Background

Under the regulations in “Subpart L-Fruits and Vegetables” (7 CFR 319.56-1 through 319.56-12, referred to below as the regulations), the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) prohibits or restricts the importation of fruits and vegetables into the United States from certain parts of the world to prevent plant pests from being introduced into or disseminated within the United States.

Section 319.56-4 contains a performance-based process for approving the importation of fruits and vegetables that, based on the findings of a pest risk analysis, can be safely imported subject to one or more of the five designated phytosanitary measures listed in paragraph (b) of that section.

APHIS received a request from the national plant protection organization of Nigeria to allow importation of fresh Ugu leaves ( Telfairia occidentalis Hook.f) from Nigeria into the continental United States. As part of our evaluation of Nigeria's request, we have prepared a pest risk assessment (PRA) to identify the pests of quarantine significance that could follow the pathway of the importation of fresh Ugu leaves from Nigeria into the continental United States. Based on the PRA, a risk management document (RMD) was prepared to identify phytosanitary measures that could be applied to the fresh Ugu leaves to mitigate the pest risk.

Therefore, in accordance with § 319.56-4(c), we are announcing the availability of our PRA and RMD for public review and comment. Those documents, as well as a description of the economic considerations associated with the importation of fresh Ugu leaves ( Telfairia occidentalis Hook.f) from Nigeria, may be viewed on the Regulations.gov website or in our reading room (see ADDRESSES above for a link to Regulations.gov and information on the location and hours of the reading room). You may request paper copies of the PRA and RMD by calling or writing to the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT . Please refer to the subject of the analysis you wish to review when requesting copies.

After reviewing any comments we receive, we will announce our decision regarding the import status of fresh Ugu leaves from Nigeria in a subsequent notice. If the overall conclusions of our analysis and the Administrator's determination of risk remain unchanged following our consideration of the comments, then we will authorize the importation of fresh Ugu leaves from Nigeria into the continental United States subject to the requirements specified in the RMD.

Authority: 7 U.S.C. 1633, 7701-7772, and 7781-7786; 21 U.S.C. 136 and 136a; 7 CFR 2.22, 2.80, and 371.3.

Committee meetings are available to the public through the videoconference link above. Any interested member of the public may listen to the meeting. An open comment period will be provided to allow members of the public to make a statement as time allows. Per the Federal Advisory Committee Act, public minutes of the meeting will include a list of persons who are present at the meeting. If joining via phone, callers can expect to incur regular charges for calls they initiate over wireless lines, according to their wireless plan. The Commission will not refund any incurred charges. Closed captioning will be available for individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, or who have certain cognitive or learning impairments. To request additional accommodations, please email Angelica Trevino, Support Services Specialist, atrevino@usccr.gov at least 10 business days prior to the meeting.

Members of the public are entitled to make comments during the open period at the end of the meeting. Members of the public may also submit written comments; the comments must be received in the Regional Programs Unit within 30 days following the meeting. Written comments may be emailed to Brooke Peery (DFO) at bpeery@usccr.gov.

Records and documents discussed during the meeting will be available for public viewing prior to and after the meeting at https://www.facadatabase.gov/FACA/FACAPublicViewCommitteeDetails?id=a10t0000001gzkoAAA.

Please click on the “Meeting Details” and “Documents” links. Records generated from this meeting may also be inspected and reproduced at the Regional Programs Unit, as they become available, both before and after the meeting. Persons interested in the work of this Committee are directed to the Commission's website, https://www.usccr.gov, or may contact the Regional Programs Unit at the above email or street address.

Committee meetings are available to the public through the videoconference link above. Any interested member of the public may listen to the meeting. An open comment period will be provided to allow members of the public to make a statement as time allows. Per the Federal Advisory Committee Act, public minutes of the meeting will include a list of persons who are present at the meeting. If joining via phone, callers can expect to incur regular charges for calls they initiate over wireless lines, according to their wireless plan. The Commission will not refund any incurred charges. Closed captioning will be available for individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, or who have certain cognitive or learning impairments. To request additional accommodations, please email Angelica Trevino, Support Services Specialist, atrevino@usccr.gov at least 10 business days prior to the meeting.

Members of the public are entitled to make comments during the open period at the end of the meeting. Members of the public may also submit written comments; the comments must be received in the Regional Programs Unit within 30 days following the meeting. Written comments may be emailed to Brooke Peery (DFO) at bpeery@usccr.gov.

Records and documents discussed during the meeting will be available for public viewing prior to and after the meeting at https://www.facadatabase.gov/FACA/FACAPublicViewCommitteeDetails?id=a10t0000001gzkoAAA.

Please click on the “Meeting Details” and “Documents” links. Records generated from this meeting may also be inspected and reproduced at the Regional Programs Unit, as they become available, both before and after the meeting. Persons interested in the work of this Committee are directed to the Commission's website, https://www.usccr.gov, or may contact the Regional Programs Unit at the above email or street address.

On April 6, 2023, Commerce published the preliminary results of this administrative review covering one producer/exporter, Navigator. 1 We invited interested parties to comment on the Preliminary Results. On August 2, 2023, Commerce extended the time period for issuing the final results of this review until August 22, 2023. 2 For a complete description of the events that occurred since the Preliminary Results, see the Issues and Decision Memorandum. 3

Commerce conducted this administrative review in accordance with section 751 of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (the Act).

The product covered by this Order is certain uncoated paper from Portugal. For a full description of the scope of the Order, see the Issues and Decision Memorandum.

All issues raised in the case and rebuttal briefs are addressed in the Issues and Decision Memorandum. A list of the issues that parties raised and to which we responded in the Issues and Decision Memorandum is attached to this notice as an appendix. The Issues and Decision Memorandum is a public document and is on file electronically via Enforcement and Compliance's Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Centralized Electronic Service System (ACCESS). ACCESS is available to registered users at https://access.trade.gov. In addition, a complete version of the Issues and Decision Memorandum can be accessed directly at https://access.trade.gov/public/FRNoticesListLayout.aspx.

Based on a review of the record and comments received from interested parties, we have recalculated the weighted-average dumping margin for Navigator. Specifically, we have used weight-averaged quarterly costs in determining Navigator's dumping margin. We also made changes in calculating certain rebate caps for Navigator's home market sales. For a more detailed discussion of these changes, see the Issues and Decision Memorandum.

Commerce determines that the following weighted-average dumping margin exists for the period March 1, 2021, through February 28, 2022:

Commerce intends to disclose to interested parties the calculations performed in connection with the final results within five days of any public announcement or, if there is no public announcement, within five days of the date of publication of the notice of final determination in the Federal Register , in accordance with 19 CFR 351.224(b).

Pursuant to section 751(a)(2)(C) of the Act, and 19 CFR 351.212(b)(1), Commerce shall determine, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) shall assess, antidumping duties on all appropriate entries covered by this review.

Because Navigator's weighted-average dumping margin is not zero or de minimis ( i.e., less than 0.5 percent), Commerce has calculated importer-specific antidumping duty assessment rates. We calculated importer-specific ad valorem assessment rates based on the ratio of the total amount of dumping calculated for the examined sales to the total entered value of the sales. Where an importer-specific assessment rate is zero or de minimis, we will instruct CBP to liquidate the appropriate entries without regard to antidumping duties.

For entries of subject merchandise during the POR produced by Navigator for which it did not know its merchandise was destined for the United States, we will instruct CBP to liquidate unreviewed entries at the all-others rate if there is no rate for the intermediate company(ies) involved in the transaction. 5

Commerce intends to issue assessment instructions to CBP no earlier than 35 days after the date of publication of the final results of this review in the Federal Register . If a timely summons is filed at the U.S. Court of International Trade, the assessment instructions will direct CBP not to liquidate relevant entries until the time for parties to file a request for a statutory injunction has expired ( i.e., within 90 days of publication).

The following cash deposit requirements will be effective for all shipments of the subject merchandise entered, or withdrawn from warehouse, for consumption on or after the publication date of the final results of this administrative review, as provided by section 751(a)(2)(C) of the Act: (1) the cash deposit rate for Navigator will be the rate established in the final results of this administrative review; (2) for merchandise exported by producers or exporters not covered in this administrative review but covered in a prior segment of the proceeding, the cash deposit rate will continue to be the company-specific rate published for the most recently completed segment of this proceeding; (3) if the exporter is not a firm covered in this review, a prior review, or the original less-than-fair-value (LTFV) investigation, but the producer is, the cash deposit rate will be the rate established for the most recently completed segment of this proceeding for the producer of the subject merchandise; and (4) the cash deposit rate for all other manufacturers or exporters will continue to be 7.80 percent, the all-others rate established in the LTFV investigation. 6 These cash deposit requirements, when imposed, shall remain in effect until further notice.

This notice serves as a final reminder to importers of their responsibility under 19 CFR 351.402(f)(2) to file a certificate regarding the reimbursement of antidumping duties prior to liquidation of the relevant entries during this POR. Failure to comply with this requirement could result in Commerce's presumption that reimbursement of antidumping duties has occurred and the subsequent assessment of double antidumping duties.

This notice also serves as a final reminder to parties subject to an administrative protective order (APO) of their responsibility concerning the return or destruction of proprietary information disclosed under APO in accordance with 19 CFR 351.305(a)(3), which continues to govern business proprietary information in this segment of the proceeding. Timely written notification of the return/destruction of APO materials, or conversion to judicial protective order, is hereby requested. Failure to comply with the regulations and the terms of an APO is a sanctionable violation.

We are issuing and publishing this notice in accordance with sections 751(a)(1) and 777(i)(1) of the Act, and 19 CFR 351.221(b)(5) and 19 CFR 351.213(h)(1).

Public Participation: The meeting will be open to the public and will be accessible to people with disabilities. Any member of the public requesting to join the meeting is asked to register in advance by the deadline identified under the DATES caption. Requests for auxiliary aids must be submitted by the registration deadline. Last minute requests will be accepted but may not be possible to fill. There will be fifteen (15) minutes allotted for oral comments from members of the public joining the meeting. To accommodate as many speakers as possible, the time for public comments may be limited to three (3) minutes per person. Members of the public wishing to reserve speaking time during the meeting must submit a request at the time of registration, as well as the name and address of the proposed speaker. If the number of registrants requesting to make statements is greater than can be reasonably accommodated during the meeting, the International Trade Administration may conduct a lottery to determine the speakers. Speakers are requested to submit a written copy of their prepared remarks by 5:00 p.m. EDT on Monday, September 11, 2023, for inclusion in the meeting records and for circulation to the members of the Board.

In addition, any member of the public may submit pertinent written comments concerning the Board's affairs at any time before or after the meeting. Comments may be submitted to Jennifer Aguinaga at the contact information indicated above. To be considered during the meeting, comments must be received no later than 5:00 p.m. EDT on Monday, September 11, 2023, to ensure transmission to the Board prior to the meeting. Comments received after that date and time will be transmitted to the Board but may not be considered during the meeting. Copies of Board meeting minutes will be available within 90 days of the meeting.

This Notice is published pursuant to the Federal Advisory Committee Act, as amended (FACA), 5 U.S.C., app., 10(a)(2). The Committee was established pursuant to section 607 of the Visit America Act, Subtitle A of title VI of division BB of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023, Public Law. 117-328, and in accordance with the provisions of the FACA, 5 U.S.C. 1001 et seq.

The Gulf of Mexico, South Atlantic, and Caribbean Fishery Management Councils, in conjunction with NOAA Fisheries and the Atlantic and Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commissions have implemented the Southeast Data, Assessment and Review (SEDAR) process, a multi-step method for determining the status of fish stocks in the Southeast Region. SEDAR is a multi-step process including: (1) Data/Assessment Workshop, and (2) a series of webinars. The product of the Data/Assessment Workshop is a report which compiles and evaluates potential datasets and recommends which datasets are appropriate for assessment analyses, and describes the fisheries, evaluates the status of the stock, estimates biological benchmarks, projects future population conditions, and recommends research and monitoring needs. Participants for SEDAR Workshops are appointed by the Gulf of Mexico, South Atlantic, and Caribbean Fishery Management Councils and NOAA Fisheries Southeast Regional Office, HMS Management Division, and Southeast Fisheries Science Center. Participants include data collectors and database managers; stock assessment scientists, biologists, and researchers; constituency representatives including fishermen, environmentalists, and NGO's; International experts; and staff of Councils, Commissions, and state and federal agencies.

The items of discussion in the Data Workshop:

An assessment data set and associated documentation will be developed during the workshop. Participants will evaluate proposed data and select appropriate sources for providing information on life history characteristics, catch statistics, discard estimates, length and age composition, and fishery dependent and fishery independent measures of stock abundance.

Although non-emergency issues not contained in this agenda may come before this group for discussion, those issues may not be the subject of formal action during these meetings. Action will be restricted to those issues specifically identified in this notice and any issues arising after publication of this notice that require emergency action under section 305(c) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, provided the public has been notified of the intent to take final action to address the emergency.

These meetings are physically accessible to people with disabilities. Requests for sign language interpretation or other auxiliary aids should be directed to the Council office (see ADDRESSES ) at least 5 business days prior to each workshop.

Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.

On June 15, 2006, President Bush established the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument by issuing Presidential Proclamation 8031 (71 FR 36443, June 26, 2006), as amended on February 28, 2007 by Presidential Proclamation 8112 (72 FR 10031, March 6, 2007), under the authority of the Antiquities Act (54 U.S.C. 320301 et seq. ). The Secretary of Commerce, through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), has primary responsibility regarding the management of the marine areas of the Monument, in consultation with the Secretary of the Interior. Similarly, the Secretary of the Interior, through the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), has sole responsibility for management of the areas of the Monument that overlay the Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge, the Battle of Midway National Memorial, and the Hawaiian Islands National Wildlife Refuge, in consultation with the Secretary of Commerce.

Presidential Proclamations 8031 and 8112 include restrictions and prohibitions regarding activities in the Monument. Specifically, the Proclamations prohibit access to the Monument except when passing through without interruption or as allowed under a permit issued by NOAA and the FWS. Vessels passing through the Monument without interruption are required to notify NOAA and FWS upon entering into and leaving the monument. Individuals wishing to access the Monument to conduct certain regulated activities must first apply for and be granted a permit issued by NOAA and FWS.

On August 29, 2006, NOAA and FWS published a final rule codifying the provisions of Presidential Proclamation 8031 (71 FR 51134). These agencies have since worked extensively with the State of Hawaii to ensure the permitting requirements and processes of all three entities are sufficiently coordinated and to ensure applicants for permits for Monument activities require only a single application and receive one, combined agency permit.

The information submitted by permit applicants will be used to decide whether to approve or deny a permit application. In making this decision, the agencies will consider such factors as:

• the professional qualifications and financial ability of the applicant as related to the proposed activity;

• the duration of the activity and its effects;

• the appropriateness of the methods and procedures proposed by the applicant for the conduct of the activity;

• the extent to which the conduct of the activity may diminish or enhance the qualities for which the Monument was designated;

• the end value of the activity; and

• other such matters as agency staff deem appropriate.

In addition to informing the agencies' decisions on permit applications, information submitted in permit applications and reports submitted pursuant to permit conditions may also be used by the agencies to inform—

• administrative appeals of permit decisions;

• decision making on a permit amendment request or another permit application; or

• other management actions ( e.g., emergency response and enforcement).

In terms of frequency of use, the information submitted in permit applications will, in general, only be used at the time the application is submitted to make a final decision on the application. Some of the information may also be used subsequent to the initial decision making to inform management actions or decision making. For example, a survey of a project location by one permit applicant may be used by the agencies in the future to respond to a vessel grounding in the same area to facilitate the agencies' decision in response to that matter. Information submitted in a report will be used to periodically assess the permittee's compliance with permit terms and conditions and to assist in evaluating the appropriateness of the permitted activity.

Respondents have a choice of either electronic or paper forms. Methods of submittal include email of electronic forms, and mail and facsimile transmission of paper forms.

OMB Control Number: 0648-0548.

Form Number(s): None.

Type of Review: Regular submission, extension of a current information collection.

Affected Public: Individuals, non-profit institutions; Federal, State, local, government, Native Hawaiian organizations; business or other for-profit organizations.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 411.

Estimated Time per Response: Conservation and Management and Education (“general” permits), 5 hours; Special Ocean Use permits, 10 hours; Native Hawaiian Practices permits, 8 hours; Recreation permits, 6 hours; permit modification requests and final reports, 10 hours; and annual reports, 5 hours.

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 1,343.

Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $61,783 in recordkeeping/reporting costs and vessel monitoring system installation and maintenance.

Respondent's Obligation: Required to Obtain or Retain Benefits, or Mandatory.

Legal Authority: 54 U.S.C. 320301 et seq.; 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.; 16 U.S.C. 742f, 16 U.S.C. 742l; 16 U.S.C. 1431 et seq.

