes a new or altered system of records. Each agency is also required to send copies to the Chair of the Senate Committee on Governmental Affairs and the Chair of the House Committee on Government Reform. These reports are intended to permit an evaluation of the probable or potential effect of the proposal on the privacy or other rights of individuals.

You may view this document, as well as other Department of Education documents published in the Federal Register , in text or Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) on the Internet at the following site: http://www.ed.gov/news/fedregister.

To use PDF you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is available free at this site. If you have questions about using PDF, call the U.S. Government Printing Office (GPO), toll-free, at 1-888-293-6498; or in the Washington, DC, area at (202) 512-1530.

For reasons discussed in the preamble, the Director of the Institute of Education Sciences (IES or the Institute) of the U.S. Department of Education (the Department or ED) publishes a notice of a new system of records to read as follows:

EPA has submitted the following ICR to OMB for review and approval according to the procedures prescribed in 5 CFR 1320.12. On May 19, 2003 (68 FR 27059), EPA sought comments on this ICR pursuant to 5 CFR 1320.8(d). EPA received no comments.

EPA has established a public docket for this ICR under Docket ID Number OECA-2003-0035, which is available for public viewing at the Enforcement and Compliance Docket and Information Center in the EPA Docket Center (EPA/DC), EPA West, Room B102, 1301 Constitution Ave., NW., Washington, DC. The EPA Docket Center Public Reading Room is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays. The telephone number for the Reading Room is (202) 566-1744, and the telephone number for the Enforcement and Compliance Docket and Information Center is: (202) 566-1752. An electronic version of the public docket is available through EPA Dockets (EDOCKET) at http://www.epa.gov/edocket. Use EDOCKET to submit or view public comments, access the index listing of the contents of the public docket, and to access those documents in the public docket that are available electronically. When in the system, select “search,” then key in the docket ID number identified above.

Any comments related to this ICR should be submitted to EPA and OMB within 30 days of this notice. EPA's policy is that public comments, whether submitted electronically or in paper, will be made available for public viewing in EDOCKET 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. When EPA identifies a comment containing copyrighted material, EPA will provide a reference to that material in the version of the comment that is placed in EDOCKET. The entire printed comment, including the copyrighted material, will be available in the public docket. Although identified as an item in the official docket, information claimed as CBI, or whose disclosure is otherwise restricted by statute, is not included in the official public docket, and will not be available for public viewing in EDOCKET. For further information about the electronic docket, see EPA's Federal Register notice describing the electronic docket at 67 FR 38102 (May 31, 2002), or go to http://www.epa.gov/edocket.

Title: NESHAP for Pharmaceuticals Production (40 CFR part 63, subpart GGG), OMB Control Number 2060-0358, EPA ICR Number 1781.03.

Abstract: The National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP), were proposed on April 2, 1997 and promulgated on September 21, 1998. These standards apply to the facilities in Pharmaceuticals Production that are major sources of hazardous air pollutants (HAP). The affected facility includes all pharmaceutical manufacturing operations, which includes process vents, storage tanks, equipment components, and wastewater systems commencing construction or reconstruction after the date of the proposal. In general, all NESHAP requires initial notifications, performance tests, and periodic reports.

Owners or operators are required to maintain records of the occurrence and duration of any startup, shutdown, or malfunction in the operation of an affected facility, or any period during which the monitoring system is inoperative. These notifications, reports, and records are essential in determining compliance, and in general, are required of all sources subject to NESHAP. The required 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, and that the standard is being met.

Any owner or operator subject to the provisions of this part will 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. Performance tests reports are needed as they are the Agency's record of a source's initial capability to comply with the emission standard, and serve as a record of the operating conditions under which compliance was achieved.

Any 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 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 are estimated to average 250 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; to 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; to adjust the existing ways to comply with any previously applicable instructions and requirements; to train personnel to be able to respond to a collection of information; to search data sources; to complete and review the collection of information; and to transmit or otherwise disclose the information.

Respondents/Affected Entities: Pharmaceuticals Production Plants.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 101.

Frequency of Response: Quarterly, semiannually and on occasion.

Estimated Total Annual Hour Burden: 158,179 hours.

Estimated Total Annual Costs: $10,015,020 which includes $4,400 annualized capital/startup costs, $4,158 annual O&M costs and $10,006,462 Labor costs for Respondents.

Changes in the Estimates: There is a decrease of 3,147 hours in the total estimated hour burden currently identified in the OMB Inventory of Approved ICR Burdens. The decrease in hour burden from the most recently approved ICR is due to a decrease in the number of sources. Our data indicates that there are approximately 101 sources, including one new source due to reconstruction.

EPA has submitted the following ICR to OMB for review and approval according to the procedures prescribed in 5 CFR 1320.12. On May 19, 2003 (68 FR 27059), EPA sought comments on this ICR pursuant to 5 CFR 1320.8(d). EPA received no comments.

EPA has established a public docket for this ICR under Docket ID Number OECA-2003-0038, which is available for public viewing at the Enforcement and Compliance Docket and Information Center in the EPA Docket Center (EPA/DC), EPA West, Room B102, 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 and Information Center is (202) 566-1752. An electronic version of the public docket is available through EPA Dockets (EDOCKET) at http://www.epa.gov/edocket. Use EDOCKET to submit or view public comments, access the index listing of the contents of the public docket, and to access those documents in the public docket that are available electronically. When in the system, select “search,” then key in the docket ID number identified above.

Any comments related to this ICR should be submitted to EPA and OMB within 30 days of this notice. EPA's policy is that public comments, whether submitted electronically or in paper, will be made available for public viewing in EDOCKET as EPA receives them and without change, unless the comment contains copyrighted material, CBI, or other information whose public disclosure is restricted by statute. When EPA identifies a comment containing copyrighted material, EPA will provide a reference to that material in the version of the comment that is placed in EDOCKET. The entire printed comment, including the copyrighted material, will be available in the public docket. Although identified as an item in the official docket, information claimed as CBI, or whose disclosure is otherwise restricted by statute, is not included in the official public docket, and will not be available for public viewing in EDOCKET. For further information about the electronic docket, see EPA's Federal Register notice describing the electronic docket at 67 FR 38102 (May 31, 2002), or go to http://www.epa.gov/edocket.

