Section 203(c) of the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 (7 U.S.C. 1621-1627), as amended, directs and authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture “to develop and improve standards of quality, condition, quantity, grade and packaging and recommend and demonstrate such standards in order to encourage uniformity and consistency in commercial practices * * *.” AMS is committed to carrying out this authority in a manner that facilitates the marketing of agricultural commodities and makes copies of official standards available upon request. The United States Standards for Grades of Fruits and Vegetables not connected with Federal Marketing Orders or U.S. Import Requirements, no longer appear in the Code of Federal Regulations, but are maintained by USDA/AMS/Fruit and Vegetable Programs.

AMS is revising the voluntary U.S. Standards for Grades of Sweet Potatoes using procedures that appear in Part 36 Title 7 of the Code of Federal Regulations (7 CFR Part 36).

On December 10, 2003, AMS published a notice in the Federal Register (68 FR 237) soliciting comments on a possible revision to the United States Standards for Grades of Sweet Potatoes. As a result, AMS received five comments from industry groups requesting the addition of a new grade entitled U.S. No. 1 Petite, with the same requirements as the U.S. No. 1 grade currently in the standard, except for the size requirements. The request specified that the size requirements for the U.S. No. 1 Petite be: A minimum diameter of 11/2 inches, a maximum diameter of 21/4 inches, a minimum length of 3 inches and a maximum length of 7 inches.

A second notice was published in the October 29, 2004, Federal Register (69 FR 209) based on comments received on the first notice. AMS received seven comments from industry groups in response to the second notice. Six comments were in favor of the revision to the standard and one comment was opposed. The comments are available by accessing AMS's Home Page on the Internet at http://www.ams.usda.gov/fv/fpbdocketlist.htm.

One comment opposing the revision stated the new grade is of negative value to their members and will cause confusion. The commenter stated the new grade may result in a lower overall return to their growers as the size is similar to a medium size which is the cheapest grade they market. The marketing of sweet potatoes using any size within the U.S. standard is voluntary. AMS believes the addition of the new grade will not cause confusion and will aid those producers whom would like to market smaller size sweet potatoes using the U.S. standards.

AMS received six comments in favor of the revision. Those in favor of the new grade stated it would aid in the marketing of smaller size sweet potatoes as the U.S. standards currently require sweet potatoes to be a larger size in order to meet a grade. The change will allow the packing and shipping of smaller size sweet potatoes under the U.S. standards.

Based on comments received and information gathered, AMS believes the addition of the U.S. No. 1 Petite grade will facilitate the marketing of smaller size sweet potatoes and improve the standards usefulness in serving the industry.

The official grade of a lot of sweet potatoes covered by these standards are determined by the procedures set forth in the Regulations Governing Inspection, Certification, and Standards of Fresh Fruits, Vegetables and Other Products (Sec. 51.1 to 51.61).

Additionally, AMS is eliminating the unclassified category. This section is being removed in all standards, when they are revised. This category is not a grade and only serves to show that no grade has been applied to the lot. It is no longer considered necessary.

The United States Standards for Grades of Sweet Potatoes will become effective 30 days after the publication of this notice in the Federal Register.

Title: Pork and Poultry Products From Mexico Transiting the United States.

OMB Number: 0579-0145.

Type of Request: Extension of approval of an information collection.

Abstract: The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) of the United States Department of Agriculture is responsible for, among other things, regulating the importation into the United States of certain animals and animal products to prevent the introduction of serious pests and diseases of livestock into the United States.

The regulations for the importation of animals and animal products are contained in 9 CFR parts 92 through 98.

The regulations in 9 CFR 94.15 allow fresh (chilled or frozen) pork and pork products and poultry carcasses, parts, and products (except eggs and egg products) that are not eligible to enter into the United States to transit the United States from specified States in Mexico, via land ports, for export to another country.

The regulations set out conditions for the transit movements that protect against the introduction of classical swine fever or exotic Newcastle disease into the United States.

These conditions involve the use of several information collection activities, including the completion of an import permit application, the placement of serially numbered seals on product containers, and the forwarding of a pre-arrival notification to U.S. port personnel.

We are asking the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to approve our use of these information collection activities for an additional 3 years.

The purpose of this notice is to solicit comments from the public (as well as affected agencies) concerning our information collection. These comments will help us:

(1) Evaluate whether the collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Agency, including whether the information will have practical utility;

(2) Evaluate the accuracy of our estimate of the burden of the collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used;

(3) Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and

(4) Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, through use, as appropriate, of automated, electronic, mechanical, and other collection technologies; e.g., permitting electronic submission of responses.

Estimate of burden: The public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 0.8 hours per response.

Respondents: Exporters in Mexico and full-time, salaried veterinarians employed by Mexico's Federal animal health protection service.

Estimated annual number of respondents: 75.

Estimated annual number of responses per respondent: 10.

Estimated annual number of responses: 750.

Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 600 hours. (Due to averaging, the total annual burden hours may not equal the product of the annual number of responses multiplied by the reporting burden per response.)

All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the request for OMB approval. All comments will also become a matter of public record.

Title: State Administrative Expense Funds Regulations.

OMB Number: 0584-0067.

Form Number(s): FNS-74, FNS-525.

Expiration Date: September 30, 2005.

Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved collection.

Abstract: Section 7 of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (Pub. L. 89-642), 42 U.S.C. 1776, authorizes the Department to provide Federal funds to State agencies (SAs) for administering the Child Nutrition Programs. State Administrative Expense Funds (SAE), 7 CFR Part 235, sets forth procedures and recordkeeping requirements for use by SAs in reporting and maintaining records of their needs and uses of SAE funds.

Estimate of Burden: There is no change to the reporting or recordkeeping burdens.

Estimated Time per Response: 2.27 hours.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 88 respondents.

Average Number of Responses per Respondent: 2,052 responses.

Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 12,922 burden hours.

In accordance with the provisions set forth in the Emergency Food Assistance Act of 1983 (EFAA), 7 U.S.C. 7502, and the Food Stamp Act of 1977, 7 U.S.C. 2011, et seq., the Department makes commodities and administrative funds available to States for use in providing nutrition assistance to those in need through TEFAP. In accordance with 7 CFR 251.3(h), each State's share of TEFAP commodities and administrative funds is based 60 percent on the number of low-income households within the State and 40 percent on the number of unemployed persons within the State. State officials are responsible for establishing the network through which the commodities will be used by eligible recipient agencies (ERAs) in providing nutrition assistance to those in need, and for allocating commodities and administrative funds among those agencies. States have full discretion in determining the amount of commodities that will be made available to ERAs for use in preparing meals, and/or for distribution to households for home consumption.

The types of commodities the Department expects to make available to States for distribution through TEFAP in FY 2005 are described below.

Surplus commodities donated for distribution under TEFAP are Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) commodities purchased under the authority of section 416 of the Agricultural Act of 1949, 7 U.S.C. 1431 (section 416) and commodities purchased under the surplus removal authority of section 32 of the Act of August 24, 1935, 7 U.S.C. 612c (section 32). The types of commodities typically purchased under section 416 include dairy, grains, oils, and peanut products. The types of commodities purchased under section 32 include meat, poultry, fish, vegetables, dry beans, juices and fruits.

In FY 2005, the Department anticipates that there will be sufficient quantities of nonfat dry milk and ready-to-eat pudding available for donation under section 416, and frozen turkey breast, canned and frozen orange juice, fruit-nut mix, dried cherries, dates, figs, canned tomatoes, walnuts, canned and frozen asparagus, canned salmon, sweet potatoes, dried cranberries, and cranberry juice under section 32, to support the distribution of these commodities through TEFAP. Other surplus commodities may be made available to TEFAP later in the year. The Department would like to point out that commodity acquisitions are based on changing agricultural market conditions; therefore, the availability of commodities is subject to change.

Approximately $65.4 million in surplus commodities purchased in FY 2004 are being delivered to States in FY 2005. These commodities include frozen strawberries, frozen peaches, frozen orange juice, walnuts, and the following canned items: tomatoes, apricots, peaches, mixed fruit, pineapple and orange juices, asparagus and salmon.

In accordance with section 27 of the Food Stamp Act of 1977, 7 U.S.C. 2036, the Secretary is directed annually, through FY 2007, to purchase $140 million worth of commodities for distribution through TEFAP. These commodities are made available to States in addition to those surplus commodities which otherwise might be provided to States for distribution under TEFAP. However, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2005 (Pub. L. 108-447) permits States to convert any or all of their fair share of $10 million of these funds to administrative funds to pay costs associated with the distribution of TEFAP commodities at the State and local level.

In addition, $50 million was appropriated under the Commodity Assistance Program heading of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2005, as administrative funds. However, 0.80% of this amount, or $400,000, was rescinded as the result of an across the board reduction in discretionary spending, leaving $49.6 million to be allocated to the States for administrative funds. State agencies have the option of requesting that the Department use any or all of their “fair shares” of this $49.6 million to purchase additional commodities for them.

For FY 2005, the Department anticipates purchasing the following commodities for distribution through TEFAP: Dehydrated potatoes, corn syrup, egg mix, blackeye beans, great northern beans, kidney beans, lima beans, pinto beans, dried plums, raisins, bakery mix, lowfat bakery mix, egg noodles, white and yellow corn grits, macaroni, oats, peanut butter, rice, spaghetti, vegetable oil, rice cereal, corn flakes, corn squares, oat cereal, bran flakes, frozen ground beef, frozen chicken, frozen ham, frozen turkey roast, and the following canned items: Green beans, refried beans, vegetarian beans, carrots, cream corn, whole kernel corn, sliced potatoes, spaghetti sauce, tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato soup, vegetarian soup, apple juice, cranapple juice, grapefruit juice, orange juice, pineapple juice, tomato juice, apricots, peaches, pineapples, applesauce, pears, plums, beef, beef stew, chicken, pork, tuna, turkey and roasted peanuts. The amounts of each item purchased will depend on the prices the Department must pay, as well as the quantity of each item requested by the States. Changes in agricultural market conditions may result in the availability of additional types of commodities or the non-availability of one or more types listed above.

Agenda topics include presentation on road storage, status of approved projects, and receiving public comment. If the meeting date or location is changed, notice will be posted in the local newspapers, including the Daily Interlake based in Kalispell, Montana.

Federal Agency: Rural Utilities Service (RUS).

Funding Opportunity Title: Grant Program To Establish a Fund for Financing Water and Wastewater Projects (Revolving Fund Program (RFP)).

Announcement Type: Funding Level Announcement, and Solicitation of Applications.

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 10.864.

Dates: You may submit a completed application for a RFP grant on or before May 23, 2005.

Reminder of Competitive Grant Application Deadline: Applications must be mailed, shipped or submitted electronically through Grants.gov no later than May 23, 2005, to be eligible for FY 2005 grant funding.

I. Funding Opportunity: Brief introduction to the RFP.

II. Award Information: Available funds, maximum amounts.

III. Eligibility Information: Who is eligible, what kinds of projects are eligible, what criteria determine basic eligibility.

IV. Application and Submission Information: Where to get application materials, what constitutes a completed application, how and where to submit applications, deadlines, items that are eligible.

V. Application Review Information: Considerations and preferences, scoring criteria, review standards, selection information.

VI. Award Administration Information: Award notice information, award recipient reporting requirements.

VII. Agency Contacts: Web, phone, fax, email, contact name.

Drinking water systems are basic and vital to health and economic development. With dependable water facilities, rural communities can attract families and businesses that will invest in the community and improve the quality of life for all residents. Without dependable water facilities, the communities cannot sustain economic development.

The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) supports the sound development of rural communities and the growth of our economy without endangering the environment. RUS provides financial and technical assistance to help communities bring safe drinking water and sanitary, environmentally sound waste disposal facilities to rural Americans in greatest need.

The Revolving Fund (RFP) Grant Program has been established to assist communities with water or wastewater systems. Qualified private non-profit organizations will receive RFP grant funds to establish a lending program for eligible entities. Eligible entities for the revolving loan fund will be the same entities eligible to obtain a loan, loan guarantee, or grant from the Rural Utilities Service Water and Waste Disposal and Wastewater loan and grant programs. As grant recipients, the non-profit organizations will set up a revolving loan fund to provide loans to finance predevelopment costs of water or wastewater projects, or short-term small capital projects not part of the regular operation and maintenance of current water and wastewater systems. The amount of financing to an eligible entity shall not exceed $100,000.00 and shall be repaid in a term not to exceed 10 years. The rate shall be determined in the approved grant work plan.

FY 2005 funding for the RFP Grant Program is $496,000.

1. Is a private, non-profit organization that has tax-exempt status from the United States Internal Revenue Service (IRS);

2. Is legally established and located within one of the following:

a. A state within the United States.

b. The District of Columbia.

c. The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

d. A United States territory.

e. Has the legal capacity and authority to carry out the grant purpose;

f. Has a proven record of successfully operating a revolving loan fund to rural areas;

g. Has capitalization acceptable to the Agency, and is composed of at least 51 percent of the outstanding interest or membership being citizens of the United States or individuals who reside in the United States after being legally admitted for permanent residence;

h. Has no delinquent debt to the Federal Government or no outstanding judgments to repay a Federal debt; and

i. Demonstrates that it possesses the financial, technical, and managerial capability to comply with Federal and State laws and requirements.

