The Department's Regulation

The Department's procedures for the conduct of sunset reviews are set forth in 19 CFR 351.218. Guidance on methodological or analytical issues relevant to the Department's conduct of sunset reviews is set forth in the Department's Policy Bulletin 98:3— Policies Regarding the Conduct of Five-year (“Sunset”) Reviews of Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Orders; Policy Bulletin, 63 FR 18871 (April 16, 1998) (“ Sunset Policy Bulletin ”).

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

On December 4, 2002, the Department of Commerce (the Department) and certain growers/exporters of fresh tomatoes from Mexico signed a new agreement suspending the antidumping duty investigation on imports of fresh tomatoes from Mexico. See Suspension of Antidumping Investigation: Fresh Tomatoes from Mexico, 67 FR 77044 (December 16, 2002) (the 2002 Agreement). As a means of preventing price suppression or undercutting with respect to the sale of domestic tomatoes in accordance with section 734(c)(1)(A) of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (the Act), the 2002 Agreement provides for the implementation of reference prices below which the signatory producers/exporters agree not to sell the subject merchandise. As specified in section IV.G of the 2002 Agreement, the Department agreed to conduct an analysis of the reference prices in order to evaluate whether the 2002 Agreement fulfills the requirements of section 734(c)(1)(A) of the Act. Based on our findings, we have determined that it is appropriate to increase the reference price for the winter season (October 23 through June 30) from $0.2108 per pound to $0.2169 per pound. The reference price for the summer season (July 1 through October 22) will remain at $0.172 per pound.

The new reference price for the winter season of $0.2169 per pound is effective November 1, 2003. The new box-weight chart, which reflects a new reference price for the winter season applied to common box types that are shipped from Mexico to the United States, can be viewed at the following URL: http://www.ia.ita.doc.gov/tomato/new-agreement/documents/boxweightchart.html.

After publication of the 2002 Agreement the Department received several requests for clarification and it identified certain ministerial errors in the 2002 Agreement. On May 21, 2003, the Department released proposed clarifications and corrections to interested parties and invited them to comment. The signatories of the 2002 Agreement filed comments on May 30, 2003, proposing several modifications. No other party commented on the proposed clarification and corrections.

After reviewing the comments, the Department has decided to make the following clarifications and corrections to the 2002 Agreement:

1. To correct a ministerial error in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section, the telephone number for Janis Kalnins should be (202) 482-1392.

2. To correct a typographical error, the first sentence of section A.2. of Appendix B should read as follows:

When normal value is based on constructed value, the Department will compute constructed values (CVs) for each growing season based on the sum of each respondent's growing costs for each type of tomato plus amounts for selling, general, and administrative expenses (SG&A).

3. To correct a typographical error, the current URL of the website identified in the second sentence of the third paragraph of Appendix C, the last sentence of the fifth paragraph of Appendix D, the third sentence of the last paragraph of Appendix E, and the third sentence of number four of Appendix F is: http://ia.ita.doc.gov/tomato/new-agreement/documents/suggested_forms.

4. To correct a ministerial error, the third sentence of section A.2. of Appendix D should read as follows:

For purposes of this Agreement, a condition defect is any condition defect listed in the chart in part A.5. below.

5. Appendix D, section A.5. should read as follows:

Under this Agreement, adjustments to the sales price of signatory tomatoes will be permitted only for condition defects. The term “condition defect” is intended to have the same definition recognized by the Fresh Products Branch of the United States Department of Agriculture, with the exception of abnormal coloring, and, therefore, covers the following items:

6. To ensure consistency with the actual entry documentation currently used by Canadian Customs, the Department will interpret the parenthetical reference to “Landing Form” as referring to Form B3 or the Canada Customs Coding Form.

7. To correct a typographical error, the title of Appendix F should read as follows:

Appendix F—Suspension of Antidumping Investigation—Fresh Tomatoes From Mexico—Procedure Signatories Must Follow for Selling Subject Merchandise for Processing.

On October 22, 2002, the Department of Commerce (the “Department”) published a countervailing duty order on carbon and certain alloy steel wire rod from Canada. See Notice of Countervailing Duty Orders: Carbon and Certain Alloy Steel Wire Rod from Brazil and Canada , 67 FR 64871 (October 22, 2002). On October 1, 2003, the Department received a request from Georgetown Steel Company (formerly GS Industries), Gerdau Ameristeel U.S. Inc. (formerly Co-Steel Raritan), Keystone Consolidated Industries, Inc., and North Star Steel Texas, Inc., the petitioners in the original investigation, that the Department initiate a changed circumstances review for purposes of revoking the countervailing duty (“CVD”) order. Also the petitioners request that, upon revocation of the CVD order, the Department fully refund any countervailing duties deposited pursuant to the order. The petitioners state that they are no longer interested in maintaining the countervailing duty order or in the imposition of CVD duties on the subject merchandise.

The merchandise covered by this review is certain hot-rolled products of carbon steel and alloy steel, in coils, of approximately round cross section, 5.00 mm or more, but less than 19.00 mm, in solid cross-sectional diameter.

Specifically excluded are steel products possessing the above-noted physical characteristics and meeting the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (“HTSUS”) definitions for (a) stainless steel; (b) tool steel; (c) high nickel steel; (d) ball bearing steel; and (e) concrete reinforcing bars and rods. Also excluded are (f) free machining steel products ( i.e. , products that contain by weight one or more of the following elements: 0.03 percent or more of lead, 0.05 percent or more of bismuth, 0.08 percent or more of sulfur, more than 0.04 percent of phosphorus, more than 0.05 percent of selenium, or more than 0.01 percent of tellurium).

Also excluded from the scope are 1080 grade tire cord quality wire rod and 1080 grade tire bead quality wire rod. Grade 1080 tire cord quality rod is defined as: (i) Grade 1080 tire cord quality wire rod measuring 5.0 mm or more but not more than 6.0 mm in cross-sectional diameter; (ii) with an average partial decarburization of no more than 70 microns in depth (maximum individual 200 microns); (iii) having no inclusions greater than 20 microns; (iv) having a carbon segregation per heat average of 3.0 or better using European Method NFA 04-114; (v) having a surface quality with no surface defects of a length greater than 0.15 mm; (vi) capable of being drawn to a diameter of 0.30 mm or less with 3 or fewer breaks per ton, and (vii) containing by weight the following elements in the proportions shown: (1) 0.78 percent or more of carbon, (2) less than 0.01 percent of aluminum, (3) 0.040 percent or less, in the aggregate, of phosphorus and sulfur, (4) 0.006 percent or less of nitrogen, and (5) not more than 0.15 percent, in the aggregate, of copper, nickel and chromium.

Grade 1080 tire bead quality rod is defined as: (i) Grade 1080 tire bead quality wire rod measuring 5.5 mm or more but not more than 7.0 mm in cross-sectional diameter; (ii) with an average partial decarburization of no more than 70 microns in depth (maximum individual 200 microns); (iii) having no inclusions greater than 20 microns; (iv) having a carbon segregation per heat average of 3.0 or better using European Method NFA 04-114; (v) having a surface quality with no surface defects of a length greater than 0.2 mm; (vi) capable of being drawn to a diameter of 0.78 mm or larger with 0.5 or fewer breaks per ton; and (vii) containing by weight the following elements in the proportions shown: (1) 0.78 percent or more of carbon, (2) less than 0.01 percent of soluble aluminum, (3) 0.040 percent or less, in the aggregate, of phosphorus and sulfur, (4) 0.008 percent or less of nitrogen, and (5) either not more than 0.15 percent, in the aggregate, of copper, nickel and chromium (if chromium is not specified), or not more than 0.10 percent in the aggregate of copper and nickel and a chromium content of 0.24 to 0.30 percent (if chromium is specified).

The designation of the products as “tire cord quality” or “tire bead quality” indicates the acceptability of the product for use in the production of tire cord, tire bead, or wire for use in other rubber reinforcement applications such as hose wire. These quality designations are presumed to indicate that these products are being used in tire cord, tire bead, and other rubber reinforcement applications, and such merchandise intended for the tire cord, tire bead, or other rubber reinforcement applications is not included in the scope. However, should petitioners or other interested parties provide a reasonable basis to believe or suspect that there exists a pattern of importation of such products for other than those applications, end-use certification for the importation of such products may be required. Under such circumstances, only the importers of record would normally be required to certify the end use of the imported merchandise.

All products meeting the physical description of subject merchandise that are not specifically excluded are included in this scope.

The products under investigation are currently classifiable under subheadings 7213.91.3010, 7213.91.3090, 7213.91.4510, 7213.91.4590, 7213.91.6010, 7213.91.6090, 7213.99.0031, 7213.99.0038, 7213.99.0090, 7227.20.0010, 7227.20.0020, 7227.20.0090, 7227.20.0095, 7227.90.6051, 7227.90.6053, 7227.90.6058, and 7227.90.6059 of the HTSUS. Although the HTSUS subheadings are provided for convenience and customs purposes, the written description of the scope of this proceeding is dispositive.

Section 751(d)(1) of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (the “Act”), and 19 CFR 351.222(g) of the Department's regulations, provide that the Department may revoke an antidumping or countervailing duty order, in whole or in part, after conducting a changed circumstances review pursuant to section 751(b) of the Act and concluding from the available information that changed circumstances exist sufficient to warrant revocation or termination. The Department may conclude that changed circumstances sufficient to warrant revocation (in whole or in part) exist when producers accounting for substantially all of the production of the domestic like product to which the order pertains have expressed a lack of interest in the order, in whole or in part. See section 782(h)(2) of the Act and § 351.222(g)(1) of the Department's regulations.

The petitioners state that they are producers of carbon and certain alloy steel wire rod but do not identify the percentage of production of the domestic like product they represent. At present, the Department has no information on the record that the other known domestic producers of wire rod have no interest in maintaining the countervailing duty order with respect to the subject merchandise imported from Canada. In particular, the Department does not have information on the record of this changed circumstances review that the petitioners account for substantially all, or at least 85 percent, of the production of the domestic like product. See Certain Tin Mill Products From Japan: Final Results of Changed Circumstances Review, 66 FR 52109 (October 12, 2001); see also, 19 CFR 351.208(c). Accordingly, we are not combining this initiation with a preliminary determination, pursuant to 19 CFR 351.221(c)(3)(ii). This notice of initiation will accord all interested parties an opportunity to address this proposed revocation.

Pursuant to section 751(b)(1) of the Act, the Department will conduct a changed circumstances review upon receipt of information concerning, or a request from an interested party of, a countervailing duty order which shows changed circumstances sufficient to warrant a review of the order. Pursuant to section 751(b)(4) of the Act, the Department finds the petitioners' statement that no further interest exists in continuing the order with respect to carbon and certain alloy steel wire rod from Canada serves as good cause to review a determination that was made less than 24 months after the date of publication of notice of that determination. Therefore, in accordance with section 751(b)(1) of the Act, we are initiating a changed circumstances review based upon the request made by the petitioners.

If, as a result of this review, we revoke the order, we intend to instruct the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (“CBP”) to liquidate without regard to applicable countervailing duties, and refund any estimated countervailing duties collected on, all unliquidated entries of the merchandise subject to the order, as described above under the “Scope of the Review” section, entered, or withdrawn from warehouse, for consumption on or after February 8, 2002, i.e. , the publication date of the Department's preliminary determination ( see Preliminary Affirmative Countervailing Duty Determination: Carbon and Certain Alloy Steel Wire Rod from Canada, 67 FR 5984). We will also instruct CBP to pay interest on such refunds with respect to the subject merchandise entered, or withdrawn from warehouse, for consumption on or after October 22, 2002, in accordance with section 778 of the Act. The current requirement for a cash deposit of estimated countervailing duties on the subject merchandise will continue unless, and until, we publish a final determination to revoke in whole.

Interested parties are invited to comment on the initiation of this changed circumstances review. Parties who submit argument in this proceeding are requested to submit with the argument (1) a statement of the issue, and (2) a brief summary of the argument. All written comments may be submitted by interested parties not later than 14 days after the date of publication of this notice in accordance with 19 CFR 351.303, with the exception that only three (3) copies need be served on the Department, and shall be served on all interested parties on the Department's service list in accordance with 19 CFR 351.303.

The Department will publish in the Federal Register a notice of preliminary results of changed circumstances review, in accordance with 19 CFR 351.221(c)(3), which will set forth the factual and legal conclusions upon which our preliminary results are based, and a description of any action proposed based on those results.

This notice is published in accordance with section 751(b)(1) of the Act and sections 351.216 and 351.222 of the Department's regulations.

The purpose of this meeting is to discuss the 2004 recreational management measures for summer flounder, scup, and black sea bass.

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 this meeting. 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 Council's intent to take final action to address the emergency.

This meeting is physically accessible to people with disabilities. Requests for sign language interpretation or other auxiliary aids should be directed to Joanna Davis at the Mid-Atlantic Council Office (see ADDRESSES ) at least 5 days prior to the meeting date.

The Panel, which consists of a balanced representation from academia, industry, state government and citizens groups, was established in 1976 by section 209 of the Sea Grant Improvement Act (Public Law 94-461, 33 U.S.C. 1128). The Panel advises the Secretary of Commerce and the Director of the National Sea Grant College Program with respect to operations under the Act, and such other matters as the Secretary refers to them for review and advice. The agenda for the meeting is as follows:

This meeting will be open to the public.

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

Type of Review: Reinstatement.

Title: Financial Report for the Endowment Challenge Grant Program.

Frequency: Annually.

Affected Public: Not-for-profit institutions.

Reporting and Recordkeeping Hour Burden:

  Responses: 300.

  Burden Hours: 900.

Abstract: The financial report requires investment data from institutions for the purpose of assessing their progress in increasing their endowment fund resources. The data is also used to monitor compliance with statutory and regulatory provisions.

Requests for copies of the proposed information collection request may be accessed from http://edicsweb.ed.gov, by selecting the “Browse Pending Collections” link and by clicking on link number 2314. When you access the information collection, click on “Download Attachments” to view. Written requests for information should be addressed to Vivian Reese, Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., Room 4050, Regional Office Building 3, Washington, DC 20202-4651 or to the e-mail address vivian_reese@ed.gov. Requests may also be electronically mailed to the Internet address OCIO_RIMG@ed.gov or faxed to 202-708-9346. Please specify the complete title of the information collection when making your request.