We are soliciting public comments to permit the Department/Bureau to: (a) Evaluate whether the proposed information collection is necessary for the proper functions of the Department, including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) Evaluate the accuracy of our estimate of the time and cost burden for this proposed collection, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (c) Evaluate ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) Minimize the reporting burden on those who are to respond, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

Comments that you submit in response to this notice are a matter of public record. We will include or summarize each comment in our request to OMB to approve this Information Collection Review. Before including your address, phone number, email address, or other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment—including your personal identifying information—may be made publicly available at any time. While you may ask us in your comment to withhold your personal identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so.

Atlantic highly migratory species (HMS) fisheries are managed under the authority of the Atlantic Tunas Convention Act (16 U.S.C. 971 et seq. ) and the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. ). The 2006 Consolidated Atlantic HMS Fishery Management Plan and its amendments are implemented by regulations at 50 CFR part 635. Section 635.8 describes the requirements for the Atlantic Shark Identification Workshops and Safe Handling, Release, and Identification Workshops. The workshop schedules, registration information, and a list of frequently asked questions regarding the Atlantic Shark Identification and Safe Handling, Release, and Identification workshops are available online at: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/atlantic-highly-migratory-species/atlantic-shark-identification-workshops and https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/atlantic-highly-migratory-species/safe-handling-release-and-identification-workshops.

Since January 1, 2008, Atlantic shark dealers have been prohibited from receiving, purchasing, trading, or bartering for Atlantic sharks unless a valid Atlantic Shark Identification Workshop certificate is on the premises of each business listed under the shark dealer permit that first receives Atlantic sharks (71 FR 58057, October 2, 2006). Dealers who attend and successfully complete a workshop are issued a certificate for each place of business that is permitted to receive sharks. These certificate(s) are valid for 3 years. Thus, certificates that were initially issued in 2020 will expire in 2023.

Currently, permitted dealers may send a proxy to an Atlantic Shark Identification Workshop. However, if a dealer opts to send a proxy, the dealer must designate a proxy for each place of business covered by the dealer's permit that first receives Atlantic sharks. Only one certificate will be issued to each proxy. A proxy must be a person who is currently employed by a place of business covered by the dealer's permit; is a primary participant in the identification, weighing, and/or first receipt of fish as they are offloaded from a vessel; and who fills out dealer reports. Atlantic shark dealers are prohibited from renewing a Federal shark dealer permit unless a valid Atlantic Shark Identification Workshop certificate for each business location that first receives Atlantic sharks has been submitted with the permit renewal application. Additionally, a copy of a valid dealer or proxy Atlantic Shark Identification Workshop certificate must be in any trucks or other conveyances that are extensions of a dealer's place of business.

1. October 12, 2023, 12 p.m.-4 p.m., Holiday Inn Express Charleston NE Mount Pleasant, 1104 Stockade Lane, Mount Pleasant, SC 29466.

2. November 9, 2023, 12 p.m.-4 p.m., Hampton Inn & Suites Largo, 100 East Bay Drive, Largo, FL 33770.

To register for a scheduled Atlantic Shark Identification Workshop, please contact Eric Sander at ericssharkguide@yahoo.com or at 386-852-8588. Pre-registration is highly recommended, but not required.

To ensure that workshop certificates are linked to the correct permits, participants will need to bring the following specific items to the workshop:

• Atlantic shark dealer permit holders must bring proof that the attendee is an owner or agent of the business (such as articles of incorporation), a copy of the applicable permit, and proof of identification; and

• Atlantic shark dealer proxies must bring documentation from the permitted dealer acknowledging that the proxy is attending the workshop on behalf of the permitted Atlantic shark dealer for a specific business location, a copy of the appropriate valid permit, and proof of identification.

The Atlantic Shark Identification Workshops are designed to reduce the number of unknown and improperly identified sharks reported in the dealer reporting form and increase the accuracy of species-specific dealer-reported information. Reducing the number of unknown and improperly identified sharks will improve quota monitoring and the data used in stock assessments. These workshops will train shark dealer permit holders or their proxies to properly identify Atlantic shark carcasses.

Since January 1, 2007, shark limited access and swordfish limited access permit holders who fish with longline or gillnet gear have been required to submit a copy of their Safe Handling, Release, and Identification Workshop certificate in order to renew either permit (71 FR 58057, October 2, 2006). These certificate(s) are valid for 3 years. Certificates issued in 2020 will expire in 2023. As such, vessel owners who have not already attended a workshop and received a NMFS certificate, or vessel owners whose certificate(s) will expire prior to the next permit renewal, must attend a workshop to fish with, or renew, their swordfish and shark limited access permits. Additionally, new shark and swordfish limited access permit applicants who intend to fish with longline or gillnet gear must attend a Safe Handling, Release, and Identification Workshop and submit a copy of their workshop certificate before either of the permits will be issued.

In addition to vessel owners, at least one operator on board vessels issued a limited access swordfish or shark permit that uses longline or gillnet gear is required to attend a Safe Handling, Release, and Identification Workshop and receive a certificate. Vessels that have been issued a limited access swordfish or shark permit and that use longline or gillnet gear may not fish unless both the vessel owner and operator have valid workshop certificates on board at all times. Vessel operators who have not already attended a workshop and received a NMFS certificate, or vessel operators whose certificate(s) will expire prior to their next fishing trip, must attend a workshop to operate a vessel with swordfish and shark limited access permits on which longline or gillnet gear is used.

1. October 19, 2023, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Hilton Garden Inn, 1 Thurber Street, Warwick, RI 02886.

2. November 7, 2023, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Hilton Garden Inn/Outer Banks-Kitty Hawk, 5353 North Virginia Dare Trail, Kitty Hawk, NC 27949.

3. December 5, 2023, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., The Mainland 151 Route 72 East, Manahawkin, NJ 08050.

To register for a scheduled Safe Handling, Release, and Identification Workshop, please contact Angler Conservation Education at 386-682-0158. Pre-registration is highly recommended, but not required.

To ensure that workshop certificates are linked to the correct permits, participants will need to bring the following specific items with them to the workshop:

• Individual vessel owners must bring a copy of the appropriate swordfish and/or shark permit(s), a copy of the vessel registration or documentation, and proof of identification;

• Representatives of a business-owned or co-owned vessel must bring proof that the individual is an agent of the business (such as articles of incorporation), a copy of the applicable swordfish and/or shark permit(s), and proof of identification; and

• Vessel operators must bring proof of identification.

The Safe Handling, Release, and Identification Workshops are designed to teach the owner and operator of a vessel that fisheries with longline or gillnet gear the required techniques for the safe handling and release of entangled and/or hooked protected species, such as sea turtles, marine mammals, smalltooth sawfish, Atlantic sturgeon, and prohibited sharks. In an effort to improve reporting, the proper identification of protected species and prohibited sharks will also be taught at these workshops. Additionally, individuals attending these workshops will gain a better understanding of the requirements for participating in these fisheries. The overall goal of these workshops is to provide participants with the skills needed to reduce the mortality of protected species and prohibited sharks, which may prevent additional regulations on these fisheries in the future.

NMFS implemented an online option for shark dealers and owners and operators of vessels that fish with longline and gillnet gear to renew their certificates in December 2021. To be eligible for online recertification workshops, dealers and vessel owners and operators need to have previously attended an in-person workshop. Information about the courses is available online at https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/atlantic-highly-migratory-species/atlantic-shark-identification-workshops and https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/atlantic-highly-migratory-species/safe-handling-release-and-identification-workshops. To access the course please visit: https://hmsworkshop.fisheries.noaa.gov/start.

Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.

NMFS published a final rule that implements Amendment 122 to the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area (BSAI) Groundfish Fishery Management Plan (FMP) on (88 FR 53704, August 8, 2023). The PCTC Program assigns Pacific cod harvest quota to qualifying groundfish LLP license holders and qualifying processors. The Program is a limited access privilege program for the harvest of Pacific cod in the BSAI trawl catcher vessel (CV) sector. Under the Program, participants holding quota share (QS) form harvesting cooperatives in association with a processor to harvest the annual harvest privilege of Pacific cod.

The PCTC Program implements a complex suite of measures to improve fishery conditions for all participants. This Program establishes criteria for harvesters and processors in the BSAI trawl CV sector Pacific cod fishery to qualify for and receive QS, criteria for allocating QS in the initial year of implementation, and criteria for the transfer of QS. QS holders are required to join a cooperative (harvesters) or associate with a cooperative (processors). The aggregate QS of cooperative members and associated processors yields an exclusive harvest privilege for PCTC Program cooperatives, which NMFS will issue as cooperative quota (CQ) each year. CQ represents a portion of the A and B season BSAI trawl CV sector Pacific cod Directed Fishing Allowance (DFA). Of the total annual CQ, 77.5 percent is derived from QS issued to LLP licenses, and 22.5 percent is derived from QS issued to processors. The DFA for the C season remains available for harvest as a limited access fishery open to all CVs with the required trawl gear and area endorsements on the LLP license assigned to the vessel.

As required under Magnuson-Stevens Act section 303A(c)(5)(D), the PCTC Program includes ownership and use caps to prevent a permit holder from acquiring an excessive share of the fishery. No person is permitted to hold more than 5 percent of harvester-issued QS or 20 percent of processor-issued QS. In addition, no vessel is allowed to harvest more than 5 percent of the annual CQ, and no company is allowed to process more than 20 percent of the annual CQ. The PCTC Program also includes legacy exemptions for persons over these ownership and use caps at the time of PCTC Program implementation, allowing participants to maintain levels of historical participation rather than forcing divestiture.

The PCTC Program reduces the halibut and crab Prohibited Species Catch (PSC) limits for participating trawl CVs during the A and B seasons. NMFS will apportion halibut and crab PSC limits to PCTC Program cooperatives during the annual harvest specifications process based on the percentage of total BSAI Pacific cod CQ allocated to each cooperative.

To support the sustained participation of AI communities in the Pacific cod trawl CV fishery, cooperatives are required to collectively set-aside 12 percent of the A season CQ for delivery to an Aleutian Islands shoreplant (AI CQ set-aside) during years in which an AI community representative notifies NMFS of their intent to process Pacific cod.

At this time, NMFS mailed out official records to eligible participants who have until October 10, 2023 to submit the Application for PCTC Program QS to NMFS. Any participants who do not join or associate with a cooperative by November 1 will not receive benefits from their QS for the 2024 fishing season. On November 1, 2023, all cooperatives must submit Applications for PCTC Program Cooperative Quota to NMFS. For the calendar year 2023, to provide for implementation of the Program during its first year, NMFS will allow each cooperative to submit the inter-cooperative agreement on or before December 31, 2023, after the November 1 deadline for the Application for PCTC Program CQ.

NMFS is conducting two public workshops to provide assistance to fishery participants in reviewing the requirements of the Program. At the workshops, NMFS will provide an overview of the Program, and discuss the key Program elements, including the process to apply for QS; cooperative and limited access participation provisions; cooperative quota transfer provisions; the appeals process; monitoring and enforcement; and electronic reporting. Additionally, NMFS will answer questions from workshop participants. For further information on the Program, please visit the NMFS Alaska Region website here: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/action/amendment-122-fishery-management-plan-groundfish-bering-sea-and-aleutian-islands-management.

Requests for sign language interpretation or other auxiliary aids should be directed to Stephanie Warpinski, stephanie.warpinski@noaa.gov, at least 5 working days prior to the meeting date.

During this meeting, the SSC will discuss recent research that evaluates the science implications and fishery interactions associated with offshore wind development. The SSC will receive an update on the Council's development of the Recreational Measures Setting Process Framework, including anticipated model development and management strategy evaluation analysis to support the action. The SSC will review and provide feedback on the updated Scup discard report and Gear Restricted Area (GRA) analysis. The SSC will get an overview of the Northeast commercial port sampling program and an update on Atlantic Mackerel management track stock assessment and projection scenarios. The SSC will also receive updates from the SSC ecosystem work group and the SSC overfishing limit (OFL) coefficient of variation (CV) sub-group. The SSC may take up any other business as necessary.

A detailed agenda and background documents will be made available on the Council's website ( www.mafmc.org ) prior to the meeting.

The meeting is physically accessible to people with disabilities. Requests for sign language interpretation or other auxiliary aid should be directed to Shelley Spedden, (302) 526-5251, at least 5 days prior to the meeting date.

Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.

The 149th SSC meeting will be held between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Hawaii Standard Time (HST) on September 12-13, and 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. on September 14, 2023. The Pelagic and International SC meeting will be held between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. HST on September 15, 2023. The Program Planning SC meeting will be held between 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. HST on September 15, 2023. The Fishing Rights of Indigenous Peoples SC meeting will be held between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. on September 15, 2023. The Executive and Budget SC meeting will be held between 4:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. HST on September 15, 2023. The 196th Council Meeting will be held between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. HST on September 18-20, 2023. Public Comment on Non-Agenda Items will be held between 4 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. HST on September 18, 2023. The Fishers Forum will be held between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. HST on September 18, 2023.

Agenda items noted as “Final Action” refer to actions that may result in Council transmittal of a proposed fishery management plan, proposed plan amendment, or proposed regulations to the U.S. Secretary of Commerce, under Sections 304 or 305 of the MSA. In addition to the agenda items listed here, the Council and its advisory bodies will hear recommendations from Council advisors. An opportunity to submit public comment will be provided throughout the agendas. The order in which agenda items are addressed may change and will be announced in advance at the Council meeting. The meetings will run as late as necessary to complete scheduled business.

Background documents for the 196th Council meeting will be available at www.wpcouncil.org. Written public comments on final action items at the 196th Council meeting should be received at the Council office by 5 p.m. HST, Thursday, September 14, 2023, and should be sent to Kitty M. Simonds, Executive Director; Western Pacific Fishery Management Council, 1164 Bishop Street, Suite 1400, Honolulu, HI 96813, phone: (808) 522-8220 or fax: (808) 522-8226; or email: info@wpcouncil.org. Written public comments on all other agenda items may be submitted for the record by email throughout the duration of the meeting. Instructions for providing oral public comments during the meeting will be posted on the Council website. This meeting will be recorded (audio only) for the purposes of generating the minutes of the meeting.

Non-emergency issues not contained in this agenda may come before the Council for discussion and formal Council action during its 196th meeting. However, Council action on regulatory issues will be restricted to those issues specifically listed in this document and any regulatory issue arising after publication of this document that requires emergency action under section 305(c) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, provided the public has been notified of the Council's intent to take action to address the emergency.

These meetings are accessible to people with disabilities. Requests for sign language interpretation or other auxiliary aids should be directed to Kitty M. Simonds, (808) 522-8220 (voice) or (808) 522-8226 (fax), at least 5 days prior to the meeting date.

Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.

During this meeting, the Ecosystem and Ocean Planning Advisory Panel and Committee will review a draft policy/process for MAFMC review of exempted fishing permit applications for species listed as ecosystem components under the MAFMC's Unmanaged Forage Omnibus Amendment. The Advisory Panel and Committee will then provide recommendations to the MAFMC for revisions to or adoption of this policy. The Advisory Panel and Committee will also discuss an ongoing comprehensive review of the MAFMC Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management (EAFM) risk assessment. The Advisory Panel and Committee will review all components of the risk assessment, including elements, definitions, indicators, and risk ranking criteria. They will then develop recommendations for MAFMC consideration for revisions to the EAFM risk assessment and potential opportunities to apply the risk assessment in the management process. A detailed agenda and background documents will be made available on the Council's website ( www.mafmc.org ) prior to the meeting.

The meeting is physically accessible to people with disabilities. Requests for sign language interpretation or other auxiliary aid should be directed to Shelley Spedden, (302) 526-5251, at least 5 days prior to the meeting date.

Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.

Notice was published in the Federal Register on the dates listed below that requests for permits and permit modifications had been submitted by the below-named applicants. To locate the Federal Register notice that announced our receipt of the applications and a complete description of the research, go to https://www.federalregister.gov and search on the permit number and Federal Register notice information provided in the table below.

In accordance with the Coast and Geodetic Survey Act, 33 U.S.C. 883 et seq., and the Hydrographic Services Improvement Act, 33 U.S.C. 892 et seq., NOAA promulgates standards and specifications for hydrographic data in the HSSD in order to ensure safe and efficient navigation in support of our maritime economy. NOAA has revised the HSSD to better accommodate new and developing technologies and increasing amounts of externally-sourced hydrographic data submissions. The revised HSSD facilitates more streamlined workflows via critical metadata tags and universal data licenses, and is better integrated with the NBS program, for a more efficient means of product generation and public access to our national bathymetry.

Authority: 33 U.S.C. 883 et seq.; 33 U.S.C. 892 et seq.

The Monkfish Committee will meet to receive Advisory Panel comments on fishery performance and outlook for the remainder of fishing year 2023, as well as reviewing the outcomes and recommendations of the Monkfish Research-Set-Aside (RSA) Working Group and make recommendations to the Council on next steps with the RSA program. They will make recommendations to the Council for monkfish-related work in 2024, which could include developing regulatory changes to the RSA program.