1. The following activities are authorized under the RFP statute:

a. Grant funds must be used to capitalize a revolving fund program for the purpose of providing direct loan financing to Ultimate Recipients for pre-development costs associated with proposed or with existing water and wastewater systems; or

b. Short-term costs incurred for equipment replacement, small-scale extension of services, or other small capital projects that are not part of the regular operations and maintenance activities of existing water and wastewater systems.

2. Grant funds may not be used to pay any of the following:

a. Payment of the Intermediary's administrative costs or expenses, and

b. Delinquent debt owed to the Federal Government.

The application guide, copies of necessary forms, the RFP regulation, and samples are available from these sources:

1. The RFP of RUS Web site: http://www.usda.gov/rus/water, or http://www.grants.gov.

2. Telephone the RFP of RUS for paper copies: (202) 720-9586.

1. Applications submitted on paper:

a. Send or deliver paper applications by the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) or courier delivery services to: Assistant Administrator, Water and Environmental Programs, Rural Utilities Service, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., STOP 1548, Room 5145 South, Washington, DC 20250-1548. RUS will not accept applications by fax or e-mail.

b. Submit the original paper application (no stamped, photocopied, or initialed signatures) and two copies on or before the deadline date. The application and any materials sent with it become Federal records by law and cannot be returned to you.

2. Electronically submitted applications:

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

b. Electronic applications for grants will be accepted if submitted through the Federal Government's Grant.gov Web site: http://www.grants.gov.

c. How to register with Grants.gov: You must be registered with Grants.gov before you can submit a grant application. If you have not used Grants.gov before, you will need to register with the Central Contractor Registry (CCR) and the Credential Provider. You will also need a DUNS number to access or register for these services. The registration processes may take several business days to complete. Follow the instructions at Grants.gov for registering and submitting an electronic application. RUS may request original signatures on electronically submitted documents later.

d. The CCR registers your organization, housing your organizational information and allowing Grants.gov to use it to verify your identity. You may register for the CCR by calling the CCR Assistance Center at 1-888-227-2423 or you may register online at: http://www.ccr.gov.

e. The Credential Provider gives you or your representative a username and password, as part of the Federal Government's e-Authentication to ensure a secure transaction. You will need the username and password when you register with Grants.gov or use Grants.gov to submit your application. You must register with the Central Provider through Grants.gov: https://apply.grants.gov/OrcRegister.

f. DUNS number. As required by OMB, a Dun and Bradstreet Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number (DUNS) number is required for paper and electronically submitted grant applications. The Standard Form 424 (SF-424), “Application for Federal Assistance” contains a field for you to use when supplying your DUNS number. Obtaining a DUNS number costs nothing and requires a brief telephone call to Dun and Bradstreet. To verify that your organization has a DUNS number or to receive one, call the dedicated toll-free request line at 1-866-705-5711. The following information is required when requesting a DUNS number:

(i) Legal Name.

(ii) Headquarters name and address of the organization

(iii) Doing business as (dba) or other name by which the organization is commonly recognized.

(iv) Physical address.

(v) Mailing address (if separate from headquarters and/or physical address).

(vi) Telephone number.

(vii) Contact name and title.

(viii) Number of employees at the physical location.

For more information, please visit Grants.gov and the Dun and Bradstreet Web site: http://www.dunandbradstreet.com.

1. To be considered for a RFP grant award, you must be an eligible entity and must submit a complete application on or before May 23, 2005. You should consult the cost principles and general administrative requirements for grants pertaining to their organizational type in order to prepare the budget and complete other parts of the application. You also must demonstrate compliance (or intent to comply), through certification or other means, with a number of public policy requirements.

2. Applicants must complete and submit the following forms to apply for a RFP grant:

a. Standard Form 424, “Application for Federal Assistance.”

b. Standard Form 424A, “Budget Information—Non-Construction Programs.”

c. Standard Form 424B, “Assurances—Non-Construction Programs.”

d. Standard Form LLL, “Disclosure of Lobbying Activity.”

e. Form RD 400-1, “Equal Opportunity Agreement.”

f. Form RD 400-4, “Assurance Agreement (Under Title VI, Civil Rights Act of 1964.)”

3. The project proposal should outline the project in sufficient detail to provide a reader with a complete understanding of how the loan program will work. Explain what you will accomplish by lending funds to eligible entities. Demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed loan program in meeting the objectives of this grant program. The proposal should cover the following elements:

a. Present a brief project overview. Explain the purpose of the project, how it relates to RUS's purposes, how you will carry out the project, what the project will produce, and who will direct it.

b. Describe why the project is necessary. Demonstrate that eligible entities need loan funds. Quantify the number of prospective borrowers or provide statistical or narrative evidence that a sufficient number of borrowers will exist to justify the grant award. Describe the service area. Address community needs.

c. Clearly state your project goals. Your objectives should clearly describe the goals and be concrete and specific enough to be quantitative or observable. They should also be feasible and relate to the purpose of the loan program.

d. The narrative should cover in more detail the items briefly described in the Project Summary. It should establish the basis for any claims that you have substantial expertise in promoting the safe and productive use of Revolving Funds. In describing what the project will achieve, you should tell the reader if it also will have broader influence. The narrative should address the following points:

(i) Document your ability to administer and service a revolving fund in accordance with the provisions of 7 CFR Part 1783.

(ii) Document that, to establish the revolving fund, you can commit financial resources your organization controls. This documentation should describe the sources of funds other than the RFP grant that will be used to pay your operational costs and provide financial assistance for projects.

(iii) Demonstrate that you have secured commitments of significant financial support from other funding sources, if appropriate.

(iii) List the fees and charges that borrowers will be assessed.

e. The work plan must describe the tasks and activities that will be accomplished with available resources during the grant period. It must show the work you plan to do to achieve the anticipated outcomes, goals, and objectives set out for the RFP Program. The plan must:

(i) Describe the work to be performed by each person.

(ii) Give a schedule or timetable of work to be done.

(iii) Show evidence of previous experience with the techniques to be used or their successful use by others.

(iv) Outline the loan program to include the following: Specific loan purposes, a loan application process; priorities, borrower eligibility criteria, limitations, fees, interest rates, terms, and collateral requirements.

(v) Provide a marketing plan.

(vi) Explain the mechanics of how you will transfer loan funds to the borrowers.

(vii) Describe follow-up or continuing activities that should occur after project completion such as monitoring and reporting borrowers' accomplishments.

(viii) Project Evaluation. It should describe how the results will be evaluated, in line with the project objectives.

(ix) Personnel. The applicant should list all personnel responsible for administering this program along with a statement of their qualifications and experience.

f. The written justification for projected costs should explain how budget figures were determined for each category. It should indicate which costs are to be covered by grant funds and which costs will be met by your organization or other organizations. The justification should account for all expenditures discussed in the narrative. It should reflect appropriate cost-sharing contributions. The budget justification should explain the budget and accounting system proposed or in place. The administrative costs for operating the budget should be expressed as a percentage of the overall budget. The budget justification should provide specific budget figures, rounding off figures to the nearest dollar. Applicants should consult OMB Circular A-122: “Cost Principles for Non-Profit Organizations” for information about appropriate costs for each budget category.

g. In addition to completing the standard application forms, you must submit supplementary materials.

h. Demonstrate that your organization is legally recognized under state and Federal law. Satisfactory documentation includes, but is not limited to, certificates from the Secretary of State, or copies of state statutes or laws establishing your organization. Letters from the IRS awarding tax-exempt status are not considered adequate evidence.

i. Submit a certified list of directors and officers with their respective terms.

j. Submit evidence of tax exempt status from the Internal Revenue Service.

k. You must disclose debarment and suspension information required in accordance with 7 CFR, Part 3017, subpart 3017.335, if it applies. The section heading is “What information must I provide before entering into a covered transaction with the Department of Agriculture?” It is part of the Department of Agriculture's rules on Government-wide Debarment and Suspension.

l. Submit the most recent audit of your organization.

m. Submit the following financial statements:

(i) A pro forma balance sheet at start-up and for at least three additional years; Balance sheets, income statements, and cash flow statements for the last three years. If your organization has been formed less than three years, the financial statements should be submitted for the periods from inception to the present.

(ii) Projected income and cash flow statements for at least three years supported by a list of assumptions showing the basis for the projections.

(iii) The projected income statement and balance sheet must include one set of projections that shows the revolving loan fund only and a separate set of projections that shows your organization's total operations.

n. You may present additional information to support and describe your plan for achieving the grant objectives. The information may be regarded as essential for understanding and evaluating the project such as letters of support, resolutions, policies, etc. The supplements may be presented in appendices to the proposal.

4. You must identify all of your organization's known workplaces by including the actual address of buildings (or parts of buildings) or other sites where work under the award takes place. Workplace identification is required under the drug-free workplace requirements in accordance with 7 CFR, Part 3021, subpart 3021.230. The section heading is “How and when must I identify workplaces?” This is part of the Department of Agriculture's rules on Government-wide Requirements for Drug-Free Workplace (Financial Assistance).

1. Receipt Acknowledgment by letter sent within 30 days of receiving your application, RUS will acknowledge the application's receipt. Your application will be reviewed for completeness to determine if you included all of the items required. If your application is incomplete or ineligible, RUS will return it to you with an explanation.

2. A review team, composed of at least two members, will evaluate all applications and proposals. They will make overall recommendations based on factors such as eligibility, application completeness, and conformity to application requirements. They will score the applications based on criteria in the next section.

3. All applications that are complete and eligible will be ranked competitively based on the following scoring criteria:

Applications will be selected for funding, based on the highest scores and the availability of funding for RFP grants. Each applicant will be notified in writing of the score its application receives.

In making its decision about your application, RUS may determine that your application is:

1. Eligible and selected for funding,

2. Eligible but offered fewer funds than requested,

3. Eligible but not selected for funding; or,

4. Ineligible for the grant.

In accordance with 7 CFR part 1900, subpart B, you generally have the right to appeal adverse decisions. Some adverse decisions cannot be appealed. For example, if you are denied RUS funding due to a lack of funds available for the grant program, this decision cannot be appealed. However, you may make a request to the National Appeals Division (NAD) to review the accuracy of our finding that the decision cannot be appealed. The appeal must be in writing and filed at the appropriate Regional Office, which can be found at http://www.nad.usda.gov/offices.htm or by calling (703) 305-1166.

Applicants selected for funding will complete a grant agreement which outlines the terms and conditions of the grant award.

1. SF-270, “Request for Advance or Reimbursement,” will be completed by the grantee and submitted to either the State or National Office not more frequently than monthly.

2. Upon receipt of a properly completed SF-270, the funds will be requested through the field office terminal system. Ordinarily, payment will be made within 30 days after receipt of a proper request for reimbursement.

3. Grantees are encouraged to use women- and minority-owned banks (a bank which is owned at least 50 percent by women or minority group members) for the deposit and disbursement of funds.

Any change in the scope of the project, budget adjustments of more than 10 percent of the total budget, or any other significant change in the project must be reported to and approved by the approval official by written amendment to RUS Guide 1775-1. Any change not approved may be cause for termination of the grant.

1. Grantees shall constantly monitor performance to ensure that time schedules are being met, projected work by time periods is being accomplished, and other performance objectives are being achieved.

2. SF-269, “Financial Status Report (short form),” and a project performance activity report will be required of all grantees on a quarterly basis, due 30 days after the end of each quarter.

3. A final project performance report will be required with the last SF-269 due 90 days after the end of the last quarter in which the project is completed. The final report may serve as the last quarterly report.

4. All multi-State grantees are to submit an original of each report to the National Office. Grantees serving only one State are to submit an original of each report to the State Office. The project performance reports should detail, preferably in a narrative format, activities that have transpired for the specific time period.

5. The grantee will provide an audit report or financial statements as follows:

a. Grantees expending $500,000 or more Federal funds per fiscal year will submit an audit conducted in accordance with OMB Circular A-133. The audit will be submitted within 9 months after the grantee's fiscal year. Additional audits may be required if the project period covers more than one fiscal year.

b. Grantees expending less than $500,000 will provide annual financial statements covering the grant period, consisting of the organization's statement of income and expense and balance sheet signed by an appropriate official of the organization. Financial statements will be submitted within 90 days after the grantee's fiscal year.

A. Web site: http://www.usda.gov/rus/water. The RUS' Web site maintains up-to-date resources and contact information for RFP programs.

B. Telephone: 202-720-9586.

C. Fax: 202-690-0649.

D. E-mail: stephen.saulnier@usda.gov.

E. Main point of contact: Stephen Saulnier, Loan Specialist, Water and Environmental Programs, Water Programs Division, Rural Utilities Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture.