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

The President's Board of Advisors on Historically Black Colleges and Universities (Board) is established under Executive Order 13256, dated February 12, 2002. The Board is established (a) to report to the President annually on the results of the participation of historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) in Federal programs, including recommendations on how to increase the private sector role, including the role of private foundations, in strengthening these institutions, with particular emphasis on enhancing institutional planning and development, strengthening fiscal stability and financial management, and improving institutional infrastructure, including the use of technology, to ensure the long-term viability and enhancement of these institutions; (b) to advise the President and the Secretary of Education (Secretary) on the needs of HBCUs in the areas of infrastructure, academic programs, and faculty and institutional development; (c) to advise the Secretary in the preparation of an annual Federal plan for assistance to HBCUs in increasing their capacity to participate in Federal programs; (d) to provide the President with an annual progress report on enhancing the capacity of HBCUs to serve their students; and (e) to develop, in consultation with the Department of Education and other Federal agencies, a private sector strategy to assist HBCUs.

The purposes of the meeting are to report on the status of recommendations made by the Board at the May 28, 2003 meeting; to discuss reauthorization of the Higher Education Act and plans and reports from the Private Sector Initiative; to consider the Board's annual report to the President on the results of the participation of HBCUs in Federal programs; and to address other critical issues facing HBCUs.

Individuals who will need accommodations for a disability in order to attend the meeting ( e.g., interpreting services, assistive listening devices, or material in alternative format) should notify ReShone Moore at (202) 502-7893 no later than November 26, 2003. We will attempt to meet requests for accommodations after this date but cannot guarantee their availability. The meeting site is accessible to individuals with disabilities.

An opportunity for public comment is available on December 16, 2003, between 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. Those members of the public interested in submitting written comments may do so at the address indicated above by Monday, December 1, 2003.

Records are kept of all Board proceedings and are available for public inspection at the Office of the White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities, U.S. Department of Education, 1990 K Street, NW., Washington, DC 20006, during the hours of 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Purpose of the Board: The purpose of the Board is to make recommendations to DOE and its regulators in the areas of future use, cleanup levels, waste disposition and cleanup priorities at the INEEL.

Tentative Agenda: The tentative objectives for the meeting include:

• To discuss a consensus recommendation addressing the End State Vision for the INEEL

• To receive a presentation about investigations being conducted for the Remedial Investigation and Baseline Risk Assessment for Waste Area Group 7 Pits and Trenches, followed by CAB discussion of reactions and concerns

• To receive a presentation of the status of the Pit 9 Stage II excavation

• To receive a presentation on the $800K Trust Fund established as part of the Settlement Agreement

• To receive a status report addressing the Environmental Management Program, implementation of the Performance Management Plan for Accelerating Cleanup at the INEEL, and compliance with the Idaho Settlement Agreement

• Receive a status report on shipments to the Waste Isolation Pilot plant, followed by CAB discussion of reactions and concerns

• Receive a presentation on the Water Integration Project's Science and Technology Strategies and Source Term Conceptual Model Summary

• Receive a presentation on the Calendar Year 2002 Annual Site Environmental Report and provide feedback to DOE on how to communicate with the public on this topic

• Review and decide whether to act on proposed amendments to the INEEL CAB's Procedures

• Discuss strategies for conducting new member recruitment efforts

Opportunities for public participation will be held Tuesday, November 18 from 12:15—12:45 and 5:45 to 6 p.m. and on November 19 from 11:45 a.m. to 12 noon and 3:30 to 3:45 p.m. Additional time may be made available for public comment during the presentations.

These times are subject to change as the meeting progresses, depending on the extent of comment offered. Please check with the meeting facilitator to confirm these times.

Public Participation: This meeting is open to the public. Written statements may be filed with the Board facilitator either before or after the meeting. Individuals who wish to make oral presentations pertaining to agenda items should contact the Board Chair at the address or telephone number listed above. Request must be received five days prior to the meeting and reasonable provision will be made to include the presentation in the agenda. The Deputy Designated Federal Officer, Jerry Bowman, Assistant Manager for Laboratory Development, Idaho Operations Office, U.S. Department of Energy is empowered to conduct the meeting in a fashion that will facilitate the orderly conduct of business. Every individual wishing to make public comment will be provided equal time to present their comments. Additional time may be made available for public comment during the presentations.

Minutes: The minutes of this meeting will be available for public review and copying at the Freedom of Information Public Reading Room, 1E-190, Forrestal Building, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20585 between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday except Federal holidays. Minutes will also be available by writing to Ms. Peggy Hinman, INEEL CAB Administrator, at the address and phone number listed above.

1. Docket. EPA has established official public dockets for these ICRs as follows:

(1) NESHAP for Aerospace Manufacturing and Rework Facilities (40 CFR Part 63, Subpart GG), Docket ID Number OECA-2003-0146.

(2) Standards of Performance for Air Emission Standards for Tanks, Surface Impoundments and Containers (40 CFR Part 264, Subpart CC, and 40 CFR Part 265, Subpart CC), Docket ID Number OECA 2003-0142.

(3) NSPS for Stationary Gas Turbines (40 CFR Part 60, Subpart GG), Docket ID Number OECA 2003-0143.

(4) NESHAP for Benzene Emissions from Coke By-Product Recovery Plants (40 CFR Part 61, Subpart L), Docket ID Number OECA 2003-0144;

(5) NSPS for VOC Emissions from Petroleum Refinery Wastewater Systems (40 CFR Part 60, Subpart QQQ, Docket ID Number OECA 2003-0145.

(6) NESHAP for Beryllium (40 CFR Part 61, Subpart C), Docket ID Number OECA-2003-0138.

(7) NESHAP for Primary Aluminum Reduction Plants (40 CFR Part 63, Subpart LL), Docket ID Number OECA-2003-0139.

(8) NESHAP for Epoxy Resin and Non-Nylon Polyamide Production (40 CFR Part 63, Subpart W), Docket ID Number OECA-2003-0140.

(9) NSPS for Sewage Sludge Treatment Plants (40 CFR Part 60, Subpart O), Docket ID Number OECA-2003-0141.

The official public docket for each ICR consists of the documents specifically referenced in the ICR, any public comments received, and other information related to each ICR. Although a part of the official docket, the public docket does not include Confidential Business Information (CBI) or other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. The official public docket for each ICR is the collection of materials that is available for public viewing at the Enforcement and Compliance Docket and Information Center in the EPA Docket Center (EPA/DC), EPA West, Room B102, 1301 Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC. The EPA Docket Center Public Reading Room is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays. The telephone number for the Reading Room is (202) 566-1744, and the telephone number for the Enforcement and Compliance Docket and Information Center Docket is (202) 566-1514.

2. Electronic Access. You may access this document electronically through the EPA Internet under the “ Federal Register ” listings at http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/. You may use EPA Dockets at http://www.epa.gov/edocket/ to submit or view public comments, access the index listing of the contents of the official public docket, and to access those documents in the public docket that are available electronically. After entering the system, select “search,” then key in the docket identification number.

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

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

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

For additional information about EPA's electronic public docket, visit EPA Dockets online or see 67 FR 38102, May 31, 2002.

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

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

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

ii. E-mail. Comments may be sent by electronic mail (e-mail) to docket.oeca@epa.gov. Provide the Docket ID Number when submitting your comments. In contrast to EPA's electronic public docket, EPA's e-mail system is not an “anonymous access” system. If you send an e-mail comment directly to the Docket without going through EPA's electronic public docket, EPA's e-mail system automatically captures your e-mail address. E-mail addresses that are automatically captured by EPA's e-mail system are included as part of the comment that is placed in the official public docket, and made available in EPA's electronic public docket.

iii. Disk or CD-ROM. You may submit comments on a disk or CD-ROM that you mail to the mailing address identified in Section I.A.1. These electronic submissions will be accepted in WordPerfect or ASCII file format. Avoid the use of special characters and any form of encryption.

2. By Mail. Send your comments to the EPA Docket Center using the address provided in Section I.A.1.; Attention: Docket ID Number (provide number).

3. By Hand Delivery or Courier Service. Deliver your comments to address provided in Section I.A.1; Attention: Docket ID Number (provide number). Such deliveries are only accepted during the Docket's normal hours of operation as identified in Section I.A.1.

Do not submit information that you consider to be CBI electronically through EPA's electronic public docket or by e-mail. Send or deliver information identified as CBI only to the contact individuals listed in Section II.C.; Attention: Docket ID Number (provide number). You may claim information that you submit to EPA as CBI by marking any part or all of that information as CBI. If you submit CBI on disk or CD ROM, mark the outside of the disk or CD ROM as CBI, and then identify within the disk or CD ROM the specific information that is CBI. Information so marked will not be disclosed except in accordance with procedures set forth in 40 CFR Part 2.

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

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

(1) Explain your views as clearly as possible.

(2) Describe any assumptions that you used.

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

(4) If you estimate potential burden or costs, explain how you arrived at your estimate.

(5) Provide specific examples to illustrate your concerns.

(6) Offer alternatives.

(7) Make sure to submit your comments by the comment period deadline identified.

(8) To ensure proper receipt by EPA, identify the appropriate docket identification number in the subject line on the first page of your response. It would also be helpful if you provided the name, date, and Federal Register citation related to your comments.

Pursuant to section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the PRA, EPA specifically solicits comments and information to enable it to:

(1) Evaluate whether the proposed collections of information are necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Agency, including whether the information will have practical utility.

(2) Evaluate the accuracy of the Agency's estimates of the burdens of the proposed collections of information.

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

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

Burden means the total time, effort, or financial resources expended by persons to generate, maintain, retain, or disclose or provide information to or for a Federal agency. This includes the time needed to review instructions; develop, acquire, install, and utilize technology and systems for the purposes of collecting, validating, and verifying information, processing and maintaining information, and disclosing and providing information; adjust the existing ways to comply with any previously applicable instructions and requirements; train personnel to be able to respond to a collection of information; search data sources; complete and review the collection of information; and transmit or otherwise disclose the information.

An Agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. The OMB control numbers for the Agency's information collections are displayed at 40 CFR Part 9.

These information collection requirements are mandatory. The records required by New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) must be retained by the owner or operator for at least two years, the records required by the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) must be retained by the owner or operator for at least five years, and the records required by the air emission standards at 40 CFR Part 264, Subpart CC, and 40 CFR Part 265, Subpart CC, must be retained by the owner for three years. In general, the required information consists of emissions data and other information deemed not to be private.

In the absence of such information collection requirements, enforcement personnel would be unable to determine whether the standards are being met on a continuous basis, as required by the Clean Air Act.

The Agency computed the burden for each of the recordkeeping and reporting requirements applicable to the industry for the currently approved ICRs listed in this notice. Where applicable, the Agency identified specific tasks and made assumptions, while being consistent with the concept of the Paperwork Reduction Act.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq. ), this notice announces that EPA is planning to submit the following nine existing, approved, continuing ICRs to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB):

(1) NESHAP for Aerospace Manufacturing and Rework Facilities (40 CFR Part 63, Subpart GG); Docket ID Number OECA-2003-0146; EPA Preliminary ICR Number 1687.06; OMB Control Number 2060-0314; expiration date May 31, 2004.

(2) Standards of Performance for Air Emission Standards for Tanks, Surface Impoundments and Containers (40 CFR Part 264, Subpart CC, and 40 CFR Part 265, Subpart CC); Docket ID Number OECA 2003-0142; EPA Preliminary ICR Number 1593.06; OMB Control Number 2060-0318; expiration date July 31, 2004.

(3) NSPS Standard of Performance for Stationary Gas Turbines (40 CFR Part 60, Subpart GG); Docket ID Number OECA 2003-0143; EPA Preliminary ICR Number 1071.08; OMB Control Number 2060-0028; expiration date July 31, 2004.

(4) NESHAP for Benzene Emissions from Coke By-Product Recovery Plants (40 CFR Part 61, Subpart L); Docket ID Number OECA 2003-0144; EPA Preliminary ICR Number 1080.11; OMB Control Number 2060-0185; expiration date August 31, 2004.

(5) NSPS for VOC Emissions from Petroleum Refinery Wastewater Systems (40 CFR Part 60, Subpart QQQ); Docket ID Number OECA 2003-0145; EPA Preliminary ICR Number 1136.07; OMB Control Number 2060-0172; expiration date September 30, 2004.

(6) NESHAP for Beryllium (40 CFR Part 61, Subpart C), Docket ID Number OECA-2003-0138; EPA Preliminary ICR Number 0193.08; OMB Control Number 2060-0092; expiration date September 30, 2004.

(7) NESHAP for Primary Aluminum Reduction Plants (40 CFR Part 63, Subpart LL), Docket ID Number OECA-2003-0139; EPA Preliminary ICR Number 1767.04; OMB Control Number 2060-0360; expiration date September 30, 2004.

(8) NESHAP for Epoxy Resin and Non-Nylon Polyamide Production (40 CFR Part 63, Subpart W), Docket ID Number OECA 2003-0140; EPA Preliminary ICR Number 1681.05; OMB Control Number 2060-0290; expiration date September 30, 2004.

(9) NSPS for Sewage Sludge Treatment Plants (40 CFR Part 60, Subpart O), Docket ID Number OECA-2003-0141; EPA Preliminary ICR Number 1063.09; OMB Control Number 2060-0035; expiration date September 30, 2004.

(1) NESHAP for Aerospace Manufacturing and Rework Facilities (40 CFR Part 63, Subpart GG); Leonard Lazarus of the Office of Compliance at (202) 564-6369 or via E-mail at lazarus.leonard@epa.gov ; EPA ICR Number 1687.06; OMB Control Number 2060-0314; expiration date May 31, 2004.

(2) Standards of Performance for Air Emission Standards for Tanks, Surface Impoundments and Containers (40 CFR Part 264, Subpart CC, and 40 CFR Part 265, Subpart CC); Dan Chadwick of the Office of Compliance at (202) 564-7054, or via E-mail at chadwick.dan@epa.gov ; EPA Preliminary ICR Number 1593.06; OMB Control Number 2060-0318; expiration date July 31, 2004.

(3) NSPS for Stationary Gas Turbines (40 CFR Part 60, Subpart GG); Rafael Sanchez of the Office of Compliance at (202) 564-7028, or via E-mail at sanchez.rafael@epa.gov ; EPA Preliminary ICR Number 1071.08; OMB Control Number 2060-0028; expiration date July 31, 2004.

(4) NESHAP for Benzene Emissions from Coke By-Product Recovery Plants (40 CFR Part 61, Subpart L); Rafael Sanchez of the Office of Compliance at (202) 564-7028, or via E-mail at sanchez.rafael@epa.gov ; EPA Preliminary ICR Number 1080.11; OMB Control Number 2060-0185; expiration date August 31, 2004.

(5) NSPS for VOC Emissions from Petroleum Refinery Wastewater Systems (40 CFR Part 60, Subpart QQQ); Dan Chadwick of the Office of Compliance at (202) 564-7054, or via E-mail at chadwick.dan@epa.gov ; EPA Preliminary ICR Number 1136.07; OMB Control Number 2060-0172; expiration date September 30, 2004.

