Authority: Section 4 (7 U.S.C. 904) of title I of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936, as amended, gives RUS the authority to make loans “for the purpose of financing the construction and operation” of electric infrastructure furnishing and improving electric service to persons in rural areas.

Definitions: For the purposes of this notice:

Carbon pollution-free electricity means electrical energy produced from resources that generate no carbon emissions, including marine energy, solar, wind, hydrokinetic (including tidal, wave, current, and thermal), geothermal, hydroelectric, nuclear, renewably sourced hydrogen, and electrical energy generation from fossil resources to the extent there is active capture and storage of carbon dioxide emissions that meets EPA requirements; https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2021/12/13/2021-27114/catalyzing-clean-energy-industries-and-jobs-through-federal-sustainability.

Energy Efficiency Measure means any capital investment that reduces energy costs in an amount sufficient to recover the total cost of purchasing and installing such measure over an appropriate period of time and maintains or reduces non-renewable energy consumption.

Clean Energy Enabling Measures shall mean measures (such as adopting new technologies and/or making investments) that enable carbon pollution-free electricity as defined in this notice.

Purpose: To provide funding, at the discretion of the RUS Administrator, to current system borrowers to meet financing needs in hardship circumstances involving unique, transitory, or exigent conditions, such as, but not limited to, power or material cost spikes; liquidity needs due to weather events, supply chain interruptions, man-made or natural disasters or circumstances where end users/consumers could experience excessive rate impacts. Additionally, these loans will require borrowers to create environmental benefits through investments in additional new carbon pollution-free electricity, energy efficiency measures, and/or clean energy enabling measures.

Terms: COOL financing recipients will be required to commit that the loan funds will be used to benefit the end users/consumers. In addition, the recipients will also be required to make an investment in carbon pollution-free electricity, energy efficiency measures, and clean energy enabling measures acceptable to the Administrator. Such investment must be after the date of the loan commitment letter and prior to two (2) years from the date of the first COOL advance, or other contract covenant deadline approved by the RUS Administrator given the unique circumstances of the Borrower. The investment must be in an amount equal to at least 10 percent of the COOL financing, be additional new carbon pollution-free electricity and/or energy efficiency measures and result in quantifiable, greenhouse gas emissions reductions as evidenced in documentation submitted to the Agency in form and substance acceptable to the RUS Administrator. In all other respects, COOL financing will be subject to the same eligibility, underwriting, loan security and repayment criteria as the core RUS electric infrastructure loan program.

COOL financing will only be made available if the Administrator determines that the loan is feasible and sufficient collateral exists to provide the RUS with adequate security pursuant to a first-priority lien or shared first-priority lien on system assets to ensure full repayment of RUS debt. COOL loans will generally follow the RUS regulations, bulletins and standard policies and procedures for the type of funding ( i.e., direct or guaranteed) approved for the COOL loan and will be at terms not to exceed 20 years.

The Electric Program will update existing regulations and bulletins and promulgate new regulations as necessary to implement this new COOL loan policy.

Background: Historically the RUS has prioritized infrastructure construction and sparingly utilized its authority to finance operations and has only approved loans funding operations where a borrower faced a unique hardship affecting the borrower's liquidity or consumer rates. The COVID pandemic and severe weather events are recent examples of such events.

The RUS, on a trial basis, approved COOL financing to several generation and transmission system borrowers and distribution system borrowers who sought operating loans to address hardship circumstances. Under the previously approved COOL financing, the Agency made operating loans whereas a condition of receiving the COOL financing, the borrowers committed that the COOL financing would benefit the end users/consumers and the borrowers also committed that an amount equal to 10 percent of the principal amount of the COOL financing would be invested in new energy efficiency measures or carbon pollution-free electricity technologies. Based on its experience with COOL financing with these trial cases and the application of the agency's rigorous underwriting standards, the agency is announcing that COOL financing is available to current RUS borrowers that encounter the hardship circumstances described in this notice.

Upon publication of this notice in the Federal Register and until further notice, the RUS will, in hardship situations, consider new requests for COOL financing in addition to its existing authorities and programs. Infrastructure financing will continue to be the RUS Electric Program's highest priority and COOL financing will only be made available in hardship cases when funds are available and there is no negative impact on RUS ability to meet the infrastructure financing needs in the core RUS Electric Program.

Under the requirements of the 1976 amendment to the Federal Election Campaign Act, Title 52, United States Code, Section 30116(e), I hereby give notice that the estimates of the voting-age population for July 1, 2023 for each state and the District of Columbia are as shown in the following table.

Gina Raimondo, Secretary, Department of Commerce, certified these estimates for the Federal Election Commission.

Robert L. Santos, Director, Census Bureau, approved the publication of this Notice in the Federal Register .

The Economic Development Administration (EDA) leads the Federal economic development agenda by promoting innovation and competitiveness, preparing American regions for growth and success in the worldwide economy. Guided by the basic principle that sustainable economic development should be driven locally, EDA works directly with communities and regions to help them build the capacity for economic development based on local business conditions and needs. The Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 (PWEDA) (42 U.S.C. 3121 et seq. ) is EDA's organic authority and is the primary legal authority under which EDA awards financial assistance. Under PWEDA, EDA provides financial assistance to both rural and urban distressed communities by fostering entrepreneurship, innovation, and productivity through investments in infrastructure development, workforce development, capacity building, and business development to attract private capital investments and new and better jobs to regions experiencing economic distress. Further information on EDA programs and financial assistance opportunities can be found at www.eda.gov.

To effectively administer and monitor its economic development assistance programs, EDA collects certain information from applications for, and recipients of, EDA investment assistance. The purpose of this notice is to seek comments from the public and other Federal agencies on a request for a new information collection by an EDA grantee. This grantee will collect information about the economic development needs, planning, and priorities of Indigenous communities. Findings from the survey will inform EDA's work with Indigenous communities and will support other agencies, organizations, and communities in better planning, funding, and implementing economic development activities.

To that end, the grantee will conduct an electronic data collection survey. A subset of the recipients (20) will also be engaged in phone interviews to better understand the experiences and decision-making processes when evaluating opportunities for economic development funding. EDA is particularly interested in public comment on how the proposed data collection will support the assessment of program effectiveness, or if alternative information should be considered.

Data will be collected electronically and via phone interviews.

OMB Control Number: None: new information collection.

Form Number(s): None: new information collection.

Type of Review: Regular submission: new information collection.

Affected Public: This survey will specifically target EDA applicants for projects that are indigenous and indigenous serving. Entities may include (i) District Organization of an EDA-designated Economic Development District (EDD); (ii) Indian Tribe or a consortium of Indian Tribes; (iii) State, county, city, or other political subdivision of a State, including a special purpose unit of a State or local government engaged in economic or infrastructure development activities, or a consortium of political subdivisions; (iv) institution of higher education or a consortium of institutions of higher education; or (v) public or private non-profit organization or association acting in cooperation with officials of a general purpose political subdivision of a State.

Estimated Number of Respondents: A total of 150 respondents for the electronic survey and a subset of 20 for the phone interviews.

Estimated Time per Response: Half an hour (30 minutes) for the electronic survey and 1 hour for each phone interview.

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 75 hours for the electronic survey and 20 hours for the phone interviews.

Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $5,985 (cost assumes application of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics September 2023 mean hourly employer costs for employee compensation for professional and related occupations of $63.00).

Respondent's Obligation: Voluntary.

Legal Authority: The Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 3121 et seq. ).

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

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

In 2018, Commerce published the antidumping and countervailing duty orders on stainless steel flanges from China and India. 1 On February 2, 2024, Anchor, an importer of stainless steel flanges, requested, through CCRs, that Commerce retroactively revoke the Orders, in part, pursuant to section 751(b)(1)(A) of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (the Act), and 19 CFR 351.216(b) with respect to certain products. 2 Anchor stated that it qualifies as an importer of stainless steel flanges currently subject to duties and, as such, is an interested party pursuant to section 771(9)(A) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.102(b)(29)(ii). 3

On March 1, 2024, Commerce requested that Anchor provide supplemental information related to its CCR Request. Anchor timely responded to this supplemental questionnaire on March 11, 2024. 4 Within Anchor's CCR Request and CCR Supplement, Anchor provided statements from members of the petitioning coalition or their representatives, including Core Pipe Products, Inc.; Kerkau Manufacturing; and Ameriforge LLC, indicating that they either were not interested in participating in the CCRs or were not contesting Anchor's proposal. 5 Furthermore, Anchor demonstrates that Core Pipe Products, Inc.; Kerkau Manufacturing; and Ameriforge LLC represent substantially all of the production of the domestic like product. 6 No interested parties filed comments opposing the CCR Request. Further, Anchor requested that Commerce conduct expedited CCRs. 7

The scope of the Orders covers certain forged stainless steel flanges, whether unfinished, semi-finished, or finished (certain forged stainless steel flanges). Certain forged stainless steel flanges are generally manufactured to, but not limited to, the material specification of ASTM/ASME A/SA182 or comparable domestic or foreign specifications. Certain forged stainless steel flanges are made in various grades such as, but not limited to, 304, 304L, 316, and 316L (or combinations thereof). The term “stainless steel” used in this scope refers to an alloy steel containing, by actual weight, 1.2 percent or less of carbon and 10.5 percent or more of chromium, with or without other elements. Unfinished stainless steel flanges possess the approximate shape of finished stainless steel flanges and have not yet been machined to final specification after the initial forging or like operations. These machining processes may include, but are not limited to, boring, facing, spot facing, drilling, tapering, threading, beveling, heating, or compressing. Semi-finished stainless steel flanges are unfinished stainless steel flanges that have undergone some machining processes.

The scope includes six general types of flanges. They are: (1) weld neck, generally used in butt-weld line connection; (2) threaded, generally used for threaded line connections; (3) slip-on, generally used to slide over pipe; (4) lap joint, generally used with stub-ends/butt-weld line connections; (5) socket weld, generally used to fit pipe into a machine recession; and (6) blind, generally used to seal off a line. The sizes and descriptions of the flanges within the scope include all pressure classes of ASME B16.5 and range from one-half inch to twenty-four inches nominal pipe size. Specifically excluded from the scope of the Orders are cast stainless steel flanges. Cast stainless steel flanges generally are manufactured to specification ASTM A351.

The country of origin for certain forged stainless steel flanges, whether unfinished, semi-finished, or finished is the country where the flange was forged. Subject merchandise includes stainless steel flanges as defined above that have been further processed in a third country. The processing includes, but is not limited to, boring, facing, spot facing, drilling, tapering, threading, beveling, heating, or compressing, and/or any other processing that would not otherwise remove the merchandise from the scope of the Orders if performed in the country of manufacture of the stainless steel flanges.

Merchandise subject to the Orders is typically imported under headings 7307.21.1000 and 7307.21.5000 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS). While HTSUS subheadings and ASTM specifications are provided for convenience and customs purposes, the written description of the scope is dispositive.

The products subject to the proposed partial revocation are certain stainless steel flanges produced in accordance with specification SAE J518. Anchor noted that SAE J518 has one and only one international equivalent standard, ISO 6162, and that it is not possible for flanges produced in accordance with SAE J518 to be certified under another standard other than the international equivalent standard ISO 6162. 8 Anchor also noted that SAE J518 flanges cannot be dual-certified with standards covering other stainless steel flanges covered by the scope of the Orders and that the flanges produced to the specification SAE J518 have unique physical characteristics that distinguish them from other stainless steel flanges subject to the Orders such that no ambiguity will be created by this exclusion. 9 Anchor specifically requests that the scope of the Orders be amended to include the following exclusion: The scope also excludes stainless steel flanges produced in accordance with specification SAE J518 (or its international equivalent, ISO 6162).

Pursuant to section 751(b)(1) of the Act, Commerce will conduct a CCR upon receipt of a request from an interested party that shows changed circumstances sufficient to warrant a review of the order. In accordance with 19 CFR 351.216(d), Commerce determines that the information submitted by Anchor, along with substantially all of the domestic industry's support, shows changed circumstances sufficient to warrant a review of the Orders.