At the request of Blue Field (Sichuan) Food Industrial Co., Ltd., the Department of Commerce (“the Department”) initiated a new shipper review of the antidumping duty order on certain preserved mushrooms from the People's Republic of China (“PRC”) for the period February 1, 2004, through July 31, 2004. See Certain Preserved Mushrooms from the PRC: Initiation of Eighth New Shipper Antidumping Duty Review, 69 FR 57264 (September 24, 2004). The preliminary results of this review are currently due no later than March 16, 2005.

Pursuant to 751(a)(2)(B)(iv) of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (“the Act”) and 19 CFR 351.214(i)(1), the Department will issue the preliminary results of a new shipper review within 180 days after the date on which the new shipper review was initiated, and issue the final results within 90 days after the date on which the preliminary results were issued. The Department may, however, extend the deadline for completion of the preliminary results of a new shipper review to 300 days if it determines that the case is extraordinarily complicated (19 CFR 351.214(I)(2)).

The Department finds that it is not practicable to complete the preliminary results of this new shipper review within the statutory time limit of 180 days. Specifically, we find that additional time is needed to conduct our bona fide sales analysis based on our findings at verification. Given that additional time is needed to conduct our bona fide sales analysis, we find that this case is extraordinarily complicated.

Accordingly, the Department is extending the time limit for the completion of the preliminary results of this new shipper review until July 14, 2005, which is 300 days after the date on which the new shipper review was initiated. The final results will, in turn, be due 90 days after the date of issuance of the preliminary results, unless extended.

This notice is in accordance with section 751(a)(2)(B)(iv) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.214(i)(2).

On June 1, 2004, the Department of Commerce (“the Department”) published in the Federal Register (69 FR 30873) a notice of “Antidumping or Countervailing Duty Order, Finding, or Suspended Investigation; Opportunity To Request Administrative Review” of the antidumping duty order on folding metal tables and chairs from the People's Republic of China (“PRC”) for the period June 1, 2003, through May 31, 2004.

On June 25, 2004, Wok and Pan Industry, Inc. (“Wok & Pan”) requested an administrative review of its sales. On June 28, 2004, Cosco Home and Office Products (an importer of the merchandise subject to this antidumping duty order) requested an administrative review of the antidumping duty order for the following companies: Feili Furniture Development Limited Quanzhou City, Feili Furniture Development Co., Ltd., Feili Group (Fujian) Co., Ltd., and Feili (Fujian) Co., Ltd (collectively “Feili”) and New-Tec Integration Co., Ltd. (“New-Tec”). On June 29, 2004, Feili requested an administrative review of its sales. On June 30, 2004, Dongguan Shichang Metals Factory Co., Ltd., Dongguan Shichang Metals Factory Ltd., and Maxchief Investments Limited (collectively “Shichang”), and Lifetime Hong Kong Ltd. and Lifetime (Xiamen) Plastic Products Ltd. (collectively “Lifetime”) requested an administrative review of their sales. Also on June 30, 2004, the Meco Corporation (“the petitioner”) requested an administrative review of the antidumping duty order for the following companies: Feili, New-Tec, and Shichang.

On July 28, 2004, the Department published a notice of initiation of an administrative review of the antidumping duty order on folding metal tables and chairs from the PRC with respect to these companies. See Initiation of Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Administrative Reviews and Request for Revocation in Part, 69 FR 45010, 45011 (July 28, 2004) (“Initiation Notice”).

On September 2, 2004, Lifetime withdrew its request for an administrative review. On September 7, 2004, the petitioner withdrew its request for an administrative review of Shichang. On September 8, 2004, Shichang withdrew its request for an administrative review.

Pursuant to 19 CFR 351.213(d)(1), the Secretary will rescind an administrative review in whole or in part if a party that requested the review withdraws its request within ninety days of publication of the Federal Register notice that initiated the review. Therefore, as the petitioner, Lifetime, and Shichang were the only parties that made requests for review on behalf of Lifetime and Shichang, and because the petitioner, Lifetime, and Shichang have all withdrawn their requests for review in accordance with 19 CFR 351.213(d)(1), the Department is rescinding in part this review of the antidumping duty order on folding metal tables and chairs from the PRC with respect to Lifetime and Shichang. This review will continue with respect to Feili, New-Tec, and Wok & Pan.

The United States Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration, U.S. Commercial Service, Office of Global Trade Programs, is organizing a Healthcare Technologies Trade Mission to Sydney and Melbourne, Australia and to Auckland, New Zealand, September 12-16, 2005.

The trade mission will target the IT-healthcare sub-sector, e.g., electronic patient records, automated patient scheduling, telemedicine, but will also include other sectors within the healthcare industry.

The focus of the mission will be to match participating U.S. companies with qualified agents, distributors, representatives, licensees, and joint venture partners, and where appropriate, arrange for appointments with government officials, in these markets. Consumers in Australia and New Zealand have a strong affinity for U.S. products.

Over 85 percent of medical devices and diagnostics used in Australia are imported, with approximately 60 percent of these products coming from the U.S. Other major market suppliers are the E.U. and Japan. The Australian medical equipment market is valued at approximately US$2 billion, representing about one percent of the global medical market.

Australia is a mature market for medical equipment, and its high per capita income and sophisticated health system translate into demand for a broad range of cutting-edge medical equipment. As in the United States, Australians are educated consumers, and expect state-of-the-art medical treatment, which ensures continuous demand for innovative medical equipment and products.

Government policy and the provision of public health services also stimulate demand for medical equipment. Australia has a government-funded healthcare system, i.e., the government (at all levels) is the primary purchaser of medical equipment. Public hospitals account for approximately 70 percent of sales of medical equipment, while 30 percent of sales are made to the private sector. As the costs of maintaining a public healthcare system increase, public hospital administrators and medical staff are directed to choose the best product available, at the lowest possible cost.

U.S. medical equipment is traditionally well received in Australia due to its perceived high quality. Opportunities are particularly strong for state-of-the-art and innovative medical equipment and products that can result in significant improvement in clinical outcomes. In particular, products that leads to faster patient recovery, and which reduce hospital and rehabilitation costs, are in demand.

Additionally, health IT products are in demand in Australia. For example, the specialized application of IT that enables healthcare organizations to deliver better health outcomes have strong sales potential. Products that improve the delivery of services by reducing medical errors and adverse medical events, and increase patient safety and satisfaction, such as health information management systems, and patient administration and clinical information systems, are all experiencing growth.

Under the Australia-U.S. Free Trade Agreement, U.S. medical equipment continues to receive duty-free treatment. U.S. firms are also allowed to compete for Australia's government purchases on a nondiscriminatory basis.

In New Zealand, 100 percent of medical devices and diagnostics are imported, with approximately 60 percent coming from the United States, 30 percent from Europe, and 10 percent from Asia. The New Zealand medical equipment market is estimated at US$500 million.

Major hospital expansions, upgrading and redevelopment are ongoing and are being undertaken in the country's most populated areas, Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch, driving demand for medical equipment and services.

New Zealand's health system is comprised of public, private and voluntary sectors that interact to provide and fund health care. Presently, approximately 80 percent of health care is publicly funded and is comprised of local General Practitioners that refer to specialists when required. The government provides free medical care to children under seven. The wait for non-critical surgery can be quite long, and private insurance is becoming quite popular. The increased use of privately funded facilities provides additional opportunities for U.S. medical exporters. Best prospects in these facilities include cardiac and diagnostic equipment.

New Zealand's total health expenditure as a percentage of Gross Domestic Products was recently measured at approximately 9 percent and had increased from the previous period. The publicly funded portion of health expenditures comprised the bulk of this figure, and also increased over the same period.

New Zealand's aging population will increase demand for facilities such as retirement villages with on-site hospitals that will require not only medical services but also medical equipment. Orthopedic and other musculo-skeletal conditions have become the major cause of disability in New Zealand, and represent areas of demand for U.S. medical exporters.

As in Australia, opportunities for exporters of health IT products are strong. Large U.S. companies in this sector have not yet entered the New Zealand market, so there is unmet demand for new health IT technologies.

The Trade Mission's goal is to provide market entry or increased sales into the Australia and New Zealand markets for U.S. healthcare firms and/or IT firms with healthcare-related products or services, as well as first-hand market information and access to key government officials and potential business partners.

The trade mission will spend two days in Sydney, two days in Melbourne, and one day in Auckland.

In each country, the U.S. Commercial Service will:

• Provide a market briefing highlighting opportunities in the healthcare technologies sector;

• Schedule one-on-one appointments with potential business partners for each participant.

In Australia, the U.S. Commercial Service will:

Arrange a hospitality event to introduce participants to key business and industry officials.

• Relevance of the company's business line to the mission scope and goals

• Potential for business in the selected markets

• Timeliness of the company's completed application, participation agreement, and payment of the mission participation fee

• Provision of adequate information on the company's products and/or services and communication of the company's primary objectives to facilitate appropriate matching with potential business partners

• Certification that the company's products and/or services are manufactured or produced in the United States or if manufactured/produced outside of the United States, the product/service must be marketed under the name of a U.S. firm and have U.S. content representing at least 51 percent of the value of the finished good or service.

Any partisan political activities of an applicant, including political contributions, will be entirely irrelevant to the selection process.

The mission will be promoted through the following venues: Export Assistance Centers and the Healthcare Team; USCS Trade Events List http://www.export.gov; industry newsletters; the Federal Register; relevant trade publications; relevant trade associations; past Commerce trade mission participants; various in-house and purchased industry lists, and on the Commerce Department trade missions calendar: http://www.ita.doc.gov/doctm/tmcal.html.

Recruitment will begin immediately and will close on July 29, 2005. The trade mission participation fee will be US$3,500 per company. The participation fee does not include the cost of travel and lodging. Participation is open to the first 10 qualified U.S. companies. Applications received after that date will be considered only if space and scheduling constraints permit.

Bill Kutson, Project Manager, U.S. Commercial Service, Global Trade Programs, U.S. Department of Commerce, Room 2012, Washington, DC 20230, Tel: (202) 482-2839, Fax: (202) 482-0178, E-mail: William.Kutson@mail.doc.gov.

This action is authorized by the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act provisions at 50 CFR 600.745, which state that EFPs may be used to authorize fishing activities that would otherwise be prohibited. At the November 2004 Pacific Fishery Management Council (Pacific Council) meeting in Portland, Oregon, NMFS received an application for these EFPs from the States of Washington, Oregon, and California. An opportunity for public testimony was provided during the Pacific Council meeting. The Pacific Council recommended that NMFS issue the EFPs, as requested by the States. NMFS is working with the States and participants of the EFP to resolve funding, full retention, and monitoring issues affecting this EFP.

Issuance of these EFPs, to about 40 vessels, will continue an ongoing program to collect information on the incidental catch of salmon and groundfish in whiting harvests delivered to shore-based processing facilities by domestic trawl vessels. Because whiting deteriorates rapidly, whiting must be minimally handled and immediately chilled to maintain the flesh quality. As a result, many vessels dump catch directly or near directly into the hold and are unable to effectively sort their catch.

The issuance of EFPs will allow vessels to delay sorting of groundfish catch in excess of cumulative trip limits and prohibited species until offloading. These activities are otherwise prohibited by regulation. In 2004, electronic monitoring systems were provided by NMFS to catcher vessels participating in the whiting EFP as part of a pilot study to evaluate if these systems would be useful tools to verify full retention and/or document discard at sea. Based on the results from the 2004 pilot study, electronic monitoring systems may be useful tools to monitor compliance with full retention requirements. NMFS will continue to evaluate the usefulness of electronic monitoring tools during the 2005 whiting EFP and will once again provide electronic monitoring systems to participating vessels.

Delaying sorting until offloading will allow samplers located at the processing facilities to collect incidental catch data for total catch estimates and will enable whiting quality to be maintained. Without an EFP, groundfish regulations at 50 CFR 660.306(a)(2) require vessels to sort their prohibited species catch and return them to sea as soon as practicable with minimum injury. Similarly, regulations at 50 CFR 660.306(a)(10) prohibit the retention of groundfish in excess of the published trip limits.

In addition to providing information that will be used to monitor the attainment of the shore-based whiting allocation, information gathered through these EFPs is expected to be used in a future rulemaking. In the near future, NMFS is considering implementing, through federal regulation, a monitoring program for the shore-based Pacific whiting fleet. The Pacific Council recommended using EFPs only until a permanent monitoring program can be developed and implemented. NMFS is developing a preliminary draft Environmental Assessment that includes a range of alternative monitoring systems for the shore-based Pacific whiting fishery. At its June 2004 meeting, the Pacific Council considered a preliminary range of alternatives for a monitoring program that focus on three major issues: (1) The monitoring program (i.e., federal observers, state monitors, electronic monitoring, or a combination thereof); (2) tracking and disposition of prohibited species and groundfish overages; and (3) mechanisms for funding of the monitoring program. In summer 2005, the Pacific Council is expected to adopt a revised range of alternatives for public review that cover these same issues. In autumn 2005, the Pacific Council is expected to make final recommendations to NMFS regarding this monitoring program. NMFS would then prepare a proposed rule, which would include a public comment period, followed by a final rule implementing a monitoring program before the start of the 2006 shore-based primary Pacific whiting season.