(6) NESHAP for Beryllium (40 CFR Part 61, Subpart C); Learia Williams of the Office of Compliance at (202) 564-4113 or via E-mail at williams.learia@epa.gov ; EPA ICR Number 0193.08; OMB Control Number 2060-0092; expiration date September 30, 2004.

(7) NESHAP for Primary Aluminum Reduction Plants (40 CFR Part 63, Subpart LL); Learia Williams of the Office of Compliance at (202) 564-4113 or via E-mail at williams.learia@epa.gov ; EPA ICR Number 1767.04; OMB Control Number 2060-0360; expiration date September 30, 2004.

(8) NESHAP for Epoxy Resin and Non-Nylon Polyamide Production (40 CFR Part 63, Subpart W); Learia Williams of the Office of Compliance at (202) 564-4113 or via E-mail at williams.learia@epa.gov ; EPA ICR Number 1681.05; OMB Control Number 2060-0290; expiration date September 30, 2004.

(9) NSPS for Sewage Sludge Treatment Plants (40 CFR Part 60, Subpart O); Learia Williams of the Office of Compliance at (202) 564-4113 or via E-mail at williams.learia@epa.gov ; EPA ICR Number 1063.09; OMB Control Number 2060-0035; expiration date September 30, 2004.

(1) NESHAP for Aerospace Manufacturing and Rework Facilities (40 CFR Part 63, Subpart GG), EPA Preliminary ICR Number 1687.06, OMB Control Number 2060-0314, expiration date May 31, 2004.

Affected Entities: Entities potentially affected by this action are owners and operators of aerospace manufacturing or rework facilities.

Abstract: The respondents are owners or operators of aerospace manufacturing and rework facilities. Operations covered include: Cleaning, primer and top coat application, depainting, chemical milling maskant application, handling and storage of waste. 40 CFR Part 63 Subpart GG, was promulgated on September 1, 1996.

Affected facilities must comply with the recordkeeping and reporting requirements at 40 CFR Part 63, General Provisions, including: Initial notifications; performance tests; and startup, shutdown, and malfunction reports. In addition, semiannual reports are required for cleaning operations, primer and topcoat application operations, depainting operations, and chemical milling maskant application operations primarily involve periods of noncompliance. Annual reports are also required for primer and topcoat application operations and depainting operations, and for operations occurring outside the specified limits.

Burden Statement: In the previously approved ICR, the estimated number of respondents for this information collection was 2,869 with 16,402 responses per year. The annual industry reporting and recordkeeping burden for this collection of information was 3,737,400 hours. On the average, each respondent reported six times per year and 228 hours were spent preparing each response. Total estimated annual reporting and recordkeeping cost burden was $561,000 of which the annualized capital/startup costs were $240,000, and the operation and maintenance costs were $321,000.

(2) Standards of Performance for Air Emission Standards for Tanks, Surface Impoundments and Containers (40 CFR Part 264, Subpart CC, and 40 CFR Part 265, Subpart CC); EPA Preliminary ICR Number 1593.06; OMB Control Number 2060-0318; expiration date July 31, 2004.

Affected Entities: Entities potentially affected by this action are owners and operators of facilities that treat, store or dispose of hazardous waste in tanks, surface impoundments and containers.

Abstract: The Air Emission Standards for Tanks, Surface Impoundments and Containers at 40 CFR Part 264, Subpart CC and 40 CFR Part 265, Subpart CC were proposed on July 22, 1991 (56 FR 33491), and promulgated on December 6, 1994 (59 FR 62896). Amendments to this Subpart were added on November 25, 1996 (61 FR 59931).

Records must be kept of tank, surface impoundment and container inspections and an annual report is required. The information collection is needed by the Agency to determine: (a) Whether a hazardous waste contains sufficiently low concentrations of volatile organics to allow the waste to be managed in a tank, surface impoundment, or container without the use of emission controls, and (b) for units requiring emission controls, whether the controls are being properly operated and maintained.

The data collected by the affected facility is retained at the facility for a minimum of three years.

Burden Statement: In the previously approved ICR, the estimated number of respondents for this information collection was 6,318 with 6,318 responses per year. The annual industry reporting and recordkeeping burden for this collection of information was 672,640 hours. Each respondent reported once per year and 106 hours were spent preparing each response. The annual reporting and recordkeeping cost burden was $1,460,000 for capital/startup expenses. There were no annual operation and maintenance expenses.

(3) NSPS Standard of Performance for Stationary Gas Turbines (40 CFR Part 60, Subpart GG); EPA Preliminary ICR Number 1071.08; OMB Control Number 2060-0028; expiration date July 31, 2004.

Affected Entities: Entities potentially affected by this action are owners and operators of stationary gas turbines with heat input at peak load equal or greater than 10.7 gigajoules per hour.

Abstract: The NSPS for Stationary Gas Turbines (40 CFR Part 60, Subpart GG) was promulgated on September 10, 1979. These standards require initial notification, performance tests, and periodic reports. In addition, owners or operators are required to maintain records of the occurrence and duration of any startup, shutdown, or malfunction in the operation of an affected facility, or any period during which the monitoring system is inoperative. Owners and operators of stationary gas turbines subject to the standard must submit a one-time-only notification of construction/reconstruction, anticipated and actual startup date, initial performance test date, physical or operational changes, and demonstration of a continuous monitoring system. Owners and operators also must provide a report on initial performance test results, monitoring results and excess emissions. Records must be maintained of startups, shutdowns, malfunctions, periods when the continuous monitoring system is inoperative, sulfur and nitrogen content of the fuel, fuel-to-water ratio, and rate of fuel consumption.

Burden Statement: In the previously approved ICR, the estimated number of respondents for this information collection was 775 with 1,650 responses per year. The annual industry reporting and recordkeeping burden for this collection of information was 93,439 hours. On the average, each respondent reported two times per year and 57 hours were spent preparing each response. The responses were prepared semiannually. There were no capital/startup costs or operation and maintenance costs associated with continuous emission monitoring in the previous ICR.

(4) NESHAP for Benzene Emissions from Coke By-Product Recovery Plants (40 CFR Part 61, Subpart L); EPA Preliminary ICR Number 1080.11; OMB Control Number 2060-0185; expiration date August 31, 2004.

Affected Entities: Entities potentially affected by this action are owners or operators of coke by-product recovery plants.

Abstract: The NESHAP Standard for Benzene Emissions from Coke By-Product Recovery Plants (40 CFR Part 61, Subpart L) was promulgated September 14, 1989, and revised on September 19, 1991, to allow the use of carbon absorbers and vapor incinerators as alternative means of complying with the standards for process vessels, storage tanks and tar-intercepting sumps. The use of carbon absorbers and vapor incinerators instead of gas blanketing, the control technology on which the original standards were based, is now optional.

The General Provisions at 40 CFR Part 61 are applicable to storage vessels and include notification of construction or reconstruction, initial source report, notification of physical/operational changes, and notification of the anticipated and actual startup dates. The initial source report is the only report that was required from existing sources. Owners or operators of vessels equipped with the specified controls are required to submit, along with the notifications required by the General Provisions, a report that describes the control equipment used to comply with the standard. Owners or operators of the affected facilities described must also make the following one-time-only reports: Notification of construction or modification; notification of the anticipated and actual dates of startup; initial compliance reports; notification of emission tests; report following an emission test; and notification of a monitoring system performance test. In addition, sources are required to maintain records of the occurrence and duration of any startup, shutdown, or malfunction in the operation of an affected facility, or any period during which the monitoring system is inoperative. These notifications, reports and records are required, in general, of all sources subject to any NESHAP.

Reporting requirements specific to benzene coke by-product recovery plants include a semiannual report by affected facilities. The semiannual reports include results of leak monitoring and performance tests. Respondents also are required to submit semiannual reports of measurements for sources subject to a no detectable emissions limit and semiannual reports summarizing the results of the leak detection and repair programs implemented at the plant. One report would incorporate information for both process equipment and fugitive sources.

Recordkeeping and reporting requirements specific to benzene coke by-product recovery plants for leak detection and repair of fugitive emission sources are those provisions specified under 40 CFR 61, Subpart V. The collections under Subpart V for equipment leaks were approved by OMB under the ICR at OMB Control Number 2060-0068. The only difference in the equipment leak requirements of Subpart V and this standard relates to the exhausters. Exhausters are subject to quarterly monitoring requirements. However, quarterly monitoring is not required if the exhauster is equipped with a seal system that has a barrier fluid, the exhauster seal is loaded and vented to a control device, or a leakless exhauster is used. Exhausters are subject to the same recordkeeping and reporting provisions as other equipment subject to Subpart V.

Burden Statement: In the previously approved ICR, the estimated number of respondents for this information collection was 40 with 76 responses per year. The annual industry reporting and recordkeeping burden for this collection of information was 7,083 hours. On the average, each respondent reported two times per year and 93 hours were spent preparing each response. There were no capital/startup costs or operation and maintenance costs associated with the previous ICR. It should be noted that the burden associated with the standard at 40 CFR Part 61, Subpart Y, will not be included in the forthcoming ICR, but has been consolidated with ICR 1854, OMB Control Number 2060-0443. This will reduce the overall burden for this ICR.

(4) NSPS for VOC Emissions from Petroleum Refinery Wastewater Systems (40 CFR Part 60, Subpart QQQ); EPA Preliminary ICR Number 1136.07; OMB Control Number 2060-0172; expiration date September 30, 2004.

Affected Entities: Entities potentially affected by this action are owners or operators of petroleum refinery wastewater systems.

Abstract: The NSPS for VOC Emissions From Petroleum Refinery Wastewater Systems (40 CFR Part 60, Subpart QQQ) were proposed on May 4, 1987, and promulgated on November 23, 1988. These standards apply to refinery wastewater systems: individual drain systems, oil-water separators, and aggregate facilities commencing construction, modification or reconstruction after the date of proposal.

Owners or operators of the affected facilities must make initial notification and maintain records of the occurrence and duration of any startup, shutdown, or malfunction in the operation of an affected facility, or any period during which the monitoring system is inoperative. The notifications, reports and records are required, in general, of all sources subject to NSPS standards.

Burden Statement: In the previously approved ICR, the estimated number of respondents for this information collection was 160 with 320 responses per year. The annual industry reporting and recordkeeping burden for this collection of information was 36,866 hours. On the average, each respondent reported two times per year and 115 hours were spent preparing each response. The responses were prepared semiannually. The annual reporting and recordkeeping cost burden was $57,000, of which the capital/startup costs were $1,000 and the operation and maintenance costs were $56,000.

(6) NESHAP for Beryllium (40 CFR Part 61, Subpart C); EPA Preliminary ICR Number 0193.08; OMB Control Number 2060-0092; expiration date September 30, 2004.

Affected Entities: Entities potentially affected by this action are extraction plants, ceramic plants, foundries, incinerators, and propellant plants which process beryllium ore, beryllium, beryllium oxide, beryllium alloys, or beryllium-containing waste, also machine shops which process beryllium, beryllium oxides, or any alloy when such alloy contains more than five percent beryllium by weight.

Abstract: The NESHAP for Beryllium was proposed on December 7, 1971 (36 FR 23939) and promulgated on April 6, 1973 (38 FR 8826). The monitoring, recordkeeping, and reporting requirements outlined in the standard are similar to those required for other NESHAP standards.

Owners or operators of the affected facilities are required to submit one-time-only notifications including: notification of any physical or operational change to an existing facility which may increase the regulated pollutant emission rate, notification of the initial performance test, including information necessary to determine the conditions of the performance test, and performance test measurements and results.

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

Specifically, most facilities subject to 40 CFR Part 61, Subpart C will meet the standard by means of a one-time-only initial stack test. However, those existing facilities that have elected to comply with an alternative ambient air quality limit are required to operate a continuous monitor in the vicinity of the affected facility. For those complying by ambient monitoring, a monthly report of all measured concentrations shall be submitted to the Administrator. All sources subject to this standard are required to submit monthly reports and on-occasion.

Burden Statement: In the most previously approved ICR, the estimated number of respondents for this information collection was 33 with 166 responses per year, and the annual industry reporting and recordkeeping burden for this collection of information was 2,232 hours. On the average, each respondent reported five times per year and spent 13.4 hours preparing each response.

The total annualized cost over its expected useful life is approximately $35,000, which is comprised of zero capital/startup costs and operation and maintenance costs of approximately $35,000. It is estimated that no additional sources are expected to become subject to the standard over the next three years.

(7) NESHAP for Primary Aluminum Reduction Plants (40 CFR Part 63, Subpart LL); EPA Preliminary ICR Number 1767.04; OMB Control Number 2060-0360; expiration date September 30, 2004.

Affected Entities: Entities potentially affected by this action are new or existing potlines, paste production plants, or anode bake furnaces associated with primary aluminum production and located at a major source, and for each new pitch storage tank associated with a primary aluminum reduction plant.

Abstract: The NESHAP for Primary Aluminum Reduction Plants (40 CFR Part 63, Subpart LL), was proposed on September 26, 1996, and promulgated on October 7, 1997.

In general, all NESHAP standards require initial notifications, performance tests, and periodic reports according to the general provisions specified in 40 CFR Part 63, Subpart A. Owners or operators are also required to maintain records of the occurrence and duration of any startup, shutdown, or malfunction in the operation of an affected facility, or any period during which the monitoring system is inoperative. Section 63.850 of the final standard includes these provisions, except that the existing performance specifications for continuous emission monitors (CEMs) are not applicable to hydrogen fluoride CEMs because such specifications have not yet been developed for that device. In addition, all sources are required to submit quarterly and semiannual reports.

Burden Statement: In the most previously approved ICR, the estimated number of respondents for the information collection was 23 with 50 responses per year, and the annual industry reporting and recordkeeping burden for this collection of information was 121,277 hours. On the average, each respondent reported two times per year and spent 2,416 hours preparing each response.

The total annualized cost over its expected useful life is approximately $117,000, which is comprised of zero capital/startup costs and operation and maintenance costs of approximately $117,000. It is estimated that no new sources per year will become subject to the standard, but one existing source per year will add a new affected facility.

(8) NESHAP for Epoxy Resin and Non-Nylon Polyamide Production (40 CFR Part 63, Subpart W); EPA Preliminary ICR Number 1681.05; OMB Control Number 2060-0290; expiration date September 30, 2004.

Affected Entities: Entities potentially affected by this action are all existing, new, and reconstructed manufacturers of basic liquid epoxy resins and epichlorohydrin-modified non-nylon polyamide resins, also known as wet strength resins.

Abstract: The NESHAP for Epoxy Resin and Non-Nylon Polyamide Production (40 CFR Part 63, Subpart W), was promulgated on March 8, 1995, and amended on May 8, 2000.