Section 782(h)(2) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.222(g)(1)(i) provide that Commerce may revoke an order (in whole or in part) if it determines that producers accounting for substantially all of the production of the domestic like product have expressed a lack of interest in the order, in whole or in part. In its administrative practice, Commerce has interpreted “substantially all” to mean producers accounting for at least 85 percent of the total U.S. production of the domestic like product covered by the order. 10

Section 351.221(c)(3)(ii) of Commerce's regulations permits Commerce to combine the notice of initiation of a CCR and the notice of preliminary results if Commerce concludes that expedited action is warranted. 11 In this instance, because the record contains information necessary to make a preliminary finding, we find that expedited action is warranted and have combined the notice of initiation and the notice of preliminary results. 12

Pursuant to section 751(d)(1) of the Act, and 19 CFR 351.222(g), Commerce may revoke an antidumping or countervailing duty order, in whole or in part, based on a review under section 751(b) of the Act ( i.e., a CCR). Section 751(b)(1) of the Act requires a CCR to be conducted upon receipt of a request which shows changed circumstances sufficient to warrant a review. Section 782(h)(2) of the Act gives Commerce the authority to revoke an order if producers accounting for substantially all of the production of the domestic like product have expressed a lack of interest in the order. Section 351.222(g) of Commerce's regulations provides that Commerce will conduct a CCR of an antidumping or countervailing duty order under 19 CFR 351.216, and may revoke an order (in whole or in part), if it concludes that: (i) 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 relief provided by the order, in whole or in part; or (ii) if other changed circumstances sufficient to warrant revocation exist. Thus, both the Act and Commerce's regulations require that “substantially all” domestic producers express a lack of interest in the order for Commerce to revoke the order, in whole or in part. 13 In its administrative practice, Commerce has interpreted “substantially all” to represent producers accounting for at least 85 percent of U.S. production of the domestic like product. 14

As explained above, domestic stainless steel flanges producers accounting for greater than 85 percent of the domestic industry, including the original petitioners and one other domestic stainless steel flanges producer, have expressed no interest in opposing Anchor's CCR Request. 15 Substantially all of the domestic industry appears to have no interest in maintaining the Orders with respect to the specific products which are the subject of Anchor's request. 16 The domestic industry has not commented on whether the proposed scope exclusion language should be retroactive.

In light of the domestic producers' statements of no interest in opposing the revocation of the Orders, in part, with respect to the stainless steel flanges as described by Anchor, and in the absence of any other interested party comments addressing the issue of domestic industry support, we preliminarily conclude that producers accounting for substantially all of the production of the domestic like product to which the Orders pertain lack interest in the relief provided by the Orders with respect to stainless steel flanges that are the subject of Anchor's revocation request. Thus, we preliminarily determine that changed circumstances warrant revocation of the Orders, in part, with respect to such stainless steel flanges as described by Anchor. Accordingly, we are notifying the public of our intent to revoke the Orders, in part, with respect to stainless steel flanges described in the “Proposed Partial Revocation of the Orders” section above. This revocation is limited solely to those flanges produced to specification SAE J518 (or its international equivalent, ISO 6162), and not to any other specification.

Additionally, Anchor requested that Commerce find this scope exclusion applies retroactively; however, it did not provide a date as to which it believes this scope exclusion should retroactively apply. If we make a final determination to revoke the Orders in part, then we intend to apply the partial revocation to unliquidated entries of merchandise subject to the CCRs that were entered or withdrawn from warehouse, for consumption, on or after the day following the last day of the period covered by the most recently completed administrative review of each of the Orders, and are not already subject to automatic liquidation instructions.

In accordance with 19 CFR 351.309(c)(1)(ii), interested parties may submit case briefs not later than 14 days after the date of publication of this notice. 17 Rebuttal briefs, limited to issues raised in the case briefs, may be filed no later than five days after the due date for case briefs. 18

As provided under 19 CFR 351.309(c)(2) and (d)(2), in prior proceedings we have encouraged interested parties to provide an executive summary of their brief that should be limited to five pages total, including footnotes. In these CCRs, we instead request that interested parties provide at the beginning of their briefs a public, executive summary for each issue raised in their briefs. 19 Further, we request that interested parties limit their executive summary of each issue to no more than 450 words, not including citations. We intend to use the executive summaries as the basis of the comment summaries included in the Issues and Decision Memorandum that will accompany the final results in these CCRs. We request that interested parties include footnotes for relevant citations in the executive summary of each issue. Note that Commerce has amended certain of its requirements pertaining to the service of documents in 19 CFR 351.303(f). 20 An electronically filed document must be received successfully in its entirety by ACCESS by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on the day on which it is due.

Pursuant to 19 CFR 351.310(c), any interested party may request a hearing within 14 days of publication of this notice in the Federal Register . 21 Hearing requests should contain the following information: (1) the party's name, address, and telephone number; (2) the number of participants; and (3) a list of the issues to be discussed. Oral presentations at the hearing will be limited to issues raised in the briefs. 22 If a request for a hearing is made, Commerce intends to hold the hearing at a time and date to be determined. Parties should confirm the date and the time of the hearing two days before the scheduled date.

Unless extended, consistent with 19 CFR 351.216(e), Commerce intends to issue the final results of these CCRs no later than 270 days after the date on which these reviews were initiated or 45 days if all parties agree to the outcome of the reviews. If, in the final results of these reviews, Commerce continues to determine that changed circumstances warrant the revocation of the Orders, in part, we will instruct U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to liquidate without regard to antidumping or countervailing duties, and to refund any estimated antidumping and countervailing duties deposited on all unliquidated entries of the merchandise covered by the revocation that are not covered by the final results of an administrative review or an automatic liquidation instruction to CBP. The current requirement for cash deposits of estimated antidumping or countervailing duties on all entries of subject merchandise will continue unless they are modified pursuant to the final results of these changed CCRs.

This initiation notice and preliminary results are published in accordance with section 751(b)(1) of the Act, 19 CFR 351.216(b)(1) and 19 CFR 351.222 (c)(3)(ii).

On February 23, 2024, Commerce published the final results of the 2021-2022 administrative review of the antidumping duty order on steel propane cylinders from Thailand. 1 On February 29, 2024, Sahamitr Pressure Container Public Company Limited (SMPC), the sole respondent in this administrative review, timely alleged that Commerce made a ministerial error in the Final Results. 2 Commerce is amending its Final Results to correct for the ministerial error alleged by SMPC. No other party made a ministerial error allegation or provided rebuttal comments in response to SMPC's ministerial error allegation.

A “ministerial error” is defined as including “errors in addition, subtraction, or other arithmetic function, clerical errors resulting from inaccurate copying, duplication, or the like, and any other type of unintentional error which the {Commerce} considers ministerial.”  3 Pursuant to 19 CFR 351.224(e), Commerce will analyze any comments received and, if appropriate, correct any ministerial error by amending the final results of review.

In the Final Results, Commerce made an inadvertent error within the meaning of section 751(h) of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (the Act) and 19 CFR 351.224(f) with respect to the selection of sales databases used in SMPC's margin analysis. Accordingly, pursuant to 19 CFR 351.224(e), Commerce is amending the Final Results to correct for this ministerial error. 4 For a complete description and analysis of the specific inadvertent error, and SMPC's ministerial error allegation, see the accompanying Ministerial Error Allegation Memorandum. 5 The Ministerial Error Allegation Memorandum is a public document and is on file electronically via Enforcement and Compliance's Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Centralized Electronic Service System (ACCESS). ACCESS is available to registered users at https://access.trade.gov.

As a result of correcting this ministerial error, Commerce determines that, for the POR August 1, 2021, through July 31, 2022, the following weighted-average dumping margin exists:

We intend to disclose the calculations performed for these amended final results to parties in this review, under administrative protective order (APO), within five days of the date of publication of this notice in the Federal Register , in accordance with 19 CFR 351.224(b).

Pursuant to section 751(a)(2)(C) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.212(b)(1), Commerce has determined, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) shall assess, antidumping duties on all appropriate entries of subject merchandise in accordance with these amended final results of the administrative review.

Pursuant to 19 CFR 351.212(b)(1), where the respondent reported the entered value of its U.S. sales, we calculated importer-specific ad valorem duty assessment rates based on the ratio of the total amount of dumping calculated for the examined sales to the total entered value of the sales for which entered value was reported. Where the respondent did not report entered value, we calculated the entered value in order to calculate the assessment rate. Where either the respondent's weighted-average dumping margin is zero or de minimis within the meaning of 19 CFR 351.106(c)(1), or an importer-specific rate is zero or de minimis, we will instruct CBP to liquidate the appropriate entries without regard to antidumping duties.

Commerce's “automatic assessment” will apply to entries of subject merchandise during the POR produced by SMPC for which it did not know that the merchandise it sold to the intermediary ( e.g., a reseller, trading company, or exporter) was destined for the United States. In such instances, we will instruct CBP to liquidate unreviewed entries at the all-others rate if there is no rate for the intermediate company(ies) involved in the transaction.

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

The following cash deposit requirements will be effective retroactively for all shipments of subject merchandise that entered, or were withdrawn from warehouse, for consumption on or after February 23, 2024, the date of publication of the Final Results of this administrative review, as provided for by section 751(a)(2)(C) of the Act: (1) the cash deposit rate for SMPC will be equal to the weighted-average dumping margin established in these amended final results of review; (2) for producers or exporters not covered in this review but covered in a prior segment of the proceeding, the cash deposit rate will continue to be the company-specific rate published for the most recently completed segment of this proceeding; (3) if the exporter is not a firm covered in this review or another completed segment of this proceeding, but the producer is, then the cash deposit rate will be the rate established for the most recently completed segment of this proceeding for the producer of the merchandise; and (4) if neither the exporter nor the producer is a firm covered in this or any previously completed segment of this proceeding, then the cash deposit rate will be the all-others rate of 10.77 percent established in the less-than-fair-value investigation. 6 These cash deposit requirements, when imposed, shall remain in effect until further notice.

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

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

The amended final results and notice are issued and published in accordance with sections 751(h) and 777(i) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.224(e).

On August 23, 2023, Commerce initiated an LTFV investigation of imports of mattresses from Mexico. 1 The period of investigation is July 1, 2022, through June 30, 2023. On March 1, 2024, Commerce published its preliminary determination in this LTFV investigation of mattresses from Mexico. 2

Section 735(a)(2) of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (the Act), and 19 CFR 351.210(b)(2) provide that a final determination may be postponed until not later than 135 days after the date of the publication of the preliminary determination if, in the event of an affirmative preliminary determination, a request for such postponement is made by an exporter or producer who accounts for a significant proportion of exports of the subject merchandise, or in the event of a negative preliminary determination, a request for such postponement is made by the petitioners. Further, 19 CFR 351.210(e)(2) requires that such postponement requests by exporters be accompanied by a request for extension of provisional measures from a four-month period to a period not more than six months, in accordance with section 733(d) of the Act.

On March 13, 2024, Ureblock S.A. de C.V. (Ureblock), a mandatory respondent in this investigation, requested that Commerce postpone the deadline for the final determination pursuant to 19 CFR 351.210(b)(2)(ii) and (e) and extend the application of the provisional measures from a four-month period to a period of not more than six months. 3 In accordance with section 735(a)(2)(A) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.210(b)(2)(ii), because: (1) the preliminary determination was affirmative; (2) the request for postponement was made by an exporter and producer who accounts for a significant proportion of exports of the subject merchandise; and (3) no compelling reasons for denial exist, Commerce is postponing the final determination until no later than 135 days after the date of publication of the Preliminary Determination, and extending the provisional measures from a four-month period to a period of not more than six months. Accordingly, Commerce will issue its final determination no later than July 15, 2024. 4

Sections 101(a)(5)(A) and (D) of the MMPA (16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq. ) direct the Secretary of Commerce (as delegated to NMFS) to allow, upon request, the incidental, but not intentional, taking of small numbers of marine mammals by U.S. citizens who engage in a specified activity (other than commercial fishing) within a specified geographical region if certain findings are made and either regulations are issued or, if the taking is limited to harassment, a notice of a proposed authorization is provided to the public for review.

An incidental take authorization shall be granted if NMFS finds that the taking will have a negligible impact on the species or stock(s), will not have an unmitigable adverse impact on the availability of the species or stock(s) for subsistence uses (where relevant), and if the permissible methods of taking and requirements pertaining to the mitigation, monitoring and reporting of such takings are set forth.