Title: NSPS for Secondary Brass and Bronze Production, Primary Copper Smelters, Primary Zinc Smelters, Primary Lead Smelters, Primary Aluminum Reduction Plants and Ferroalloy Production Facilities. (40 CFR part 60, subparts M, P, Q, R, S and Z) (Renewal)

Abstract: New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) for Secondary Brass and Bronze Production Plants, Primary Copper Smelters, Primary Lead Smelters, Primary Zinc Smelters, Primary Aluminum Reduction Plants and Ferroalloy Production Plants were developed to ensure that air emissions from these facilities do not cause ambient concentrations of particulate matter and certain gases to exceed levels that may reasonably be anticipated to endanger public health and the environment. Owners or operators of all affected facilities subject to NSPS must notify EPA of dates for startup, construction or modification, initial and repeat of performance tests, performance test results, demonstration of a continuous monitoring system (except for brass and bronze facilities), and of any physical or operational change that may increase the emission rate. In addition, primary copper, lead, and zinc smelters and ferroalloy plants are required to submit semiannually reports of excess emissions and monitoring system performance, and aluminum reduction plants must report excess emissions in each monthly performance test. Ferroalloy plants must also report any product change. Facilities must maintain records of performance test results, monitoring of operations and systems performance, and of any startup, shutdown, and malfunction. Specifically, primary smelters, aluminum reduction and ferroalloy production plants have daily or monthly recordkeeping requirements for certain operating parameters. In order to ensure compliance with the standards, adequate recordkeeping and reporting is necessary. This information is required for all sources subject to NSPS standards and enables the Agency to: (1) Identify the sources subject to the standard; (2) ensure initial compliance with emission limits; and (3) verify continuous compliance with the standard.

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 40 CFR are listed in 40 CFR part 9 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 169 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: Secondary brass and bronze production plants, primary copper smelters, primary zinc smelters, primary lead smelters, primary aluminum reduction plants, and ferroalloy production facilities.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 18.

Frequency of Response: Semiannual and annual.

Estimated Total Annual Hour Burden: 4,914 hours.

Estimated Total Annual Cost: $443,000, includes $0 annualized capital, $132,000 annual O&M costs, and $311,000 annual labor costs.

Changes in the Estimates: There is a decrease of 437 hours in the total estimated burden currently identified in the OMB inventory of approved ICR burdens. This decrease in burden is due primarily to a decrease of the estimated total number of sources subject to several of the NSPS standards addressed by this ICR.

EPA has submitted the following ICR to OMB for review and approval according to the procedures prescribed in 5 CFR 1320.12. On September 10, 2003, (68 FR 53368), EPA ICR No. 1038.11, EPA sought comments on this ICR pursuant to 5 CFR 1320.8(d). EPA received no comments.

EPA has established a public docket for this ICR under Docket ID No. OAR-2003-0170, which is available for public viewing at the Air and Radiation Docket in the EPA Docket Center (EPA/DC), EPA West, Room B102, 1301 Constitution Ave., NW., Washington, DC. The EPA Docket Center Public Reading Room is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays. The telephone number for the Reading Room is (202) 566-1744, and the telephone number for the Air and Radiation Docket is (202) 566-1742. An electronic version of the public docket is available through EPA Dockets (EDOCKET) at http://www.epa.gov/edocket. Use EDOCKET to submit or view public comments, access the index listing of the contents of the public docket, and to access those documents in the public docket that are available electronically. Once in the system, select “search,” then key in the docket ID number identified above.

Any comments related to this ICR should be submitted to EPA and OMB within 30 days of this notice. EPA's policy is that public comments, whether submitted electronically or in paper, will be made available for public viewing in EDOCKET as EPA receives them and without change, unless the comment contains copyrighted material, CBI, or other information whose public disclosure is restricted by statute. When EPA identifies a comment containing copyrighted material, EPA will provide a reference to that material in the version of the comment that is placed in EDOCKET. The entire printed comment, including the copyrighted material, will be available in the public docket. Although identified as an item in the official docket, information claimed as CBI, or whose disclosure is otherwise restricted by statute, is not included in the official public docket, and will not be available for public viewing in EDOCKET. For further information about the electronic docket, see EPA's Federal Register notice describing the electronic docket at 67 FR 38102 (May 31, 2002), or go to http://www.epa.gov/edocket.

Title: Invitation for Bids and Request for Proposals (IFBs and RFPs).

Abstract: EPA requires contractors to submit information in order to be considered for the award of a contract. Information requested includes: prices for the supplies/services requested, information on past performance, technical and cost information, and general financial and organizational information. Information provided by vendors in response to an RFP/IFB is used to evaluate which vendor will provide the best product in terms of quality, timeliness and price. Response to IFBs/RFPs are required to be considered for a contract award. The legal authority for this collection is 41 U.S.C. 253, contractor confidential business information submitted in connection with an IFB or RFP response is protected from public release in accordance with 40 CFR 2.201 et seq.

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 40 CFR are listed in 40 CFR part 9 and are identified on the form and/or instrument, if applicable.

Burden Statement: The annual public reporting and record keeping burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 8 hours per response for IFBs and 251 hours per response for RFPs. 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: Large and small businesses performing contracts for the agency.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 981.

Frequency of Response: On occasion.

Estimated Total Annual Hour Burden: 219,015.

Estimated Total Annual Cost for IFBs and RFPs: $14,251,635.00, includes $0 annualized capital or O&M costs.

Changes in the Estimates: There is a decrease of 27,512 hours in the total estimated burden currently identified in the OMB Inventory of Approved ICR Burdens. This decrease is due to a decrease in the number of proposals anticipated as a result of Government-wide contract reform measures. There are also smaller adjustments in the time required to complete each submission due to increased use of and improvements in technology.

EPA has submitted the following ICR to OMB for review and approval according to the procedures prescribed in 5 CFR 1320.12. On August 28, 2003 (68 FR 51773), EPA sought comments on this ICR pursuant to 5 CFR 1320.8(d). EPA received no comments.

EPA has established a public docket for this ICR under Docket ID No. RCRA-2003-0020, which is available for public viewing at the RCRA Docket in the EPA Docket Center (EPA/DC), EPA West, Room B102, 1301 Constitution Ave., NW., Washington, DC. The EPA Docket Center Public Reading Room is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays. The telephone number for the Reading Room is (202) 566-1744, and the telephone number for the RCRA Docket is (202) 566-0270. An electronic version of the public docket is available through EPA Dockets (EDOCKET) at http://www.epa.gov/edocket. Use EDOCKET to submit or view public comments, access the index listing of the contents of the public docket, and to access those documents in the public docket that are available electronically. Once in the system, select “search,” then key in the docket ID number identified above.

Any comments related to this ICR should be submitted to EPA and OMB within 30 days of this notice. EPA's policy is that public comments, whether submitted electronically or in paper, will be made available for public viewing in EDOCKET as EPA receives them and without change, unless the comment contains copyrighted material, CBI, or other information whose public disclosure is restricted by statute. When EPA identifies a comment containing copyrighted material, EPA will provide a reference to that material in the version of the comment that is placed in EDOCKET. The entire printed comment, including the copyrighted material, will be available in the public docket. Although identified as an item in the official docket, information claimed as CBI, or whose disclosure is otherwise restricted by statute, is not included in the official public docket, and will not be available for public viewing in EDOCKET. For further information about the electronic docket, see EPA's Federal Register notice describing the electronic docket at 67 FR 38102 (May 31, 2002), or go to http://www.epa.gov/edocket.

Title: Land Disposal Restrictions (Renewal).

Abstract: Section 3004 of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), as amended, requires that EPA develop standards for hazardous waste treatment, storage, and disposal as may be necessary to protect human health and the environment. Subsections 3004(d), (e), and (g) require EPA to promulgate regulations that prohibit the land disposal of hazardous waste unless it meets specified treatment standards described in subsection 3004(m).