In general, all NESHAP standards require initial notifications, performance tests, and periodic reports, and owners or operators are also required to maintain records of the occurrence and duration of any startup, shutdown, or malfunction in the operation of an affected facility, or any period during which the monitoring system is inoperative.

Burden Statement: In the most previously approved ICR, the estimated number of respondents for this information collection was 13 with 29 responses per year. The annual industry reporting and recordkeeping burden for this collection of information was 4,525 hours. On the average, each respondent reported two times per year and spent 156 hours preparing each response.

The total annualized cost over its expected useful life is approximately $9,000, which is comprised of zero capital/startup costs and operation and maintenance costs of approximately $9,000. It is estimated that no additional sources will become subject to the standard over the next three years.

(9) NSPS for Sewage Sludge Treatment Plants (40 CFR Part 60, Subpart O); EPA Preliminary ICR Number 1063.09; OMB Control Number 2060-0035; expiration date September 30, 2004.

Affected Entities: Entities potentially affected by this action are each incinerator that combusts wastes containing more than 10 percent sewage sludge (dry basis) produced by municipal sewage treatment plants, or each incinerator which charges more than 1000 kg (2205 lb.) per day municipal sewage sludge (dry basis).

Abstract: The NSPS for Sewage Treatment Plants (40 CFR Part 60, Subpart O) were promulgated on February 28, 1974, and amended October 6, 1975, November 10, 1977, October 6, 1988, and October 17, 2000. The monitoring, recordkeeping, and reporting requirements outlined in the standards are mandatory for compliance with 40 CFR Part 60, NSPS for sewage sludge treatment plant incinerators.

The control of emissions of particulate matter from sewage treatment plant incinerators requires not only the installation of properly designed equipment, but also the operation and maintenance of that equipment.

These standards require initial notification reports with respect to construction, modification, reconstruction, startups, shutdowns, and malfunctions. The standards also require reports on initial performance tests and semiannual reports of excess emissions are also required.

Burden Statement: In the most previously approved ICR, the estimated number of respondents for this information collection was 154 with 294 responses per year. The annual industry reporting and recordkeeping burden for this collection of information was 9,089 hours. On the average, each respondent reported two times per year and spent 31 hours preparing each response.

The total annualized cost over its expected useful life are approximately $5,845,000. The total annualized capital/startup cost is $700,000, and the annualized operation and maintenance costs are approximately $5,145,000.

1. Docket . EPA has established an official public docket for this action under Docket OAR-2003-0187. The official public docket consists of the documents specifically referenced in this action, any public comments received, and other information related to this action. Although a part of the official docket, the public docket does not include Confidential Business Information (CBI) or other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. The official public docket is the collection of materials that is available for public viewing at the Air and Radiation Docket in the EPA Docket Center, (EPA/DC) EPA West, Room B102, 1301 Constitution Ave., NW., Washington, DC. The EPA Docket Center Public Reading Room is open from 8:30 to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays. The telephone number for the Public Reading Room is (202) 566-1744, and the telephone number for the Air and Radiation Docket is (202) 566-1743.

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

An electronic version of the public docket is available through EPA's electronic public docket and comment system, EPA Dockets. You may use EPA Dockets at http://www.epa.gov/edocket/ to submit or view public comments, access the index listing of the contents of the official public docket, and to access those documents in the public docket that are available electronically. Once in the system, select “search,” then key in the appropriate docket identification number.

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

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

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

You may submit comments electronically, by mail, by facsimile, or through hand delivery/courier. To ensure proper receipt by EPA, identify the appropriate docket identification number in the subject line on the first page of your comment. Please ensure that your comments are submitted within the specified comment period. Comments received after the close of the comment period will be marked “late.” EPA is not required to consider these late comments.

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

i. EPA Dockets . Your use of EPA's electronic public docket to submit comments to EPA electronically is EPA's preferred method for receiving comments. Go directly to EPA Dockets at http://www.epa.gov/edocket , and follow the online instructions for submitting comments. To access EPA's electronic public docket from the EPA Internet Home Page, select “Information Sources,” “Dockets,” and “EPA Dockets.” Once in the system, select “search,” and then key in Docket ID No. OAR-2003-0187. The system is an “anonymous access” system, which means EPA will not know your identity, e-mail address, or other contact information unless you provide it in the body of your comment.

ii. E-mail . Comments may be sent by electronic mail (e-mail) to www.A-and-R-docket.epa.gov , Attention Docket ID No. OAR-2003-0187. In contrast to EPA's electronic public docket, EPA's e-mail system is not an “anonymous access” system. If you send an e-mail comment directly to the Docket without going through EPA's electronic public docket, EPA's e-mail system automatically captures your e-mail address. E-mail addresses that are automatically captured by EPA's e-mail system are included as part of the comment that is placed in the official public docket, and made available in EPA's electronic public docket.

iii. Disk or CD-ROM . You may submit comments on a disk or CD-ROM that you mail to the mailing address identified in section “A. 1.” These electronic submissions will be accepted in WordPerfect or ASCII file format. Avoid the use of special characters and any form of encryption.

2. By Mail . Send your comments to: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, EPA West (Air Docket), 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Room B108 Mailcode: 6102T, Washington, DC 20460, Attention Docket ID No. OAR-2003-0187

3. By Hand Delivery or Courier . Deliver your comments to: EPA Docket Center (Air Docket), Environmental Protection Agency, 1301 Constitution Avenue, NW., Room B108, Washington, DC 20004, Attention Docket ID No. OAR-2003-0187. Such deliveries are only accepted during the Docket's normal hours of operation as identified in section “A.1.”

4. By Facsimile . Fax your comments to: (202) 566-1742, Attention Docket ID. No. OAR-2003-0187.

Do not submit information that you consider to be CBI electronically through EPA's electronic public docket or by e-mail. Send or deliver information identified as CBI only to the addresses noted in B. 2 or B. 3 above, Attention Docket ID No. OAR-2003-0187. You may claim information that you submit to EPA as CBI by marking any part or all of that information as CBI (if you submit CBI on disk or CD-ROM, mark the outside of the disk or CD-ROM as CBI and then identify electronically within the disk or CD-ROM the specific information that is CBI). Information so marked will not be disclosed except in accordance with procedures set forth in 40 CFR part 2.

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

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

1. Explain your views as clearly as possible.

2. Describe any assumptions that you used.

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

4. If you estimate potential burden or costs, explain how you arrived at your estimate.

5. Provide specific examples to illustrate your concerns.

6. Offer alternatives.

7. Make sure to submit your comments by the comment period deadline identified.

8. To ensure proper receipt by EPA, identify the appropriate docket identification number in the subject line on the first page of your response. It would also be helpful if you provided the name, date, and Federal Register citation related to your comments.

Section 209(a) of the Clean Air Act, as amended (“Act”), 42 U.S.C. 7543(a), provides:

Section 209(b)(1) of the Act requires the Administrator, after notice and opportunity for public hearing, to waive application of the prohibitions of section 209(a) for any State that has adopted standards (other than crankcase emission standards) for the control of emissions from new motor vehicles or new motor vehicle engines prior to March 30, 1966, if the State determines that the State standards will be, in the aggregate, at least as protective of public health and welfare as applicable federal standards. California is the only State that is qualified to seek and receive a waiver under section 209(b). The Administrator must grant a waiver unless he finds that (A) the determination of the State is arbitrary and capricious, (B) the State does not need the State standards to meet compelling and extraordinary conditions, or (C) the State standards and accompanying enforcement procedures are not consistent with section 202(a) of the Act.

CARB's January 29, 1999, letter to the Administrator notified EPA that it had adopted new standards and test procedures to control emissions from aggressive driving and air conditioning use. This regulatory action consisted of amendments to CARB's regulations found at 13 California Code of Regulations 1960.1, 2062, and 2101 and the incorporated “California Exhaust Emission Standards and Test Procedures for 1988 and Subsequent Model Passenger Cars, Light-Duty Trucks and Medium-Duty Vehicles,” “California New Vehicle Compliance Test Procedure,” and “California Assembly-Line test Procedures for 1998 and Subsequent Model Year Passenger Cars, Light-Duty Trucks, and Medium-Duty Vehicles.”

EPA invites comment on the following issues: Whether (a) California's determination that its standards (including its new test procedures and associated standards noted above and in its January 29, 1999, request letter) are at least as protective of public health and welfare as applicable federal standards is arbitrary and capricious, (b) California needs separate standards to meet compelling and extraordinary conditions, and (c) California's standards and accompanying enforcement procedures are consistent with section 202(a) of the CAA?

In recognition that public hearings are designed to give interested parties an opportunity to participate in this proceeding, there are no adverse parties as such. Statements by participants will not be subject to cross-examination by other participants without special approval by the presiding officer. The presiding officer is authorized to strike from the record statements that he or she deems irrelevant or repetitious and to impose reasonable time limits on the duration of the statement of any participant.

If hearing(s) are held, the Agency will make a verbatim record of the proceedings. Interested parties may arrange with the reporter at the hearing(s) to obtain a copy of the transcript at their own expense. Regardless of whether public hearing(s) are held, EPA will keep the record open until December 3, 2003. Upon expiration of the comment period, the Administrator will render a decision on CARB's request based on the record of the public hearing(s), if any, relevant written submissions, and other information that he deems pertinent.

This guidance document provides FDA's recommendations about the content of a modular PMA and the procedures for submitting and reviewing a modular PMA. This document supersedes and replaces the guidance document entitled “Guidance for the Medical Device Industry on PMA Shell Development and Modular Review” issued on November 6, 1998.

FDA is making this guidance effective immediately because there is a statutory requirement that requires immediate implementation, and guidance is needed to help effect such implementation. On October 26, 2002, the Medical Device User Fee and Modernization Act of 2002 (MDUFMA) was signed into law. Section 209 of MDUFMA amended section 515(c) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 360e(c)), to codify FDA's modular review program for PMAs and authorize FDA to assess user fees for modular PMAs. In developing this guidance, the agency has considered its experience with its modular review program and comments on the topic that were submitted to the public docket on MDUFMA Implementation (Docket No. 02N-0534 (68 FR 5643, February 4, 2003)).

This guidance is being issued consistent with FDA's GGPs regulation (21 CFR 10.115). The guidance represents the agency's current thinking on modular PMAs. It does not create or confer any rights for or on any person and does not operate to bind FDA or the public. An alternative approach may be used if such approach satisfies the requirements of the applicable statute and regulations.

This guidance contains information collection provisions that are subject to review by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (the PRA) (44 U.S.C. 3501-3520). The collections of information addressed in the guidance document have been approved by OMB in accordance with the PRA under the regulations governing PMAs (21 CFR part 814, OMB control number 0910-0231).

Interested persons may submit to the Division of Dockets Management (see ADDRESSES ), written or electronic comments on the guidance at any time. Submit a single copy of electronic comments to http://www.fda.gov/dockets/ecomments . Submit two paper copies of any mailed comments, except that individuals may submit one copy. Comments are to be identified with the docket number found in brackets in the heading of this document. The guidance and comments received may be seen in the Division of Dockets Management between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.

To receive a copy of “Premarket Approval Application Modular Review” by fax, call the CDRH Facts-On-Demand system at 800-899-0381 or 301-827-0111 from a touch-tone telephone. Press 1 to enter the system. At the second voice prompt, press 1 to order a document. Enter the document number (835) followed by the pound sign (#). Follow the remaining voice prompts to complete your request.

The Guidelines for Nurse Practitioner and Nurse-Midwifery Programs were initially developed in 1976 through a process that included consultation with appropriate educational and professional nursing and medical organizations, and public comment. The original final guidelines were published in the Federal Register (43 FR 43416) as regulation on November 29, 1977. On August 27, 2001 HHS issued a final rule in the Federal Register (66 FR 44981) that rescinded and removed most of the BHPr regulations, including the previous guidelines related to nurse practitioner and nurse-midwifery education programs. This action was taken by the Department in its effort to simplify government procedures.

These proposed Guidelines implement Section 811(c) of the PHS Act, which states that—

Nurse Practitioner and nurse-midwifery programs eligible for support under this section are educational programs for registered nurses (irrespective of the type of school of nursing in which the nurses received their training) that—

(1) Meet guidelines prescribed by the Secretary, and

(2) Have as their objective the education of nurses who will upon completion of their studies in such programs be qualified to effectively provide primary health care, including primary health care in homes and in ambulatory care facilities, long-term care facilities, acute care, and other health care settings.

These Guidelines are intended to promote the quality of nurse practitioner and nurse-midwifery programs funded by the Division of Nursing. Definitions in these Guidelines are those used by other Federal and State health entities. The Department invites comments on the following proposed Guidelines for the Nurse Practitioner and Nurse-Midwifery Education Program.

Nurse practitioner education programs funded under this authority are graduate level programs that can provide evidence of accreditation from a recognized body or by a State agency, approved for such purpose by the U.S. Department of Education. In addition, programs are expected to be consistent with the current Advanced Nursing Practice: Curriculum Guidelines & Program Standards for Nurse Practitioner Education and current Criteria for Evaluation of Nurse Practitioner Programs, A Report of the National Task Force on Quality Nurse Practitioner Education. Both documents are available from the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties, 1522 K Street, NW #702, Washington, DC 20005; telephone: (202) 289-8044. At a minimum, graduates must be prepared to meet national competencies established in Nurse Practitioner Primary Care Competencies in Specialty Areas: Adult, Family, Gerontological, Pediatric, and Women's Health. This document is available online at http://www.nonpf.com; http://www.aacn.nche.edu/Education/NPCompetencies.htm; and can be obtained from the HRSA Information Center (1-800-CALL-HRSA).

Nurse-Midwifery education programs must provide evidence of pre-accreditation or accreditation from the American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM), Division of Accreditation, recognized for this purpose by the U.S. Department of Education, prior to Notice of Grant Award. Programs must comply with the following criteria, as applicable:

(a) the current Criteria for Pre-accreditation of Education Programs in Nurse-Midwifery and Midwifery with Guidelines for Elaboration and Documentation of Pre-accreditation Criteria; or

(b) The current Criteria for Accreditation of Education Programs in Nurse-Midwifery and Midwifery with Guidelines for Elaboration and Documentation of Accreditation Criteria.

At a minimum, graduates of these programs must be prepared to meet national competencies established in The Core Competencies for Basic Midwifery Practice. The above three documents are available from the ACNM at Suite 900, 818 Connecticut Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20006; telephone: (202) 728-9860.

A nurse practitioner or nurse-midwifery education program should actively collaborate with nurses and other health professionals who have expertise relevant to nurse practitioner or nurse-midwifery practice and primary health care, to assist in the initial and ongoing planning, implementation, and evaluation of the program.