NMFS has defined “negligible impact” in 50 CFR 216.103 as an impact resulting from the specified activity that cannot be reasonably expected to, and is not reasonably likely to, adversely affect the species or stock through effects on annual rates of recruitment or survival.

The MMPA states that the term “take” means to harass, hunt, capture, kill or attempt to harass, hunt, capture, or kill any marine mammal.

Except with respect to certain activities not pertinent here, the MMPA defines “harassment” as: any act of pursuit, torment, or annoyance, which (i) has the potential to injure a marine mammal or marine mammal stock in the wild (Level A harassment); or (ii) has the potential to disturb a marine mammal or marine mammal stock in the wild by causing disruption of behavioral patterns, including, but not limited to, migration, breathing, nursing, breeding, feeding, or sheltering (Level B harassment).

On November 13, 2023, NMFS received an application from the AFSC requesting authorization for take of marine mammals incidental to fisheries and ecosystem research conducted by AFSC and the International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC) in the Pacific and Arctic Oceans. Following NMFS' review of the application, AFSC provided responses to our questions and submitted a revised application on March 19, 2024, and the application was deemed adequate and complete on March 20, 2024. The requested regulations would be valid for 5 years, from October 7, 2024 through October 6, 2029. AFSC plans to conduct fisheries research surveys in multiple geographic regions, including the Gulf of Alaska, Bering Sea, and Arctic Ocean. The IPHC operates in the Bering Sea, Gulf of Alaska, and waters off the U.S west coast. It is possible that marine mammals may interact with fishing gear ( e.g., trawl nets, longline, gillnets) used in AFSC's and IPHC's fisheries research projects, resulting in injury, serious injury, or mortality. In addition, Level B harassment takes due to physical disturbance of pinnipeds at haulouts due to the presence of research vessels, gear, or humans is possible. Therefore, AFSC requests authorization to incidentally take marine mammals.

AFSC has determined it appropriate to incorporate the fisheries research activities of the IPHC into their specified activity. The IPHC, established by a Convention between the government of Canada and the U.S., is an international fisheries organization mandated to conduct research on and manage the stock of Pacific halibut ( Hippoglossus stenolepis ) within the Convention waters of both nations. Although operating in U.S. waters (and, therefore, subject to the MMPA prohibition on “take” of marine mammals), the IPHC is not appropriately considered to be a U.S. citizen (as defined by the MMPA) and cannot be issued an incidental take authorization. IPHC activity and requested take authorization is described in AFSC's application.

The requested regulations would be the second incidental take regulations issued to AFSC, following regulations in place from 2019-2024. Monitoring reports submitted by AFSC are available online at: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/action/incidental-take-authorization-noaa-fisheries-afsc-fisheries-and-ecosystem-research.

The Federal Government has a responsibility to conserve and protect living marine resources in U.S. federal waters and has also entered into a number of international agreements and treaties related to the management of living marine resources in international waters outside the United States. NOAA has the primary responsibility for managing marine fin and shellfish species and their habitats, with that responsibility delegated within NOAA to NMFS.

In order to direct and coordinate the collection of scientific information needed to make informed management decisions, Congress created six Regional Fisheries Science Centers, each a distinct organizational entity and the scientific focal point within NMFS for region-based, Federal fisheries-related research. This research is aimed at monitoring fish stock recruitment, abundance, survival and biological rates, geographic distribution of species and stocks, ecosystem process changes, and marine ecological research. The AFSC is the research arm of NMFS in U.S. waters off of Alaska.

As noted above, the IPHC is an international organization dedicated to conducting research in support of increasing and maintaining knowledge of halibut biology and stock assessment.

Research is aimed at monitoring fish stock recruitment, survival and biological rates, abundance and geographic distribution of species and stocks, and providing other scientific information needed to improve our understanding of complex marine ecological processes. The AFSC and IPHC propose to administer and conduct these survey programs over the 5-year period.

Interested persons may submit information, suggestions, and comments concerning AFSC's request (see ADDRESSES ). NMFS will consider all information, suggestions, and comments related to the request during the development of proposed regulations governing the incidental taking of marine mammals by AFSC, if appropriate.

The Council will begin this meeting with brief announcements, followed by reports on recent activities from the Council's Chair and Executive Director, the GARFO Regional Administrator, the NOAA Office of General Counsel, the Northeast Fisheries Science Center (NEFSC) Director, the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council liaison, and representatives from the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC), the U.S. Coast Guard, NOAA's Office of Law Enforcement, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The Council then will receive a presentation from the Council chair on preventing harassment in the fishery management council process. The Enforcement Committee report will be next. The committee will provide guidance on: (1) use of vessel monitoring systems (VMS) in enforcement and scallop VMS reporting rates; (2) evolving on-demand fishing gear programs; and (3) enforceability of closed area polygon boundaries.

After the lunch break, the Council will receive a brief Scallop Committee report with an overview of the 2024 scallop workplan. Then, the Council will devote the rest of the afternoon to a discussion about the Northern Edge of Georges Bank, beginning with an analysis of the concept areas for potential scallop fishery access to the habitat closure area and then a full Council discussion about action or direction on the preparation of management alternatives. Following the adjournment of official business, the Council will host a public outreach session to foster open lines of communication among Council members, staff, industry, and all meeting attendees. This event will be held at the Hilton Mystic in the restaurant/lobby area.

The Council will begin the second day of its meeting with the Northeast Fisheries Science Center's presentation on the peer reviewed results of the Applying State Space Models Research Track. Next, the Risk Policy Working Group will present proposed revisions to the Council's Risk Policy. The Council will engage in a discussion about the revisions and path forward. The first part of the Habitat Committee report will follow. The Council will receive: (1) input from a Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) subpanel on the Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) Review; and (2) Habitat Plan Development Team updates on EFH review components.

Following the lunch break, the Council will receive the second part of the Habitat Committee report. Offshore wind developers will provide updates about their respective projects regarding project status, surveys, fisheries mitigation, and other topics. The Council then will receive a report on outcomes from a recent EFH Climate Resilience Workshop and other habitat-related updates. The Monkfish Committee report will be next. The Council will take final action on Framework Adjustment 15 to the Monkfish Fishery Management Plan (FMP). This framework is a joint action with the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council to reduce monkfish and spiny dogfish large-mesh gillnet fishery interactions with Atlantic sturgeon. Next, the Council will receive a progress report on Amendment 10 to the Atlantic Herring FMP, which is an action to: (1) minimize user conflicts; (2) contribute to optimum yield; (3) support rebuilding of Atlantic herring; and (4) enhance river herring and shad avoidance and catch reduction. The full Council then will adjourn for the day. Shortly afterward, at 6 p.m., in the same meeting room, the Council will hold a public scoping meeting on Atlantic Herring Amendment 10.

The Council will lead off the third day of its meeting with the Northeast Trawl Advisory Panel (NTAP) report, which will include overviews of: (1) NTAP's recent Bigelow Continency Plan Working Group meeting; (2) continued discussions on the Industry-Based Survey Pilot Project; and (3) other NOAA Ship Henry B. Bigelow continency options. Next, members of the public will have the opportunity to speak during an open comment period on issues that relate to Council business but are not included on the published agenda for this meeting. The Council asks the public to limit remarks to 3-5 minutes. These comments will be received both in person and through the webinar. A guide for how to publicly comment through the webinar is available on the Council website at https://s3.amazonaws.com/nefmc.org/NEFMC-meeting-remote-participation_generic.pdf . The comment period will be followed by the Groundfish Committee report. The Council will receive an SSC subpanel report on an Atlantic cod stock structure management strategy evaluation (MSE) review. The Council then will receive an update on upcoming public workshops and the proposed phases of work related to its Atlantic Cod Management Transition Plan. The Council also will discuss options for incorporating the four biological stock units of Atlantic cod into the Northeast Multispecies (Groundfish) Fishery Management Plan. Finally, the Council will receive an update on work to review flatfish sub-annual catch limits and accountability measures. The Council then will close out the meeting with other business.

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

This meeting is physically accessible to people with disabilities. Requests for sign language interpretation or other auxiliary aids should be directed to Executive Director Cate O'Keefe (see ADDRESSES ) at least 5 days prior to the meeting date.

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

The subject permit is requested under the authority of the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as amended (MMPA; 16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq. ), and the regulations governing the taking and importing of marine mammals (50 CFR part 216).

The applicant proposes to continue to study the population biology, behavior, and health of common bottlenose dolphins in Central and South Texas waters (bays, sounds, estuaries). The research aims to: (1) establish dolphin spatiotemporal patterns; (2) maintain a photo-identification catalog of dolphins; (3) analyze dolphin behavior relative to anthropogenic disturbance; and (4) determine the health condition of dolphins. Researchers would harass up to 3,081 dolphins annually during unmanned aircraft surveys and vessel-based surveys for photo-identification, observations, and passive acoustic monitoring. A subset of 90 dolphins would also be biopsy sampled annually. The permit would be valid for 5 years.

In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq. ), an initial determination has been made that the activity proposed is categorically excluded from the requirement to prepare an environmental assessment or environmental impact statement.

Concurrent with the publication of this notice in the Federal Register , NMFS is forwarding copies of the application to the Marine Mammal Commission and its Committee of Scientific Advisors.

The MMPA prohibits the “take” of marine mammals, with certain exceptions. Sections 101(a)(5)(A) and (D) of the MMPA (16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq. ) direct the Secretary of Commerce (as delegated to NMFS) to allow, upon request, the incidental, but not intentional, taking of small numbers of marine mammals by U.S. citizens who engage in a specified activity (other than commercial fishing) within a specified geographical region if certain findings are made and either regulations are promulgated or, if the taking is limited to harassment, an IHA is issued.

Authorization for incidental takings shall be granted if NMFS finds that the taking will have a negligible impact on the species or stock(s) and will not have an unmitigable adverse impact on the availability of the species or stock(s) for taking for subsistence uses (where relevant). Further, NMFS must prescribe the permissible methods of taking and other “means of effecting the least practicable adverse impact” on the affected species or stocks and their habitat, paying particular attention to rookeries, mating grounds, and areas of similar significance, and on the availability of such species or stocks for taking for certain subsistence uses (referred to here as “mitigation measures”). NMFS must also prescribe requirements pertaining to monitoring and reporting of such takings. The definition of key terms such as “take,” “harassment,” and “negligible impact” can be found in the MMPA and NMFS's implementing regulations (see 16 U.S.C. 1362; 50 CFR 216.103).

NMFS' regulations implementing the MMPA at 50 CFR 216.107(e) indicate that IHAs may be renewed for additional periods of time not to exceed 1 year for each reauthorization. In the notice of proposed IHA for the initial IHA, NMFS described the circumstances under which we would consider issuing a renewal for this activity, and requested public comment on a potential renewal under those circumstances. Specifically, on a case-by-case basis, NMFS may issue a one-time 1-year renewal IHA following notice to the public providing an additional 15 days for public comments when (1) up to another year of identical, or nearly identical, activities as described in the Detailed Description of Specified Activities section of the initial IHA issuance notice is planned or (2) the activities as described in the Description of the Specified Activities and Anticipated Impacts section of the initial IHA issuance notice would not be completed by the time the initial IHA expires and a renewal would allow for completion of the activities beyond that described in the DATES section of the notice of issuance of the initial IHA, provided all of the following conditions are met:

1. A request for renewal is received no later than 60 days prior to the needed renewal IHA effective date (recognizing that the renewal IHA expiration date cannot extend beyond 1 year from expiration of the initial IHA).

2. The request for renewal must include the following:

• An explanation that the activities to be conducted under the requested renewal IHA are identical to the activities analyzed under the initial IHA, are a subset of the activities, or include changes so minor ( e.g., reduction in pile size) that the changes do not affect the previous analyses, mitigation and monitoring requirements, or take estimates (with the exception of reducing the type or amount of take).

• A preliminary monitoring report showing the results of the required monitoring to date and an explanation showing that the monitoring results do not indicate impacts of a scale or nature not previously analyzed or authorized.

3. Upon review of the request for renewal, the status of the affected species or stocks, and any other pertinent information, NMFS determines that there are no more than minor changes in the activities, the mitigation and monitoring measures will remain the same and appropriate, and the findings in the initial IHA remain valid.

An additional public comment period of 15 days (for a total of 45 days), with direct notice by email, phone, or postal service to commenters on the initial IHA, is provided to allow for any additional comments on the proposed renewal. A description of the renewal process may be found on our website at: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/national/marine-mammal-protection/incidental-harassment-authorization-renewals.