The regulations implementing these requirements are codified in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Title 40, part 268. EPA requires that facilities maintain the data outlined in this ICR so that the Agency can ensure that land-disposed waste meets the treatment standards. EPA strongly believes that the recordkeeping requirements are necessary for the agency to fulfill its congressional mandate to protect human health and the environment.

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 40 CFR are listed in 40 CFR part 9 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 6 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: Business and government.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 129,584.

Frequency of Response: On occasion.

Estimated Total Annual Hour Burden: 822,708.

Estimated Total Annual Cost: $108,980,482 which includes $31,703 annualized capital and $59,851,735 O&M costs.

Changes in the Estimates: There is a decrease of 359,904 hours in the total estimated burden currently identified in the OMB Inventory of Approved ICR Burdens. This decrease is due to a decrease in the respondent universe, as well as decreases in the burden assumptions.

The assumptions for the burden associated with understanding the regulations, calculated when the regulations were new, have been revised after consultations with respondents.

This action is directed to the public in general. This action may, however, be of interest to those persons who are or may be required to conduct testing of chemical substances under TSCA. Since other entities may also be interested, the Agency has not attempted to describe all the specific entities that may be affected by this action. If you have any questions regarding the applicability of this action to a particular entity, consult the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT .

1. Docket . EPA has established an official public docket for this action under docket identification (ID) number OPPT-2003-0004. The official public docket consists of the documents specifically referenced in this action, any public comments received, and other information related to this action. Although a part of the official docket, the public docket does not include CBI or other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. The official public docket is the collection of materials that is available for public viewing at the EPA Docket Center, Rm. B102-Reading Room, EPA West, 1301 Constitution Ave., NW., Washington, DC. The EPA Docket Center is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays. The EPA Docket Center Reading Room telephone number is (202) 566-1744 and the telephone number for the OPPT Docket, which is located in EPA Docket Center, is (202) 566-0280.

2. Electronic access . You may access this Federal Register document electronically through the EPA Internet under the “ Federal Register ” listings at http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/ .

An electronic version of the public docket is available through EPA's electronic public docket and comment system, EPA Dockets. You may use EPA Dockets at http://www.epa.gov/edocket/ to submit or view public comments, access the index listing of the contents of the official public docket, and to access those documents in the public docket that are available electronically. Although not all docket materials may be available electronically, you may still access any of the publicly available docket materials through the docket facility identified in Unit I.B.1. Once in the system, select “search,” then key in the appropriate docket ID number.

EPA has recently been informed that the parent company to EPA contractor Dyncorp Systems and Solutions LLC (DSS), finalized a merger agreement with Computer Sciences Corporation (CSC) of El Segundo, California.

In the coming months, the DSS contracts will be amended to reflect the change of status in the contractor. Until that time, EPA continues to hold DSS, and its successor, CSC, responsible for performance, including adherence to all rules and procedures providing for the access and protection of TSCA CBI under existing contracts.

DSS has stated that from a technical performance standpoint, no changes in support of management personnel are envisioned as a result of the merger. From a contractual point of view, Dyncorp represents that it will continue contracting with EPA as the same legal entity - DSS. The merger between DSS's parent company (Dyncorp) and CSC is intended to make Dyncorp a CSC company.

At all times during this corporate acquisition or merger, all contractor employees were trained and cleared for access to TSCA CBI. In addition, all employees had signed and remained subject to the standard non-disclosure agreements required of all such persons working with TSCA CBI.

Aside from providing this notice, EPA is not immediately engaging in any other action. In the next 6 months, EPA expects that there will be an effort to modify the existing contracts with EPA and when this occurs, there will be a series of actions intended to effectuate this, including notices, as required under existing regulations.

This action is directed to the public in general. This action may, however, be of interest to those persons who are or may be required to conduct testing of chemical substances under TSCA. Since other entities may also be interested, the Agency has not attempted to describe all the specific entities that may be affected by this action. If you have any questions regarding the applicability of this action to a particular entity, consult the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT .

1. Docket. EPA has established an official public docket for this action under docket identification (ID) number OPPT-2003-0004. The official public docket consists of the documents specifically referenced in this action, any public comments received, and other information related to this action. Although a part of the official docket, the public docket does not include CBI or other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. The official public docket is the collection of materials that is available for public viewing at the EPA Docket Center, Rm. B102-Reading Room, EPA West, 1301 Constitution Ave., NW., Washington, DC. The EPA Docket Center is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays. The EPA Docket Center Reading Room telephone number is (202) 566-1744 and the telephone number for the OPPT Docket, which is located in EPA Docket Center, is (202) 566-0280.

2. Electronic access . You may access this Federal Register document electronically through the EPA Internet under the “ Federal Register ” listings at http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/ .

An electronic version of the public docket is available through EPA's electronic public docket and comment system, EPA Dockets. You may use EPA Dockets at http://www.epa.gov/edocket/ to submit or view public comments, access the index listing of the contents of the official public docket, and to access those documents in the public docket that are available electronically. Although not all docket materials may be available electronically, you may still access any of the publicly available docket materials through the docket facility identified in Unit I.B.1. Once in the system, select “search,” then key in the appropriate docket ID number.

Under Contract Number GS00K97AFD2140, Order Number 4W-1277-YBSW, Geologics Corporation of 5285 Shawnee Road, Suite 210, Alexandria, VA will assist EPA in gathering data on the New Chemicals Program (NCP), that will help it to assess the Program in fulfillment of objectives set out in the Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA). The work will lead to the development of results-based performance goals and measures as opposed to output-based measures now used to monitor results obtained through the NCP.

In accordance with 40 CFR 2.306(j), EPA has determined that under Contract Number GS00K97AFD2140, Order Number 4W-1277-YBSW, Geologics Corporation will require access to CBI submitted to EPA under all sections of TSCA, to perform successfully the duties specified under the contract.

Geologics personnel will be given information submitted to EPA under all sections of TSCA. Some of the information may be claimed or determined to be CBI.

EPA is issuing this notice to inform all submitters of information under all sections of TSCA, that the Agency may provide Geologics Corporation access to these CBI materials on a need-to-know basis only. All access to TSCA CBI under this contract will take place at EPA Headquarters. Geologics personnel will be required to adhere to all provisions of EPA's TSCA Confidential Business Information Security Manual .

Clearance for access to TSCA CBI under Contract Number GS00K97AFD2140, Order Number 4W-1277-YBSW may continue until September 30, 2004. Access will commence no sooner than March 8, 2004.

Geologics personnel have signed nondisclosure agreements and will be briefed on appropriate security procedures before they are permitted access to TSCA CBI.

I. Funding Opportunity Description II. Award Information III. Eligibility Information IV. Application and Submission Information V. Application Review Information VI. Award Administration Information VII. Agency Contact(s) VIII. Other Information Translations Available

A Spanish translation of this application is available at 1-800-952-6215. It can also be downloaded from http://www.epa.gov/complicance/recent/ej.html.