All students enrolled in a nurse practitioner or nurse-midwifery education program should be licensed to practice nursing—

(a) At the time of enrollment, or

(b) In the case of a program leading to a graduate degree in nursing, at or prior to the time of completion of a program.

The policies for the recruitment, selection and progression of students should be consistent with the requirements of the sponsoring institution and developed in cooperation with the faculty responsible for conducting the nurse practitioner and/or nurse-midwifery program. Programs should develop, implement, and evaluate specific plans to achieve recruitment, retention, timely progression and graduation of a diverse student body.

A nurse practitioner or nurse-midwifery education program is a formal program of study of a minimum of 1 academic year (9 months) in length and should include at least 4 months in the aggregate of full-time didactic instruction. Post-master=s programs must also meet this requirement.

A nurse practitioner or nurse-midwifery education program should be a distinct program of study consisting of didactic instruction and supervised clinical practice designed to teach registered nurses the knowledge and competencies needed to perform the functions and scope of practice of a nurse practitioner or nurse-midwife. The faculty has the ultimate responsibility for evaluation of student clinical performance and achievement of competence. The nurse practitioner and nurse-midwifery specialty portion of the graduate curriculum should be developed and implemented cooperatively by nurse practitioner and/or nurse-midwife educators, other graduate nursing faculty, and appropriate representatives of other health disciplines. Interdisciplinary academic and practice learning experiences are recommended to prepare graduates to serve underserved populations in complex health systems. The program content, both didactic and clinical portions, should prepare the nurse practitioner or nurse-midwife to provide primary health care within community settings. The nurse practitioner and nurse-midwife should be knowledgeable about the cultural factors that affect the health status of the populations served and how to assist the community in making decisions about its priorities and health services.

The curriculum must include student preceptorships and/or other clinical learning experiences. Faculty should develop and assess clinical learning sites through site visits and prepare clinical faculty and preceptors for teaching, evaluating, and problem solving with nurse practitioner and nurse-midwifery students. Nurse practitioner or nurse-midwifery program faculty retain full responsibility for assuring the quality and effectiveness of each practicum site for student learning. The grant applicant should document in the application the specific criteria used for the selection of clinical learning sites.

A nurse practitioner or nurse-midwifery education program should have a sufficient number of qualified nursing, medical and other related health professional faculty with academic preparation and clinical expertise relevant to their areas of teaching responsibility and with demonstrated ability in the development and implementation of educational programs. The program director should be a nationally certified nurse practitioner or nurse-midwife, with appropriate academic preparation, clinical expertise and experience as an educator. Nurse practitioner and nurse-midwife clinical faculty and preceptors should have national and/or State certification as appropriate for their specialty and should have at least one year of practice experience as a nurse practitioner or certified nurse-midwife. Other clinicians serving as clinical preceptors should be authorized by the State licensing entity to practice in their specific scope of practice. Faculty qualifications should be consistent with the requirements of their academic institution. The faculty should participate in maintenance of competency and clinical practice according to the National Task Force on Quality Nurse Practitioner Education guidelines and ACNM guidelines for continued competency.

A nurse practitioner or nurse-midwifery education program must have available sufficient educational and clinical resources in a variety of practice settings with adequate space and equipment, number, age and type of clients needed for the number of students enrolled in the program. Where the institution or organization conducting the program does not provide the clinical practice settings itself, it should provide for such settings through written agreements with other appropriate institutions or organizations.

The following terms are defined for purposes of the Nurse Practitioner and Nurse-Midwifery Program.

Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services means health care services that are respectful of and responsive to cultural and linguistic needs.

Full-time Student means a student enrolled in at least the number of credits defined as full-time by the institution.

Full-time educational program means an educational program that provides for a full-time program of study as defined by the institution. Students progressing through the program are able to enroll on a full-time basis to complete the program in a timely manner. Students in such a program may be part-time or full-time.

Nurse-Midwife means a registered nurse educated in the two disciplines of nursing and midwifery, who has successfully completed a nurse-midwifery education program accredited by the American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM). Following national ACNM/American College of Nurse-Midwives Certification Council (ACC) certification, the nurse-midwife has abilities to provide independent management of primary health care for women, in the context of family-centered care, focusing particularly on pregnancy, childbirth, the postpartum period, care of the newborn, and the family planning and gynecological needs of women within a health care system that provides for consultation, collaborative management or referral as indicated by the health status of the client, including the abilities to:

• Assess the health status of women and infants, through health and medical history taking, physical examination, ordering and interpreting diagnostic tests and making diagnoses;

• Institute and provide continuity of primary health care to women and refer to other health care providers as appropriate;

• Prescribe pharmacological and non-pharmacological therapeutics, consistent with current standards of care;

• Provide instruction and counseling to individuals, families, and groups in the areas of promotion and maintenance of health and disease prevention, including involving such persons in planning for their health care; and

• Collaborate with other health care providers and agencies to provide, and where appropriate, coordinate services to individual women, children, and families.

Nurse Practitioner means a registered nurse who has successfully completed a formal program of study designed to prepare registered nurses to deliver primary health care, involving independent and interdependent decision making and direct accountability for clinical judgment, including the abilities to:

• Assess the health status of individuals and families through health and medical history taking, physical examination, ordering and interpreting diagnostic tests and making diagnoses;

• Institute and provide continuity of primary health care to individuals and families; and refer to other health care providers when appropriate;

• Prescribe treatments including pharmacological and non-pharmacological therapeutics, consistent with current standards of care;

• Provide instruction and counseling to individuals, families, and groups in the areas of promotion and maintenance of health and disease prevention, including involving such persons in planning for their health care; and

• Collaborate with other health care providers and agencies to provide, and where appropriate, coordinate services to individuals and families.

Nurse Practitioner or Nurse-Midwifery Program means a full-time educational program of study, as defined by the institution, (although students may be progressing through the program on a full-time or part-time basis), which meets the Guidelines prescribed herein. The program's objective is the education of nurses who will, upon completion of their studies in the program, be qualified to effectively provide primary health care in a variety of settings, including in homes, ambulatory care facilities, long-term care facilities, acute care, and other health care settings.

Post-Nursing Master's Certificate Program means a formal, post-graduate program for Registered Nurses with master's degrees that awards a certificate and academic credit for completion of the program of study as a Nurse Practitioner or Nurse-Midwife.

Preceptorship means a clinical learning experience in which the student is assigned to a faculty member or with oversight by program faculty to a designated preceptor who is a nurse practitioner or nurse-midwife or other health professional for specific aspects of the clinical learning experience. The preceptorship provides the student with practice experiences conducive to meeting the defined goals and objectives of the particular clinical course. The preceptor is responsible for the daily teaching and assignment of individuals to be cared for, supervision, and participation in the evaluation of the nurse practitioner or nurse-midwifery student. The preceptor teaches, supervises, and evaluates the student and provides the student with an environment that permits observation, active participation, and management of primary health care. Before and during this preceptorship program faculty visits and assesses clinical learning sites and prepares clinical faculty/preceptors for teaching their students.

Primary Care means the provision of integrated, accessible health care services by clinicians, including nurse practitioners and nurse-midwives, who are accountable for addressing a large majority of personal health care needs within their scopes of practice, developing a sustained partnership with clients, and practicing in the context of family and communities. Critical elements also include accountability of clinicians and systems for quality of care, consumer satisfaction, efficient use of resources, and ethical behavior. Clients have direct access to an appropriate source of care, which continues over time for a variety of problems and includes needs for preventive services. Primary care and Primary Health Care are used interchangeably in this document. (Definition adapted from Barbara Starfield, Primary Care Concept, Evaluation, and Policy, Oxford University Press, New York, 1992 p. 4 and Institute of Medicine:

Moila S. Donaldson, Karl D. Yordy, Kathleen N., and Neal A. Vanselow, Editors, Committee on the Future of Primary Care, Division of Health Care Services, Primary Care: America's Health in a New Era, Summary , National Academy Press, Washington, DC, 1996, p. 23.)

The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) proposes to establish a new system of records: “The Smallpox Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, HHS/HRSA/OSP.” The Act authorizes the creation of a Smallpox Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (“the Program”) by directing the Secretary, HHS, to establish administrative procedures designed to provide benefits and other compensation to certain individuals who sustained a covered injury as the direct result of the administration of smallpox countermeasures, and certain individuals who sustained a covered injury as a direct result of accidental vaccinia inoculation through contact with the foregoing persons or with individuals accidently inoculated by them. The Secretary will issue regulations implementing the Program. Individuals eligible to be considered for benefits and other compensation are:

1. (a) Health care workers, law enforcement officers, firefighters, security personnel, emergency medical personnel, other public safety personnel, or support personnel for such occupational specialties;

(b) Who are or will be functioning in a role identified in a State, local, or HHS smallpox emergency response plan approved by the Secretary;

(c) Who have volunteered for, and been selected to be members of, a smallpox emergency response plan prior to the time at which the Secretary publicly announces that an active case of smallpox has been identified either within or outside of the United States;

(d) To whom a smallpox vaccine is administered pursuant to such an approved plan during the effective period of the Declaration Regarding Administration of Smallpox Countermeasures (“the Declaration”) issued by the Secretary, HHS, on January 24, 2003, and published in the Federal Register on January 28, 2003 (68 FR 4212); and

(e) Who sustain a covered injury, disability, illness, condition, or death as a direct result of receiving a covered countermeasure, including the smallpox vaccine, during the effective period of the Declaration; or

2. Certain individuals who sustain a covered injury, disability, illness, condition, or death as a direct result of vaccinia contracted through contact with one or more of the individuals described above or through contact with individuals accidently inoculated by those individuals, during the specified time frame.

Subject to certain provisions, the Act authorizes benefits and other compensatory payments, generally secondary to other available coverage, for the following:

(1) Reasonable and appropriate medical items and services to treat a covered injury.

(2) Lost employment income incurred as a result of a covered injury beyond the first five days of work missed unless the loss of employment extends beyond nine days, to a maximum of $50,000 for any given year with a limited exception for persons with a permanent and total disability, through the age of 65.

(3) Death payment to survivors in circumstances in which death is determined to have resulted from a covered injury.

This system of records is required to comply with the implementation directive set forth in the Act. It will be used for Program planning, implementation, payment, evaluation, monitoring, and document storage purposes.

HRSA permits disclosure of the records to third parties pursuant to the following routine uses: The first routine use permits disclosure to a congressional office to allow subject individuals to obtain assistance from their representatives in Congress, if they wish to do so. The second routine use allows disclosure to Federal, State or local Government entities or to private entities for the purpose of their providing information relevant to medical or legal documentation required for determinations of eligibility or payment. The third routine use allows disclosure of records to contractors engaged by the Department who need access to the records in order to assist the Department, e.g. , expert consultants providing advice on requesters' eligibility for benefits and/or compensation. The fourth routine use allows disclosure of records to individuals and/or entities as necessary for the purposes of obtaining financial advice and providing benefits and other compensation to requesters approved for payment under the Program. The fifth routine use allows disclosure to a Federal agency administering aspects of the Program under a Memorandum of Agreement or assisting in the accomplishment of a Departmental function related to the purposes of the Program. The sixth routine use allows disclosure of records to the Department of Justice or a court, in the event of litigation. The seventh routine use allows disclosure to the appropriate Federal, State or local agency in the event of a violation of law. The eighth routine use allows disclosure of records for certain medical research purposes.

The following notice is written in the present tense, rather than the future tense, in order to avoid the unnecessary expenditure of public funds to republish the notice after the system becomes effective.

The prospective exclusive license will be royalty bearing and will comply with the terms and conditions of 35 U.S.C. 209 and 37 CFR 404.7. The prospective exclusive license may be granted unless, within 60 days from the date of this published Notice, NIH receives written evidence and argument that establishes that the grant of the license would not be consistent with the requirements of 35 U.S.C. 209 and 37 CFR 404.7.

The technology described in USPN 5,157,110 relates to the discovery of a protein, vaccinia complement protein (VCP), that inhibits the complement cascade. VCP is the smallest complement controlling protein, is soluble (complement inhibitors produced by humans are typically membrane-bound), does not have glycosylation sites, and acts via a different component of the complement compared to most other (inhibiting at C3 level rather than C5). The technology described in USPN 5,187,268 describes the cloned gene encoding this protein. Complement inhibitors may be used for combating inflammatory responses.

The field of use may be limited to development of anti-inflammatory therapeutics based on VCP.

Properly filed competing applications for a license filed in response to this notice will be treated as objections to the contemplated license. Comments and objections submitted in response to this notice will not be made available for public inspection, and, to the extent permitted by law, will not be released under the Freedom of Information Act, 5 U.S.C. 552.

The NCS consists of the telecommunications assets of the entities represented on the NCS Committee of Principals and an administrative structure consisting of the Executive Agent, the NCS Committee of Principals, and the Manager. The mission of the NCS is to assist the President, the National Security Council, the Homeland Security Council, the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy, and the Director of the Office of Management and Budget in:

(1) The exercise of designated telecommunications functions and responsibilities; and

(2) The coordination of the planning for and provision of national security and emergency preparedness communications for the Federal government under all circumstances, including crisis or emergency, attack, recovery and reconstitution.

As stated in Section 1(g) of Executive Order 12472 of April 3, 1984, the Manager, NCS, shall develop for consideration by the NCS Committee of Principals and the Executive Agent:

(1) A recommended evolutionary telecommunications architecture designed to meet current and future Federal government national security and emergency preparedness telecommunications requirements;

(2) Plans and procedures for the management, allocation and use, including the establishment of priorities or preferences, of Federally owned or leased telecommunications assets under all conditions of crisis or emergency;

(3) Plans, procedures and standards for minimizing or removing technical impediments to the interoperability of government-owned and/or commercially-provided telecommunications systems;

(4) Test and exercise programs and procedures for the evaluation of the capability of the Nation's telecommunications resources to meet national security or emergency preparedness telecommunications requirements; and

(5) Alternative mechanisms for funding, through the budget review process, national security or emergency preparedness telecommunications initiatives which benefit multiple Federal departments, agencies, or entities. Those mechanisms recommended by the NCS Committee of Principals and the Executive Agent shall be submitted to the Director of the Office of Management and Budget.