On February 24, 2005, CCCHFA, in collaboration with the New England Aquarium and NMFS, submitted a complete application for a continuation of their study on mortality rates and survivability of undersized Atlantic cod harvested in the bottom-set longline and jig fisheries in southern New England. The applicant has submitted a new EFP request for a continuation of the study they began in 2004. Their initial efforts were hampered by a variety of setbacks, which limited the amount of sampling carried out under the original EFP in 2004. The new EFP would allow the applicant to continue their sampling regime during all four seasons of the 2005 fishing year, allowing them to complete their study, and assess seasonal differences in the rates of survival. The CCCHFA has requested exemption from the restrictions on possession of undersized Atlantic cod at 50 CFR 648.83(a) in order to retain sub-legal cod for study. The applicant has also requested that trips used solely for the purposes of retrieving fish cages be exempt from the multispecies Days-At-Sea (DAS) requirements specified at § 648.82(a). The proposed study would occur inside the Georges Bank Cod Hook Sector Area. At no time would fishing operations be conducted inside year-round closure areas.

The experiment would occur from approximately May 2005 through April 2006, during which time longline vessels would sample at 20, 30, and 40 fathoms (36.6, 54.9, and 73.2 m, respectively), for up to a total of 54 trips. There would be an additional 18 trips used solely for the purposes of retrieving fish cages. There would be no fish landed during cage retrieval trips. There would be up to 20 vessels participating in this study. Each vessel would fish its bottom-set longline gear consisting of 1,800 ft (548.6 m) of mainline with 300 number 12 circle hooks spaced every 6 ft (1.83 m). Approximately 3,600 hooks would be set per fishing day, with a soak time of 3-4 hours. After the vessel sets the longline, it would begin the jigging portion of the study. The undersized cod would be measured, weighed, and tagged to determine survivability rates of the undersized cod. The applicant would use several different handling techniques for all longline caught fish: Alternate fish would be flipped off the hook or snubbed (allowing the hook to pass through the jaw). All fish caught during the jigging portion would be flipped off the hook. During each season, a minimum of 150 undersized fish would be collected and retained for 72 hours in each cage at each of the sample depths. The cage would be constructed to hug tight to the sea floor and to resist rolling in the highly tidal areas. The cage gear was designed in 2004 to meet the requirements of the Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan. Other than the above protocol, the vessels would follow normal fishing practices. All fish landed would be subject to existing minimum size and trip limit requirements. All mortality associated with this research project has been fully accounted for in the Amendment 13 rebuilding plan, and is controlled by the Georges Bank Cod Hook Sector Hard Total Allowable Catch (TAC), and through the use of A DAS.

A scientific data collector would be present on board each participating vessel. Scientific data collectors would be responsible for collecting all relevant biological and environmental data. CCCHFA would be responsible for developing a full report of the results of this study, and for providing this report to NMFS.

Regulations under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act require publication of this notification to provide interested parties the opportunity to comment on applications for proposed EFPs.

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, Information Management Case Services Team, Regulatory Information Management Services, 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.

The Department of Education is especially interested in public comment addressing the following issues: (1) Is this collection necessary to the proper functions of the Department; (2) will this information be processed and used in a timely manner; (3) is the estimate of burden accurate; (4) how might the Department enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (5) how might the Department minimize the burden of this collection on the respondents, including through the use of information technology.

Type of Review: Revision.

Title: Early Childhood Longitudinal Study-Birth Cohort: Kindergarten and First Grade Field Test and Full Scale.

Frequency: One time.

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

Reporting and Recordkeeping Hour Burden: Responses: 562. Burden Hours: 197.

Abstract: The Early Childhood Longitudinal Study, Birth Cohort (ECLS-B) is a nationally representative longitudinal study of children born in the year 2001. Children are assessed using state of the art assessment tools and parents are interviewed as well as child care providers and school personnel. Together with the Kindergarten component of this early childhood studies program, the survey informs the research and general community about children's health, early learning, development and education experiences. The focus of this survey is on characteristics of children and their families that influence children's first experiences with the demands of formal schools as well as early health care and in- and out-of-home experiences.

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 2721. When you access the information collection, click on “Download Attachments” to view. Written requests for information should be addressed to U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., Potomac Center, 9th Floor, Washington, DC 20202-4700. Requests may also be electronically mailed to the Internet address OCIO_RIMG@ed.gov or faxed to 202-245-6621. 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 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, Information Management Case Services Team, Regulatory Information Management Services, 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.

The Department of Education is especially interested in public comment addressing the following issues: (1) Is this collection necessary to the proper functions of the Department; (2) will this information be processed and used in a timely manner; (3) is the estimate of burden accurate; (4) how might the Department enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (5) how might the Department minimize the burden of this collection on the respondents, including through the use of information technology.

Type of Review: New.

Title: System Clearance for Cognitive, Pilot and Field Test Studies.

Frequency: On Occasion.

Affected Public:

Individuals or household; Not-for-profit institutions; State, Local, or Tribal Gov't, SEAs or LEAs.

Reporting and Recordkeeping Hour Burden: Responses: 1,500. Burden Hours: 4,000.

Abstract: This is a request for a generic clearance for the National Center for Education Statistics to conduct various procedures to test questionnaires and survey procedures. These procedures include but are not limited to experiments with levels of incentives for various types of survey operations, focus groups, cognitive laboratory activities, pilot testing, experiments with questionnaire design, and usability testing of electronic data collection instruments.

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 2722. When you access the information collection, click on “Download Attachments” to view. Written requests for information should be addressed to U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., Potomac Center, 9th Floor, Washington, D.C. 20202-4700. Requests may also be electronically mailed to the Internet address OCIO_RIMG@ed.gov or faxed to 202-245-6621. 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.

The Federal Perkins Loan, Federal Work-Study (FWS), and Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) programs are collectively known as the campus-based programs.

The Federal Perkins Loan Program encourages institutions to make low-interest, long-term loans to needy undergraduate and graduate students to help pay for their education.

The FWS program encourages the part-time employment of needy undergraduate and graduate students to help pay for their education and to involve the students in community service activities.

The FSEOG program encourages institutions to provide grants to exceptionally needy undergraduate students to help pay for their cost of education.

The Federal Perkins Loan, FWS, and FSEOG programs are authorized by parts E and C, and part A, subpart 3, respectively, of title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended.

Throughout the year, in its “Dear Colleague” letters, the Department will continue to provide additional information for the listed individual deadline dates via the Information for Financial Aid Professionals (IFAP) Web site at: http://www.ifap.ed.gov.

Deadline Dates: The following table provides the 2005-2006 award year deadline dates for the submission of applications, reports, and waiver requests for the campus-based programs. Institutions must meet the established deadline dates to ensure consideration for funding or a waiver, as appropriate.

If you submit paper documents when permitted by mail or by hand delivery from a commercial courier, we accept as proof one of the following:

(1) A legible mail receipt with the date of mailing stamped by the U.S. Postal Service.

(2) A legibly dated U.S. Postal Service postmark.

(3) A legibly dated shipping label, invoice, or receipt from a commercial courier.

(4) Other proof of mailing or delivery acceptable to the Secretary.

If the paper documents are sent through the U.S. Postal Service, we do not accept either of the following as proof of mailing: (1) A private metered postmark, or (2) a mail receipt that is not dated by the U.S. Postal Service. An institution should note that the U.S. Postal Service does not uniformly provide a dated postmark. Before relying on this method, an institution should check with its local post office. All institutions are encouraged to use certified or at least first-class mail.

The Department accepts hand deliveries from commercial couriers between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., eastern time, Monday through Friday except Federal holidays.

A more detailed discussion of each request for funds or a waiver is provided in a specific “Dear Colleague” letter, which is posted on the Department's Web page at least 30 days before the established deadline date for the specific request. Information on these items is also found in the Federal Student Aid Handbook.

Applicable Regulations: The following regulations apply to these programs:

(1) Student Assistance General Provisions, 34 CFR part 668.

(2) General Provisions for the Federal Perkins Loan Program, Federal Work-Study Program, and Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant Program, 34 CFR part 673.

(3) Federal Perkins Loan Program, 34 CFR part 674.

(4) Federal Work-Study Programs, 34 CFR part 675.

(5) Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant Program, 34 CFR part 676.

(6) Institutional Eligibility under the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended, 34 CFR part 600.

(7) New Restrictions on Lobbying, 34 CFR part 82.

(8) Government wide Requirements for Drug-Free Workplace (Financial Assistance), 34 CFR part 84.

(9) Government wide Debarment and Suspension (Nonprocurement), 34 CFR part 85.

(10) Drug and Alcohol Abuse Prevention, 34 CFR part 86.

EPA has established a public docket for this ICR under Docket ID number OW-2003-0018, which is available for public viewing at the Water 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 Water Docket is (202) 566-2426. An electronic version of the public docket is available through EPA Dockets (EDOCKET) at http://www.epa.gov/edocket. Use EDOCKET to obtain a copy of the draft collection of information, 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 within 60 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.

Affected entities: Entities potentially affected by this action are all States and certain authorized Indian tribes that adopt water quality standards under the Clean Water Act; and water dischargers subject to certain requirements related to water quality standards in the Great Lakes system, including dischargers in the following SIC categories: Mining (SIC codes 10, 14); Food (20); Pulp and Paper (26); Inorganic Chemical Manufacturing (281); Organic Chemical Manufacturing (28); Petroleum Refining (29); Metal Manufacturing (33), Metal Finishing (34-37); Steam Electric (4911), and Publically Owned Treatment Works (4952). For the purposes of the Regulation, the term “State'' means the 50 States, the District of Columbia, Guam, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

Title: Water Quality Standards Regulation (Renewal).

Abstract: Water quality standards are provisions of State, Tribal, and Federal law that consist of designated uses for waters of the United States, water quality criteria to protect the designated uses, and an antidegradation policy. Section 303(c) of the Clean Water Act requires States and authorized Tribes to establish water quality standards, and to review and, if appropriate, revise their water quality standards once every three years. The Act also requires EPA to review and either approve or disapprove the new or revised standards, and to promulgate replacement Federal standards if necessary. Section 118(c)(2) of the Act specifies additional water quality standards requirements for waters of the Great Lakes system.

The Water Quality Standards Regulation (40 CFR part 131 and portions of part 132) governs national implementation of the water quality standards program. The Regulation describes requirements and procedures for States and authorized Tribes to develop, review, and revise their water quality standards, and EPA procedures for reviewing and approving the water quality standards. The regulation requires the development and submission of information to EPA, including:

The Regulation establishes specific additional requirements for water quality standards and their implementation in the waters of the Great Lakes system, contained in the Water Quality Guidance for the Great Lakes System (40 CFR part 132). This portion of the Regulation includes the following requirements for information collection: bioassay tests to support the development of water quality criteria; studies to identify and provide information on antidegradation control measures that will guard against the reduction of water quality in the Great Lakes system; and information collection and record keeping activities associated with analyses and reporting to request regulatory relief from Guidance requirements. The Guidance includes additional information collections that are addressed in separate Information Collection Requests for the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System program.

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.

The EPA would like to solicit comments to:

(i) Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Agency, including whether the information will have practical utility;

(ii) Evaluate the accuracy of the Agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used;

(iii) Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and

(iv) Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic submission of responses.

Burden Statement: The public reporting and recordkeeping burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 856 hours per response annually. 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.

The Act affords EPA a 45-day period to review, and object to as appropriate, operating permits proposed by state permitting authorities. Section 505(b)(2) of the Act authorizes any person to petition the EPA Administrator within 60 days after the expiration of this review period to object to state operating permits if EPA has not done so. Petitions must be based only on objections to the permit that were raised with reasonable specificity during the public comment period provided by the state, unless the petitioner demonstrates that it was impracticable to raise such issues during the comment period or the grounds for the issues arose after this period.

On September 12, 2002, the EPA received a petition from NYPIRG, requesting that EPA object to the issuance of the title V operating permit for Bristol-Myers Squibb Co., Inc. (BMS). On February 18, 2005, the Administrator issued an order partially granting and partially denying the BMS petition. The order explains the reasons behind EPA's conclusion that the NYSDEC must: (1) Explain in the statement of basis the scope of the Operational Flexibility Plan and the part 70 provisions it implements; re-open the permit to ensure that conditions 6, 7, and 8 are consistent with the requirements of part 70 and NYSDEC's approved title V program; and revise the permit to clarify that changes made at the BMS facility pursuant to the Operational Flexibility Plan shall not be eligible for the permit shield; (2) revise the “general permittee obligations” section of the permit relative to the annual compliance certification requirements; and (3) add appropriate periodic monitoring in certain permit conditions. The order also explains EPA's reasons for denying NYPIRG's remaining claims.