On July 31, 2023, NMFS issued an IHA to Caltrans to take marine mammals incidental to Phase II of the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge Restoration Project in Richmond, California (88 FR 51778, August 4, 2023), effective from August 1, 2023 through March 30, 2024. On February 7, 2023, NMFS received an application for the renewal of that initial IHA. As described in the application for renewal, the activities for which incidental take is requested consist of activities that are covered by the initial authorization but will not be completed prior to its expiration. As required, the applicant also provided a preliminary monitoring report (available at https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/action/incidental-take-authorization-california-department-transportations-richmond-san-rafael ) which confirms that the applicant has implemented the required mitigation and monitoring, and which also shows that no impacts of a scale or nature not previously analyzed or authorized have occurred as a result of the activities conducted. The notice of the proposed renewal IHA was published on March 4, 2024 (89 FR 15549).

Under the initial IHA Caltrans proposed to conduct construction activities to restore a portion of the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge. Prior to restoration work Caltrans would install a debris containment system to ensure contaminants from construction are not deposited into San Francisco Bay. Caltrans and NMFS concluded that during the deployment and retrieval of the containment system disturbance ( i.e., Level B harassment) may occur to harbor seals hauled out at Castro Rocks. Castro Rocks is an important haulout location for harbor seals that is close to the portion of the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge where construction work is occurring.

Under the initial IHA Caltrans took 19 days to deploy the debris containment system and during this time protected species observers (PSOs) did not observe any disturbance of harbor seals hauled out at Castro Rocks. Caltrans will be unable to remove the debris containment system before the expiration of the initial IHA. Therefore, this renewal will allow for the removal of the debris containment system and completion of the restoration project. NMFS authorized 9,000 takes of harbor seals by Level B harassment under the initial IHA, for the installation and removal of the debris containment system. This renewal will authorize a portion of the number of takes authorized in the initial IHA based on the days remaining to complete the work.

All documents related to the initial IHA and the applicant's request for renewal are available on our website at: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/action/incidental-take-authorization-california-department-transportations-richmond-san-rafael.

A detailed description of the construction activities for which take is authorized here may be found in the Notices of the Proposed (88 FR 41920, June 28, 2023) and Final IHAs (88 FR 51778, August 4, 2023) for the initial authorization. The location, timing, and nature of the activities, including the types of equipment planned for use, are identical to those described in the previous notices. This renewal IHA is effective from April 1, 2024 through March 30, 2025.

A description of the marine mammals in the area of the activities for which authorization of take is proposed here, including information on abundance, status, distribution, and hearing, may be found in the Federal Register notice of the Proposed IHA (88 FR 41920, June 28, 2023) for the initial authorization. NMFS has reviewed the monitoring data from the initial IHA, 2023 draft Stock Assessment Reports, information on relevant Unusual Mortality Events, and other scientific literature, and determined there is no new information that affects which species or stocks have the potential to be affected or the pertinent information in the Description of the Marine Mammals in the Area of Specified Activities contained in the supporting documents for the initial IHA.

A description of the potential effects of the specified activity on marine mammals and their habitat may be found in the Federal Register notice of the Proposed IHA (88 FR 41920, June 28, 2023) for the initial authorization. NMFS has reviewed the monitoring data from the initial IHA, recent draft Stock Assessment Reports, information on relevant Unusual Mortality Events, and other scientific literature, and determined that there is no new information that affects our initial analysis of impacts on marine mammals and their habitat.

The initial IHA assumed a daily occurrence rate of 300 harbor seals per day on Castro Rocks. Caltrans expected the installation and removal of the debris containment system to take approximately 30 days. Therefore, the initial IHA authorized a total of 9,000 takes by Level B harassment to complete the installation and removal of the debris containment system. Under the initial IHA Caltrans installed the debris containment system over a 19 day period and no takes by Level B harassment of harbor seals were observed during that time. The removal of the debris containment system will not be completed before the initial IHA expires.

This IHA renewal will authorize take by Level B harassment of harbor seals during the removal of the debris containment system. It is expected to take a total of 10 days to remove the debris containment system once the construction activities are completed. NMFS assumes a similar daily occurrence rate of 300 harbor seals per day on Castro Rocks which over the 10 days of remaining work will equate to a total of 3,000 takes by Level B harassment of harbor seals under this renewal IHA. A detailed description of the methods and inputs used to estimate take for the specified activity are found in the Federal Register notices of the Proposed IHA (88 FR 41920, June 28, 2023) and Final IHA (88 FR 51778, August 4, 2023) for the initial authorization.

The mitigation, monitoring, and reporting measures included as requirements in this authorization are identical to those included in the Federal Register notice announcing the issuance of the initial IHA, and the discussion of the least practicable adverse impact included in the Federal Register notice of the Proposed IHA (88 FR 41920, June 28, 2023) remains accurate. The following mitigation measures are required for this renewal:

• Seasonal Work Restrictions: installation or removal of the debris containment system must not occur between Piers 52-57 from April 1-July 31 due to the pupping and molting period of harbor seals;

• Work must not take place outside of the containment system on the bridge between Piers 52-57 from April 1 to July 31;

• A non-disturbance buffer will be established within 400 feet (121 meters) of Castro Rocks on the south side of bridge;

• Staging of barges will not be allowed in the project area;

• Routes for watercraft to reach work locations will be predetermined in consultation with the project biologist to avoid harassment or take of marine mammals hauled out at Castro Rocks; and

• No piles may be driven or vibrated to create staging locations for any watercraft. Barges and vessels will be tethered to the existing concrete bridge piers.

The following monitoring and reporting measures are required for this renewal:

• Caltrans will monitor to collect data on marine mammal behavior, counts of the individuals observed, and the frequency of the observations. Caltrans will collect sighting data and observations on behavioral responses to construction for marine mammal species observed in the region of activity during the period of construction. All observers will be trained in the identification of marine mammals and marine mammal behaviors;

• PSOs must be independent observers ( i.e., not construction personnel). All PSOs must have the ability to conduct field observations and collect data according to assigned protocols, be experienced in field identification of marine mammals and their behaviors. Caltrans must submit their resumes to NMFS for approval;

• Biological monitoring must occur 5 days prior to the Project's start date, to establish baseline observations;

• Observation periods will encompass different tide levels and hours of the day. Monitoring of marine mammals around the construction site will be conducted using binoculars as necessary; and

• The location of the PSOs will be at a monitoring platform positioned on Pier 55 of the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge, at the closest pier of the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge to Castro Rocks. Pier 55 is approximately 21 meters from the nearest rock at Castro Rocks harbor seal colony.

Caltrans shall submit a draft report to NMFS within 90 days of the completion of marine mammal monitoring, or 60 days prior to the issuance of any subsequent IHA for this project (if required), whichever comes first. The annual report will detail the monitoring protocol, summarize the data recorded during monitoring, and estimate the number of marine mammals that may have been harassed. If no comments are received from NMFS within 30 days, the draft final report will become final. If comments are received, a final report must be submitted up to 30 days after receipt of comments. All PSO datasheets and/or raw sighting data must be submitted with the draft marine mammal report.

Reports shall contain the following information:

• Dates and times (begin and end) of all marine mammal monitoring;

• Construction activities occurring during each daily observation period including: (a) what type of restoration work is being completed, and (b) the total duration of work completed;

• PSO locations during monitoring; and

• Environmental conditions during monitoring periods (at beginning and end of PSO shift and whenever conditions change significantly), including sea state and any other relevant weather conditions including cloud cover, fog, sun glare, and overall visibility to the horizon, and estimated observable distance.

Upon observation of a marine mammal, the following information must be reported:

• Name of PSO who sighted the animal(s) and PSO location and activity at time of sighting;

• Time of sighting;

• Identification of the animal(s) ( e.g., genus/species, lowest possible taxonomic level, or unidentified), and PSO confidence in identification;

• Distance and location of each observed marine mammal relative to the bridge restoration work;

• Estimated number of animals by species (min/max/best estimate);

• Estimated number of animals by cohort (adults, pups, and group composition, etc. );

• Description of any marine mammal behavioral observations ( e.g., observed behaviors such as feeding or traveling), including an assessment of behavioral responses thought to have resulted from the activity ( e.g., no response or changes in behavioral state such flushing or head posturing); and

• Detailed information about implementation of any mitigation measures, a description of specified actions that ensured, and resulting changes in behavior of the animal(s), if any.

A notice of NMFS' proposal to issue a renewal IHA to Caltrans was published in the Federal Register on March 3, 2024 (89 FR 15549). That notice either described, or referenced descriptions of, the Caltrans' activity, the marine mammal species that may be affected by the activity, the anticipated effects on marine mammals and their habitat, estimated amount and manner of take, and proposed mitigation, monitoring and reporting measures. NMFS received no public comments on the proposed IHA renewal notice.

The activities conducted under this potential renewal will be a subset of the activities authorized under the initial IHA. Specifically, this renewal will authorize take incidental to the removal of the debris containment system. Removal of the debris containment system is expected to take 10 days. Take incidental to this activity was originally authorized under the initial IHA but Caltrans could not complete the removal of the debris containment system before the initial IHA expired. In analyzing the effects of the activities for the initial IHA, NMFS determined that the Caltrans' activities will have a negligible impact on the affected species or stocks and that the authorized take numbers of each species or stock were small relative to the relevant stocks ( e.g., less than one-third of the abundance of all stocks). There is no new information that affects NMFS' determinations supporting issuance initial IHA or this renewal. The mitigation measures and monitoring and reporting requirements as described above are identical to the initial IHA.

NMFS has concluded that there is no new information suggesting that our analysis or findings should change from those reached for the initial IHA. Based on the information and analysis contained here and in the referenced documents, NMFS has determined the following: (1) the required mitigation measures will effect the least practicable impact on marine mammal species or stocks and their habitat; (2) the authorized takes will have a negligible impact on the affected marine mammal species or stocks; (3) the authorized takes represent small numbers of marine mammals relative to the affected stock abundances; (4) Caltrans' activities will not have an unmitigable adverse impact on taking for subsistence purposes as no relevant subsistence uses of marine mammals are implicated by this action, and; (5) appropriate monitoring and reporting requirements are included.

This action is consistent with categories of activities identified in Categorical Exclusion B4 (incidental take authorizations with no anticipated serious injury or mortality) of the Companion Manual for NOAA Administrative Order 216-6A, which do not individually or cumulatively have the potential for significant impacts on the quality of the human environment and for which we have not identified any extraordinary circumstances that would preclude this categorical exclusion. Accordingly, NMFS determined that the issuance of the initial IHA qualified to be categorically excluded from further National Environmental Policy Act review. NMFS has determined that the application of this categorical exclusion remains appropriate for this renewal IHA.

No incidental take of Endangered Species Act (ESA)-listed species is authorized or expected to result from this activity. Therefore, NMFS has determined that formal consultation under section 7 of the ESA is not required for this action.

NMFS has issued a renewal IHA to Caltrans for the take of marine mammals incidental to conducting Phase II of the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge Restoration Project in Richmond, California valid from April 1, 2024 through March 30, 2025.

This notice is published pursuant to 41 U.S.C. 8503(a)(2) and 41 CFR 51-2.3. Its purpose is to provide interested persons an opportunity to submit comments on the proposed actions.

If the Committee approves the proposed additions, the entities of the Federal Government identified in this notice will be required to procure the product(s) and service(s) listed below from nonprofit agencies employing persons who are blind or have other severe disabilities. In accordance with 41 CFR 51-2.4(b), Government personnel within the contracting activity have identified this as a product requirement not applicable to other Federal entities and has requested the Committee consider granting a purchase or distribution preference if the product is added to the Procurement List. See 71 FR 69536 (Dec. 1, 2006). If the Committee grants this request, the Litter, Quad-Fold, De-contaminable will not be available through the U.S. AbilityOne Commission's Commercial Distribution Program. The Committee will consider this request along with relevant comments received from interested parties. If the Committee adds this product to the Procurement List, direct orders for this product may be authorized per 41 CFR 51-6.1 and Federal Acquisition Regulation 8.705-2 if sufficient quantities are available for direct purchase.