In its 1992 report entitled, “Environmental Equity: Reducing Risk for All Communities,” the EPA found that minority and/or low-income populations may experience disproportionate exposure to environmental harms and risks. The EPA established the Office of Environmental Justice (OEJ) in 1992 to help, among other things, these communities identify and assess pollution sources, to implement environmental awareness and training programs for affected local community residents, and to work with community stakeholders to devise strategies for environmental and/or public improvements.

In June of 1993, OEJ was delegated grant authority to solicit, select, assist, and evaluate environmental justice-related projects, and to disseminate information on the projects' content and effectiveness. FY 1994 marked the first year of what is now called the Environmental Justice Hazardous Substances Research Small Grants Program. The chart below shows how the grant monies have been distributed since FY 1994.

Environmental justice is the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies. Fair treatment means that no one group of people, including racial, ethnic, or socioeconomic groups, should bear a disproportionate share of the negative environmental consequences resulting from industrial, municipal, and commercial operations or the execution of Federal, State, local, and tribal environmental programs and policies. Meaningful involvement means that: (a) The potentially affected community residents have an appropriate opportunity to participate in decisions about a proposed activity that will affect their environment and/or health; (b) the public's contribution can influence the regulatory agency's decision; (c) the concerns of all participants involved will be considered in the decision-making process; and (d) the decision-makers seek out and facilitate the involvement of those potentially affected.

The purpose of this grant program is to provide financial assistance to eligible affected local community-based organizations that are working on or plan to carry out projects to address environmental and/or public health concerns. Funds can be used to develop a new activity or substantially improve the quality of existing programs that have a direct impact on affected local communities. All awards will be made in the form of a $25,000 grant not to exceed one year.

The OEJ, which manages the Agency's national Environmental Justice Hazardous Substances Research Small Grants Program, is soliciting grant applications for projects intended to examine issues related to a community's exposure to multiple environmental harms and risks. Issues of environmental justice often involve multiple sources of contamination, their cumulative impacts on the environment, and their effect on human health. Some of these sources may include multiple industrial facilities and the various contaminants they emit, environmental hazards at the workplace or home, transportation-related pollution, contamination from drinking water, or contamination resulting from the consumption of fish or other subsistence food. These situations may occur in urban, suburban, rural or tribal settings. A more holistic approach to environmental protection goes beyond setting limits for individual pollutants and facilities in isolation. Information must take into account the multiple impacts of all pollutants in the environment. In environmentally overburdened low-income, minority or tribal communities, a focus on the impacts from multiple environmental harms and risks can greatly assist the communities in understanding their environmental issues and developing more effective solutions to their environmental and/or public health concerns.

Grant funds shall be used to support research activities that examine issues related to a community's exposure to multiple environmental harms and risks. Projects must be of a research nature only, i.e. , survey, research, collecting and analyzing data which will be used to expand scientific knowledge or understanding of the subject studied. Research projects, however, need not be limited to academic studies. The EPA has interpreted “research” to include studies that extend to socioeconomic, institutional, and public policy issues and the “natural” sciences. Projects may include the following activities: (1) Research related to the detection, assessment, and evaluation of the effects on and risks to human health from hazardous substances and the detection of hazardous substances in the environment; (2) design and demonstrate field methods, practices, and techniques, including assessment of environmental and ecological conditions and analysis of environmental and public health problems; (3) identification and assessment of multiple environmental harms and risks and/or public health concerns in the community; (4) case studies on practices and techniques for detecting and effectively responding to hazardous substance contamination; and (5) identification of institutional and public policy barriers to detecting, assessing and evaluating hazardous substance contamination in communities. Research cannot relate to contamination from petroleum products in accordance with the definition of hazardous substances indicated in the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), section 101(14). Projects that involve incidental petroleum contamination that is “mixed” with other contaminants may be considered on a case-by-case basis. Any training activities must be limited to training in research techniques. Funding under this assistance program is not available for general organizational support, capacity building, program development or other activities unrelated to research.

In addition to the special research requirements for grants under CERCLA outlined above, the application must include a description of how the research projects will examine and address the issue of multiple environmental harms and risks.

Please note: A Quality Assurance Plan (QAP) must be submitted to your EPA Project Officer prior to the beginning of the research for projects that include scientific research and/or data collection.

As required by 40 CFR 30.60, anticipated accomplishments must be stated. The overarching goal of the Environmental Justice Hazardous Substances Research Small Grants Program is to build the capacity of the affected local communities to address strategically the multiple environmental harms and risks that impact the environment and/or health of the residents.

The following criteria will be used by EPA to measure the success of the overall program. These criteria are for the evaluation of the grant program as a whole and each grantee should consider these criteria as they develop their own project performance measures:

1. Documentation and identification of the local environmental and/or public health issues;

2. Development of mechanisms to share lessons learned from the process; and

3. Identification of tangible environmental and/or health benefits.

Consistent with the factors EPA will use, the following measures will be used to evaluate the success of the Environmental Justice Hazardous Substances Research Small Grants Program, including, but not limited to:

• Significant improvement in the quality of life issues for the affected local communities is achieved;

• Community capacity is significantly improved for program participants;

• Outcomes or lessons learned in affected local communities are transferred to other similarly situated communities; and

• Enhanced community understanding of environmental and public health information systems and general information on pollution in the community.

The total amount of funding available for this program is approximately $500,000 in grant funds to eligible organizations (pending availability of funds). All awards will be made in the form of a Federal grant, each award in an amount of $25,000, to be used over a one-year period. Activities must be completed and funds spent within the one year period specified in the grant award. Project start dates will depend on the grant award date (most projects begin in August or September). The recipient organization is responsible for the successful completion of the project. EPA will consider only one application per applicant for any given project. However, applicants that previously received small grant funds may submit an application for a separate project. Additionally, the Environmental Justice Hazardous Substances Research Small Grants Program is a competitive grant program. Every application for FY 2004 will be evaluated based on the merits of the proposed project in comparison to other FY 2004 applications. Applicants may not receive Federal funding from more than one source for the same project.

1. Eligible Applicants: Affected local community-based community organizations. An affected local community-based organization (LCBO) is defined for this grant program as an entity/organization that is (1) at the most basic level of the organizational hierarchy such as a grassroots group/neighborhood organization that is not affiliated with a larger national, regional or state organization; (2) located in the same area as the environmental and/or public health problem that is described in the application and where the residents of the affected community reside; (3) focused primarily on addressing the environmental and/or public health problems of the residents of the affected community; and (4) comprised primarily of members of the affected community. “Affected” is defined as being in the locale which is influenced or altered by the environmental/public health problem. An applicant must meet all of the above requirements and must explain how it fits each of those requirements in the application. An applicant must be a nonprofit organization as demonstrated through designation by the Internal Revenue Service as a section 501(c)(3) organization or through incorporation as a nonprofit organization under applicable State law in order to receive Federal funds under this grant program. Individuals; universities; State, local, and tribal governments; water districts or similar entities; large non-governmental organizations such as national environmental groups; environmental justice networks; or organizations that are not located in the affected communities where the projects are located are not eligible to receive Federal funds under this grant program.