Other business will be discussed as necessary.

Although non-emergency issues not contained on the agenda may come before this Council for discussion, those issues may not be the subject of formal action during this meeting. Council action will be restricted to those issues specifically listed in this notice and any issues arising after publication of this notice that require emergency action under section 305(c) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, provided the public has been notified of the Council's intent to take final action to address the emergency. The public also should be aware that the meeting will be recorded. Consistent with 16 U.S.C. 1852, a copy of the recording is available upon request.

This meeting is physically accessible to people with disabilities. Requests for sign language interpretation or other auxiliary aids should be directed to Thomas A. Nies, Executive Director, at (978) 465-0492, at least 5 days prior to the meeting date.

Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.

The text of the Settlement Agreement and Order appear below.

1. In accordance with the Consumer Product Safety Act, 15 U.S.C. 2051-2089 (“CPSA”), and 16 CFR 1118.20, Whirlpool Corporation (“Whirlpool” or the “Firm”), and the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (“Commission”), through its staff, hereby enter into this Settlement Agreement (“Agreement”). The Agreement and the incorporated attached Order resolve staff's charges set forth below.

2. The Commission is an independent federal regulatory agency, established pursuant to, and responsible for, the enforcement of the CPSA, 15 U.S.C. 2051-2089. By executing the Agreement, staff is acting on behalf of the Commission, pursuant to 16 CFR 1118.20(b). The Commission issues the Order under the provisions of the CPSA.

3. Whirlpool is a corporation, organized and existing under the laws of the state of Delaware, with its principal place of business in Benton Harbor, Michigan.

4. Between December 2016 and July 2019, Whirlpool manufactured and distributed in the United States approximately 20,000 units of various KitchenAid, Whirlpool, and JennAir electric radiant heat glass cooktops, model numbers KCES950HSS, KCES950HBL, KCES956HSS, KCES956HBL, WCE97US0HS, WCE97US0HB, WCE97US6HS, WCE97US6HB, JEC4430HS, JEC4430HB, JEC4536HS, JEC4536HB, JEC4424HB, JED4430GB, JED4430GS, JED4536GB, and JED4536GS (“Subject Products”).

5. The Subject Products are “consumer products” that were “manufactured” and “distribut[ed] in commerce,” as those terms are defined or used in sections 3(a)(5), (7), and (10) of the CPSA, 15 U.S.C. 2052(a)(5), (8), and (10). Whirlpool is a “manufacturer” of the Subject Products, as such term is defined in section 3(a)(11) of the CPSA, 15 U.S.C. 2052(a)(11).

6. The Subject Products contain a defect which could create a substantial product hazard or create an unreasonable risk of serious injury or death because one or more cooktop surface elements can turn on by themselves, posing a fire and burn hazard.

7. Beginning in November 2017 and continuing into 2019, Whirlpool received numerous reports from consumers that cooktop surface elements turned on by themselves.

8. Between 2007 and 2015, CPSC had publicly announced at least five recalls involving gas or electric cooktops manufactured by other firms reportedly turning on by themselves or not turning off, with each recall announcement warning that the defect presented a fire or burn hazard.

9. Despite possessing information that reasonably supported the conclusion that the Subject Products contained a defect that could create a substantial product hazard or created an unreasonable risk of serious injury or death, Whirlpool did not immediately report to the Commission.

10. By the time Whirlpool filed an initial report with the Commission under 15 U.S.C. 2064(b) concerning the Subject Products, the Firm had received at least 157 reports of Subject Products turning on by themselves, including 14 reports of property damage, four reports of objects igniting, and two reports of minor burns.

11. The Commission and Whirlpool jointly announced the recall of the Subject Products on August 28, 2019.

12. Despite having information reasonably supporting the conclusion that the Subject Products contained a defect or created an unreasonable risk of serious injury or death, Whirlpool did not notify the Commission immediately of such defect or risk, as required by section 15(b)(4) of the CPSA, 15 U.S.C. 2064(b)(4), in violation of section 19(a)(4) of the CPSA, 15 U.S.C. 2068(a)(4).

13. Because the information in Whirlpool's possession about the Subject Products constituted actual and presumed knowledge, Whirlpool knowingly violated section 19(a)(4) of the CPSA, 15 U.S.C. 2068(a)(4), as the term “knowingly” is defined in section 20(d) of the CPSA, 15 U.S.C. 2069(d).

14. Pursuant to section 20 of the CPSA, 15 U.S.C. 2069, Whirlpool is subject to civil penalties for its knowing violation of section 19(a)(4) of the CPSA, 15 U.S.C. 2068(a)(4).

15. This agreement does not constitute an admission by Whirlpool to the staff's charges as set forth in paragraphs 4 through 14 above, including without limitation that the Subject Products contained a defect that could create a substantial product hazard or created an unreasonable risk of serious injury or death; that Whirlpool failed to notify the Commission in a timely matter in accordance with section 15(b) of the CPSA, 15 U.S.C. 2064(b); and that Whirlpool knowingly violated section 19(a)(4) of the CPSA, 15 U.S.C. 2068(a)(4), as the term “knowingly” is defined in section 20(d) of the CPSA, 15 U.S.C. 2069(d).

16. Whirlpool enters into this Agreement to settle this matter and to avoid the cost, distraction, delay, uncertainty, and inconvenience of protracted litigation or other proceedings. Whirlpool does not admit that it violated the CPSA or any other law, and Whirlpool's willingness to enter into this Agreement and Order does not constitute, nor is it evidence of, an admission by Whirlpool of liability or violation of any law.

17. At all relevant times, Whirlpool has had a product safety compliance program, both to help ensure the safety of its products before they are marketed and to identify, monitor and evaluate potential product safety issues on an ongoing basis. Whirlpool maintains that upon identifying the reported issue, Whirlpool promptly notified CPSC and voluntarily recalled the Subject Products pursuant to CPSC's Fast Track recall program.

18. Under the CPSA, the Commission has jurisdiction over the matter involving the Subject Products and over Whirlpool.

19. The parties enter into the Agreement for settlement purposes only. The Agreement does not constitute an admission by Whirlpool or a determination by the Commission that Whirlpool violated the CPSA.

20. In settlement of staff's charges, Whirlpool shall pay a civil penalty in the amount of eleven million, five hundred thousand dollars ($11,500,000) (“Total Civil Penalty Amount”). The $11,500,000 payment shall be paid within thirty (30) calendar days after receiving service of the Commission's final Order accepting the Agreement. All payments to be made under the Agreement shall constitute debts owing to the United States and shall be made by electronic wire transfer to the United States via http://www.pay.gov, for allocation to, and credit against, the payment obligations of Whirlpool under this Agreement. Failure to make such payment by the date specified in the Commission's final Order shall constitute Default.

21. The Commission or the United States may seek enforcement for any breach of, or any failure to comply with, any provision of this Agreement and Order in United States District Court, to seek relief including, but not limited to, collecting amounts due.

22. All unpaid amounts, if any, due and owing under the Agreement, shall constitute a debt due and immediately owing by Whirlpool to the United States, and interest shall accrue and be paid by Whirlpool at the federal legal rate of interest set forth at 28 U.S.C. 1961(a) and (b) from the date of Default, until all amounts due have been paid in full (hereinafter “Default Payment Amount” and “Default Interest Balance”). Whirlpool shall consent to a Consent Judgment in the amount of the Default Payment Amount and Default Interest Balance, and the United States, at its sole option, may collect the entire Default Payment Amount and Default Interest Balance, or exercise any other rights granted by law or in equity, including, but not limited to, referring such matters for private collection, and Whirlpool agrees not to contest, and hereby waives and discharges any defenses to, any collection action undertaken by the United States, or its agents or contractors, pursuant to this paragraph. Whirlpool shall pay the United States all reasonable costs of collection and enforcement under this paragraph, respectively, including reasonable attorney's fees and expenses.

23. After staff receives this Agreement executed on behalf of Whirlpool, staff shall promptly submit the Agreement to the Commission for provisional acceptance. Promptly following provisional acceptance of the Agreement by the Commission, the Agreement shall be placed on the public record and published in the Federal Register , in accordance with the procedures set forth in 16 CFR 1118.20(e). If the Commission does not receive any written request not to accept the Agreement within fifteen (15) calendar days, the Agreement shall be deemed finally accepted on the 16th calendar day after the date the Agreement is published in the Federal Register , in accordance with 16 CFR 1118.20(f).

24. This Agreement is conditioned upon, and subject to, the Commission's final acceptance, as set forth above, and it is subject to the provisions of 16 CFR 1118.20(h). Upon the later of: (i) Commission's final acceptance of this Agreement and service of the accepted Agreement upon Whirlpool, and (ii) the date of issuance of the final Order, this Agreement shall be in full force and effect, and shall be binding upon the parties.

25. Effective upon the later of: (1) the Commission's final acceptance of the Agreement and service of the accepted Agreement upon Whirlpool and (2) and the date of issuance of the final Order, for good and valuable consideration, Whirlpool hereby expressly and irrevocably waives and agrees not to assert any past, present, or future rights to the following, in connection with the matter described in this Agreement:

(i) an administrative or judicial hearing;

(ii) judicial review or other challenge or contest of the Commission's actions;

(iii) a determination by the Commission of whether Whirlpool failed to comply with the CPSA and the underlying regulations;

(iv) a statement of findings of fact and conclusions of law; and

(v) any claims under the Equal Access to Justice Act.

26. Whirlpool shall maintain its compliance program (“Compliance Program”) designed to ensure compliance with the CPSA (“applicable law”) with respect to any consumer product imported, manufactured, distributed or sold by Whirlpool, which shall contain the following elements:

(i) written standards, policies, and procedures, including those designed to ensure that information that may relate to or impact CPSA compliance are conveyed effectively to personnel responsible for CPSA compliance, whether or not an injury has been reported;

(ii) procedures and systems for tracking and reviewing claims, including warranty claims, and reports for safety concerns and for implementing corrective and preventive actions when compliance deficiencies or violations are identified;

(iii) procedures requiring that information required to be disclosed by Whirlpool to the Commission is recorded, processed, and reported in accordance with applicable law;

(iv) procedures requiring that all reporting made to the Commission is timely, truthful, complete, accurate, and in accordance with applicable law;

(v) procedures requiring that prompt disclosure is made to Whirlpool's management of any significant deficiencies or material weaknesses in the design or operation of such internal controls that are reasonably likely to affect adversely, in any material respect, Whirlpool's ability to record, process and report to the Commission in accordance with applicable law;

(vi) mechanisms to effectively communicate to all applicable Whirlpool employees, through training programs or other means, compliance-related company policies and procedures to prevent violations of the CPSA;

(vii) a mechanism for confidential employee reporting of compliance-related questions or concerns to either a compliance officer or to another senior manager with authority to act as necessary;

(viii) Whirlpool's senior management responsibility for, and general board oversight of, CPSA compliance, including enhancements to the Firm's compliance program to ensure that incident and injury data are reviewed and analyzed for purposes of CPSA Section 15(b) reporting;

(ix) for at least three (3) years, an annual internal audit of the effectiveness of policies, procedures, systems, and training related to CPSA compliance that evaluates opportunities for improvement, deficiencies or weaknesses, and the Firm's overall culture of compliance; and

(x) retention of all CPSA compliance-related records for at least five (5) years, and availability of such records to CPSC staff upon request.

27. Whirlpool shall submit a report under CPSA Section 16(b), sworn to under penalty of perjury:

(i) describing in detail its compliance program and internal controls and the actions Whirlpool has taken to comply with each subparagraph of paragraph 26;

(ii) affirming that during the reporting period, Whirlpool has reviewed its compliance program and internal controls, including the actions referenced in subparagraph (i) of this paragraph, for effectiveness, and that it complies with each subparagraph of paragraph 26, or describing in detail any non-compliance with any such subparagraph; and

(iii) identifying the results of the annual internal audit referenced in paragraph 26(ix) and any changes or modifications made during the reporting period to Whirlpool's compliance program or internal controls to ensure compliance with the terms of the CPSA and, in particular, the requirements of CPSA Section 15 related to timely reporting.

Such reports shall be submitted annually to the Director, Office of Compliance, Division of Enforcement and Litigation, for a period of three (3) years. The first report shall be submitted 30 days after the close of the first 12-month reporting period, which begins on the date of the Commission's Final Order of Acceptance of the Agreement, and successive reports shall be due annually on the same date thereafter. Whirlpool is aware of the Commission's position that failure to make such timely and accurate reports as required by this Agreement and Order may, without limitation, constitute a violation of Section 19(a)(3) of the CPSA and may subject the Firm to enforcement under Section 22 of the CPSA.

28. Notwithstanding and in addition to the above, upon request of staff, Whirlpool shall promptly provide written documentation of any changes or modifications to its compliance program or internal controls and procedures, including the effective dates of the changes or modifications thereto. Whirlpool shall cooperate fully and truthfully with staff and shall make available all non-privileged information and materials and personnel deemed necessary by staff to evaluate Whirlpool's compliance with the terms of the Agreement.

29. The parties acknowledge and agree that the Commission may publicize the terms of the Agreement and the Order.

30. Whirlpool represents that the Agreement:

(i) is entered into freely and voluntarily, without any degree of duress or compulsion whatsoever;

(ii) has been duly authorized; and

(iii) constitutes the valid and binding obligation of Whirlpool, enforceable against Whirlpool in accordance with its terms. The individuals signing the Agreement on behalf of Whirlpool represent and warrant that they are duly authorized by Whirlpool to execute the Agreement.

31. The signatories represent that they are authorized to execute this Agreement.

32. The Agreement is governed by the laws of the United States.

33. The Agreement and the Order shall apply to, and be binding upon, Whirlpool and each of its parents, successors, transferees, and assigns; and a violation of the Agreement or Order may subject Whirlpool, and each of its parents, successors, transferees, and assigns, to appropriate legal action.

34. The Agreement, any attachments, and the Order constitute the complete agreement between the parties on the subject matter contained therein.

35. The Agreement may be used in interpreting the Order. Understandings, agreements, representations, or interpretations apart from those contained in the Agreement and the Order may not be used to vary or contradict their terms. For purposes of construction, the Agreement shall be deemed to have been drafted by both of the parties and shall not, therefore, be construed against any party, for that reason, in any subsequent dispute.

36. The Agreement may not be waived, amended, modified, or otherwise altered, except as in accordance with the provisions of 16 CFR 1118.20(h). The Agreement may be executed in counterparts.

37. If any provision of the Agreement or the Order is held to be illegal, invalid, or unenforceable under present or future laws effective during the terms of the Agreement and the Order, such provision shall be fully severable. The balance of the Agreement and the Order shall remain in full force and effect, unless the Commission and Whirlpool agree in writing that severing the provision materially affects the purpose of the Agreement and the Order.

In 1972, the Commission promulgated under section 4 of the Flammable Fabrics Act (FFA), 15 U.S.C. 1193, the Standard for the Flammability of Mattresses and Mattresses Pads, 16 CFR part 1632 (part 1632), to reduce the unreasonable risk of burn injuries and deaths from fires associated with mattresses and mattress pads. 49 FR 19796. Part 1632 prescribes requirements to test whether a mattress or mattress pad will resist ignition from a smoldering cigarette. Part 1632 also requires manufacturers to perform successfully prototype tests of each combination of materials and construction methods used to produce their mattresses or mattress pads. Manufacturers and importers must maintain the records and test results specified under the standard for three years.

Also, to reduce deaths and injuries related to mattress fires, particularly those ignited by open-flame sources, such as lighters, candles, and matches, the Commission promulgated the Standard for the Flammability (Open Flame) of Mattress Sets, 16 CFR part 1633 (part 1633), under section 4 of the FFA. Part 1633 requires manufacturers to maintain certain records to document compliance with the standard, including maintaining records concerning prototype testing, pooling, and confirmation testing, and quality assurance procedures and any associated testing. The required records must be maintained for as long as mattress sets based on the prototype are in production and be retained for three years thereafter.

OMB previously approved the collection of information for parts 1632 and 1633 under control number 3041-0014, with an expiration date of August 31, 2023. On June 20, 2023, the Commission published a notice in the Federal Register (88 FR 39832), to announce the agency's intention to seek extension of approval of the collection of information for control number 3041-0014. The Commission has received no comments. Therefore, by publication of this notice, the Commission announces that CPSC has submitted to the OMB a request for extension of approval of that collection of information, without change.

Part 1632: Commission staff estimates 403 respondents produce mattresses, and that each respondent will spend 26 hours for testing and record keeping annually, for a total of 10,478 hours (403 establishments × 26 hours = 10,478). The hourly compensation for the time required for record keeping is $72.68 (for management, professional, and related occupations in goods-producing industries, Bureau of Labor Statistics, March 2023). Staff's estimated annualized cost to respondents is approximately $761,541 (10,478 hours × $72.68 per hour).