The following product(s) are proposed for addition to the Procurement List for production by the nonprofit agencies listed:

The following product(s) and service(s) are proposed for deletion from the Procurement List:

On 2/23/2024, the Committee for Purchase From People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled published notice of proposed deletions from the Procurement List. This notice is published pursuant to 41 U.S.C. 8503 (a)(2) and 41 CFR 51-2.3.

After consideration of the relevant matter presented, the Committee has determined that the product(s) and service(s) listed below are no longer suitable for procurement by the Federal Government under 41 U.S.C. 8501-8506 and 41 CFR 51-2.4.

I certify that the following action will not have a significant impact on a substantial number of small entities. The major factors considered for this certification were:

1. The action will not result in additional reporting, recordkeeping or other compliance requirements for small entities.

2. The action may result in authorizing small entities to furnish the product(s) and service(s) to the Government.

3. There are no known regulatory alternatives which would accomplish the objectives of the Javits-Wagner-O'Day Act (41 U.S.C. 8501-8506) in connection with the product(s) and service(s) deleted from the Procurement List.

Accordingly, the following product(s) and service(s) are deleted from the Procurement List:

Title; Associated Form; and OMB Number: Computer Aided Dispatch and Record Management System (CAD/RMS); OMB Control Number: 0704-0522.

Type of Request: Extension.

Number of Respondents: 693.

Responses per Respondent: 1.

Annual Responses: 693.

Average Burden per Response: 20 minutes.

Annual Burden Hours: 231.

Needs and Uses: The information collection requirement is necessary to obtain information regarding incidents that occur at the Pentagon and other facilities under the jurisdiction of the Pentagon Force Protection Agency.

Affected Public: Individuals or households.

Frequency: On occasion.

Respondent's Obligation: Voluntary.

OMB Desk Officer: Ms. Jasmeet Seehra.

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

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

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

DOD Clearance Officer: Mr. Reginald Lucas.

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

The Department, in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA) (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)), provides the general public and Federal agencies with an opportunity to comment on proposed, revised, and continuing collections of information. This helps the Department assess the impact of its information collection requirements and minimize the public's reporting burden. It also helps the public understand the Department's information collection requirements and provide the requested data in the desired format. The Department is soliciting comments on the proposed information collection request (ICR) that is described below. The Department is especially interested in public comment addressing the following issues: (1) is this collection necessary to the proper functions of the Department; (2) will this information be processed and used in a timely manner; (3) is the estimate of burden accurate; (4) how might the Department enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (5) how might the Department minimize the burden of this collection on the respondents, including through the use of information technology. Please note that written comments received in response to this notice will be considered public records.

Title of Collection: International Resource Information System (IRIS).

OMB Control Number: 1840-0759.

Type of Review: An extension without change of a currently approved ICR.

Respondents/Affected Public: Private sector; individuals and households.

Total Estimated Number of Annual Responses: 6,596.

Total Estimated Number of Annual Burden Hours: 35,712.

Abstract: Information Resource Information System (IRIS) is an online performance reporting system for grantees of International and Foreign Language Education (IFLE) programs. The site also allows for IFLE program officers to process overseas language requests, travel authorization requests, and grant activation requests. IRIS keeps a record of these requests and also of Foreign Language and Area Studies (FLAS) Fellowship recipients and grantee performance reports.

This is a request for an extension of IRIS, which will permit the continued collection of project and program performance data for IFLE programs: (1) American Overseas Research Centers (AORC), (2) Business and International Education (BIE), (3) Centers for International Business Education (CIBE), (4) Foreign Language and Area Studies (FLAS) Fellowships, (5) Institute for International Public Policy (IIPP), (6) International Research and Studies (IRS), (7) Language Resource Centers (LRC), (8) National Resource Centers (NRC), (9) Technological Innovation and Cooperation for Foreign Information Access (TICFIA), (10) Undergraduate International Studies and Foreign Language (UISFL), (11) Fulbright-Hays Doctoral Dissertation Research Abroad Program (DDRA), (12) Fulbright-Hays Faculty Research Abroad (FRA), (13) Fulbright-Hays Group Projects Abroad (GPA), and (14) Fulbright-Hays Seminars Abroad (SA).

The Department, in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA) (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)), provides the general public and Federal agencies with an opportunity to comment on proposed, revised, and continuing collections of information. This helps the Department assess the impact of its information collection requirements and minimize the public's reporting burden. It also helps the public understand the Department's information collection requirements and provide the requested data in the desired format. The Department is soliciting comments on the proposed information collection request (ICR) that is described below. The Department is especially interested in public comment addressing the following issues: (1) is this collection necessary to the proper functions of the Department; (2) will this information be processed and used in a timely manner; (3) is the estimate of burden accurate; (4) how might the Department enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (5) how might the Department minimize the burden of this collection on the respondents, including through the use of information technology. Please note that written comments received in response to this notice will be considered public records.

Title of Collection: Evaluation of Transition Supports for Youth with Disabilities.

OMB Control Number: 1850-0979.

Type of Review: A revision of a currently approved ICR.

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

Total Estimated Number of Annual Responses: 6,090.

Total Estimated Number of Annual Burden Hours: 2,924.

Abstract: This study will examine the effectiveness, implementation, and costs of two new strategies for supporting youth with disabilities and their families to prepare for a successful transition from high school to adult life. The first strategy is based on a model of self-determination instruction designed to help students develop skills such as goal setting, decision making, planning and apply those skills to plan and pursue their transition goals. The second strategy not only teaches self-determination skills but also provides individual mentoring to help students engage in and take active steps toward their post-school goals. The study will compare the intermediate and post-school outcomes for approximately 3,000 students who have an individualized education program and are approximately two years from high school graduation. Participating students in up to 100 schools and 16 districts will be randomly assigned to receive one of the study's strategies or continue with the regular transition supports they receive from their school. This revised information collection request adds instruments to measure outcomes and assess the implementation and cost-effectiveness of each strategy.

Purpose of the Committee: The Nuclear Energy Advisory Committee provides advice and recommendations to the Assistant Secretary for Nuclear Energy on national policy and scientific aspects of nuclear issues of concern to DOE; provides periodic reviews of the various program elements within DOE's nuclear programs and recommendations based thereon; ascertains the needs, views, and priorities of DOE's nuclear programs; advises on long-range plans, priorities, and strategies to address more effectively the technical, financial, and policy aspects of such programs; and advises on appropriate levels of resources to develop those plans, priorities, and strategies. The committee is composed of 11 individuals of diverse backgrounds selected for their technical expertise and experience, established records of distinguished professional service, and their knowledge of issues that pertain to nuclear energy.

Purpose of Meeting: The Nuclear Energy Advisory Committee will hold a meeting on Tuesday, April 30, 2024, to discuss committee priorities and proposed recommendations for the Assistant Secretary for Nuclear Energy.

Tentative Agenda: The meeting will start at 8:30 a.m. eastern time on Tuesday, April 30, 2024. The tentative meeting agenda includes: roll call, remarks from the Assistant Secretary for Nuclear Energy, remarks from the NEAC chair, presentations that provide the committee updates on activities for the Office of Nuclear Energy, and public comments. The meeting will conclude at approximately 2 p.m. The agenda may change to accommodate committee business. For updates and meeting materials, one is directed to the NEAC website: https://www.energy.gov/ne/services/nuclear-energy-advisory-committee.

Public Participation: Members of the public who wish to attend can do so virtually via the NEAC website: https://www.energy.gov/ne/services/nuclear-energy-advisory-committee. All attendees are requested to register by April 20, 2024, for the meeting at by emailing Krystal.Milam@nuclear.energy.gov. Written statements may be filed with the Committee either before or after the meeting. Individuals who wish to make oral statements pertaining to agenda items should contact Krystal D. Milam at the address or telephone listed previously. Requests for an oral statement must be received at least five days prior to the meeting. Reasonable provision will be made to include requested oral statements in the agenda. The Designated Federal Officer is empowered to conduct the meeting in a fashion that will facilitate the orderly conduct of business. Individuals wishing to make public comments will be provided a maximum of five minutes to present their comments.

Minutes: Minutes will be available by contacting Krystal D. Milam at the address or telephone number listed previously. Minutes will also be available at the following website: https://www.energy.gov/ne/nuclear-energy-advisory-committee.

Signing Authority: This document of the Department of Energy was signed on March 25, 2024, by David Borak, Deputy Committee Management Officer, pursuant to delegated authority from the Secretary of Energy. That document with the original signature and date is maintained by DOE. For administrative purposes only, and in compliance with requirements of the Office of the Federal Register, the undersigned DOE Federal Register Liaison Officer has been authorized to sign and submit the document in electronic format for publication, as an official document of the Department of Energy. This administrative process in no way alters the legal effect of this document upon publication in the Federal Register .

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

Purpose of the Consent Order Subcommittee: The subcommittee reviews the 2016 Compliance Order on Consent, evaluate its strengths and weaknesses, and draft recommendations for the full Board's consideration as to how to improve it.

Purpose of the Risk Evaluation and Management Subcommittee: The subcommittee drafts external citizen-based recommendations for the full Board's consideration on human and ecological health risk resulting from historical, current, and future hazardous and radioactive legacy waste operations at Los Alamos National Laboratory.

Public Participation: The online virtual meeting is open to the public. To sign up for public comment, please contact Bridget Maestas at Bridget.Maestas@em.doe.gov, no later than 5 p.m. MDT on Friday, April 19, 2024. Written statements may be filed with the Committees either before or within five days after the meeting by sending them to Bridget Maestas at the aforementioned email address. The Deputy Designated Federal Officer is empowered to conduct the meeting in a fashion that will facilitate the orderly conduct of business. Individuals wishing to make public comments will be provided a maximum of five minutes to present their comments.

Minutes: Minutes will be available by writing or calling Bridget Maestas at the email address or telephone number listed above. Minutes and other Board documents are on the internet at: https://energy.gov/em/nnmcab/meeting-materials.

Signing Authority: This document of the Department of Energy was signed on March 25, 2024, by David Borak, Deputy Committee Management Officer, pursuant to delegated authority from the Secretary of Energy. That document with the original signature and date is maintained by DOE. For administrative purposes only, and in compliance with requirements of the Office of the Federal Register, the undersigned DOE Federal Register Liaison Officer has been authorized to sign and submit the document in electronic format for publication, as an official document of the Department of Energy. This administrative process in no way alters the legal effect of this document upon publication in the Federal Register .

The United States Department of Energy (DOE) regulates electricity exports from the United States to foreign countries in accordance with section 202(e) of the Federal Power Act (FPA) (16 U.S.C. 824a(e)) and regulations thereunder (10 CFR 205.300 et seq. ). Sections 301(b) and 402(f) of the DOE Organization Act (42 U.S.C. 7151(b) and 7172(f)) transferred this regulatory authority, previously exercised by the now-defunct Federal Power Commission, to DOE.

Section 202(e) of the FPA provides that an entity which seeks to export electricity must obtain an order from DOE authorizing that export (16 U.S.C. 824a(e)). On April 10, 2023, the authority to issue such orders was delegated to the DOE's Grid Deployment Office (GDO) by Delegation Order No. S1-DEL-S3-2023 and Redelegation Order No. S3-DEL-GD1-2023.

On February 26, 2024, the Applicant filed an application with DOE (Application or App.) to transmit electric energy from the United States to Mexico for a term of five-years. App. at 1.

According to the Application, EEMNA is a Delaware corporation with its principal place of business in Houston, Texas. App. at 1. EEMNA represents it is a wholly owned subsidiary of ENGIE Holdings Inc., which is a wholly owned indirect subsidiary of ENGIE S.A.. Id. EEMNA states it is “certified as a Qualified Scheduling Entity with the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (“ERCOT”) and a wholesale power marketer registered with the Public Utilities Commission of Texas.” Id. at 2. The Applicant further states it “engages in the business of marketing and trading electric energy and other energy related products in the United States and is authorized to sell wholesale electric energy, capacity and ancillary services outside of ERCOT at market-based rates pursuant to authority granted by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (“FERC”) under a wholesale power sales tariff currently on file with FERC.” Id.