The Manager shall also:

(1) Implement and administer any approved plans or programs as assigned, including any system of priorities and preferences for the provision of communications service, in consultation with the NCS Committee of Principals and the Federal Communications Commission, to the extent practicable or otherwise required by law or regulation;

(2) Chair the NCS Committee of Principals and provide staff support and technical assistance thereto;

(3) Serve as a focal point for joint industry-government planning, including the dissemination of technical information, concerning the national security or emergency preparedness telecommunications requirements of the Federal government;

(4) Conduct technical studies or analyses, and examine research and development programs, for the purpose of identifying, for consideration by the NCS Committee of Principals and the Executive Agent, improved approaches which may assist Federal entities in fulfilling national security or emergency preparedness telecommunications objectives;

(5) Pursuant to the Federal Standardization Program of the General Services Administration, and in consultation with other appropriate entities of the Federal government including the NCS Committee of Principals, manage the Federal Telecommunications Standards Program, ensuring wherever feasible that existing or evolving industry, national, and international standards are used as the basis for Federal telecommunications standards; and

(6) Provide such reports and perform such other duties as are from time to time assigned by the President or his authorized designee, the Executive Agent, or the NCS Committee of Principals. Any such assignments of responsibility to, or reports made by, the Manager shall be transmitted through the Executive Agent.

In accordance with section 1(e)(1) of Executive Order 12472 of April 3, 1984, as amended by section 46 of Executive Order 13286 of February 28, 2003, and as the designated Executive Agent for the National Communications System, Department of Homeland Security, I designate the position of Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security for Infrastructure Protection in the Information Analysis and Infrastructure Protection Directorate, as the Manager of the National Communications System.

The Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian Institutions Assisting Communities Program was approved by Congress under section 107 of the Community Development Block Grant appropriations for the Fiscal Year 2003, and is administered by the Office of University Partnerships under the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Policy Development and Research. In addition to this program, the Office of University Partnerships administers HUD's ongoing grant programs to institutions of higher education as well as creates initiatives through which colleges and universities can bring their traditional missions of teaching, research, service, and outreach to bear on the pressing local problems in their communities.

The AN/NHIAC program provides funds for a wide range of CDBG-eligible activities including housing rehabilitation and financing, property demolition or acquisition, public facilities, economic development, business entrepreneurship, and fair housing programs. Of the $6.981 million available, $3.4 million was allotted to fund Alaskan Hawaiian institutions and $3.4 million to fund Native Hawaiian institutions. Each eligible campus was permitted to apply individually, for $800,000 the maximum amount that can be awarded for a period of 36 months.

The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance number for this program is 14.515.

On April 25, 2003 (68 FR 21121), HUD published a Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) announcing the availability of $6.981 million in Fiscal Year 2003 for the AN/NHIAC Program. The Department reviewed, evaluated, and scored the applications received based on the criteria in the NOFA. As a result, HUD has funded the applications below, in accordance with section 102(a)(4)(C) of the Department of Housing and Urban Development Reform Act of 1989 (103 Stat. 1987, 42 U.S.C. 3545), the Department is publishing details concerning the recipients of funding awards, as set forth below.

1. Chaminade University of Honolulu, Dr. Henery H. Gomes, Chaminade University of Honolulu, Office of the Provost, 3140 Waialae Avenue, Honolulu, HI 96816. Grant: $799,297.

2. University of Alaska Fairbanks, Dr. Margaret Woods, Northwest Campus, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Pouch 400, Nome, AK, 99762. Grant: $799,820.

3. University of Alaska Fairbanks, Dr. Deborah McLean-Nelson, Bristol Bay, University of Alaska Fairbanks, P. O. Box 1070, Dillingham, AK, 99576. Grant: $800,000.

4. University of Alaska Fairbanks, Bob Medinger, Kuskookwim Campus, University of Alaska Fairbanks, P.O. Box 368, Bethel, AK, 99559. Grant: $798,598.

5. Ilisagvik College, Karen E. Stretch, Ilisagvik College, P.O. Box 749, Barrow, AK, 99723. Grant: $799,724.

The Hispanic-Serving Institutions Assisting Communities Program was approved by Congress under section 107 of the Community Development Block Grant appropriations for the Fiscal Year 2003, and is administered by the Office of University Partnerships under the Assistant Secretary for Policy Development and Research. In addition to this program, the Office of University Partnerships administers HUD's ongoing grant programs to institutions of higher education as well as creates initiatives through which colleges and universities can bring their traditional missions of teaching, research, service, and outreach to bear on the pressing local problems in their communities.

The HSIAC program provides funds for a wide range of CDBG-eligible activities including housing rehabilitation and financing, property demolition or acquisition, public facilities, economic development, business entrepreneurship, and fair housing programs.

The Catalog Federal Domestic Assistance number for this program is 14.514.

On April 25, 2003, (68 FR 21116), HUD published a Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) announcing the availability of $7.04 million in Fiscal Year 2003 for the HSIAC Program. The Department reviewed, evaluated, and scored the applications received based on the criteria in the NOFA. As a result, HUD has funded the applications below, in accordance with section 102(a)(4)(C) of the Department of Housing and Urban Development Reform Act of 1989 (103 Stat. 1987, 42 U.S.C. 3545), the Department is publishing details concerning the recipients of funding awards, as set forth below.

1. Lehman College, Ms. Eleanor Lundeen, Lehman College, 250 Bedford Park Blvd., Bronx, NY 10468. Grant: $600,000.

2. Universidad Metropolitana, Dr. Zaida Vega Lugo, Universidad Metropolitana, P.O. Box 21150, San Juan, PR 00928. Grant: $554,884.

3. San Antonio College, Mary Helen Vera, Ph.D., Women's Center, 1300 San Pedro Avenue, San Antonio, TX 78212. Grant: $594,763.

4. The University of Texas Pan American, Mr. Pedro Salazar, The University of Texas Pan American, 1201 W University Drive, Edinburg, TX 78539. Grant: $600,000.

5. St. Phillips College, Federico Zaragoza, Ph.D., St. Phillips College, 1801 Martin Luther King, San Antonio, TX 78203. Grant: $600,000.

6. San Jacinto College, Mr. James Matlock III, San Jacinto College, 4624 Fairmount Parkway, Pasadena, TX 77504. Grant: $597,986.

7. Midland College, Mr. Alfredo Chaparro, Midland College, 3600 North Garfield, Midland, TX 79705. Grant: $600,000.

8. Long Beach Community College District, Ms. Yvonne Gonzalez Duncan, Long Beach Community College, 4901 E. Carson Street, Long Beach, CA 90808. Grant: $600,000.

9. San Diego State University, Ms. Suzanna Fuentes-Ferreiro, San Diego State University, 720 Heber Avenue, Calexico, CA 92231. Grant: $600,000.

10. Bakersfield College, Mr. Ken Meier, Bakersfield College, 1801 Panorama Drive, Bakersfield, CA 93305. Grant: $499,975.

11. California State University-Bakersfield, Dr. Janice Chavez, California State University-Bakersfield, 9001 Stockdale Highway, Bakersfield, CA 93311. Grant: $600,000.

12. Heritage College, Ms. Mary Alice Muellerleile, Heritage College, 3240 Fort Road, Toppenish, WA 98948. Grant: $598,380.

The Historically Black Colleges and Universities Program was enacted under section 107 of the CDBG appropriation for Fiscal Year 2003, as part of the “Veterans Administration, HUD and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act of 2003” and is administered by the Office of University Partnerships under the Assistant Secretary for Policy Development and Research. In addition to this program, the Office of University Partnerships administers HUD's ongoing grant programs to institutions of higher education as well as creates initiatives through which colleges and universities can bring their traditional missions of teaching, research, service, and outreach to bear on the pressing local problems in their communities.

The HBCU Program provides funds for a wide range of CDBG-eligible activities including housing rehabilitation and financing, property demolition or acquisition, public facilities, economic development, business entrepreneurship, and fair housing programs.

The Catalog Federal Domestic Assistance number for this program is 14.237.

On April 25, 2003, (68 FR 21111), HUD published a Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) announcing the availability of $9.935 million ($2million of these funds are earmarked to provide technical assistances) in Fiscal Year 2003 for the HBCU Program. Of this amount, $1.4 million was available to HBCU applicants that had not been funded in the past (the maximum amount an applicant can be awarded is $340,000) and $6.6 million was available to fund HBCU applicants that had been previously funded (applicant could request $340,000 to $550,000). The Department reviewed, evaluated, and scored the applications received based on the criteria in the NOFA. As a result, HUD has funded the applications below, in accordance with section 102(a)(4)(C) of the Department of Housing and Urban Development Reform Act of 1989 (103 Stat. 1987, 42 U.S.C. 3545), the Department is publishing details concerning the recipients of funding awards, as set forth below.

1. Howard University, Dr. Arthur S. Paul, Howard University, 600 West Street, NW., Washington, DC 20001. Grant: $550,000.

2. LeMoyne-Owen College, Mr. Jeffrey Higgs, LeMoyne-Owen College, 802 Walker Avenue, Suite 5, Memphis, TN 38126. Grant: $550.00.

3. Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, Dr. Patricia W. McGill, Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, 400 Foote Hilyer, Administration Center, Tallahassee, FL 32307. Grant: $550,000.

4. Johnson C. Smith University, Mr. Steven K. Washington, Johnson C. Smith University, 100 Beatties Ford Road, Charlotte, NC 28216. Grant: $531,651.

5. Winston-Salem State University, Ms. Valerie Howard, Winston-Salem State University, 601 North Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, Winston-Salem, NC 27110. Grant: $550,000.

6. Barber-Scotia College, Ms. Joann Graham, Barber-Scotia College, 145 Cabarrus Avenue, West, Concord, NC 28025. Grant: $ 550,000.

7. Lawson State Community College, Dr. Eva Carter, Lawson State Community College, 3060 Wilson Road, SW, Birmingham, AL 35221. Grant: $550,000.

8. Claflin University, Mr. Leon Brunson, Claflin University, 400 Magnolia Street, Orangeburg, SC 29115. Grant: $550,000.

9. Voorhees College, Mr. William B. Owens, Voorhees College, P.O. Box 678, Denmark, SC 29042. Grant: $500,321.

10. Tuskegee University, Ms. Leslie V. Porter, Tuskegee University, Kresge Center, Tuskegee, AL 36088. Grant: $550,000.

11. University of the Virgin Islands, Ms. Ilene Garner, University of the Virgin Islands, #2 Brewers Bay, St. Thomas, VI 00803. Grant: $541,000.

12. Lane College, Dr. Wesley Cornelious McClure, Lane College, 545 Lane Avenue, Jackson, TN 38301. Grant: $340,000.

13. Southern University at New Orleans, Dr. Leetta Allen-Hayes, Southern University at New Orleans, 6400 Press Drive, New Orleans, LA 70126. Grant: $550,000.

14. Texas Southern University, Ms. Ella M. Nunn, Texas Southern University, 3100 Cleburne Avenue, Houston, TX 77004. Grant: $550,000.

The Tribal Colleges and Universities Program was enacted under section 107 of the CDBG appropriation for Fiscal Year 2003, as part of the “Veterans Administration, HUD and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act of 2003” and is administered by the Office of University Partnerships under the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Policy Development and Research. In addition to this program, the Office of University Partnerships administers HUD's ongoing grant programs to institutions of higher education as well as creates initiatives through which colleges and universities can bring their traditional missions of teaching, research, service, and outreach to bear on the pressing local problems in their communities.

The Tribal Colleges and Universities Program assist tribal colleges and universities to build, expand, renovate, and equip their own facilities. On April 25, 2003 (68 FR 21126), HUD published a Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) announcing the availability of $3.1 million in Fiscal Year 2003 funds for the Tribal Colleges and Universities Program. The Department reviewed, evaluated and scored the applications received based on the criteria in the NOFA. As a result, HUD funded eight applications.

The Catalog Federal Domestic Assistance number for this program is 14.519.

In accordance with section 102(a) (4)(C) of the Department of Housing and Urban Development Reform Act of 1989 (103 Stat. 1987, 42 U.S.C. 3545), the Department is publishing details concerning the recipients of funding awards, as follows.

1. Salish Kootenai College, Dr. Joseph McDonald, Salish Kootenai College, P.O. Box 117, Pablo, MT 59855. Grant: $384,552.

2. United Tribes Technical College, Russell Swagger, United Tribes Technical College, 3315 University Drive, Bismarck, ND, 58504. Grant: $400,000.

3. Sinte Gleska University, Dr. Georgia Hackett, Sinte Gleska University, Rosebud Sioux Reservation, 150 East 2nd Street, Mission, SD, 57555. Grant: $400,000.

4. Chief Dull Knife College, Bill Wertman, Chief Dull Knife College, P.O. Box 98, Lame Deer, MT, 59043. Grant: $400,000.

5. Turtle Mountain Community College, Dr. Gerald E. Monette, Turtle Mountain Community College, P.O. Box 340, Belcourt, ND 58136. Grant: $400,000.

6. Blackfeet Community College, Dr. Terrance E. Whitright, Blackfeet Community College, P.O. Box 819, Browing, MT, 59417. Grant: $390,500.

7. Oglala Lakota College, Dr. Thomas Shorthull, Oglala Lakota College, 490 Piya Wiconi Road, Kyle, SD, 57752. Grant: $400,000.

8. Leech Lake Tribal College, Lenee Ross, Leech Lake Tribal College, 113 Balsam Avenue, NW, P.O. Box 180, Cass Lake, MT, 56633. Grant: $400,000.

Applicant requests an amendment to an existing permit to allow presence/absence surveys for Yuma clapper rail ( Rallus longirostris yumanensis ) within Arizona.

Applicant requests a new permit for research and recovery purposes to conduct presence/absence surveys for the cactus ferruginous pygmy-owl ( Glaucidium brasilianum cactorum ) within Arizona.

Applicant requests a new permit for research and recovery purposes to conduct presence/absence surveys for the American burying beetle ( Nicrophorus americanus ) within Oklahoma.

Applicant requests a new permit for research and recovery purposes to receive bonytail chub ( Gila elegans ) and Apache trout ( Oncorhynchus apache ), in order to assess the effects of water quality on the endocrine system function of these species.

Applicant requests a new permit for research and recovery purposes to conduct presence/absence surveys for the following species within New Mexico: black-footed ferret ( Mustela nigripes ), southwestern willow flycatcher ( Empidonax traillii extimus ), Knowlton cactus ( Pediocactus knowltonii ), and Mancos milk-vetch ( Astragalus humillimus ).

Applicant requests a new permit for research and recovery purposes to allow education display of the hawksbill sea turtle ( Eretmochelys imbricata ) and Kemp's ridley sea turtle ( Lepidochelys kempii ).

Applicant requests a new permit for research and recovery purposes to conduct presence/absence surveys for the following species where they occur within Arizona, California, New Mexico, and Texas: black-capped vireo ( Vireo atricapilla ), cactus ferruginous pygmy owl ( Glaucidium brasilianum cactorum ), golden-cheeked warbler ( Dendroica chrysoparia ), least Bell's vireo ( Vireo bellii pusillus ), southwestern willow flycatcher ( Empidonax traillii extimus ), and Yuma clapper rail ( Rallus longirostris yumanensis ).