Part 1633: Part 1633 requires detailed documentation of prototype identification and testing records, model and prototype specifications, inputs used, name and location of suppliers, and confirmation of test records, if establishments choose to pool a prototype. This documentation is in addition to documentation already conducted by mattress manufacturers to meet part 1632. Staff again estimates that there are 403 respondents.

Using these estimates, including records of reported burden hours since 2017, Commission staff estimates the recordkeeping requirements to require about 4 hours and 44 minutes per establishment, per qualified prototype. Most mattress manufacturers base their complying production on 15 to 20 prototypes, although some larger manufacturers reportedly are producing mattresses based on more than 100 prototypes. Assuming that establishments qualify their production with an average of 20 different qualified prototypes, recordkeeping time is about 94.6 hours (4.73 hours × 20 prototypes) per establishment, per year. This translates to an estimated annual recordkeeping time cost to all mattress producers of 38,124 hours (94.6 hours × 403 establishments). The hourly compensation for the time required for record keeping is $72.68 (for management, professional, and related occupations in goods-producing industries, Bureau of Labor Statistics, March 2023). 1 Accordingly, the annual total estimated cost for recordkeeping is approximately $2,770,852 (38,124 hours × $72.68 per hour). Pooling among establishments or using a prototype qualification for longer than 1 year will reduce the hours required and associated cost, however.

The total estimated annual cost to the 403 establishments for the burden hours associated with parts 1632 and 1633 is approximately $3.5 million ($761,541+ $2,770,852 = $3,532,393.

CPSC seeks to renew the following currently approved collection of information:

Title: Generic Clearance for the Collection of Qualitative Feedback on Agency Service Delivery.

OMB Number: 3041-0148.

Type of Review: Renewal of collection.

Frequency of Response: On occasion.

Affected Public: Individuals and households, businesses and organizations, state, local, or tribal government.

Description of Collection: Executive Order 12862 (Sept. 11, 1993) encourages independent Federal agencies such as CPSC to provide service to the public that matches or exceeds the best service available in the private sector. To that end, CPSC seeks to renew OMB approval of a generic clearance to collect qualitative feedback on CPSC service delivery. Qualitative feedback means information that provides useful insights on perceptions and opinions but does not include statistical surveys that yield quantitative results that can be generalized to the population of study. This collection of information is necessary to enable CPSC to garner customer and stakeholder feedback in an efficient, timely manner, in accordance with CPSC's commitment to improving service delivery.

This feedback will provide insights into customer or stakeholder perceptions, experiences, and expectations; provide an early warning of issues with service; and help focus attention on areas where communication, training, or changes in operations might improve delivery of products or services. These collections will also allow for ongoing, collaborative, and actionable communications between CPSC and its customers and stakeholders.

Estimated Burden: CPSC will use a variety of instruments and platforms to collect information from respondents. CPSC estimates the burden of the collection of information is as follows:

Based on the above numbers, the total estimated burden for surveys, focus groups, and usability tests combined is estimated to be 1,200 hours annually. The total burden hours requested, 3,600, are based on the number of collections CPSC expects to conduct over the requested period for this clearance (1,200 hours annually x 3 years).

Assuming an hourly rate of $43.07 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Employer Costs for Employee Compensation,” All Civilian Workers, Total compensation, https://www.bls.gov/news.release/archives/ecec_06162023.pdf, March 2023) the estimated total burden cost is $51,684 annually. This collection has no associated operating, maintenance, or capital costs.

If appropriate, CPSC will collect information electronically and/or use online collaboration tools to reduce burden. No similar data are gathered or maintained by CPSC, or available from other sources known to CPSC.

Burden on Small Entities: Small businesses or other small entities may be involved in these efforts, but CPSC will minimize the burden of information collections approved under this clearance by sampling, asking for readily available information, and using short, easy-to-complete information collection instruments.

Costs to Federal Government: The anticipated cost to the Federal Government is approximately $51,574 annually. These costs are comprised of staff time for preparing questions, analyzing the responses, and conducting focus groups. CPSC estimates the total staff time could be four staff months annually. This is based on a GS-12 level salaried employee. The average annual wage rate for a mid-level salaried GS-12 employee in the Washington, DC metropolitan area (effective as of January 2023) is $106,759 (GS-12, step 5). This represents 69.0 percent of total compensation (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Employer Costs for Employee Compensation,” March 2023, percentage of wages and salaries for all civilian employees, https://www.bls.gov/news.release/archives/ecec_06162023.pdf ). Adding an additional 31.0 percent for benefits brings average annual compensation for a mid-range salaried GS-12 employee to $154,723. Assuming that approximately four staff months will be required annually, this results in an annual estimated cost of $51,574.

CPSC solicits written comments from all interested persons about the proposed collection of information. CPSC specifically solicits information relevant to the following topics:

• Whether the collection of information described is necessary for the proper performance of CPSC's functions, including whether the information would have practical utility;

• Whether the estimated burden of the proposed collection of information is accurate;

• Whether the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected could be enhanced; and

• Whether the burden imposed by the collection of information could be minimized by use of automated, electronic, or other technological collection techniques, or other forms of information technology.

The Commission has promulgated several standards under section 4 of the Flammable Fabrics Act (FFA; 15 U.S.C. 1193) to prohibit the use of dangerously flammable textiles and related materials in wearing apparel. Clothing and fabrics intended for use in clothing) are generally subject to the Standard for the Flammability of Clothing Textiles (16 CFR part 1610). Clothing made from vinyl plastic film and vinyl plastic film intended for use in clothing is subject to the Standard for the Flammability of Vinyl Plastic Film (16 CFR part 1611). These standards prescribe a test to ensure that articles of wearing apparel, and fabrics and film intended for use in wearing apparel, are not dangerously flammable because of rapid and intense burning. 1

Section 8 of the FFA (15 U.S.C. 1197) provides that a person who receives a guaranty in good faith that a product complies with an applicable flammability standard is not subject to criminal prosecution for a violation of the FFA resulting from the sale of any product covered by the guaranty. CPSC uses the information compiled and maintained by firms that issue these guaranties to help protect the public from risks of injury or death associated with flammable clothing and fabrics and vinyl film intended for use in clothing. In addition, the information helps CPSC to conduct corrective actions if any products covered by a guaranty fail to comply with the applicable standard in a manner that creates a substantial risk of injury or death to the public. Section 8 of the FFA requires that a guaranty must be based on “reasonable and representative tests.” The testing and recordkeeping requirements for firms that issue guaranties are set forth under 16 CFR part 1610, subpart B, and 16 CFR part 1611, subpart B.

On June 20, 2023, the CPSC published a notice in the Federal Register (88 FR 39833), to announce the agency's intention to seek extension of approval of the collection of information. The Commission received no comments. Therefore, by publication of this notice, the Commission announces that CPSC has submitted to the OMB a request for extension of approval of that collection of information without change.

CPSC staff estimates that approximately 1,000 firms issue guaranties. Although the CPSC's records indicate that approximately 675 firms have filed continuing guaranties with the Commission, staff believes additional guaranties may be issued that are not filed with the Commission, because continuing guaranties are not required to be filed with the Commission. Accordingly, staff has rounded the estimated number of firms upwards to 1,000 to account for those additional guaranties. Staff's estimate is based on the estimated time needed for each firm to conduct testing, issue guaranties, and establish and maintain associated records.

Staff estimates the recordkeeping requirements to require about 5 hours per each test for each firm, using either the test and conditioning procedures in the regulations or alternate methods. Although many firms are exempt from testing to support guaranties under 16 CFR 1610.1(d), CPSC staff does not know the proportion of those firms that are testing versus those that are exempt. Therefore CPSC has calculated its estimate of the annual industry recordkeeping burden based on its estimate that 1,000 firms issue guaranties. Based on, among other things, staff's experience with and expertise in testing requirements and procedures, as well as staff's review of records relating to guaranties that have been filed with the commission, staff estimates that each firm requires approximately 5 hours for testing and issues an average of 20 new guaranties per year, resulting an annual 100 hours (5 hours × 20 guarantees) per firm per year for testing. Staff estimates that each firm requires one hour to create, record, and enter test data into a computerized dataset; 20 minutes (0.3 hours) for annual review/removal of records; 20 minutes (0.3 hours) to respond to one CPSC records request per year, for a total of 1.6 recordkeeping hours (1 hour + 0.3 hours + 0.3 hours = 1.6 hours per firm). This yields a total of 101.6 estimated annual burden hours per firm (100 hours testing + 1.6 hours recordkeeping), and an estimated industry-wide annual recordkeeping burden of 101,600 hours (101.6 hours per firm × 1,000 firms). The hourly compensation for the time required for recordkeeping is $72.91 (for management, professional, and related occupations in goods-producing industries, Bureau of Labor Statistics, September 2022). Accordingly, the total annual estimated costs for testing and recordkeeping to the 1,000 establishments in the industry for the burden hours associated with parts 1610 and 1611 is $7.4 million (101,600 hours × $72.91 = $7,407,656).

Title; Associated Form; and OMB Number: Air Force Equal Opportunity Data Collection Program; DAF Forms 1271, 1587, and 1587-1; OMB Control Number 0701-AABC.

Needs and Uses: The information collection requirement is necessary for the purpose of counseling, processing, investigating and adjudicating complaints of unlawful discrimination brought by DAF applicants, former DAF employees, contractors, retirees, and military family members. Particularly, the information is used to investigate and resolve complaints of unlawful discrimination and sexual harassment under the DAF EO Program; and to maintain records created because of the filing of allegations and appeals involving unlawful discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, physical/mental disability, or genetic information.

Affected Public: Individuals or households.

Annual Burden Hours: 150 hours.

Number of Respondents: 75.

Responses per Respondent: 1.

Annual Responses: 75.

Average Burden per Response: 120 minutes.

Frequency: On occasion.

This meeting is being held under the provisions of chapter 10 of title 5, United States Code (U.S.C.) (commonly known as the “Federal Advisory Committee Act” or “FACA”), 5 U.S.C. 552b (commonly known as the “Government in the Sunshine Act”), and sections 102-3.140 and 102-3.150 of title 41, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR).

Purpose of the Meeting: The mission of the DSB is to provide independent advice and recommendations on matters relating to the DoD's scientific and technical enterprise. The objective of the meeting is to obtain, review, and evaluate classified information related to the DSB's mission. DSB membership will meet to discuss the 2023 DSB Summer Study on Climate Change and Global Security (“the DSB Summer Study”).

Agenda: The meeting will begin on Monday, September 11 at 8:30 a.m. with administrative remarks from Mr. Kevin Doxey, DFO and Executive Director, and opening remarks and a classified overview of the 2023 Summer Study on Climate Change & Global Security to date from Dr. Eric Evans, the DSB Chair. Next, the DSB members will meet as a group in a plenary session to review the generated study briefing materials and engage in classified discussion(s) regarding anticipating the global stresses and possible conflict due to climate change. Following break, the DSB members will meet in smaller breakout groups to review the study briefing materials and engage in classified discussion regarding anticipating the global stresses and possible conflict due to climate change. The meeting will adjourn at 5:00 p.m.

On September 12 at 8:30 a.m., DSB members will meet in smaller breakout groups to review the study briefing materials and engage in classified discussion regarding anticipating the global stresses and possible conflict due to climate change, with a break mid-day. The meeting will adjourn at 4:30 p.m.

On September 13 at 8:30 a.m., the meeting will begin with a plenary session where members will meet as a group to review the generated study briefing materials and engage in classified discussion(s) regarding anticipating the global stresses and possible conflict due to climate change. Following break, the DSB members will meet in a breakout session, wherein smaller breakout groups will review the study briefing materials and engage in classified discussion regarding anticipating the global stresses and possible conflict due to climate. The meeting will adjourn at 4:30 p.m.

On September 14 at 8:30 a.m., DSB members will meet in smaller breakout groups to review the study briefing materials and engage in classified discussion regarding anticipating the global stresses and possible conflict due to climate change, with a break mid-day. The meeting will adjourn at 4:30 p.m.

On September 15, 2023, the final day of the meeting will open at 8:30 a.m. with a plenary session, where members will review the generated study briefing materials and engage in classified discussion(s) regarding anticipating the global stresses and possible conflict due to climate change. The meeting will adjourn at 12:00 p.m.

Meeting Accessibility: In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 1009(d) and 41 CFR 102-3.140 through 102-3.155, the DoD has determined that the DSB meeting will be closed to the public. Specifically, the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, in consultation with the DoD Office of the General Counsel, has determined in writing that the meeting will be closed to the public because it will consider matters covered by 5 U.S.C. 552b(c)(1). The determination is based on the consideration that it is expected that discussions throughout will involve classified matters of national security concern. Such classified material is so intertwined with the unclassified material that it cannot reasonably be segregated into separate discussions without defeating the effectiveness and meaning of the overall meeting. To permit the meeting to be open to the public would preclude discussion of such matters and would greatly diminish the ultimate utility of the DSB's findings and recommendations to the Secretary of Defense and to the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering.

Written Statements: In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 1009(a)(3) and 41 CFR 102-3.105(j) and 102-3.140, interested persons may submit a written statement for consideration by the DSB at any time regarding its mission or in response to the stated agenda of a planned meeting. Individuals submitting a written statement must submit their statement to the DSB DFO at the email address provided in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section at any point; however, if a written statement is not received at least three calendar days prior to the meeting, which is the subject of this notice, then it may not be provided to or considered by the DSB until a later date.

This meeting is being held under the provisions of chapter 10 of title 5, United States Code (U.S.C.) (commonly known as the “Federal Advisory Committee Act” or “FACA”), 5 U.S.C. 552b (commonly known as the “Government in the Sunshine Act”), and 41 CFR 102-3.140 and 102-3.150.

Availability of Materials for the Meeting: Additional information, including the agenda, is available on the DHB website, http://www.health.mil/dhb. A copy of the agenda or any updates to the agenda for the September 11, 2023, meeting will be available on the DHB website. Any other materials presented in the meeting may also be obtained at the meeting.

Purpose of the Meeting: The DHB provides independent advice and recommendations to maximize the safety and quality of, as well as access to, health care for DoD health care beneficiaries. The purpose of the meeting is to provide progress updates on specific tasks before the DHB. In addition, the DHB will receive information briefings on current issues related to military medicine.

Agenda: The DHB anticipates receiving a decision briefing on Eliminating Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities in the Military Health System. The DHB also expects an update from the DHB Public Health Subcommittee's tasking on effective public communication strategies with DoD personnel, a Defense Health Agency Strategy briefing, a DHA Tidewater Market overview, and briefings on Prolonged Field Care and Naval Medical Assets Afloat.

Meeting Accessibility: Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552b and 41 CFR 102-3.140 through 102-3.165 and subject to the availability of space, this meeting will be held in-person and virtually and is open to the public from 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Seating and virtual participation is limited and is on a first-come basis. All members of the public who wish to participate must register by emailing their name, rank/title, and organization/company to dha.ncr.dhb.mbx.defense-health-board@health.mil or by contacting Mr. Rubens Lacerda at (703) 275-6012 no later than Tuesday, September 5, 2023. Additional details will be required from all members of the public attending in-person to accommodate installation access. Once registered, participant access information will be provided.

Special Accommodations: Individuals requiring special accommodations to access the public meeting should contact Mr. Rubens Lacerda at least five (5) business days prior to the meeting so that appropriate arrangements can be made.

Written Statements: Any member of the public wishing to provide comments to the DHB related to its current taskings or mission may do so at any time in accordance with section 10(a)(3) of the FACA, 41 CFR 102-3.105(j) and 102-3.140, and the procedures described in this notice. Written statements may be submitted to the DHB's Designated Federal Officer (DFO), Captain Gregory Gorman, at dha.dhb@health.mil. Supporting documentation may also be included, to establish the appropriate historical context and to provide any necessary background information. If the written statement is not received at least five (5) business days prior to the meeting, the DFO may choose to postpone consideration of the statement until the next open meeting. The DFO will review all timely submissions with the DHB President and ensure they are provided to members of the DHB before the meeting that is subject to this notice. After reviewing the written comments, the President and the DFO may choose to invite the submitter to orally present their issue during an open portion of this meeting or at a future meeting.

This meeting is being held under the provisions of chapter 10 of title 5, United States Code (U.S.C.) (commonly known as the “Federal Advisory Committee Act” or “FACA”), 5 U.S.C. 552b (commonly known as the “Government in the Sunshine Act”), and 41 CFR 102-3.140 and 102-3.150.

Availability of Materials for the Meeting: Additional information, including the agenda or any updates to the agenda, is available on the DACODAI website https://www.dhra.mil/DMOC/DACODAI. Materials presented in the meeting may also be obtained on the DACODAI website.

Purpose of the Meeting: The purpose of the meeting is for the DACODAI to receive briefings and have discussions on topics related to racial/ethnic diversity, inclusion, and equal opportunity within the Armed Forces of the United States and for the committee members to vote on the 2023 DACODAI proposed recommendations for the Secretary of Defense.