On April 1, 2003, the EPA received a petition from NYPIRG, requesting that EPA object to the issuance of the title V operating permit for the Eastman Kodak Co., Kodak Park Facility. On February 18, 2005, the Administrator issued an order partially granting and partially denying the Kodak Park petition. The order explains the reasons behind EPA's conclusion that the NYSDEC must: (1) Explain in the statement of basis the scope of the Operational Flexibility Plan and the part 70 provisions it implements; re-open the permit to ensure that condition 8 is consistent with the requirements of part 70 and NYSDEC's approved title V program; and revise the permit to clarify that changes made at the Kodak facility pursuant to the Operational Flexibility Plan shall not be eligible for the permit shield; (2) revise the “general permittee obligations” section of the permit relative to the annual compliance certification requirements; (3) add appropriate periodic monitoring in certain permit conditions; and (4) move the sulfur dioxide provisions of 6 NYCRR 212.4(a) for U-00063 to the federal/state side of the permit. The order also explains EPA's reasons for denying NYPIRG's remaining claims.

On April 1, 2003, the EPA received a petition from NYPIRG, requesting that EPA object to the issuance of the title V operating permit for the Eastman Kodak Co., Kodak Power and Steam Generation Plant. On February 18, 2005, the Administrator issued an order partially granting and partially denying the Kodak Power petition. The order explains the reasons behind EPA's conclusion that the NYSDEC must reopen the permit to: (1) Explain in the statement of basis the scope of the Operational Flexibility Plan and the part 70 provisions it implements; re-open the permit to ensure that condition 8 is consistent with the requirements of part 70 and NYSDEC's approved title V program; and revise the permit to clarify that changes made at the Kodak facility pursuant to the Operational Flexibility Plan shall not be eligible for the permit shield; and (2) revise the “general permittee obligations” section of the permit relative to the annual compliance certification requirements. The order also explains EPA's reasons for denying NYPIRG's remaining claims.

Proposed agenda topics include: Gulf States Priority Initiatives Report; Non-Government Partnership Reports on GMP Focused Objectives and Key Initiatives; Focus Area Status Reports and Comprehensive Meeting Recommendations. The meeting is open to the public.

This notice announces a meeting (via conference call) of the BOSC Human Health Subcommittee. The purpose of the meeting is to finalize a draft report on EPA's Human Health Research Program. Proposed agenda items for the conference call include, but are not limited to: presentations of the Subcommittee's draft responses to the charge questions and approval of the final draft report prior to its submission to the BOSC Executive Committee. The conference call is open to the public.

1. Docket. EPA has established an official public docket for this action under Docket ID No. ORD-2005-0002. The official public docket consists of the documents specifically referenced in this action, any public comments received, and other information related to this action. Documents in the official public docket are listed in the index in EPA's electronic public docket and comment system, EDOCKET. Documents are available either electronically or in hard copy. Electronic documents may be viewed through EDOCKET. Hard copies of the draft agendas may be viewed at the Board of Scientific Counselors, Human Health Meetings 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 Public Reading Room is (202) 566-1744, and the telephone number for the ORD Docket is (202) 566-1752.

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 EDOCKET. You may use EDOCKET 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. Once in the system, select “search,” then key in the appropriate docket identification number (ORD-2005-0002).

For those wishing to make public comments, it is important to note that EPA's policy is that comments, whether submitted electronically or on 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, confidential business information (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 mailed or delivered to the docket will be transferred to EPA's electronic public docket. Written public comments mailed or delivered to the Docket will be scanned and placed in EPA's electronic public docket.

You may submit comments electronically, by mail, or through hand delivery/courier. To ensure proper receipt by EPA, identify the appropriate docket identification number (ORD-2005-0002) in the subject line on the first page of your comment. Please ensure that your comments are submitted within the specified comment period.

1. Electronically. If you submit an electronic comment as prescribed below, 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 it allows EPA to contact you if further information on the substance of the comment is needed or if your comment cannot be read due to technical difficulties. 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 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. EDOCKET. 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 EDOCKET at http://www.epa.gov/edocket/, and follow the online instructions for submitting comments. To access EPA's electronic public docket from the EPA Internet home page, http://www.epa.gov, select “Information Sources,” “Dockets,” and “EDOCKET.” Once in the system, select “search,” and then key in Docket ID No. ORD-2005-0002. 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 electronic mail (e-mail) to ORD.Docket@epa.gov, Attention Docket ID No. ORD-2005-0002. 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 mailed to the mailing address identified in Unit I.B.2. These electronic submissions will be accepted in Word, WordPerfect or rich text files. Avoid the use of special characters and any form of encryption.

2. By Mail. Send your comments to: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, ORD Docket, EPA Docket Center (EPA/DC), Mailcode: 28221T, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460, Attention Docket ID No. ORD-2005-0002.

3. By Hand Delivery or Courier. Deliver your comments to: EPA Docket Center (EPA/DC), Room B102, EPA West Building, 1301 Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC, Attention Docket ID No. ORD-2005-0002 (note: This is not a mailing address). Such deliveries are only accepted during the docket's normal hours of operation as identified in Unit I.A.1.

This is a summary of the Commission's order released February 16, 2005. This order extends the Joint Conference until March 1, 2007. The Joint Conference was convened in September of 2002 with the task of reexamining the Commission's accounting and reporting requirements. In the order convening the Joint Conference, the Commission also stated that it would revisit the need for the Joint Conference in two years.

The Commission believes that continued dialogue between the Commission and the states on accounting matters will be useful. Accordingly, the Commission has extended the Joint Conference until March 7, 2007.

State Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA) administrators should plan to attend the annual State Administrators Grantee Conference. A subsequent Program Instruction and/or Information Memorandum will advise the State FVPSA administrators of the date, time, and location of their grantee conference.

FVPSA programs must establish or implement policies and protocols for maintaining the safety and confidentiality of the victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking. It is essential that the confidentiality of adult victims and their children receiving FVPSA services be protected. Consequently, when providing statistical data on program activities and program services, individual identifiers of client records will not be used (section 303(a)(2)(E)).

The U.S. Postal Service was directed by the “Stamp Out Domestic Violence Act of 2001” (the Act), P.L. 107-67, to make available a “semipostal” stamp to provide funding for domestic violence programs. Funds raised in connection with sales of the stamp, less reasonable costs, have been transferred to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services during FY 2004 in accordance with the Act for support of services to children and youth exposed to domestic violence. It is projected that additional Stamp revenues will be received during FY 2005. Subsequent to the receipt of the stamp proceeds, a program announcement will be issued providing guidance and information on the process and requirements for awards to programs providing services to children and youth.

The impacts of family and intimate violence include physical injury and death of primary or secondary victims, psychological trauma, isolation from family and friends, harm to children witnessing or experiencing violence in homes in which the violence occurs, increased fear, reduced mobility and employability, homelessness, substance abuse, and a host of other health and related mental health consequences.

Coordination and collaboration among the police, prosecutors, the courts, social service providers (which may include faith-based organizations), child welfare and family preservation services, and medical and mental health service providers is needed to provide more responsive and effective services to victims of domestic violence and their families. It is essential that all interested parties are involved in the design and improvement of intervention and prevention activities.

To help bring about a more effective response to the problem of domestic violence, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) urges the designated State agencies receiving funds under this grant announcement to coordinate activities funded under this grant with other new and existing resources for the prevention of family and intimate violence and related issues.

Title III of the Child Abuse Amendments of 1984, (Pub. L. 98-457, 42 U.S.C. 10401, et seq.) is entitled the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (the Act). The Act was first implemented in FY 1986, was amended in 1992 by Pub. L. 102-295, in 1994 by Pub. L. 103-322, in 1996 by Pub. L. 104-235, and in 2000 by the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act (Pub. L. 106-386). The Act was most recently amended by the “Keeping Children and Families Safe Act of 2003” (Pub. L. 108-36).

The purpose of this legislation is to assist States, Native American Tribes (including Alaskan Native Villages) and Tribal organizations in supporting the establishment, maintenance, and expansion of programs and projects to prevent incidents of family violence and to provide immediate shelter and related assistance for victims of family violence and their dependents.

During FY 2004, 224 grants were made to States and Tribes or Tribal organizations. The Department also made 53 family violence prevention grant awards to non-profit State domestic violence coalitions.

In addition, the Department supports the National Resource Center for Domestic Violence (NRC) and four Special Issue Resource Centers (SIRCs). The SIRCs are the Battered Women's Justice Project, the Resource Center on Child Custody and Protection, Sacred Circle Resource Center for the Elimination of Domestic Violence Against Native Women and the Health Resource Center on Domestic Violence. The purpose of the NRC and the SIRCs is to provide resource information, training, and technical assistance to Federal, State, and Native American agencies, local domestic violence prevention programs, and other professionals who provide services to victims of domestic violence.

In February, 1996, the Department funded the National Domestic Violence Hotline (NDVH) to ensure that every woman has access to information and emergency assistance wherever and whenever she needs it. The NDVH is a 24-hour, toll-free service which provides crisis assistance, counseling, and local shelter referrals to women across the country. Hotline counselors also are available for non-English speaking persons and for people who are hearing-impaired. The Hotline number is 1-800-799-SAFE; the TDD number for the hearing impaired is 1-800-787-3224. As of August 31, 2003 the National Domestic Violence Hotline had answered over 1 million calls.

For FY 2005, The Department of Health and Human Services will make available for grants to designated State agencies seventy percent of the amount appropriated under section 310(a)(1) of the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act which is not reserved under section 310(a)(2). In separate announcements the Department will allocate 10 percent of the foregoing appropriation to the Tribes and Tribal organizations for the establishment and operation of shelters, safe houses, and the provision of related services; and 10 percent to the State Domestic Violence Coalitions to continue their work within the domestic violence community by providing technical assistance and training, and advocacy services among other activities with local domestic violence programs and to encourage appropriate responses to domestic violence within the States.

Five percent of the amount appropriated under section 310(a)(1) of the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act which is not reserved under section 310(a)(2) will be available in FY 2005 to continue the support for the National Resource Center and the four Special Issue Resource Centers. Additional funds appropriated under the FVPSA will be used to support other activities, including training and technical assistance, collaborative projects with advocacy organizations and service providers, data collection efforts, public education activities, research and other demonstration projects as well as the ongoing operation of the National Domestic Violence Hotline.

Family Violence grants to the States, the District of Columbia, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico are based on a population formula. Each State grant shall be $600,000 with the remaining funds allotted to each State on the same ratio as the population of the State has to the population of all States (section 304(a)(2)). State populations are determined on the basis of the most recent census data available to the Secretary and, if available, the annual current census data produced by the Secretary of Commerce pursuant to section 181 of Title 13.

For the purpose of computing allotments, the statute provides that Guam, American Samoa, the Virgin Islands, and the Northern Mariana Islands will each receive grants of not less than one-eighth of 1 percent of the amounts appropriated (section 304(a)(1)).

States should use the following definitions in carrying out their programs. The definitions are found in Section 320 of the Act.

(1) Family Violence: Any act or threatened act of violence, including any forceful detention of an individual, which (a) results or threatens to result in physical injury and (b) is committed by a person against another individual (including an elderly person) to whom such person is or was related by blood or marriage or otherwise legally related or with whom such person is or was lawfully residing.

(2) Shelter: The provision of temporary refuge and related assistance in compliance with applicable State law and regulation governing the provision, on a regular basis, which includes shelter, safe homes, meals, and related assistance to victims of family violence and their dependents.

(3) Related assistance: The provision of direct assistance to victims of family violence and their dependents for the purpose of preventing further violence, helping such victims to gain access to civil and criminal courts and other community services, facilitating the efforts of such victims to make decisions concerning their lives in the interest of safety, and assisting such victims in healing from the effects of the violence. Related assistance includes:

(a) Prevention services such as outreach and prevention services for victims and their children, assistance for children who witness domestic violence, employment training, parenting and other educational services for victims and their children, preventive health services within domestic violence programs (including nutrition, disease prevention, exercise, and prevention of substance abuse), domestic violence prevention programs for school age children, family violence public awareness campaigns, and violence prevention counseling services to abusers;

(b) Counseling with respect to family violence, counseling or other supportive services by peers, individually or in groups, and referral to community social services;

(c) Transportation and technical assistance with respect to obtaining financial assistance under Federal and State programs, and referrals for appropriate health-care services (including alcohol and drug abuse treatment), but shall not include reimbursement for any health-care services;

(d) Legal advocacy to provide victims with information and assistance through the civil and criminal courts, and legal assistance; or

(e) Children's counseling and support services, and child care services for children who are victims of family violence or the dependents of such victims, and children who witness domestic violence.

The FVPSA funds may be used for expenditures from October 1 of each fiscal year for which they are granted, and will be available for expenditure through September 30 of the following fiscal year, i.e., FY 2005 funds may be used for expenditures from October 1, 2004 through September 30, 2006.

Re-allotted funds, if any, are available for expenditure until the end of the fiscal year following the fiscal year that the funds became available for re-allotment. FY 2004 grant funds which are made available to the States through re-allotment, under section 304(d)(2), must be expended by the State no later than September 30, 2006.

Section 303(a)(4) requires that States file a performance report with the Department describing the activities carried out, and inclusion of an assessment of the effectiveness of those activities in achieving the purposes of the grant. Section 303(a)(5) requires that the State file a report that contains a description of the activities carried out with funds expended for State administrative costs.