The Applicant asserts it “does not own or control any generation, transmission, or distribution facilities, nor does [it] have a franchised service area.” App. at 2. The Applicant represents that it “will comply with existing industry procedures for obtaining transmission capacity, including reserving transmission service in accordance with FERC's Open Access Same-Time Information System (“OASIS”) and scheduling delivery of the export with the appropriate Regional Transmission Organization(s) (“RTOs”) or Independent System Operator(s) (“ISOs”) and/or Balancing Authority areas.” Id. at 6. EEMNA notes its proposed exports would be surplus to the needs of the selling entities. Id. at 5. For these reasons, the Applicant asserts that “its exports cannot have any adverse impact on the reliability, stability, or sufficiency of supply on a franchised electric supply system or the electric power supply within the U.S.” Id.

The existing international transmission facilities to be utilized by the Applicant have been previously authorized by Presidential permits issued pursuant to Executive Order 10485, as amended, and are appropriate for open access transmission by third parties. See App. at Exhibit C.

Procedural Matters: Any person desiring to be heard in this proceeding should file a comment or protest to the Application at Electricity.Exports@hq.doe.gov. Protests should be filed in accordance with Rule 211 of Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's (FERC's) Rules of Practice and Procedure (18 CFR 385.211). Any person desiring to become a party to this proceeding should file a motion to intervene at Electricity.Exports@hq.doe.gov in accordance with FERC Rule 214 (18 CFR 385.214).

Comments and other filings concerning EEMNA's Application should be clearly marked with GDO Docket No. EA-508. Additional copies are to be provided directly to Adam Roth, ENGIE Energy Marketing NA, Inc., 1360 Post Oak Blvd., Suite 400, Houston, TX 77056, adam.roth@engie.com, and Catherine McCarthy, Bracewell LLP, 2001 M Street NW, Suite 900, Washington, DC 20036-3310, cathy.mccarthy@bracewell.com.

A final decision will be made on the requested authorization after the environmental impacts have been evaluated pursuant to DOE's National Environmental Policy Act Implementing Procedures (10 CFR part 1021) and after DOE evaluates whether the proposed action will have an adverse impact on the sufficiency of supply or reliability of the United States electric power supply system.

Copies of this Application will be made available, upon request, by accessing the program website at https://www.energy.gov/gdo/pending-applications-0 or by emailing Electricity.Exports@hq.doe.gov.

Signing Authority: This document of the Department of Energy was signed on March 25, 2024, by Maria Robinson, Director, Grid Deployment Office, pursuant to delegated authority from the Secretary of Energy. That document with the original signature and date is maintained by DOE. For administrative purposes only, and in compliance with requirements of the Office of the Federal Register, the undersigned DOE Federal Register Liaison Officer has been authorized to sign and submit the document in electronic format for publication, as an official document of the Department of Energy. This administrative process in no way alters the legal effect of this document upon publication in the Federal Register .

The United States Department of Energy (DOE) regulates electricity exports from the United States to foreign countries in accordance with section 202(e) of the Federal Power Act (FPA) (16 U.S.C. 824a(e)) and regulations thereunder (10 CFR 205.300 et seq. ). Sections 301(b) and 402(f) of the DOE Organization Act (42 U.S.C. 7151(b) and 7172(f)) transferred this regulatory authority, previously exercised by the now-defunct Federal Power Commission, to DOE.

Section 202(e) of the FPA provides that an entity which seeks to export electricity must obtain an order from DOE authorizing that export (16 U.S.C. 824a(e)). On April 10, 2023, the authority to issue such orders was delegated to the DOE's Grid Deployment Office (GDO) by Delegation Order No. S1-DEL-S3-2023 and Redelegation Order No. S3-DEL-GD1-2023.

On May 31, 2019, DOE issued Order No. EA-260-F to CP Energy Marketing to transmit electric energy from the United States to Canada as a power marketer for a period of five years. On March 11, 2024, CP Energy Marketing filed an application with DOE (Application or App.) for renewal of its export authority for a five-year term. App. at 1.

According to the Application, CP Energy Marketing is a Delaware corporation with its principal place of business in Boston, Massachusetts, that is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Capital Power Corporation, a public Canadian corporation. Id. at 2. CP Energy Marketing represents that it is a power marketer engaged in the business of marketing and trading electric energy and other energy-related products in the United States with market-based rate authority from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). Id.

The Applicant states that it “does not own, operate[,] or control any electric generation, transmission or distribution facilities” and “neither has franchised service area nor has entered into any contracts that confer ownership or control over generation capacity to CP Energy Marketing.” App. at 2. The Applicant represents that it “will purchase the power it plans to export voluntarily through the electric energy markets in the United States and/or from electric utilities, wholesale generators, power marketers and other parties, and thus such power will be surplus to the needs of the selling parties or organization.” Id. at 4. CP Energy Marketing also states it “will make all necessary commercial arrangements and will obtain any and all other regulatory approvals required in order to carry out any power exports.” Id. CP Energy Marketing asserts its “export of power will not impair or tend to impede the sufficiency of electric power supplies in the United States or the regional coordination of electric utility planning or operation. Id.

The existing international transmission facilities to be utilized by the Applicant have been previously authorized by Presidential permits issued pursuant to Executive Order 10485, as amended, and are appropriate for open access transmission by third parties. See App. at Exhibit C.

Procedural Matters: Any person desiring to be heard in this proceeding should file a comment or protest to the Application at Electricity.Exports@hq.doe.gov . Protests should be filed in accordance with Rule 211 of FERC's Rules of Practice and Procedure (18 CFR 385.211). Any person desiring to become a party to this proceeding should file a motion to intervene at Electricity.Exports@hq.doe.gov in accordance with FERC Rule 214 (18 CFR 385.214).

Comments and other filings concerning CP Energy Marketing's Application should be clearly marked with GDO Docket No. EA-260-G. Additional copies are to be provided directly to Colleen Smith, CP Energy Marketing (US) Inc. c/o Capital Power Corporation, 155 Federal Street, Suite 1200, Boston, MA 02110, notices@captialpower.com, and Peter P. Thieman and Clarence R. Hawkes III, Dentons US LLP, 1900 K Street NW, Washington, DC 20006, peter.thieman@dentons.com, clarence.hawkes@dentons.com .

A final decision will be made on the requested authorization after the environmental impacts have been evaluated pursuant to DOE's National Environmental Policy Act Implementing Procedures (10 CFR part 1021) and after DOE evaluates whether the proposed action will have an adverse impact on the sufficiency of supply or reliability of the United States electric power supply system.

Copies of this Application will be made available, upon request, by accessing the program website at https://www.energy.gov/gdo/pending-applications-0 or by emailing Electricity.Exports@hq.doe.gov .

Signing Authority: This document of the Department of Energy was signed on March 25, 2024, by Maria Robinson, Director, Grid Deployment Office, pursuant to delegated authority from the Secretary of Energy. That document with the original signature and date is maintained by DOE. For administrative purposes only, and in compliance with requirements of the Office of the Federal Register, the undersigned DOE Federal Register Liaison Officer has been authorized to sign and submit the document in electronic format for publication, as an official document of the Department of Energy. This administrative process in no way alters the legal effect of this document upon publication in the Federal Register .

Purpose of the Committee: To provide advice, information, and recommendations to the Secretary of Energy on matters relating to oil and natural gas, and the oil and natural gas industries.

Purpose of the Meeting: The National Petroleum Council will hold a meeting on April 23, 2024, to present and approve the final reports of the Committees on Hydrogen Energy and GHG Emissions.

Public Participation: The meeting is open to the public. The Chair of the Council will conduct the meeting to facilitate the orderly conduct of business. Members of the public who wish to make oral statements pertaining to agenda items should contact Ms. Nancy Johnson at the address or telephone number listed above. Approximately 15 minutes will be reserved for public comments. The time allocated per speaker will depend on the number of requests received but will not exceed five minutes. Requests for oral statements must be received at least seven days prior to the meeting. Those not able to attend the meeting or having insufficient time to address the Council are invited to send a written statement to nancy.johnson@hq.doe.gov. Any member of the public who wishes to file a written statement to the Council will be permitted to do so, either before or after the meeting.

Minutes: The minutes of the meeting will be available at https://www.energy.gov/fecm/national-petroleum-council-npc, or by contacting Ms. Johnson. She may be reached at the postal address or email address listed previously.

Signing Authority: This document of the Department of Energy was signed on March 25, 2024, by David Borak, Deputy Committee Management Officer, pursuant to delegated authority from the Secretary of Energy. That document with the original signature and date is maintained by DOE. For administrative purposes only, and in compliance with requirements of the Office of the Federal Register, the undersigned DOE Federal Register Liaison Officer has been authorized to sign and submit the document in electronic format for publication, as an official document of the Department of Energy. This administrative process in no way alters the legal effect of this document upon publication in the Federal Register .

On March 18, 2024, Plaintiffs filed a complaint in Federal district court asserting that EPA failed to perform a mandatory duty under the CWA to establish TMDLs for certain waters located in the Lower Guyandotte River Watershed in West Virginia that are biologically impaired due to ionic toxicity (Ionic Toxicity TMDLs). This complaint followed Plaintiffs' submission to EPA of a Notice of Intent to Sue (NOI) on March 21, 2023. Following submission of the NOI, Plaintiffs and EPA initiated settlement discussions, which resulted in the proposed consent decree. Under the consent decree, EPA would be obligated to establish Ionic Toxicity TMDLs for 11 waterbody segments in the Lower Guyandotte River Watershed by January 15, 2025. In exchange, Plaintiffs would permanently release any and all claims against EPA that the Agency must establish ionic toxicity TMDLs for any other waterbody segments within the Lower Guyandotte River Watershed except for six identified waterbody segments and any waterbody segments that are listed as biologically impaired for the first time after June 1, 2023. For those six waterbody segments and any waterbody segments listed as biologically impaired for the first time after June 1, 2023, Plaintiffs would refrain from bringing any such claims against EPA until January 15, 2039. Further, Plaintiffs would not bring such claims against EPA for any West Virginia waterbody segment outside the Lower Guyandotte River Watershed until after January 15, 2025.

For a period of thirty (30) days following the date of publication of this notice, EPA will accept written comments relating to the proposed consent decree from persons who are not parties to the litigation. EPA or the Department of Justice may withdraw or withhold consent to the proposed consent decree if the comments received disclose facts or considerations that indicate that such consent is inappropriate, improper, inadequate, or inconsistent with the requirements of the CWA.

The official public docket for this action (identified by Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OGC-2024-0145) contains a copy of the proposed consent decree. The official public docket is available for public viewing at the Office of Environmental Information (OEI) Docket in the EPA Docket Center, EPA West, Room 3334, 1301 Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, DC. The EPA Docket Center Public Reading Room is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays. The telephone number for the Public Reading Room is (202) 566-1744, and the telephone number for the OEI Docket is (202) 566-1752.

The electronic version of the public docket for this action contains a copy of the proposed consent decree and is available through https://www.regulations.gov. You may use https://www.regulations.gov to submit or view public comments, access the index listing of the contents of the official public docket, and access those documents in the public docket that are available electronically. Once in the system, key in the appropriate docket identification number then select “search.”

Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OGC-2024-0145 via https://www.regulations.gov. Once submitted, comments cannot be edited or removed from this docket. EPA may publish any comment received to its public docket. Do not submit to EPA's docket at https://www.regulations.gov any information you consider to be Confidential Business Information (CBI) or other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. Multimedia submissions (audio, video, etc.) must be accompanied by a written comment. The written comment is considered the official comment and should include discussion of all points you wish to make. EPA will generally not consider comments or comment contents located outside of the primary submission ( i.e., on the web, cloud, or other file sharing system). For additional submission methods, the full EPA public comment policy, information about CBI or multimedia submissions, and general guidance on making effective comments, please visit https://www.epa.gov/dockets/commenting-epa-dockets. For additional information about submitting information identified as CBI, please contact the person listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section of this document.

If you submit an electronic comment, EPA recommends that you include your name, mailing address, and an email address or other contact information in the body of your comment. 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. 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.

Use of the https://www.regulations.gov website to submit comments to EPA electronically is EPA's preferred method for receiving comments. The electronic public docket system is an “anonymous access” system, which means EPA will not know your identity, email address, or other contact information unless you provide it in the body 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 does not plan to consider these late comments.

The official public docket for this action (identified by Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OGC-2024-0149) contains a copy of the proposed consent decree. The official public docket is available for public viewing at the Office of Environmental Information (OEI) Docket in the EPA Docket Center, EPA West, Room 3334, 1301 Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, DC. The EPA Docket Center Public Reading Room is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays. The telephone number for the Public Reading Room is (202) 566-1744, and the telephone number for the OEI Docket is (202) 566-1752.