Agenda: Thursday, October 5, 2023, from 11:45 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (EST). The Defense Advisory Committee (DACODAI) will begin in open session on October 5, 2023, from 11:45 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. with opening remarks by Ms. Shirley Raguindin, the Designated Federal Officer (DFO) and the DACODAI's Chair, Gen. (Ret.) Lester Lyle, and, if available, additional comments by The Office of the Secretary of Defense. The DACODAI will receive the following briefings: (1) Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Progress by Dr. Lisa Arfaa, Director, Office for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion; (2) the Defense Testing and Assessment Center Diversity and Inclusion Efforts by Dr. Matthew Trippe, Defense Testing and Assessment Center and Ms. Mary Pommerich, Defense Testing and Assessment Center. Closing remarks will be provided by the Chair, Gen. (Ret.) Lyles, and Ms. Shirley Raguindin, DACODAI DFO, will adjourn the meeting.

Friday, October 6, 2023, from 8:15 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. The DACODAI will begin in an open session on October 6, 2023, from 8:15 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. with opening remarks by Ms. Shirley Raguindin, the Designated Federal Officer (DFO) and the DACODAI's Chair, Gen. (Ret.) Lester Lyle. The DACODAI will receive a briefing from the Defense Equal Opportunity Management Institute (DEOMI) on Racial/Ethnic Minority Research Capability and Findings by Captain (U.S. Navy) Delmy Robinson, Commandant, DEOMI, and Dr. Daniel McDonald, Deputy Director, DEOMI. After the briefing, the DACODAI members will vote on proposed recommendations for the Secretary of Defense. Closing remarks will be provided by the Chair, Gen. (Ret.) Lyles, and Ms. Shirley Raguindin, DACODAI DFO, will adjourn the meeting.

Meeting Accessibility: Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552b and 41 CFR 102-3.140 and 102-3.150, this meeting is open to the public from 11:45 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (EST) on October 5, 2023; and from 8:15 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. on October 6, 2023. The meeting will be held via videoconference. The number of participants is limited and is on a first-come basis. All members of the public who wish to participate must register by contacting DACODAI at osd.mc-alex.ousd-p-r.mbx.dacodai@mail.mil or by contacting Ms. Shirley Raguindin at (571) 645-6952 no later than Friday, September 29, 2023 (by 5:00 p.m. EST). Once registered, the web address and/or audio number will be provided.

Special Accommodations: Individuals requiring special accommodations to access the public meeting should contact Ms. Shirley Raguindin at osd.mc-alex.ousd-p-r.mbx.dacodai@mail.mil or (571) 645-6952 no later than Friday, September 29. 2023 (by 5:00 p.m. EST) so appropriate arrangements can be made.

Written Statements: Pursuant to 41 CFR 102-3.140(c) and section 10(a)(3) of the FACA, the public or interested parties may submit written statements to the DACODAI membership about the DACODAI's mission and functions. Written statements may be submitted at any time or in response to the stated agenda of planned meetings of the DACODAI. All written statements shall be submitted to the DFO, Ms. Shirley Raguindin, for the DACODAI, who will ensure that the written statements are provided to the membership for their consideration. All written statements will be submitted to mailing address, 4800 Mark Center Drive, Suite 06E22, Alexandria, VA 22350. Members of the public interested in making an oral statement must submit a written statement. If a statement is not received by Friday, September 29, 2023, it may not be provided to or considered by the DACODAI during this biannual business meeting. After reviewing the written statements, the Chair and the DFO will determine if the requesting person(s) can make an oral presentation. The DFO will review all timely submissions with the DACODAI Chair and ensure they are provided to the members of the DACODAI.

Members of the public may also email written statements at osd.mc-alex.ousd-p-r.mbx.dacodai@mail.mil. Written statements pertaining to the meeting agenda for the DACODAI's meeting on October 5, 2023, must be submitted no later than 5:00 p.m. EST, Friday, September 29, 2023, to be considered by the DACODAI membership prior to its October 5, 2023 meeting.

This meeting is being held under the provisions of chapter 10 of title 5, United States Code (U.S.C.) (commonly known as the “Federal Advisory Committee Act” or “FACA”), 5 U.S.C. 552b (commonly known as the “Government in the Sunshine Act”), and sections 102-3.140 and 102-3.150 of title 41, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). Purpose of the Meeting: To obtain, review, and evaluate classified information related to the DPB's mission to advise on: (a) issues central to strategic DoD planning; (b) policy implications of U.S. force structure and modernization on DoD's ability to execute U.S. defense strategy; (c) U.S. regional defense policies; and (d) other defense policy topics of special interest to the DoD, as determined by the Secretary of Defense, the Deputy Secretary of Defense, or the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy.

Agenda: On September 11, 2023, and September 12, 2023, the DPB will receive classified briefings regarding the People's Republic of China (PRC) and issues related to regional security; interagency perspectives; capability and posture issues for U.S. forces, resourcing issues, and U.S. industrial base considerations. The DPB will receive briefings from the following: the Hon. Ely Ratner, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs; the Hon. Michael J. McCord, Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller)/Chief Financial Officer; the Hon. Susanna V. Blume, Director, Cost Assessment and Program Evaluation (CAPE); Admiral John C. Aquilino, Commander, USINDOPACOM; the Hon. William A. LaPlante, Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment; and Lieutenant General Dagvin R.M. Anderson, Director for Joint Force Development.

Meeting Accessibility: In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 1009(d) and 41 CFR 102-3.155, the DoD has determined that this meeting shall be closed to the public. The Acting Under Secretary of Defense (Policy), in consultation with the DoD FACA Attorney, has determined in writing that this meeting be closed to the public because the discussions fall under the purview of 5 U.S.C. 552b(c)(1) and are so inextricably intertwined with unclassified material that they cannot reasonably be segregated into separate discussions without disclosing classified material.

Written Statements: In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 1009(a)(3) and 41 CFR 102-3.105(j) and 102-3.140(c), the public or interested organizations may submit written statements to the membership of the DPB at any time regarding its mission or in response to the stated agenda of a planned meeting. Written statements should be submitted to the DPB's DFO, which is listed in this notice or can be obtained from the GSA's FACA Database— http://www.facadatabase.gov/. Written statements that do not pertain to a scheduled meeting of the DPB may be submitted at any time. However, if individual comments pertain to a specific topic being discussed at a planned meeting, then these statements must be submitted no later than five business days prior to the meeting in question. The DFO will review all submitted written statements and provide copies to all members.

Title; Associated Form; and OMB Number: Optimizing Brain Health by Mitigating Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, OMB Control Number 0704-0654.

Needs and Uses: The objective is to identify barriers and facilitators of accessing PTSD treatment that are most important to the Special Operations Forces (SOF) community via an online confidential survey of all relevant stakeholders in the healthcare delivery process (N=1,536). Stakeholders will include operators/enablers, healthcare providers, leadership, and policy makers from all SOF commands (Army, Air Force, Naval Special Warfare, Marine). We will then conduct qualitative interviews with SOF operators/enablers (N=24) to generate solutions to the barriers identified in the survey.

Affected Public: Individuals and households.

Annual Burden Hours: 768.

Number of Respondents: 1,536.

Responses per Respondent: 1.

Annual Responses: 1,536.

Average Burden per Response: 30 minutes.

Annual Burden Hours: 24.

Number of Respondents: 24.

Responses per Respondent: 1.

Annual Responses: 24.

Average Burden per Response: 1 Hour.

Frequency: On occasion.

Title; Associated Form; and OMB Number: Utilization of the Novel ECC Eagle External Condom Catheter System; OMB Control Number 0720-EECC.

Type of Request: New.

Number of Respondents: 10.

Responses per Respondent: 1.

Annual Responses: 10.

Average Burden per Response: 5 minutes.

Annual Burden Hours: 0.8.

Number of Respondents: 10.

Responses per Respondent: 2.

Annual Responses: 20.

Average Burden per Response: 5 Minutes.

Annual Burden Hours: 1.67.

Number of Respondents: 10.

Responses per Respondent: 2.

Annual Responses: 20.

Average Burden per Response: 5 Minutes.

Annual Burden Hours: 1.7.

Needs and Uses: There are numerous methods to manage urinary incontinence, from pads/diapers to condom catheters to invasive urethral foley catheters. Pads or diapers can lead to skin irritation due to their occlusive barriers which can leave skin moist and lead to breakdown. Current condom catheters can be difficult to size and cause skin breakdown and infections. They can also fall off in patients with a large suprapubic fat pad and a shorter penis. Foley catheters can be uncomfortable and can lead to urinary tract infections. Thus, there is a need for a better way to manage urinary incontinence in men. The ECC Eagle is a novel design for a condom catheter that is intended to be more comfortable and secure than current models. We need to ask patients questions on their experience with the ECC Eagle, the degree of urinary symptoms they experience and the impact this has on their lives. This information is vital to the development of this product.

Affected Public: Individuals or households.

Frequency: On occasion.

Respondent's Obligation: Voluntary.

OMB Desk Officer: Mr. Matthew Eliseo.

You may also submit comments and recommendations, identified by Docket ID number and title, by the following method:

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

Instructions: All submissions received must include the agency name, Docket ID number, and title for this Federal Register document. The general policy for comments and other submissions from members of the public is to make these submissions available for public viewing on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov as they are received without change, including any personal identifiers or contact information.

DOD Clearance Officer: Ms. Angela Duncan.

Requests for copies of the information collection proposal should be sent to Ms. Duncan at whs.mc-alex.esd.mbx.dd-dod-information-collections@mail.mil.

Title; Associated Form; and OMB Number: Continued Health Care Benefit Program; DD Form 2837; OMB Control Number 0720-0066.

Type of Request: Extension.

Number of Respondents: 1,475.

Responses per Respondent: 1.

Annual Responses: 1,475.

Average Burden per Response: 15 minutes.

Annual Burden Hours: 369.

Needs and Uses: The information collection requirement is necessary for individuals to apply for enrollment in the continued Health Care Benefit Program (CHCBP). The CHCBP is a program of temporary health care benefit coverage that is made available to eligible individuals who lose health care coverage under the Military Health System (MHS).

Affected Public: Individuals or households.

Frequency: On occasion.

Respondents Obligation: Voluntary.

OMB Desk Officer: Mr. Matthew Eliseo.

You may also submit comments and recommendations, identified by Docket ID number and title, by the following method:

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

Instructions: All submissions received must include the agency name, Docket ID number, and title for this Federal Register document. The general policy for comments and other submissions from members of the public is to make these submissions available for public viewing on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov as they are received without change, including any personal identifiers or contact information.

DOD Clearance Officer: Ms. Angela Duncan.

Requests for copies of the information collection proposal should be sent to Ms. Duncan at whs.mc-alex.esd.mbx.dd-dod-information-collections@mail.mil.

The Commission's Statutory Authority and Function: The Commission is established by Executive Order 14045 (September 13, 2021) and continued by Executive Order 14048 (September 30, 2021). The Commission is also governed by the provisions of 5 U.S.C. chapter 10 (Federal Advisory Committees), which sets forth standards for the formation and use of advisory committees. The Commission's duties are to advise the President, through the Secretary of Education, on matters pertaining to educational equity and economic opportunity for the Hispanic and Latino community in the following areas: (i) what is needed for the development, implementation, and coordination of educational programs and initiatives at the U.S. Department of Education (Department) and other agencies to improve educational opportunities and outcomes for Hispanics and Latinos; (ii) how to promote career pathways for in-demand jobs for Hispanic and Latino students, including registered apprenticeships, internships, fellowships, mentorships, and work-based learning initiatives; (iii) ways to strengthen the capacity of institutions, such as Hispanic-serving Institutions, to equitably serve Hispanic and Latino students and increase the participation of Hispanic and Latino students, Hispanic-serving school districts, and the Hispanic community in the programs of the Department and other agencies; (iv) how to increase public awareness of and generate solutions for the educational and training challenges and equity disparities that Hispanic and Latino students face and the causes of these challenges; and (v) approaches to establish local and national partnerships with public, private, philanthropic, and nonprofit stakeholders to advance the mission and objectives of this order, consistent with applicable law.

Meeting Agenda: The agenda for the Commission meeting includes: (1) a discussion and vote on recommendations presented by the Commission's four subcommittees: Advancing PreK-12 Educational Equity; Advancing Higher Education and Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs); Strengthening Economic Opportunity & Workforce Development; and Strengthening Public Partnerships and Public Awareness; (2) presentations from federal and community leaders on topics related to Executive Order 14045; (3) presentations from leaders to inform the Commission about the critical role, and needs of, HSIs and emerging HSIs in light of it being Hispanic Serving Institutions Week, and (4) and discussion around next steps towards advancing duties of the Commission, as outlined by Executive Order 14045.

Access to the Meeting: Members of the public may register to attend the meeting in-person or virtually by completing the link at https://www.ed.gov/hispanicinitiative or emailing WhiteHouseHispanicInitiative@ed.gov by 5 p.m. EDT on Monday, September 11, 2023. Instructions on how to access the meeting in-person and virtually will be emailed to members of the public that register to attend and will be posted to https://www.ed.gov/hispanicinitiative by Monday, September 11, 2023 by 6 p.m. EDT.

Submission of written public comments: Written comments pertaining to the work of the Commission may be submitted electronically to WhiteHouseHispanicInitiative@ed.gov by 5 p.m. EDT on Monday, September 11, 2023. Include in the subject line: “Written Comments: Public Comment.” The email must include the name(s), title, organizations/affiliation, mailing address, email address, and telephone number of the person(s) making the comment. Comments should be submitted as a Microsoft Word document or in a medium compatible with Microsoft Word (not a PDF file) that is attached to the electronic mail message (email) or provided in the body of an email message. Please do not send material directly to members of the Commission.

Access to Records of the Meeting: The Department will post the official report of the meeting on the Commission's website, at https://sites.ed.gov/hispanic-initiative/presidential-advisory-commission no later than 90 days after the meeting. Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 1009(b), the public may request to inspect records of the meeting at 400 Maryland Avenue SW, Washington, DC, by emailing Emmanuel.Caudillo@ed.gov or by calling (202) 453-5529 to schedule an appointment.

Reasonable Accommodations: The meeting platform and access code are accessible to individuals with disabilities. If you will need an auxiliary aid or service for the meeting ( e.g., interpreting service, assistive listening device, or materials in an alternate format), notify the contact person listed in this notice at least one week before the meeting date. Although we will attempt to meet a request received after that date, we may not be able to make available the requested auxiliary aid or service because of insufficient time to arrange it.

Electronic Access to this Document: The official version of this document is the document published in the Federal Register . Free internet access to the official edition of the Federal Register and the Code of Federal Regulations is available via the Federal Digital System at: www.gpo.gov/fdsys. At this site you can view this document, as well as all other documents of this Department published in the Federal Register , in text or Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF). To use PDF, you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is available free at the site. You also may access documents of the Department published in the Federal Register by using the article search feature at: www.federalregister.gov. Specifically, through the advanced search feature at this site, you can limit your search to documents published by the Department.

Authority: Executive Order 14045 (September 13, 2021) and continued by Executive Order 14048 (September 30, 2021).

The Department 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. Please note that written comments received in response to this notice will be considered public records.

Title of Collection: Upward Bound (UB) Upward Bound Math Science (UBMS) Annual Performance Report.

OMB Control Number: 1840-0831.

Type of Review: Revision of a currently approved ICR.

Respondents/Affected Public: State, Local, and Tribal Governments; Private Sector.

Total Estimated Number of Annual Responses: 1,264.

Total Estimated Number of Annual Burden Hours: 21,488.

Abstract: The purpose of the Upward Bound (UB) and Upward Bound Math Science (UBMS) Program is to generate in the program's participants the skills and motivation necessary to complete a program of secondary education and to enter and succeed in a program of postsecondary education.

Authority for this program is contained in Title IV, Part A, Subpart 2, Chapter 1, Section 402C of the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008. Eligible applicants include institutions of higher education, public or private agencies, or organizations, including community-based organizations with experience in serving disadvantaged youth, secondary schools, and combinations of institutions, agencies, organizations and secondary schools.

The UB and UBMS Program's participants must be potential first-generation college students, low-income individuals, or individuals who have high risk of academic failure and have a need for academic support in order to pursue successfully a program of education beyond high school. Required services of the UB-UBMS Program include: (1) academic tutoring; (2) advice and assistance in secondary and postsecondary course selection; (3) preparation for college entrance exams and completing college admission applications; (4) information on federal student financial aid programs including (a) Federal Pell grant awards, (b) loan forgiveness, and (c) scholarships; (5) assistance completing financial aid applications; (6) guidance and assistance in: (a) secondary school reentry, (b) alternative programs for secondary school drop outs that lead to the receipt of a regular secondary school diploma, (c) entry into general educational development (GED) programs or (d) entry into postsecondary education; and (7) education or counseling services designed to improve the financial and economic literacy of students or the students' parents, including financial planning for postsecondary education. (8) Also, projects funded for at least two years under the program must provide instruction in mathematics through pre-calculus; laboratory science; foreign language; composition; and literature.