Applicant requests a permit for individuals to possess, capture, administer health care, introduce, manage, monitor, maintain, and breed Sonoran pronghorn ( Antilocapra americana sonoriensis ) within the Semi-Captive Breeding Facility located on the Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge.

Candidate Conservation Agreements with Assurances contain a strategy for covered lands and activities that constitute an applicant's contribution to avoid listing or remove the need to list a covered species as threatened or endangered under the ESA. In return, an applicant receives assurances that it will not be required to provide additional conservation measures if any of the covered species become listed under the ESA in the future.

The proposed CCAA planning document would cover approximately 1,000,000 acres in Adams, Washington, Payette, and Gem Counties, Idaho; within this area, individual non-Federal landowners could voluntarily enroll lands under the proposed CCAA. It is unknown how many landowners would participate and enroll lands under the CCAA, however, we expect the acreage of enrolled lands to be substantially less than 1,000,000 acres.

The primary goal of the proposed CCAA would be to implement habitat and population conservation measures on non-Federal lands enrolled under the CCAA for the southern Idaho ground squirrel ( Spermophilus brunneus endemicus ). Habitat conservation measures would focus on restoration or protection of native plant communities, including shrub/steppe habitat, or other habitat management measures to benefit this species. Other conservation measures could include: minimization of impacts from land use activities in southern Idaho ground squirrel-occupied habitat to conserve ground squirrel populations; prohibition of shooting, trapping, and poisoning of southern Idaho ground squirrels; reintroduction of southern Idaho ground squirrels into unoccupied suitable habitat; and authorization for Service and IDFG personnel to access enrolled lands for purposes of monitoring southern Idaho ground squirrel populations and habitat. Potential covered activities include: crop cultivation and harvesting, livestock grazing and production, farm equipment operation, and recreational activities ( e.g. , hunting, fishing, camping, dog training, and use of recreational vehicles on and off established roads).

The Service will conduct an environmental review of the proposed CCAA and prepare an environmental document. The review will analyze the CCAA, as well as a full range of reasonable alternatives, and the associated impacts of each. Should information become available that indicates significant environmental impacts from the proposed CCAA, an Environmental Impact Statement will be prepared. Comments and suggestions are invited from all interested parties to ensure the full range of issues related to this proposed action are identified. Comments or questions should be addressed to the Service at the address or telephone number provided above. See ADDRESSES and FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT .

The environmental review of this proposed project will be conducted in accordance with the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq. ), National Environmental Policy Act Regulations (40 CFR parts 1500-1508), other applicable Federal laws and regulations, and policies and procedures of the Service for compliance with those regulations.

For background information and questions regarding the Trinity River Restoration Program, please contact Douglas Schleusner, Executive Director, Trinity River Restoration Program, P.O. Box 1300, 1313 South Main Street, Weaverville, California 96093, (530) 623-1800.

Title: 30 CFR 260, Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing.

OMB Control Number: 1010-0143.

Abstract: The Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Lands Act, as amended (43 U.S.C. 1331 et seq. and 43 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. ), authorizes the Secretary of the Interior (Secretary) to prescribe rules and regulations to administer leasing of the OCS. Section 8(a)(1) of the OCS Lands Act provides authority for the Secretary to offer leases under a variety of bidding systems. The regulations at 30 CFR part 260 describe the bidding systems, joint bidding requirements, and royalty suspensions for certain leases. They encourage leasing competition through the use of appropriate bidding-system alternatives and a joint bidding ban among certain large companies. Also, these regulations implement the Secretary's authority to promote leasing interest in certain areas of the OCS through automatic suspension of royalties. The Minerals Management Service (MMS) administers this program for the Secretary.

Regulations under part 260 require lessees to notify MMS of their intention to begin production. Lessees must also request confirmation of the size of the royalty-suspension volume that applies to the pre-2001 eligible lease. The MMS uses the information collected to make decisions on the shares of the royalty-suspension volume that applies to multiple pre-2001 eligible leases on the same field. The information is used to ensure royalty suspension volume is properly allocated among constituent leases in a field. Respondents may request reconsideration of an assignment of their lease that has a qualifying well to an existing field or to a newly designated field. MMS will use the information to reconsider and adjust, if necessary, the initial field assignment for a lease. These decisions can be contentious because a favorable field assignment can save a lessee tens of millions of dollars in royalties.

Frequency: On occasion.

Estimated Number and Description of Respondents: Approximately 10 of the 130 Federal OCS oil and gas lessees.

Estimated Reporting and Recordkeeping “Hour” Burden: The estimated annual “hour” burden for this information collection is a total of 1,603 hours. The individual components and their respective hour burden estimates are detailed below. In calculating the burdens, MMS assumed that respondents perform certain requirements in the normal course of their activities. MMS considers these to be usual and customary and took that into account in estimating the burden.

§§ 260.114(a) and 260.124(a)—Request MMS to reconsider the field assignment of a lease (average of 400 hours per request × 4 requests = 1,600 hours).

§ 260.114(c)—Notify MMS of intent to begin production and request confirmation of the size of royalty-suspension volume ( 1/2 hour per notice × 6 notices = 3 hours).

Part 260 also refers to various items of information collected under 30 CFR parts 203 and 256. OMB has approved those information collections under OMB Control Numbers 1010-0071 and 1010-0006, respectively.

Estimated Reporting and Recordkeeping “Non-Hour Cost” Burden: MMS has identified no non-hour cost burdens for this collection.

Public Disclosure Statement: The PRA (44 U.S.C. 3501, et seq. ) provides that an agency may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. Until OMB approves a collection of information, you are not obligated to respond.

Comments: Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the PRA (44 U.S.C. 3501, et seq. ) requires each agency “* * * to provide notice * * * and otherwise consult with members of the public and affected agencies concerning each proposed collection of information * * *” Agencies must specifically solicit comments to: (a) evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the agency to perform its duties, including whether the information is useful; (b) evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information; (c) enhance the quality, usefulness, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) minimize the burden on the respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

To comply with the public consultation process, on June 19, 2003, MMS published a Federal Register notice (68 FR 36836) announcing that it would submit this ICR to OMB for approval. The notice provided the required 60-day comment period. In addition, § 260.3 provides the OMB control number for the information collection requirements imposed by the 30 CFR 260 regulations. The regulation also informs the public that they may comment at any time on the collections of information and provides the address to which they should send comments. MMS has received no comments in response to these efforts.

If you wish to comment in response to this notice, you may send your comments to the offices listed under the ADDRESSES section of this notice. OMB has up to 60 days to approve or disapprove the information collection but may respond after 30 days. Therefore, to ensure maximum consideration, OMB should receive public comments by December 3, 2003.

Public Comment Policy: MMS's practice is to make comments, including names and home addresses of respondents, available for public review during regular business hours. If you wish to withhold your name and/or address, you must state this prominently at the beginning of your comment. MMS will honor the request to the extent allowable by the law. However, anonymous comments will not be considered. 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 inspection in their entirety.

MMS Federal Register Liaison Officer: Denise Johnson, (202) 208-3976.

Title: Submission of Offers requirement in response to concession prospectuses—36 CFR 51.

OMB Control Number: 1024-0125.

Expiration Date of Approval: August 31, 2003.

Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved information collection.

Abstract: The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regulations at 5 CFR part 1320, which implement provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13) require that interested members of the public and affected agencies have an opportunity to comment on information collection and recordkeeping activities ( see 5 CFR 13200.8(d)). NPS has submitted a request to OMB to renew approval of the collection of information in 36 CFR part 51, Concession contracts, relating to the submission of offers in response to prospectuses issued by NPS. NPS is requesting a 3-year term of approval for this information collection activity. An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. The OMB control number for this collection of information is 1024-1025, and is identified in 36 CFR 51.104.

As required under 5 CFR 1320.8(d), a Federal Register notice soliciting comments on these collections of information was published on May 29, 2003 (65 FR 8735). No comments were received. This notice provides the public with an additional 30 days in which to comment on the following information collection activity:

The regulations at 36 CFR part 51 primarily implement Title IV of the National Parks Omnibus Management Act of 1998 (Pub. L. 105-391 or the Act), which provides new legislative authority, policies, and requirements for the solicitation, award, and administration of NPS concession contracts. The regulations require the submission of offers by parties interested in applying for a NPS concession contract. Specific requirements regarding the information that must be submitted by offerors in response to a prospectus issued by NPS are contained in Sections 403(4), (5), (7), and (8) of the Act.

Bureau Form Number: None.

Frequency of Collection: On occasion.

Description of Respondents: Persons or entities seeking a National Park Service concession contract.

Total Annual Responses: 240.

Total Annual Burden Hours: 76,800.

Total Non-hour Cost Burden: $1,120,000.

Send comments on (1) the need for the collection of information for the performance of the functions of the agency; (2) the accuracy of the agency's burden estimates; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information collection; (4) and ways to minimize the information collection burden on respondents, such as use of automated means of collection of the information, to the following address. Please refer to OMB control number 1024-0125 in all correspondence.

Our practice is to make comments, including names and home addresses of respondents, available for public review during regular business hours. Individuals respondents may request that we withhold their home address from the record, which we will honor to the extent allowable by law. There also may be circumstances in which we would withhold from the record a respondent's identity, as allowable by law. If you wish us to withhold your name and/or address, you must state this prominently at the beginning of your comment. However, we will not consider anonymous comments. We will make all submissions from organizations or businesses, and from individuals identifying themselves as representatives or officials of organizations or businesses, available for public inspection in their entirety.

The National Park Service is seeking public comments and suggestions on the planning of the 2003 Christmas Pageant of Peace, which opens on December 4, 2003, on the Ellipse (President's Park), south of the White House. The meeting will be held at 1 p.m. on November 13, 2003, in Room 234 of the National Capital Region Headquarters Building, at 1100 Ohio Drive, SW., Washington, DC (East Potomac Park).

Persons who would like to comment at the meeting should notify the National Park Service by November 10, 2003, by calling the White House Visitor Center weekdays between 9 a.m., and 4 p.m., at (202) 208-1631. Written comments may be sent to the Park Manager, White House Visitor Center 1100 Ohio Drive, SW., Washington, DC 20242, and will be accepted until November 10, 2003.

Background— On December 2, 1998, the Department of Commerce (“Commerce”) issued an antidumping duty order on imports of preserved mushrooms from Chile (63 FR 66529) and on February 19, 1999, Commerce issued antidumping duty orders on imports of preserved mushrooms from China, India, and Indonesia (64 FR 8308-8312). Commerce subsequently revoked in part the order on imports from Indonesia (68 FR 39521, July 2, 2003). The Commission is conducting reviews to determine whether revocation of the orders would be likely to lead to continuation or recurrence of material injury to the domestic industry within a reasonably foreseeable time. It will assess the adequacy of interested party responses to this notice of institution to determine whether to conduct full reviews or expedited reviews. The Commission's determinations in any expedited reviews will be based on the facts available, which may include information provided in response to this notice.

Definitions— The following definitions apply to these reviews:

(1) Subject Merchandise is the class or kind of merchandise that is within the scope of the five-year reviews, as defined by the Department of Commerce.

(2) The Subject Countries in these reviews are Chile, China, India, and Indonesia.

(3) The Domestic Like Product is the domestically produced product or products which are like, or in the absence of like, most similar in characteristics and uses with, the Subject Merchandise. In its original determinations, the Commission found one domestic like product consisting of preserved mushrooms corresponding to the scope of Commerce's investigations.

(4) The Domestic Industry is the U.S. producers as a whole of the Domestic Like Product, or those producers whose collective output of the Domestic Like Product constitutes a major proportion of the total domestic production of the product. In its original determination, the Commission defined the Domestic Industry to consist of all domestic producers of preserved mushrooms. Certain Commissioners defined the Domestic Industry differently.

(5) The Order Date is the date that the antidumping duty orders under review became effective. In the review concerning Chile, the Order Date is December 2, 1998. In the reviews concerning China, India, and Indonesia, the Order Date is February 19, 1999.

(6) An Importer is any person or firm engaged, either directly or through a parent company or subsidiary, in importing the Subject Merchandise into the United States from a foreign manufacturer or through its selling agent.

Participation in the reviews and public service list —Persons, including industrial users of the Subject Merchandise and, if the merchandise is sold at the retail level, representative consumer organizations, wishing to participate in the reviews as parties must file an entry of appearance with the Secretary to the Commission, as provided in § 201.11(b)(4) of the Commission's rules, no later than 21 days after publication of this notice in the Federal Register . The Secretary will maintain a public service list containing the names and addresses of all persons, or their representatives, who are parties to the reviews.

Former Commission employees who are seeking to appear in Commission five-year reviews are reminded that they are required, pursuant to 19 CFR 201.15, to seek Commission approval if the matter in which they are seeking to appear was pending in any manner or form during their Commission employment. The Commission's designated agency ethics official has advised that a five-year review is the “same particular matter” as the underlying original investigation for purposes of 19 CFR 201.15 and 18 U.S.C. 207, the post employment statute for Federal employees. Former employees may seek informal advice from Commission ethics officials with respect to this and the related issue of whether the employee's participation was “personal and substantial.” However, any informal consultation will not relieve former employees of the obligation to seek approval to appear from the Commission under its rule 201.15. For ethics advice, contact Carol McCue Verratti, Deputy Agency Ethics Official, at 202-205-3088.

Limited disclosure of business proprietary information (BPI) under an administrative protective order (APO) and APO service list —Pursuant to § 207.7(a) of the Commission's rules, the Secretary will make BPI submitted in these reviews available to authorized applicants under the APO issued in the reviews, provided that the application is made no later than 21 days after publication of this notice in the Federal Register . Authorized applicants must represent interested parties, as defined in 19 U.S.C. 1677(9), who are parties to the reviews. A separate service list will be maintained by the Secretary for those parties authorized to receive BPI under the APO.

Certification —Pursuant to § 207.3 of the Commission's rules, any person submitting information to the Commission in connection with these reviews must certify that the information is accurate and complete to the best of the submitter's knowledge. In making the certification, the submitter will be deemed to consent, unless otherwise specified, for the Commission, its employees, and contract personnel to use the information provided in any other reviews or investigations of the same or comparable products which the Commission conducts under Title VII of the Act, or in internal audits and investigations relating to the programs and operations of the Commission pursuant to 5 U.S.C. Appendix 3.