A section of this performance report must be completed by each grantee or sub-grantee that performed the direct services contemplated in the State's application certifying performance of such services. State grantees should compile performance reports into a comprehensive report for submission.

The Performance Report should include the following data elements as well as narrative examples of success stories about the services which were provided. The Performance Report should include the following data elements:

Funding—The total amount of the FVPSA grant funds awarded; the percentage of funding used for shelters, and the percentage of funding used for related services and assistance.

Shelters—The total number of shelters and shelter programs (safe homes/motels, etc.) assisted by FVPSA program funding. Data elements should include:

• The number of women sheltered

• The number of shelters and safe houses in the State

• The number of young children sheltered (birth-12 years of age)

• The number of teenagers and young adults (13-18 years of age)

• The number of men sheltered

• The number of elderly serviced

• The average length of stay

• The number of women, children, teens, and men who were turned away because shelter was unavailable

• The number of women, children, teens, and men who were referred to other shelters due to a lack of space

Types of individuals served (including special populations)—Record information by numbers and percentages against the total population served. Individuals and special populations served should include:

• Racial identification;

• Cultural classification;

• Language (other than English);

• Geographically isolated from shelter (urban or rural);

• Women of color;

• Persons with disabilities; and

• Other special needs populations.

Related services and assistance—List the types of related services and assistance provided to victims and their family members by indicating the number of women, children, and men that have received services. Services and assistance may include but are not limited to the following:

• Individual counseling

• Group counseling

• Crisis intervention/hotline

• Information and referral

• Batterers support services

• Legal advocacy services

• Transportation

• Services to teenagers

• Child Care

• Training and technical assistance

• Housing advocacy

• Other innovative program activities

Volunteers—List the total number of volunteers and hours worked

Identified Abuse—Indicate the number of women, children, and men who were identified as victims of physical, sexual, and emotional abuse.

Service referrals—List the number of women, children, and men referred for the following services: (Note: If the individual was identified as a batterer please indicate.)

• Alcohol abuse

• Drug abuse

• Batterer intervention services

• Abuse as a child

• Witnessed abuse

• Emergency medical intervention

• Law enforcement intervention

The Performance Report should include narratives of success stories of services provided and the positive impact on the lives of children and families. Examples may include the following:

• An explanation of the activities carried out including an assessment of the major activities supported by the family violence funds, what particular priorities within the State were addressed, and what special emphases were placed on these activities;

• A description of the specific services and facilities that your agency funded, contracted with, or otherwise used in the implementation of your program (e.g., shelters, safe-houses, related assistance, programs for batterers);

• An assessment of the effectiveness of the direct service activities contemplated in the application;

• A description of how the needs of under-served populations, including populations under-served because of ethnic, racial, cultural, language diversity, or geographic isolation were addressed,

• A description and assessment of the prevention activities supported during the program year, e.g., community education events, and public awareness efforts; and

• A discussion of exceptional issues or problems arising, but not addressed in the application.

Performance reports for the States are due on an annual basis at the end of the calendar year (December 29). Performance reports should be sent to Family and Youth Services Bureau, Administration on Children, Youth and Families, Administration for Children and Families, Attn: William Riley, 330 C Street, SW., Room 2117, Washington, DC 20447.

Please note that section 303(a)(4) of the FVPSA requires the Department to suspend funding for an approved application if any State applicant fails to submit an annual performance report or if the funds are expended for purposes other than those set forth under this announcement.

All State grantees are reminded that the annual Financial Status Reports (Standard Form SF-269A) are due 90 days after the end of each Federal fiscal year. The first SF-269A is due December 29, 2005. The final SF-269A is due December 29, 2006. Completed reports should be sent to: Doris Lee, Division of Mandatory Grants, Office of Grants Management, Office of Administration, Administration for Children and Families, 370 L'Enfant Promenade SW., Washington, DC 20447. Standard Form 269A can be found at: http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants/grants_forms.html

“States” as defined in section 320 of the Act are eligible to apply for funds. The term “State” means each of the several States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

In the past, Guam, American Samoa, the Virgin Islands and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands have applied for funds as a part of their consolidated grant under the Social Services Block grant. These jurisdictions need not submit an application under this Program Announcement if they choose to have their allotment included as part of a consolidated grant application.

All applicants must have a Dun & Bradstreet Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number. On June 27, 2003, the Office of Management and Budget published in the Federal Register a new Federal policy applicable to all Federal grant applicants. The policy requires all Federal grant applicants to provide a Dun & Bradstreet Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number when applying for Federal grants or cooperative agreements on or after October 1, 2003. The DUNS number will be required whether an applicant is submitting a paper application or using the government-wide electronic portal (http://www.Grants.gov). A DUNS number will be required for every application for a new award or renewal/continuation of an award, including applications or plans under formula, entitlement, and block grant programs, submitted on or after October 1, 2003.

Please ensure that your organization has a DUNS number. You may acquire a DUNS number at no cost by calling the dedicated toll-free DUNS number request line on 1-866-705-5711 or you may request a number on-line at http://www.dnb.com.

The Secretary will approve any application that meets the requirements of the Act and this announcement and will not disapprove any such application except after reasonable notice of the Secretary's intention to disapprove has been provided to the applicant and after a 6-month period providing an opportunity for applicant to correct any deficiencies.

The notice of intention to disapprove will be provided to the applicant within 45 days of the date of the application.

The State's application must be submitted by the Chief Executive Officer of the State and signed by the Chief Executive Officer or the Chief Program Official designated as responsible for the administration of the Act.

Each application must contain the following information or documentation:

(1) The name of the State agency, the name of the Chief Program Official designated as responsible for the administration of funds under this Act and coordination of related programs within the State, and the name of a contact person if different from the Chief Program Official (section 303(a)(2)(D)).

(2) A plan describing in detail how the needs of underserved populations will be met, such as populations which are underserved due to ethnic, racial, cultural, or language diversity; alienage status; geographic isolation; disability; or age (section 303(a)(2)(C)).

(a) Identify the underserved populations that are being targeted for outreach and services.

(b) In meeting the needs of the underserved population, describe the domestic violence training that will be provided to the individuals who will do the outreach and intervention to these populations. Describe the specific service environment, e.g., new shelters, services for the battered elderly, women of color, etc.

(c) Describe the public information component of the State's outreach program; describe the elements of your program that are used to explain domestic violence, the most effective and safe ways to seek help, identify available resources, etc.

(3) Provide a complete description of the process and procedures used to involve State domestic violence coalitions, knowledgeable individuals and interested organizations, and assure an equitable distribution of grants and grant funds within the State and between rural and urban areas in the State (sections 303(a)(2)(C) and 311(a)(5)).

(4) Provide a complete description of the process and procedures implemented that allow for the participation of the State domestic violence coalition in planning and monitoring the distribution of grant funds and determining whether a grantee is in compliance with section 303(a)(2) of the Act and (section 311(a)(5).

(5) Provide a copy of the procedures developed and implemented that assure the confidentiality of records pertaining to any individual provided family violence prevention or treatment services by any program assisted under the Act (section 303(a)(2)(E)).

(6) Include a description of how the State plans to use the grant funds, a description of the target population, the number of shelters to be funded, the services the state will provide, and the expected results from the use of the grant funds (section 303(a)(2)).

(7) Provide a copy of the law or procedures that the State has implemented for the eviction of an abusive spouse from a shared household (section 303 (a)(2)(F)).

Each application must contain the following assurances:

(a) That grant funds under the Act will be distributed to local public agencies and nonprofit private organizations (including religious and charitable organizations and voluntary associations) for programs and projects within the State to prevent incidents of family violence and to provide immediate shelter and related assistance for victims of family violence and their dependents in order to prevent future violent incidents (section 303(a)(2)(A)).

(b) That not less than 70 percent of the funds distributed shall be used for immediate shelter and related assistance, as defined in section 320(5)(A), to the victims of family violence and their dependents and not less than 25 percent of the funds distributed shall be used to provide related assistance (section 303(g)).

(c) That not more than 5 percent of the funds will be used for State administrative costs (section 303(a)(2)(B)(i)).

(d) That in distributing the funds, the States will give special emphasis to the support of community-based projects of demonstrated effectiveness carried out by non-profit private organizations particularly those projects the primary purpose of which is to operate shelters for victims of family violence and their dependents and those which provide counseling, advocacy, and self-help services to victims and their children (section 303(a)(2)(B)(ii)).

(e) That grants funded by the States will meet the matching requirements in section 303(f), i.e., not less than 20 percent of the total funds provided for a project under Chapter 110 of Title 42 of the U.S. Code with respect to an existing program, and with respect to an entity intending to operate a new program under this title, not less than 35 percent. The local share will be cash or in-kind; and the local share will not include any Federal funds provided under any authority other than this chapter (section 303(f)).

(f) That grant funds made available under this program by the State will not be used as direct payment to any victim or dependent of a victim of family violence (section 303(d)).

(g) That no income eligibility standard will be imposed on individuals receiving assistance or services supported with funds appropriated to carry out the Act (section 303(e)).

(h) That the address or location of any shelter-facility assisted under the Act will not be made public, except with the written authorization of the person or persons responsible for the operation of such shelter (section 303(a)(2)(E)).

(i) That all grants, programs or other activities funded by the State in whole or in part with funds made available under the FVPSA will prohibit discrimination on the basis of age, handicap, sex, race, color, national origin or religion (section 307).

(j) That funds made available under the FVPSA will be used to supplement and not supplant other Federal, State, and local public funds expended to provide services and activities that promote the purposes of the FVPSA (section 303(a)(4)).

(k) That States will comply with the applicable Departmental recordkeeping and reporting requirements and general requirements for the administration of grants under 45 CFR part 92.

This program is covered under Executive Order 12372, “Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs,” for State plan consolidation and implication only—45 CFR 100.12. The review and comment provisions of the Executive Order and Part 100 do not apply.

Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average six hours per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, gathering and maintaining the data needed and reviewing the collection information.

The project description is approved under OMB control number 0970-0274 which expires August 31, 2005. 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.

Applications must comply with the required certifications found at the Appendices as follows:

Anti-Lobbying Certification and Disclosure Form (See Appendix A): Applicants must furnish prior to award an executed copy of the Standard Form LLL, Certification Regarding Lobbying, when applying for an award in excess of $100,000. Applicants who have used non-Federal funds for lobbying activities in connection with receiving assistance under this announcement shall complete a disclosure form, if applicable, with their applications (approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control number 0348-0046). Applicants must sign and return the certification with their application.

Certification Regarding Environmental Tobacco Smoke (See Appendix B): Applicants must also understand they will be held accountable for the smoking prohibition included within Public Law 103-227, Title XII Environmental Tobacco Smoke (also known as the PRO-KIDS Act of 1994). A copy of the Federal Register notice which implements the smoking prohibition is included with forms. By signing and submitting the application, applicants are providing the certification and need not mail back the certification with the application.

These certifications also may be found at: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ofs/forms.htm.

The agency intends to fill a vacancy for a nonvoting industry representative on the Committee identified in section I of this document.

The Advisory Committee Under the Purview of CFSAN

The Committee shall provide advice primarily to the Director of CFSAN, and as needed to the Commissioner of Food and Drugs (the Commissioner) and other appropriate officials, on emerging food safety, food science, nutrition, and other food-related health issues that FDA considers of primary importance for its food and cosmetics programs. The Committee may be charged with reviewing and evaluating available data and making recommendations on matters such as those relating to the following topics: (1) Broad scientific and technical food or cosmetic related issues, (2) the safety of new foods and food ingredients, (3) labeling of foods and cosmetics, (4) nutrient needs and nutritional adequacy, and (5) safe exposure limits for food contaminants. The Committee also may be asked to provide advice and make recommendations on ways of communicating to the public the potential risks associated with these issues and on approaches that might be considered for addressing the issues.

Any organization in the food manufacturing industry wishing to participate in the selection of a nonvoting member to represent industry on the Committee should send a letter stating that interest to the FDA contact (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT) within 30 days of publication of this notice. Persons who nominate themselves as an industry representative for the Committee will not participate in the selection process. It is, therefore, recommended that nominations be made by someone within an organization, trade association, or firm who is willing to participate in the selection process. Within the subsequent 30 days, FDA will send a letter to each organization and a list of all nominees along with their resumes. The letter will state that the interested organizations are responsible for conferring with one another to select a candidate, within 60 days after receiving the letter, to serve as the nonvoting member representing on the Committee. If no individual is selected within that 60 days, the Commissioner may select the nonvoting member to represent industry interests.

Individuals may nominate themselves or an organization representing the food manufacturing industry may nominate one or more individuals to serve as a nonvoting industry representative. A current curriculum vitae (which includes the nominee's business address, telephone number, and e-mail address) and the name of the committee of interest should be sent to the FDA contact person (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT). FDA will forward all nominations to the organizations that have expressed interest in participating in the selection process for that committee.

FDA has a special interest in ensuring that women, minority groups, individuals with physical disabilities, and small businesses are adequately represented on its advisory committees. Therefore, the agency encourages nominations for appropriately qualified candidates from these groups.