Purpose of the Board: The purpose of the Board is to provide advice and recommendations concerning the following EM site-specific issues: clean-up activities and environmental restoration; waste and nuclear materials management and disposition; excess facilities; future land use and long-term stewardship. The Board may also be asked to provide advice and recommendations on any EM program components.

Public Participation: The meeting is open to the public. To provide a safe meeting environment, seating may be limited; attendees should register for in-person attendance by sending an email to srscitizensadvisoryboard@srs.gov no later than 4:00 p.m. EDT on Friday, September 22, 2023. The EM SSAB, Savannah River Site, welcomes the attendance of the public at its advisory committee meetings and will make every effort to accommodate persons with physical disabilities or special needs. If you require special accommodations due to a disability, please contact Amy Boyette at least seven days in advance of the meeting at the telephone number listed above. Written statements may be filed with the Board via email either before or after the meeting. Individuals who wish to make oral statements pertaining to agenda items should submit their request to srscitizensadvisoryboard@srs.gov. Requests must be received five days prior to the meeting and reasonable provision will be made to include the presentation in the agenda. Comments will be accepted after the meeting, by no later than 4:00 p.m. ET on Tuesday, October 3, 2023. Please submit comments to srscitizensadvisoryboard@srs.gov. The Deputy Designated Federal Officer is empowered to conduct the meeting in a fashion that will facilitate the orderly conduct of business. Individuals wishing to make oral public comments will be provided a maximum of five minutes to present their comments. Individuals wishing to submit written public comments should email them as directed above.

Minutes: Minutes will be available by emailing or calling Amy Boyette at the email address or telephone number listed above. Minutes will also be available at the following website: https://cab.srs.gov/srs-cab.html.

Section 323 of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act requires that DOE prescribe test procedures for the measurement of the estimated annual operating costs or other measures of energy consumption for certain consumer products specified in the Act. (42 U.S.C. 6293(b)(3)) These test procedures are found in title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) part 430, subpart B.

Section 323(b)(3) of the Act requires that the estimated annual operating costs of a covered product be calculated from measurements of energy use in a representative average use cycle or period of use and from representative average unit costs of the energy needed to operate such product during such cycle. (42 U.S.C. 6293(b)(3)) The section further requires that DOE provide information to manufacturers regarding the representative average unit costs of energy. (42 U.S.C. 6293(b)(4)) This cost information should be used by manufacturers to meet their obligations under section 323(c) of the Act. Most notably, these costs are used to comply with Federal Trade Commission (FTC) requirements for labeling. Manufacturers are required to use the revised DOE representative average unit costs when the FTC publishes new ranges of comparability for specific covered products, 16 CFR part 305. Interested parties can also find information covering the FTC labeling requirements at https://www.ftc.gov/appliances.

DOE last published representative average unit costs of residential energy in a Federal Register notice entitled, “Energy Conservation Program for Consumer Products: Representative Average Unit Costs of Energy”, dated March 7, 2022, 87 FR 12681.

On September 27, 2023, the cost figures published in this notice will become effective and supersede those cost figures published on March 7, 2022. The cost figures set forth in this notice will be effective until further notice.

DOE's Energy Information Administration (EIA) has developed the 2023 representative average unit after-tax residential costs found in this notice. These costs for electricity, natural gas, and No. 2 heating oil are based on simulations used to produce the August 2023, EIA Short-Term Energy Outlook (EIA releases the Outlook monthly). The representative average unit after-tax cost for propane is based on the U.S. residential sector prices found in the Annual Energy Outlook 2023, AEO2023) (March 16, 2023). The representative average unit after-tax cost for kerosene is derived from its price relative to that of heating oil, based on the 2010 to 2013 averages of the U.S. refiner price to end users, which include all the major energy-consuming sectors in the U.S. for these fuels. The source for these price data is the July 2023, Monthly Energy Review DOE/EIA-0035(2023/7). The Short-Term Energy Outlook, the Monthly Energy Review, and the Annual Energy Outlook are available on the EIA website at https://www.eia.doe.gov. For more information on the data sources used in this notice, contact the National Energy Information Center, Forrestal Building, EI-30, 1000 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20585, Telephone: (202) 586-8800, Email: infoctr@eia.doe.gov.

The 2023 representative average unit costs under section 323(b)(4) of the Act are set forth in Table 1, and will become effective September 27, 2023. They will remain in effect until further notice.

This document of the Department of Energy was signed on August 23, 2023, by Francisco Alejandro Moreno, Acting Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, pursuant to delegated authority from the Secretary of Energy. That document with the original signature and date is maintained by DOE. For administrative purposes only, and in compliance with requirements of the Office of the Federal Register, the undersigned DOE Federal Register Liaison Officer has been authorized to sign and submit the document in electronic format for publication, as an official document of the Department of Energy. This administrative process in no way alters the legal effect of this document upon publication in the Federal Register .

The EPA received appetition from WildEarth Guardians dated November 2, 2022, and a petition from the Center for Biological Diversity and Grand Valley Citizens Alliance dated November 23, 2022, requesting that the EPA object to the issuance of operating permit no. 09OPGA330, issued by CDPHE to Terra Energy Partners, Rocky Mountain LLC in Garfield County, Colorado. On June 14, 2023, the EPA Administrator issued an order granting in part and denying in part the petition. The order itself explains the basis for the EPA's decision.

Sections 307(b) and 505(b)(2) of the CAA provide that a petitioner may request judicial review of those portions of an order that deny issues in a petition. Any petition for review shall be filed in the United States Court of Appeals for the appropriate circuit no later than October 27, 2023.

EPA's IRIS Program is a human health assessment program that evaluates quantitative and qualitative information on effects that may result from exposure to chemicals found in the environment. Through the IRIS Program, EPA provides high quality science-based human health assessments to support the Agency's regulatory activities and decisions to protect public health.

As part of developing a draft IRIS assessment, EPA presents a methods document, referred to as the protocol, for conducting a chemical-specific systematic review of the available scientific literature. EPA is seeking public comment on components of the protocol including the described strategies for literature searches, criteria for study inclusion or exclusion, considerations for evaluating study methods, information management for extracting data, approaches for synthesis within and across lines of evidence, and methods for derivation of toxicity values. The protocol serves to inform the subsequent development of the draft assessment and is made available to the public. EPA may update the protocol based on the evaluation of the literature, and any updates will be posted to the docket and on the IRIS website.

Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-ORD-2020-0182 for Vanadium and Compounds (Inhalation), by one of the following methods:

• www.regulations.gov: Follow the on-line instructions for submitting comments.

• Email: Docket_ORD@epa.gov.

• Fax: 202-566-9744.

• Mail: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, EPA Docket Center (ORD Docket), Mail Code: 28221T, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20460. The phone number is 202-566-1752.

For information on visiting the EPA Docket Center Public Reading Room, visit https://www.epa.gov/dockets. The telephone number for the Public Reading Room is 202-566-1744. The public can submit comments via www.regulations.gov or email.

Instructions: Direct your comments to docket number EPA-HQ-ORD-2020-0182 for vanadium. Please ensure that your comments are submitted within the specified comment period. Comments received after the closing date will be marked “late,” and may only be considered if time permits. It is EPA's policy to include all comments it receives in the public docket without change and to make the comments available online at https://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information provided, unless a comment includes information claimed to be Confidential Business Information (CBI) or other information for which disclosure is restricted by statute. Do not submit information through https://www.regulations.gov or email that you consider to be CBI or otherwise protected. The https://www.regulations.gov website is an “anonymous access” system, which means EPA will not know your identity or contact information unless you provide it in the body of your comment. If you send an email comment directly to EPA without going through https://www.regulations.gov, your email address will be automatically captured and included as part of the comment that is placed in the public docket and made available on the internet. If you submit an electronic comment, EPA recommends that you include your name and other contact information in the body of your comment and with any disk or CD-ROM you submit. If EPA cannot read your comment due to technical difficulties and cannot contact you for clarification, EPA may not be able to consider your comment. Electronic files should avoid the use of special characters, any form of encryption, and be free of any defects or viruses. For additional information about EPA's public docket, visit the EPA Docket Center homepage at https://www.epa.gov/dockets.

Docket: Documents in the docket are listed in the https://www.regulations.gov index. Although listed in the index, some information is not publicly available, e.g., CBI or other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. Certain other materials, such as copyrighted material, are publicly available only in hard copy. Publicly available docket materials are available either electronically in https://www.regulations.gov or as a hard copy at the ORD Docket in the EPA Headquarters Docket Center.

Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID No. EPA-R05-SFUND-2023-0315, at https://www.regulations.gov (our preferred method), or the other methods identified in the ADDRESSES section. Once submitted, comments cannot be edited or removed from the docket. The EPA may publish any comment received to its public docket. Do not submit electronically any information you consider to be Confidential Business Information (CBI) or other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. Multimedia submissions (audio, video, etc.) must be accompanied by a written comment. The written comment is considered the official comment and should include discussion of all points you wish to make. The EPA will generally not consider comments or comment contents located outside of the primary submission ( i.e. on the web, cloud, or other file sharing system). For additional submission methods, the full EPA public comment policy, information about CBI or multimedia submissions, and general guidance on making effective comments, please visit https://www.epa.gov/dockets/commenting-epa-dockets.

The Settling Party proposes to acquire ownership of a portion of the former General Motors Corporation North American operation, at 902 E. Leith St. in Flint, Michigan. The Site is one of the 89 sites that were placed into an Environmental Response Trust (the “Trust”) as a result of the resolution of the 2009 GM bankruptcy. The Trust is administrated by Revitalizing Auto Communities Environmental Response.

GSA amended the FTR by introducing premium economy airline accommodations as a class of service, creating management controls related to the use thereof, and changing the deadline for reporting the use of first class and business class transportation accommodations. This rule, titled “Common Carrier Transportation,” and published at 87 FR 55699, on September 12, 2022, did not change the requirement for agencies to report the use of all first class and business class transportation accommodations which exceed the coach class fare, nor did it change the requirement for agencies to report the use of extra-fare train service. However, since publishing 87 FR 55699, Common Carrier Transportation, GSA has received questions from agencies on how to determine the comparative cost of a coach class train fare when the use of an extra-fare train is authorized. In accordance with 41 CFR 300-70.101, FTR Bulletin 23-07 clarifies the information agencies are required to report on the authorized use of first class and business class transportation accommodations and how to determine the comparative coach class accommodations. This bulletin also rescinds FTR Bulletin 20-05, published at 85 FR 17890, on March 31, 2020.

GSA Bulletin FTR 23-07 can be viewed in its entirety at https://www.gsa.gov/ftrbulletins.

Under the PRA (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq. ), an agency may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information, and the public is not obligated to respond to a collection of information, unless the collection of information displays a currently valid OMB control number.

On May 25, 2023, OGE published a final rule establishing a framework to govern an executive branch employee's acceptance of payments for legal expenses through a Legal Expense Fund (LEF) for matters arising in connection with the employee's official position, the employee's prior position on a campaign of a candidate for President or Vice President, or the employee's prior position on a Presidential Transition Team. The requirements for establishing and maintaining a LEF are found in 5 CFR part 2635, subpart J (LEF regulation).

The LEF regulation requires that employees who wish to establish a legal expense fund do so through a trust with a single, named employee beneficiary and a trustee. It also requires an employee beneficiary to file quarterly reports that include information (1) regarding members of the public who make financial donations to help pay for the employee beneficiary's legal expenses (donors) and (2) members of the public who receive payments from a legal expense fund (payees). The employee beneficiary must also file a termination report upon the termination of the trust and/or executive branch employment. The trust documents, quarterly reports, and termination reports will be posted directly on OGE's website in accordance with 5 CFR 2635.1007(g). Together, this information collection (IC) is titled “OGE Legal Expense Fund Information Collection.”

OGE submitted a request for approval of this information collection on May 25, 2023, and OMB approved it on July 21, 2023. It was assigned OMB Control Number 3209-0012. Therefore, in accordance with the PRA, OGE hereby announces OMB approval of the information collection requirements as contained in the final rule, which will be effective November 21, 2023.

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality has commissioned the Evidence-based Practice Centers (EPC) Program to complete a review of the evidence for Diagnosis and Management of Obsessive Compulsive Disorders in Children. AHRQ is conducting this review pursuant to Section 902 of the Public Health Service Act, 42 U.S.C. 299a.

The EPC Program is dedicated to identifying as many studies as possible that are relevant to the questions for each of its reviews. In order to do so, we are supplementing the usual manual and electronic database searches of the literature by requesting information from the public ( e.g., details of studies conducted). We are looking for studies that report on Diagnosis and Management of Obsessive Compulsive Disorders in Children. The entire research protocol is available online at: https://effectivehealthcare.ahrq.gov/products/obsessive-compulsive-disorder/protocol.

This is to notify the public that the EPC Program would find the following information on Diagnosis and Management of Obsessive Compulsive Disorders in Children helpful:

A list of completed studies that your organization has sponsored for this topic. In the list, please indicate whether results are available on ClinicalTrials.gov along with the ClinicalTrials.gov trial number.

For completed studies that do not have results on ClinicalTrials.gov, a summary, including the following elements, if relevant: study number, study period, design, methodology, indication and diagnosis, proper use instructions, inclusion and exclusion criteria, primary and secondary outcomes, baseline characteristics, number of patients screened/eligible/enrolled/lost to follow-up/withdrawn/analyzed, effectiveness/efficacy, and safety results.

A list of ongoing studies that your organization has sponsored for this topic. In the list, please provide the ClinicalTrials.gov trial number or, if the trial is not registered, the protocol for the study including, if relevant, a study number, the study period, design, methodology, indication and diagnosis, proper use instructions, inclusion and exclusion criteria, and primary and secondary outcomes.

Description of whether the above studies constitute ALL Phase II and above clinical trials sponsored by your organization for this topic and an index outlining the relevant information in each submitted file.

Your contribution is very beneficial to the Program. Materials submitted must be publicly available or able to be made public. Materials that are considered confidential; marketing materials; study types not included in the review; or information on topics not included in the review cannot be used by the EPC Program. This is a voluntary request for information, and all costs for complying with this request must be borne by the submitter.

The draft of this review will be posted on AHRQ's EPC Program website and available for public comment for a period of 45 days.

If you would like to be notified when the draft is posted, please sign up for the email list at: https://www.effectivehealthcare.ahrq.gov/email-updates.

The review will answer the following questions. This information is provided as background. AHRQ is not requesting that the public provide answers to these questions.

KQ 1: How accurate are assessment tools compared to reference standard methods to identify OCD in symptomatic children and adolescents?

KQ 1a: How does diagnostic accuracy of assessment tools vary by patient, family, social, or other characteristics, or by respondent type?

KQ 2: What are the comparative effects and harms of treatment interventions, used alone or in combination, for OCD in children and adolescents?

KQ 2a: How do the effectiveness and harms vary with patient, family, social, or other characteristics?

Purpose: The Clinical Laboratory Improvement Advisory Committee (CLIAC) is charged with providing scientific and technical advice and guidance to the Secretary, Department of Health and Human Services; the Assistant Secretary for Health; the Director, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC); the Commissioner, Food and Drug Administration (FDA); and the Administrator, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). The advice and guidance pertain to general issues related to improvement in clinical laboratory quality and laboratory medicine and specific questions related to possible revision of the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988 (CLIA) standards. Examples include providing guidance on studies designed to improve quality, safety, effectiveness, efficiency, timeliness, equity, and patient-centeredness of laboratory services; revisions to the standards under which clinical laboratories are regulated; the impact of proposed revisions to the standards on medical and laboratory practice; and the modification of the standards and provision of non-regulatory guidelines to accommodate technological advances, such as new test methods, the electronic transmission of laboratory information, and mechanisms to improve the integration of public health and clinical laboratory practices.

Matters To Be Considered: The agenda will include agency updates from CDC, CMS, and FDA. Presentations and CLIAC discussions will focus on the final report from the CLIA Regulations Assessment Workgroup, efforts to address the CLIA top 10 laboratory deficiencies, standardization of test result communication, and the role of the laboratory in antibiotic stewardship. Agenda items are subject to change as priorities dictate.

It is the policy of CLIAC to accept written public comments and provide a brief period for oral public comments pertinent to agenda items.

Oral Public Comment: Public comment periods for each agenda item are scheduled immediately prior to the Committee discussion period for that item. In general, each individual or group requesting to present an oral comment will be limited to a total time of five minutes (unless otherwise indicated). Speakers should email CLIAC@cdc.gov or notify the contact person above (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT ) at least five business days prior to the meeting date.

Written Public Comment: CLIAC accepts written comments until the date of the meeting (unless otherwise stated). However, it is requested that comments be submitted at least five business days prior to the meeting date so that the comments may be made available to the Committee for their consideration and public distribution. Written comments should be submitted by email to CLIAC@cdc.gov or to the contact person above. All written comments will be included in the meeting minutes posted on the CLIAC website.