2. Cost Sharing or Matching: None required.

3. Types of Projects Eligible for Funding: The OEJ, which manages the Agency's national Environmental Justice Hazardous Substances Research Small Grants Program, is soliciting grant applications for projects intended to examine issues related to a community's exposure to multiple environmental harms and risks. Issues of environmental justice often involve multiple sources of contamination, their cumulative impacts on the environment, and their effect on human health. Some of these sources may include multiple industrial facilities and the various contaminants they emit, environmental hazards at the workplace or home, transportation-related pollution, contamination from drinking water, or contamination resulting from the consumption of fish or other subsistence food. These situations may occur in urban, suburban, rural or tribal settings. A more holistic approach to environmental protection goes beyond setting limits for individual pollutants and facilities in isolation. Information must take into account the multiple impacts of all pollutants in the environment. In environmentally overburdened low-income, minority or tribal communities, a focus on the impacts from multiple environmental harms and risks can greatly assist the communities in understanding their environmental issues and developing more effective solutions to their environmental and/or public health concerns.

Projects may include the following activities: (1) Research related to the detection, assessment, and evaluation of the effects on and risks to human health from hazardous substances and the detection of hazardous substances in the environment; (2) design and demonstrate field methods, practices, and techniques, including assessment of environmental and ecological conditions and analysis of environmental and public health problems; (3) identification and assessment of multiple environmental harms and risks and/or public health concerns in the affected community; (4) case studies on practices and techniques for detecting and effectively responding to hazardous substance contamination; and (5) identification of institutional and public policy barriers to detecting, assessing and evaluating hazardous substance contamination in affected communities.

The following projects are provided for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to reflect all of the possible types of projects eligible under this grant program.

This project focuses on hazardous substances research. Youth project participants will: (1) Receive training to help them research what substances are being transported on trains; (2) identify hazardous substances through visual and video recordings of placards on trains and through contact with Union Pacific representatives; (3) analyze recorded data and input it into a computer database; (4) research the potential effects of a spill or accident involving each substance and what the implications are for the surrounding neighborhood; (5) research what actions community members should take in the event of a spill or accident; (6) compile results and make findings available for presentations; (7) publish the results in a bound report; and (8) keep a journal of activities that can be used as a model by youth organizations nationwide conducting research in their own neighborhoods.

The project involves research, investigations, experiments, demonstrations, surveys and studies relating to the causes, extent, prevention, reduction and elimination or control of pollution of the water and air, which is impacted by urban industrialization and toxic wastes. Local high school and college students will learn how to conduct river research and report their findings. The purpose of the project is to teach students research techniques and how to communicate their findings. The project will provide information through community newsletters, river tours, and presentations to other stakeholders.

1. Address to Request Applications: Application guidance is available upon request by contacting your regional office listed in section VII or on the EPA's Web site at http://www.epa.gov/compliance/environmentaljustice/grants/index.html.

2. Content and Form of Application Submission: Proposals from eligible organizations must have the following:

(1) The Application for Federal Assistance (SF 424) is the official form required for all Federal grants that requests basic information about the grantee and the proposed project. The applicant must submit the original application form, and one copy, signed by a person duly authorized by the governing board of the applicant. Please complete part 10 of the SF 424 form, “Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number” with the following information: 66.604—Environmental Justice Hazardous Substances Research Small Grants Program. Grant applicants are required to provide a Dun and Bradstreet (D&B) Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number when applying for Federal grants. Organizations can receive a DUNS number in one day, at no cost, by calling the dedicated toll-free DUNS Number request line at 1-866-705-0025.

The Web site where an organization can obtain a DUNS number is: http://www.dnb.com. This is a new requirement from the Office of Management and Budget for grants, effective October 1, 2003. See Appendix B for a copy of this form and a completed sample.

(2) The Federal Standard Form (SF 424A) which provides information on your budget. For the purposes of this grant program, complete only the non-shaded areas of SF 424A.

(3) Detailed Budget estimates should support your work plan narrative. See Appendix B for a sample of a budget detail.

(4) A work plan narrative of the proposal is not to exceed five (5) pages. A work plan narrative describes the applicant's proposed project. The pages of the work plan must be letter size (8 1/2 × 11 inches), with normal type size (12 characters per inch), and at least 1 inch margins.

The work plan narrative is one of the most important aspects of your application and (assuming that all other required materials are submitted) will be used as the primary basis for selection. Work plans must be submitted as follows;

a. A one-page summary that identifies the following:

1. Environmental and/or public health concerns to be addressed by the project;

2. The community/target audience; and

3. The program goal(s) that the project will meet and how it will meet it.

b. A concise introduction that states:

1. The nature of the organization ( i.e. , how long it has been in existence and how the applicant meets the definition of an affected local community-based organization);

2. How the organization has been successful in the past;

3. The purposes of the project;

4. Detailed characteristics of the affected community/target audience (racial, ethnic and socioeconomic);

5. Projects completion plans/time frames, and

6. Expected results.

C. A concise project description that describes the activities the organization will undertake to examine and address the issue of multiple environmental harms and risks in the target community.

d. A conclusion discussing how the applicant will evaluate and measure the success of the project, including anticipated benefits and challenges in implementing the project.

e. Anticipated accomplishments must be stated along with a set of performance measures for how you will determine the overall success of your project at meeting those accomplishments. (Refer to page 4 for a discussion of how EPA will measure the success of the overall grant program.)

(5) An appendix with resumes of up to three key personnel who will be significantly involved in the project.

(6) Nonprofit Status. The applicant must provide documentation of the organization's nonprofit status.

(7) Other Submission Requirements: Please list the title of the project and amount of funding provided by EPA for any other grants or cooperative agreements from EPA in the last three years.

Applications that do not include all applicable information listed above, will not be considered for an award. Applications that propose projects that are inconsistent with the EPA's statutory authority for this program or the activity for the program are ineligible for funding and will not be evaluated.

3. Submission Dates and Times: The full application package must be date stamped by courier service or postmarked by the U. S. Postal Service by midnight, Friday, April 30, 2004. Use the appropriate EPA regional office address listed in section VII.

4. Confidentiality and Intergovernmental Review: Confidentiality: Please mark any information in the proposal that you consider confidential. EPA will follow the procedures at 40 CFR part 2 if information marked confidential is requested from the Agency under the Freedom of Information Act.

Intergovernmental Review: Your application to this EPA program may be subject to your State's intergovernmental review process and/or the consultation requirements of section 204, Demonstration Cities and Metropolitan Development Act. See 40 CFR part 29 for details. Check with your State's Single Point of Contact to determine your requirements. Some States do not require this review. Applicants from American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands should also check with their Single Point of Contact. A list of the States' Single Point of Contact is available at http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants/spoc.html.