This notice is issued under the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. app. 2) and 21 CFR part 14, relating to advisory committees.

The Mammography Quality Standards Reauthorization Act of 2004 (Public Law 108-365) requires the addition of at least two industry representatives with expertise in mammography equipment to the National Mammography Quality Assurance Advisory Committee.

The functions of the NMQAAC are to advise FDA on: (1) Developing appropriate quality standards and regulations for mammography facilities, (2) developing appropriate standards and regulations for bodies accrediting mammography facilities under this program, (3) developing regulations with respect to sanctions, (4) developing procedures for monitoring compliance with standards, (5) establishing a mechanism to investigate consumer complaints, (6) reporting new developments concerning breast imaging which should be considered in the oversight of mammography facilities, (7) determining whether there exists a shortage of mammography facilities in rural and health professional shortage areas and determining the effects of personnel on access to the services of such facilities in such areas, (8) determining whether there will exist a sufficient number of medical physicists after October 1, 1999, and (9) determining the costs and benefits of compliance with these requirements.

Any organization representing the mammography device industry wishing to participate in the selection of a nonvoting member to represent industry should send a letter stating that interest to the FDA contact (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT) within 30 days of publication of this notice. Persons who nominate themselves as industry representatives will not participate in the selection process. It is, therefore, recommended that nominations be made by someone within an organization, trade association or firm who is willing to participate in the selection process. Within the subsequent 30 days, FDA will send a letter to each organization and a list of all nominees along with their resumes. The letter will state that the interested organizations are responsible for conferring with one another to select a candidate, within 60 days after receiving the letter, to serve as the nonvoting member representing the a particular committee. If no individual is selected within the 60 days, the Commissioner of Food and Drugs (the Commissioner) may select the nonvoting member to represent industry interests.

Persons nominated for membership on the committee as an industry representative must meet the following criteria:(1) Demonstrate expertise in mammography equipment and (2) be able to discuss equipment specifications and quality control procedures affecting mammography equipment. The industry representative must be able to represent the industry perspective on issues and actions before the advisory committee; serve as liaison between the committee and interested industry parties; and facilitate dialogue with the advisory committee on mammography equipment issues.

Individuals may nominate themselves, or an organization representing the mammography device industry may nominate one or more individuals to serve as nonvoting industry representatives. A current curriculum vitae (which includes the nominee's business address, telephone number, and e-mail address) and the name of the committee of interest should be sent to the FDA contact person. FDA will forward all nominations to the organizations that have expressed interest in participating in the selection process for the committee.

FDA has a special interest in ensuring that women, minority groups, individuals with disabilities, and small businesses are adequately represented on its advisory committees. Therefore, the agency encourages nominations for appropriately qualified candidates from these groups.

This notice is issued under the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. app. 2) and 21 CFR part 14 relating to advisory committees.

NICEATM and the European Committee on the Validation of Alternative Methods (ECVAM) conducted a collaborative validation study to independently evaluate the usefulness of two in vitro basal cytotoxicity assays proposed for estimating in vivo rat acute oral toxicity. Neutral red uptake assays using both a mouse cell line (i.e., BALB/c 3T3 fibroblasts) and a primary human cell type (i.e., normal human epithelial keratinocytes) were evaluated in a multi-laboratory validation study. Cytotoxicity results are proposed for use in predicting starting doses for in vivo acute oral lethality assays, which may reduce the number of animals required for such determinations.

NICEATM is preparing Background Review Documents on the two in vitro test methods that will contain comprehensive summaries of available data, an analysis of the accuracy and reliability of standardized test method protocols, and related information characterizing the current validation status of these assays. Once completed, the Background Review Documents will be provided to the Panel and made available to the public. Meeting information, including date and location, and public availability of the Background Review Documents will be announced in a future Federal Register notice and posted on the ICCVAM/NICEATM Web site (http://iccvam.niehs.nih.gov).

NICEATM invites nominations of scientists with relevant knowledge and experience to serve on the Panel. Areas of relevant expertise include, but are not limited to: physiology and pharmacology, acute systemic toxicity testing in animals, evaluation and treatment of acute toxicity in humans, development and use of in vitro methodologies, biostatistical data analysis, knowledge of chemical data sets useful for validation of acute toxicity studies, and hazard classification of chemicals and products. Each nomination should include the person's name, affiliation, contact information (i.e. mailing address, e-mail address, telephone and fax numbers), and a brief summary of relevant experience and qualifications. Nominations should be sent to NICEATM by mail, fax, or e-mail within 45 days of the publication of this notice. Correspondence should be directed to Dr. William Stokes, Director, NICEATM, at the address given above.

NICEATM invites the submission of data from standard in vivo acute oral toxicity testing and in vitro cytotoxicity testing. Two previous requests for existing in vivo and in vitro acute toxicity data have been made (Federal Register, Vol. 69, No. 201, pp. 61504-5, October 19, 2004 and Vol. 65, No. 115, pp. 37400-3, June 14, 2000). In vivo and in vitro acute toxicity testing data for chemicals or products should be sent to NICEATM by mail, fax, or e-mail to the address given above. Data submitted by the deadline listed in this notice will be considered during an evaluation of the validation status of the two cytotoxicity methods, anticipated in late 2005; however, data will be accepted at any time. Chemical and protocol information/test data submitted in response to this notice may be incorporated in future NICEATM and ICCVAM reports and publications as appropriate.

When submitting chemical and protocol information/test data, please reference this Federal Register notice and provide appropriate contact information (name, affiliation, mailing address, phone, fax, e-mail, and sponsoring organization, as applicable).

NICEATM prefers data to be submitted as copies of pages from study notebooks and/or study reports, if available. Raw data and analyses available in electronic format may also be submitted. Each submission for a chemical should preferably include the following information, as appropriate:

• Common and trade name.

• Chemical Abstracts Service Registry Number (CASRN).

• Chemical class.

• Product class.

• Commercial source.

• In vitro basal cytotoxicity test protocol used.

• In vitro cytotoxicity test results.

• In vivo acute oral toxicity test protocol used.

• Individual animal responses at each observation time (if available).

• The extent to which the study complied with national or international Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) guidelines.

• Date and testing organization.

Those persons submitting data on chemicals tested for in vitro basal cytotoxicity are referred to the standard test-reporting template recommended for the High Production Volume (HPV) program at http://www.epa.gov/chemrtk/toxprtow.htm or at http://iccvam.niehs.nih.gov/methods/invitro.htm. In vivo data for the same chemicals should be reported as recommended in the test reporting section of the current Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) guideline for acute oral toxicity (EPA, 2002).

Submitted data will be used to further evaluate the usefulness and limitations of in vitro cytotoxicity data for estimating acute oral toxicity and will be included in a database to support the investigation of other test methods necessary to improve the accuracy of in vitro assessments of acute systemic toxicity.

ICCVAM is an interagency committee composed of representatives from 15 Federal regulatory and research agencies that use or generate toxicological information. ICCVAM conducts technical evaluations of new, revised, and alternative methods with regulatory applicability and promotes the scientific validation and regulatory acceptance of toxicological test methods that more accurately assess the safety and hazards of chemicals and products and that refine, reduce, and replace animal use. The ICCVAM Authorization Act of 2000 (Pub. L. 106-545, available at http://iccvam.niehs.nih.gov/about/PL106545.htm) establishes ICCVAM as a permanent interagency committee of the NIEHS under the NICEATM. NICEATM administers the ICCVAM and provides scientific and operational support for ICCVAM-related activities. NICEATM and ICCVAM work collaboratively to evaluate new and improved test methods applicable to the needs of Federal agencies. Additional information about ICCVAM and NICEATM can be found at the following Web site: http://iccvam.niehs.nih.gov.

The inaugural meeting of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Data Privacy and Integrity Advisory Committee (Privacy Advisory Committee) will be on Wednesday, April 6, 2005, at the Mayflower Hotel Colonial Ballroom, 1127 Connecticut Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20036. The meeting will begin at 8:30 a.m. and continue until 4:30 p.m. Although most of the meeting is open to the public, the sessions between 11:45 a.m. and 2:15 p.m. will be closed in order to permit the Privacy Advisory Committee members to receive administrative briefings concerning travel, ethics and security matters that pertain to their membership.

At this first meeting, the Chief Privacy Officer of DHS will welcome and introduce the members of the Privacy Advisory Committee. DHS component offices will provide an overview of information about the Department for the benefit of the Privacy Advisory Committee members and the general public. The Privacy Advisory Committee will then discuss areas of focus for its initial work on privacy issues within DHS.

At the end of the meeting, between 3:45 p.m. and 4:30 p.m., public comments will be accepted. All those who wish to testify must register and, in order to allow as many people as possible to testify, should limit their remarks to two minutes. For security purposes, any member of the public who wishes to attend the public session should provide his or her name no later than 5 p.m. e.s.t., Wednesday, March 30, 2005, to Rebecca J. Richards via e-mail at PrivacyCommittee@dhs.gov, or via telephone at (202) 772-9848. Photo identification will be required for entry on the day of the meeting to verify those individuals who have registered for the public session, and everyone who plans to attend must be present and seated by 8:15 a.m. (or 2 p.m., if only attending the afternoon sessions). Registration information required for attendance will only be used for verification purposes on the day of the meeting.

Persons with disabilities who require special assistance should indicate this in their admittance request and are encouraged to indicate anticipated special needs as early as possible.

Although every effort will be made to accommodate all members of the public, seating is limited and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

Persons who are unable to attend or speak at the meeting may submit comments, identified by docket number DHS-2005-0018, by one of the following methods:

• EPA Federal Partner EDOCKET Web site: http://www.epa.gov/feddocket. Follow instructions for submitting comments on the Web site.

The Department of Homeland Security has joined the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) online public docket and comment system on its Partner Electronic Docket System (Partner EDOCKET). The Department of Homeland Security and its agencies (excluding the United States Coast Guard and Transportation Security Administration) will use the EPA Federal Partner EDOCKET system. The USCG and TSA [legacy Department of Transportation (DOT) agencies] will continue to use the DOT Docket Management System until full migration to the electronic rulemaking federal docket management system in 2005.

• Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.

• E-mail: PrivacyCommittee@dhs.gov. Include docket number in the subject line of the message.

• Fax: (202) 772-5036.

• Mail: Rebecca J. Richards, Executive Director, Data Privacy and Integrity Advisory Committee, Department of Homeland Security, Washington, DC 20528.

All comments received will be posted without change to www.epa.gov/feddocket, including any personal information provided.

Docket: For access to the docket to read background documents or comments received, go to http://www.epa.gov/feddocket. You may also access the Federal eRulemaking Portal at http://www.regulations.gov.

In accordance with Section 10(d) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, Public Law 92-463, as amended, 86 Stat. 770, the Secretary has determined that portions of this Privacy Advisory Committee meeting, which are referenced above as “administrative briefings,” are excluded from the Open Meetings requirement pursuant to the authority contained in 41 CFR 102-3.160(b).

Pursuant to Section 641 of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996, Public Law 104-208, 110 Stat. 3009, as amended, and other statutes, Congress has mandated that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), in consultation with the Departments of State (DoS) and Education, develop a national system to collect and maintain pertinent information on nonimmigrant students and exchange visitors, and the schools and exchange visitor program sponsors that host these individuals in the United States. In accordance with that mandate, the predecessor to the Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), a component agency within the Directorate for Border and Transportation Security of DHS, developed the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). SEVIS is an Internet-based system that allows DHS to collect, maintain and use biographical information relating to students and exchange visitors and the approved schools and designated exchange visitor program sponsors that host nonimmigrant (F&M) students and (J) exchange visitors.

In order to maintain these records, ICE proposes to establish a system of records under the Privacy Act, 5 U.S.C. 552a, DHS/ICE-001. The Privacy Act embodies fair information principles in a statutory framework governing the means by which the United States Government collects, maintains, uses and disseminates personally identifiable information. The Privacy Act requires each agency to publish in the Federal Register a description denoting the type and character of each system of records that the agency maintains, and the routine uses that are contained in each system in order to make agency recordkeeping practices transparent, to notify individuals regarding the uses to which personally identifiable information is put, and to assist the individual to more easily find such files within the Agency.

DHS/ICE is here publishing the description of a new system of records governing the information collected and maintained in SEVIS.

In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552a(r), a report of this new system of records has been provided to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and to the Congress.

As directed by the Act, the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture have jointly established an advisory committee for the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument. The National Monument Advisory Committee's purpose is to advise the Secretaries with respect to the implementation of the National Monument Management Plan. The National Monument Advisory Committee meets several times a year. Their purpose is to gather and analyze information, conduct studies and field examinations, hear public testimony, ascertain facts, and, in an advisory capacity only, develop recommendations concerning the implementation of the National Monument Management Plan. The designated Federal officer, or their designee, in connection with special needs for advice, may call additional meetings as necessary.