The Director, Office of Strategic Business Initiatives, Office of the Chief Operating Officer, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, has been delegated the authority to sign Federal Register notices pertaining to announcements of meetings and other committee management activities, for both the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry.

Nominations are being sought for individuals with expertise in the fields of epidemiology, toxicology, mental health, pediatrics, early childhood education, special education, diet and nutrition, and environmental health. Members may be invited to serve for three-year terms. Selection of members is based on candidates' qualifications to contribute to the accomplishment of Lead Exposure and Prevention Advisory Committee (LEPAC) objectives.

The members of this Committee are selected by the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The committee's objective is to advise the Secretary, HHS and the Director, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)/Administrator, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry on a range of activities to include: (1) review of Federal programs and services available to individuals and communities exposed to lead; (2) review of the current research on lead exposure to identify additional research needs; (3) review of and identification of best practices, or the need for best practices regarding lead screening and the prevention of lead exposure; (4) identification of effective services, including services relating to healthcare, education, and nutrition for individuals and communities affected by lead exposure and lead poisoning, including in consultation with, as appropriate, the lead exposure registry as established in Public Law 114-322 section 2203(b) (42 U.S.C. 300j-27); and (5) undertaking of any other review or activities that the Secretary determines to be appropriate.

Annually as determined necessary by the Secretary or as required by Congress, the committee shall submit a report to include: (1) an evaluation of the effectiveness of the Federal programs and services available to individuals and communities exposed to lead; (2) an evaluation of additional lead exposure research needs; (3) an assessment of any effective screening methods or best practices used or developed to prevent or screen for lead exposure; (4) input and recommendations for improved access to effective services relating to health care, education, or nutrition for individuals and communities impacted by lead exposure; and (5) any other recommendations for communities affected by lead exposure, as appropriate.

At least half of the committee will consist of Federal representatives from a range of agencies that may include the Department of Housing and Urban Development; the Environmental Protection Agency; the Consumer Product Safety Commission; the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services; the Health Resources and Services Administration; the Food and Drug Administration (FDA); the U.S. Department of Agriculture; the Occupational Safety and Health Administration; the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences; the U.S. Geological Survey; and such additional Federal, state, tribal, and local public and private officials as the Secretary deems necessary for the committee to carry out its function. The rest of the committee will consist of non-Federal members. Only non-Federal members are being solicited with this announcement.

HHS policy stipulates that committee membership be balanced in terms of points of view represented and the committee's function. Appointments shall be made without discrimination on the basis of age, race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, HIV status, disability, and cultural, religious, or socioeconomic status. Nominees must be U.S. citizens and cannot be full-time employees of the U.S. Government. Current participation on Federal workgroups or prior experience serving on a Federal advisory committee does not disqualify a candidate; however, HHS policy is to avoid excessive individual service on advisory committees and multiple committee memberships. Committee members are Special Government Employees, requiring the filing of financial disclosure reports at the beginning and annually during their terms. CDC reviews potential candidates for LEPAC membership each year and provides a slate of nominees for consideration to the Secretary of HHS for final selection. HHS notifies selected candidates of their appointment as soon as the HHS selection process is completed. Note that the need for different expertise varies from year to year and a candidate who is not selected in one year may be reconsidered in a subsequent year.

Candidates should submit the following items:

• Current curriculum vitae, including complete contact information (telephone numbers, mailing address, email address).

• At least one letter of recommendation from person(s) not employed by HHS. Candidates may submit letter(s) from current HHS employees if they wish, but at least one letter must be submitted by a person not employed by an HHS agency ( e.g., CDC, National Institutes of Health, FDA).

Nominations may be submitted by the candidate or by the person/organization recommending the candidate.

The Director, Office of Strategic Business Initiatives, Office of the Chief Operating Officer, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, has been delegated the authority to sign Federal Register notices pertaining to announcements of meetings and other committee management activities, for both the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry.

Nominations are sought for individuals who have the expertise and qualifications necessary to contribute to the accomplishment of the objectives of the Board of Scientific Counselors, Center for Preparedness and Response (BSC, CPR). Nominees will be selected based on expertise in the fields of business, crisis leadership, emergency response and management, informatics, laboratory science, medicine, mental and behavioral health, public health law, public health practice, risk communication, and social science. Selection of members is based on candidates' qualifications to contribute to the accomplishment of the BSC, CPR objectives ( https://www.cdc.gov/orr/bsc/index.htm ). Members may be invited to serve for up to four-year terms.

Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) policy stipulates that committee membership be balanced in terms of points of view represented and the committee's function. Appointments shall be made without discrimination on the basis of age, race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, HIV status, disability, and cultural, religious, or socioeconomic status. Nominees must be U.S. citizens and cannot be full-time employees of the U.S. Government. Current participation on federal workgroups or prior experience serving on a federal advisory committee does not disqualify a candidate; however, HHS policy is to avoid excessive individual service on advisory committees and multiple committee memberships.

Board members are Special Government Employees, requiring the filing of financial disclosure reports at the beginning of and annually during their terms. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reviews potential candidates for BSC, CPR membership each year and provides a slate of nominees for consideration to the Secretary of HHS for final selection. HHS notifies selected candidates of their appointment near the start of the term in October 2024, or as soon as the HHS selection process is completed. Note that the need for different expertise varies from year to year and a candidate who is not selected in one year may be reconsidered in a subsequent year. Candidates should submit the following items:

Cover letter stating area of expertise, your background and experience, and the skills/perspective you would bring to the Board.

Current curriculum vitae, including complete contact information (telephone numbers, mailing address, email address).

At least one letter of recommendation from person(s) not employed by HHS. Candidates may submit letter(s) from current HHS employees if they wish, but at least one letter must be submitted by a person not employed by an HHS agency ( i.e., CDC, National Institutes of Health, Food and Drug Administration, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, etc.).

Nominations may be submitted by the candidate or by the person/organization recommending the candidate.

The Director, Office of Strategic Business Initiatives, Office of the Chief Operating Officer, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, has been delegated the authority to sign Federal Register notices pertaining to announcements of meetings and other committee management activities, for both the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry.

Background: The Advisory Board was established under the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act of 2000 to advise the President on a variety of policy and technical functions required to implement and effectively manage the new compensation program. Key functions of the Advisory Board include providing advice on the development of probability of causation guidelines which have been promulgated by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as a final rule, advice on methods of dose reconstruction which have also been promulgated by HHS as a final rule, advice on the scientific validity and quality of dose estimation and reconstruction efforts being performed for purposes of the compensation program, and advice on petitions to add classes of workers to the Special Exposure Cohort (SEC). In December 2000, the President delegated responsibility for funding, staffing, and operating the Advisory Board to HHS, which subsequently delegated this authority to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health implements this responsibility for CDC.

The charter was issued on August 3, 2001, renewed at appropriate intervals, and rechartered under Executive Order 13889 on March 22, 2022, and will terminate on March 22, 2024.

Purpose: This Advisory Board is charged with (a) providing advice to the Secretary, HHS, on the development of guidelines under Executive Order 13179; (b) providing advice to the Secretary, HHS, on the scientific validity and quality of dose reconstruction efforts performed for this program; and (c) upon request by the Secretary, HHS, advising the Secretary on whether there is a class of employees at any Department of Energy facility who were exposed to radiation but for whom it is not feasible to estimate their radiation dose, and on whether there is reasonable likelihood that such radiation doses may have endangered the health of members of this class.

Matters To Be Considered: The agenda will include discussions on the following: Update on Cybersecurity Modernization Initiative; Work Group and Subcommittee Reports; Update on the Status of SEC Petitions; and plans for the December 2023 Advisory Board Meeting. Agenda items are subject to change as priorities dictate. For additional information, please contact Toll Free 1(800) 232-4636.

The Director, Office of Strategic Business Initiatives, Office of the Chief Operating Officer, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, has been delegated the authority to sign Federal Register notices pertaining to announcements of meetings and other committee management activities, for both the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry.

Background: The Advisory Board on Radiation and Worker Health (ABRWH or the Advisory Board) was established under the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act of 2000 to advise the President on a variety of policy and technical functions required to implement and effectively manage the new compensation program. Key functions of the Advisory Board include providing advice on the development of probability of causation guidelines that have been promulgated by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as a final rule; advice on methods of dose reconstruction, which have also been promulgated by HHS as a final rule; advice on the scientific validity and quality of dose estimation and reconstruction efforts being performed for purposes of the compensation program; and advice on petitions to add classes of workers to the Special Exposure Cohort. In December 2000, the President delegated responsibility for funding, staffing, and operating the Advisory Board to HHS, which subsequently delegated this authority to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) implements this responsibility for CDC.

The charter was issued on August 3, 2001, renewed at appropriate intervals, and rechartered under Executive Order 13889 on March 22, 2022, and will terminate on March 22, 2024.

Purpose: The Advisory Board is charged with (a) providing advice to the Secretary, HHS, on the development of guidelines under Executive Order 13179; (b) providing advice to the Secretary, HHS, on the scientific validity and quality of dose reconstruction efforts performed for this program; and (c) upon request by the Secretary, HHS, advising the Secretary on whether there is a class of employees at any Department of Energy facility who were exposed to radiation but for whom it is not feasible to estimate their radiation dose, and on whether there is reasonable likelihood that such radiation doses may have endangered the health of members of this class. The ABRWH Subcommittee on Procedures Reviews (SPR) is responsible for overseeing, tracking, and participating in the reviews of all procedures used in the dose reconstruction process by the NIOSH Division of Compensation Analysis and Support (DCAS) and its dose reconstruction contractor (Oak Ridge Associated Universities—ORAU).

Matters to be Considered: The agenda will include discussions on the following: 1. Carry-over items from June 21, 2023, SPR Meeting including a. Sandford Cohen & Associates (SC&A) follow-up review of PER-049 (Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant) internal dose assessment using hypothetical intakes versus bioassay data and b. SC&A's Peek Street memo on the review of two additional cases provided by NIOSH; 2. Newly issued SC&A reviews including a. DCAS-PER-040 “Mallinckrodt TBD Revisions,” b. DCAS-PER-051 “Weldon Spring Plant,” c. DCAS-PER-083 “Weldon Spring Plant TBD Revision,” d. DCAS-PER-067 “Allegheny Ludlum Appendix Q Revisions,” and e. ORAUT-RPRT-0097 “Breathing Zone to General Area Air Concentration Ratios in Small Workrooms”; 3. Preparation for the December 2023 Full ABRWH Meeting: Review of SPR accomplishments and current activities; 4. Preparation for the April 2024 Full ABRWH Meeting: Review of technical guidance documents ready for full Board approval; and 5. Newly Issued Guidance and Supplemental Topics. Agenda items are subject to change as priorities dictate. For additional information, please contact Toll Free 1(800) 232-4636.

The Director, Office of Strategic Business Initiatives, Office of the Chief Operating Officer, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, has been delegated the authority to sign Federal Register notices pertaining to announcements of meetings and other committee management activities, for both the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry.

This notice sets out a summary of the use and burden associated with the following information collections. More detailed information can be found in each collection's supporting statement and associated materials (see ADDRESSES ).

Under the PRA (44 U.S.C. 3501-3520), federal agencies must obtain approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for each collection of information they conduct or sponsor. The term “collection of information” is defined in 44 U.S.C. 3502(3) and 5 CFR 1320.3(c) and includes agency requests or requirements that members of the public submit reports, keep records, or provide information to a third party. Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the PRA requires federal agencies to publish a 60-day notice in the Federal Register concerning each proposed collection of information, including each proposed extension or reinstatement of an existing collection of information, before submitting the collection to OMB for approval. To comply with this requirement, CMS is publishing this notice.

1. Type of Information Collection Request: Revision of a currently approved collection; Title of Information Collection: Medicaid Managed Care Quality including Supporting Regulations; Use: States are required to develop quality strategies and quality strategy effectiveness evaluations. States use the information from these documents to help monitor and assess the performance of their Medicaid managed care programs. When developing these documents, States must engage stakeholders and make the documents available for public comment. Medicaid beneficiaries and stakeholders use the reported information to understand the state's quality improvement goals and objectives, and to understand how the state is measuring progress of its goals. States must submit these documents to CMS for review at least once every three years, or when substantial changes are made to their quality strategies, or State Medicaid programs. CMS uses this information as a part of its oversight responsibilities. The Medicaid and CHIP (MAC) QRS requirements currently include public posting of quality ratings on the State's website, which is intended to provide beneficiaries and their caregivers with a web-based interface to compare Medicaid and CHIP managed care plans based on assigned ratings. Form Number: CMS-10553 (OMB control number: 0938-1281); Frequency: Annually, triennial, and one-time.; Affected Public: Private sector (business or other for-profits) and State, local or Tribal governments; Number of Respondents: 673; Number of Responses: 6,087; Total Annual Hours: 1,441,211. (For policy questions regarding this collection contact Carlye Burd at 720-853-2780.)

2. Type of Information Collection Request: Revision of a currently approved collection; Title of Information Collection: Children's Health Insurance Program Managed Care and Supporting Regulations; Use: States must provide information obtained through methods consistent with the Protocols specified by CMS to External Quality Review Organization (EQRO). States must post the EQR technical reports on their websites to help enrollees and potential enrollees make informed choices when selecting providers. It also gives advocacy organizations, researchers, and other interested parties access to information pertaining to: the quality of care provided to beneficiaries enrolled in CHIP managed care organizations (MCO), prepaid inpatient health plans (PIHP), and prepaid ambulatory health plans (PAHP). The quality ratings system (QRS) provides beneficiaries with information that allows them to make an informed choice when comparing and selecting managed care plans. The information also provides a better understanding of the state's quality improvement goals and objectives, and how the state is measuring the progress of its goals. The information may assist states in comparing the outcomes of different delivery systems and can assist them in identifying future performance improvement subjects. Form Number: CMS-10554 (OMB control number: 0938-1282); Frequency: Annually and one-time; Affected Public: Private sector (business or other for-profits and not-for-profit institutions) and State, local, and Tribal governments; Number of Respondents: 62; Number of Responses: 2,735,906; Total Annual Hours: 365,310. (For policy questions regarding this collection contact Joshua Bougie at 410-786-8117.)

3. Type of Information Collection Request: New; Title of Information Collection: Medicaid Managed Care and Supporting Regulations; Use: Provides reporting and third-party disclosure requirements pertaining to State program administration and CMS compliance monitoring. Form Number: CMS-10856 (OMB control number: 0938-TBD); Frequency: Annually and one-time; Affected Public: Private sector (business or other for-profits) and State, local or Tribal governments; Number of Respondents: 679; Number of Responses: 14,313; Total Annual Hours: 255,384. (For policy questions regarding this collection contact Amy Gentile at 410-786-3499.)

4. Type of Information Collection Request: Revision of a currently approved collection; Title of Information Collection: External Quality Review (EQR) of Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Managed Care, EQR Protocols, and Supporting Regulations; Use: Most contracts between a state Medicaid agency and their managed care plan must provide for an annual External Quality Review (EQR). The annual EQR is conducted by an independent external quality review organization (EQRO). States must provide the EQRO with information obtained through methods consistent with the protocols specified by CMS. The information is used by the EQRO to determine the quality of care furnished by the managed care plans in the state. The publicly posted EQR results allows Medicaid/CHIP enrollees and potential enrollees to make informed choices regarding the selection of their providers. It also provides advocacy organizations, researchers, and other interested parties access to information on the quality of care provided to Medicaid beneficiaries enrolled in Medicaid/CHIP managed care. States use the information during their oversight of these organizations. Form Number: CMS-R-305 (OMB control number: 0938-0786); Frequency: Annually and one-time; Affected Public: Private sector (business or other for-profits) and State, local or Tribal governments; Number of Respondents: 698; Number of Responses: 10,249; Total Annual Hours: 483,784. (For policy questions regarding this collection contact Carlye Burd at 720-853-2780.)

Technology description follows.

Cryo-Electron Microscopy (cryo-EM) is used to obtain high-resolution structural images of macromolecular structures. Samples must be purified and loaded onto cryo-EM grids before imaging. The ideal cryo-EM grid consists of particles that are evenly and richly distributed in a broad distribution of orientations throughout the holes of the support film. Current techniques to prepare cryo-EM grids are performed manually and require trial and error, resulting in a bottleneck in cryo-EM workflows.

Researchers have developed a device and method for time-resolved preparation of liquid samples for cryo-EM experiments. In particular, the mixing and dispensation of liquid samples is achieved by electrical signals that are transduced into specific acoustic frequencies to mix the liquid samples (low frequency) and then dispense the mixture (high frequency) in small, nanoliter volumes onto a cryo-EM grid. This novel apparatus and method provides more precise control over liquid sample mixing and dispensing, and improved dispensation of the mixture onto the EM grid. Also, the improved quality of captured images of homogeneous macromolecular structures is achieved due to a uniformly mixed and dispensed sample on the EM grid. This allows electrons to be transmitted through the very thin liquid film in the holes of the cryo-EM grid to form an image.