The electronic version of the public docket for this action contains a copy of the proposed consent decree, and is available through https://www.regulations.gov. You may use https://www.regulations.gov to submit or view public comments, access the index listing of the contents of the official public docket, and access those documents in the public docket that are available electronically. Once in the system, key in the appropriate docket identification number then select “search.”

Plaintiffs initially filed a complaint in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia alleging that EPA failed to perform its nondiscretionary duty under CAA section 110(k)(2)-(4) to approve, disapprove, or conditionally approve, in whole or in part the second planning period regional haze SIP revisions for seven states, Kansas, Massachusetts, Michigan, Ohio, Texas, and Wisconsin, within 12 months of a determination of completeness by EPA or a submittal being deemed complete by operation of law. Plaintiffs then filed an Amended Complaint challenging the same failure from Defendants to perform a nondiscretionary duty under 110(k)(2)-(4) to approve, disapprove, or conditionally approve, in whole or in part the second planning period regional haze for 27 additional states, for a total of 34 states: Alaska, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming, within 12 months of a determination of completeness by EPA or a submittal being deemed complete by operation of law.

Under the terms of the proposed consent decree, no later than the dates set forth in the proposed consent decree, the Administrator or appropriate EPA official with delegated authority shall sign a notice of proposed rulemaking to approve, disapprove, conditionally approve, or approve in part and disapprove in part, pursuant to sections 110(k)(2)-(4) of the CAA, 42 U.S.C. 7410(k)(2)-(4), certain SIP submittals set forth in the proposed consent decree. In addition, under the terms of the proposed consent decree, no later than the dates set forth in the proposed consent decree, the Administrator or appropriate EPA official with delegated authority shall sign a notice of final rulemaking to approve, disapprove, conditionally approve, or approve in part and disapprove in part, pursuant to sections 110(k)(2)-(4) of the CAA, 42 U.S.C. 7410(k)(2)-(4), the SIP submittals set forth in the proposed consent decree.

In accordance with section 113(g) of the CAA, for a period of thirty (30) days following the date of publication of this notice, the Agency will accept written comments relating to the proposed consent decree. EPA or the Department of Justice may withdraw or withhold consent to the proposed consent decree if the comments disclose facts or considerations that indicate that such consent is inappropriate, improper, inadequate, or inconsistent with the requirements of the Act.

Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OGC-2024-0149, via https://www.regulations.gov. Once submitted, comments cannot be edited or removed from this docket. The EPA may publish any comment received to its public docket. Do not submit to EPA's docket at https://www.regulations.gov any information you consider to be Confidential Business Information (CBI) or other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. Multimedia submissions (audio, video, etc.) must be accompanied by a written comment. The written comment is considered the official comment and should include discussion of all points you wish to make. The EPA will generally not consider comments or comment contents located outside of the primary submission ( i.e., on the web, cloud, or other file sharing system). For additional submission methods, the full EPA public comment policy, information about CBI or multimedia submissions, and general guidance on making effective comments, please visit https://www.epa.gov/dockets/commenting-epa-dockets. For additional information about submitting information identified as CBI, please contact the person listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section of this document. Note that written comments containing CBI and submitted by mail may be delayed and deliveries or couriers will be received by scheduled appointment only.

If you submit an electronic comment, EPA recommends that you include your name, mailing address, and an email address or other contact information in the body of your comment. 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. 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.

Use of the https://www.regulations.gov website to submit comments to EPA electronically is EPA's preferred method for receiving comments. The electronic public docket system is an “anonymous access” system, which means EPA will not know your identity, email address, or other contact information unless you provide it in the body 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.

The SAB (42 U.S.C. 4365) is a chartered Federal Advisory Committee that provides independent scientific and technical peer review, advice, and recommendations to the EPA Administrator on the technical basis for EPA actions. As a Federal Advisory Committee, the SAB conducts business in accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) (5 U.S.C. 10) and related regulations. The SAB Staff Office is forming an expert panel, the IRIS Chloroform Review Panel, under the auspices of the Chartered SAB. The IRIS Chloroform Review Panel will provide advice through the chartered SAB. The SAB and the IRIS Chloroform Review Panel will comply with the provisions of FACA and all appropriate SAB Staff Office procedural policies.

The IRIS Chloroform Review Panel will conduct the review of the draft IRIS Toxicological Review of Chloroform prepared by the EPA IRIS Program. The IRIS Program is located within EPA's Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment (CPHEA) in the Office of Research and Development (ORD). The draft IRIS cancer and non-cancer assessment includes a hazard identification analysis, which summarizes the available evidence on health effects that may be associated with environmental or occupational exposure, and dose-response analysis that characterizes the quantitative relationship between chloroform inhalation exposure and each credible health hazard. The SAB IRIS Chloroform Review Panel will consider whether the conclusions found in the EPA's draft IRIS assessment are clearly presented and scientifically supported. The Panel will also be asked to provide recommendations on how the assessment may be strengthened.

Request for Nominations: The SAB Staff Office is seeking nominations of nationally and internationally recognized scientists with demonstrated expertise in the following disciplines: toxicology, specifically inhalation toxicology/dosimetry, hepatic and nephrological toxicology; epidemiology; systematic review; biostatistics; uncertainty analysis; physiologically-based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) modeling; carcinogenesis; risk assessment; dose response analysis.

Process and Deadline for Submitting Nominations: Any interested person or organization may nominate qualified individuals in the areas of expertise described above for possible service on the SAB Panel. Individuals may self-nominate. Nominations should be submitted in electronic format (preferred) using the online nomination form on the SAB website at https://sab.epa.gov (see the “Public Input on Membership” list under “Committees, Panels, and Membership” following the instructions for “Nominating Experts to Advisory Panels and Ad Hoc Committees Being Formed,” provided on the SAB website (see the “Nomination of Experts” link under “Current Activities” at https://sab.epa.gov ). To be considered, nominations should include the information requested below. EPA values and welcomes diversity. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply regardless of sex, race, disability, or ethnicity. Nominations should be submitted in time to arrive no later than April 19, 2024.

The following information should be provided on the nomination form: contact information for the person making the nomination; contact information for the nominee; and the disciplinary and specific areas of expertise of the nominee. Nominees will be contacted by the SAB Staff Office and will be asked to provide a recent curriculum vitae and a narrative biographical summary that includes current position, educational background; research activities; and recent service on other national advisory committees or national professional organizations. Persons having questions about the nomination procedures, or who are unable to submit nominations through the SAB website, should contact the DFO at the contact information noted above. The names and biosketches of qualified nominees identified by respondents to this Federal Register Notice, and additional experts identified by the SAB Staff Office, will be posted in a List of Candidates for the Panel on the SAB website at https://sab.epa.gov. Public comments on the List of Candidates will be accepted for 21 days. The public will be requested to provide relevant information or other documentation on nominees that the SAB Staff Office should consider when evaluating candidates.

For the EPA SAB Staff Office, a balanced review panel includes candidates who possess the necessary domains of knowledge, the relevant scientific perspectives (which, among other factors, can be influenced by work history and affiliation), and the collective breadth of experience to adequately address the charge. In forming the expert panel, the SAB Staff Office will consider public comments on the Lists of Candidates, information provided by the candidates themselves, and background information independently gathered by the SAB Staff Office. Selection criteria to be used for panel membership include: (a) scientific and/or technical expertise, knowledge, and experience (primary factors); (b) availability and willingness to serve; (c) absence of financial conflicts of interest; (d) absence of an appearance of a loss of impartiality; (e) skills working in committees, subcommittees, and advisory panels; and (f) for the panel as a whole, diversity of expertise and scientific points of view.

Candidates may be asked to submit the “Confidential Financial Disclosure Form for Special Government Employees Serving on Federal Advisory Committees at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency” (EPA Form 3110-48). This confidential form is required for Special Government Employees (SGEs) and allows EPA to determine whether there is a statutory conflict between a person's public responsibilities (which includes membership on an EPA federal advisory committee) and private interests and activities, or the appearance of a loss of impartiality, as defined by federal regulation. The form may be viewed and downloaded through the “Ethics Requirements for Advisors” link on the SAB website at https://sab.epa.gov. This form should not be submitted as part of a nomination.

On June 15, 1984, OMB delegated to the Board authority under the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) to approve and assign OMB control numbers to collections of information conducted or sponsored by the Board. Board-approved collections of information are incorporated into the official OMB inventory of currently approved collections of information. The OMB inventory, as well as copies of the PRA Submission, supporting statements (which contain more detailed information about the information collections and burden estimates than this notice), and approved collection of information instrument(s) are available at https://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain. These documents are also available on the Federal Reserve Board's public website at https://www.federalreserve.gov/apps/reportingforms/home/review or may be requested from the agency clearance officer, whose name appears above.

Collection title: Reporting, Recordkeeping, and Disclosure Requirements Associated with Regulation LL.

Collection identifier: FR LL.

OMB control number: 7100-0380.

General description of collection: Regulation LL—Savings and Loan Holding Companies (12 CFR part 238) requires certain large savings and loan holding companies (SLHCs) to submit a capital plan to the Board on an annual basis, request prior approval from the Board under certain circumstances before making a capital distribution, conduct company-run periodic stress tests, report the results of its company-run stress tests to the Board, publicly disclose a summary of the results of such stress tests, and comply with certain other reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

Capital is central to a firm's ability to absorb unexpected losses and continue to lend to creditworthy businesses and consumers. The Board's capital planning requirements for large bank holding companies help to ensure that these firms have robust systems and processes that incorporate forward-looking projections of revenue and losses to monitor and maintain their internal capital adequacy. The Board's stress testing and stress capital buffer requirements help ensure that a firm can meet its obligations to creditors and other counterparties, as well as continue to serve as a financial intermediary through periods of financial and economic stress.

Frequency: Ongoing, annual, biennial, or event-generated.

Respondents: Foreign SLHCs with average total consolidated assets of greater than $250 billion and domestic covered SLHCs with average total consolidated assets of greater than $100 billion.

Total estimated number of respondents: 1.

Total estimated change in burden: 31.

Total estimated annual burden hours: 14,430. 1

Current actions: On September 28, 2023, the Board published a notice in the Federal Register (88 FR 66848) requesting public comment for 60 days on the extension, with revision, of the FR LL. The Board proposed to revise the FR LL to account for several reporting provisions and one recordkeeping provision which had not been previously cleared by the Board under the PRA. The comment period for this notice expired on November 27, 2023. The Board did not receive any comments. The revisions will be implemented as proposed.

On June 15, 1984, OMB delegated to the Board authority under the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) to approve and assign OMB control numbers to collections of information conducted or sponsored by the Board. In exercising this delegated authority, the Board is directed to take every reasonable step to solicit comment. In determining whether to approve a collection of information, the Board will consider all comments received from the public and other agencies.

During the comment period for this proposal, a copy of the proposed PRA OMB submission, including the draft reporting form and instructions, supporting statement (which contains more detail about the information collection and burden estimates than this notice), and other documentation, will be made available on the Board's public website at https://www.federalreserve.gov/apps/reportingforms/home/review or may be requested from the agency clearance officer, whose name appears above. Final versions of these documents will be made available at https://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain, if approved.

The Board invites public comment on the following information collection, which is being reviewed under authority delegated by the OMB under the PRA. Comments are invited on the following:

a. Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the Board's functions, including whether the information has practical utility;

b. The accuracy of the Board's estimate of the burden of the proposed information collection, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used;

c. Ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected;

d. Ways to minimize the burden of information collection on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology; and

e. Estimates of capital or startup costs and costs of operation, maintenance, and purchase of services to provide information.

At the end of the comment period, the comments and recommendations received will be analyzed to determine the extent to which the Board should modify the proposal.

Collection title: Structure Reporting and Recordkeeping Requirements for Domestic and Foreign Banking Organizations.

Collection identifier: FR Y-6, FR Y-7, FR Y-10, and FR Y-10E.

OMB control number: 7100-0297.