5. Are There Any Restrictions on the Use of the Federal Funds? Yes. EPA grant funds can only be used for the purposes set forth in the grant agreement, and be consistent with the statutory authority for the award. Grant funds from this program cannot be used for matching funds for other Federal grants, lobbying, or intervention in Federal regulatory or adjudicatory proceedings. In addition, the recipient may not use these Federal assistance funds to sue the Federal government or any other government entity. Refer to 40 CFR 30.27, entitled “Allowable Costs” ( see Appendix C). The scope of environmental justice grants may not include construction, promotional items ( e.g. , T-shirts, buttons, hats), and furniture purchases. Applicants may not receive funding from more than one source for the same project.

1. Evaluation Criteria: All applications will be reviewed and scored according to the following criteria:

A. Threshold Criteria. Applications that do not include all items list in section IV, 2. Content and Form of Application Submission, will not be considered for an award and will not be scored. Additionally, applications that propose projects that are inconsistent with the EPA's statutory authority for this program or the activity for the program are ineligible for funding and will not be scored. Regional offices will contact applicants whose proposals do not meet the threshold requirements to determine whether the proposal can be revised to meet the threshold requirements.

B. Scoring Criteria. Applications meeting the threshold criteria will be scored by an EPA Review Panel, consisting of regional staff, and selected according to the following criteria. The corresponding points next to each criterion are the weights EPA will use to score the applications. Points will range depending on how well the applicant meets the given criterium. Please note that certain sections are given greater weight than others. The application will be scored based on the following evaluation criteria:

(1) The extent to which the work plan narrative clearly and effectively describes the following: (35 points)

a. An environmental and/or public health concerns related to the multiple environmental harms and risks affecting a community. (20)

b. The target community being served ( e.g. , demographics, socioeconomic characteristics, geographic location, etc.). (5)

c. The nature of the organization ( i.e. , how the applicant meets the definition of an affected local community-based organization). (10)

(2) The extent to which the proposal includes the following: (40 points)

a. Specific realistic goals and objectives that deal with the environmental justice issue(s). (15)

b. A well-conceived strategy to achieve the goals and objectives. (15)

c. A description of partnering or participating community organizations, universities and local governments. Describe how they will participate in the project and explain the strategies for cooperation and communication with the identified organizations or governments. (10)

(3) The extent to which the project clearly and effectively discusses how the applicant will evaluate the success of the project including appropriate qualitative and quantitative measures. (15 points)

(4) The extent to which the project has participants who are well qualified to conduct the proposed project based on a demonstrated record of success in their area of expertise? (10 points)

(Attention: The qualifications of the recipient's Project Manager is subject to approval by the EPA Project Officer.)

2. Review and Selection Process: The EPA regional offices will review, evaluate, and select grant recipients. Applications will be screened to ensure that they meet all eligibility and threshold requirements described in sections II-IV. Applications which meet the threshold requirements will be scored by regional review panels based on the evaluation criteria outlined above.

After the individual projects are scored, the EPA regional officials will compare the best applications and make final recommendations. Additional factors that the EPA will take into account include geographic and socioeconomic balance, diverse nature of the projects, cost, past performance and projects whose benefits can be sustained after the grant is completed. Regional Administrators will select the final grants. Please note that this is a very competitive grant program. Limited funding is available and EPA expects to receive many grant applications. Therefore, the Agency cannot fund all applications. A listing of other EPA grant programs may be found in the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance. This publication is available on the Internet at www.cfda.gov and at local libraries, colleges, or universities.

3. Anticipated Announcement and Award Dates:

February 27, 2004. FY 2004 Environmental Justice Hazardous Substances Research Small Grants Program Application Guidance is available on www.fedgrants.gov and http://www.epa.gov/compliance/environmentaljustice/grants/ej_smgrants.html. Hard copies are available upon request.

February 27, 2004, to April 30, 2004. Eligible grant recipients develop and complete their applications.

April 30, 2004. The application must be date stamped by courier service or postmarked by the U.S. Postal Service by midnight, Friday, April 30, 2004.

May 4, 2004, to July 30, 2004. EPA program officials review and evaluate applications and select grant finalists.

July 30, 2004, to September 30, 2004. Applicants will be contacted by the Region if their applications are being considered for funding. Additional information may be required from the finalists, as indicated in section IV. The EPA regional grants offices will process grants and make awards.

September 30, 2004. EPA expects to announce the FY 2004 Environmental Justice Hazardous Substances Research Small Grants recipients.

After all applications are received, acknowledgments will be mailed to applicants. Once applications have been recommended for funding, the EPA Regions will notify the finalists and request any additional information necessary to complete the award process. The finalists will be required to complete additional government application forms before receiving a grant, such as the EPA Form SF-424B (Assurances—Non-Construction Programs) and EPA Form 5700-49, the Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension, and Other Responsibility Matters. The Federal government requires all grantees to certify and assure that they will comply with all applicable Federal laws, regulations, and requirements. The designated EPA official or their designees will notify those applicants whose projects are not selected for funding.

Unless specified in the award, all recipients must submit final reports for EPA approval within ninety (90) days of the end of the project period. Specific report requirements ( e.g. , Quarterly or Semiannual Progress Reports, a Final Technical Report and a Financial Status Report) will be described in the award agreement. The EPA will collect, review, and disseminate grantees' final reports to serve as models.

For further information about this program, please visit the EPA's Web site at http://www.epa.gov/compliance/environmentaljustice/grants/ej_smgrants.html.

The applicant must submit/mail one signed original application with required attachments and one copy to the primary contact at the respective EPA regional office listed below. The application must be date stamped by courier service or postmarked by the U.S. Postal Service by midnight, Friday, April 30, 2004.

If you wish to be placed on the national mailing list to receive information on the FY 2005 Environmental Justice Hazardous Substances Research Small Grants Program, e-mail your request along with your name, organization, address, and phone number to lewis.sheila@epa.gov or mail your request along with your name, organization, address, and phone number to: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Environmental Justice Hazardous Substances Research Small Grants Program (2201A), FY 2005 Grants Mailing List, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20460, 1 (800) 962-6215.

If you wish to receive information on local Environmental Justice programs, you may mail or email your request along with your name, organization, address, and phone number to the appropriate regional office listed above.

Thank you for your interest in the Environmental Justice Hazardous Substances Research Small Grants Program.

The draft report can be obtained by visiting the U.S. EPA's global warming site at http://www.epa.gov/globalwarming/publications/emissions/ .

This action is directed in particular to the chemical manufacturer and/or importer who submitted the TMEs to EPA. This action may, however, be of interest to the public in general. Since other entities may also be interested, the Agency has not attempted to describe all the specific entities that may be affected by this action. If you have any questions regarding the applicability of this action to a particular entity, consult the technical person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT .

1. Docket . EPA has established an official public docket for this action under docket identification (ID) number OPPT-2004-0074. The official public docket consists of the documents specifically referenced in this action, any public comments received, and other information related to this action. Although a part of the official docket, the public docket does not include Confidential Business Information (CBI) or other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. The official public docket is the collection of materials that is available for public viewing at the EPA Docket Center, Rm. B102-Reading Room, EPA West, 1301 Constitution Ave., NW., Washington, DC. The EPA Docket Center is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays. The EPA Docket Center Reading Room telephone number is (202) 566-1744 and the telephone number for the OPPT Docket, which is located in EPA Docket Center, is (202) 566-0280.