• Automation of cryo-EM experiments aimed at Structure-based Drug Design by examining macromolecular structure and its interactions with ligands.

• Kits with hardware and software components to setup robotic automation of cryo-EM sample preparation, dispensation, plunging and storage.

• Automated workflow eliminates the guesswork out of cryo-EM sample preparation.

• Increases sample prep success rate and decreases the need to screen repeated trials.

• Using acoustic-based, multiple-sample mixing enables homogeneous mixing and facilitates the observation of transient molecular interactions with high time resolution.

• Python code is available for command and control of a robot that manipulates the cryo-EM grid.

• Prototype.

Venkata M. Dandey (NIEHS), Mario J. Borgnia (NIEHS), Wyatt Peele (NIEHS), Tony J. Huang (Duke), and Kaichun Yang (Duke).

HHS Reference No. E-184-2023-0; U.S Provisional Patent Application 63/472,113 filed June 09, 2023.

Vidita Choudhry, Ph.D.; 301-594-4095; vidita.choudhry@nih.gov. This notice is made in accordance with 35 U.S.C. 209 and 37 CFR part 404.

On April 5, 2017, the Coast Guard announced the completion of the Atlantic Coast Port Access Route Study in the Federal Register (82 FR 16510), which is available for viewing and download from the Coast Guard Navigation Center's website at https://www.navcen.uscg.gov/port-access-route-studies.

The ACPARS identified navigation safety corridors along the Atlantic Coast based on the predominant two-way vessel traffic and customary routes confirmed with AIS data for offshore deep draft and coastal seagoing tug/tow vessels. The study recommended using these corridor locations to establish shipping safety fairways or other appropriate vessel routing measures.

Recognizing the ACPARS only analyzed coastal, longshore, and predominantly north/south vessel transit routes along the Atlantic Coast, the Coast Guard announced new studies focused on port approaches and international entry and departure areas along the Atlantic Coast to supplement the ACPARS on March 15, 2019 (84 FR 9541). On September 9, 2022, the Coast Guard announced the availability of the Consolidated Port Approaches and International Entry and Departure Transit Areas Port Access Route Studies, (CPAPARS) (87 FR 55449). The CPAPARS summarizes the findings of four regional port access route studies: the Northern New York Bight; Seacoast of New Jersey Including Offshore Approaches to the Delaware Bay, Delaware; Approaches to the Chesapeake Bay, Virginia; and the Seacoast of North Carolina; as well as ongoing dialogue with the maritime industry.

To provide continued engagement with stakeholders, the Coast Guard announced the availability of an updated CPAPARS report and provided a ninety-day comment period (88 FR 15055).

Comments were submitted by representatives of the maritime community, wind energy developers, a state government agency, and private citizens.

Most comments were concerned with the recommended shipping safety fairways' proximity to and impact on potential offshore wind energy areas. To address these concerns, the Coast Guard has been working extensively with the Bureau of Ocean Energy management (BOEM) throughout the development of the incoming Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) proposing fairways along the Atlantic Coast. 1 The forthcoming NPRM will outline the adjustments that have been made to the fairway dimensions and the work we have done with BOEM to identify and resolve any conflicts.

One commenter urged the Coast Guard to consider underwater cables when designing the fairways. We have considered all known underwater cables and their potential impacts on the proposed fairways, TSS, and precautionary areas. None were found to restrict, endanger, or interfere with navigation.

Another commenter asked us to consider the impacts on the fairways on the White House's offshore wind development goals. We do, and we believe that these goals are best served by the establishment of consistent and well-defined fairways.

One commenter recommended that the Coast Guard coordinate with the Department of Defense to ensure that the fairways would have no impact on national security. We have and will continue to do so throughout the fairway establishment process.

One commenter requested that the Coast Guard acknowledge that vessels in the U.S. EEZ are permitted to navigate through wind farms in contrast to Europe, where vessels must avoid wind energy areas wholesale. We acknowledge this but believe that protecting these wind energy areas from the hazards associated with navigating vessels is the best way to help The White House achieve its renewable energy goals.

One commenter believed that the PARS methodology could be improved using a more granular approach and challenged the Coast Guard's use of the World Association for Waterborne Transport Infrastructure (PIANC) methodology. The USCG uses the PIANC as a starting place to determine widths for historic shipping routes. Marine planners review and adjust the widths based on input from stakeholders, AIS data sets broken down by ship type, and through collaboration with other ocean users ( e.g., renewable energy lessees). The final fairway widths are finalized based on this collaboration among all parties to ensure safe and equitable design of fairways on the OCS.

This commenter also requested an explanation for the variability in fairway width. The fairways vary in width because they have been intentionally designed to accommodate OCS development. The fairways have been designed in coordination with BOEM and the relevant stakeholders and the variability is a result of this coordination.

This notice is being issued under authority located in 5 U.S.C. 552(a) as well as 46 U.S.C. 70003.

This notice informs the public that HUD is seeking approval from OMB for the information collection described in Section A.

The Federal Register notice that solicited public comment on the information collection for a period of 60 days was published on May 4, 2023 at 88 FR 28598.

Title of Information Collection: Distressed Cities Technical Assistance NOFO.

OMB Approval Number: 2528-0326.

Type of Request: Revision of a currently approved collection.

Form Number: SF-424, SF-LLL, HUD-2880. HUD-424-B.

Description of the need for the information and proposed use: Application information is needed to determine the competition winners, i.e., the technical assistance providers best able to help distressed communities adopt effective, efficient, and sustainable financial management practices, build capacity for financial management, economic revitalization, affordable housing, and disaster recovery, and improve knowledge of federal development programs.

Respondents: Organizations.

This notice is soliciting comments from members of the public and affected parties concerning the collection of information described in Section A on the following:

(1) 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;

(2) The accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information;

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

(4) Ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond; including through the use of appropriate automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic submission of responses.

(5) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology. HUD encourages interested parties to submit comments in response to these questions.

Section 3507 of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, 44 U.S.C. chapter 35.

The Integrated Real Estate Management System (iREMs) is being provided for rescindment from the HUD Office of Multifamily Housing (MFH) system of records inventory. The SORN was identified for rescindment for the following reason: the records are not Privacy Act records. This rescindment will have no impact to the records as it pertains only to the retrievability of the records. Records in this system are stored securely electronically or on paper in secure facilities in a locked drawer behind a locker door. A description of each rescindment justification, the applicable SORN, and an account of what happened to the records is as follows:

Integrated Real Estate Management System (iREMS) is a system of systems that aggregates data from multiple sources. Personal Identifiers do not originate in iREMS. The retrievability section of the current iREMS SORN states the system can use Property Participant data such as their Taxpayer Identification number (TIN) and the participants name to retrieve a record. iREMS users are unable to retrieve a record using Property Participant personally identifiable information (PII) from the user interface. Records are retrieved mainly based on the property identification number, Federal Housing Authority (FHA) Identification Number or the contract identification number associated with the record.

The Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary is issuing this order of succession of officials authorized to perform the duties and functions of the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Public and Indian Housing when the Assistant Secretary is not available to exercise the powers or perform the duties of the office. This Order of Succession is subject to the provisions of the Federal Vacancies Reform Act of 1998 (5 U.S.C. 3345-3349d). This publication revokes and supersedes all prior orders of succession for the Office of Public and Indian Housing, including the order of succession published in the Federal Register on April 7, 2015 (80 FR 18644).

Subject to the provisions of the Federal Vacancies Reform Act of 1998 (5 U.S.C. 3345 et seq., ) during any period when, by reason of absence, disability, or vacancy in office, the Assistant Secretary for PIH is not available to exercise the powers or perform the duties of the Assistant Secretary for PIH, the following officials within PIH are hereby designated to exercise the powers and perform the duties of the Assistant Secretary for PIH. These officials shall perform the functions and duties of the office in the order specified herein, and no official shall serve unless all the other officials, whose position precedes theirs in this order, are not available to act by reason of absence, disability or vacancy in office. No individual who is serving in an office listed below in an acting capacity may act as the Assistant Secretary for Public and Indian Housing pursuant to this Order of Succession.

This order of succession supersedes all prior orders of succession for the Office of Public and Indian Housing, including the order of succession published in the Federal Register on April 7, 2015, (80 FR 18644).

Authority: Section 7(d), Department of Housing and Urban Development Act, (42 U.S.C. 3535(d)).

Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Public and Indian Housing, Richard J. Monocchio, having reviewed and approved this document, is delegating the authority to electronically sign this document to submitter, Aaron Santa Anna, who is the Federal Register Liaison for HUD, for purposes of publication in the Federal Register .

Single Family Program Development maintains the “CAIVRS (F57)” system of records. The purpose of this system is to enable program agencies to prescreen their borrowers and to broaden the Federal Government's base in determining an applicant's creditworthiness. Some of these factors include: verifying loan applicants are not in default or delinquent on direct or guaranteed loans of participating Federal programs, providing authorized users with a means to prescreen applicants for Federal credit benefit in order to avoid extending benefits to individuals who are considered credit risks, and demonstrating to the public the importance of meeting Federal obligations and its commitment to collecting delinquent debt. CAIVRS is included in the HUD's inventory of record systems. The system contains borrowers with delinquent Federal debt and allows Federal agencies to reduce the risk of future credit default to Federal insured or guaranteed loan programs.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, invite review and comment from the public and local, State, Tribal, and Federal agencies on applications we have received for permits to conduct certain activities with endangered and threatened species under section 10(a)(1)(A) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA; 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq. ), and our regulations in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) at 50 CFR part 17. Documents and other information submitted with the applications are available for review, subject to the requirements of the Privacy Act and the Freedom of Information Act.

The ESA prohibits certain activities with endangered and threatened species unless authorized by a Federal permit. The ESA and our implementing regulations in part 17 of title 50 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) provide for the issuance of such permits and require that we invite public comment before issuing permits for activities involving endangered species.

A recovery permit issued by us under section 10(a)(1)(A) of the ESA authorizes the permittee to conduct activities with endangered species for scientific purposes that promote recovery or for enhancement of propagation or survival of the species. Our regulations implementing section 10(a)(1)(A) for these permits are found at 50 CFR 17.22 for endangered wildlife species, 50 CFR 17.32 for threatened wildlife species, 50 CFR 17.62 for endangered plant species, and 50 CFR 17.72 for threatened plant species.

The ESA requires that we invite public comment before issuing these permits. Accordingly, we invite local, State, Tribal, and Federal agencies and the public to submit written data, views, or arguments with respect to these applications. The comments and recommendations that will be most useful and likely to influence agency decisions are those supported by quantitative information or studies. Proposed activities in the following permit requests are for the recovery and enhancement of propagation or survival of the species in the wild.

Written comments we receive become part of the administrative record associated with this action. Before including your address, phone number, email address, or other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment—including your personal identifying information—may be made publicly available at any time. While you can request in your comment that we withhold your personal identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so. Moreover, all submissions from organizations or businesses, and from individuals identifying themselves as representatives or officials of organizations or businesses, will be made available for public disclosure in their entirety.

If we decide to issue permits to any of the applicants listed in this notice, we will publish a notice in the Federal Register .

We publish this notice under section 10(c) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq. ).

On August 17, 2023, we, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, published a notice initiating 5-year status reviews of 47 species in California, Nevada, and Oregon under the Endangered Species Act. We inadvertently included one species, the southern sea otter ( Enhydra lutris nereis ), in error. We are correcting the notice to remove that species. For how to comment, see our August 17, 2023, notice (88 FR 56042).

In the Federal Register of August 17, 2023, in FR Doc. 2023-17728, please make the following correction:

On page 56043, remove the “Otter, southern sea” entry from the table.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, invite review and comment from the public and local, State, Tribal, and Federal agencies on applications we have received for permits to conduct certain activities with endangered and threatened species under section 10(a)(1)(A) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA; 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq. ), and our regulations in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) at 50 CFR part 17. Documents and other information submitted with the applications are available for review, subject to the requirements of the Privacy Act of 1974, as amended (5 U.S.C. 552a), and the Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552).

With some exceptions, the ESA prohibits take of listed species unless a Federal permit is issued that authorizes such take. The ESA's definition of “take” includes hunting, shooting, harming, wounding, or killing, and also such activities as pursuing, harassing, trapping, capturing, or collecting.

A recovery permit issued by us under section 10(a)(1)(A) of the ESA authorizes the permittee to take endangered or threatened species while engaging in activities that are conducted for scientific purposes that promote recovery of species or for enhancement of propagation or survival of species. These activities often include the capture and collection of species, which would result in prohibited take if a permit were not issued. Our regulations implementing section 10(a)(1)(A) for these permits are found at 50 CFR 17.22 for endangered wildlife species, 50 CFR 17.32 for threatened wildlife species, 50 CFR 17.62 for endangered plant species, and 50 CFR 17.72 for threatened plant species.

The ESA requires that we invite public comment before issuing these permits. Accordingly, we invite local, State, Tribal, and Federal agencies, and the public to submit written data, views, or arguments with respect to these applications. The comments and recommendations that will be most useful and likely to influence agency decisions are those supported by quantitative information or studies. Proposed activities in the following permit requests are for the recovery and enhancement of propagation or survival of the species in the wild.

Written comments we receive become part of the administrative record associated with this action. Before including your address, phone number, email address, or other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment—including your personal identifying information—may be made publicly available at any time. While you can ask us in your comment to withhold your personal identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so. All submissions from organizations or businesses, and from individuals identifying themselves as representatives or officials of organizations or businesses, will be made available for public disclosure in their entirety.

If we decide to issue a permit to an applicant listed in this notice, we will publish a notice in the Federal Register .

We publish this notice under section 10(c) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq. ).

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), have received three applications for incidental take permits (ITPs) under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA; 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq. ). The applicants have developed draft habitat conservation plans (HCPs) for the respective projects that include measures to mitigate and avoid/minimize impacts to the federally threatened Morro shoulderband snail ( Helminthoglypta walkeriana ). Each of the permits, if granted, would authorize take of the Morro shoulderband snail incidental to otherwise lawful activities associated with construction of single-family residences within the community of Los Osos in San Luis Obispo County, California. In addition, two of the HCPs anticipate impacts to the federally threatened Morro manzanita ( Arctostaphylos morroensis ). The Service prepared three draft screening forms in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA; 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq. ) to evaluate the potential effects to the natural and human environment resulting from issuing the ITPs and implementing the draft HCPs, in order to determine if the actions fit within the criteria for categorical exclusions under NEPA. We invite public comment on all of these documents.

The Service listed the Morro manzanita as threatened on December 15, 1994 (59 FR 64613), and listed the Morro shoulderband snail as endangered on December 15, 1994 (65 FR 64613), and reclassified the Morro shoulderband snail from endangered to threatened on February 3, 2022 (87 FR 6063). Section 9 of the ESA prohibits “take” of fish and wildlife species listed as endangered (16 U.S.C. 1538), where take is defined to include the following activities: “to harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture, or collect, or to attempt to engage in any such conduct” (16 U.S.C. 1532). The take prohibitions of section 9 are extended to species listed as threatened at the discretion of the Secretary of the Department of the Interior, and were extended to Morro shoulderband snail with exceptions. The Service published a 4(d) rule that includes exceptions to incidental take associated with native habitat enhancement and fire reduction activities (87 FR 6063).

Under section 10(a)(1)(B) of the ESA (16 U.S.C. 1539(a)(1)(B)), we may issue permits to authorize take of listed fish and wildlife species that is incidental to, and not the purpose of, carrying out an otherwise lawful activity. Regulations governing incidental take permits for endangered and threatened species are in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) at 50 CFR 17.22 and 17.32, respectively. Issuance of an ITP also must not jeopardize the existence of federally listed fish, wildlife, or plant species, pursuant to section 7 of the ESA and 50 CFR 402.02. The permittee would receive assurances under our “No Surprises” regulations (50 CFR 17.22(b)(5) and 17.32(b)(5)).

Each applicant has applied for a permit for incidental take of the Morro shoulderband snail. The take would occur in association with activities associated with development of single-family residences and ancillary features on lots zoned for residential use within the community of Los Osos in San Luis Obispo County, California.

The respective HCPs include avoidance and minimization measures for the Morro shoulderband snail and mitigation for unavoidable loss of habitat that is occupied by the species. As mitigation for the loss of suitable habitat, the applicants propose mitigation that will support the recovery goals of the species such as restoration and protection of habitat.

Before including your address, phone number, email address, or other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment, including your personal identifying information, may be made publicly available at any time. While you can ask us in your comment to withhold your personal identifying information from public view, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so.

We provide this notice under section 10(c) of the Endangered Species Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq. ) and its implementing regulations (50 CFR 17.22 and 17.32) and National Environmental Policy Act (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq. ) and its implementing regulations (40 CFR 1506.6).