In accordance with the National Monument Advisory Committee Charter, any individual or organization may nominate one or more persons to serve on the National Monument Advisory Committee. Individuals may nominate themselves for National Monument Advisory Committee membership. To make a nomination, individuals must submit a completed nomination form; letters of reference, from the represented interests or organization; and any other information explaining the nominee's qualifications, to the offices listed above. Applications must be completed in full following application instructions. Note: Incorrectly completed or incomplete applications will be rejected. Nomination applications become the property of the Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management, Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument and will not be returned. Nominations may be made for the following categories of interest, as specified in the Act:

• A representative from the Coachella Valley Mountains Conservancy;

• A representative of the following two cities:

○ City of Cathedral City, California

○ Indian Wells, California;

• A representative from the County of Riverside, California; and

• A representative from the Winter Park Authority.

Nominations to the National Monument Advisory Committee should describe and document the proposed member's qualifications for membership.

Nomination forms will be available on-line through the National Monument's Web site at [w] http://www.ca.blm.gov/palmsprings/santarosa/santa_rosa_national_monument.html. Forms may be picked up in person by visiting the Bureau of Land Management, Palm Springs-South Coast Field Office, 690 West Garnet Avenue, North Palm Springs, CA 92258, from the National Monument Visitor Center at 51-500 Highway 74, Palm Desert, CA 92262. Forms may be requested by telephone or fax at: [p] (760) 251-4800; [p] (760) 862-9984; [f] (760) 251-4899; or in writing to the National Monument at either the BLM or via e-mail at [e] ca_srsj_nm@ca.blm.gov.

National Monument Advisory Committee members are appointed for 3-year terms. The Secretary of the Interior will make appointments to the National Monument Advisory Committee with the concurrence of the Secretary of Agriculture. All National Monument Advisory Committee members are volunteers and serve without pay, but will be reimbursed for travel and per diem expense at the current rates for government employees under 5 U.S.C. 5703.

All interested parties may submit comments in writing no later than fourteen (14) days after the publication of this Notice. Copies of adverse comments received will be forwarded to the applicant noted above.

Pursuant to section 303(d) of the SSPA, the Commissioner notified Congress on February 28, 2005, of our completion of the actions necessary to fully implement the requirements for full operation of the demonstration project on fee withholding for non-attorneys. Accordingly, the five-year period of the demonstration project under section 303 began on February 28, 2005. As provided in section 302(c) of the SSPA, the extension of the current representative fee withholding and payment process under title II of the Act to claims for benefits under title XVI of the Act also became effective for favorably decided cases effectuated on or after February 28, 2005.

Additional information on the implementation of section 302 can be found in operating instructions that we have issued on fee withholding and direct payment of fees under title XVI in the Program Operations Manual System (POMS), Subchapters GN 03920, GN 03930, and GN 03940. These instructions may be accessed from our Web site at http://www.socialsecurity.gov, using the link to Our Program Rules. You can also access these instructions directly at http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/subchapterlist!openview&restricttocategory=02039.

In accordance with the provisions of section 303, we will determine the eligibility of applicants to participate in the demonstration project on fee withholding for non-attorneys through a process by which we will determine if applicants satisfy the prerequisites to participate in that project. We provided information on the prerequisites process in a Federal Register notice published on January 13, 2005 (70 FR 2447). Additional information on the demonstration project and the prerequisites process is available on our Representing Claimants Web site at http://www.ba.ssa.gov/representation/.

As we explained in our Federal Register notice of January 13, 2005, we are using a private contractor to assist us in administering the process for determining eligibility to participate in the demonstration project. The contractor is CPS Human Resource Services (CPS). CPS has established an informational Web site at http://www.cps.ca.gov/tlc/ssa/about.asp that provides general information on eligibility requirements, the application process, and deadlines. CPS has also established a site for taking applications at http://www.cps.ca.gov/tlc/ssa/signin.asp. CPS can be reached by:

• Mail, sent to: CPS Human Resource Services, SSA Non-Attorney Representative Demonstration Project, 241 Lathrop Way, Suite A, Sacramento, CA 95815-4242.

• E-mail, sent to SSA@cps.ca.gov.

• Telephone, toll free at 1-800-376-5728. The local number in Sacramento is 916-263-3600.

A determination was made on September 9, 2004, pursuant to section 73(e) of the Arms Export Control Act (22 U.S.C. 2797b(e)) that it was essential to the national security of the United States to waive for a period of six months the import sanction described in Section 73(a)(2)(C) of the Arms Export Control Act (22 U.S.C. 2797b(a)(2)(C)) against the activities of the Chinese Government described in section 74(a)(8)(B) of the Arms Export Control Act (22 U.S.C. 2797c(a)(8)(B))—i.e., activities of the Chinese government relating to the development or production of any missile equipment or technology and activities of the Chinese government affecting the development or production of electronics, space systems or equipment, and military aircraft (see Federal Register Vol. 68, no. 182, Friday, Sept. 19, 2003). This action was effective on September 18, 2004.

On March 17, 2005, a determination was made pursuant to section 73(e) of the Arms Export Control Act (22 U.S.C. 2797b(e)) that it is essential to the national security of the United States to extend the waiver period for an additional six months, effective from the date of expiration of the previous waiver (March 18, 2005).

These measures shall be implemented by the responsible agencies as provided in Executive Order 12851 of June 11, 1993.

49 U.S.C. Section 30113(b) provides the Secretary of Transportation the authority to exempt, on a temporary basis, motor vehicles from a motor vehicle safety standard under certain circumstances. The exemption may be renewed, if the vehicle manufacturer reapplies. The Secretary has delegated the authority for Section 30113(b) to NHTSA.

NHTSA has established regulations at 49 CFR Part 555, Temporary Exemption from Motor Vehicle Safety and Bumper Standards. Part 555 provides a means by which motor vehicle manufacturers may apply for temporary exemptions from the Federal motor vehicle safety standards on the basis of substantial economic hardship, facilitation of the development of new motor vehicle safety or low-emission engine features, or existence of an equivalent overall level of motor vehicle safety.

Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 123, Motorcycle controls and displays (49 CFR 571.123) specifies requirements for the location, operation, identification, and illumination of motorcycle controls and displays, and requirements for motorcycle stands and footrests. Among other requirements, FMVSS No. 123 specifies that for motorcycles with rear wheel brakes, the rear wheel brakes must be operable through the right foot control, although the left handlebar is permissible for motor-driven cycles (See S5.2.1, and Table 1, Item 11). Motor-driven cycles are motorcycles with motors that produce 5 brake horsepower or less (See 49 CFR 571.3, Definitions).

On November 21, 2003, NHTSA published in the Federal Register (68 FR 65667) a notice proposing two regulatory alternatives to amend FMVSS No. 123. Each alternative would require that for certain motorcycles without a clutch control lever, the rear brakes must be controlled by a lever located on the left handlebar. We also requested comment on industry practices and plans regarding controls for motorcycles with integrated brakes. If this proposed rule is made final, the left handlebar would be permitted as an alternative location for the rear brake control.

NHTSA has received applications for renewals of temporary exemption from S5.2.1 and Table 1, Item 11 from American Suzuki Motorcycle Corporation (Suzuki), a motorcycle manufacturer. Suzuki asks for extensions of existing temporary exemptions for the Burgman 400 (also known as the AN 400)(for Model Years (MYs) 2005 and 2006), and the Burgman 650 (also known as the AN 650)(for MYs 2005 and 2006). Both the Burgman 400 and Burgman 650 motorcycles are considered “motor scooters.”

The safety issues are identical in the case of both of these motorcycles. Suzuki has applied to use the left handlebar as the location for the rear brake control on its motorcycles whose engines produce more than 5 brake horsepower (both the Burgman 400 and the Burgman 650). The frames of each of the motorcycles have not been designed to mount a right foot operated brake pedal (i.e., these motor scooters have a platform for the feet and operate only through hand controls). Applying considerable stress to this sensitive pressure point of the motor scooter frame by putting on a foot operated brake control could cause failure due to fatigue, unless proper design and testing procedures are performed.

Suzuki has argued that the overall level of safety of the motorcycles covered by its petitions equals or exceeds that of a nonexempted motorcycle for the following reasons. Suzuki has stated that the Burgman scooters are equipped with automatic transmissions. As there is no foot-operated gear change, the operation and use of a motorcycle with an automatic transmission is similar to the operation and use of a bicycle, and the vehicles can be operated without requiring special training or practice.

Suzuki provided test data with its October 4, 2002 original temporary exemption petition showing that the Burgman 400 “can easily meet” the braking performance requirements in FMVSS No. 122, Motorcycle brake systems. Suzuki provided similar test data with its June 2, 2002 original temporary exemption petition for the Burgman 650, which also showed that the Burgman 650 “can easily meet FMVSS No. 122.”

Suzuki further stated that it will not sell more than 2,500 exempted vehicles in the U.S. in any 12-month period for which an exemption may be granted. At the end of the exemption period, Suzuki stated that it does not intend to comply with the rear brake control requirements of FMVSS No. 123. Under previously granted exemptions, Suzuki sold approximately 2,702 Burgman 400 scooters and approximately 2, 947 Burgman 650 scooters over a two-year period.

Suzuki offered the following reason why another temporary exemption for its motorcycles would be in the public interest and would be consistent with the objectives of motor vehicle safety. Suzuki asserted that the level of safety of the Burgman scooters is “at least equal to similar vehicles that are certified to FMVSS No. 123.” Suzuki further asserted that scooters like the Burgman 400 and Burgman 650 are of interest to the public, evidenced by the number of companies that have previously requested exemptions to sell similar products in the U.S., the favorable public comment on the exemption requests, and the number of scooters sold under the granted exemptions.

On December 3, 2004 (69 FR 70304) [Docket No. NHTSA-2004-18745], we published a Federal Register notice announcing the receipt of applications for renewals of exemptions from Suzuki. We published Suzuki's reasons why the overall safety of the motorcycles equals or exceeds that of nonexempted motorcycles, and why Suzuki claimed an exemption would be in the public interest and would be consistent with the objectives of motor vehicle safety. We asked for public comment on Suzuki's application.

We received no comments in response to the December 3, 2004 document.

It is evident that, unless Standard No. 123 is amended to permit or require the left handlebar brake control on motor scooters with more than 5 hp, Suzuki will be unable to sell its motorcycles if it does not receive a temporary exemption from the requirement that the right foot pedal operate the brake control. It is also evident from the previous grants of similar petitions that we have repeatedly found that the motorcycles exempted from the brake control location requirement of Standard No. 123 have an overall level of safety at least equal to that of nonexempted motorcycles.

In consideration of the foregoing, we hereby find that Suzuki has met its burden of persuasion that to require compliance with Standard No. 123 would prevent Suzuki from selling a motor vehicle with an overall level of safety at least equal to the overall safety level of nonexempt vehicles. We further find that a temporary exemption is in the public interest and consistent with the objectives of motor vehicle safety. Therefore:

1. NHTSA Temporary Exemption No. EX02-3, exempting American Suzuki Motorcycle Corporation from the requirements of item 11, column 2, table 1 of 49 CFR 571.123 Standard No. 123 Motorcycle Controls and Displays, that the rear wheel brakes be operable through the right foot control, is hereby extended to expire on December 31, 2007. This exemption applies only to the Burgman 400 (also known as the AN 400).

2. NHTSA Temporary Exemption No. EX02-2 exempting American Suzuki Motorcycle Corporation from the requirements of item 11, column 2, table 1 of 49 CFR 571.123 Standard No. 123 Motorcycle Controls and Displays, that the rear wheel brakes be operable through the right foot control, is hereby extended to expire on December 31, 2007. This exemption applies only to the Burgman 650 (also known as the AN 650).

In a decision served on March 14, 2005, the Board has rescheduled the hearing at the request of Alliance for Rail Competition and 17 other entities. The Board is holding the public hearing to provide a forum for the expression of views by rail shippers, railroads, and other interested persons, on the Board's consideration of rail rate challenges under the SAC methodology. This hearing will provide a forum for the discussion of any suggestions and proposals that interested persons might wish to offer regarding the Board's consideration of rail rate reasonableness challenges under the SAC methodology. The hearing is not intended to offer a forum for discussion of pending cases, but rather is intended as an opportunity for interested persons to address broader issues that may cut across SAC cases generally.

Date of Hearing. The hearing will begin at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, April 26, 2005, in the 7th floor hearing room at the Board's headquarters in Washington, DC, and will continue, with short breaks if necessary, until every person scheduled to speak has been heard.

Notice of Intent To Participate. Any person wishing to speak at the hearing should file with the Board a written notice of intent to participate, and should indicate a requested time allotment, as soon as possible, but no later than April 15, 2005.

Testimony. Each speaker should file with the Board his/her written testimony by April 20, 2005. Also, any interested person who wishes to submit a written statement without appearing at the April 26 hearing should file that statement by April 20, 2005.

Board Releases and Live Audio Available Via the Internet. Decisions and notices of the Board, including this notice, are available on the Board's Web site at http://www.stb.dot.gov. This hearing will be available on the Board's Web site by live audio streaming. To access the hearing, click on the “Live Audio” link under “Information Center” at the left side of the home page beginning at 10 a.m. on April 26, 2005.

This action will not significantly affect either the quality of the human environment or the conservation of energy resources.