2. Electronic access . You may access this Federal Register document electronically through the EPA Internet under the “ Federal Register ” listings at http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/ .

An electronic version of the public docket is available through EPA's electronic public docket and comment system, EPA Dockets. You may use EPA Dockets at http://www.epa.gov/edocket/ to submit or view public comments, access the index listing of the contents of the official public docket, and to access those documents in the public docket that are available electronically. Although not all docket materials may be available electronically, you may still access any of the publicly available docket materials through the docket facility identified in Unit I.B.1. Once in the system, select “search,” then key in the appropriate docket ID number.

Certain types of information will not be placed in the EPA Dockets. Information claimed as CBI and other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute, which is not included in the official public docket, will not be available for public viewing in EPA's electronic public docket. EPA's policy is that copyrighted material will not be placed in EPA's electronic public docket but will be available only in printed, paper form in the official public docket. To the extent feasible, publicly available docket materials will be made available in EPA's electronic public docket. When a document is selected from the index list in EPA Dockets, the system will identify whether the document is available for viewing in EPA's electronic public docket. Although not all docket materials may be available electronically, you may still access any of the publicly available docket materials through the docket facility identified in Unit I.B.1. EPA intends to work towards providing electronic access to all of the publicly available docket materials through EPA's electronic public docket.

For public commenters, it is important to note that EPA's policy is that public comments, whether submitted electronically or in paper, will be made available for public viewing in EPA's electronic public docket as EPA receives them and without change, unless the comment contains copyrighted material, CBI, or other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. When EPA identifies a comment containing copyrighted material, EPA will provide a reference to that material in the version of the comment that is placed in EPA's electronic public docket. The entire printed comment, including the copyrighted material, will be available in the public docket.

Public comments submitted on computer disks that are mailed or delivered to the docket will be transferred to EPA's electronic public docket. Public comments that are mailed or delivered to the docket will be scanned and placed in EPA's electronic public docket. Where practical, physical objects will be photographed, and the photograph will be placed in EPA's electronic public docket along with a brief description written by the docket staff.

The notice of receipt was published late in the 45-day review period; however, an opportunity to submit comments is being offered at this time.

You may submit comments electronically, by mail, or through hand delivery/courier. To ensure proper receipt by EPA, identify the appropriate docket ID number and the TME number in the subject line on the first page of your comment. Please ensure that your comments are submitted within the specified comment period. Comments received after the close of the comment period will be marked “late.” EPA is not required to consider these late comments. If you wish to submit CBI or information that is otherwise protected by statute, please follow the instructions in Unit I.D. Do not use EPA Dockets or e-mail to submit CBI or information protected by statute.

1. Electronically . If you submit an electronic comment as prescribed in this unit, EPA recommends that you include your name, mailing address, and an e-mail address or other contact information in the body of your comment. Also include this contact information on the outside of any disk or CD ROM you submit, and in any cover letter accompanying the disk or CD ROM. This ensures that you can be identified as the submitter of the comment and allows EPA to contact you in case EPA cannot read your comment due to technical difficulties or needs further information on the substance of your comment. EPA's policy is that EPA will not edit your comment, and any identifying or contact information provided in the body of a comment will be included as part of the comment that is placed in the official public docket, and made available in EPA's electronic public docket. If EPA cannot read your comment due to technical difficulties and cannot contact you for clarification, EPA may not be able to consider your comment.

i. EPA Dockets . Your use of EPA's electronic public docket to submit comments to EPA electronically is EPA's preferred method for receiving comments. Go directly to EPA Dockets at http://www.epa.gov/edocket/ , and follow the online instructions for submitting comments. Once in the system, select “search,” and then key in docket ID number OPPT-2004-0074. The system is an “anonymous access” system, which means EPA will not know your identity, e-mail address, or other contact information unless you provide it in the body of your comment.

ii. E-mail . Comments may be sent by e-mail to oppt.ncic@epa.gov , Attention: Docket ID Number OPPT-2004-0074 and the TME number. In contrast to EPA's electronic public docket, EPA's e-mail system is not an “anonymous access” system. If you send an e-mail comment directly to the docket without going through EPA's electronic public docket, EPA's e-mail system automatically captures your e-mail address. E-mail addresses that are automatically captured by EPA's e-mail system are included as part of the comment that is placed in the official public docket, and made available in EPA's electronic public docket.

iii. Disk or CD ROM . You may submit comments on a disk or CD ROM that you mail to the mailing address identified in Unit I.C.2. These electronic submissions will be accepted in WordPerfect or ASCII file format. Avoid the use of special characters and any form of encryption.

2. By mail . Send your comments to: Document Control Office (7407M), Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics (OPPT), Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460-0001.

3. By hand delivery or courier . Deliver your comments to: OPPT Document Control Office (DCO) in EPA East Bldg., Rm. 6428, 1201 Constitution Ave., NW., Washington, DC. Attention: Docket ID Number OPPT-2004-0074 and the TME number. The DCO is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays. The telephone number for the DCO is (202) 564-8930.

Do not submit information that you consider to be CBI electronically through EPA's electronic public docket or by e-mail. You may claim information that you submit to EPA as CBI by marking any part or all of that information as CBI (if you submit CBI on disk or CD ROM, mark the outside of the disk or CD ROM as CBI and then identify electronically within the disk or CD ROM the specific information that is CBI). Information so marked will not be disclosed except in accordance with procedures set forth in 40 CFR part 2.

In addition to one complete version of the comment that includes any information claimed as CBI, a copy of the comment that does not contain the information claimed as CBI must be submitted for inclusion in the public docket and EPA's electronic public docket. If you submit the copy that does not contain CBI on disk or CD ROM, mark the outside of the disk or CD ROM clearly that it does not contain CBI. Information not marked as CBI will be included in the public docket and EPA's electronic public docket without prior notice. If you have any questions about CBI or the procedures for claiming CBI, please consult the technical person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT .

You may find the following suggestions helpful for preparing your comments:

1. Explain your views as clearly as possible.

2. Describe any assumptions that you used.

3. Provide copies of any technical information and/or data you used that support your views.

4. If you estimate potential burden or costs, explain how you arrived at the estimate that you provide.

This action is directed in particular to the chemical manufacturer and/or importer who submitted the TME to EPA. This action may, however, be of interest to the public in general. Since other entities may also be interested, the Agency has not attempted to describe all the specific entities that may be affected by this action. If you have any questions regarding the applicability of this action to a particular entity, consult the technical person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT .

1. Docket. EPA has established an official public docket for this action under docket identification (ID) number OPPT-2004-0075. The official public docket consists of the documents specifically referenced in this action, any public comments received, and other information related to this action. Although a part of the official docket, the public docket does not include Confidential Business Information (CBI) or other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. The official public docket is the collection of materials that is available for public viewing at the EPA Docket Center, Rm. B102-Reading Room, EPA West, 1301 Constitution Ave., NW., Washington, DC. The EPA Docket Center is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays. The EPA Docket Center Reading Room telephone number is (202) 566-1744 and the telephone number for the OPPT Docket, which is located in EPA Docket Center, is (202) 566-0280.

2. Electronic access . You may access this Federal Register document electronically through the EPA Internet under the “ Federal Register ” listings at http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/ .

An electronic version of the public docket is available through EPA's electronic public docket and comment system, EPA Dockets. You may use EPA Dockets at http://www.epa.gov/edocket/ to submit or view public comments, access the index listing of the contents of the official public docket, and to access those documents in the public docket that are available electronically. Although not all docket materials may be available electronically, you may still access any of the publicly available docket materials through the docket facility identified in Unit I.B.1. Once in the system, select “search,” then key in the appropriate docket ID number.

Section 5(h)(1) of TSCA and 40 CFR 720.38 authorizes EPA to exempt persons from premanufacture notification (PMN) requirements and permit them to manufacture or import new chemical substances for test marketing purposes, if the Agency finds that the manufacture, processing, distribution in commerce, use, and disposal of the substances for test marketing purposes will not present an unreasonable risk of injury to health or the environment. EPA may impose restrictions on test marketing activities and may modify or revoke a test marketing exemption upon receipt of new information which casts significant doubt on its finding that the test marketing activity will not present an unreasonable risk of injury.

EPA approves the above-referenced TME. EPA has determined that test marketing the new chemical substance, under the conditions set out in the TME application and in this notice, will not present any unreasonable risk of injury to health or the environment.

The test market time period, production volume, number of customers, and use must not exceed specifications in the application and this notice. All other conditions and restrictions described in the application and in this notice must also be met.

TME-04-02

Date of Receipt : January 12, 2004.

Notice of Receipt : February 9, 2004 (69 FR 5980) (FRL-7344-2).

Applicant : Ilford Imaging USA.

Chemical : 1H-pyrazole-3-carboxylic acid, 4-[[5- [[4, 6-bis[(3 sulphopropyl)thio]-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl]amino] -2-sulphophenyl]azo]-1-(2,5-dichloro-4-sulphophenyl)-4,5-dihydro-5-oxo-,pentsodium salt.

Use : dye formulated in water-based ink for use in inkjet printer cartridges.

Production Volume : 500 kilograms/yr.

Number of Customers : 12.

Test Marketing Period : 5 months.

The following additional restrictions apply to this TME. A bill of lading accompanying each shipment must state that the use of the substance is restricted to that approved in the TME. In addition, the applicant shall maintain the following records until 5 years after the date they are created, and shall make them available for inspection or copying in accordance with section 11 of TSCA:

1. Records of the quantity of the TME substance produced and the date of manufacture.

2. Records of dates of the shipments to each customer and the quantities supplied in each shipment.

3. Copies of the bill of lading that accompanies each shipment of the TME substance.

EPA identified no significant health or environmental concerns for the test market substance. Therefore, the test market activities will not present any unreasonable risk of injury to human health or the environment.

Yes. The Agency reserves the right to rescind approval or modify the conditions and restrictions of an exemption should any new information that comes to its attention cast significant doubt on its finding that the test marketing activities will not present any unreasonable risk of injury to human health or the environment.

This is a summary of the Commission's public notice, CC Docket No. 96-45, DA 04-27, released January 8, 2004. On November 5, 2003, Sprint on behalf of its Wireless Division filed with the Commission a petition pursuant to section 214(e)(6) of the of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, seeking designation as an ETC in the portions of its licensed service area in North Carolina served by non-rural incumbent local exchange carriers. Sprint contends that: the North Carolina Utilities Commission (North Carolina Commission) has provided an affirmative statement that it does not regulate commercial mobile radio service (CMRS) carriers; Sprint satisfies all the statutory and regulatory prerequisites for ETC designation; and designating Sprint as an ETC will serve the public interest.

We note that Sprint must provide a copy of its petition to the North Carolina Commission. The Commission will also send a copy of this public notice to the North Carolina Commission by overnight express mail to ensure that the North Carolina Commission is notified of the notice and comment period.

Pursuant to §§ 1.415 and 1.419 of the Commission's rules, 47 CFR 1.415, 1.419, interested parties may file comments as follows: comments are due on or before March 11, 2004, and reply comments are due on or before March 25, 2004. Comments may be filed using the Commission's Electronic Comment Filing System (ECFS) or by filing paper copies. See Electronic Filing of Documents in Rulemaking Proceedings, 63 FR 24121, May 1, 1998.

Comments filed through the ECFS can be sent as an electronic file via the Internet to http://www.fcc.gov/e-file/ecfs.html. Generally, only one copy of an electronic submission must be filed. If multiple docket or rulemaking numbers appear in the caption of this proceeding, however, commenters must transmit one electronic copy of the comments to each docket or rulemaking number referenced in the caption. In completing the transmittal screen, commenters should include their full name, U.S. Postal Service mailing address, and the applicable docket or rulemaking number. Parties may also submit an electronic comment by Internet e-mail. To get filing instructions for e-mail comments, commenters should send an e-mail to <ecfs@fcc.gov>, and should include the following words in the body of the message, “get form <your e-mail address>.” A sample form and directions will be sent in reply.

Parties who choose to file by paper must file an original and four copies of each filing. If more than one docket or rulemaking number appears in the caption of this proceeding, commenters must submit two additional copies for each additional docket or rulemaking number. Filings can be sent by hand or messenger delivery, by commercial overnight courier, or by first-class or overnight U.S. Postal Service mail (although we continue to experience delays in receiving U.S. Postal Service mail). The Commission's contractor, Natek, Inc., will receive hand-delivered or messenger-delivered paper filings for the Commission's Secretary at 236 Massachusetts Avenue, NE., Suite 110, Washington, DC 20002. The filing hours at this location are 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. All hand deliveries must be held together with rubber bands or fasteners. Any envelopes must be disposed of before entering the building. Commercial overnight mail (other then U.S. Postal Service Express Mail and Priority Mail) must be sent to 9300 East Hampton Drive, Capitol Heights, MD 20743. U.S. Postal Service first-class mail, Express Mail, and Priority Mail should be addressed to 445 12th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20554. All filings must be addressed to the Commission's Secretary, Marlene H. Dortch, Office of the Secretary, Federal Communications Commission.

Parties also must send three paper copies of their filing to Sheryl Todd, Telecommunications Access Policy Division, Wireline Competition Bureau, Federal Communications Commission, 445 12th Street, SW., Room 5-B540, Washington, DC 20554. In addition, commenters must send diskette copies to the Commission's copy contractor, Qualex International, Portals II, 445 12th Street, SW., Room CY-B402, Washington, DC 20054.

Pursuant to § 1.1206 of the Commission's rules, 47 CFR 1.1206, this proceeding will be conducted as a permit-but-disclose proceeding in which ex parte communications are permitted subject to disclosure.