Written submissions —Pursuant to § 207.61 of the Commission's rules, each interested party response to this notice must provide the information specified below. The deadline for filing such responses is December 23, 2003. Pursuant to § 207.62(b) of the Commission's rules, eligible parties (as specified in Commission rule 207.62(b)(1)) may also file comments concerning the adequacy of responses to the notice of institution and whether the Commission should conduct expedited or full reviews. The deadline for filing such comments is January 16, 2004. All written submissions must conform with the provisions of §§ 201.8 and 207.3 of the Commission's rules and any submissions that contain BPI must also conform with the requirements of §§ 201.6 and 207.7 of the Commission's rules. The Commission's rules do not authorize filing of submissions with the Secretary by facsimile or electronic means, except to the extent permitted by § 201.8 of the Commission's rules, as amended, 67 FR 68036 (November 8, 2002). Also, in accordance with §§ 201.16(c) and 207.3 of the Commission's rules, each document filed by a party to the reviews must be served on all other parties to the reviews (as identified by either the public or APO service list as appropriate), and a certificate of service must accompany the document (if you are not a party to the reviews you do not need to serve your response).

Inability to provide requested information —Pursuant to § 207.61(c) of the Commission's rules, any interested party that cannot furnish the information requested by this notice in the requested form and manner shall notify the Commission at the earliest possible time, provide a full explanation of why it cannot provide the requested information, and indicate alternative forms in which it can provide equivalent information. If an interested party does not provide this notification (or the Commission finds the explanation provided in the notification inadequate) and fails to provide a complete response to this notice, the Commission may take an adverse inference against the party pursuant to section 776(b) of the Act in making its determinations in the reviews.

Information to be Provided in Response to this Notice of Institution: If you are a domestic producer, union/worker group, or trade/business association; import/export Subject Merchandise from more than one Subject Country; or produce Subject Merchandise in more than one Subject Country, you may file a single response. If you do so, please ensure that your response to each question includes the information requested for each pertinent Subject Country. As used below, the term “firm” includes any related firms.

(1) The name and address of your firm or entity (including World Wide Web address if available) and name, telephone number, fax number, and E-mail address of the certifying official.

(2) A statement indicating whether your firm/entity is a U.S. producer of the Domestic Like Product, a U.S. union or worker group, a U.S. importer of the Subject Merchandise, a foreign producer or exporter of the Subject Merchandise, a U.S. or foreign trade or business association, or another interested party (including an explanation). If you are a union/worker group or trade/business association, identify the firms in which your workers are employed or which are members of your association.

(3) A statement indicating whether your firm/entity is willing to participate in these reviews by providing information requested by the Commission.

(4) A statement of the likely effects of the revocation of the antidumping duty orders on the Domestic Industry in general and/or your firm/entity specifically. In your response, please discuss the various factors specified in section 752(a) of the Act (19 U.S.C. 1675a(a)) including the likely volume of subject imports, likely price effects of subject imports, and likely impact of imports of Subject Merchandise on the Domestic Industry.

(5) A list of all known and currently operating U.S. producers of the Domestic Like Product. Identify any known related parties and the nature of the relationship as defined in section 771(4)(B) of the Act (19 U.S.C. 1677(4)(B)).

(6) A list of all known and currently operating U.S. importers of the Subject Merchandise and producers of the Subject Merchandise in each Subject Country that currently export or have exported Subject Merchandise to the United States or other countries since 1998.

(7) If you are a U.S. producer of the Domestic Like Product, provide the following information on your firm's operations on that product during calendar year 2002 (report quantity data in pounds and value data in U.S. dollars, f.o.b. plant). If you are a union/worker group or trade/business association, provide the information, on an aggregate basis, for the firms in which your workers are employed/which are members of your association.

(a) Production (quantity) and, if known, an estimate of the percentage of total U.S. production of the Domestic Like Product accounted for by your firm's(s') production;

(b) The quantity and value of U.S. commercial shipments of the Domestic Like Product produced in your U.S. plant(s); and

(c) The quantity and value of U.S. internal consumption/company transfers of the Domestic Like Product produced in your U.S. plant(s).

(8) If you are a U.S. importer or a trade/business association of U.S. importers of the Subject Merchandise from the Subject Countries, provide the following information on your firm's(s') operations on that product during calendar year 2002 (report quantity data in pounds and value data in U.S. dollars). If you are a trade/business association, provide the information, on an aggregate basis, for the firms which are members of your association.

(a) The quantity and value (landed, duty-paid but not including antidumping or countervailing duties) of U.S. imports and, if known, an estimate of the percentage of total U.S. imports of Subject Merchandise from each Subject Country accounted for by your firm's(s') imports;

(b) The quantity and value (f.o.b. U.S. port, including antidumping and/or countervailing duties) of U.S. commercial shipments of Subject Merchandise imported from each Subject Country; and

(c) The quantity and value (f.o.b. U.S. port, including antidumping and/or countervailing duties) of U.S. internal consumption/company transfers of Subject Merchandise imported from each Subject Country.

(9) If you are a producer, an exporter, or a trade/business association of producers or exporters of the Subject Merchandise in the Subject Countries, provide the following information on your firm's(s') operations on that product during calendar year 2002 (report quantity data in pounds and value data in U.S. dollars, landed and duty-paid at the U.S. port but not including antidumping duties). If you are a trade/business association, provide the information, on an aggregate basis, for the firms which are members of your association.

(a) Production (quantity) and, if known, an estimate of the percentage of total production of Subject Merchandise in each Subject Country accounted for by your firm's(s') production; and

(b) The quantity and value of your firm's(s') exports to the United States of Subject Merchandise and, if known, an estimate of the percentage of total exports to the United States of Subject Merchandise from each Subject Country accounted for by your firm's(s') exports.

(10) Identify significant changes, if any, in the supply and demand conditions or business cycle for the Domestic Like Product that have occurred in the United States or in the market for the Subject Merchandise in each Subject Country since the Order Date, and significant changes, if any, that are likely to occur within a reasonably foreseeable time. Supply conditions to consider include technology; production methods; development efforts; ability to increase production (including the shift of production facilities used for other products and the use, cost, or availability of major inputs into production); and factors related to the ability to shift supply among different national markets (including barriers to importation in foreign markets or changes in market demand abroad). Demand conditions to consider include end uses and applications; the existence and availability of substitute products; and the level of competition among the Domestic Like Product produced in the United States, Subject Merchandise produced in the Subject Countries, and such merchandise from other countries.

(11) (OPTIONAL) A statement of whether you agree with the above definitions of the Domestic Like Product and Domestic Industry; if you disagree with either or both of these definitions, please explain why and provide alternative definitions.

On August 4, 2003, in accordance with section 2104(a)(1) of the Trade Act of 2002, the United States Trade Representative (USTR) notified the Congress of the President's intent to initiate a free trade agreement with Bahrain. The notification letters to the Congress can be found on the USTR Web site at http://www.ustr.gov/new/fta/Bahrain/2003-08-04-notification-house.pdf and http://www.ustr.gov/new/fta/Bahrain/2003-08-04-notification-senate.pdf, respectively. The interagency Trade Policy Staff Committee (TPSC) has invited the public to provide written comments and/or oral testimony at a public hearing to be conducted on November 5, 2003 to assist USTR in formulating positions and proposals with respect to all aspects of the negotiations (68 FR 51164) (Aug. 25, 2003). It is intended that negotiations will be launched in January 2004.

The FTA is part of the President's initiative on the creation of a Middle East Free Trade Area. By moving from unilateral trade preferences to a reciprocal trade agreement, the FTA will seek to eliminate duties and unjustified barriers to trade in both U.S.- and Bahrain-origin goods and also address trade in services, trade in agricultural products, investment, trade-related aspects of intellectual property rights, government procurement, trade-related environmental and labor matters, and other issues. The FTA is expected to contribute to stronger economies, the rule of law, sustainable development, and more accountable institutions of governance, complementing ongoing domestic, bilateral, and multilateral efforts in the region.

The Trade Act of 2002 (Pub. L.107-210) (the Trade Act) sets forth special procedures (Trade Promotion Authority) for approval and implementation of Agreements subject to meeting conditions and requirements in Division B of the Trade Act, “Bipartisan Trade Promotion Authority.” Section 2102(a)-(c) of the Trade Act includes negotiating objectives and a listing of priorities for the President to promote in order to “address and maintain United States competitiveness in the global economy” in pursuing future trade agreements. The President assigned several of the functions in section 2102(c) to the Secretary of Labor. (E.O. 13277). These include the functions set forth in section 2102(c)(8), which requires that the President “in connection with any trade negotiations entered into under this Act, submit to the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Finance of the Senate a meaningful labor rights report of the country, or countries, with respect to which the President is negotiating,” and the function in section 2102(c)(9), which requires that the President “with respect to any trade agreement which the President seeks to implement under trade authorities procedures, submit to the Congress a report describing the extent to which the country or countries that are parties to the agreement have in effect laws governing exploitative child labor.”

Interested parties are invited to submit written information as specified below to be taken into account in drafting the required reports. Materials submitted should be confined to the specific topics of the reports. In particular, agencies are seeking written submissions on the following topics:

1. Labor laws of Bahrain, including laws governing exploitative child labor, and that country's implementation and enforcement of its labor laws and regulations;

2. The situation in Bahrain with respect to core labor standards;

3. Steps taken by Bahrain to comply with International Labor Organization Convention No. 182 on the worst forms of child labor; and

4. The nature and extent, if any, of exploitative child labor in Bahrain. Section 2113(6) of the Trade Act defines “core labor standards” as:

(A) The right of association;

(B) The right to organize and bargain collectively;

(C) A prohibition on the use of any form of forced or compulsory labor;

(D) A minimum age for the employment of children; and

(E) Acceptable conditions of work with respect to minimum wages, hours of work, and occupational safety and health.

This document is a request for facts or opinions submitted in response to a general solicitation of comments from the public. To ensure prompt and full consideration of submissions, we strongly recommend that interested persons submit comments by electronic mail to the following e-mail address: FRFTABahrain@dol.gov. Persons making submissions by e-mail should use the following subject line: “Bahrain: Labor Rights and Child Labor Reports.” Documents should be submitted in WordPerfect, MSWord, or text (.TXT) format. Supporting documentation submitted as spreadsheets is acceptable in Quattro Pro or Excel format. Persons who make submissions by e-mail should not provide separate cover letters; information that might appear in a cover letter should be included in the submission itself. Similarly, to the extent possible, any attachments to the submission should be included in the same file as the submission itself, and not as separate files. Written comments will be placed in a file open to public inspection at the Department of Labor, Room S-5317, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20210, and in the USTR Reading Room in Room 3 of the annex of the Office of the USTR, 1724 F Street, NW, Washington, DC 20508. An appointment to review the file at the Department of Labor may be made by contacting Betsy White at (202) 693-4919. An appointment to review the file at USTR may be made by calling (202) 395-6186. The USTR Reading Room is generally open to the public from 10 a.m.-12 noon and 1-4 p.m., Monday through Friday. Appointments must be scheduled at least 48 hours in advance.

On August 4, 2003, in accordance with section 2104(a)(1) of the Trade Act of 2002, the United States Trade Representative (USTR) notified the Congress of the President's intent to enter into free trade negotiations with the Dominican Republic. The notification letters to the Congress can be found on the USTR Web site at http://www.ustr.gov/new/fta/Dr/2003-08-04-notification-house.pdf and http://www.ustr.gov/new/fta/Dr/2003-08-04-notification-senate.pdf respectively. At a public hearing conducted on October 8, 2003, the interagency Trade Policy Staff Committee (TPSC) received written comments and oral testimony from the public to assist USTR in formulating positions and proposals with respect to all aspects of the negotiations (68 FR 51167) (Aug. 28, 2003). It is intended that negotiations will be launched in January 2004.

Through these negotiations, we expect to provide for essentially the same disciplines as those in the Free Trade Agreement we are currently negotiating with the five members of the Central American Economic Integration System (Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua) (CAFTA), and to negotiate specific market access commitments with the Dominican Republic.

The Trade Act of 2002 (Pub. L. 107-210) (the Trade Act) sets forth special procedures (Trade Promotion Authority) for approval and implementation of Agreements subject to meeting conditions and requirements in Division B of the Trade Act, “Bipartisan Trade Promotion Authority.” Section 2102(a)-(c) of the Trade Act includes negotiating objectives and a listing of priorities for the President to promote in order to “address and maintain United States competitiveness in the global economy” in pursuing future trade agreements. The President assigned several of the functions in section 2102(c) to the Secretary of Labor. (E.O. 13277). These include the functions set forth in section 2102(c)(8), which requires that the President “in connection with any trade negotiations entered into under this Act, submit to the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Finance of the Senate a meaningful labor rights report of the country, or countries, with respect to which the President is negotiating,” and the function in section 2102(c)(9), which requires that the President “with respect to any trade agreement which the President seeks to implement under trade authorities procedures, submit to the Congress a report describing the extent to which the country or countries that are parties to the agreement have in effect laws governing exploitative child labor.”

Interested parties are invited to submit written information as specified below to be taken into account in drafting the required reports. Materials submitted should be confined to the specific topics of the reports. In particular, agencies are seeking written submissions on the following topics:

1. Labor laws of the Dominican Republic, including laws governing exploitative child labor, and that country's implementation and enforcement of its labor laws and regulations;

2. The situation in the Dominican Republic with respect to core labor standards;

3. Steps taken by the Dominican Republic to comply with International Labor Organization Convention No. 182 on the worst forms of child labor; and

4. The nature and extent, if any, of exploitative child labor in the Dominican Republic.

Section 2113(6) of the Trade Act defines “core labor standards” as:

(A) The right of association;

(B) The right to organize and bargain collectively;

(C) A prohibition on the use of any form of forced or compulsory labor;

(D) A minimum age for the employment of children; and

(E) Acceptable conditions of work with respect to minimum wages, hours of work, and occupational safety and health.

This document is a request for facts or opinions submitted in response to a general solicitation of comments from the public. To ensure prompt and full consideration of submissions, we strongly recommend that interested persons submit comments by electronic mail to the following e-mail address: FRFTADominicanRepublic@dol.gov. Persons making submissions by e-mail should use the following subject line: “Dominican Republic: Labor Rights and Child Labor Reports.” Documents should be submitted in WordPerfect, MSWord, or text (.TXT) format. Supporting documentation submitted as spreadsheets is acceptable in Quattro Pro or Excel format. Persons who make submissions by e-mail should not provide separate cover letters; information that might appear in a cover letter should be included in the submission itself. Similarly, to the extent possible, any attachments to the submission should be included in the same file as the submission itself, and not as separate files. Written comments will be placed in a file open to public inspection at the Department of Labor, Room S-5317, 200 Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20210, and in the USTR Reading Room in Room 3 of the annex of the Office of the USTR, 1724 F Street NW., Washington, DC 20508. An appointment to review the file at the Department of Labor may be made by contacting Betsy White at (202) 693-4919. An appointment to review the file at USTR may be made by calling (202) 395-6186. The USTR Reading Room is generally open to the public from 10 a.m.-12 noon and 1-4 p.m., Monday through Friday. Appointments must be scheduled at least 48 hours in advance.