General description of collection: This information collection comprises the following four reports:

Annual Report of Holding Companies (FR Y-6), which collects financial and organizational information from holding companies (HCs) and foreign banking organizations (FBOs) that are not “qualifying” FBOs under section 211.23 of the Board's Regulation K—International Banking Operations (12 CFR part 211),

Annual Report of Foreign Banking Organizations (FR Y-7), which collects financial and organizational information from qualifying FBOs,

Report of Changes in Organizational Structure (FR Y-10), which is an event-generated report that captures changes in organizational structure or regulated investments and activities of various Board-supervised entities, and

Supplement to the Report of Changes in Organizational Structure (FR Y-10E), which is a formless supplement to the FR Y-10 that the Board may use to collect additional structural information on an emergency basis.

Proposed revisions: The Board proposes to revise the FR Y-7 report as described below. There are no proposed changes to the FR Y-6, FR Y-10, or FR Y-10E. The proposed effective date for the changes is December 31, 2024.

The Board proposes to change the due date of the FR Y-7 report from four months after the reporter's fiscal year end to 120 calendar days. This change provides more clarity around the actual due date of the report for respondents and end users of the data. The use of the actual number of days is also consistent with most other Federal Reserve reports, including the FR Y-6 report.

The Board proposes to add an electronic filing option for the FR Y-7, and to automate and add standard templates for a portion of reporting item one, financial statements; a portion of item two, organization chart; all of item three, shares and shareholders; all of item four, eligibility as a qualified foreign banking organization; and all of item five, prudential standards compliance. Unlike other Board reports, the FR Y-7 is not currently submitted electronically. Instead, respondents mail their initial report and any subsequent revisions to the appropriate Reserve Bank. The manual processes around the collection and maintenance of this report can be costly and burdensome for respondents. Adding the capability to submit and maintain the report electronically would reduce reporter burden and support costs over time. Moreover, an electronic filing option would streamline the report submission process and make it easier to revise reports.

Additionally, the FR Y-7 form, which primarily consists of a checklist, is in a relatively unstructured format that allows respondents to submit required data items in different formats. For example, respondents may submit shareholder information in a Microsoft Word document or in an Excel spreadsheet. In other cases, respondents submit their annual report with an attached cover memo referencing the appropriate page numbers where Federal Reserve analysts can locate the relevant FR Y-7 report information. The proposed templates would outline the specific information required and would eliminate the need for respondents to create multiple documents to submit data. It would also provide more clarity around reporting requirements and help eliminate extraneous information, which is often submitted along with the required data.

Lastly, the Board proposes to make other minor clarifications and conforming edits to the FR Y-7 forms and instructions

Frequency: Annual, event-generated.

Respondents: The FR Y-6 panel comprises top-tier bank holding companies (BHCs), savings and loan holding companies (SLHCs), employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs) and employee share ownership trusts (ESOTs) or trusts that are BHCs or SLHCs, securities holding companies, intermediate holding companies (IHCs), and any FBO that does not meet the requirements of and is not treated as a qualifying FBO under Regulation K.

The FR Y-7 panel comprises all qualifying FBOs that engage in banking in the United States, either directly or indirectly.

The FR Y-10 and FR Y-10E panels comprise top-tier BHCs (including ESOPs or ESOTs that are BHCs and financial holding companies); top-tier SLHCs, including ESOPs, ESOTs, or trusts that are SLHCs pursuant to Regulation LL; FBOs; state member banks that are not controlled by an HC; Edge and agreement corporations that are not controlled by a member bank, a domestic HC, or an FBO; and nationally chartered banks that are not controlled by a BHC or an FBO (with regard to their foreign investments only); and securities holding companies.

Total estimated number of respondents:

FR Y-6—3,760.

FR Y-7—205.

FR Y-10 and FR Y-10E—3,790.

Estimated average hours per response:

FR Y-6—2.5.

FR Y-7 Initial—10.10.

FR Y-7 Ongoing—4.63.

FR Y-10—2.5.

FR Y-10E—0.5.

FR Y-6—0.5.

FR Y-10—0.5.

Total estimated change in burden: 1,284.

Total estimated annual burden hours:

FR Y-6—9,400.

FR Y-7 Initial—2,071.

FR Y-7 Ongoing—949.

FR Y-10—33,153.

FR Y-10E—1,895.

FR Y-6—1,880.

FR Y-10—6,631. 1

On June 15, 1984, OMB delegated to the Board authority under the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) to approve and assign OMB control numbers to collections of information conducted or sponsored by the Board. In exercising this delegated authority, the Board is directed to take every reasonable step to solicit comment. In determining whether to approve a collection of information, the Board will consider all comments received from the public and other agencies.

During the comment period for this proposal, a copy of the proposed PRA OMB submission, including the draft reporting form and instructions, supporting statement (which contains more detail about the information collection and burden estimates than this notice), and other documentation, will be made available on the Board's public website at https://www.federalreserve.gov/apps/reportingforms/home/review or may be requested from the agency clearance officer, whose name appears above. On the page displayed at the link above, you can find the supporting information by referencing the collection identifier, FR 2064. Final versions of these documents will be made available at https://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain, if approved.

The Board invites public comment on the following information collection, which is being reviewed under authority delegated by the OMB under the PRA. Comments are invited on the following:

a. Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the Board's functions, including whether the information has practical utility;

b. The accuracy of the Board's estimate of the burden of the proposed information collection, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used;

c. Ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected;

d. Ways to minimize the burden of information collection on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology; and

e. Estimates of capital or startup costs and costs of operation, maintenance, and purchase of services to provide information.

At the end of the comment period, the comments and recommendations received will be analyzed to determine the extent to which the Board should modify the proposal.

Collection title: Recordkeeping Guidance Associated with Changes in Foreign Investments Made Pursuant to Regulation K.

Collection identifier: FR 2064.

OMB control number: 7100-0109.

General description of collection: Internationally active U.S. banking organizations are expected to maintain adequate internal records to allow examiners to review compliance with the investment provisions of Regulation K. This recordkeeping guidance is what makes up the FR 2064. For each investment made under subpart A of Regulation K, a banking organization investor should maintain internal records regarding the type of investment; the amount of the investment; the percentage ownership; activities conducted by the company and the legal authority for such activities; and whether the investment was made under general consent, prior notice, or specific consent authority. With respect to investments made under general consent authority, information also should be maintained that demonstrates compliance with the various limits set out in section 211.9 of Regulation K. These records are reviewed by examiners during examinations, allowing the examiners to determine a banking organization's compliance with the Federal Reserve Act and subpart A of Regulation K. Monitoring banking organizations' international investments also permits the Federal Reserve to ensure that banking organizations do not expose themselves to undue risk.

Frequency: On-going.

Respondents: U.S. banking organizations (member banks, Edge Act and agreement corporations, and bank holding companies) that have made a foreign investment.

Total estimated number of respondents: 20.

Total estimated annual burden hours: 160.

On June 15, 1984, OMB delegated to the Board authority under the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) to approve and assign OMB control numbers to collections of information conducted or sponsored by the Board. In exercising this delegated authority, the Board is directed to take every reasonable step to solicit comment. In determining whether to approve a collection of information, the Board will consider all comments received from the public and other agencies.

During the comment period for this proposal, a copy of the proposed PRA OMB submission, including the draft reporting form and instructions, supporting statement (which contains more detail about the information collection and burden estimates than this notice), and other documentation, will be made available on the Board's public website at https://www.federalreserve.gov/apps/reportingforms/home/review or may be requested from the agency clearance officer, whose name appears above. Final versions of these documents will be made available at https://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain, if approved.

The Board invites public comment on the following information collection, which is being reviewed under authority delegated by the OMB under the PRA. Comments are invited on the following:

a. Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the Board's functions, including whether the information has practical utility;

b. The accuracy of the Board's estimate of the burden of the proposed information collection, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used;

c. Ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected;

d. Ways to minimize the burden of information collection on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology; and

e. Estimates of capital or startup costs and costs of operation, maintenance, and purchase of services to provide information.

At the end of the comment period, the comments and recommendations received will be analyzed to determine the extent to which the Board should modify the proposal.

Collection title: Interagency Guidance on Managing Compliance and Reputation Risks for Reverse Mortgage Products.

Collection identifier: FR 4029.

OMB control number: 7100-0330.

General description of collection: In August 2010, the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council (FFIEC), on behalf of its member agencies, published a Federal Register notice adopting supervisory guidance titled “Reverse Mortgage Products: Guidance for Managing Compliance and Reputation Risks.” The guidance is designed to assist financial institutions with risk management and efforts to ensure that their reverse mortgage lending practices adequately address consumer compliance and reputation risks. The reverse mortgage guidance discusses the disclosures and recordkeeping required by federal laws and regulations and also discusses consumer disclosures that financial institutions typically provide as a standard business practice. Certain portions of the guidance are information collections subject to PRA requirements and are what are included in the FR 4029.

Frequency: Event-generated.

Respondents: State member banks, Edge and Agreement corporations, bank holding companies, savings and loan holding companies, foreign banking organizations, and branches and agencies of foreign banks.

Total estimated number of respondents: 5.

Total estimated annual burden hours: 72. 1

On June 15, 1984, OMB delegated to the Board authority under the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) to approve and assign OMB control numbers to collections of information conducted or sponsored by the Board. In exercising this delegated authority, the Board is directed to take every reasonable step to solicit comment. In determining whether to approve a collection of information, the Board will consider all comments received from the public and other agencies.

During the comment period for this proposal, a copy of the proposed PRA OMB submission, including the draft reporting form and instructions, supporting statement (which contains more detail about the information collection and burden estimates than this notice), and other documentation, will be made available on the Board's public website at https://www.federalreserve.gov/apps/reportingforms/home/review or may be requested from the agency clearance officer, whose name appears above. Final versions of these documents will be made available at https://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain, if approved.

The Board invites public comment on the following information collection, which is being reviewed under authority delegated by the OMB under the PRA. Comments are invited on the following:

a. Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the Board's functions, including whether the information has practical utility;

b. The accuracy of the Board's estimate of the burden of the proposed information collection, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used;

c. Ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected;

d. Ways to minimize the burden of information collection on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology; and

e. Estimates of capital or startup costs and costs of operation, maintenance, and purchase of services to provide information.

At the end of the comment period, the comments and recommendations received will be analyzed to determine the extent to which the Board should modify the proposal.

Collection title: International Applications and Prior Notifications under Subpart B of Regulation K.

Collection identifier: FR K-2.

OMB control number: 7100-0284.

General description of collection: Subpart B of Regulation K implements the International Banking Act of 1978 (IBA). Under the IBA foreign banks are required to obtain the prior approval of the Board to establish a branch, agency, or representative office in the United States; to establish or acquire ownership or control of a commercial lending company in the United States; or to change the status of an agency or limited branch to a branch in the United States. The Board's FR K-2 information collection consists of attachments submitted in connection with these prior approval applications and helps in supervising foreign banks with offices in the United States.

Frequency: Event-generated.

Respondents: Foreign banks.

Total estimated number of respondents: 13.

Estimated average hours per response: Reporting: 27.5; Disclosure: 1.1.

Total estimated annual burden hours: 372. 1

On June 15, 1984, OMB delegated to the Board authority under the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) to approve and assign OMB control numbers to collections of information conducted or sponsored by the Board. In exercising this delegated authority, the Board is directed to take every reasonable step to solicit comment. In determining whether to approve a collection of information, the Board will consider all comments received from the public and other agencies.

During the comment period for this proposal, a copy of the proposed PRA OMB submission, including the draft reporting form and instructions, supporting statement (which contains more detail about the information collection and burden estimates than this notice), and other documentation, will be made available on the Board's public website at https://www.federalreserve.gov/apps/reportingforms/home/review or may be requested from the agency clearance officer, whose name appears above. Final versions of these documents will be made available at https://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain, if approved.

The Board invites public comment on the following information collection, which is being reviewed under authority delegated by the OMB under the PRA. Comments are invited on the following:

a. Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the Board's functions, including whether the information has practical utility;

b. The accuracy of the Board's estimate of the burden of the proposed information collection, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used;

c. Ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected;

d. Ways to minimize the burden of information collection on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology; and

e. Estimates of capital or startup costs and costs of operation, maintenance, and purchase of services to provide information.

At the end of the comment period, the comments and recommendations received will be analyzed to determine the extent to which the Board should modify the proposal.

Collection title: Reporting, Recordkeeping, and Disclosure Requirements Associated with Regulation YY.